This has been, at least so far, another disappointing season for the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite possessing ample talent on both sides of the football, they have only a 3-5 record after falling to the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football.
Las Vegas ranks toward the bottom of the league in several offensive categories, and its defense hasn’t been anything to write home about either. Dating back to last season, it has had trouble holding onto leads and winning close games, and as a result, fans have been calling for head coach Josh McDaniels to be replaced.
One potential replacement candidate whose name has come up lately is Jim Harbaugh, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers who is currently at the helm of the University of Michigan Wolverines. Hunter Haas of Raider Ramble thinks the team should do whatever it takes to lure Harbaugh back to the NFL and to Sin City.
“Jim Harbaugh is what I consider the polar opposite of Josh McDaniels,” wrote Haas. “Harbaugh, through all his faults, has always had the voice to lead a group of men. He spent several years as a quarterback in the NFL, including an AFC Championship appearance with the Indianapolis Colts. Simply put, Harbaugh’s football brilliance is stamped and respected by any player.
“… He demands instant respect. Sure, his falling out with the Niners is well-publicized — it was an ugly breakup. It also must be mentioned that Michigan is at the center of an extensive cheating allegation from the NCAA. Harbaugh isn’t perfect, but he is one thing McDaniels will never be: authentic.”
Harbaugh was hired by San Francisco for the 2011 season even though his NFL coaching resume at the time only included two years as a quarterbacks coach with the Raiders. But he instantly took a team that had gone through several dark rebuilding years and hadn’t finished with a winning record or made the playoffs since 2002 to three straight NFC Championship Game appearances.
Harbaugh established a clear identity for the 49ers based on a physical defense and run-based offensive attack. They reached the Super Bowl during the 2012 season, only to narrowly lose to the Baltimore Ravens, who were coached by Harbaugh’s brother John.
Changing a struggling team’s fortunes starts with establishing a culture and a clear direction in terms of where it is going to go. Jim Harbaugh could provide that for the Raiders, although it may take a lot for them to convince him to return to the pro ranks.
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