Dave Brown

I tried to think about the coaching hire from DB's perspective.  Dave is a member of the Michigan football alumni fraternity.  This fraternity was consumed in group think.  The vast majority of former players seemed to think that the traditional the program had suffered greatly under RichRod.  He came in and changed traditions about the #1 jersey and team captains.  RichRod didn't know to dance a jig around the Little Brown Jug on St. Patrick's Day or to salute the moon after each NASA launch to honor UM grads involved in the space program.  The changes to traditions resulted in losses, ANGAR, and the Gator Bowl. 

Dave saw a fractured fan base and decided that a new coach was needed.  He settled on three criteria the new HC must meet.  The new coach would have to head coaching experience at the highest level of college football and he would have to be a "Michigan Man."  Applying the first two criteria left DB with just candidates:  JH, LM, and BH. 

What was the third criterion?  The new coach would have to be a good employee.  Why the third criterion?  Because Dave is a hands-on businessman who values control.  The new coach would have to coachable.  DB is the boss and he does not tolerate insubordination.  BH was plan A because of the third criterion.

I see DB imagining his interactions with the possible head coaches:

Scene 1 - DB busts in on JH's team film study. 

DB:  "Hey Jim."

JH:  "What are you doing here, Dave?"

DB:  "I came to watch film and to evaluate the way you interact with your players."

JH:  "Get the hell out, Dave!"

DB:  "Jim, I'm the boss!  Now get on with it."

JH:  "Get the fuck out Dave before I call the 49ers!!"

Scene 2 - DB tries to discipline LM after UM wins The Game:

DB:  "Les, may I have a word with you?"

LM:  "WHOOAAAOOOAA!!"

DB:  "Les, quit it an listen.  You can't go around lifting up the cheerleaders' skirts and eating their pom pons."

LM:  "We just beat tOSU on their field.  I can do whatever I want."

DB:  "QUIT IT LES BEFORE I FINE YOU!"

LM:  "Try it and see how fast I apply my abilities to another opportunity to be taken advantage of."

Scene 3 - DB busts in on BH's team film study. 

DB:  "Hey Brady."

BH:  "Hey Dave."

DB:  "I came to watch film and to evaluate the way you interact with your players."

BH:  "Do you want some popcorn?"

What does it all mean?  It means that DB found the best coach for DB.  The hire of BH gets his frat brothers off his back and gives him a compliant employee.  The coaching change was for the benefit of the AD.  He has his model of how to run an organization.  Apparently it does not include sharing power. 

Is BH the best fire for UM?  Time will tell.  My initial reaction to learning of the hire was deflation.  However, I am willing to give BH the benefit of the doubt.  I believe he will give his best effort.  I have noticed that most of the negative reaction about the hire has to do with his physical appearance.  I know that people tend to overestimate the competence of attractive people and to underestimate the competence of those less fortunate.  We have a new HC who is no Fabio and an OC who is no Brad Pitt.  They will not will beauty contests.  I hope they win games.