Brandon & the Cloak of Silence

I don't see how DB could not have made up his mind at this point.  He has been intimately involved with the FB program all season, including being on the sidelines, talking to the players, talking with recruits, talking with alum and former players and meeting with RR regularly. 

If he has not made up his mind at this point, and he is going to rely on a "formal" review process or the results of a single bowl game against Miss. State, than to me, this speaks of indecision and a refusal to recognize that running an athletic department is different than running a corporation in some regards.

I am not saying that this is the case - I actually thing that he has made up his mind (at least largely), but that he has his reasons for not announcing the decision (the whole JH-already-all-but signed conspiracy, or perhaps not wanting to take away from this team's bowl experience, or, if RR is staying, perhaps wanting to wait until after what he believes to be a likely bowl win to announce so that the fanbase will accept the decision better - who knows what his reasons are).  But, I don't think that it is reasonable to believe that he hasn't made up his mind.

EXACTLY what I had in mind, thanks for the memories.

I don't necessarily think the CC threads are what drive people nuts. Its CC threads that have the same content in 7 other CC threads since OSU. 

But, lack of OT during such a long stretch doesn't help. BUT... the rules are rules.

And maybe the only point.  Has the Iowa AD issues a press release that they are keeping their Football Coach so the recruits don't have to worry?

How about MSU?  How do we know they'll keep their Head Coach without having a press release stating it's true?

Basically the only reason this is a story is because it's Michigan and there are enough people who hate Rodriguez to make bringing the issue up create click thru.

It has intrigued me how many people on this site post that they wish they knew the answer.  But the answer is, "Brandon hasn't fired anyone".  Assuming he will fire the Head Coach is basing an assumption on no information.

I do appreciate the OP's viewpoint and the way he presented this.  I will say that Brandon hasn't been completely silent.  There is an interview with Angelique from a couple weeks ago, so "post OSU" but "pre Bowl".  So he hasn't completely shut down interactions with the Media.  Just those portions of the media who are fiction writers instead of reporters of fact.

Because Beilein has long term job security at Michigan and Rodriguez doesn't. In the Detroit News a few weeks ago, Brandon endorsed him as coach at least through the time when the facility upgrades can take hold. So the policy of evaluating all 27 sports after each season applies to not quite every coach. It works really well to avoid having to answer questions on the football coach right now though.

The people who hold out hope Rodriguez is going to get a stay of execution should probably ask themselves why Beilein got this endorsement and Rodriguez hasn't considering  the obvious importance of stability in football (the most important sport)?  The answer is pretty obvious.

Here's what is known from public statements or lack of them: Harbaugh isn't dealing with any of this while he coaches the program he built into a power plays in it's first BCS bowl game.  That has been the word and behavior since they whipped Oregon State. Therefore, we are in a holding pattern. If Harbaugh somehow falls through, Brandon wants to maintain the option to bring Rich back. It isn't his first choice clearly. Made even more difficult by the goofy outburst at the banquet a couple weeks ago.

The obvious answer in light of all the facts is usually the best one. Waste of time trying to outthink  the room.

You clearly articulated what I meant to say in my OP. Being a former (current?) military man, you get this (the need for organizational discipline and consequences for leaks.) Discipline in the AD Office is really the major thing I wanted to praise, even if for selish reasons, I wish we knew NOW what was going to happen.

I have been going with a gut feeling that he is waiting until after the bowls to pursue a name or two that he wants, and if they do not pan out then he will stay with RR.  I am starting to waver on that slightly with the continued silence.  I would have to assume if that was his plan, he would have put a few feelers out there.  It is one this to keep leaks from sprouting in your own office, but it would be really difficult to keep other coaches and their circles from spilling something.  Even media types (Herbstreit) can open their mouths and sabatoge an AD's plans.  He is either the best secret keeper ever, or he has not been in contact at all with anyone.

Loose lips sinks ships.

OPSEC people, OPSEC.

As a Wall Street analyst, I agree completely with what you're saying.  There is no way that JH has already been offered the job, because it would have leaked already if he had.

Maybe JH was unofficially offered the job in a private, unbugged, in person conversation between DB and JH.

DB:  "I want you to be the next head coach at Michigan.  But, you have to give me an yes or no right now."

JH:  "OK, I want it.  But I want to coach Stanford in the bowl game.  My players deserve it without them knowing I was leaving."

DB:  "Fine.  We will wait till after the bowl games.  But, I have not told anyone, including my wife.  If I hear from any semi-credible source that you will be the next head coach, the deal is off.  I am keeping Rich in the dark.  If I don't hire you, I will go with him."

JH:  "Done.  I don't want anyone to know either."

<They shake hands>

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Or maybe it went like this:

DB:  "I want you to be the next head coach at Michigan.  But, you have to give me an yes or no right now."

JH:  "I just can't give you an answer right now.  I want to wait till after the bowl game."

DB:  "OK, we can talk again after the bowl game.  There is a strong possibility I WON'T be offering you the job after the bowl game.

JH:  "Completely understand.  Let's talk after the bowl game, either way."

========

Or maybe it went like this:

JH:  "I am ready to be the head coach at U of M.  You should hire me."

DB:  "You may well be a better coach than Rich, but believe it or not I haven't made up my mind yet.  If we have a good bowl game and Rich is willing to make big changes to his staff I am going to keep him.  But would you be interested after the bow game?"

JH:  "Sure.  Let's talk after the bowls."

========

The possibilities are endless.

well, regarding the Maryland job, that position is not filled. In fact it only became available yesterday. Friedgen is out; his successor has not been named. The Maryland AD "has a list," and Mike Leach is on it, but he's not hired yet. I agree that Rich Rod would succeed there; I think he'd do well at most ACC schools

I am going to ignore the last few paragraphs where you debated the morality of DB's decision, but with respect to the first few paragraphs, I think that this could very well be what is going on here.  Many on the board have postulated this theory, and if you look at the facts, it makes perfect sense.  There really are only a few other options:

1.  DB is going to keep RR - if this has already been decided, there is NO rational basis to keep him waiting, hurt recruiting and put the program through this month of uncertainty.

2.  DB really doesn't know what he is going to do and needs more time - if this is the case, then the collective love affair with his pimp hand is misplaced.  If DB can't make a decision after almost a full year of being closely involved with the program - being on the side lines, meeting with RR, meeting with players, attending practice, talking wiht alum, former players - than he is indecisive.  Other ADs don't seem to have trouble making their decision by the end of the regular season.  Since Brandon does not come off as an indecisive guy, I don't believe this to be the case.

3.  DB really wants to do a formal, end-of-the-year review process - If this is the case, than he is being stubborn and not bending his corporate procedures to the realities of the current situation.  I know that he has said many times that he has a process and he is sticking to it.  But, if that process is causing our program to be the butt of speculation and uncertaintly, then he needs to change his process in this situation. 

I really don't think that any of these 3 options is plausable, so I think that your speculation could be accurate - with a twist.  Perhaps DB wants to get JH.  And for the reasons you set forth, he hasn't fired RR (avoid the Les Miles thing).  But, he doesn't know if he will get JH.  I think it is more likely that he wants JH but is keeping RR around as plan B.  Again, pure speculation, but I think that this is more likely.

I hear what you're saying.  However, when placed in a position of authority, one must have consistency.  The fact of the matter is, DB chose to (across the board) "wait until the end of season" to evaluate all programs. 

Regardless of what we think, he is following through on his word.  If he were to break it [his word] now, he loses control.  If he remains consistent he will remain in control.  Imagine how he would look (at this point) if he came out and buckled to the media/fans.  

There isn’t a better place within the entire athletic dept. to set the standard for every student athlete and coach, than Football!  He has just set the bar for every program within his authority.

From my experience, a leader or manager finds the best results from remaining consistent, sometimes contrary to what the majority wants or needs.  Inconsistency and questioning your own decisions leads to conflict within the ranks and lack of followership.  The man is taking responsibility and not pawning it off on others.  Let’s let him do his job and entrust we have somebody capable and intelligent running our program.  After all, TIM (This IS MICHIGAN)!!!!!!

However, if, in fact, what you are saying is true, this would suggest a level of duplicity and dishonesty on the part of DB which I would personally find disturbing. It is my hope this is not the case. We will all know, for better or worse, within the next two weeks.