Stanford's new football coach Jim Harbaugh is a journalist's and blogger's dream, but oh man is he in a rush to tick everyone else off.His latest: taking a dig at rival Cal's academics.
From an interview with The Stanford Daily:
TSD: I see most schools across college football selling out in order to win: taking kids that wouldn't get into that school if they didn't run a 4.4, funneling them through easy courses, looking the other way when they get into trouble. You mentioned Michigan, but a lot of Stanford fans would say that's the route Cal used to turn its program around. What do you think? Do Stanford and Cal differ in terms of how they prioritize academics and football?He can check Cal off the list now. Only seven other Pac-10 schools and 108 other D-IA schools to go before he's insulted everyone in college football. Somehow I don't think that's a good thing. Is this campaign his version of a more caustic "Straight Talk Express" a la John McCain? What program is his next target? People want to know.
JH: I don't think there's any doubt about it. It's a pretty wide gap. Right now, Stanford is No. 1 in the country at 92 percent graduation, and Cal's at 44 percent. So, I'd say they're cutting some corners.
Other Harbaugh works of art this year:
-Saying alma mater Michigan's football program is far from superior in academic rigor compared to other schools.
-Suggesting USC coach Pete Carroll will leave his job this year, citing coaches on the USC staff. Carroll was miffed and barked back with this:
"If he's going to make statements like that, he ought to get his information right," Carroll said. "And if he has any questions about it he should call me."-This week's slam of Cal football's graduation rate and allusion to "cutting corners".
Next?
Previously at FanHouse
Can Jim Harbaugh Win Against Stanford Admissions?
Jim Harbaugh Tag
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-11-2007 @ 1:38AM
Lex said...
Rather go into the world with 0-11 at Stanford, with that earned degree, then a Rose Bowl win and a sheepskin from Ber-zerk-ly... Isn't that next to Oakland ?
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6-11-2007 @ 9:31AM
Bay said...
Whats wrong with Cal being by Oakland? Oakland communities can't have access to opportunities to pursue a quality collegiate experience? Actually Lex, Cal is a pretty good school and your a idiot. Probably never been to Oakland and watch too much bias driven T.V. from your lazy-boy in your doublewide. Get-er done Hillbilly!!!!
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6-11-2007 @ 10:21AM
jim said...
What am I missing? Unless Harbaugh has his stats wrong (and I am assuming he doesn't), then I think a comparison of graduation rates is a pretty good indicator of academic integrity. I mean come on...92% versus 44%? Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that Cal is recruiting unqualified jocks, but...comparing Cal's academics to those of Stanford is a real stretch.
And Bay: before I called someone a hillbilly I believe I would check my own grammar. I would point out your three mistakes, but where's the fun in that? See if you can catch them.
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6-11-2007 @ 12:23PM
MP said...
Holy Crap Lex you suck. Do you knwo where Harbaugh lived for more than a couple years as the Raiders QB coach? Oakland, dumbass.
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6-11-2007 @ 12:31PM
MP said...
Oh and jim, he does have his facts wrong.
http://california.scout.com/2/650159.html
Read it, learn it, love it
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6-12-2007 @ 9:32AM
Deemo said...
Bay,
Its an idiot not a idiot, and you are an idiot. Its pretty clear that you did not attend either of the schools. The graduation rate of the perspective schools speaks for themselves. The numbers are not exactly right, but you get a good idea of why he is right. There used to be a time when academics took priority over atheletic ability at the larger schools like Cal and USC, but as you can see by the I.Q.'s of the players that are interviewed on the weekends,that is no longer the case. The problem is that there is so much pressure to win schools have lowered their standards. By the way, your buddy Bill Clinton was a Hillbilly. Being from Cali. I am sure you are a liberal too.
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6-11-2007 @ 6:32PM
Bay said...
Jim and Deemo,
Actually, I am a Republican from Ohio. In addition, I am a little too busy making a living to check my grammar on an inconsequential post about a Jim Harbaugh comment. That Hillbilly joke must have hit home, or mobile home that is.
Lastly, being a hillbilly is not dependent on where you live (i.e. Bill Clinton, Arkansas), rather your mindset (i.e. that a school being by Oakland, CA is indicative of anything.)
Thanks, for the grammar lesson. If I need another Administrative Assistant I will keep you in mind.
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6-13-2007 @ 5:41PM
LaughingBear said...
The only thing more difficult than getting into Stanford is...not graduating once you're accepted.
There are countless stats you can compare to make one school look better than another. But according to an unbiased group called the N.C.A.A. and their Academic Progress Report (APR), Cal is doing just fine and is 2nd in the Pac10 (Granted, ranked behind Stanford, but far from being some type of academically-deficient program)
Stanford Football is the victim of its own administration's decisions. Pointing outward and crying foul is typical behavior from spoiled children -- it's surprising that Harbaugh has become one so quickly into his tenure there, but as they say, "when in Rome..."
There is only one university in the country where students regularly cheer Nobel prize-winning professors at haltime while watching a top 25 program (4 years and counting). And that would be the University of California. GO BEARS.
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8-01-2007 @ 1:40PM
SoCal Oski said...
It seems all this talk about graduation rates for athletic programs fails to take some important facts into consideration: players leaving early for the NFL.
It's assumed by those who are eager to find dirt on rivals that low graduation rate means the players are unable to graduate. Consider this: The average football team has 100 players. Break that into cohorts of 25 players per year (not counting redshirts). If three players leave early, that automatically brings the highest possible graduation rate below 90%.
Basically, statistics, like anything else, are only as good as the people creating them. Graduation rates should be used as a guideline, not final proof of academics. Besides, if fewer players graduate, wouldn't that indicate that the schools academic standards for completion were more stringent? Perhaps Laughing Bear is right, and Furd is one of the easiest schools from which to graduate. Nothing prideful about that.
Go Bears
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8-01-2007 @ 2:30PM
TELL THE TRUTH! said...
44% - Good lord!
The "U" has a a rate of 63%! Even with all of the 1st round draft choices leaving early...
Go Canes!
No, seriously, I have always respected both Cal and Stanford as two of the best all-around schools in this country. I don't think there is a school in the nation that can duke it out with Stanford academically. Schools like Harvard, etc. are all tradition, and not nearly as innovative intellectually, especially their Law Schools. And Cal has an outstanding school academically with an always-competitive athletic program. Why can't Harbaugh just leave it at that?
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