Jim Harbaugh recruiting tactics

onthetrail wrote:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2607292-report-jim-harbaugh-to-watch-movies-have-sleepover-with-penn-state-recruit

On many levels, I like this story. Why not? Thinking outside the box? Commitment to being competitive. etc.

Any good xc track stories out there?

My coach offered a Kinney XC champion a partial scholarship. Kids parents told my coach to leave their house!

This is so stupid. Honestly. The kid is a kicker. Why does it matter at all if he 'gels' with the head coach. The kicker's playing time pretty much has nothing to do with his relationship with the coach or teammates. If he's good, he goes out and boots field goals in field goal situations. If he's missing kicks, he gets benched.

Huge UM fan now, and Harbaugh as well, but for once I agree with Rojo

That is just plain weird, I think.

But? Never underestimate the value of an "automatic" kicker, the Vikings sure don't. In college, a huge weapon, when most guys are really only consistent to low 40's yarders, if that.

rojo wrote:

This is so stupid. Honestly. The kid is a kicker. Why does it matter at all if he 'gels' with the head coach. The kicker's playing time pretty much has nothing to do with his relationship with the coach or teammates. If he's good, he goes out and boots field goals in field goal situations. If he's missing kicks, he gets benched.

It doesn't matter on the field if the kicker gels with the head coach. That's not what this is about. Harbaugh wants to steal the number one kicking recruit from a conference rival. To do that, he wants to develop chemistry and a rapport with the kid.

That's weird man. That's not being "hyper competitive", that is just weird.

rojo wrote:

onthetrail wrote:http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2607292-report-jim-harbaugh-to-watch-movies-have-sleepover-with-penn-state-recruit

On many levels, I like this story. Why not? Thinking outside the box? Commitment to being competitive. etc.

Any good xc track stories out there?

My coach offered a Kinney XC champion a partial scholarship. Kids parents told my coach to leave their house!

This is so stupid. Honestly. The kid is a kicker. Why does it matter at all if he 'gels' with the head coach. The kicker's playing time pretty much has nothing to do with his relationship with the coach or teammates. If he's good, he goes out and boots field goals in field goal situations. If he's missing kicks, he gets benched.

For on the field relationship I agree. However, I believe that in committing to a University for 4+ years most of us would like to know that off the field we have someone at the school on our side because they believe in us as a person. That's where the "gel"-ing comes in.

Harbaugh has a bunch of us in this non-football-related corner of the internet talking, if obliquely, about his commitment to U of M football and his recruits. That's a good thing for him and the program. it's not that complicated.

This pretty much sums up college football recruiting:

Harbaugh will sleepover with Nordin to recruit him.

Michigan's kicker from last year was 18/22 and made all extra points,

Kenney Allen K and will be back for next year as a 5th year senior. That means Harbaugh invited him. Meanwhile last year's recruit Andrew David K who was wooed by Harbaugh as well is a redshirt fresh with 4 years of eligibility. And there another redshirt frosh Ryan Tice K is also on the team.

If Nordin goes to Michigan he better be ready to compete with the guys already there, and the ones coming. Harbaugh exemplifies recruiting over a position.

Nothing wrong with it, all legal, and all fair to improve a team. But all very what have you promised me lately.

Maybe when Harbaugh is sleeping over he can tell Nordin what he said about last year's 3 star K recruit Andrew David on signing day last year:

Jim Harbaugh on David: "Andrew's work ethic and drive is what makes him a special young man. He is a great competitor, a tremendous teammate and someone who has incredible passion for everything he is involved with. As his parents told me, Andrew has always overcome obstacles in his life simply 'by outworking everyone and everything in his way.' As it became clear when meeting with Andrew, he is truly a people person who really enjoys building relationships with those he is fortunate to come across. Andrew is a natural leader who takes pride in seeing his teammates succeed in all aspects of life, on and off the field. He is an extremely confident young man but a very humble one first and foremost, which endears him to many of his teammates and classmates as well. He also happens to be a great athlete who was blessed with a tremendous ability to kick a football. Andrew finished his career at Massillon High School as the all-time career leader in kicking and punting. He also holds the county record with a 58-yard field goal this season. He was selected as a Preseason All American Kicker, was named first-team All-Ohio and is the only player ever, at any position, to earn all-county first-team honors all four years of high school. Andrew was also a great high school baseball player and is ranked as one of the country's top players at his position, shortstop. On top of that, Andrew is up for his school's Outstanding Senior Boy award, which is awarded to someone who excels academically and conducts himself the right way in his community. And, we at Michigan are fortunate to call him one of our own."

I can hear it now: "Sure Quinn, I said that, but I am sleeping with you!"

then back at 1st day of Spring Ball: "Andrew, I just stayed at his house it wasn't like I slept with him! You know you are my guy." and "Kenny, would I have invited you back to a 5th year just to sit the bench, c'mon man you are my guy."

Ahh, recruiting.

good feedback...

any good xc/track recruiting stories?

Jim Harbaugh should spend more time with his own family. I bet that dude spends more time with recruits than his kids. He took a vacation to Paris this summer with just his wife. He said it was the first time they had been alone together in 7 years. At least he makes a bunch of $!

rojo wrote:

This is so stupid. Honestly. The kid is a kicker. Why does it matter at all if he 'gels' with the head coach. The kicker's playing time pretty much has nothing to do with his relationship with the coach or teammates. If he's good, he goes out and boots field goals in field goal situations. If he's missing kicks, he gets benched.

Great, except that you're dealing with human beings who by nature factor relationships into their decision making, even when it doesn't seem rational to do so. The kids feelings about the head coach WILL factor into his decision about where to go to school. You can think that this is irrational if you want, but it's the reality.

What you say about kickers applies to runners as well. Whether a runner gets to race is completely dependent upon their performance. If you run fast, you race; if you run slow, you stay home. Does that mean that a runner's relationship with his coach and teammates doesn't matter?

The same really applies to many employment situations as well. Even though my own performance is pretty much independent of other people, I'm going to choose not to work with a bunch of assholes if given the choice.

Stupid and Weird. Sleeping over at a 18 year old boys house? What are they planning on watching "Brokeback Mountain" Go Buckeyes - hardly worried about Harbaugh and 'The Team from up North"

kjdsachjawiefjc wrote:

Stupid and Weird. Sleeping over at a 18 year old boys house? What are they planning on watching "Brokeback Mountain" Go Buckeyes - hardly worried about Harbaugh and 'The Team from up North"

He must figure that it worked for Penn State...

I agree with Rojo. Kickers are useless. Right, Vikings?

HARBAUGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I lost my v-card on an official visit to Cornell while Rojo was the coach.

Thanks for the trip!

Seems silly.

But...

Special teams play matters. It's not just field goal accuracy but the ability not to allow long returns. Puts the defense in a better spot if the opposing team has to start at the 20 more often due to touch backs on kickoffs.

Save for Ohio State, the Big 10 doesn't always recruit the same level of talent as does SEC schools. If getting this kicker provides some advantage, why not go for it? Given that there is 80+ scholarships, it's not that inefficient to waste one on a kicker.

Not like the Eagles drafting a kicker in the 4th round.

kjdsachjawiefjc wrote:

Stupid and Weird. Sleeping over at a 18 year old boys house? What are they planning on watching "Brokeback Mountain" Go Buckeyes - hardly worried about Harbaugh and 'The Team from up North"

At least we have a coach who promises kids they can live at his house and kill a few people if they are bored on a Tuesday night.........as long as they are good.

kjdsachjawiefjc wrote:

Stupid and Weird. Sleeping over at a 18 year old boys house? What are they planning on watching "Brokeback Mountain" Go Buckeyes - hardly worried about Harbaugh and 'The Team from up North"

Methinks he doth protest too much