Originally posted by StOnEy333:
You're correct. I'll concede that they are a legit team. Not championship caliber, but they are legit.
And good call on your prognostication. 
Thank you.
And although I'm a big fan of Harbs, your skepticism of him in big games and running an offense may all prove true. My only point is, Harbaugh in the first 4 years has accomplished what he needed to get done. He is on the track of progress. He has not been legendary great at Michigan, but he's been pretty good. But that doesn't guarantee him success or a championship. He's only proven he can build a program, not win the title with one.
To me, year 5-7 are everything for a coach. Swinney (Clemson) was 36-18 in his first 4 full seasons (Harbs is 38-13). Years 5-8 he was 49-7. Swinney is basically exactly the career you want for a guy taking a mediocre but promising program and turning into a juggernaut. But in Year 4, Swinney hired his DC who is considered probably the best in the league. And he recruited Deshaun Watson (#1 QB out of highschool) in year 6. Those 2 moves are really what turned it around from Clemson being a major choke artist. Remember, Clemson's reputation for YEARS was the choking team.
Chris Petersen (Washington) is in a very similar position to Harbaugh. Not sure how much you followed college ball, but Washington was a juggernaut program from about 1977-1992. A period of 15 years. Then they went through a series of coaches that couldn't win and the brand all but disappeared. Petersen is considered by almost everyone in college football as one of the best coaches. In 4 years he went 37-13.
Urban Meyer and Nick Saban are the best. They are in a league of their own. But top coaches #3-10 in college ball, Harbs is right there with them.
Take Jimbo Fisher, who won it all in year 4, he is a bit different comparison. Because at Florida State he was there 3 years as the OC and head coach in-waiting before taking over. So he didn't start with a blank slate.
Brian Kelly (Notre Dame) was 37-15 in his first 4 years.
Kirby Smart (Georgia) is 32-8 in 3 years and might be the next big thing. But he's following Richt who is considered one of the top college coaches and Georgia was already a winning program. You could say Kirby, though, has never won the big game also. He's never beaten Alabama/Nick Saban.
Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma) is also a top up-and-comer. 23-3 in 2 years. But frankly, the Big 12 the past 2 seasons (and longer) is a joke. And similar to Jimbo Fisher, he was the OC the prior 2 years and he was following one of the winningest coaches of all time. Lincoln wouldn't be having the success he is having if Texas wasn't in the dumpster for the past 10 years. As long as Texas is in mediocrity, Oklahoma basically gets the pick of the litter in recruiting Texas (well between them and Texas A&M).
[ Edited by SunDevilNiner79 on Nov 30, 2018 at 10:41 AM ]
