Jim Harbaugh Named NFL Coach Of The Year And In Other News, The Sun Rises

by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2012 8:00 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

In the least surprising news since the sun coming up this morning (I suppose the far north might be an exception of that in the dead of winter), 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year. Harbaugh is the first rookie coach to claim the award since Falcons head coach Mike Smith in 2008. The last 49ers coach to win the award was Bill Walsh all the way back in 1981. There are some reports Dick Nolan won in 1970, but that is a bit hazy.

Coach Harbaugh won in a landslide victory as he took home 45 of the 50 votes. Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy received three votes and ~~Carolina Panthers~~ Denver Broncos coach John Fox received two votes. I figured Harbaugh was an easy choice for Coach of the Year, but five people felt otherwise. Arguments could be made for several coaches doing great jobs, but 13-3 following a lockout and coming off a 6-10 season seems like a no-brainer to me. Of course, I happen to be a 49ers fan, so my opinion might be slanted ever so slightly. If I had to choose a number two in this balloting, I'd be more inclined to go with Marvin Lewis than John Fox or Mike McCarthy.

Coach Harbaugh was not in attendance at the NFL Honors event last night, so Alex Smith actually accepted it on his behalf. He had a few quick comments for his coach:

Just trying to think about what Coach Harbaugh would say if he were here. He probably would say that he doesn't deserve this. It's just the type of guy he is. He'd give all the credit to the players, to the assistant coaches. Just who he is. From someone who's had one or two coaches in my career, I would just like to tell you that this is well-deserved. Congratulations Coach. Thank you.

His line about having one or two coaches drew some laughs from the crowd. I'd imagine it was primarily from the football players in the crowd.

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K seriously

who in their right mind would not vote Harbaugh…?

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Feb 5, 2012 8:30 AM PST reply actions

Anyone else watch the entire 2 hours?

With the help of DVR, I watched the “entire” 2 hour broadcast of the NFL Awards Show. There were some funny moments, but there were also some jokes that fell so flat somewhere Whitney Cummings was walking around feeling like she had a pair of Double Ds.

Overall, it felt like a giant waste of time in theory, but in practice I was entertained enough to watch the whole thing through (again, with the benefit of DVR).

by Andrew Davidson on Feb 5, 2012 9:07 AM PST reply actions

i watched up until the Coach of the Year award

might have watched the entire thing if they didn’t leak the results out before the show was aired lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Feb 5, 2012 9:15 AM PST up reply actions

I made sure to avoid the internet

didn’t have any of the spoilers except Rodgers winning MVP.

by Andrew Davidson on Feb 5, 2012 9:22 AM PST up reply actions

Watched with the DVR as well... enjoyed watching them have Schwartz mug on screen as Harbs won COach of the year..LOL

"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...

by AzNiner on Feb 5, 2012 10:33 AM PST up reply actions

Anyone watching this Road to the Super Bowl segment on NBC?

Some great stuff on the 49ers’ season

Also is there going to be a Super Bowl game thread today?

by hankmoody on Feb 5, 2012 9:57 AM PST reply actions

yes.

later this afternoon. Probably around 2:30 PT

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Feb 5, 2012 10:10 AM PST up reply actions

Can't bring myself to watch any of the pregame hype... Not even sure I will watch the game..

ugghh I cant wait till it’s over and we can start looking forward to Combine, FA, Draft, OTA’s Training Camp etc..

"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...

by AzNiner on Feb 5, 2012 10:32 AM PST up reply actions

Indeed. Ready for the Super Bowl to be over.

by Odekerk on Feb 5, 2012 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

+1

Woke up this morning with that awful taste in my mouth……you know the one I have tasted every Super Bowl morning since January 1995. The worst thing is the game is in Indy this year where I transplanted three years ago. Ugh. Bad enough I get the Colts shoved down my throat all the time…..now I get the extra salt rubbed in the wound with the game here. Yes, I had a ticket (thanks mom) that I sold for $3000. Of course I would much rather be sitting in Lucas Oil Stadium today instead of driving by it and cursing softly under my breath. Come on April.

by Youve been Gored on Feb 5, 2012 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

That's gotta be awful hearing about the Colts all the time.

Really hope they let Manning go and Luck busts.

Can’t stand that team or their fans for some reason.

by Odekerk on Feb 5, 2012 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

New England and New York are wrose

The patriots and the giants are far worse when it comes to their fans and players. I can’t stand any of the New England players and the only player I like on the Giants is manning.

by salem on Feb 5, 2012 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

Colts fans appeared out of no where when Peyton came along.

New England had their fair share of bandwagoners, but they also have a lot of loyal fans. Same for Giants.

Screw the Jests.

by Odekerk on Feb 5, 2012 1:25 PM PST up reply actions

Colt's fans are kinda wimpy and quiet

I watched a few Niner games and local bars, and was by far the loudest person there. (Sorry Hooters) The Colt’s fans are very fairweather……..loud when they win and cricketts last year. Peyton’s injury exposed the Colt’s bigtime…….

BTW, living here, I hear lots of reports that Peyton’s throws are coming out MAYBE 40-50 percent what they were before the second surgery. A guy in our fantasy football league works at the Colt’s practice facility……Huge Colts fan…….so he has no reason to lie about the velocity. He is sure they are cutting him before the money is due and that Peyton M. is FAR (his words) from playing in the league again. I suppose we will see. Just reporting what he says btw.

by Youve been Gored on Feb 5, 2012 2:18 PM PST up reply actions

And even before his surgeries

he was losing velocity on the deep outs. He still had enough to make the throws but the zip was gone.

Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.

by Ougadas on Feb 6, 2012 5:25 AM PST up reply actions