Posted on Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 7:07 a.m.
Losing is not an option for Jim Harbaugh; Rich Rodriguez, Michigan football coaches go about business as usual and more
By Kaleb Roedel
Michigan junior tight end Kevin Koger sits on the bench during the second half of Michigan's 52-14 Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State on Saturday.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
If Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez is fired and Harbaugh lands in Ann Arbor to coach his alma mater, Harbaugh has shown that losing is not an option, writes the Detroit News' Lynn Henning.
Henning writes, "The Wolverines want some of that old sass and spit that marked Schembechler's time, and that punctuated even Lloyd Carr's reign in Ann Arbor.
On the practice field, on the sidelines, at a podium before an alumni group, or even in a one-on-one conversation, Harbaugh tends to be electric, and sometimes combustible."
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
- AnnArbor.com: Rich Rodriguez's biggest regret, defensive woes and Gator Bowl thoughts
- AnnArbor.com: The wait continues for Rodriguez, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan
- Associated Press: Jim Harbaugh's future now an even hotter topic following bowl win
- Detroit News: Harbaugh doesn't tip his hand after Orange Bowl victory
- Detroit News: ESPN analysts weigh in on Wolverines, Harbaugh
- Detroit News: Michigan coaches go about business as usual
- Detroit Free Press: Harbaugh can build winners, writes Michael Rosenberg
- Detroit Free Press: Rosenberg breaks down the U-M, Harbaugh situation
- MLive.com: Clear picture painted: Spartans not elite, Rodriguez must go
- ESPN.com: The hazards with Harbaugh's heat
- SI.com: Harbaugh, Andrew Luck have every answer for Hokies, but questions remain
- ESPN.com: Rodriguez back to work as speculation grows (with video)
- Detroit Free Press: Magical year, sad ending for Michigan State
- Grand Rapids Press: Despite bowl loss, program's progress remains evident for MSU
MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
- AnnArbor.com: Michigan coach John Beilein wants more practice time, Darius Morris receives praise
Comments
jcj
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 6:50 p.m.
@Yelmonian I think JH is a fine coach and may be a great coach someday. But for all the slobbering going on around the country about him, his record at Stanford is 29 and 21 the last 4 years. Last year almost everyone in the country thought Tate was the second coming. Then this year those same experts thought Denard was the second coming. Now those same "experts" think Harbaugh is the greatest coach since Lombardi! If he comes to Michigan great. BUT lets see what his track record is after a couple more years! THEN we can compare him to Belichick or Shula or Bo or Woody!
Yelmonian
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
@Tater, It appears to me that losing is not an option for Harbaugh. Let's see... 1-11 team he took over, and has improved it so dramatically in 4 years, they competed and dominated in a BCS bowl game. AT STANFORD! The current coach in Ann Arbor... took a 9-4 club, that beat a Tim Tebow led Florida club in Florida... and has only won 6 Big Ten Games over the last four years. Was thouroughly embarrassed by Miss State. And you still don't like Harbaugh, and don't consider him a winner? I want some of your kool aid so life would be so much easier.
MetricSU
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 11:20 a.m.
tater, you must be slipping. Or, you've resigned yourself to reality. In the past, you would've noted the following. First, here is Harbaugh's record at Stanford over the past 4 years: 2007 4-8 2008 57 2009 85 2010 121 Second, the first three years are not so different from RR's first three years. Therefore, RR will lead the Wolverines to 12-1, 11-2 at worst during his 4th year. QED. I kind of miss those posts from you, which must number in the dozens. (Of course, it's usually comparing RR at U-M with RR at his previous positions.)
jcj
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 11:13 a.m.
@Tater My thoughts exactly! As much as I would like JH here. When someone can show me anyone that has never lost! Then tell me about how losing is not an option! It like saying I gave 110%.
J. Dean
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 10:48 a.m.
I don't see Rich Rod staying. If he was, Brandon would have already voiced it.
Ben
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 10:40 a.m.
If Rich stays for next year, he's going to have to have nothing short of a perfect season against QUALITY opponents.
timeatwork
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 10:17 a.m.
I really don't see DB getting rid of RR this year. you'll have to wait at least 1 more.
The OSU
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 8:22 a.m.
A 19-century philosopher, Maxwell von Weber, postulated that man seeks to balance three things in life: money, power and prestige. If Harbaugh is wise, he will stay at Stanford. Coaching prima donas in the NFL is vastly different than being able to put togther a good recruiting class. If he's wise, he'll stay in the college ranks. That being said, the questions is Stanford vs Michigan? POWER: Slight advantage Michigan. Stanford will make a competitive offer, but given the number of tickets sold at the Big House, UM could eventually win a bidding war. POWER: Slight advantage Stanford. He's already the alpha-male of the pack on the Stanford campus. Starting over at UM. PRESTIGE: Strong advantage Stanford. Here's the fundemental choice. (1) Go the UM, TRY to rebuild a severely damaged program under intense media scrutiny, and answer to an alumni that expect nothing short of a national championship. Accomplish ALL of the above and be remembered as "someone who did a good job." (2) Stay at Stanford. Continue to develop Stanford into a perennial national power while maintaining high academic standards. Dominate Califorina, the PAC and overtake USC as the premier program. Most importantly, stay LONG TERM at Stanford and join the elite company of LEGACY COACHES who developed their own program form the ground up: Woody, Bo, Bear, Bowden, Papa Joe. At best, UM is offering a chance to rebuild a legacy team, not establish one from the ground up. CONCLUSION: Stay at Stanford.