The most BPONE 2020 Michigan Coaching search scenario
There has been a lot of talk as of late about a possible coaching replacement. Harbaugh is not getting the job done, and this is the worst Michigan has looked in recent memory. Many reasons can be sited as to why this team is so bad, and maybe a new coach is the answer. While I do agree, this concerns me for a myriad of reasons. Maybe it is the new lockdowns compounded by the previous 2020 lockdowns affecting my mood. Maybe it is that I am so fully immersed in BPONE that I am thinking of getting my mail forwarded here. Maybe there is some Michigan version of the Curse of the BIlly Goat, and no matter what happens, things will not work out in Michigan’s favor. Maybe it was because I indifferently turned off the game before the end of the 1st quarter, and instead played several games of Chickapig with my kids before bedtime. Whatever the explanation, here are my thoughts on the most likely outcome of a Michigan coaching search.
Once Harbaugh is let go/quits/retires/steps down/mutually parts ways, there will be a plethora of coaching candidates examined in detail. People finally decide that the “Michigan Man” comment was not a mandate that Michigan hire someone with a Michigan connection, causing an emboldening where the A.D. is able to branch out and look for people outside of the program. After a lot of searching, they will probably decide on Luke Fickell. He understands the big ten, he has been successful, he is a good recruiter, the move to Michigan will be a step up, and he understands Ohio State and may give Michigan some advantage in the Rivalry. This is all great, and the Michigan Faithful are nervously optimistic that the program will soon be back on track.
In the meantime, candidate B, C, D, and E all either resign with their teams with a Michgian is interested bump in salary, or move on to other programs. A majority of those who are not selected by Michigan will go on to have great careers at their new schools.
At the last few days before a contract is signed, Luke Fickle will change his mind and decide to return to Cincinnati. Rumors will abound, with many clamoring that he never intended to come here, and it was a masterful troll job orchestrated by current and former OSU coaches and alumni. There are a lot of people upset about this, but there is no way to prove that it was the plan all along, while the cooler poopers proclaim from the top of their ivory towers built of championship trophies that our mothers were a hamster, and our fathers smelt of elderberries. Michigan will be left scrambling for a worthy candidate, and must settle for a B- hire. This lasts for a few years, where Michigan fans will be exactly back where we are now.
Tell me why I am wrong…
Please...
November 17th, 2020 at 3:57 PM ^
Matt Campbell from an Xs/Os stand point would be a great hire. Have to worry about recruiting a little bit. He's gotten them into the top half of the country recruiting wise. Is it only in the 40s because of Iowa State as an institution, or is it something he's not doing? Upsets against top 10 teams include OU, WVU, TCU.
Lance Leipold would be a great hire. He's had success and built programs at UW Whitewater and has had Buffalo competing and over performing in the MAC. Wonder what he could do at Michigan. He is older so how long is he going to be at Michigan if he were to be hired? A few national titles at Whitewater and a Mac Conference championship game appearance at Buffalo (I think..)
Justin Wilcox has proven to coach some hard nosed football teams at CAL. He know's the academic part of the equation. He had great success at Wisconsin as the DC. Giving him the resources of Michigan would be great. Plus he's pulled some upsets at Cal and he doesn't always lose the rivalry game against Stanford. Has also upset Washington under Chris Peterson.
Jeff Hafley. He was the DC at OSU before Mattison turned coat. He knew how to recruit, he's a great Xs/Os guy. Know's what the rivalry is about, knows what a school like Michigan is capable of in the right hands. He currently has Boston College playing their best football in seemingly a decade. They've played Clemson and Notre Dame tough so far this year.
Sean Gleeson - OC at Rutgers. He's very young. Prior to Rutgers OC, he was the OC at Oklahoma State and Princeton. He's a wizard with Xs/Os. No knowledge of his recruiting ability but a buddy played RB for him at Princeton and spoke glowingly about his ability to scheme and win games. Princeton did win the Ivy League at least once while he was OC there. Feels very much like a Lincoln Riley assent (Riley was at ECU prior to OU where he eventually became HC)
IMO, you have to go get someone who distinguishes themselves against the current crop of B1G coaches. Ideally, someone who can collect talented recruiters at position coaches and brainy guys as offensive coordinators.
November 18th, 2020 at 4:02 AM ^
This would tank Cincinnati recruiting
November 18th, 2020 at 5:55 PM ^
Cheeseburger Charlie Weis steps in to save the day!