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Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
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CliftonAve Offline
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Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
10-22-2019 01:15 PM
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
Not buying it.
10-22-2019 01:31 PM
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Wedge Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
I could see Harbaugh jumping for a decent-or-better NFL head coaching job. Of course that can only happen if some owner offers him such a job.

Wonder who is on the Michigan AD's short list of possible replacements.
10-22-2019 01:47 PM
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GoldenWarrior11 Online
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
Too early to tell how many NFL jobs will open up. Washington is already open (not sure Harbaugh would want to deal with Dan Snyder). Stephen Ross wanted Harbaugh a few years ago in Miami, and there were reports Cleveland tried trading for him as well. Atlanta could open up (despite assurances that Dan Quinn is safe), as could the Giants, Jets, Steelers and - if last week is a preview of the remainder of the season - Bears. I can't envision Harbaugh going to a rebuilding job though; it would almost need to be a franchise that is built to win now, or in immediate term, and needs an edge to get over the top. Maybe a playoff team, or near playoff team, decides to make a change for Harbaugh.

If Michigan opens up, it would be rare to see an intraconference coaching raid, but P.J. Fleck is doing wonders at Minnesota and had experience building successful program at Western Michigan. Matt Campbell and Dave Clawson will be sought after names for jobs. I wonder if they will go after former head coaches like Bob Stoops, Bret Bielema (won in the B1G) or even Butch Jones (Saban assistants are getting all the top jobs these days).
10-22-2019 02:46 PM
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
I could see Campbell or Fleck. Butch Jones no way.
10-22-2019 03:08 PM
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-22-2019 02:46 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Too early to tell how many NFL jobs will open up. Washington is already open (not sure Harbaugh would want to deal with Dan Snyder). Stephen Ross wanted Harbaugh a few years ago in Miami, and there were reports Cleveland tried trading for him as well. Atlanta could open up (despite assurances that Dan Quinn is safe), as could the Giants, Jets, Steelers and - if last week is a preview of the remainder of the season - Bears. I can't envision Harbaugh going to a rebuilding job though; it would almost need to be a franchise that is built to win now, or in immediate term, and needs an edge to get over the top. Maybe a playoff team, or near playoff team, decides to make a change for Harbaugh.

If Michigan opens up, it would be rare to see an intraconference coaching raid, but P.J. Fleck is doing wonders at Minnesota and had experience building successful program at Western Michigan. Matt Campbell and Dave Clawson will be sought after names for jobs. I wonder if they will go after former head coaches like Bob Stoops, Bret Bielema (won in the B1G) or even Butch Jones (Saban assistants are getting all the top jobs these days).

Harbaugh with the Bears would be interesting. And I think would interest him.....

I could easily see Bielema taking Michigan. Would seem to be a good fit....
10-22-2019 03:18 PM
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SkullyMaroo Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-22-2019 01:15 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Hmm...

https://footballscoop.com/news/sources-j...-strategy/

The immovable ad at the bottom got on my nerves (along with the other ads) so I couldn’t finish the article.
10-22-2019 03:29 PM
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johnintx Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-22-2019 02:46 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  If Michigan opens up, it would be rare to see an intraconference coaching raid, but P.J. Fleck is doing wonders at Minnesota and had experience building successful program at Western Michigan. Matt Campbell and Dave Clawson will be sought after names for jobs.

I'm not sure how the "Row the Boat" stuff would play at Michigan, but P.J. would be stupid to not be interested.

Matt Campbell coached at nearby Toledo, and Dave Clawson coached at Bowling Green. They would have to listen to Michigan, as well. Matt Campbell would especially be a good fit, even though he's an Ohio guy. He wouldn't be the first Ohio guy to coach Michigan.

No matter what one thinks about Michigan and the state of their program, if Michigan calls, a coach has to listen.
10-22-2019 03:33 PM
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vandiver49 Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-22-2019 02:46 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Too early to tell how many NFL jobs will open up. Washington is already open (not sure Harbaugh would want to deal with Dan Snyder). Stephen Ross wanted Harbaugh a few years ago in Miami, and there were reports Cleveland tried trading for him as well. Atlanta could open up (despite assurances that Dan Quinn is safe), as could the Giants, Jets, Steelers and - if last week is a preview of the remainder of the season - Bears. I can't envision Harbaugh going to a rebuilding job though; it would almost need to be a franchise that is built to win now, or in immediate term, and needs an edge to get over the top. Maybe a playoff team, or near playoff team, decides to make a change for Harbaugh.

If Atlanta isn't open by the end of the season, no one will show up the Blank's palace to watch football in 2020.
(This post was last modified: 10-23-2019 06:30 AM by vandiver49.)
10-22-2019 04:53 PM
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-22-2019 03:18 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Harbaugh with the Bears would be interesting. And I think would interest him.....

They'd be interested if there were an opening, but Matt Nagy is safe this offseason. Took over a team with a bad record and won the division the season after taking over (and would've made a playoff run if we had a kicker), the struggles this year are mostly due to management (trading up to take Trubisky instead of taking Mahomes or Watson a year before Nagy was head coach, not maintaining the o-line, not having enough depth on D).

(10-22-2019 04:53 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  If Atlanta is open by the end of the season, no one will show up the Blank's palace to watch football in 2020.

I don't know much about the current Atlanta sports scene, but if the Falcons win 1 to 4 games this year how much support will they get in 2020? Is Dan Quinn really popular enough to where firing him will provoke outrage? Imo a lot of their issues are due to staff, having Steve Sarkasian as OC versus Kyle Shanahan during the Super Bowl run was a huge step down.
10-22-2019 05:44 PM
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The Cutter of Bish Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
You can’t argue he wasn’t successful as a pro coach in terms of wins and losses. But, the guy wants to call the shots. It’s what got him into hot water at San Francisco, and I have to wonder if his ideal pro gig is some team giving him the coach and GM tags.

I still get the impression he’s a real weasel, too. Sherman at Stanford. And allegedly leaking stuff at San Fran to put the GM in a bad spot. He’s not one for any high road.

Personally, I think he doesn’t connect with players the same way other coaches do consistently at a level. Dude’s too hungry for control and being perceived as the big boss.
10-22-2019 10:26 PM
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vandiver49 Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-22-2019 05:44 PM)Love and Honor Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 03:18 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Harbaugh with the Bears would be interesting. And I think would interest him.....

They'd be interested if there were an opening, but Matt Nagy is safe this offseason. Took over a team with a bad record and won the division the season after taking over (and would've made a playoff run if we had a kicker), the struggles this year are mostly due to management (trading up to take Trubisky instead of taking Mahomes or Watson a year before Nagy was head coach, not maintaining the o-line, not having enough depth on D).

(10-22-2019 04:53 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  If Atlanta is open by the end of the season, no one will show up the Blank's palace to watch football in 2020.

I don't know much about the current Atlanta sports scene, but if the Falcons win 1 to 4 games this year how much support will they get in 2020? Is Dan Quinn really popular enough to where firing him will provoke outrage? Imo a lot of their issues are due to staff, having Steve Sarkasian as OC versus Kyle Shanahan during the Super Bowl run was a huge step down.

I meant isn't. Dan Quinn has to go
10-23-2019 06:31 AM
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Frank the Tank Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-22-2019 03:18 PM)stever20 Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 02:46 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Too early to tell how many NFL jobs will open up. Washington is already open (not sure Harbaugh would want to deal with Dan Snyder). Stephen Ross wanted Harbaugh a few years ago in Miami, and there were reports Cleveland tried trading for him as well. Atlanta could open up (despite assurances that Dan Quinn is safe), as could the Giants, Jets, Steelers and - if last week is a preview of the remainder of the season - Bears. I can't envision Harbaugh going to a rebuilding job though; it would almost need to be a franchise that is built to win now, or in immediate term, and needs an edge to get over the top. Maybe a playoff team, or near playoff team, decides to make a change for Harbaugh.

If Michigan opens up, it would be rare to see an intraconference coaching raid, but P.J. Fleck is doing wonders at Minnesota and had experience building successful program at Western Michigan. Matt Campbell and Dave Clawson will be sought after names for jobs. I wonder if they will go after former head coaches like Bob Stoops, Bret Bielema (won in the B1G) or even Butch Jones (Saban assistants are getting all the top jobs these days).

Harbaugh with the Bears would be interesting. And I think would interest him.....

I could easily see Bielema taking Michigan. Would seem to be a good fit....

Matt Nagy is safe for at least the next couple of years even if the Bears have a losing record this season. I know we’re in a “What have you done for me lately?” world, but Nagy was NFL Coach of the Year last season and had turned around a franchise from a 5 win embarrassment to a 12 win division winner in a year. He’s bought himself a fair amount of equity with both ownership and the fans regardless of what happens for the next couple of years.

Plus, if you look at entire 100 year history of the Bears, the only “established” head coach that they have *ever* hired was John Fox... and that was an unmitigated disaster prior to Nagy coming in. Otherwise, the Bears have always hired someone that had never had prior NFL head coaching experience (and that goes back to the founder George Halas). Unlike most NFL teams that are now owned by billionaires that made money in other fields, the Bears franchise is still a family business and they just aren’t the type that has ever gone after the big name coach. Maybe it would be different due to Harbaugh’s connection to the Bears, but it’s water under the bridge because Nagy bought himself a least 2 more seasons with the turnaround job that he performed last year.

In contrast, the short fuse in Chicago is definitely regarding Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. The breaking point for his future with the Bears going to come sooner rather than later.
10-23-2019 07:26 AM
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
Harbaugh has some very big games coming up, starting in three days vs Notre Dame.

Harbaugh was not hired by Michigan to go 10-3 and play in the Citrus Bowl. He was hired to do what Urban Meyer did at Ohio State - beat your biggest rivals (Ohio State, Notre Dame), win the B1G, make the playoffs, and win the national title or the Rose Bowl.

Harbaugh has done essentially none of that, he's even struggled against little brother Michigan State. If he gets swept by Notre Dame and Ohio State in the coming weeks, that may be it.

On the other hand, he built some outstanding 49ers teams. The 2011 - 2013 teams were loaded, and unlucky not to win a Super Bowl. So the NFL will come calling.
(This post was last modified: 10-23-2019 08:26 AM by quo vadis.)
10-23-2019 08:25 AM
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
Harbaugh shot this down this morning, saying it was "Total Crap"

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/colle...whIE1XtDbE
(This post was last modified: 10-23-2019 10:09 AM by utpotts.)
10-23-2019 09:53 AM
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Wedge Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-23-2019 09:53 AM)utpotts Wrote:  Harbaugh shot this down this morning, saying it was "Total Crap"

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/colle...whIE1XtDbE

Mmm hmmm. Remember this from 2006?

https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2705288
Quote:A story posted on NFL.com this week said Alabama "keeps on making runs at Saban" in an effort to persuade the Miami Dolphins coach to return to college and take over in Tuscaloosa for fired Mike Shula. The same story even said an unnamed NFL head coach said Saban is getting closer to joining the Crimson Tide.

So on Thursday, Saban -- who has tried to denounce the story about him potentially going to Alabama numerous times in recent weeks -- again, and adamantly, denied that he's headed back to the college ranks.

"I guess I have to say it," Saban said. "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."
10-23-2019 10:17 AM
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GoldenWarrior11 Online
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-23-2019 07:26 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 03:18 PM)stever20 Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 02:46 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Too early to tell how many NFL jobs will open up. Washington is already open (not sure Harbaugh would want to deal with Dan Snyder). Stephen Ross wanted Harbaugh a few years ago in Miami, and there were reports Cleveland tried trading for him as well. Atlanta could open up (despite assurances that Dan Quinn is safe), as could the Giants, Jets, Steelers and - if last week is a preview of the remainder of the season - Bears. I can't envision Harbaugh going to a rebuilding job though; it would almost need to be a franchise that is built to win now, or in immediate term, and needs an edge to get over the top. Maybe a playoff team, or near playoff team, decides to make a change for Harbaugh.

If Michigan opens up, it would be rare to see an intraconference coaching raid, but P.J. Fleck is doing wonders at Minnesota and had experience building successful program at Western Michigan. Matt Campbell and Dave Clawson will be sought after names for jobs. I wonder if they will go after former head coaches like Bob Stoops, Bret Bielema (won in the B1G) or even Butch Jones (Saban assistants are getting all the top jobs these days).

Harbaugh with the Bears would be interesting. And I think would interest him.....

I could easily see Bielema taking Michigan. Would seem to be a good fit....

Matt Nagy is safe for at least the next couple of years even if the Bears have a losing record this season. I know we’re in a “What have you done for me lately?” world, but Nagy was NFL Coach of the Year last season and had turned around a franchise from a 5 win embarrassment to a 12 win division winner in a year. He’s bought himself a fair amount of equity with both ownership and the fans regardless of what happens for the next couple of years.

Plus, if you look at entire 100 year history of the Bears, the only “established” head coach that they have *ever* hired was John Fox... and that was an unmitigated disaster prior to Nagy coming in. Otherwise, the Bears have always hired someone that had never had prior NFL head coaching experience (and that goes back to the founder George Halas). Unlike most NFL teams that are now owned by billionaires that made money in other fields, the Bears franchise is still a family business and they just aren’t the type that has ever gone after the big name coach. Maybe it would be different due to Harbaugh’s connection to the Bears, but it’s water under the bridge because Nagy bought himself a least 2 more seasons with the turnaround job that he performed last year.

In contrast, the short fuse in Chicago is definitely regarding Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. The breaking point for his future with the Bears going to come sooner rather than later.

I agree with much of what you said, Frank. As a long-time Bears fan, I cannot argue with any of it.

However, if the Bears continue to look the way they did last week (and against Oakland) for the rest of the season, they will not win another game (especially with what Trubisky currently is), and they would finish with a record of 3-13. There are a couple of noticeable red flags with this regime, especially with the perception that "the league has figured out Nagy" and that we have have a non-existent running game (coupled with trading away Howard this Spring for peanuts). There are many glaring holes with the roster, and the team has very little draft capital to fix all of them. It very much looks like the organization is going to waste the prime years of Mack, which is unfortunate.

The Bears are unlikely to hire a coach of the caliber of Jim Harbaugh, agreed; however, I would not agree that Nagy is "safe" for "a couple of years". All it takes if for an organization to experience a trainwreck season for there to be mass changes (especially if Nagy is unwilling to relinquish play calling duties). The Bears, at present, are absolutely in that category, considering the expectations given before the start of the year.
10-23-2019 12:00 PM
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The Cutter of Bish Offline
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
Maybe not Chicago, but, back to California, for the Chargers? There's stuff out there about Lynn already being on the hot seat. Not even eight games after going 12-4.
10-23-2019 12:39 PM
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-23-2019 12:00 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  
(10-23-2019 07:26 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 03:18 PM)stever20 Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 02:46 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Too early to tell how many NFL jobs will open up. Washington is already open (not sure Harbaugh would want to deal with Dan Snyder). Stephen Ross wanted Harbaugh a few years ago in Miami, and there were reports Cleveland tried trading for him as well. Atlanta could open up (despite assurances that Dan Quinn is safe), as could the Giants, Jets, Steelers and - if last week is a preview of the remainder of the season - Bears. I can't envision Harbaugh going to a rebuilding job though; it would almost need to be a franchise that is built to win now, or in immediate term, and needs an edge to get over the top. Maybe a playoff team, or near playoff team, decides to make a change for Harbaugh.

If Michigan opens up, it would be rare to see an intraconference coaching raid, but P.J. Fleck is doing wonders at Minnesota and had experience building successful program at Western Michigan. Matt Campbell and Dave Clawson will be sought after names for jobs. I wonder if they will go after former head coaches like Bob Stoops, Bret Bielema (won in the B1G) or even Butch Jones (Saban assistants are getting all the top jobs these days).

Harbaugh with the Bears would be interesting. And I think would interest him.....

I could easily see Bielema taking Michigan. Would seem to be a good fit....

Matt Nagy is safe for at least the next couple of years even if the Bears have a losing record this season. I know we’re in a “What have you done for me lately?” world, but Nagy was NFL Coach of the Year last season and had turned around a franchise from a 5 win embarrassment to a 12 win division winner in a year. He’s bought himself a fair amount of equity with both ownership and the fans regardless of what happens for the next couple of years.

Plus, if you look at entire 100 year history of the Bears, the only “established” head coach that they have *ever* hired was John Fox... and that was an unmitigated disaster prior to Nagy coming in. Otherwise, the Bears have always hired someone that had never had prior NFL head coaching experience (and that goes back to the founder George Halas). Unlike most NFL teams that are now owned by billionaires that made money in other fields, the Bears franchise is still a family business and they just aren’t the type that has ever gone after the big name coach. Maybe it would be different due to Harbaugh’s connection to the Bears, but it’s water under the bridge because Nagy bought himself a least 2 more seasons with the turnaround job that he performed last year.

In contrast, the short fuse in Chicago is definitely regarding Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. The breaking point for his future with the Bears going to come sooner rather than later.

I agree with much of what you said, Frank. As a long-time Bears fan, I cannot argue with any of it.

However, if the Bears continue to look the way they did last week (and against Oakland) for the rest of the season, they will not win another game (especially with what Trubisky currently is), and they would finish with a record of 3-13. There are a couple of noticeable red flags with this regime, especially with the perception that "the league has figured out Nagy" and that we have have a non-existent running game (coupled with trading away Howard this Spring for peanuts). There are many glaring holes with the roster, and the team has very little draft capital to fix all of them. It very much looks like the organization is going to waste the prime years of Mack, which is unfortunate.

The Bears are unlikely to hire a coach of the caliber of Jim Harbaugh, agreed; however, I would not agree that Nagy is "safe" for "a couple of years". All it takes if for an organization to experience a trainwreck season for there to be mass changes (especially if Nagy is unwilling to relinquish play calling duties). The Bears, at present, are absolutely in that category, considering the expectations given before the start of the year.

Oh yes - that we're wasting Khalil Mack's prime years is something that is keeping me up at night. The game against the Saints was an abomination. Still, this is a franchise that gave John Fox a full 3 seasons and he went 14-34. So, Nagy already has more wins in less than 1.5 years as Fox did during 3 years. I feel like the lion's share of the blame in the short-term will be more on Trubisky not being what we thought/hoped he would be compared to Nagy's play calling.

To be sure, the complete lack of a running game is deeply frustrating, particularly since the Bears essentially just gave away Jordan Howard, who was a workhorse in short yardage situations that the Bears are failing to convert on this season. On that front, I do have an issue with Nagy being wedded to his system as opposed to adapting to utilize the skills of someone like Howard. It reminds of that period where Mike Martz was the offensive coordinator on Lovie Smith's staff. Martz, for whatever reason, just wanted to use tight ends for blocking in his system, so the Bears traded away Greg Olsen for basically nothing. Of course, Olsen is still playing nearly a decade later and will at least be considered for the Hall of Fame once he retires. Ultimately, a coach needs to adapt to the team's talent as opposed to other way around (which is something I begrudgingly respect Bill Belichick for doing so well).
10-23-2019 12:41 PM
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GoldenWarrior11 Online
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RE: Football Scoop: Jim Harbaugh Eyeing Exit Strategy
(10-23-2019 12:41 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  
(10-23-2019 12:00 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  
(10-23-2019 07:26 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 03:18 PM)stever20 Wrote:  
(10-22-2019 02:46 PM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Too early to tell how many NFL jobs will open up. Washington is already open (not sure Harbaugh would want to deal with Dan Snyder). Stephen Ross wanted Harbaugh a few years ago in Miami, and there were reports Cleveland tried trading for him as well. Atlanta could open up (despite assurances that Dan Quinn is safe), as could the Giants, Jets, Steelers and - if last week is a preview of the remainder of the season - Bears. I can't envision Harbaugh going to a rebuilding job though; it would almost need to be a franchise that is built to win now, or in immediate term, and needs an edge to get over the top. Maybe a playoff team, or near playoff team, decides to make a change for Harbaugh.

If Michigan opens up, it would be rare to see an intraconference coaching raid, but P.J. Fleck is doing wonders at Minnesota and had experience building successful program at Western Michigan. Matt Campbell and Dave Clawson will be sought after names for jobs. I wonder if they will go after former head coaches like Bob Stoops, Bret Bielema (won in the B1G) or even Butch Jones (Saban assistants are getting all the top jobs these days).

Harbaugh with the Bears would be interesting. And I think would interest him.....

I could easily see Bielema taking Michigan. Would seem to be a good fit....

Matt Nagy is safe for at least the next couple of years even if the Bears have a losing record this season. I know we’re in a “What have you done for me lately?” world, but Nagy was NFL Coach of the Year last season and had turned around a franchise from a 5 win embarrassment to a 12 win division winner in a year. He’s bought himself a fair amount of equity with both ownership and the fans regardless of what happens for the next couple of years.

Plus, if you look at entire 100 year history of the Bears, the only “established” head coach that they have *ever* hired was John Fox... and that was an unmitigated disaster prior to Nagy coming in. Otherwise, the Bears have always hired someone that had never had prior NFL head coaching experience (and that goes back to the founder George Halas). Unlike most NFL teams that are now owned by billionaires that made money in other fields, the Bears franchise is still a family business and they just aren’t the type that has ever gone after the big name coach. Maybe it would be different due to Harbaugh’s connection to the Bears, but it’s water under the bridge because Nagy bought himself a least 2 more seasons with the turnaround job that he performed last year.

In contrast, the short fuse in Chicago is definitely regarding Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. The breaking point for his future with the Bears going to come sooner rather than later.

I agree with much of what you said, Frank. As a long-time Bears fan, I cannot argue with any of it.

However, if the Bears continue to look the way they did last week (and against Oakland) for the rest of the season, they will not win another game (especially with what Trubisky currently is), and they would finish with a record of 3-13. There are a couple of noticeable red flags with this regime, especially with the perception that "the league has figured out Nagy" and that we have have a non-existent running game (coupled with trading away Howard this Spring for peanuts). There are many glaring holes with the roster, and the team has very little draft capital to fix all of them. It very much looks like the organization is going to waste the prime years of Mack, which is unfortunate.

The Bears are unlikely to hire a coach of the caliber of Jim Harbaugh, agreed; however, I would not agree that Nagy is "safe" for "a couple of years". All it takes if for an organization to experience a trainwreck season for there to be mass changes (especially if Nagy is unwilling to relinquish play calling duties). The Bears, at present, are absolutely in that category, considering the expectations given before the start of the year.

Oh yes - that we're wasting Khalil Mack's prime years is something that is keeping me up at night. The game against the Saints was an abomination. Still, this is a franchise that gave John Fox a full 3 seasons and he went 14-34. So, Nagy already has more wins in less than 1.5 years as Fox did during 3 years. I feel like the lion's share of the blame in the short-term will be more on Trubisky not being what we thought/hoped he would be compared to Nagy's play calling.

To be sure, the complete lack of a running game is deeply frustrating, particularly since the Bears essentially just gave away Jordan Howard, who was a workhorse in short yardage situations that the Bears are failing to convert on this season. On that front, I do have an issue with Nagy being wedded to his system as opposed to adapting to utilize the skills of someone like Howard. It reminds of that period where Mike Martz was the offensive coordinator on Lovie Smith's staff. Martz, for whatever reason, just wanted to use tight ends for blocking in his system, so the Bears traded away Greg Olsen for basically nothing. Of course, Olsen is still playing nearly a decade later and will at least be considered for the Hall of Fame once he retires. Ultimately, a coach needs to adapt to the team's talent as opposed to other way around (which is something I begrudgingly respect Bill Belichick for doing so well).

I use the Greg Olsen comparison (w/ Martz) about Howard all time. Absolute travesty that Olsen was given away for next-to-nothing.

The difference, to me, about John Fox to Matt Nagy is that Fox never once had a team that was set-up to win the NFC North or make a deep playoff run. Fox inherited a team that was transitioning away from the Lovie Smith era (Briggs, Tillman, Forte, Marshall and Hester were all gone), and moving towards a 3-4 (without any young impact players on either side of the ball). Kevin White, ultimately, was a bust. Jeremy Langford inevitably got replaced by Howard. Cutler was solid in his one year under Gase, but he had no weapons (Alshon Jeffrey was allowed to leave in FA).

For Nagy, he overachieved last season with what he had, but now it appears everyone has regressed, especially the QB that he praised in interviews (and whom he said he ranked higher than Mahomes and Watson) in Tribusky.

Going back to wasting Mack's prime years, it is remarkable that every decision was made in response to the drafting of Tribusky, and that very much appears (today) that it was a colossal mistake, and one that is not easily fixable.

That goes back to my original point, where - if the organization is in such disarray to end the season - it would actually be easier to hit the reset button than it would be to try and stop-gap all of the holes the team has (especially with Aaron Rodgers remaining in the division). It might not be likely right now, but if the team continues to embarrass itself, the voices will only get louder (and likely encourage the ownership to make a knee-jerk change).
10-23-2019 01:37 PM
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