Really good read on Jim Harbaugh

[Dpantherman]

Focus, leadership make Jim Harbaugh hot name for 2011

By Albert Breer NFL Network

NFL Network Reporter

Published: Nov. 11, 2010

Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher might be bigger names to the masses. Some might question the history of hiring college coaches into the pros.

And there's a variance in his experiences -- he's been an NFL quarterback, as well as a quality-control coach -- that makes him the kind of candidate that's hard to find. So yes, Jim Harbaugh, you're gonna be a popular guy when NFL teams go to hire new coaches, maybe more popular than anyone else.

"He was the guy who drew all the pictures," said Montreal Allouettes coach Marc Trestman, the Raiders' offensive coordinator when Harbaugh was in that quality-control role, referencing the role of diagramming plays. "He did all the entry-level work guys do when they leave football to get into coaching. The quality of his work was outstanding. He has great communication skills, great emotional intelligence. He's a guy who played at a high level, but he's also got great coaching skills.

"Everything he gave us in the scouting reports -- the drawings, the precision of everything -- was great. So he got to spend some time coaching on the field with the quarterbacks that year, because he deserved the opportunity. It wasn't because he played the position, it was because he deserved the responsibility."

But it's that focus that makes him attractive. That experience as an NFL quarterback, too. That dedication to coaching that was apparent when he was volunteering for his father at Western Kentucky during his playing career. That understanding of the process that showed in those long nights and early hours in Oakland.

And those people skills. Especially those people skills.

"He's a great motivator, and young men respond to that very nicely," Snyder said. "He gets down and dirty with them. He runs sprints with them. He lifts weights with them. There's a relationship he builds with them. His standards are high, his vision is ambitious, and people want to be on that ship. They're going to be attracted to him, no matter who they are.

"He's very confident, to the point where he can sometimes be brash. But he's always looking for that edge to keep people moving forward, and if it's not there for the taking, he'll create it. I think young people respond to that. Football players are looking for that."

"He's a regular guy, and people relate to that," Gannon said. "He's approachable, but he's also fiery and he's a natural leader. He played the quarterback position, so he knows how to lead, but just as he's comfortable around the superstar, he's comfortable around the rookie free agent. And he cares about the people he works with.

Then, there's his ability to command. Rich Gannon tells a story from 2003, when Harbaugh was still a quality-control coach and things were going haywire in Oakland. A star veteran stood up in the team meeting room and challenged head coach Bill Callahan on his decision-making. The players were stunned. Harbaugh bounced to his feet, told the player to sit down and authoritatively said, "You don't talk to coach like that."

"I can't say enough about him. We came into the league in the same year, and he had no problem working with me as a coach. At the time, I'd gone to Pro Bowls, I was league MVP, and he had no problem coaching me. He was great, absolutely great. Everyone respected him."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81c0ce12/article/focus-leadership-make-jim-harbaugh-hot-name-for-2011

I tried not to copy too much, but I really wanted to post as much as possible. I didn't take everything though.

[mav1234]

would love to have him, but I have my doubts he'd come here when jobs in san diego and san fran will likely be open.

[Davidson Deac II]

Focus, leadership, and getting to play against a bunch of scrub teams.

Harbaugh may end up being the next Vince Lombardi, but I hope we don't hire him.

If by chance, he does come here and proves me wrong, I will gladly admit it.

But I can't help but think he will be the next Steve Spurrier.

[mav1234]

Ehh, I kinda doubt it. Harbaugh seems to coach to the personnel he has, he doesn't seem to have a system he needs people to fill. Not trying to take away from Spurrier or say Harbaugh will be great, but I think that Harbaugh could be something special.

[Fox007]

And here I was thinking we only liked him cuz of his looks.

[Dpantherman]

And here I was thinking we only liked him cuz of his looks.

:ihih:

[Kevin Greene]

OP, don't you know Harbaugh has nothing to do with the Panthers and this topic belongs in the College forum?

Just ask JOAT.

[ncguy2184]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2211935

Jim Harbaugh was arrested early Sunday on a charge of drunken driving after being stopped for running a stop sign.

This is old but i never knew that happend.

[TylerDurden]

Thanks, good post DP. I'm gonna go clean my pants up now lol...

[mav1234]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2211935

Jim Harbaugh was arrested early Sunday on a charge of drunken driving after being stopped for running a stop sign.

This is old but i never knew that happend.

I hope that doesn't keep JR away from him =(

[Dpantherman]

OP, don't you know Harbaugh has nothing to do with the Panthers and this topic belongs in the College forum?

Just ask JOAT.

Im being bad today

[ladypanther]

And here I was thinking we only liked him cuz of his looks.

Well there is that.

Even though there will be west coast jobs next year, wondering if he is not an east coast guy? Likely most of his family is on this side of the country.

[Fox007]

Well there is that.

Even though there will be west coast jobs next year, wondering if he is not an east coast guy? Likely most of his family is on this side of the country.

I must admit I don't really have a preference on our next HC as long as it isn't Fox.

As long as we get someone who can lead us to back to back winning seasons and consistent playoff appearances, that would be fine with me.