Things in Ann Arbor surrounding the Michigan Football team have been quite interesting lately. I thought after the hiring of Jim Harbaugh on December 30, things would die down a bit until Spring Ball. I was wrong. Then I thought after Spring Ball it would cool off and we'd have the summer to wait before any big news would come out of Ann Arbor......wrong again.
I came up with a new word, one that I am certain will find it's way into Merriam-Webster's. It describes a feeling, a total sense of faith, belief, and loyalty. An unabashed confidence in what the future holds. And even a dash of arrogance. My new word is Harb-awe.
I've come to a realization that this man, our coach, is at the very least, a football genius. Let me support my claim from the beginning of the hiring process through the present. My Pick 6 points will be embedded in this blog.
When it was inevitable that Michigan was going to be in the market for a new football coach, Jim was number one on the list. Yet, he wanted to finish his current job before thinking about his next move. He knew he was out in San Francisco, but that didn't change his approach to coaching his current team. He wanted Brady Hoke to be treated fairly, with integrity, and humility. Point #1
Then, upon the signing of his contract and the negotiations of his pay, he said he didn't want to be the highest paid coach in football, an offer that was on the table. He wanted to take less pay, so that he would have more in the budget to hire the best coaching staff possible. He knew the existing staff wasn't meeting the expectations and he would have to revamp the entire staff. Point #2
He knew the most important position on a football team was also the most lacking in talent development. So, what does he do? He accepts an unprecedented 7 scholarship quarterbacks on his roster to increase the competition and development. Quarterbacks are his specialty. Point #3
It is no secret to anyone that breathes, that there is a heated, intense rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State. It is often very difficult to lure the top prospects out of Ohio because, like us, they've been raised to hate the opponent. So, Mr. Harbaugh finds a creative yet genius way to increase his chances of landing such recruits. He hires one of the top Ohio High School coaches, and former coach of the one and only Jabril Peppers, as part of his staff. This gets a foot in the door with a familiar, successful, friendly face. Point #4
Realizing that SEC and Pac 12 territory is another place in the nation that has top talent, yet is so hard to recruit, Mr. Jimmah Harbaugh takes another unprecedented approach to get to the kids and show them what Michigan is about. He sets up several satellite camps around the country, focusing on these areas, so he can recruit and advertise Michigan for the great university it is. Genius, I tell ya. Point #5
Point #5 obviously didn't please the one and only Mr. Nick Saban, calling them ridiculous and calling for the NCAA to put a stop to them. Mr. Harbaugh reaches out like only he can do. The king of trolling in the "most sacred" land for football. He invites 2 representatives from EVERY, yes EVERY football college or university in the country to come to his camps at Michigan. This move is multi-faceted. It let recruits know so many things about the way he coaches. He doesn't hide from competition. He loves football and everything about it. He wants athletes to learn from the best and do it the right way. And he can tell the recruits, "Look, I invited_______ to come to this camp, but he didn't want to. I'm here running this show. Who do you want to play for??" Point #6
Sure, he rubs some people the wrong way. He's at peace with it, and I am too. Michigan fans have one of their own at the helm and we take the good with the bad. But let's be honest, there isn't any bad. If you hate him, these moves make you hate him more. If you love him, you love him even more. Which is why I declare myself to be totally in Harb-awed with the man.
Cordially yours in football, (he came up with that one, too)
Bekki
~Go Blue!