Jim Harbaugh - Should he leave Stanford?

[GreatDanish]

If you are Jim Harbaugh, consider:
1. You are currently head of the second best program in the Pac-10. He was razor close to playing in the national championship game. They had one loss, to the #1 team in the country, and even led that game in the 3rd quarter.
2. You live in Palo Alto, California, and coach at one of the most beautiful campuses in the USA. The beach is next door.
3. You are pulling in $1.25 million, which isn't top flight money, but that figure is only likely to increase in the near future.
4. By staying, you would have almost cement-like job security.
5. You recruit in the best state for football talent, yet have the ability to recruit nationwide.

The more I think about Harbaugh going elsewhere, the more I think that if I were him, I would stay put...

What would you do?

 

[WMack4Bama]

If you are Jim Harbaugh, consider:
1. You are currently head of the second best program in the Pac-10. He was razor close to playing in the national championship game. They had one loss, to the #1 team in the country, and even led that game in the 3rd quarter.
2. You live in Palo Alto, California, and coach at one of the most beautiful campuses in the USA. The beach is next door.
3. You are pulling in $1.25 million, which isn't top flight money, but that figure is only likely to increase in the near future.
4. By staying, you would have almost cement-like job security.
5. You recruit in the best state for football talent, yet have the ability to recruit nationwide.

The more I think about Harbaugh going elsewhere, the more I think that if I were him, I would stay put...

What would you do?

Leave and coach WMack4Bama's San Francisco 49ers :biggrin2::biggrin2:

 

[bamacon]

Leave and coach WMack4Bama's San Francisco 49ers :biggrin2::biggrin2:

Or my Broncos:biggrin2:

I'm happy with my Saints coach:biggrin2:

 

[jps1983]

It depends on what he wants. Some coaches just like a new challenge for the sake of the challenge itself. Stanford is a good gig b/c of the lower expectations; good environment, good salary (only going to increase for him) but it might not be the challenge he's looking for.

 

[bamanut_aj]

he already talked crap about meechigan and their academic standards. Would be almost hypocritical for him to go coach there. But whatever.

 

[mittman]

When i saw the thread title most of what you pointed out flashed through my mind. He would be nuts to leave that job, especially with USC having the problems they are going to have.

That said, you never know what is going through someone's mind. There may be an insufferable individual there that is just rubbing him the wrong way. There may be something family related that only those close to him know. He may be a polar opposite of Saban and want back into the NFL. Sometimes what appears to be heaven may be someone's hell.

No one really knows what is going on in the mind of someone who has the options he has. One thing is evident though. The guy can coach.

 

[Tide1986]

Turning Stanford into a highly competitive program is very challenging...he doesn't need to leave unless his heart is somewhere else. Winning a National Championship at Stanford would be a major major accomplishment in my opinion.

 

[ElephanTideis]

He won't get the top flight recruits at Stanford the way he would in the SEC or Big Ten. Stanford, to me, seems like a heck of a job. He'll be able to compete year in and year out in the Pac 10, but I don't think he can build a powerhouse like he could at Michigan or UGA or wherever.

 

[Black Warrior]

He should stay. Palo Alto is beautiful. Stanford is an exceptional school and if they get his pay up, what more could any HC want. He's already carved a legacy for himself there, before long there will be a statue...

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

Wait for the Michigan job to open.

 

[capnfrog]

Use the michigan job sorta like the old ball coach used the bama job. To get a new big fat contract.

 

[p'colabamaman]

If I was him, I would not want that pressure-cooker job of coaching at Michigan. He has the perfect job right now at Stanford; coaching in a beautiful atmosphere, not too much pressure, a talent laden state for recruiting. But a lot of coaches look for that challenge to coach at a higher regarded school. He could more than double his salary somewhere else. I think he'll probably take a higher profile job if/when it becomes available.

I think he is a great coach and will do well wherever he winds up.

 

[GrayTide]

Wait for the Michigan job to open.

Sound advice Capstone.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Harbaugh can write his own ticket.

Right now.


If he's 5-6 next year he'll drop back into the "potential" candidates rather than a "can't miss" one.

(Think Franchione in 2002).

 

[WMack4Bama]

Harbaugh can write his own ticket.

Right now.


If he's 5-6 next year he'll drop back into the "potential" candidates rather than a "can't miss" one.

(Think Franchione in 2002).

Or Schiano & Grobe 2006

 

[GrayTide]

Harbaugh can write his own ticket.

Right now.


If he's 5-6 next year he'll drop back into the "potential" candidates rather than a "can't miss" one.

(Think Franchione in 2002).

I hope I don't get fired for this, but Harbaugh should "Take the Money and Run".

 

[ABamaManNTX]

No! Stay where you are. It's toooooo cold in Michigan this time of year.

How many more does that QB from Houston (Luck) have at Stanford?

 

[TideEngineer08]

No! Stay where you are. It's toooooo cold in Michigan this time of year.

How many more does that QB from Houston (Luck) have at Stanford?

I believe he is a redshirt sophomore. So, he could declare for the draft this year, since he's been out of high school for three years.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Or Schiano & Grobe 2006

Yep.

 

[Jon]

If you are Jim Harbaugh, consider:
1. You are currently head of the second best program in the Pac-10. He was razor close to playing in the national championship game. They had one loss, to the #1 team in the country, and even led that game in the 3rd quarter.
2. You live in Palo Alto, California, and coach at one of the most beautiful campuses in the USA. The beach is next door.
3. You are pulling in $1.25 million, which isn't top flight money, but that figure is only likely to increase in the near future.
4. By staying, you would have almost cement-like job security.
5. You recruit in the best state for football talent, yet have the ability to recruit nationwide.

The more I think about Harbaugh going elsewhere, the more I think that if I were him, I would stay put...

What would you do?

1) will that last? Might but when USC comes back, and they will under another coach, will Stanford be able to hang with them?
2) Palo Alto is a great town. I spend a lot of time there. That said the beach is not exactly next door, about 45min away, and the water is cold. This is not Miami
3) 1.25 Million is a lot of Money, but not in Palo Alto where $1M get's you a 3 Bedroom 1 Bath 1100 Sq Ft house. 1.25M in Palo Alto is like 700K in Tuscaloosa.
4) I agree he would be there for life
5) Stanford has pretty high academic standards so it's not like he can recruit nationwide for anyone

Based on all the above I would take a job at a bigger school in a cheaper town or push for $3m a year at Stanford, which I do not think they will pay

j