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Is Jim Harbaugh the designer Mike Shula?
Posted on 4/17/19 at 11:31 am
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).
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
5
Posted on 4/17/19 at 11:40 am to Tider95
100%. I'm going to start dropping the "Harbaugh is a rich man's Mike Shula" line every chance I get now
Posted on 4/17/19 at 12:28 pm to Tider95
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 on 4/17/19 at 12:33 pm to My2Bits
O I totally agree.
Posted on 4/17/19 at 1:30 pm to Tider95
Shula was a clutch QB back in the day, great father & husband. That's as far as the accolades go.
As a coach, very lost. 4th qtr, close games, never forget his deer in headlights look.
06 Iron Bowl, Brodie got sacked 11 times mainly from the late Quentin Groves. Chris Capps was our left tackle. Shula never made an adjustment like using a tight end or full back to help out. It prompted bumper sticker "honk if you sacked Brodie Croyle"
I know he was limited some years in recruiting, however, when Saban got the job, I remember reading an article pertaining to gulf coast, Mobile area prospects. The high school coaches there said Shula never came into their schools to recruit. The coaches said Saban, when at LSU was frequently showing up there for prospects.
I remember under Shula we were pathetically recruiting against UAB, Southern Miss, Florida International etc.
There's quiet a few SEC coaches who I'm sure were not happy when Shula was fired & Saban was hired. Beating Alabama even under Shula is job security. Most of those coaches (Fulmer, Nutt, Tuberville, Croom, later on Richt & Miles) were fired after no longer beating Bama. Urban's heart couldn't handle the 09 & 10 arse whipping so he actually quit.
As a coach, very lost. 4th qtr, close games, never forget his deer in headlights look.
06 Iron Bowl, Brodie got sacked 11 times mainly from the late Quentin Groves. Chris Capps was our left tackle. Shula never made an adjustment like using a tight end or full back to help out. It prompted bumper sticker "honk if you sacked Brodie Croyle"
I know he was limited some years in recruiting, however, when Saban got the job, I remember reading an article pertaining to gulf coast, Mobile area prospects. The high school coaches there said Shula never came into their schools to recruit. The coaches said Saban, when at LSU was frequently showing up there for prospects.
I remember under Shula we were pathetically recruiting against UAB, Southern Miss, Florida International etc.
There's quiet a few SEC coaches who I'm sure were not happy when Shula was fired & Saban was hired. Beating Alabama even under Shula is job security. Most of those coaches (Fulmer, Nutt, Tuberville, Croom, later on Richt & Miles) were fired after no longer beating Bama. Urban's heart couldn't handle the 09 & 10 arse whipping so he actually quit.
Posted on 4/17/19 at 1:52 pm to Tider95
This comparison is completely merited, imo.
Posted on 4/17/19 at 6:16 pm to UsingUpAllTheLetters
quote:
This comparison is completely merited, imo.
I agree, but it should be noted that the academic standards at Alabama and Michigan (and Stanford) are very, very different. It's much harder to recruit to a cold weather school with very high academic standards. It's next to impossible to for Michigan to take a juco guy, for example.
I agree with the comparison, but Harbaugh has coached at Stanford and Michigan, and those are very different from the SEC academically.
Posted on 4/17/19 at 6:45 pm to Tider95
Michigan fans will just tell you about his NFL career.
Posted on 4/17/19 at 6:52 pm to Tider95
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.
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.
Posted on 4/17/19 at 8:13 pm to CrimsonDynasty
Let me refresh your memories on Shula's tenure at the University of Alabama. Better yet, just get drug tested.
Imagine this hypothetical. The UA is seeking a coach. Only two candidates are available; Shula and Harbaugh. Who do you choose?
Let the lying commence.
Imagine this hypothetical. The UA is seeking a coach. Only two candidates are available; Shula and Harbaugh. Who do you choose?
Let the lying commence.
Posted on 4/18/19 at 12:00 am to RiverCityTider
quote:
RiverCityTider
I thought your dumb arse was permabanned.
Posted on 4/18/19 at 1:10 pm to RiverCityTider
Hence why he's a "designer" or "rich man's" Mike Shula. Because he's a better version of the same thing.
Posted on 4/18/19 at 4:11 pm to Canyon16
quote:
Chris Capps
Posted on 4/18/19 at 8:06 pm to RiverCityTider
quote:
Let me refresh your memories on Shula's tenure at the University of Alabama. Better yet, just get drug tested.
Imagine this hypothetical. The UA is seeking a coach. Only two candidates are available; Shula and Harbaugh. Who do you choose?
Let the lying commence.
Do you think Harbaugh would have done any better under the sanctions Shula faced?
I don’t.
I’d give Harbaugh an edge as a college coach, but not as big as most would. He had one spectacular year at Stanford when he had Andrew Luck under center. Otherwise, as a P5 coach he has been very meh.
Posted on 4/19/19 at 3:32 pm to Canyon16
quote:
Chris Capps was our left tackle. Shula never made an adjustment like using a tight end or full back to help out.
When Chris Capps is your starting left tackle, there are precious few adjustments to be made.
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