If that old mantra is true, and I think we've seen enough coaches and teams over the last 10 years to have a good sense for its accuracy, here is what we can glean:
1. The Jim Harbaugh that came to Ann Arbor in 2015 was tough on the team -- made them practice 4 hours, told them that the success of the season was up to them prior to winter and summer workouts, talked about steel in the spine and was fiery as hell on the sidelines (play cards up in the air, screaming at officials, etc.). That team, though limited with athleticism (see Joe Bolden, Jarrod Wilson, etc) played hard and found their way. They got better as the year wore on despite key injuries to Glasgow.
2. This carried over to 2016. Though, there was an odd shift in Jim around the Maryland/Iowa game. Started wearing the glasses, seemed more tired (new baby?) but still, the fire was there as evidenced by the oSU game and him getting a 15 yard penalty. That team seemed mentally strong and focused, just like the 2015 team.
3. But it is my opinion, that seems to be shared by many others, that Jim changed for whatever reasons. He's gotten even weirder. He comes off as his dad trapped in a 53 year old's body. He's goofy, sometimes incoherent and can seem all over the place. Last year's team and this year's team feel the same way. They lack coherency and identity. Last year's team was very limited at OL and QB, and its overall record is reflective of that. But this year's team should be much closer, if not better, than the 2015 and 2016 versions. But Jim has changed, and so too has the culture of his program.
Just my opinion.
1. The Jim Harbaugh that came to Ann Arbor in 2015 was tough on the team -- made them practice 4 hours, told them that the success of the season was up to them prior to winter and summer workouts, talked about steel in the spine and was fiery as hell on the sidelines (play cards up in the air, screaming at officials, etc.). That team, though limited with athleticism (see Joe Bolden, Jarrod Wilson, etc) played hard and found their way. They got better as the year wore on despite key injuries to Glasgow.
2. This carried over to 2016. Though, there was an odd shift in Jim around the Maryland/Iowa game. Started wearing the glasses, seemed more tired (new baby?) but still, the fire was there as evidenced by the oSU game and him getting a 15 yard penalty. That team seemed mentally strong and focused, just like the 2015 team.
3. But it is my opinion, that seems to be shared by many others, that Jim changed for whatever reasons. He's gotten even weirder. He comes off as his dad trapped in a 53 year old's body. He's goofy, sometimes incoherent and can seem all over the place. Last year's team and this year's team feel the same way. They lack coherency and identity. Last year's team was very limited at OL and QB, and its overall record is reflective of that. But this year's team should be much closer, if not better, than the 2015 and 2016 versions. But Jim has changed, and so too has the culture of his program.
Just my opinion.
