What happened to Jim Harbaugh?
We can speak all we want about Shea fizzling out, the defense getting eviscerated, etc.
but what I’m wondering is where Jim Harbaugh - remember, the guy that almost won a Super Bowl - has gone.
i still remember the day he got hired, and this here blog was inundated with glee. It wasn’t just hype - Harbaugh had consistently won everywhere he went as a coach, and developed players like Andrew Luck, Colin Kaepernick, and - in his first year here - Jack Rud(d)ock. Never would we have expected him to admit, five years in especially, that he got “outcoached”, yet here we are.
Some coaches watch the game pass them by, but it seems like this stubbornness wouldn’t befall a coach so young. Perhaps others have evolved faster, and perhaps Harbaugh’s penchant for bolting after <=4 seasons at each stop was a harbinger to come.
Either way, I’m left here stunned at Harbaugh’s regression, and I don’t think I have many explanations for why it’s happening.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:43 PM ^
I can't explain it but something in him changed two years ago ish. He seems dead out there, like he gives less than a fuck.
I'll always be thankful for him bringing the program back to life but it's time for a change. The passion is gone, he doesn't give a fuck, so it's time to move on.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:44 PM ^
Agree. He is a broken man for some reason. I don't what triggered it but he has no passion. He just stands cluelessly on the sideline and hangs his head
September 21st, 2019 at 7:58 PM ^
There were times where he looked like Urban Meyer v Maryland last year. That can't be healthy
September 21st, 2019 at 8:35 PM ^
I remember how blown away Harbaugh was after having met the Pope. I've wondered since if that changed him. The fire seems to have disappeared.
September 22nd, 2019 at 7:50 AM ^
It could be personal issues too: the man just had a new son born what, 2-3 years ago? He's in his 50s - that was sure to take a toll on him to some extent. Also, one his sons came out around the same time too. I know everyone is all about being PC these days, but for a man if his generation and background this is probably gnawing at him somewhat internally.
These things are sure to bleed into his work life and enthusiasm to some extent - but doesn't negate the other theories being put out on this thread.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:04 PM ^
It has to do with his dad. After he got flagged, his dad told him to tamp down on the hysterics on the sideline. So obviously the team started looking like shit soon after in terms of demeanor.
I miss crazy Harbaugh. What’s the point of having a Harbaugh cam without crazy Harbaugh?
2016 OSU ruined him. He’s a shell of himself
September 21st, 2019 at 8:31 PM ^
Has to do with his dad??? Holy shit this board is fucking nuts!
What happened to mgoblog?
September 21st, 2019 at 8:48 PM ^
Not sure it had anything to do with his dad, but the 2016 OSU game is for sure the the last time I saw any semblance of emotion out of him.
September 22nd, 2019 at 12:12 AM ^
Stupid to blame it on his dad, but things do seem worse since he's calmed down on the sidelines. I remember seeing a slew of gifs of Harbaugh looking insane on the sidelines, mostly with the 49ers. He's absolutely nothing like that now for whatever reason.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:23 PM ^
It seems pretty clear to me that the refs didn’t take kindly to his enthusiasm and decided to make an example out of him. When he was energetic and animated, he got flagged and never got the benefit of the doubt on any close calls. When he toned it down, his team reflected his lack of passion.
He’s damned if he does, and damned if he doesn’t, and I think it has broken him.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:57 PM ^
JT was short
September 21st, 2019 at 8:25 PM ^
One word. Zoloft.
September 22nd, 2019 at 12:21 AM ^
Sadly that actually could be true. For some people those drugs are too numbing.
I am going to need moar drugs for myself
September 21st, 2019 at 8:48 PM ^
”Doesn’t give a fuck” is a stupid comment. Stupid.
September 22nd, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^
You're correct and to the point. What ever happened to "Who's got it better than us?" JH is past his zenith. Not defending him but he's got a toddler to raise at home, puts in 100 hours week at Schembechler Hall then travels across the country recruiting. I would think that can burn out anybody.
Not to mention, Michigan is a very clean football program which is harder to do these days.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:43 PM ^
No idea, but he hasn't acted the same since 2016 and his teams have played like it.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:54 PM ^
I think it was the OSU game that year. When you're getting fucked over from all sides what are you going to do?
September 21st, 2019 at 8:09 PM ^
You’re going to tap into that supposedly unquenchable Harbaugh competitiveness and fucking fight on. If he hasn’t gotten past that bad break, is it any wonder his team hasn’t either?
September 21st, 2019 at 8:20 PM ^
BS ! He's been through tough games his whole coaching life that hasn't went his way. Every coach has. One game changed his attitude ? Give me a break. He's still taking his salary though, isn't he.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:53 PM ^
We play like a pro team. And that's not a compliment. Meaning even though we are a good team, some games we don't show up mentally. And the vast majority of time we play with less emotion than most pro teams. When have you ever seen us fired up in big games? Especially on defense?
September 21st, 2019 at 7:44 PM ^
Early onset dementia?
September 21st, 2019 at 7:49 PM ^
This a serious post? Everyone's upset right now but this is ridiculous. Quit drinking and go to bed.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^
Thanks for spending the day being a goalie for harbaugh’s fading rep. Warde will surely send you a fruit basket.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:05 PM ^
Get bent with the other delusional, entitled, Dunning-Kruger-ass MGoCrybabies looking for simple explanations
September 21st, 2019 at 8:11 PM ^
I mean this as a legit question, MGoCarolinaBlue. I don't share your thoughts that it's that complicated. I'm curious what you think is wrong with this team/program right now?
September 21st, 2019 at 8:42 PM ^
Still waiting on an answer to this one, I see... Not surprised in the least.
September 21st, 2019 at 10:19 PM ^
I don't think the gameplan is the reason we lost this game. I think our Dline vs. their Oline is never going to be a good matchup for us, you simply can't win a football game if you can't stop the run and we don't have the horses to do it against a team like that.
As for the offense, coaching isn't the reason we've had so many fumbles this year.
September 21st, 2019 at 11:37 PM ^
It's a fine question to ask, I don't think speculating on dementia is really a proper response.
September 21st, 2019 at 9:11 PM ^
So, what is your sophisticated explanation of what’s going on? A thousand more excuses of how we were robbed by the refs, of injuries, of new coordinators, of fluke plays, blah blah blah? The fundamental fact is that good organizations, while they may have some outlying results from time to time, find a way to bounce back and are consistently good. We are not good. We got manhandled and pummeled. If you think otherwise, you’re the one who is delusional.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:44 PM ^
Hasn't been the same since the spot. I don't know who the hell this guy is. No yelling at the refs anymore or anything.
It's like he died in 2016 and has been replaced by a body double like Avril Lavine was.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:47 PM ^
Could be the point where he realized the game wasn’t always won on effort and actual success, but could be snatched away by higher powers at any time.
that would deflate the hell out of me too.
September 21st, 2019 at 9:51 PM ^
Yea but that’s stupid because even though OSU beat our asses last year all the calls went Michigan’s way. Like really bad calls in Mich’s favor and yet still blown out.
September 22nd, 2019 at 4:57 AM ^
Like what, this doesn’t happen in the NFL too? I’m sure Roger Goodell has his favorites. So I’m sure this is not new to Harbaugh.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:49 PM ^
It’s been well documented that he has consciously toned down his sideline antics in response to the “Harbaugh rule” and awareness that his behavior was getting a lot of attention.
But sure, let’s just make up a bunch of stuff about a grown man’s feelings based on one arbitrary play three years ago.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:07 PM ^
I don't know why this keeps coming up. I thought everyone understood this. The (many) people who keep complaining are all able to even pinpoint the exact moment. It's almost like they already know the answer...
September 21st, 2019 at 7:57 PM ^
This is it.
The officials call that ending correctly and Michigan football is a different beast right now.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:00 PM ^
Sad but true :/
September 21st, 2019 at 9:00 PM ^
You got negged, but this is undeniable IMO. The right spot beats OSU at their place, puts us in the championship game, which we likely win, and we go to the playoffs. We'd lose there of course, but still the entire story of the last three years is different.
September 21st, 2019 at 9:21 PM ^
it wasn't just the spot. It was the whole g*ddamn game. The pass interference penatlies??? come on.
His antics gave him his edge. I still remember that first year. He got fired up during the oregon state game and turned everything around. . .
Harbaugh needs to be Harbaugh again.
September 21st, 2019 at 9:26 PM ^
Exactly this. Everything changed at that moment.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:19 PM ^
I don’t know where people are getting this idea from that Harbaugh has no passion anymore. I saw him say what the fuck or something along those lines at least once this game. I also saw him talking to the ref I believe after the overturn of the non catch early in the game.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:31 PM ^
Because he looks apathetic often, whereas he used to be so hyped. No more sleepovers or tree climbing stories either. Something has changed. I couldn't speculate why or when, but he is 'different'.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:31 PM ^
He talked to a ref? Okay? And you think that’s equivalent to his earlier Michigan years where he was punting play sheets down the sideline?
September 21st, 2019 at 8:43 PM ^
It’s just there’s so much rampant speculation going on in this thread. He’s reached his shelf-life? He’s on an anti-depressant or is facing some off-field issue? He’s complacent due to his current salary and seemingly secure job (not sure if this was this thread or another one).
Look this was a terrible game today. It may be a harbinger if things to come this season. It could be a turning point to the positive if they make adjustments. I think we all need to chill and see what happens.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:46 PM ^
Sorry, nope. I chilled for 4 seasons already. He's gotta go.
September 21st, 2019 at 8:47 PM ^
His exact words were ‘fuck me’
September 22nd, 2019 at 12:25 AM ^
Well at least he still has fucks to give I guess
September 21st, 2019 at 8:53 PM ^
But were they sad fucks?
September 22nd, 2019 at 12:28 AM ^
I don't know if he's dead inside at this point, I really can't comment on that, but I pretty much am. I don't get excited for Saturday football, I just get kinda sad now. I mean we're just the slightest tiniest upgrade over Hoke now, in recruiting and staff.
September 21st, 2019 at 7:44 PM ^
Even when Harbaugh seemed less than firey on the sideline, I never once questioned the team's effort. Today was the first time I saw a team on the field under JH that did not seem to give a shit.
That is when you know, as a program, you gotta move on.