[BostonCard]

Just an absolutely incredible coach. Now that Urban Meyer has failed in the NFL, I am not sure there is a coach in the sport who has succeeded at all levels like Harbaugh has. Phenomenal coach.

I agree fundamentally with your post; Harbaugh is a phenomenal coach and a master turnaround artist.  In the end, results are what matters, and Harbaugh has them in spades.

That being said, Pete Carroll probably takes issue with the quoted passage, given that, at every level, he has achieved what has eluded Harbaugh: a national championship (two, actually) in college, and a Super Bowl championship (ironically, beating Harbaugh’s Niners along the way).

BC

It is interesting to note that Carroll was not always able to deliver wins. He was fired twice as an NFL head coach and had a record of 33-31 in the NFL when he went to U$C. At U$C he was very successful initially and then tailed off a bit. His record there was 97-19. The performance at U$C is IMHO unquestionably a great coaching record. Subsequently his tenure at Seattle has been very good but not superb. He has a .619 winning percentage and has not repeated his Super Bowl win in 2013. Applying the "Just win baby." criteria is perhaps more complex that it appears.  Just for comparison, JH's winning percentage at Michigan is .717. Lloyd Carr's is .753.

Even Bill Belichick was not always able to deliver wins as a head coach, and went 36-44 with the Browns.  I think there are too many other variables in the NFL outside of intrinsic coaching ability, which is why great college coaches, especially those who win on the basis of their recruiting superiority (eg Nick Saban) can struggle in the pros. But there is no question that Carroll “has succeeded” at all levels, even though he has also had some ups and downs.  Also, there is the matter of USC being sanctioned under his watch.  But still, not many coaches have coached a national championship and Super Bowl championship ( there are three; the other two might be a good subject for the trivia thread).

BC

[BostonCard]

Just an absolutely incredible coach. Now that Urban Meyer has failed in the NFL, I am not sure there is a coach in the sport who has succeeded at all levels like Harbaugh has. Phenomenal coach.

I agree fundamentally with your post; Harbaugh is a phenomenal coach and a master turnaround artist.  In the end, results are what matters, and Harbaugh has them in spades.

That being said, Pete Carroll probably takes issue with the quoted passage, given that, at every level, he has achieved what has eluded Harbaugh: a national championship (two, actually) in college, and a Super Bowl championship (ironically, beating Harbaugh’s Niners along the way).

BC

It is interesting to note that Carroll was not always able to deliver wins. He was fired twice as an NFL head coach and had a record of 33-31 in the NFL when he went to U$C. At U$C he was very successful initially and then tailed off a bit. His record there was 97-19. The performance at U$C is IMHO unquestionably a great coaching record. Subsequently his tenure at Seattle has been very good but not superb. He has a .619 winning percentage and has not repeated his Super Bowl win in 2013. Applying the "Just win baby." criteria is perhaps more complex that it appears.  Just for comparison, JH's winning percentage at Michigan is .717. Lloyd Carr's is .753.

Even Bill Belichick was not always able to deliver wins as a head coach, and went 36-44 with the Browns.  I think there are too many other variables in the NFL outside of intrinsic coaching ability, which is why great college coaches, especially those who win on the basis of their recruiting superiority (eg Nick Saban) can struggle in the pros. But there is no question that Carroll “has succeeded” at all levels, even though he has also had some ups and downs.  Also, there is the matter of USC being sanctioned under his watch.  But still, not many coaches have coached a national championship and Super Bowl championship ( there are three; the other two might be a good subject for the trivia thread).

BC