This isn't going to go over well but it is a sincere question....

[Reality Man]

Do you think Harbaugh is putting some form of an act? Meaning what percentage of his whole 'schtick' is fake?

Here is what I think


1. Harbaugh is an intense/hyper-active coach. It is 100% genuine.

2. I think Harbaugh is a thoughtful and mature (now) manager of players and coaches.

3. I think Harbaugh is a MASTER....of the media. As my father would say...a media manipulator. Knows how to play the media for whatever his interests may be.

4. I think Harbaugh is 'quirky' but most of this is done for either attention or a recognition of the facts that he is dealing with 16-22 year old boys/young men. Part of it is recognition of the business (as Lloyd would say...the kid business) and part of it is attention.

5. I think Harbaugh likes to rebel and provoke people. I think he likes blazing his own trail but really get people out of their comfort zone.

So basically Harbaugh has an 'act' but he does it for a variety of reasons. His khaki's or climbing trees. Not saying he isn't young at heart but some of this is done to antagonize people and draw attention to himself while some of it is to be funny.

He is an 'ACT'. A comedy/entertainment show. Sort of like College footballs David Letterman show. Now this is important.

Just like Letterman or Leno or Carson or McMahon...he understands his business. Harbaugh is doing this for one reason only...to further his own interests which is to win football games and compete. Behind closed doors Harbaugh is probably like any other husband/father and is no different than Dantonio.

However, when the lights come on...it's showtime. He is playing all the critics with this 'goofball' tactics to be the headline in the news. Not going to stop. He is the David Letterman with the stupid pet tricks of college football.



Your thoughts?



RM

 

[St. Joe Blue 3]

He's very focused and purposeful. "Building and attacking, with an enthusiasm unknown ...."

 

[anon_sg4bgyiuileo1]

Yeah, I think he acts different in the privacy of his own family, but that applies to anyone in the public eye. Having said that, I think he's a true believer in Bo's "system" - work hard and you'll go places. He does all the things he does in an earnest effort to be better than anyone else and make those better in his charge.

After a while, he'll begin to make even the most dedicated fan's eyes roll - that's our Jim.

Everything he does points to a common direction.

 

[ThatsMrSpartan2U]

Do you think Harbaugh is putting some form of an act? Meaning what percentage of his whole 'schtick' is fake?

Here is what I think


1. Harbaugh is an intense/hyper-active coach. It is 100% genuine.

2. I think Harbaugh is a thoughtful and mature (now) manager of players and coaches.

3. I think Harbaugh is a MASTER....of the media. As my father would say...a media manipulator. Knows how to play the media for whatever his interests may be.

4. I think Harbaugh is 'quirky' but most of this is done for either attention or a recognition of the facts that he is dealing with 16-22 year old boys/young men. Part of it is recognition of the business (as Lloyd would say...the kid business) and part of it is attention.

5. I think Harbaugh likes to rebel and provoke people. I think he likes blazing his own trail but really get people out of their comfort zone.

So basically Harbaugh has an 'act' but he does it for a variety of reasons. His khaki's or climbing trees. Not saying he isn't young at heart but some of this is done to antagonize people and draw attention to himself while some of it is to be funny.

He is an 'ACT'. A comedy/entertainment show. Sort of like College footballs David Letterman show. Now this is important.

Just like Letterman or Leno or Carson or McMahon...he understands his business. Harbaugh is doing this for one reason only...to further his own interests which is to win football games and compete. Behind closed doors Harbaugh is probably like any other husband/father and is no different than Dantonio.

However, when the lights come on...it's showtime. He is playing all the critics with this 'goofball' tactics to be the headline in the news. Not going to stop. He is the David Letterman with the stupid pet tricks of college football.



Your thoughts?

RM...as an outsider who's opinion doesn't carry much weight around here, I'd agree with most of what you say. The part about him being pretty much like most other coaches when the lights are off is true. When he's coaching and practicing with his players I'm thinking he's in his element and like the Sabans and Dantonios and Meyers he revels in it.
I look at him differently when the lights are on. I think he is exactly who he appears to be. I've never seen him up close...so those who actually have met him would certainly have more credibility, but after watching and listening to dozens of interviews with him he comes across as slightly awkward, a little remote and certainly, more or less, unconcerned with what the interviewer or public thinks of him. His courtside interview at the IU Bball game last week with the food stained sweatshirt on was an example. He doesn't seem to care...or notice how he might come across looking like. That's OK. But, I certainly don't think it's intentional on his part.
I think he's quirky and odd. I don't think it's an act. I admire his coaching ability and his FB resume...and much like Schembechler (sp), while I respect(ed) him I don't find him particularly affable or someone I'd like to spend any time around. And it's not because he's Michigan's coach. I met Georges Perles one time and I found him a bit off putting. Duffy was a hoot.
I expect JH to hang around AA for some time. He either wins a NC or gets bored eventually....and some day he might do something particularly dumb.....not Gary Moeller dumb...but maybe...Bobby Knight dumb. Maybe not...but it wouldn't surprise me.

RM

 

[tarun262]

None of what Harbaugh is doing is an act. Harbaugh understands that to win you can't just be a great offensive or defensive mind, you can't just be the hardest worker with the best S&T guys, etc. You need an advantage across the board - game day, recruiting, culture, media attention, talent, etc. and he is just better then perhaps any coach in the country in finding ways to gain an advantage - ethically - across all those categories. This is not called being fake, it's called being astute, sharp and showing the willingness to be nimble and evolve.

 

[klemman]

I think there is an eccentricity to Harbaugh. Not a bad thing and many geniuses are eccentric to one point or another. I also think part of it is an act. I think that he likes, no loves the media attention although he likes to pretend that he doesn't.

Harbaugh seems like he thinks that he is the smartest guy in the room. If a guy isn't really one of the smartest guys in the room, he typically fails. If he is the smartest guys in the room he can be successful.

The downsides of thinking you are always the smartest guy in the room is that eventually people get tired of you and you lose your welcome. Also you lose the ability to be self critical and listen to others. That keeps you from recognizing when someone just as smart or smarter than you walks through the door.

Not saying Harbaugh is any one of those. It will just be interesting watching things unfold.

 

[tarun262]

I think there is an eccentricity to Harbaugh. Not a bad thing and many geniuses are eccentric to one point or another. I also think part of it is an act. I think that he likes, no loves the media attention although he likes to pretend that he doesn't.

Harbaugh seems like he thinks that he is the smartest guy in the room. If a guy isn't really one of the smartest guys in the room, he typically fails. If he is the smartest guys in the room he can be successful.

The downsides of thinking you are always the smartest guy in the room is that eventually people get tired of you and you lose your welcome. Also you lose the ability to be self critical and listen to others. That keeps you from recognizing when someone just as smart or smarter than you walks through the door.

Not saying Harbaugh is any one of those. It will just be interesting watching things unfold.

Look in any place but a leader that is the smartest person will always fail - regardless of who he surrounds himself with. I don't think JH is that at all - you are entitled to your perception...he is a stronger personality than anybody else, no question and someone else with his personality type will not have room to accomodate both of them but he knows he is not the smartest person there. If he was, some of the top coaches would not run to work for him.

 

[klemman]

I understand that I' battling the Harbaugh is perfect crowd, but my statements apply to most top level people. So I'm not saying that it necessarily a bad thing, but it does pose the greatest threat to such an individual.

Maybe I'm wrong and Harbaugh truly is the best of everything in every category, the master manipulator of all that there is, but is deep down a humble non-assuming individual who is only concerned about the kids, Michigan, God, and country. I suppose if Donald Trump can be that, so can JH.

But top assistant coaches would still run to a Harbaugh if he thought he was the smartest guy in the room just like they do any coach where they thing there is something to be gleaned from the experience.

 

[tarun262]

Ok Klemman, you are the source of all information sitting in Ohio - you know best. I live a few miles from the 49ers stadium and I saw the staff he had at the 49ers and how he handled practices, including knowing quite a few folks on his staff. His staff LOVES him because he empowers them as opposed to tells them what to do or how to do it. But hey, as a Buckeye you have the repository of all information don't you? You can spew your opinions but JH's success has been because he has surrounded himself with smarter and better coaches, players. Now, he may have the biggest personality - no question, but I don't think he believes he is the best D coach, O coach, etc. But hey you are probably going to come up with some other random Trump comparisons etc so no point in doing this with you really because clearly you are best friends with JH and you know him REALLY well!

 

[Reality Man]

I just thought of something about Harbaugh after Finebaum was comparing Harbaugh to Trump. The point being Harbaugh was saying/doing outlandish things.

I think Harbaugh is more like a Don King. His personality is bigger than the room. He has a schtick and it's just going to rub some people the wrong way. He is bigger than the sport...he is media-Hollywood.

He is different than a Bill B. or Parcells who have their own unique personality. Harbaugh and King are promoters. Ali did the same thing. Terrell Owens.


RM

 

[St. Joe Blue 3]

I just don't have any compulsion or need to define, categorize, label, or compare Jim Harbaugh to anyone else.

He's unique. He's focused and purposeful. He's a winner.

I'm just happy as hell he's the Coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

 

[tarun262]

I just don't have any compulsion or need to define, categorize, label, or compare Jim Harbaugh to anyone else.

He's unique. He's focused and purposeful. He's a winner.

I'm just happy as hell he's the Coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

Agree he is his own man and quite frankly glad he's a Michigan coach and not that of another school because I believe that while some may not like his style, antics, etc he produces results and that is all I care about.

 

[klemman]

Ok Klemman, you are the source of all information sitting in Ohio - you know best. I live a few miles from the 49ers stadium and I saw the staff he had at the 49ers and how he handled practices, including knowing quite a few folks on his staff. His staff LOVES him because he empowers them as opposed to tells them what to do or how to do it. But hey, as a Buckeye you have the repository of all information don't you? You can spew your opinions but JH's success has been because he has surrounded himself with smarter and better coaches, players. Now, he may have the biggest personality - no question, but I don't think he believes he is the best D coach, O coach, etc. But hey you are probably going to come up with some other random Trump comparisons etc so no point in doing this with you really because clearly you are best friends with JH and you know him REALLY well!

No I don't know Harbaugh personally nor do I ever claim to do so. If you look at my posts, when referring to Harbaugh I use qualifying statements like "I think" and "I believe" to denote that those are statements of opinion, not fact. When mentioning things like the effect that people who think they are the smartest person in the room have on others and the risk of such self assessment, I mention those in general terms. Meaning that if Harbaugh is such a person, these are the potential risks. Not that he is such a person.

The Trump statement wasn't stated by me to say Harbaugh is Trump like, only that some who worship Trump, are similar to those who worship Harbaugh. That could apply to other fans including those who worship Urban Meyer.

And since tarun, you want to bring up the posts that some people have acting as if they know someone personally when they really don't, I defer to your close personal relationship that you have developed with Harbaugh having lived a few miles from the 49er's stadium.

It might also be worth reminding that certain fans who act as if they actually know a coach personally should keep that in mind when they post about Urban Meyer. Just saying... LOL.