Golden Nuggets: Learning About Jim Harbaugh Through The Players

by David Fucillo on Jan 6, 2012 2:00 AM PST in 49ers Links

Good morning everybody. I'm here to cover the Nuggets this morning and I'm kind of glad it worked out that way. There is a really interesting post I wanted to discuss. Grant Cohn puts together transcripts of some of the locker room interviews players conduct before practice each day. He put together one yesterday covering Donte Whitner's chat with the media and he had some really interesting comments.

Whitner spent time talking about how Coach Harbaugh actually takes time to get to know the players and chat with them from time to time. When asked if the players could be completely honest with Coach Harbaugh, Whitner said they generally could. Of Harbaugh, Whitner said, "He said that we can do anything in the world and we can come and talk to him and he'll forgive us except put our hands on women. If you put your hand on a woman then you're done in his book. So other than putting your hands on women, you can do anything and come talk to him, and it's true. Open-door policy. Everybody around here really likes him and we want to win for him and for ourselves."

Now this isn't exactly a shocking revelation that Coach Harbaugh has a problem with players hitting women. However, there is something about a player actually articulating this kind of thing that is interesting, to say the least. I don't know why, but something about that comment jumped out at me. The Harbaugh comments as a whole are interesting because it shows how much the team loves him. I urge you to check out the transcript if you have a minute.

All the links are after the jump...

49ers using bye to rest and prepare for potential future opponent (Saints?) (Sam Lam)

49ers S Donte Whitner wins Garry Niver Award; several players miss practice (Sam Lam)

Greg Roman to remain with 49ers as Penn State is set to hire Pats' Bill O'Brien (Sam Lam)

Falcons would be 49ers' easiest opponent (Maiocco)

Breakdown: 49ers received huge contribution from rookie class (Barrows)

Whitner: 49ers eying New Orleans as next opponent (Barrows)

Ginn, Williams return; J. Smith, McDonald among those not practicing (Barrows)

Can great defenses beat great QBs in NFL playoffs? (SFGate.com)

10 plays to remember from 49ers’ turnaround season (SFGate.com)

Fantasy football Heroes and Zeros Awards (SFGate.com)

49ers special teams finds its anthem (SFGate.com)

49ers’ Whitner respects Lions, expects Saints (SFGate.com)

Playoff Conversation with Charley Casserly (49ers.com)

David Akers on KNBR (49ers.com)

Playoff Preparation is Underway (49ers.com)

Five Questions with Parys Haralson (49ers.com)

Cosell on Alex Smith: "To evaluate him totally objectively, I think he’s had an outstanding season." (Press Democrat)

Whitner on Harbaugh: "He said a couple things today that surprised a lot of guys. Some guys liked it. Some guys didn’t." (Press Democrat)

Vernon Davis' excitement can't be deleted (Press Democrat)

2011 All-NFC West Offense (Sando)

2011 All-NFC West Defense (Sando)

2011 All-NFC West Specialists (Sando)

Yesterday on Niners Nation

Golden Nuggets: Where I'm Going Through 49ers Withdrawals | Ninjames
49ers Scout Reggie Cobb Named NFC Scout Of The Year | Fooch
49ers Try out TE Cody Slate, According To Reports | Fooch
What the 49ers Need To Do To Make a Legitimate Super Bowl Run | D.DeSimone
2012 NFL Playoffs: A Preliminary Look At The Atlanta Falcons | Fooch
David Akers, Aldon Smith Take Home December/January Awards | Fooch
49ers Regular Season Body of Work Continues to Get "Rodney Dangerfield Treatment" | Tre9er
49ers Wide Receivers: A Good Corps Heading Into 2012 Season? | Tre9er
49ers Injury Report: Ted Ginn, Kyle Williams, Delanie Walker Updates | Fooch

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At the end of this interview,

He says “we have one of the best coaches in the NFL.”

Yeah.

"The year we beat Miami in the Super Bowl, ... do you know how many defensive linemen were in our rotation? Nine, and we used them all quite a bit. We just wore the Dolphins out."
Bill Walsh quote

by Iupati_like_its_1999 on Jan 6, 2012 2:12 AM PST reply actions

God I love our coach.

This Whitner quote about Harbaugh listening to any problem, except putting hands on a woman, is the best insight into why Harbaugh is both a player favorite (while being far from a player’s coach, there’s a difference, Harbaugh is probably as hard on his players as any coach in the NFL) and a fan favorite. He stands up for what he believes in, while standing up for his players. He’s never sold a player out to the media, not even close, not even during the Braylon debacle.

I guess the only time I’ve ever heard him publicly contradict a player is whenever he has pulled Gore early, Harbaugh citing injuries, while Gore saying he was good to go. Though I have a feeling that if Gore caught the Ebola Virus after getting run over by a Semi, he would still say he was good to guy, he’s just that type of player. Sometimes coach knows best.

I love to imagine Harbaugh finding out a player hit a woman and backslapping across the face, then saying, “We don’t take to kindly to wife-beaters in San Francisco, now get the hell out before I do something nuts”

Harbaugh is the best thing to happen to the niners since the 49-26 beating we put on San Diego. Win or lose come playoff time, at least I know my coach stands for something.

Matt Cain is better than you, but apparently not cool enough for Showtime.

by homegrowntalent on Jan 6, 2012 3:34 AM PST reply actions

Though I have a feeling that if Gore caught the Ebola Virus after getting run over by a Semi, he would still say he was good to guy, he’s just that type of player. Sometimes coach knows best.

Yup, when he broke his hip last year, the doctors had to take away his helmet to make sure he didn’t play IIRC.

extrabaggs
"Just your typical Giants scoring rally: A faceburger on the basepaths, two errors from the second baseman and a bases-loaded balk."

by Badly Browned on Jan 6, 2012 3:55 AM PST up reply actions

I realize Whitner was simply using one extreme to illustrate how approachable Habaugh is, but i’d hope (perhaps more sure) there are quite a few other illegal situations where Harbaugh would have major problems accepting what occured. =)

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 6, 2012 6:35 AM PST up reply actions

Of course

But these guys aren’t likely to be doing any of those things. The hands on women thing is one of those too common occurences that some people seem to think is OK to do. It’s never OK to do and the mindset it is forgivable is where you get the biggest problem.

Clearly crimes against children would be on this list along with some others, but you have to consider the kairos, the occasion. He knows he has good guys on his team. Also, if you are guilty of any of these you aren’t talking to your coach about it, you aren’t talking to anyone exept Bubba.

"When they pull the chains off, I’ll come back just as strong as when I left, if not better" - 52

by Pat Willie on Jan 6, 2012 10:13 AM PST up reply actions

When do fines go out?

Still irritated by that douchey Rams OLineman headbutting Aldon

by mrg80 on Jan 6, 2012 4:47 AM PST reply actions

hear, hear!

Win or lose, at the end of the day I'm just happy to see the Niners play well... Okay, winning is good. I prefer winning.
"Yeah, I do get emotional. It fires me up. It fires me up a lot. I'm not going to apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, then so be it." ~ Jim Harbaugh

by El Dorado on Jan 6, 2012 9:39 AM PST up reply actions

I knew early on that Jim Harbaugh was the kind of coach

who the players would love to have around. It’s true that the best way to get to understand Harbaugh is listening to his players talk about him. I love that he gives up his seat on the plane rides home and chats with his guys. I love that he listened to a suggestion from one of the players (I forget who it was) and decided to bring the practice squad guys along to road games. I love that he’s never criticized a player in public but is not shy about praising them (and he’s not just saying those things, he really wants to give them credit).

The way he is in front of the media, I’m totally okay with that because I see that he’s not like that in the locker room. He’ll probably always be misunderstood by the media guys. Maybe us fans at Niners Nation and the others who really sit down and read through all these articles and interviews, maybe we’re the only fans who understand Harbaugh. Well, not understand, but get glimpses of him through the eyes of his players. It’s been really great to learn how unique of a coach he is.

by El Dorado on Jan 6, 2012 9:58 AM PST reply actions