Brandon Speaks
Via Angelique:
http://detnews.com/article/20101129/SPORTS0201/11290383/U-M-athletic-di…
"Had we performed better during the season, it wouldn't be an issue," Brandon told The Detroit News on Monday, referring to Rodriguez's job security. "People are concerned and they're unhappy with the way the season unfolded and particularly the way the season closed, and I understand that.
"No true Michigan fan is happy with where we ended up in the Big Ten and how the season unfolded, particularly the end."
...
"I said when I got this job our expectations are very high," Brandon said. "We want to compete for championships, we want to be among the best, and we clearly did not do that this year. I'm not happy about that, the coaches aren't happy about that, the players aren't happy, the fans aren't happy — nobody is happy with where we ended up this year."
...
"Recruiting is a 12-month-a-year process. There will always be recruiting going on in one fashion or the other. It's a dynamic process. There's no good time, bad time, better time as it relates to how you manage the situation."
Take from this what you will... Apologies if this is a repost.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^
He's not coming to the Bust. It doesn't really matter, though - I'm sure they have each other's phone numbers.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
Harbaugh isn't coming in any more, isn't that what someone posted today?
November 29th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
can you please post a link to that graphic. it's awesome.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
Step 1: Right click picture.
Step 2: Click "Copy image location."
Step 3: ?????
Step 4: Profit.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
Sorry if that was sarcasm, but Harbaugh is not coming.
http://twitter.com/#!/chengelis/status/9347644597993472
Edit: Also sorry it took me two minutes to find and post a link, person who negged me.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^
No typical Big Program AD mumbo-jumbo.
Said exactly what he thinks, and shows a clear grasp of the obvious.
Better than praising RichRod to high heaven and then firing him a month later on a slow news day.
That said, clearly RichRod ain't getting an extension before the Weed Eater Bowl.
I wonder if his agent is putting a call into Miami?
November 29th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
Granted RR was mentioned AT FIRST on many of the Canes boards but now many saying if Gruden falls thru Edsell (UConn), Hoke (SDSU) &Leach (Pirate) are leading HC search.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:19 PM ^
Sven I agree with the last part about the agent. RRod is a smart man and I would guess the call to his agent has already been made.
People have been wondering what DB is going to do ....me? I've been wondering what RRod is going to do.
This would really suck if....RRod signs somewhere else and Jimbo goes to the NFL.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
it seems like brandon isn't ready to fire RR, but wants the ability to do so if we lay an egg in the bowl game.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:12 PM ^
That makes as much sense as any of the other theories floating around.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
That doesn't sound very good for RR. I feel like he is telling fans he is waiting for the right moment to ensure that he can get the coach he wants. I could also be way off. I just think if RR was coming back he would have come out and say it. I don't see how the bowl game can change DB's mind on keeping RR or cutting bait.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^
as though a decision against Rich Rodriguez had been made.
I suspect that Bando is perfectly willing to do that kind of "reading."
Hence the headline, "Brandon Speaks," as though this were news. "Brandon Maintains That No Decision Has Been Made," might have been another, better headline.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
Come on now. I disagree with Bando a good percentage of the time but all he did was post interesting quotes from the AD about the coaching situation and told people to read from it what they will.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:08 PM ^
that made what DB said appear to have a much harsher tone. If DB is going to fire a coach after two recruiting seasons I suspect very few coaches are going to want to come here. RR was left with little in the way of returning talent as attested to by our lack of RS seniors, seniors, and juniors that are starting.
With a total change in type of player needed for RR's offense he spent a lot of time the first year recruiting offense. He did land some highly regarded D recruits, Big Will, JT, and Vlad (pre-injury) who didn't or haven't panned out yet. Throw in Warren leaving early (mistake), T-Woolf going down before the season, Ezeh regressing, Martin not healthy since being chop blocked by Sparty, and we are where we are. The real question becomes what happens if RR is let go. How many players will leave as they no longer fit the scheme if it's Harbaugh?
Peronally, after Harbaugh threw the program under the bus concerning academics he can join ND and go to hell! It is unforgivable for a former player and graduate of the university to do what he did.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:37 PM ^
Always making it personal...
It's titled "Brandon Speaks" because, well, Brandon spoke. After we all spent a few days here wringing our hands because he wasn't saying much of anything.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^
So, what are the chances that they apologize for perpetuating unsubstantiated reports from "good sources" that Rich Rod would be fired today (the Monday after the OSU game)?
Also, didn't Herbstreit say following the Les Miles fiasco that he would never do this again?
November 29th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
When pigs fly.....
November 29th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
And Henning, having been caught with his pants down, said it was only his opinion, and wasn't any sort of reporting. "It wasn't based on any information," was Henning's embarassing quote. Henning didn't, and won't, apologize.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
DB is in a tough position trying to keep both sides happy right now. If he gave RR a ringing endorsement today, it would have pissed off the fire RR crowd. Instead he is fague, giving both sides the impression they are being heard. In the end, he setting expectations for both sides that RR might stay another year or may be fired. DB is playing this well so far.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:21 PM ^
The thing that strikes me here is that I don't really see him trying to keep the pro-RR faction happy. He clearly states his displeasure with the season, and doesn't offer the qualifiers about youth and injuries that he did in earlier statements. This definitely isn't an endorsement. That doesn't necessarily mean RR will be fired, though - DB may yet go the Illinois route.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^
Who out of the pro-RR group is truly "happy" right now with the program? I'm pretty much pro-RR, but not exactly happy after seeing Michigan lose to Wisky and OSU by 50 combined points. While 7-5 may have been realistic expectations, you never want your head coach or AD flat out saying it like that, at least not at a program like Michigan. We can argue about progress, and I think it's there...but no one's truly going to be happy until RR hits the 10-win plateau and starts regularly beating good teams (and not just teams UM should beat)
November 29th, 2010 at 6:52 PM ^
We've had post after post here telling us to focus on the alleged progress the program has made, and how 7-5 isn't supposed to be such a bad record when you consider our youth and whatnot. Brandon could have used some of these talking points. He even did earlier in the season.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^
I don't know about that requires DB and RR to not speak with one another before, during, or after one of DB's tweets or interviews?
All of these posts are written as if they have never spoken with one another. I even revisited the FAQ, but I still don't see a supersecret rule that speaks to that.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^
Fuck Jim Harbaugh! I'm so sick of all this Jim Harbaugh talk!
November 29th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
I'm not a hire Harbaugh guy, but you shouldn't say that about the guy. He is a michigan football legend. He is a good coach and he may have been Bo's favorite football player. So when I hear people say fuck harbaugh I feel like your saying fuck Bo. Show some respect to the guy even if you don't like him.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:52 PM ^
then shouldn’t we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg – isn’t this an indictment of our entire American society?
Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
I think this means he and Jimmy are talking at the very least.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^
Is he really gonna ask him to the dance!?!?
(I can't be the only one who read this like it was some high school gossip)
November 29th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^
Superman16 said fuck harbaugh. It just doesn't need to be said. This is what I see wrong with a lot of michigan fans right now. We don't stick together. We should be supporting RR and JH. RR is our head coach and JH was a great Michigan QB. The fans need to stop fighting with each other and come together.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
"Had we performed better during the season, it wouldn't be an issue,"
Ouch. That doesn't mean that RR will definitely be back next year, although it doesn't necessarily mean that he'll be fired either. I'd guess evaluation after the bowl game.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^
Horsecrap. If wanting RR and the players to focus on the bowl game is truly a priority for Brandon, the best thing possible for him to do is announce ASAP that RR is coming back for a fourth year.
I understand that Brandon has more things to consider than whether RR or the players are distracted, but implying that anybody in the current situation can avoid being distracted is disingenuous. I know it conflicts with action-hero movie myths, but in fact very few people work at optimum levels when a gun is pointed at their forehead.
Regardless, couple this with the interview he gave last week in which he pointedly praised Beilein several times while failing to mention RR in any way, and you have to work hard to not conclude he's already made the decision to make a change.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^
Funny he praises our basketball coach. The Bball team is years, and i mean years away from even making it to the NCAA tourney again..
You say he should just say something so the team can focus, well maybe he already has told RR and the team what is going on so they can focus on the game already.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:36 PM ^
At the beginning of the football season, Brandon said that RR was his coach for the season. I expect Beilein will be evaluated at the end of his season.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:57 PM ^
Beilein's job is safe, at least through 2011-12. Brandon has gone out of his way to praise the job he's done in the wake of the NCAA tourney drought, dealing with bad facilities, and so forth. He won't pull the plug.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:48 PM ^
plus 1 to you! i couldnt agree more. the more time that goes by just makes the situation worse. i work for a CEO myself and the pressure in the sales enviornment im in already weighs heavilly. and when the leader doesnt give me an endorsement even when times are a little rough i begin to worry. under these types of circumstances it has to be hard for coach road to stay focused. he needs to be secure while he is out recruiting and getting ready for the bowl game. i think there is something behind the scenes where brandon is saying its win or your done in the bowl. or he is awaiting word from another candidate. either way he is covering his own ass by not saying anything. i want coach road to succeed in the worst way and get through this. the guy hasnt even fielded his own senior class yet.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^
ok so after 3 years and the shit storm that RR has had to endure with all our young players etc..
What is to say if we Hire Harbaugh that it wont happen all over again? RR was a more successful coach, with a better track record. He has had a shitty hand ever since he got here, and still hasn't even had the chance to field a solid upper class with his players.
Brandon mentions everyone was not happy with the results of the season, including the coaches. Who's to say he hasn't determinded Gerg is canned. Time will tell
November 29th, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^
Generally speaking, good coaches don't go through 3-year shit storms. Coaches that do often end up getting fired.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^
Not sure how he is rationalizing this. The longer it takes for Brandon to make his decision the worse it will be on recruiting for this and the next class. It leaves current recruits playing chicken with UM and whoever the coach is in January playing so much catch up that it becomes really hard to fill out the class.
The quicker his decision comes the better off UM will be, if it really goes another month before he decides it could be really hard to dig out of.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:51 PM ^
A diarist needs to come up with some empirical evidence that shows this line of thinking is true. Sometimes I think it is just a common held belief, but I'm not sure there is anything out there that supports it.
Take OSU for example. Didn't they fire John Cooper after their bowl game? It had such a huge negative impact that they won the BCS championship two years later.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^
I have no idea what the state of that OSU team was before or after the coaching change to be able to make an informed post on it I just know what ND went through last year.
Weis was fired within a week of the season, coaching search lasted another week, then 2 more weeks to hire and approve assistant coaches, that left 3 weeks total of recruiting before LOI day. And he would delay that by 3 weeks minimum by waiting to make his decision.
He could be dooming the next coach before he is even hired if the doesn't have a recruiting class to speak of.
November 30th, 2010 at 3:49 AM ^
One of the good things that analysts and writers often agree that John Cooper was a heck of a recruiter. Tressel basically won his NC with Cooper's players minus Clarett.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^
IMHO, we can debate the merits of making an announcement now or later, but I honestly don't see how analyzing these statements can bear much fruit.
In summary, I read:
I've said this all season, I'm waiting until the season is over (which he has consistently stated). The team didn't perform as well as we'd hoped and certainly not to levels expected at Michigan. I don't think there is ever a good time to fire a coach because it means you have problems within your program.
So, basically, he took nothing and turned it into a few paragraphs of text. I don't think he'll tip his hand until he's made his final decision. But, I will admit that I love the general banter going on here. Most of it's insightful or, at the very least, amusing. Go Blue!
November 29th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^
Harbaugh may or may not want to bail on a BCS bowl, but Stanford has an outside shot at playing in the BCS final, and he almost certainly wouldn't bail on that. And he can't know one way or the other on that until next week.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^
can do without the best NFL prospect QB in college football next season..then we can talk.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:04 PM ^
hasn't he coached for 3 years at stanford like that?
November 29th, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^
My read on this situation is that Harbaugh wants to talk after Stanford's bowl game. I don't think it makes any sense to wait until after the bowl to make a decision, unless there is a factor such as that. If Harbaugh announces he is leaving for Michigan, chances are Stanford does not let him coach the BCS bowl. This does not signal strong interest on Harbaugh's part.
At any rate, I think the signal is that Michigan does not currenlty have someone (i.e., Harbaugh) lined up. I think it is unlikely in the exteme that Michigan opens up a national search after December 28.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:26 PM ^
I'm not sure you can conclude anything about Harbaugh's interest from this statement. If anything, if JH weren't interested, I'd think Brandon would have made a more positive statement here about RR. If no one is lined up, why would Brandon be so non-committal about the coach he currently has?
What I think is likely is that Brandon and Harbaugh have already communicated and that Harbaugh has indicated he'll take the job - but he really wants to coach the Rose Bowl first.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^
Brandon hasn't already gave RR his commitment and just hasn't let us now? Harbaugh is not going to the Rose Bowl unless something strange happens this weekend. The Rose Bowl has to take TCU this year as it is their turn for the non AQ.