Brandon reiterates "end of season" timetable (AP)
Apparently, Brandon felt the need to say again today that the decision will be made after the end of the season. As if RR did not have enough to deal with, Harbaugh will be at this year's team banquet:
The situation swirling around Rodriguez's status might turn into a circus at the team's banquet Thursday night because Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh plans to be there to be honored along with his 1985 teammates.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
The Football Bust is going to be a circus. Can you imagine the reaction of the crowd if/when Jim is announced?
November 29th, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
According to Chris Balas at the Wolverine, Jim changed his mind this weekend to attend so the entire team, staff, and boosters could have a good time without an awkward situation.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
So he is or isn't attending?
November 29th, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
According to Balas, he is staying home. Obviously, the past two weeks have made things very uncomfortable between Rich, Dave, and Jim.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
If you have a rivals pay account here is the link for Balas' post this morning about it.
http://michigan.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=338&mid=139424639&sid=883&tid=139424499&style=1
November 29th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
that Harbaugh is not coming and doing what would put this all to rest: He could come and stand up and say, "I support Michigan and I support Michigan's coach, Go Blue, etc."
But apparently, he's not going to do that.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
Yes, he could. But you don't want a reaction from the crowd that would become anti-RR. This is an end of the season awards banquet for the team, and they don't need to have the moment soured by people who are not connected directly to the program (don't play, coach, etc) and their opinions of the program/coaching. If there are Harbaugh for coach people in the crowd, it could get ugly. Sounds like a good and classy move on Jim's part.
November 29th, 2010 at 12:12 PM ^
This is exactly why the pregames at home stopped doing the team intros on the video boards last year, so they wouldn't create an opportunity for people to boo RR right before kickoff.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
Can you say awwwkward!
November 29th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
But that absolutely is the part I took out of it. REALLY?!?! Who planned that clusterfuck?
November 29th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
it's the 25th reunion for the 1985 team.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
Never turn your back on a calendar.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
But couldn't have done the 50th for 1960 team instead? 30th? 20th? 75th for the 1935 team? ANYBODY else?
November 29th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^
I guess the organizers of this event, when they put these plans into motion months ago (probably even before the season started), should have forecasted Harbaugh's ascendance as the write-in candidate for the head coaching position come the first week of December...
I mean, how dare they not know the future?
November 29th, 2010 at 3:13 PM ^
(I mean really...75th anniversary team? Everyone knows the blue hairs hate Rich!) But you're rebuttal is silly. People were calling for Harbaugh after last year. It's not that hard to postulate that a predicted 7-5 record might come to be, that people wouldn't be happy, and Harbaugh would be the #1 candidate.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
Good lord, Harbaugh is going to be there. Doesn't Stanford have one more game?
November 29th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
Stanford is 11-1 and season is over. Waiting for their non Rose Bowl BCS game.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
My God, I want a ticket to the Bust really really bad now.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:28 AM ^
Why not ask him to stay a while. This speculation is killing me. Brandon needs to make a decision quickly. If Rich is to stay next year, announce it. If he is going, fire him. Another month isn't going to make any difference.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^
season become after a bowl game? If you are going to stick by the team make the statement now. Otherwise, we get to read the same posts over and over for another month. So what happens if we lose the bowl game. Has the decision now changed? Then we scrabble again for the right fit. Should be interesting if JH makes some comments that night.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^
You're right. Another month is not going to make a difference. In fact, I think this is detrimental to the team in regards to moving foward. I think the recruits and the team needs to know so that the cloud of uncertainty can be lifted so that this team can move forward regardless of who the HC is. Doesn't Brandon realize that our Big Ten rivals and other schools that are recruiting the same players Michigan is can use this as fodder for negative recruiting? If he fires RR, so be it. I can live with that decision, but a decision needs to be made. My patience is starting to run thin. Neg away if need be, I'm a big boy.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
That's quite interesting. No trying to inspire any conspiracy theories here but this gives AD Brandon and JH an alibi if they so desired to discuss the future of Michigan's football program and JH's interest in being a part of that future. Can things get any more weird?
November 29th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^
This is like a couple whose marriage has been stormy and contentious nonetheless throwing a lavish party to celebrate their anniversary, and the husband decides to invite an old girlfriend who everybody "knows" he's still lusting after. Serve the booze and pass the popcorn.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^
Hair was pulled, dresses were ripped and mascara was smudged. No phone video cameras at that time, unfortunately.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
Sounds awesome. Nothing is more entertaining than a catfight in dresses and high heels, especially if they take their shoes off and start throwing haymakers with the spike end of the sole.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^
That our next head coach will be determined that night, as Brandon will unceremoniously call for an arm wrestling match between Rodriguez and Harbaugh. The winner will get the head coaching job, and the loser will have to be interviewed by Lou Holtz, without the convenience of a splash guard. OVER THE TOP!!
*No, not really
November 29th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
A way to end this all. Plus 1000 points to you.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
good. Now we're going to find out whether he ACTUALLY is. I will continue to hope that he has quietly put out word to the recruits that RichRod is staying. Harbaugh, in his turn, may have something to say, too.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
I approve of this awkward event.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
"I'd like the prime rib and the...wait, what's that? The special is awkard and uncomfortable!? I'll take that and a box of popcorn."
eesh...
November 29th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
Actual RR and JH conversation:
RR: "So...how are things at Stanford?"
JH: "Good...how are things in Ann Arbor?"
RR: "Good..."
...Longer Lynn Henning version...
JH: "Cool, well I'd better run. I've got a few meetings." ::starts to walk away::
RR: "Nice. Meetings are fun. Out of curiosity, who are you meeting with?"
JH: "Oh, some old friends... Ya know..."
RR: "Old friends? Like who?"
JH: "Pfft, I can't even remember. The ole memory bank isn't quite what it used to be."
RR: "SHIT, HARBAUGH, JUST TELL ME WHO THE DAMN MEETING IS WITH! IT'S WITH BRANDON ISN'T IT!? ISN'T IT!?"
November 29th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
DB needs to stop treating this like the corporate world - it's not. Wait until the performance review?? I didn't have to wait until the yearly performance review to know that my assistant was horrible and I need to fire her "now!". Is he honestly unsure as to whether RR deserves another year or not?
Come on Dave Brandon, make a decision ASAP so we can either get excited about Harbaugh or wait in anticipation to hear who the knew DC is going to be for RR...
November 29th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^
I can easily envision a scenario at the banquet where well-lubricated former players issue boos and catcalls when RR is at the mike, and erupt into cheers when Harbaugh appears. However, there might also be other players still pissed at JH for his critical comments about the UM program. You've got your loyal LC partisans, and you've also got former alum players who really hated Carr (I know one personally).
What we've got are the highly-combustible ingredients for a chaotic, banquet-wide brawl involving hundreds of people, broken chairs, crashing tables, toppling chocolate fountains, flying platters of prime rib, insults, invective, black eyes, and torn sport coats.... an old Three Stooges episode updated to the 21st century.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
LOL that was funny as fuck..
November 29th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^
This sounds like my kind of party. How does one go about acquiring a ticket to this classy shindig?
Can I trade in some MGoPoints for a ticket, sort of like frequent flyer miles?
November 29th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
This banquet brought to you by the fine people at WWE.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
I saw this and couldn't help think to myself that something's sketchy about this.
While it's convenient that the '85 team is having a reunion, You can't help but think that Harbaugh and Dave Brandon will share at least one conversation regarding football and the future of Michigan's team.
God you will probably be able to cut the tension with a knife that night. How awkward that is going to be...
November 29th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
While I think it would probably be a mistake, you better believe Brandon has talked to Harbaugh about this many times if he's even vaguely considering replacing RR.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
I have had it with DB not coming here and finding out what we want before he makes announcements. What does he think he is doing, anyway.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
Brandon has already made his decision im sure, just because he doesn't want a media shit storm to erupt is fine with me.
November 29th, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
I guess the "Harbaugh on a plane to Ann Arbor" threads that are sure to get posted this week will technically be accurate
November 29th, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^
I agree that if a change is made it needs to be made now, but the wait might not be DB's decision. If Harbaugh says I want to be the coach but I'm not going to leave my team before a BCS game, what can DB really say if he truly believes Harbaugh is the answer to Michigan's problems.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
The sooner the better for everyone. Anyone think that RRod, Harbaugh and the players already know? The only reason I can see waiting is for harbaugh to have less of a distraction during bowl prep.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:16 PM ^
It would be all over twiiter or fb if they players already knew. They only one that knows is DB and i dont even think he knows yet. If RR hasnt been fired yet, I think he will be back next year with a new defensive staff.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^
needs to get a rumor started on twitter. Something like, "unnamed sources saying Harbaugh has been contacted by Michigan". This would force DB's hand. I'd do it but I dont have the sack to start something like that.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^
But that's one of the more idiotic posts I've read all season.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^
If Rod gets fired after the bowl game, the recruiting class is all but gone. If Rodriguez is not out by the end of the week, this, to me, signals that he is staying.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
kind of the way I feel but I honestly dont know