Harbaugh wants spring practice in Florida

[Evan Ceg]

CBS Sports.com has a story today that Jim Harbaugh has told his AD that he'd like to spend part of Michigan's spring practice in Florida, possibly at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, which produces a lot of Div-1 recruits. Not saying this will happen, but I'm sure it's a good recruiting tactic, and it will drive SEC coaches crazy.

Nevertheless, can you imagine the cost of taking the entire spring squad to Florida for, say, a week? Are these coaches ever made responsible for managing a budget?

 

[Nitwit]

And what about their players attending classes? Is spring practice during an academic break?

 

[psuro]

And what about their players attending classes? Is spring practice during an academic break?

Practice? We talkin' 'bout practice?

 

[Tom McAndrew]

All CBSSports.com did was summarize what was reported in the Detroit Free Press (FreeP). You can read the FreeP article at THIS LINK.

 

[mmp121]

Maybe he wants to take em down there DURING spring break for practice?

 

[step.eng69]

All CBSSports.com did was summarize what was reported in the Detroit Free Press (FreeP). You can read the FreeP article at THIS LINK.

I read the linked article:
"Makes sense" What are these classes & allowable practice time they mention? Why all of these rules? "We here to play football....not to play school"

 

[polecat]

Maybe he wants to take em down there DURING spring break for practice?

It's not any different than softball or baseball going on trips to the south for spring break. Just more expensive, but UM can afford it.

 

[StinkStankStunk]

It's not any different than softball or baseball going on trips to the south for spring break. Just more expensive, but UM can afford it.

^^^^ Not sure if serious ^^^^

 

[kgilbert78]

We're already closing in on minor league status for College Football, now that players are getting paid. So why shouldn't they go to Spring Training?

Mind you, the whole money game is turning me off about college sport. When Penn State becomes little more than the NFL version of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, I'll be done with it.

 

[Yanks49]

B

It's not any different than softball or baseball going on trips to the south for spring break. Just more expensive, but UM can afford it.

But that is for games, not for practice. Only reason for it is likely terrible weather up north.

 

[cjrugger]

Great idea. Hope we do it too

 

[michiganman95]

CBS Sports.com has a story today that Jim Harbaugh has told his AD that he'd like to spend part of Michigan's spring practice in Florida, possibly at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, which produces a lot of Div-1 recruits. Not saying this will happen, but I'm sure it's a good recruiting tactic, and it will drive SEC coaches crazy.

Nevertheless, can you imagine the cost of taking the entire spring squad to Florida for, say, a week? Are these coaches ever made responsible for managing a budget?

That is going to make Saban's head explode. Harbaugh is the freaking man.

 

[pandaczar12]

I heard that in order to get used to the heat of September SEC games, Tennessee is going to take their team to the surface of the sun to practice, since they are suddenly rich enough to buy and sell other programs. Coincidentally enough, Bob Shoop always wanted to be an astronaut, which is something PSU could not provide.

 

[Woodpecker]

which is something PSU could not provide

Not true: Guion Bluford

 

[Rollin Stone]

The article said that last spring he had the team practice for the entire 4 hours. Did I read that correctly? As in no meeting time just a 4 hour practice, how in the world he didn't have a ton of injuries I don't know. Also I can't even imagine the player's ability to stay focused that whole time.

I am very curious if this is accurate and if so how they structured it.
I've heard of 3 hour practices but kinda rare.

 

[katchthis]

I hate UM and Harbaugh, but a smart move and within the rules at this time. Open up Florida recruiting opportunities, reward your players for picking UM. Get your name in the news more, and subsequently more program awareness.

 

[psulongago]

The article said that last spring he had the team practice for the entire 4 hours. Did I read that correctly? As in no meeting time just a 4 hour practice, how in the world he didn't have a ton of injuries I don't know. Also I can't even imagine the player's ability to stay focused that whole time.

I am very curious if this is accurate and if so how they structured it.
I've heard of 3 hour practices but kinda rare.

I read the article, would be during spring break, but the article does mention UM has a LARGE enough athletic budget to absorb the cost.

How long before other semi pro teams, OSU, follow?

 

[joeparules]

How will this help Jimmy produce more scholar-athletes? This was a big concern of his back when he was coaching at Stanford ...

“Michigan is a good school and I got a good education there,” he said, “but the athletic department has ways to get borderline guys in and, when they’re in, they steer them to courses in sports communications. They’re adulated when they’re playing, but when they get out, the people who adulated them won’t hire them.”

 

[Michael.Felli]

Well, with all the pre-med and engineering majors on the team, spring practice in Florida shouldn't be a problem for Jim

http://espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2966536&sportCat=ncf

 

[baircub1!]

CBS Sports.com has a story today that Jim Harbaugh has told his AD that he'd like to spend part of Michigan's spring practice in Florida, possibly at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, which produces a lot of Div-1 recruits. Not saying this will happen, but I'm sure it's a good recruiting tactic, and it will drive SEC coaches crazy.


Nevertheless, can you imagine the cost of taking the entire spring squad to Florida for, say, a week? Are these coaches ever made responsible for managing a budget?

I mentioned this before... Kelly from Notre Dame looking into doing something similar at the Academy as well.

For what it's worth I did have a buddy of mine I know through PSU Hockey and the Athletic Department pass word onto our coaching staff about what Woverines and Irish were planning to do at the Academy a couple months ago...

 

[katchthis]

IMG Academy is sweet. A friend's son went to IMG for two years for golf. He was there around the time of Paula Creamer. He loved it there and at the cost he should. 100k/yr for room board tuition and golf . Golf unfortunately is such a head game, he got worse during his high school career. Went from a Notre Dame level golfer with hopes of a PGA career down to Villanova, but still got his college golf in, and a good education.

 

[ellobo]

The article said that last spring he had the team practice for the entire 4 hours. Did I read that correctly? As in no meeting time just a 4 hour practice, how in the world he didn't have a ton of injuries I don't know. Also I can't even imagine the player's ability to stay focused that whole time.

I am very curious if this is accurate and if so how they structured it.
I've heard of 3 hour practices but kinda rare.

Yes that is true and a lot of guys got knicked up. But they made sure to stay on top of things so that they separated what were just bumps and bruises from injuries that could get worse if the kid continued to practice...at certain times the number of kids either going no contact or being kept out completely was quite high.

The problem JH walked into was not that he inherited a team that didn't "understand" football but rather one that executed poorly (when actually playing FB) and was quite frankly soft as hell. So JH turned the first camp (aka spring practice) into a "weed out" exercise (i.e. they learned to stay focused or lost reps...there was even a "reward" at the end of each practice in that which ever side of the ball played better that day got to run extra sprints....yes you heard that right..the winners ran...Harbaugh explained it by saying winners earn the right to get better). JH wanted to find the guys who really wanted to play and he knew the kids had an entire summer to get over their bumps and bruises and sore legs.

 

[bmw199]

He must have meant he was going to take the Colts there for spring practice

 

[pandaczar12]

Not true: Guion Bluford

Apples and Oranges. Just because a PSU graduate was an astronaut, doesn't mean the football program will pay to send an assistant coach to outer space... we aren't Tennessee Rich.

 

[bud wiserer]

Seems like a great way to embrace the fans in Ann Arbor!

 

[ellobo]

Seems like a great way to embrace the fans in Ann Arbor!

Huh? Fans wouldn't be able to attend those practices anyway. He is not talking about moving the spring game...just a handful of practices. I haven't talked to a single Michigan guy yet, in or outside of A2, who doesn't like the idea or at worst is indifferent.

 

[bud wiserer]

So the students and fans that live in Ann Arbor wouldn’t seem abandoned or slighted? I think this could back fire! NCAA FB is not like MLB in the grapefruit league.

Huh? Fans wouldn't be able to attend those practices anyway. He is not talking about moving the spring game...just a handful of practices. I haven't talked to a single Michigan guy yet, in or outside of A2, who doesn't like the idea or at worst is indifferent.

 

[ellobo]

So the students and fans that live in Ann Arbor wouldn’t seem abandoned or slighted? I think this could back fire! NCAA FB is not like MLB in the grapefruit league.

Why would they? Students and fans are not allowed to attend these practices no matter where they are held. In addition, the plan is to hold it when classes aren't in session so most students are gone anyway. So again, why would they feel slighted? What do they lose?

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

IMG Academy is sweet. A friend's son went to IMG for two years for golf. He was there around the time of Paula Creamer. He loved it there and at the cost he should. 100k/yr for room board tuition and golf . Golf unfortunately is such a head game, he got worse during his high school career. Went from a Notre Dame level golfer with hopes of a PGA career down to Villanova, but still got his college golf in, and a good education.

Paula graduated from IMG in 2004 and won the LPGA Q-school to get her card. She had her college applications in and was ready to go to Okie State for a year if she didn't qualify. The Creamers were from California. They were pretty comfortable, Big Paul was pulling down a pension as a Navy Captain and was flying for American Airlines, but even for them the tuition was quite a stretch. Fortunately Paula won a scholarship from IMG after her freshman year and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

[big al 70]

CBS Sports.com has a story today that Jim Harbaugh has told his AD that he'd like to spend part of Michigan's spring practice in Florida, possibly at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, which produces a lot of Div-1 recruits. Not saying this will happen, but I'm sure it's a good recruiting tactic, and it will drive SEC coaches crazy.

Nevertheless, can you imagine the cost of taking the entire spring squad to Florida for, say, a week? Are these coaches ever made responsible for managing a budget?

UM is loaded with cash. This does seem as an unfair advantage in violation of the pirit of the NCAA rules.

 

[EPC FAN]

I mentioned this before... Kelly from Notre Dame looking into doing something similar at the Academy as well.

For what it's worth I did have a buddy of mine I know through PSU Hockey and the Athletic Department pass word onto our coaching staff about what Woverines and Irish were planning to do at the Academy a couple months ago...

Funny that you mention that. One of my childhood buddies has a friend whose son is going to attend IMG. The guy and his son were on a visit to IMG, when they ran into James Franklin. Franklin was quickly told what I post in the next paragraph. Not on the same page is an understatement.
Donovan didn't do the Lions any favors with the kid by saying the kid, who was looking for an offer, had to prove to the coaching staff that he could stay healthy. The kid has never missed a game. It really turned the kid from being State's to lose, to a fight for him. Fortunately, Franklin has two years to undo the damage done by that mope, Donovan. The kid is a 6-5 308 sophomore.

 

[blion72]

And what about their players attending classes? Is spring practice during an academic break?

the academic question is the real issue. I cannot imagine any coach taking a team away from their classes for that long. you could have marginal students actually get in academic trouble. this actually is not a responsible coach. assume the AD would turn that down categorically to insure the STUDENT-athletes are successful.

Harbaugh has a hard time remembering that he is coaching college and this is not the NFL. twice during the year Harbaugh questioned the spot for a missed FG (Utah and NW). he wanted it spotted where the ball was held - he doesn't know the rules for CFB.

 

[theengineer]

And what about their players attending classes? Is spring practice during an academic break?

Those Michigan Men don't need classes. They are born with all knowledge.

 

[redbyrds]

This goes hand in hand with satellite camps. It is all about recruiting and everyone wants to go south and poach some SEC kids to come north.

 

[ellobo]

the academic question is the real issue. I cannot imagine any coach taking a team away from their classes for that long. you could have marginal students actually get in academic trouble. this actually is not a responsible coach. assume the AD would turn that down categorically to insure the STUDENT-athletes are successful.

Harbaugh has a hard time remembering that he is coaching college and this is not the NFL. twice during the year Harbaugh questioned the spot for a missed FG (Utah and NW). he wanted it spotted where the ball was held - he doesn't know the rules for CFB.

Obviously you took zero time reading anything about this beside the headline on this thread. Your own mod...the guy this board is named after...even posted a link.

It's sad that you probably took more time to write a post asking a question than it would be finding the answer that was served to you on a platter.

 

[ellobo]

Those Michigan Men don't need classes. They are born with all knowledge.

Michigan men are tought to do research so they aren't talking out of their butts

 

[blion72]

This goes hand in hand with satellite camps. It is all about recruiting and everyone wants to go south and poach some SEC kids to come north.

This goes hand in hand with satellite camps. It is all about recruiting and everyone wants to go south and poach some SEC kids to come north.

no issue with Harbaugh or the others running camps anywhere. what I take issue with is moving students off campus for a non-academic purpose. this is fundamentally not what college is about. it is NOT the NFL.

 

[theengineer]

or

And what about their players attending classes? Is spring practice during an academic break?

Michigan men are tought to do research so they aren't talking out of their butts

But apparently they were not taught how to spell!!

 

[Go M&B]

no issue with Harbaugh or the others running camps anywhere. what I take issue with is moving students off campus for a non-academic purpose. this is fundamentally not what college is about. it is NOT the NFL.

Must have been really disappointed with PSU taking the kids out of the country to play a game.

 

[blion72]

Must have been really disappointed with PSU taking the kids out of the country to play a game.

yes I totally thought the Ireland trip was ridiculous and had no part of college football. I was very vocal about that stupid trip. I even thought its purpose as a football game was also stupid.

thank you for bringing that up.