rumormongering
jim harbaugh
bob stoops
sam webb knows all
warde manuel
brad bates
coaching fiasco 2014
jim hackett

Searchbits IV: Holding Pattern Comment Count

Brian

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ON HAVING THINGS. I don't have anything. Nobody has much. This appears to be because the Schlissel quote about how the AD search would get underway in a couple weeks was accurate, and of course the coaching search consists of "we still have a coach" and "HARBAUGH."

Have heard that Harbaugh is very interested, no foolies. Again. But you know how much that means.

ON THINGS SAID BY SAM WEBB ON THE RADIO. There have been a number of threads about what Sam's saying that are a bit panicked. This is seemingly because the panicky people tend to be the ones running to post the threads about the slight possibility something seemingly bad might happen.

I have not gotten any vibes to get panicked about from him. I've actually urged him to be more explicit about his thoughts, and Sam says "THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING!" and kind of vibrates in frustration. So. Either the situation has changed from what some were panicking about or these threads are wildly inaccurate, because we just had our WTKA roundtable and Sam asserted that:

  1. Hoke has no chance unless he wins out.
  2. Even that is no guarantee.
  3. Hackett is likely to be around for the coaching search in the event Michigan does, say, get beat by 20 by OSU.

If you don't like #3, okay. But at this point the chance that there's a chance Hoke returns is slim indeed. And given the timing here if your top priority is a new coach that's fine. Hackett can make a reasonable decision and then go search.

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I guess I have to talk about this pipedream

ON STOOOOOOOOPS. Fresh off an emasculating blowout at the hands of Baylor comes Bob Stoops, who's an indisputably really good coach in a weird Lloyd Carr holding pattern: he wins, a lot. He frustrates his own fans more than he probably should. Carr let teams hang around and reaped the occasional whirlwind; Stoops gets blown out a shocking amount for a guy who wins 11 games a year.

Still, you're probably all like "Bob Stoops? The persistent ND fever dream? Why not just bring up ESPN goblin John Gruden?"

Hey, I'm with you. But Dan Wetzel's urging it:

The odds of San Francisco 49ers coach, and Michigan alum, Jim Harbaugh returning to college look longer each week. The perception around the NFL is that if he's let go by San Francisco, a shot with another franchise (New York Jets? Oakland? Miami? A new L.A. team?), featuring more control and money, seems far more likely.

If so, Michigan should try to convince Bob Stoops not just how he'd be great for Michigan, but how Michigan would be great for him.

There is nothing in this article resembling concrete information; it's just a "hey, do this" thing. Okay, I guess, we would look into doing that before heading down the list but a move like that is just about unprecedented in the last 20 years of college football. Oh, and Stoops just signed a contract that pushes him to around $5 million annually. Michigan would have to match that and pay a hefty buyout just for starters. Doesn't seem at all likely.

There is a little bit more substance to Travis Haney's ESPN piece:

“I think it’s very real,” one coach said when I asked him generally about OU's staleness. “Fans get spoiled. A lot of coaches move on to keep it new, keep energy high. Look at Urban [Meyer].”

Maybe it was just a contract leverage play, which worked, but I believed some coaches when they told me Stoops had genuine interest last winter in the Cleveland Browns job.

“I think he’s looking for other options,” a coach said Saturday.

Stoops is 54, FWIW. I got dollars to donuts less than nothing comes of this chatter.

ON PATTING PEOPLE ON THE HEAD AND SAYING "THAT'S NICE." Mike Shanahan could be convinced to take the Michigan or Florida jobs. Mike Shanahan, who is 62 and has not been in college since 1983. Thank you for your interest, Mike Shanahan.

But he's a young 62!

Shut up, bolded alter ego.

ON ROTE NON-DENIAL DENIALS. Brad Bates was asked the inevitable question and said this:

“It really doesn’t distract me at all,” Bates said “I love it here at Boston College, my values align with the institutional mission and we’ve really enjoyed living in New England, one of the greatest cities in the world. It hasn’t been a distraction at all.”

When asked if he knows if UM has been contacting candidates or has even contacted him, he elected not to directly comment.

“There’s no value of me commenting on other institutions and their processes,” Bates said. “I love it here at Boston College, my values align with this institution and I hope to be here a long time.”

"…unless I am offered the Michigan AD job, whereupon I will leave so quickly my clothes will hang in the air for a comical moment before collapsing in an empty heap."

The Detroit News headlines this "plans to stay as Boston College AD," which is not at all what that passage says unless you are unfamiliar with rote non-denial denials. Also in this vein:

Burns is a former Daily guy so he's probably got a good connect. But, as always, sources say things they don't 100% know or mean. I've heard he'd also leave an empty pile of laundry if offered the job.

Comments

True Blue in CO

November 13th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^

Us extreme MGoBlog fans are nervous and anxious about the search as we crave information and have our opinions about what should be done. What seems to be happening with Shlissel and Hackett is they are taking their time and planning their decision making and options for both coach and AD. If we go by the adage "Failure to Plan is Planning to Fail" then they are doing the right thing. Bowl game or no Bowl game, they have the luxury to take their time and do this right.


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123blue

November 13th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^

I love (and use) the word "plan" in open-ended denials...

"I have no plans to do x, y and z."  Then, when you do x, y and z, you didn't lie; it just wasn't your "plan".  Shit happens.  Plans change.

Joined: 10/02/2014

MGoPoints: 3380

charblue.

November 13th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^

week even with the AD search in a holding pattern and the coaching situation in wating for Godot mode. 

The president issued his state of the Athletic Department remarks and then clarified what didn't need clarifying, that in particular, he's schocked at what a time suck fixing everything in the Athletic Department is, and taking his focus on everything else he really needs to do at Michigan. He didn't say that part, but I think he thinks it, fleetingly anyway.

No actually he commented on how disjointed the AD is from the rest of the campus world and how Michigan has enabled certain athletes to get into school without the greatest potential to graduate as regular students. Hence, he raised the one issue where the Hoke regime has made remarkable progress and is on solid ground and enables the coach to proudly boast that all 69 seniors under his command have left with Michigan degrees after their final year of eligibility. 

The fact that the president opened the curtain and spoke plainly about the way football, in particular, appears to dominate our attention more so than our current events knowledge about Nobel prize winners is hardly news. And in season, these remarks get massive attention, especially when your team is playing less than inspired ball, and our coach is hanging by the thread of his remaining games.

So Mark Schissel's  remarks about educational balance and football entertainment being off the charts out of whack only acknowledges the fact that the universities have sold out to the game in order to pay their bills, and in the process created a monster revenue producer which they can barely tame. 

One way to tame this beast, however, is while recognizing the issue, understand reality and how you cope with present-day issues, like finding a new coach. And I truly believe that the president feels he can better control that stiuation by leaving it in the hands of one guy who has the background and smarts to do things the right way, instead of forming a committee at this stage to work out the details. 

Jim Hackett, as interim AD, will make the tough decisions that need to be made going forward. He will probably fire the coach before he does anything else. Hackett has the president's ear, and he has the chops to get things done in an inoffensive way. This is a guy who when he played for Michigan as a backup center and linebacker went straight to the head coach during an unplanned meeting just to find out where he stood on the team. And Bo Schembechler told him in no uncertain terms. That was a lasting lesson. 

And now Hackett has been asked straightforwardly by another Michigan man to make some tough choices going forward. And why? Because Hackett has the president's trust and he will do things in a deliberate and right way, the way Schissel wants, however they work out that process. That is why Hackett's job is open-ended and the immediate AD search hasn't begun -- as far as we know. I think the president is the smartest guy in the room -- and he knows how to delegate to maintain control. 

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11391

charblue.

November 13th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^

week even with the AD search in a holding pattern and the coaching situation in wating for Godot mode. 

The president issued his state of the Athletic Department remarks and then clarified what didn't need clarifying, that in particular, he's schocked at what a time suck fixing everything in the Athletic Department is, and taking his focus on everything else he really needs to do at Michigan. He didn't say that part, but I think he thinks it, fleetingly anyway.

No actually he commented on how disjointed the AD is from the rest of the campus world and how Michigan has enabled certain athletes to get into school without the greatest potential to graduate as regular students. Hence, he raised the one issue where the Hoke regime has made remarkable progress and is on solid ground and enables the coach to proudly boast that all 69 seniors under his command have left with Michigan degrees after their final year of eligibility. 

The fact that the president opened the curtain and spoke plainly about the way football, in particular, appears to dominate our attention more so than our current events knowledge about Nobel prize winners is hardly news. And in season, these remarks get massive attention, especially when your team is playing less than inspired ball, and our coach is hanging by the thread of his remaining games.

So Mark Schissel's  remarks about educational balance and football entertainment being off the charts out of whack only acknowledges the fact that the universities have sold out to the game in order to pay their bills, and in the process created a monster revenue producer which they can barely tame. 

One way to tame this beast, however, is while recognizing the issue, understand reality and how you cope with present-day issues, like finding a new coach. And I truly believe that the president feels he can better control that stiuation by leaving it in the hands of one guy who has the background and smarts to do things the right way, instead of forming a committee at this stage to work out the details. 

Jim Hackett, as interim AD, will make the tough decisions that need to be made going forward. He will probably fire the coach before he does anything else. Hackett has the president's ear, and he has the chops to get things done in an inoffensive way. This is a guy who when he played for Michigan as a backup center and linebacker went straight to the head coach during an unplanned meeting just to find out where he stood on the team. And Bo Schembechler told him in no uncertain terms. That was a lasting lesson. 

And now Hackett has been asked straightforwardly by another Michigan man to make some tough choices going forward. And why? Because Hackett has the president's trust and he will do things in a deliberate and right way, the way Schissel wants, however they work out that process. That is why Hackett's job is open-ended and the immediate AD search hasn't begun -- as far as we know. I think the president is the smartest guy in the room -- and he knows how to delegate to maintain control. 

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11391

BlueinOK

November 13th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^

Michigan can take their time on the AD search, but a football coaching search will need to happen in a very small window. After the NFL season and before national signing day...hopefully well before signing day. 

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 15029

UMaD

November 13th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^

But Rich Rodriguez will Mike Hart until Chris Webber can Les Miles on Braylon Edward's #1 while Stauskas from three.

Bo and Lloyd about Jimmies and Joes. Alternate uniforms. Remember '97? 

Trust in Beilein and Woodson.

In-state recruiting.

 

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 4960

Rach

November 13th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^

Hopefully Hackett doesn't have any plans for a vacation in Florida during this time of the year.  Anyone know if he even owns a boat?  Timing is everything...

Joined: 11/05/2014

MGoPoints: 14

BlueLikeJazz

November 13th, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^

Do we think it could be a major detriment to a coaching search to conduct it with no firm AD in place?  If they really are going to take their time on the AD search, and Hackett begins (or even completes) the coaching search, I'd have to imagine that would be a hindrance for a lot of coaches to consider us.  Especially ones without UM ties (Mullen).

Joined: 08/29/2014

MGoPoints: 7393

jmdblue

November 13th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^

informative post on how to "read" various gut feelings reported by you and Sam Webb (and maybe others...don't remember).  You say you're hearing good things about Harbaugh, but whateva.....we really have no idea.  Do you think JH would really say anything to anyone who might leak his thinking?  I can't think of any advantage to doing so. 

My guess is JH has his mind made up (if he is offered the job).  M would be a unique (a massively overused word) job for him and he likely knows whether it's something he wants or doesn't. 

It would be like accepting a bid to your old man's fraternity (I didn't) or (for McCain's kid) choosing between the Marines and the Navy..... These are not weigh-your-options type decisions.  They are obvious.

 

Joined: 12/01/2010

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Stringer Bell

November 13th, 2014 at 1:41 PM ^

Harbaugh doesnt even know if hes gonna be out of SF yet. Sure he knows that Michigan will most likely give him a call, but thats about as much as he knows. He might not even be looking for a job this offseason, and he doesnt yet know which other NFL teams will be pursuing him. So no, I highly doubt he has his mind made up yet. Theres a lot for him to consider, and considering he has a half a season left to finish, I doubt hes really given much thought to where he'll be next year.

Joined: 11/06/2014

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jmdblue

November 13th, 2014 at 4:58 PM ^

he has a very good idea about whether he'll be back in SF next year.  He also knows what it's like to coach in college vs. the pros.  He knows he'd be able to recruit ot M.  He knows about what he'd make.  He knows about the weather in Ann Arbor vs. anywhere else in the country.  I'm sure M wouldn't be his most lucrative move.  He pretty much knows every parameter there is with a fair degree of accuracy.  The question is how does he feel about it.  Whether he's thought about it or not, it's probably not goann be a close call for him one way or another (assuming he's offered the position). 

Joined: 12/01/2010

MGoPoints: 8655

Drew_Silver

November 13th, 2014 at 1:51 PM ^

harbaugh has to decide which goal is more important and what is the best route to get there

does he want a super bowl ring or a national championship ring

is his family happy on the west coast or the east coast

he hasn't been involved with the University for over 20 years, he is probably curious as to what it looks like

there is a ton which goes into a job search decision

Joined: 09/22/2014

MGoPoints: 964

kzoomgr

November 13th, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^

He's not my first choice, but we may not have the luxury of our first choice based on this post.  He's an accomplished head coach, has coached in a variety of different offensive and defensive schemes, and has done what appears to be a good job over time developing players,  Has he recruited HS players into college?  Not in a long time, but who among us is to say that he wouldn't be effective.  "I know what it takes to get to the show, and you've got a better chance to get there with me than just about any other coach in college."  He's a guy with fire in the belly, for sure. Not a great record at Washington?  Built them up to a good 2012 record in his 3rd year before injuries and the wheels fell off; and working for Snyder can't be conducive to success.  I wouldn't write him completely off. 

Joined: 11/10/2014

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alum96

November 13th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^

This is also what the "crowned" one is saying in his latest post. 

He also says our Prez is infatuated with Harbaugh's ability to win at Stanford.  I said as much in the post about our Prez's comments about academics and sports early this week - if anything he and Harbaugh seem to be very much in line.

The "crowned one" also said while we'd need to pony $6M+ Harbaugh won't demand Saban money.  Until he beats Saban.  Which is exactly the mindset that makes peeps like me lust after JH. 

The "crowned one" also says JH looks at the job differently then most - he doesnt view it as a step back he sees it as the best job there is.  He also brought up Red and how he was a coach who had a moment of great success in the pros (NHL) but then decided to go back to college in 84 and never looked back.

So all this smoke is pointing in the same direction.  Damnit I hate getting my hopes up.

But really there is nothing to do here until late December at earliest, we're just in a 6 week holding pattern.

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ak47

November 13th, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^

This feels like the last go round with Harbaugh.  Guys with Michigan connections saying there is a chance and national NFL people saying lol nope he is going to the NFL.

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