Harbaugh pulling offers in name of 'meritocracy'

[billsin01]

Sorry if posted before -- but did you all see the article on ESPN about Harbaugh pulling offers from committed recruits to add others (Link)? It's not so much the fact that he's pulling offers from recruits. I can live with that for three reasons (1) recruits hop around all the time, (2) we just effectively pulled offers from a bunch of recruits and (3) let's face it, it's just the next 'new low' for high end college athletics programs. At some point you just have to get used to the fact that this is a pathetically shady and disgusting business.

But the part that had me shaking my head was his insinuation that the kids need to keep performing at a high level after committing and he has the audacity to cite 'in the classroom' and 'in the community.' I vomited a little in my mouth reading that. Can't we just live in a world where harbaugh could answer questions about the practice by saying, 'yup, it sucks for those players and they're good athletes but we had other players we liked better pop up and, while it's ugly, that's how it goes."? This whole charades routine is pathetic.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

If a kid isn't going to qualify academically, then it is ok to pull an offer. If you have a coaching change, then it is ok to pull an offer. If the kid has off the field issues, then it is ok to pull an offer. Pulling an offer because you want to over recruit the play IMO isn't right. Don't offer the kid if he isn't good enough. Keep in contact and then if the class fills out, so be it. If a kid really wants to go to Michigan, then they can always flip later when a scholarship opens.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Calling it a meritocracy means Harbaugh doesn't have to be held accountable for misevaluating his recruits.

 

[chugg21]

Its an industry where being the biggest scumbag can be beneficial, not unlike the banking/financial industries. Its how master slimeballs like Urban & Calipari have became kings. The that Urban pulled on that RB from Detroit last year is far worse than anything Harbaugh has even thought of. Kids position coach and lead recruiter just happens to take a new job the day after signing day.

 

[billsin01]

Its an industry where being the biggest scumbag can be beneficial, not unlike the banking/financial industries. Its how master slimeballs like Urban & Calipari have became kings. The . . . . that Urban pulled on that RB from Detroit last year is far worse than anything Harbaugh has even thought of. Kids position coach and lead recruiter just happens to take a new job the day after signing day.

I guess -- I tend to believe there's not that much difference between all these guys. The Urban thing doesn't even actually sound that bad ... which I say only b/c I think so much underhanded shady stuff happens all the time.

 

[billsin01]

Calling it a meritocracy means Harbaugh doesn't have to be held accountable for misevaluating his recruits.

Yeah, that's the most annoying part. I mean, ultimately this probably ends up becoming par for the course. It sounds nuts but there was once a time when commitments were rarely broken, scholarships were very rarely pulled, etc. Regardless, I just hate the idea that he wants to be able to clearly kids over when he feels like it but do it in the name of being a guy interested in the greater community and the development of 'fine young men.' Total BS.

 

[billsin01]

If a kid isn't going to qualify academically, then it is ok to pull an offer. If you have a coaching change, then it is ok to pull an offer. If the kid has off the field issues, then it is ok to pull an offer. Pulling an offer because you want to over recruit the play IMO isn't right. Don't offer the kid if he isn't good enough. Keep in contact and then if the class fills out, so be it. If a kid really wants to go to Michigan, then they can always flip later when a scholarship opens.

If a kid isn't going to qualify academically there's no need or incentive to pull the offer. He just goes on to prep school and/or JUCO and you re-engage if it is still mutually beneficial. If you buy into the notion that a kid is committing -- at least in part -- to a university and not just to a head coach, then I really think it's a little shady to pull offers. I get it -- new staff in a cutthroat business doesn't have the luxury of waiting an extra year to get 'their guys' -- and I won't lose sleep over it, but if we're being honest, it's a bit shady.

But I agree, pulling an offer b/c you just decide you want someone else is a new level. It's all shady and absurd, but it's scary to think this may be the new way of doing business.

 

[BlazeOrange]

But the part that had me shaking my head was his insinuation that the kids need to keep performing at a high level after committing and he has the audacity to cite 'in the classroom' and 'in the community.' I vomited a little in my mouth reading that.

Since he can't name names, Harbaugh just added a stigma to every former Michigan commit that they are potentially academic risks or criminals, even though it's likely that through no fault of their own, at least some (if not all) of the kids got their offers pulled because he found other players that he preferred.

 

[Pyle]

Harbaugh is/has/always will be a colossal . I've disliked this butthead since he wore a Bears uniform.

 

[HtownOrange]

Though I agree with many of from a philosophical standpoint, I do disagree about it being really bad as kids offers and commitments and Letters of Intent are meaningless as the kids can change their minds, too. Add to that the fact that the SEC over-recruits and pulls scholarships (fails to renew scholarships), is Harbaugh any different?

 

[billsin01]

Though I agree with many of from a philosophical standpoint, I do disagree about it being really bad as kids offers and commitments and Letters of Intent are meaningless as the kids can change their minds, too. Add to that the fact that the SEC over-recruits and pulls scholarships (fails to renew scholarships), is Harbaugh any different?

I'm with you on that -- I'd just prefer he called it what it was. The idea that it's about community and academic standing is where I get sick to my stomach. I mean, if he's up front with kids when they commit that they have to maintain a certain level of performance and that UM is always going to be looking to bring in the best players possible, at least it's out there. It's ugly and shady, but as you point out, that's college sports. But acting as if it's something other than finding better players is where it gets ugly.

 

[SWC75]

http://www.campusrush.com/national-signing-day-nli-punt-pass-pork-1582389173.html

What do we think of Dino Babers telling 11 Shafer recruits that we will honor their commitment if they come here but "you won't play"? Kids develop from borderline types into starters all the time. What about the guys on the current roster who don't fit into his system? Do they not play either?

I want Babers to have the guys he wants to give him the best chance of being successful. But it seems a shame that these kids should be cut loose so late in the recruiting process. These moves may be necessary but there's a downside to them, too.

 

[TheCusian]

http://www.campusrush.com/national-signing-day-nli-punt-pass-pork-1582389173.html What do we think of Dino Babers telling 11 Shafer recruits that we will honor their commitment if they come here but "you won't play"? Kids develop from borderline types into starters all the time. What about the guys on the current roster who don't fit into his system? Do they not play either? I want Babers to have the guys he wants to give him the best chance of being successful. But it seems a shame that these kids should be cut loose so late in the recruiting process. These moves may be necessary but there's a downside to them, too.

I have no problem with it in this sense: he was honest about it. He communicated with them.

I'd expect similar frank discussions with current players as well.

I feel for the players. But what you hope you get is a fair shake, honest evaluation - and I see that happening.