The challenge Harbaugh will face is that opposing coaches will whisper in recruits' ears that he is simply biding his time to get back to the NFL as soon as the right opportunity comes along, and can't be counted on to be at Michigan over the entire duration of a recruit's career. In essence, that Michigan is a stepping stone for him to get back to the right NFL job because, first, the right job wasn't going to open up in this offseason and, second, because he didn't want to give the 49ers the satisfaction of receiving any compensation for him going to another NFL team next year.
The only way he can combat this issue is to be convincing to recruits, to let the passage of time speak for itself, and probably to have a prohibitive buyout clause.
Coaches Saban, Petrino, Spurrier and others who have returned from the pro ranks have not faced this kind of skepticism because they were always viewed more as college than pro coaches. Coach Harbaugh is viewed more as an NFL guy.
The only way he can combat this issue is to be convincing to recruits, to let the passage of time speak for itself, and probably to have a prohibitive buyout clause.
Coaches Saban, Petrino, Spurrier and others who have returned from the pro ranks have not faced this kind of skepticism because they were always viewed more as college than pro coaches. Coach Harbaugh is viewed more as an NFL guy.
