On Harbaugh, Brandon, And Other Such Things
ALL RIGHT, PEOPLE. We are probably embarking on a coaching search in the near future and also probably embarking on an AD search in the near future. When these things happen I get buckets of insider information from provenances both dubious and legit, and at some point they cross the threshold where I think they're useful to relate.
When I do this I want things to be supported by multiple people, or people I've heard from before and were accurate. I've learned over the years that when you get in these situations a lot of people stridently believe things that turn out to be wrong, so keep that in mind; I strive to be precise with my language to give people the right impression of how strongly these opinions are held.
So…
ON JIM HARBAUGH. There are plenty of media reports suggesting that Harbaugh won't be with the 49ers next year; I've heard similar things. I've also heard that people within the 49ers organization think that maybe Harbaugh isn't an NFL guy, long term, and that Harbaugh is also coming to this realization as the guys in his locker room start getting more and more ornery. Michigan is not a far-fetched destination according to them.
ON DAVE BRANDON. I mentioned this on twitter and should clarify. There is the Big Ballers Meeting and then a Meeting With A Lot Of Big Ballers And Some Smaller Ballers And Some People Who Do Nice Stuff For The University. I got a report from the latter, in which Schlissel sat down for a Q&A session that was moderated by Stephen Ross. Nothing said was definitive, but almost all of the side chatter centered on how Brandon wasn't going to make it and Ross didn't seem like he was going to throw a hissy fit if a change was made. Even in this context away from the madding crowd the first issue addressed was the AD; Schlissel reiterated his point about a culture change; there seemed to be big baller chatter about who might be next.
Now: these people are not universally omniscient. There was chatter that things might go down last Tuesday. Obviously they did not. Don't take that as gospel.
ON THE COMBINATION OF HARBAUGH AND BRANDON. Never say never but I've heard from guys who know Harbaugh who say that Jim working for Dave is highly unlikely to happen. I do not have signed affidavits, but… yeah. As chatter goes this drumbeat is intense.
ON HOKE SURVIVING. This is likely to become moot this weekend, but serious people are asserting that he's not dead yet and could get by with a 7-5 record that includes a win over MSU or OSU, or even that 6-6 might be enough.
I don't think this is the case, as the powers that be know that season tickets are on a knife edge now and bringing Hoke back could see significant drops. It's impossible to know anything about Hoke's status given the uncertainty about the top of the department; the information being discussed is going to point strongly to a change no matter who is in charge.
ON AD CANDIDATES. Amongst the obvious Michigan Man candidates I would peg the pecking order as
- Jeff Long (Arkansas)
- Brad Bates (BC)
- Warde Manuel (UConn)
- Joe Parker (Texas Tech's associate AD)
There's a bigger gap between 2 and 3 than between 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. Michigan may go off the board, of course, but Long in particular seems to have the respect of the AD community—he's the CoFoPoff chair—and made a stunning hire of Bret Bielema after the Petrino situation blew up in his face.
Also worth noting that he handled the PR of that disaster as well as can be expected. Bates and Manuel have not had to face similar crises yet.
ON JABRILL PEPPERS. This is not certain otherwise Michigan would have announced it but I've gotten several seemingly independent sources asserting that Peppers isn't going to play again this year. Michigan just threw him on top of the depth chart at nickel and punt return, so I don't know… I just wouldn't be surprised if he didn't play this weekend.
ON LLOYD CARR. Lloyd Carr is a civilian. He is neither involved nor wants to be involved in the day-to-day of the athletic department, and if you have a conspiracy theory involving him it is ridiculous and you should just drop it.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:56 PM ^
The 6-8 wins was in reference to Brian mentioning some might elect to keep Hoke if we get to 6-6 or 7-5 (with 8-5 being the best record). I think if Hoke finishes with 4 or 5 wins he's obviously canned
October 21st, 2014 at 10:23 PM ^
He's got to get a win at MSU or OSU and look convincing doing it (i.e. not because of an injury to Conner Cook or something like that).
6-6 with losses to MSU and OSU is not going to keep him here.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
as I said in another thread I just don't know what think, believe or hope for anymore. A big part of me would simply take anyone other than the two morans in charge right now but clearly that's just my frustration talking. I think they should just concerntrate on getting rid of DB right now. Once he's gone and they hire a suitable replacement I'd be happy to just let him evealuate and take things from there. Obviously I'd love Long and Harbaugh, but right now I just want to believe that DB is gone and I'll worry about the rest after that happens.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
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October 21st, 2014 at 12:29 PM ^
First things first, DB out of the picture. If Hoke lasts beyond this season, I'm okay with it as long as he can operate under someone not named Dave Brandon.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^
If you think that Dave Brandon is the reason that the team is garbage then you live in a fantasy world. Dave Brandon has no bearing on the horrible product we have seen. As long as "Clap Man" (Hoke's super hero identity) is in charge, the team will continue to look woefully unprepared and pedestrian.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:50 PM ^
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October 21st, 2014 at 2:26 PM ^
without pissing off the majority of the fan base.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
I would take it that you disagree that Brandon should go before Hoke? You'd want BH gone first? Just clarifying your position. Its my personal opinion that Hoke could do better under a different AD, however I still think that a new coach is needed. Just saying that if only one would be gone, I'd prefer it be DB first.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:02 PM ^
... I'd prefer to be stabbed to death with just a knife instead of a knife and fork. At the end of the day, you're still dead. A bad AD hired a bad coach. They both need to be relieved asap to stop the hemorrhaging.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^
but I think, and now this is just my opinion, the hiring of both an AD and the football coach in such close proximity in time could be problematic. If only one guy had to go, I say its DB first. And for the record, I don't think BH is a bad coach, just not the right coach for Michigan.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
Hmm..not sure I agree with you on the "Not a bad coach" story line. I personally would rather have a new football coach than a new AD. I dont think DB catches one iota of heat if he had hired an elite coach. Thats just my opinion though, not part of the occupy wallstreet, KILLL THE CEO, TRADITIONT!!!! crowd
October 21st, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
" I dont think DB catches one iota of heat if he had hired an elite coach." Although some things wouldn't be a big deal if this were true, a lot of folks on this blog were shouting from the rooftops regarding DB's handling of the department for a few years now. I think his departure was inevitable, although the lastest developments this season seem to have put this on the fast track.
I'm okay with the disagreements and the subsequent discussions...its the downvotes with no explanation and/or supporting arguments behind it. I could care less about points, but if you're gonna downvote someone, especially with this sort of thread, please respond with some sort of rebuttal....which you have, and I thank you for it.
Edit: Unless of course your username is Voltron, in that case I don't care what you do with your downvotes.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
I dont think I downvoted you? I try and not downvote rational voices, even though I may disagree
October 21st, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^
but even if you did, I'm okay with it because you responded with a sound argument.
October 21st, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^
A fork would hurt like a motherf*%$er. And how many times do you need to be stabbed with a fork to die? I'm guessing a lot.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
I think that the AD should be let go first and then the H.C. I can't imagine a scenerio in which both are fired but Hoke before DB. I do not believe that DB has any barring on the football teams performance, I simply think that the new AD, if there is a new AD, should be afforded to select Brady's replacement.
October 23rd, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
Agreed. You can't expect a new head coach to take the job not knowing who his boss (AD) will be.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:57 PM ^
so he has responsibility for the current state of the team
October 21st, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
Who hired Hoke?
October 21st, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^
to run the $82mm/yr cash cow?
October 21st, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
If you think that Dave Brandon is the reason that the team is garbage then you live in a fantasy world.
No one other than Dave Brandon would have hired Brady Hoke at the end of the 2010 season to be the University of Michigan's head football coach.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
Lloyd never wanted to be Bo. He went out of his way to NOT be Bo. Lloyd didn't want to step on RR's toes and may have pulled too far away in the process, but Lloyd was never going to be an AD, or consult with the Tigers, etc. He wants to be a civilian, let him!
Re: AD - I doubt Michigan is waiting to fire DB before they start a search for the next AD. There has to be feelers going out to work on a new hire.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
doesn't he still have an office at schembechler hall? if so, not really distancing himself from involvement.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:13 PM ^
No, he does not
October 21st, 2014 at 1:44 PM ^
Lloyd hasn't worked for the Athletic Department since 2010. He hasn't made as much of a serious public appearance in nearly five. He hasn't said a peep about anything, even during the RR years. Yet people still think he's a thing. It's amazing.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:44 PM ^
The Silence speaks VOLUMES tho-
/Ypsiluminati
October 22nd, 2014 at 12:25 AM ^
....Mike Debord was fired by the Bears on Jan 17, 2013. Two weeks later he was hired by UM as its "Olympic Sports Administrator". So, either....
A. UM happened to be conducting a nationwide search for this position at the time; Debord applied; Brandon reviewed all of the candidates; and came to the conclusion that Mike Debord was the best "Olympic Sports Administrator" available [when Mike Debord has spent the better part of 30 years coach a NON-Olympic sport]
OR
B. Lloyd Carr was involved - and significantly so.
(Hint: Apply Ockham's Razor)
October 21st, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
Very solid insider information indicates that Peppers' absence is 100% injury-related and that it's eating him alive not to be out there with his teammates.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
that he's been on campus with crutches and not moving well at all?
October 21st, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
I think it's safe to say that hiring Jim Harbaugh would cause the largest single-day reversal in this board's attitude ever.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
Are you ready for the MGoRapture?
October 21st, 2014 at 10:28 PM ^
Muppets, Posbangs, Yay! Girls . . . we'd have it all.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
The entire first three pages of the blog would just be Muppets. Over and over and over.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:05 PM ^
And every one of those muppets would be wearing khaki Dockers.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:59 PM ^
Too bad Levi Strauss is privately held.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
in December 2010 or January 2011 as well.
Why - finally a proven reason to believe we are headed in the right direction.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
October 21st, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^
There is only one coaching possibility that will guarantee a return to glory, and that's Jim Harbaugh--I don't think John is nearly the coach Jim is IMO. He's the one hire where it is a lock, not saying NC lock, just saying a lock for regular 10-2, 11-1 seasons. No other coach out there comes with that.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:26 PM ^
This mindset that dismisses John Harbaugh as somehow less worthy than Jim Harbaugh is puzzling to say the least. While John Harbaugh had some great end of their career players (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed) on his Superbowl team he also had a ton of younger players and built schemes to win.
It's not like they're giving these things away:
Also, note the internal inscription. I wonder where he picked that up?
October 21st, 2014 at 1:40 PM ^
And if Hoke/Brandon stay it will be zombie apocolypse worse -- we'd all be feeling like one-legged Bob Stooky.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
I'd be completely content with Jeff Long as AD and Jim Harbaugh as HC.
I was chatting with someone in the University of Oregon athletic department yesterday and, while the Michigan situation is a bit tangential to their situation, he was following it. He had heard the Harbaugh rumors and was definitely interested in what was going on there, given that he used to be a rival Pac10 coach.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
"completely light my balls on fire and run around naked with firework streamers hanging from my nipples and a rocket ship backpack stapped to my ass content". Fixed it for you.
Anything ending with Harbaugh here as HC.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:25 PM ^
Yes, I would love Harbaugh as HC as he is about as sure a thing as Meyer was/is for OSU. I would be completely excited and would be pretty confident that by Year 4 we would be lightyears ahead of where we are now if he wants to lead our program. Actually by the start of Year 2 we may be further than we are now but I digress.
One thing that would be in the back of my mind is we would yet again be running to the pro option when, clearly, that is not the future of college football. Yeah there are some teams that run it but the vast majority of the upper tier teams seem to be spread based.
This doesn't mean we have to be Rich Rod or Notre Dame but trying to run our offense like it's 1969 again would be a mistake which we have seen. It worked with a major talent advantage which we don't really have especially compared to the college football elite.
That's a struggle for another day though and again I would be very jubilant if Harbaugh came home to Ann Abor.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
I'd think he's in touch with the value of running QBs and spread concepts.
October 21st, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
passed to me thru the grapevine of someone formerly involved in UMs athletic dept, jim indicated that he wanted to return and coach UM. unfortunately, there was no timeframe given to the info i was provided. it could have been for 10 years from now as far as i know.
October 21st, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^
People like Jim Harbaugh don't tend to plan things like "coming back to coach at Michigan" 10 years out. Harbaugh is no idiot--he knows the Michigan job is only open at select times, and he knows as a coach he's only available at select times.
If you want to coach at a certain place, it's kind of like a relationship--if you don't strike when the iron is hot you might never get another chance. Harbaugh knows this. So if he really wants to coach here, and that is obviously a BIG if, this will be his chance to git r done.
October 21st, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 11:04 AM ^
That didn't work out well at Penn State with Paterno and Curley.
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