Michigan Football: 5 key storylines from Big Ten Media Days

Harbaugh haters reading between the imaginary line

Jim expressed his concerns about the transfer process and then he pulled a reversal by admitting each player should be allowed one free transfer; no punishment, no denied eligibility. And then he may have gone too far.

“And the other piece that bothers me about it is the youngster that says, this is a mental health issue. I’m suffering from depression or that’s a reason to get eligible.” Harbaugh told ESPNU radio. “And once that’s known, hey, say this or say that’ to get eligible. The problem I see in that is you’re going to have guys that are, okay, yeah, I’m depressed. Say what they’ve got to say.”

While he didn’t name names, many have connected the comments to recent transfer James Hudson who left to play for the Cincinnati Bearcats but was denied immediate eligibility. Hudson took to social media and said the reason for the transfer was for mental health and that he was appealing the decision.

Twitter exploded with comments throwing shame on Harbaugh for his stance on mental health and one reporter – who claims to have visited Ann Arbor – expressed his doubts about the mental health program.

Matt’s musings

I yield my time to Mr. John U. Bacon:

"“I’m late to this due to vacation with limited internet, but feel compelled to weigh in based on my research over the years. Jim Harbaugh’s comment about players using mental health as a dodge to transfer and play immediately at another school were unfortunate and unhelpful.” Author and Michigan insider John U. Bacon said on Twitter. “In part because they eclipsed his bigger point, which is advocating for one “free” transfer for all players without having to explain or disclose mental health issues – a big help — and Michigan football’s pioneering work on the mental health of its athletes."

Bacon continued via his Twitter account:

"“More than two decades ago the University of Michigan created the first Depression Center in North America. Its founder, Dr. John Greden, became the founding chair of the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC), which number more than two dozen today.”"

Those are just a few of the quotes from Mr. Bacon who went on fiercely defending Jim and the program while also providing excellent context to the entire “unfortunate and unhelpful” situation. In the end, it was only unfortunate and unhelpful because the public connected the comments to the player without considering the possibility they had nothing to do with the unfortunate situation in Cincinnati.