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Is Jim Harbaugh the designer Mike Shula?

Posted on 4/17/19 at 11:31 am
Posted by Tider95
Tuscaloosa
Member since Dec 2017
2137 posts
Posted on 4/17/19 at 11:31 am
I was listening to the road to Saban podcast and it reminded me of a few similarities.

Shula never finished higher than 3rd in his own division.
Harbaugh had never finished higher than 3rd (until this past year where he lost once again to his rival).

Shula answered "momma's call" to come be a head coach here from a good NFL job.
Harbaugh answered "momma's call" to come be a head coach at UM from a wealth of good NFL opportunities.

Shula's best wins (05 UF and 05 Texas Tech) depended on stifling defense.
Harbaughs best wins have come from his stifling defense .

Shula's offense was often left wanting against the best teams, depending on clutch plays from elite playmakers. His in-game decision making was often quite suspect, culminating in the 06 Iron bowl.
Harbaugh's offenses have been unimaginative and he regularly has been blown out by the best teams he has faced because he can't keep his defense off the field. This is partially due to his dependence on a few elite players to make stuff happen despite mediocre playcalls and decisions.

Shula went 1-11 against his rivals ( UT, Aubarn, and LSU)
Harbaugh has gone 2-6 against his rivals (Mich St. and OSU)

They also are the sons of much more successful NFL head coaches and may not even be the 2nd most successful person in their own families. (Dave Shula was responsible for the Shula Steakhouse rise).
This post was edited on 4/17/19 at 3:20 pm
Posted by TomRollTideRitter
Member since Aug 2016
12635 posts
Posted on 4/17/19 at 11:40 am to
100%. I'm going to start dropping the "Harbaugh is a rich man's Mike Shula" line every chance I get now
Posted by My2Bits
2500 mi from Tuscaloosa due west
Member since Jun 2012
4828 posts
Posted on 4/17/19 at 12:28 pm to
Harbaugh does not have to coach under crippling sanctions and the after effects of it. Shula never really had a fair chance. He was a novice coach who had to work under a huge handicap. Not comparing him to Saban but Coach Saban would not have taken the job under sanctions.
Posted by UsingUpAllTheLetters
Stuck in Transfer Portal
Member since Aug 2011
8514 posts
Posted on 4/17/19 at 1:52 pm to
This comparison is completely merited, imo.
Posted by 3down10
Member since Sep 2014
22973 posts
Posted on 4/17/19 at 6:45 pm to
Michigan fans will just tell you about his NFL career.

Posted by CrimsonDynasty
Member since Jan 2019
733 posts
Posted on 4/17/19 at 6:52 pm to
Harbaugh did have plenty success at Stanford and the NFL level...he’s actually won a lot of games at Mich too he just can’t get over the hump. Shula only had one good season. I can see what you’re going for but I believe Harbaugh is still a solid coach. Just a bit strange.

His biggest problem is CFB evolved and he would not adjust. Saban had no problems changing his offense to stay ahead. Harbaugh is now transitioning his offense to up tempo spread...let’s see how he does from here on out. If he can’t beat OSU this year then I might start to agree with you.
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