balfan23

This follows along with a post I made to the "myth buster" forum ... is this notion of Harbaugh as a control freak who only wants his buddies on his coaching staff a myth or is it a reality? The sentiment I see from a lot of fans is definitely buying into the control freak label. I have felt like it has been a bit overdone, but I'll tell you this - the OC decision is going to really be a major decision to impact that sentiment. If we promote (or should I say, "install") Hostler as the OC, that label is going to stick. Even if we get Shanahan, those who believe that sentiment are going to say that Oz/Steve imposed this decision on Harbs (just like those same people believe that they forced Harbs to go along with the removal of Cam last year). Either way, I pray we bring in Shanahan.

I scanned through the entire thread and I'm surprised, I've only seen one post related to Harbaugh and his selection of only "buddies" to be coaches on his staff. I'll broaden that to the following: Myth: Harbaugh is a control freak. The idea is that he cuts loose players that challenge his authority and refuses to replace coaches who are underperforming, but wishes to retain them because they are nothing more than his "yes" men. He feels threatened by other coaches in who may have strong opinions and avoids bringing such people on his staff. I'll tell you this ... if we name Hostler and not Shanahan to our OC position, this "myth" will appear a whole lot less "mythical" to those who hold that opinion and to those, like me, who are a bit on the fence when it comes to the validity of this sentiment.

My parakeet told me it was Hostler, but I choose not to believe her.

I agree with the sentiment that, if another team is willing to pay him WR2 money, he will be gone. We don't view him as that and I think rightly so. His value is in stretching the field as a WR3 and returning punts/kickoffs. I just don't think the FO is planning on paying him as much as what I think another team will offer. I'd love to see him stay, but I just don't think it is going to work out.

Just saw a report that Wilson is still going to leave the Steelers and join the Vikings staff. No indication of what his position will be.

I think your sentiment about hiring outside rather than promoting Hostler is echoed by the vast majority of fans, including myself. I too feel like we need an infusion of energy and a perspective that can complement what we have and make us better. However, I don't know that I agree with that popular belief that all decisions made are based on Harbaugh's desire to be a control freak. I don't know why we never spoke to Turner, but I'm reluctant to think it is because Harbaugh felt he couldn't control him.

I think at a minimum, Harbaugh wants Hostler to feel like he's been strongly considered and not just rejected out of hand in this process. He's taken that as far as it can go (given he's one of the final 2 under consideration) without actually promoting him. I don't think Harbaugh would make an appointment just to ensure he won't lose him - he'll only make that appointment if he truly feels he's the best man for the job.

I'm not sure I agree with the sentiment that "Harbaugh" is taking too long to make his decision. While I do think he has the final word, I think this is a collaborative process. I don't have the sense that it is a matter of Harbaugh falling in love, it is a matter of gathering all the information and discussing options as an organization. Once all has been considered, Harbaugh will make the final decision and I expect to hear that over the next 2 days.

I have had no expectation of an announcement being made until Monday or possibly Tuesday. If it goes beyond that, I'll be surprised and start getting a little antsy. My expectation was that they planned to conduct their follow-up interviews with the more serious candidates at the end of the week, would mull their options as an organization over the weekend and then announce a decision the beginning of the week. My thought also was that Linehan was out of the running, given the fact that they gave Shanahan, Wilson and Hostler 2nd interviews, but not Linehan. Not sure then why he hasn't been ruled out in the rumor mill. So I thought it was down to those three .. now it is down to 2. I had wished that we'd be down to 2 at this point, but that the 2 would be Shanahan and Wilson.

So much for Wilson's sense of how well his interview went - I'm kinda disappointed, because I started to get the sense that he was one of the best options. I really thought he'd be a good candidate for really inspiring this offensive unit that has just appeared to be listless and lacking fire. Oh well ... I guess we'll see soon enough.

Thought that 2nd interviews for Shanahan and Kirby meant the job was coming down to them, but now Hostler is back in the picture with a 2nd interview of his own. Who knows, maybe Hostler would be great. I just can't help but think that this unit has largely been a disappointment for years, that it is time for us to bring in someone new to light a fire under this group. I just feel like going with Hostler is an overly conservative approach and will feel like our organization is just being too timid to make the kind of bold move that will make a difference for us.

Another one that all the analyst keep saying is a great fit for us is Kubiak. Yet, not a peep from the organization on calling him in. I'm sort of surprised that we haven't heard of them speaking to anyone today. I thought they'd have someone in. Apparently, they are more patient than I am :-)

Agreed ... not requesting an interview shows they probably aren't interested in him and as you say, we'll likely never know why. I didn't think it was because we forgot he existed :-) It is just funny how conventional wisdom among analysts does little good in determining what is really happening within an organization.

Interesting that it seems we're not even pursuing Turner at this point and if we sit still, he'll be gone (actually, he may already be gone). So far, just Shanahan and no interviews on the horizon? Seems like we'd have had anyone of interest lined up, knowing weeks ago that Caldwell was likely out the door. Wonder if we're operating outside of the rumor mill radar. I am most surprised what we've only heard that we should be interested in Kubiak - but no indication so far from the Ravens that they actually are.