Before I ask, let me state, I'm not sure where I stand on the coaching situation. - Sparano: I'm not convinced Sparano had that much say over Henning. We don't really know how the power structure works in our FO. The one main nagging reason is that when Bonamego crapped the bed big time in the NE game, Sparano canned him, even though they are close friends. So why not take some action with Henning? The only 2 reasons possible are Sparano is either extremely stupid and thought the offense was fine (which I doubt) or he didn't have the actual power to do anything about it. - Cowher: I'm not convinced Cowher deserves the hype. His offenses were traditionally bland. It took a long time for real success to occur (read: superbowl win). Not too mention, they have an excellent FO that finds and gets amazing talent. I just don't know how much credit he actually deserves. I'm not saying he shouldn't, I'm saying I don't know. What I do know, is there isn't a whole lot of difference between him and Sparano from what I've seen about how they carry themselves. - Gruden: I'm not convinced Gruden can develop a QB. In fact, I think he hinders them. Gruden's successes in Oakland and Tampa, were when he had savvy, trustworthy vets behind center (Gannon & Johnson). If Penny were still a viable option, I think he'd be my favorite. (With that in mind, maybe someone like Hasselback or even Palmer wouldn't be the worst idea. Its not like Johnson and Gannon set the league on fire till they were with Gruden) - Harbaugh: That brings me to my question. Is Harbaugh better than Saban? If he isn't, than I'm not sure why we'd bring him here. If you think he is, than based on what?
I see your point Fin, because Saban also had previous NFL experience in Cleveland in the 1st Bellicheat regime. So basically they are the same, with one difference. Harbaugh is a former QB with offensive experience. What is it this team lacks ? A great offensive mind. That could be the reason to go grab him.
Saban, even though I hated him, was a pretty good coach. His defense is proven. His problem (aside from getting advice to C-Pepp over Brees) was his overall coaching style didn't translate well to the NFL. College kids will lie down in trafffic for their coach, not so in the NFL. Harbaugh has a proven offensive philosophy. He's been successful at San Diego and now Stanford. Two programs in the doldrums before he arrived. He's also worked with the Raiders so he has SOME NFL experience not to mention he knows the game from a player standpoint. I prefer him over Cowher at this point, if only slightly, because Cowher would want more control over personnel. Don't think you could go wrong with either though.
That's not the only difference. Saban was a VERY accomplished college coach. Harbaugh has been successful, but not nearly the resume that Saban had. Also, too much stock is put into the phrase "offensive mind" when concerning a head coach, case in point, Cameron. Harbaugh was an average QB. How many QBs have become great pro coaches?
Well an very average to below average DB in the NFL, from John Carroll U, became a 2 time SB winner, and 5 time SB coaching participant, and 347 wins in the NFL, with some QBs named Griese, Woodley, and Marino.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Harbaugh would fail, I'm just not sure why everyone is clamoring for him. As I said before, he had great talent in San Diego as a coordinator and he did his job well, but so did Cameron.
Nothing to do with what I asked. I'm not asking about former players in general. I'm asking about former QBs.
I do realize that Shu's wasn't a head coach in college, but he was an assisstant under Bear Bryant when he was at Kentucky (many don't know Bryant was at Kentucky before Alabama).
You might be right.....Bart Starr was a great pro QB, but he was horrible as the GB coach in the 1970's. Hmmmmm, you might be on to something Fin.
Haha Let me reiterate: I'm not against Harbaugh, I'm just trying to figure out where the hype is coming from. For all I know, he'll be the next great coach.
How many pro anythings have become great coaches? I don't think it matters what position you played, how good you were at it or if you made it to the big show. Though playing that position for 15 years in the NFL means you were pretty damn good and pretty damn smart. I agree though. It's more about being intelligent, being a leader of men and being a good anticipator, teacher and manager.
Well the hype on him is that he took a program that was 1-11 and built them up to be 12-1. I think thats the main difference between him and Saban and the media and NFL Owners are loving it. However, I do agree with what you are saying. College football is a completely different animal. You recruit these kids, they live and die for you and your program. They are more impressionable and have more to play for than just a contract. Motivating factors are totally different. This doesnt mean it cant be done (see Jimmy Johnson, among others), but there is no sure thing. I prefer Cowher at this point.
I agree completely. I just wanted to bring that part up considering it is often listed as a positive trait when people explain why they want him to coach. Again, I'm merely trying to understand the hype. I want to be excited about the coaching search, I'm just not.
I hear you. But Sparano brought a pro team from 1-15 to 11-5 and division champs in the beginning. For me, Gruden has the slight edge simply because he basically got 2 teams to the Superbowl and did it fairly quickly. A lot of his future failures in Tampa could easily be attributed to the front office where a lot of Cowher's successes could be attributed to his FO. (Not too mention, I think Gruden would be ok with Nolan.)
Yeah, I agree with you about Sparano. But people arent hyping Sparano right now. Hype is a media driven entity. You have to understand the excitement surrounding a "once proud" college team like Stanford, being pulled from the ashes back to prominence by a young football coach who is the descendent of a legend. When Sparano pulled Miami out of the basement he was being talked about as a coach of the year candidate. His flame has fluttered, and in my opinion, it wasnt his fault. But if you want to know the hype around Harbaugh, you cannot compare him to these other coaches because that is not where the hype is being built from.
I dont think you can use statistics in any fashion when deciding on hiring Harbaugh, this is about identifying a personality that is captivating, an energy that transcends and inspires men to reach their potential and to bust their *** to become their best, and whether or not he has the intelligence to teach men, not kids.. From what Ive seen, I would take my chance's, and committ to the man....live with the consequences.
harbough is just different. he loves to crush the other team. up by 30 and going for 2 against usc lol. called time out against wake forest to ice there kicker late in the 4th quarter when stanford had a 49 point lead lol. this dude is just different. he has a brutal cut throat mentality. any team in the nfl or college would be lucky to have him
