Harbaugh hires first female GA at the Power 5 level
March 15th, 2022 at 10:13 PM ^
People are calling you out because of the rather obvious double standard you applied in your initial comment. You went on and on about how you definitely don't have a problem with her getting the job and how a background playing football isn't required, then spent a paragraph about how we need to investigate her background more so that we, the uninvolved fans who knew virtually nothing about this hiring process, can feel comfortable she's worthy of this position.
Hey, guess who likely spoke to Ms. Bolden-Morris about the job and evaluated her credentials? Jim Harbaugh, a man who eats, breathes, and shits football. A coach who professes meritocracy and seemingly lives it in his staff hires. At some point Jim Harbaugh spoke to this candidate and determined that she had the requisite knowledge to assist coaches in the QB position, and that should be more than enough vetting of her credentials, unless you have some objective metric of football knowledge that you feel she may not have eclipsed. Jim Harbaugh was under no pressure to hire a woman of color to be a GA, to break a couple of barriers with this hire, so chances are he just found her to be sufficiently competent that he wanted her on his staff. That should be enough.
You also repeatedly point out that you have absolutely no problem with her background, her genetics, her gender, etc., which is getting dangerously close to the "my shirt has people asking a lot of questions my shirt answers" vibes going on. I don't think you're particularly prejudiced or discriminatory toward this hire, but you also seem more caught up in the qualifications of her than one would assume you'd apply to all of these random graduate assistants and analysts UM have on staff.
And this line in particular goes to the crux of the issue I had with this post:
I simply want to know what makes her any more or less qualified than anyone else for the job seeing as she is the first to do something.
It shouldn't matter that she's the first when it comes to her qualifications - she doesn't have to be Jackie Robinson as a GA, and the idea she has to be magical, that her credentials have to be unassailable is why it has taken until 2022 for a woman to be given a shot at this very entry level of coaching opportunities. She may be great, she may be average, she may be bad, and that's all okay.
So please stop with the faux victimization, painting everyone as the real aggressors here. You wrote, for seemingly no reason other than to "just ask some questions", that while you're happy UM hired Ms. Bolden-Morris we should maybe dig into her background a bit more to justify what exactly I don't know. You have no reason to assume she doesn't possess sufficient knowledge about football, yet still called out this possible failing based on the fact she didn't play football in college (and for the sake of argument I won't assume anything else about her caused you to also question her credentials) and whistled past the fact that multiple coaches she'd be working with undoubtedly assessed her capabilities during the interview process. I'm going to dance around saying more because I'll give you the benefit of the doubt (something you were a bit more stingy about extending to this hire) that you didn't mean to say the quiet part loud here, but that's why people took you to task and your particularly agro responses to that certainly isn't helping your case.
March 15th, 2022 at 11:32 PM ^
Do you people think everything questioned or asked on this forum is being demanded of either the subject or another poster? When a poster wonders if a player is hurt are they demanding the player or other poster tell them specifically and immediately? No. They're curious. "I wonder if he tweaked his ankle..." . Just a curiosity. Given her unique background, I'd like to know about her regarding the hire. I don't demand it or expect to hear it today or maybe ever. I'm beyond sure Jim vetted her. Great! I'm in...but I'm curious. I'd love to hear her talk with the media and/or players talk about what she brings to the table. That's it.
I'd like to know what she knows, as I would any other hire. Giving her special exemption from that is, IMO, the highest form of what I'm being accused of. It's pandering to the point of offensive ridiculousness. I'd want to know I was valued beyond being a woman, beyond being good press. I know Jim so I know that happened and I want to know what made him say "this is the one".
Because, a coaching GA job isn't as menial as people keep insisting it is. There are 4 total. An analyst is not a GA. A GA with coaching access is one of 4 a staff can have. It's not nothing and they spend a lot of time with the players. Ask Grant Newsome.
As noted, I used to work in the AD. On-field GAs (coaching) do WAY more work than their pay indicates.
Unless it's not a coaching GA role and I'm mistaken. If it isn't, then forget everything I said! If she's a nice person she's fine. Her photo says "coach" and I was told it was as one of 4 coaching GAs. Hence, I'm curious and every UM fan should be. NOT SKEPTICAL, curious. It's unusual.
Now feel free to paint that however you like because I'm pretty much done with this entire blog, lol. This is insane.
March 15th, 2022 at 10:20 PM ^
My question wasn't whether you'd written about other hires. It's clear you've got lots of opinions.
My question was, did all your other opinions insist on questioning the hire's qualifications.
March 15th, 2022 at 11:14 PM ^
Sometimes and every time it was when they had zero obvious experience because jobs require knowledge of the work hired to do. when it's not obvious or assumed, you question. We're on planet Earth.
The sad reality is that despite everyone trying to paint me as...whatever, nobody would have an issue if it were just a dude with the same exact background.
If we hired Mike Porter, a poet from Iron Mountain as GA and his introduction blurb said he came from a football family and had a basketball background, nobody would mind wondering about his knowledge of QBs. We'd all hope it worked out but be curious what qualifications they had to get the job given the unusual nature of the hire. No doubt he can run the point but can he show a QB how that slight hitch in his step is causing him to miss targets low and to the left?
It's a question, a curiosity in an unusual situation. If anything, everyone posting here is showing who THEY are. To even take it to that is insane and so much so that someone above used the perfectly Orwellian tactic of "by saying you don't care who or what a person is it shows you DO!" tactic, lol.
The ol' denial is proof gambit. Always used by those that are in the right and not at all acting like a crazed mob.
I logged in so I could call you a jackass.
Unless we are interviewing GAs the same way we might interview people for a departmental head position or a higher level administrative post, then what the devil are you going on about?
What am I on about?
I said I'd like to know more about her and what she knows about the sport and for that I was essentially called a bigot.
Not "we shouldn't hire her until I see her qualifications". No. I went out or my way to say I like hires like this in that you shouldn't have to be an ex-player or have a ton of experience or be anything genetically to get jobs like this.
To have posters accuse me of being a bigot for being interested in something this unique is something I take offense to. So I'd ask you what the fuck THEY are on about. Don't call me a fn bigot when you don't even know me and you had to go out of your way to read my post with bad intent.
They did, I replied. That's what I'm on about.
Ok. I'll play this "just asking questions" game.
Let's pretend she doesn't know shit about football. Doubtful given her family background but we'll just start there. She obviously knows the level of commitment and dedication it takes to be a division one athlete. She most likely is very intelligent and organized to combine the hours it takes to play sports and graduate from an excellent university. What kind of answer do you expect to get about what she knows about the sport? How many games she watches? Does she play fantasy football?
She's been hired essentially for an entry level position. The current commissioner of the NFL didn't play sports beyond high school. He got a job as an intern in the NFL by writing letters to all 28 teams. Mike Leach's experience was law school. Charlie Weiss was an assistant at Western Sizzler.
Harbaugh probably saw a go-getter that will be an asset and at the same time break some barriers. Maybe 10 years from now she's a position coach. Who knows? I guarantee that her usefulness to the team will be more dependent on her ability to get out of bed when her alarm goes off than her knowledge of Xs and Os.
March 15th, 2022 at 10:33 PM ^
Cool, but it's not a "game" or "just asking questions game". It's a question. So let's start there. Your post here is appreciated after the BS above it but let's start by making that very clear. You could have just wrote what you did as it would be a reply to an un-bigoted, non-troll comment. Moving on in a less defensive manner:
"Let's pretend she doesn't know shit about football..."
First, I agree that it's unlikely given her family and she undoubtedly knows what to takes to be a D1 athlete. I never even insinuated - let alone claimed - anything else to be true. I also agree that she is likely intelligent and all the rest.
My point within my post is making sure one of the 4 GA jobs went to a person (ANY PERSON) with knowledge of what they were hired for. A GA isn't an analyst (undergrad or other) in that you can't hire a ton of them. You can have four GAs that work directly with the players and this person is working with the most important position on the field. Further, most coaches go through the GA program. People calling it entry-level are correct but in a way I don't think they understand. The way the entry-level employees often carry a disproportionate of a business's workload on their shoulders (in comparison to pay), so does a GA. It's not a cast-off job. As I have mentioned here, I used to work in the AD. They have as much or more direct time with your players than their actual position coach. So let's move forward with that in mind.
"What sort of answers do I expect to get"
Direct knowledge of the position she is coaching and all that the position entails. Does she know how to break down a defense in film study? Does she know what Cover 3 is? Can she see when a QB is dropping their elbow or has wasted movements in their drop? Etc. I'm curious to know what she knows as a GA working with QBs, as I would anyone hired. The fact that people are behaving as if you shouldn't care to know that is insane and pandering. As I wrote in my immediate rebuttal, it's telling on themselves more than anything I wrote. It's pandering. Wonder about her knowledge/ability as much as any other GA working with the QBs. I care.
For instance, Grant Newsome just moved out of the GA program after a couple years as an offensive GA. He worked mainly with OL. What were his qualifications? Well, he was just starting at LT for UM before a horrific injury so while playing experience isn't the end-all (my firm belief), it shows he knows the intricacies of the game. To play LT at his level he certainly knew what a stunt was, bash protect, when and when not to trade off a defender, defensive front looks, etc. We know he knows those things for that reason but if he never played a down I'd have the same questions about him. Ok, then we know he's very intelligent and good with people. Fine, welcome aboard! That's just an example.
"She's been hired at an entry position, the NFL commissioner didn't play..."
Yes, I mentioned that in my original post. What about that didn't you guys read or comprehend? Truly, no snark. I said playing experience itself is not necessary to coach so what's your point here?
Your final paragraph is accurate in that Jim wouldn't hire someone that he didn't think is an absolute go-getter. However, as pointed out above, this is NOT a "just show up and shut up" job. You're vastly mistaken if you think so.
To end this, thanks for just attempting to reply like a normal person but I still feel as if half of your contest here is addressed and assumed in my original post if the reader doesn't go into it trying to start a fight.
I would hire Air Bud if the dog could coach by pointing his snout with the ability of Nick Saban, lmao. I.DO.NOT.CARE if someone is white or male or female or black or an alien named Glaxxxor. Milan was just given a coaching job within the Michigan Football Program that 4 people a year get. Milan will be helping to coach players and specifically the QBs. She'll be with them A LOT. It matters what she knows (for her own sake!) and it's sad that my merely wondering what her knowledge of the sport is started the response it did. If hired as a basketball GA I wouldn't have said it...but she has been hired as a Footballl GA. I'm curious AND hope she crushes it. However, as already noted, if I was mistaken in her role I take it all back. I was told she is one of 4 GAs in a coaching role. If that's wrong, I admit fault and say that job is often menial. Anyone can do it depending on what they do. If she is one of 4 coaching GAs, I stand by EVERYTHING I wrote.
Thanks for making a an attempt to talk, even if still a bit snarky lol. Truly.
March 15th, 2022 at 10:23 PM ^
A friend introduces another person. Two potential responses:
"In what ways are you qualified to be a friend? I'm only seeking information."
OR
"Nice to meet you."
March 15th, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
Yeah, that's really disingenuous and I think you know it. Meeting a new person is nothing like a hire you have some serious or distant, personal, vapid investment in.
If Michigan hired John Blark, 47yo pipefitter from Grand Rapids, as their next head football coach nobody here would be like
"Awesome, welcome aboard"
Everyone would wonder what make John qualified to be the head football coach. They'd be curious, I'd even bet angry. I've shown no anger. I welcome her and want to know her qualifications as one of 4 GAs and one working with the QBs.
Just apply that to any job and it's still true whereas you're trying to turn this into me questioning in any way her as a person or me acceptance of people in general. At best it's a very lame attempt at a point you think is witty.
March 16th, 2022 at 12:24 PM ^
You accuse Blue Vet of being disingenuous and then proceed to posit a hypothetical that is just as disingenuous. We, as fans, would universally all be more interested in the qualifications of the coach being chosen to head our favorite football program. I can't ever recall a thread even being created discussing the qualifications of a recent GA hire besides this one.
I had the same questions, but unfortunately, you're not even allowed to ask such questions or everyone goes straight to labeling you a piece of shit bc that's how the world (or, internet) works now. If Hunter Dickinson decided to become a GA for the football team, I think we'd all wonder....does this guy know anything about football? At the same time, no idea what a GA even does, so maybe it's simply a matter of having a fundamentally strong work ethic and analytical skillset.
If Hunter Dickinson decided to become a GA for the football team, I think we'd all wonder....does this guy know anything about football?
The path to becoming a graduate assistant with any athletic program seems to primarily be that you have to know somebody. So while one might wonder what Hunter Dickinson knows about football, the correct question to ask is who does Hunter Dickinson know in the football program, because the more likely scenario is that Hunter Dickinson has more contacts in the basketball program.
At the same time, no idea what a GA even does, so maybe it's simply a matter of having a fundamentally strong work ethic and analytical skillset.
Quick google search produced this for what a college football graduate assistant does:
The Football Graduate Assistant is responsible for assisting in all aspects of the program, including but not limited to recruiting, scheduling, training, monitoring academic progress, promotions, fundraising and coaching team members.
So the graduate assistant basically helps the coaching staff in any capacity they can. This is why when the Michigan offensive line performed well in 2021, praise was directed to Sherrone Moore and not Grant Newsome.
Bottom line, it seems like this young woman is more than qualified to perform these functions and if the quarterback performance this upcoming season does not live up to expectations we should hold the coaching staff accountable, not our new graduate assistant.
Sweet! She seems like an awesome addition and a great person to boot.
Welcome Milan!
fantastic.
QB's no less. Thrilling development. Hope she does well.
If she can coach, then she belongs regardless of her gender, and I trust Harbaugh to make that call.
Congrats to her on breaking that glass ceiling! She has a great opportunity to prove herself.
Mike Morris's sister (edit). He is going to an important part of defense. Hopefully, she can help with the other side. Best of luck.
Brother?
Wow - very excited to see this. I know there will be some trolls decrying this -- but this is a fantastic way to strengthen the program. Finding and developing "under-valued" coaches has the same benefits as undervalued recruits. Harbaugh is the only one mining this field right now - a huge advantage.
Really like that our coach is breaking the mold here. Shows he does have a progressive mindset and that will pay dividends with recruits and future employees that might want to join the staff!
It's great. To be. A Michigan Wolverine!
It's always great when we can mention 'leaders and best' sincerely. This is the type of stuff we should be doing.
I completely agree with the other comments about Harbaugh being very progressive with how he has run Michigan's football program and I hope Milan is super successful to open doors for others in this space.
That said, it is almost impossible not to find some humor in the childish mantra of Michigan's QB's throwing like a girl.
If they throw like Storako and Beaubien...well actually the mechanics are all wrong, never mind.
Didn’t Adam Sandler make that movie about the QB that throws underhand because he was raised by softball player sisters?
This is really cool. Way to be, Michigan.
A little more detail in this SI writeup
Good link, upvoted accordingly.
TBH, I was shocked to find that linked piece was actually a good read (like SI used to be). Maybe SI is stepping away from the Brandon Brown-level garbage they've been cranking out over the past several years.
We can always hope.
Lots of posts and so far only one of the "Rabble rabble GD LIBRULLS!" variety.
I am really proud to be a Michigan Wolverine and so proud and excited for her. Our last DC never played FB at a high level, and he was a damn fine coach. I am sure she'll be great addition as well.
First thing's first...what's PAWWWWLLLLL think of this?!
But for real, I love this.
This is really cool and while I'm not totally surprised it took this long I am happy that UM is the one at the forefront. Congrats to her and the staff.
The moment I clicked on this post, I knew I would read a few sexist comments. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to see racist and misogynist comments. I, however, did not expect to read how sexist comments towards or about men seem to be accepted as ok when arguing about the disturbing and outdated stereotypes handed to women.
As a dad of three girls and beautiful people, this is AWESOME news to hear and reinforces what my wife and I have taught our children. You can do anything you want. Your private parts do not define who you are or what you can be in life.
So cool!
I don't really understand how anyone could have a negative hot take associated to this hire. For one, it's a breath of fresh air to see new avenues explored.
For two, she's a GA. I mean, for God's sake, it's not like we spent 10 mil/year on someone who is largely unproven like some other schools. Right?
I think it’s cool. Go blue
Congrats to Milan, kudos to Harbaugh. LFGB!
Commendable. Haters gonna hate.
Good stuff! Welcome to Michigan Milan!
All I care about is if she can do the job they hired her for. I don't care if they hire a man or woman. Doing a good job is all that matters to me.
There was a Goldie Hawn movie in the 80's with both Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson (the first movie they were ever in together) about a woman coach wanting to coach high school football and was pushed into what was considered a rough school as the only chance hoping she would quit and never try again. It's a pretty good movie.
I saw one once where a dog was a wide receiver.
I seem to recall that he committed to a school but one of the assistants slept with his mother, the bitch.
I loved Wildcats. Rewatched it recently on HBO
BluByYou is dumb and probably just trolling the board. You people have spent all this time reacting to him instead of just commenting on the post and having a discussion. No one’s comments made a difference on a message board. Just talk about the hire and ignore trolls. It’s more productive.
Especially proud to be a Michigan Wolverine today. Welcome aboard, Coach Bolden-Morris!!!
March 15th, 2022 at 10:53 PM ^
Hell yeah!! (And I am glad that "two woke boxes" asshole got stomped. Unbelievable.)
March 15th, 2022 at 11:51 PM ^
Welcome Milan, way to GoBlue!
About thirty years ago, the New York Rangers hired a woman who'd never played hockey to coach skating. There were the usual sort of derisory comments about no qualifications, but she could see things pro players were doing wrong and teach them how to become more efficient and powerful skaters. So, I asked myself, what does a D1 basketball guard know about passing the ball? Can she read defenses? Does she know how to spot the closely-guarded teammate most likely to get open? Does she have the balance and footwork to move herself into position for a clear passing lane? Does she know how to avoid pass interceptions? Can she see problems with mechanics and know how to correct them? Is she a good teacher and communicator with a growth mindset who is passionate about learning and improving?
Whatever. I couldn’t care less about the sex of the person in the role. I care whether or not that person can successfully fill the role.