MGlobules

January 8th, 2019 at 12:10 PM ^

Harbaugh needs to speak to the wealth of rumors, changes, and criticisms, soon. He's an employee of the university and represents many of us. At this stage he's doing himself and the u a disservice. Time for accountability. If Warde doesn't see this clearly then he's f'ing up, too. It looks like the GD program is in dissaray and there's a consensus it's underachieving badly. If it's not then tell us THAT, but crickets. . . ain't helping. 

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 47648

JHumich

January 8th, 2019 at 12:13 PM ^

I think he needs to make a couple home-run hires, then finish up recruiting, then get the new staff all on the same page for Spring ball.

If you want stuff investigated and spoken about, that's part of Warde's job. It's not the part he's best at, and I'm ok with that. Not everyone is great at every part of their job--especially if it requires them to wear so many different hats.

Edit: that said, let me throw a little fuel on. Sounded like Aubrey knew this was coming, right? If Matty was already decided, and almost nobody else knew, is it a stretch to think that Aubrey would be one of the few? 

Joined: 02/18/2017

MGoPoints: 52926

wolve1972

January 8th, 2019 at 6:10 PM ^

I think you just hit the nail on the head about Mattison - OSU hired him for his recruiting. Keep in mind, he'll be the CO-DC along with the 39 year old from SF 49ers (can't think of his name). So maybe their thinking is he'll add stability and knowledge to the new staff. He can't have more than a couple of years left.

Washington, on the other hand, is kind of a kick in the groin. Really liked him and looks like he has quite a future ahead. The thing to keep in mind is that OSU won't be his final stop if he turns out to excel there. Yes, he's from Columbus but if he wants to progress up the coaching ladder, he'll no doubt have to move on eventually from the suckeyes. It's just a way of life in the CF coaching world

 

Joined: 12/07/2018

MGoPoints: 6775

Castroviejo

January 8th, 2019 at 12:48 PM ^

If we’re going to speculate.... wonder if Aubrey Solomon left because of a beef with Mattison. Might explain why another contract wasn’t offered.  And-although Rashan Gary had a fine career, it wasn’t the type of career anticipated by someone who was touted as “the best high school prospect in 10 years”.  Not sure if Mattison left, or was let go.  Hopefully more details emerge.

Joined: 12/08/2014

MGoPoints: 1881

UofM Die Hard …

January 8th, 2019 at 4:08 PM ^

Ya I think this NEEDS to happen in some way or form. perception is reality and the reality right now is uhh not good at all...

I get that Jim is the type of guy to hunker down with his guys and work through the storm..but I dont think that will fly for 9 more months...hell 2 more months

This is getting out of hand....I think the move to hire 70 year old Matty is an odd one for them, Al Washington makes sense...but fuck OSU is the puppet master, we are the puppet attached to some shitty strings

Perception is reality 

Joined: 03/10/2011

MGoPoints: 18345

WestQuad

January 8th, 2019 at 1:09 PM ^

Is it weird that our dominating pass rush completely disappeared against OSU and the two coaches responsible for the pass rush suddenly go to OSU as coaches?    How long has OSU and these guys been talking?     OSU knew Day was the "coach in waiting" despite the denials in August/September when it was leaked.  

I get Al Washington as he was only here a year and has connections to OSU,  but F@*k Greg Mattison going to OSU after previously having gone to ND.   Sam Webb was talking about football being a business and making decisions that are right for your family.  Mattison is probably worth 7 figures and he's 70 years old.  Business decision my ass.

The actuaries figured out that it was cheaper to pay off the loss suits and let thousands of children die than to redesign the toy.   It was a business decision.  

 

Joined: 07/22/2011

MGoPoints: 31146

Blau

January 8th, 2019 at 12:54 PM ^

Wondering if Harbaugh’s style or demeanor led to this and these coaches actually resent him now? I can’t for the life of me believe these guys walked into JH’s office and said “we’re going to OSU” with a straight face without any hard feelings. The buy-in and morale needed to keep a team together during the off season appears shattered.

There’s some shit going down right now inside Schembechler Hall and the Michigan difference Harbaugh’s talked about feels very fleeting at the moment. If the writers for Black Mirror are out of anxiety-riddled plot lines for new episodes, I have a few ideas...

Joined: 01/23/2014

MGoPoints: 35254

Chork

January 8th, 2019 at 1:16 PM ^

I was thinking the same thing.  Also I’ve been thinking how hard it is to work for JH.  I know all elite coaches are Alphas and stuff and hard to work for in some capacity, but JH is kind of strange bird.  I wonder if his personality rubbed Mattison and Washington the wrong way.  Just a guess.

Joined: 07/23/2012

MGoPoints: 2050

StirredNotShaken

January 8th, 2019 at 4:56 PM ^

Bingo... I struggled to get through the Amazon series because it was so uncomfortable watching JH. I've been thinking "if I think he's weird from watching him on a TV series and listening to his podcast a couple times, what must the players and coaches think that are around him every day?". I'm pretty sure that's why Wheatley left and probably contributed to some other turnover. 

Joined: 12/09/2011

MGoPoints: 4540

StirredNotShaken

January 8th, 2019 at 4:56 PM ^

Bingo... I struggled to get through the Amazon series because it was so uncomfortable watching JH. I've been thinking "if I think he's weird from watching him on a TV series and listening to his podcast a couple times, what must the players and coaches think that are around him every day?". I'm pretty sure that's why Wheatley left and probably contributed to some other turnover. 

Joined: 12/09/2011

MGoPoints: 4540

wolve1972

January 8th, 2019 at 6:21 PM ^

Just talking about the same thing with a UM buddy earlier today. Sure hope not but we do need some kind of staff stability and Jim has really turned over the assistants the last 3 years or so. I still have faith in JH as he's still one of the most successful coaches out there. Honestly though, I'm getting a little nervous.

Joined: 12/07/2018

MGoPoints: 6775

Skidmark

January 8th, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^

I wish I knew how to upvote this but its not in the mgoblog manual I downloaded.  If I could I would because I sense from watching/listening to press conferences, Jim and Jack podcasts, etc. JH is a bit of a weirdo who might wear thin on folks after a couple of years.

 

Joined: 12/19/2017

MGoPoints: 1092

Lakeyale13

January 8th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^

I don't know how to feel.  This is so freaking surreal. 

I fluctuate between thinking the is an indication that something systemically is wrong with Harbaugh, the culture, the coaching staff, etc...or that Ryan Day is just trying to do the most epic troll job and that is paying dividends up front but will explode in his face long term.

Joined: 11/16/2014

MGoPoints: 27225

ijohnb

January 8th, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^

I think that is how most people feel.

I do think it is possible that there is a systemic problem with the culture of the program and that we are seeing a bonafide meltdown right now.  Anybody who has been paying attention and has been honest with themselves can see that there was a vast difference between the product that we saw in 15-16 and the one we saw in 17-18.  In all phases of the program, really. 

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

Haasman15

January 8th, 2019 at 12:12 PM ^

Unfortunately you’re not wrong. This was the “perceived” baggage with Jim. He wears out his welcome and burns bridges with players & coaches alike... allegedly. There’s definitely a serious disconnect happening right now, and I hope something changes in a hurry. You would think a statement would be released from Jim speaking on the departures, as well as the direction the program is going to head. It’s vital for the recruiting perception. 

Joined: 03/30/2014

MGoPoints: 118

BroadneckBlue21

January 8th, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^

This is ridiculous. Anyone could see it? Where were these conspiracies when the team went on a 10 game winning streak? There was not a culture problem--just a revenge tour. 

And now everyone's rationalizing people making career moves. If there is such a culture problem, how was UM able to snag the number 1 Big Ten recruiting class? 

Face it--they lost two big games. Mattison was pissed, maybe, because Brown was credited. Mattison is an Urban BFF. Coached for him at Florida. Al Washington is moving up the ranks, and he's now coaching with a close friend as his head coach.  

The only problem is losing. Losing and individual egos.  

Joined: 01/12/2015

MGoPoints: 6310

Lakeyale13

January 8th, 2019 at 1:33 PM ^

Where can I buy your Rose Colored Glasses.

Michigan had the #1 recruiting class because of early signing period.  I can guarantee you, had these kids had to wait till signing day (with the cluster effe that FL was and the coaches leaving) we would not have the same class.

Michigan didn't lose "two big games".  Michigan lost 3 big games, and really the only 3 games that were against a quality opponent. 

Harbaugh has been known to wear people down.  As others had said...his known character flaw is he is difficult to work with.  Dude, the football team that he led to a Super Bowl fired him because he couldn't play well in the sand box.

Joined: 11/16/2014

MGoPoints: 27225

Beilein 4 Life

January 8th, 2019 at 2:21 PM ^

And by “only 3 games against quality opponents,” you mean “only 3 games we lost and I’m looking to make excuses as to why kicking the shit out of ranked PSU and beating ranked NW on the road aren’t wins against quality opponents.” This board is filled with whiny bitches with awful hot takes.

Joined: 06/19/2018

MGoPoints: 4415

Beilein 4 Life

January 8th, 2019 at 4:08 PM ^

Both of the team I listed were ranked in the final polls. Just because you have an agenda and can’t admit that beating ranked teams count as quality wins, that doesn’t mean they weren’t actual quality wins.

Also, you’re the fucking idiot who said Penn State got beat by Kentucky, like, in football, so obviously they weren’t good. You know who else got beat by Kentucky? Florida, the same team you said was one of only 3 good teams we played. As I said before, your hot takes are shit. I’m excited to now hear why Florida is a “quality win” for Kentucky but PSU still sucks

Joined: 06/19/2018

MGoPoints: 4415

Lakeyale13

January 8th, 2019 at 4:53 PM ^

We lost to the #3 (Ohio State), #5 (Notre Dame) and #6 (Florida) teams in the country (Final Rankings)

We beat the #17 (Penn State) and #19 (NW) teams in the country

Michigan finished with a final rank of #14

By the definition of what a ranking is, Michigan's two "quality wins" (your words) were against two teams that they should have beaten.  

Michigan's three losses were to teams in the top 10 that Michigan, under Harbaugh, has an atrocious record against.

So no, as a fan, I'm not gonna do cartwheels over beating two ranked teams, that according to the rankings, aren't as good as we are and we should beat. 

But, I'm also not gonna completely dismiss them either.  They are what they are.  Two wins against two ranked opponents at the top end of the top 20.  Iowa fans get pumped about results like that.  Purdue fans get excited about results like that.  Michigan should be better than that.

Joined: 11/16/2014

MGoPoints: 27225

Beilein 4 Life

January 8th, 2019 at 5:29 PM ^

“Quality wins” are your words, not mine. Unless you meant that losing to the only 3 quality teams we played is different than not having any quality wins. Which you didn’t.

Also, I’m not actually sure what you’re arguing at this point. I am curious as to what recruits you think would have bolted our class if they had gotten to see us play Florida though. Because outside of saying we lost to the only good teams we played, you said we wouldn’t have had the #1 class if they would have seen the Florida game and our two coaches leaving

Joined: 06/19/2018

MGoPoints: 4415

Beilein 4 Life

January 8th, 2019 at 9:14 PM ^

I’ll ask it again because you obviously are now just talking out of your ass: which of our early enrollees would have left because of the Florida game or the coaches going to OSU? Other than you really wanting it to happen, what gives you any reason to believe any of our recruits would leave the class? What about the Florida game would push them away if they hadn’t already left after the OSU game? And you think that hot take is good?

Joined: 06/19/2018

MGoPoints: 4415

ijohnb

January 9th, 2019 at 9:35 AM ^

It is an accumulative thing.  Would any of the early signees changed their mind because we lost to Florida?  No, probably not.  But we did not just lose to Florida, we got blown out by Florida, four of our players did not play (If you really look at the college football landscape, very few players decided to skip bowl games nationally), and now two of our defensive coaches have left for our in-division arch-rival.  All this is on top of the OSU game debacle.  Yeah, I am quite certain there are likely one or two recruits that are having a little bit of buyer's remorse.

Michigan won a couple of big game this year.  The win over MSU in EL was a big win, regardless of how the rest of their season went.  Beating a then-ranked MSU team at their place is a checkmark on the To Do List.  Also, it was nice to see us manhandle a capable Penn State team at home.  Any Michigan fan was proud of that game.

All of that can be true, however, and still not mitigate how the season has ended and how the off-season is playing out.  We need to make serious changes to our offensive scheme and there is no indication that there are going to be any personnel changes to the staff that would indicate that is going to happen.  We are also bleeding members of our defensive coaching staff to OSU.  The optics of that are terrible.  Ryan Day is making serious moves right now.  OSU means business and it looks as though our entire staff just blew town as soon as the season ended.

Look, next season is anew and who knows, it could play out really well.  But if the last 1.5 months have not made you a little skeptical as to the state of the program I don't think you are conducting a real honest analysis.

Joined: 09/21/2009

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