Brandon Speaks

Harbaugh has a big fat raise coming

what he's going to do.  None of us know what that is, but I would imagine he's either set, or a decision has been made pending the bowl game results.  As in #1 happens, he stays, whatever #1 is.  #2 happens and he's gone.

It can't be understated how much politics DB has to be involved in right now.  He's going to make a decision, regardless of what he decides, that is going to make a lot of Michigan fans, alums and donors very upset.  IMO, his only other goal right now other than make the correct choice, is to pacify as many people on the losing side as possible.

If he'd already decided to retain RR, when could he announce it to keep the old guard at least marginally accepting of it?  After giving up over 60 points in our win against Illinois?  After beating Purdue to guarantee our 7-win season?  Getting drubbed by our last 2 opponents?  At least if it's after the bowl game, even if unsuccessful, he can pass off the "looked at all the data points" argument.

I am a big supporter of Dave Brandon and I think he will make an excellent AD.  With that being said, I do not agree with the way he is handling this at all.  There are too many lives (players, future players and coaches) for him to be dragging this out.  I understand he wants to make an informed decision, but how much more will he learn from a 2nd tier bowl game?  Rich Rod aside, I do not think it is fair to the players who have given their blood sweat and tears to this program for the last 3 years to have the leader crucified by the media and his job hanging in the balance.  Place yourself in this situation on your job.  How can you perform at you highest level not knowing if you will have a job in a month?   I too am a RR supporter and hope he gets another year or two, however I do not believe that it will happen.  Letting this linger on is a no-win for everyone.  The respectable thing to do here is fire him now if you are going to fire him (Indiana, Miami etc..)  Let him try to get another job and stop ruining his brand by having him plastered all over the media.  Only time will tell if he is the right coach here, but that does not mean he will not excel somewhere else.  Let the new recruits have a chance to decide if they indeed want to come here with a new coach and give the current players a chance to move on if need be.  That is only fair.  Remember playing footbal is secondary.. Teaching these young men to be mature adults while gaining a quaility education is first and foremost, I think RR has excelled in this matter.  If you disagree ask some of his current players.  I think this is the part of the argument that gets lost.  After seeing the way this has unfolded, for the first time I am slightly ashamed to be a michigan man..  Just my opinion.

Brandon is absolutely making the right decision to wait until after the bowl game to make a decision. You can't fault a guy for taking his time in assessing the evidence and making an informed decision. If the decision was an easy one, then yes it would be wise to make the change right away. But the situation is not cut and dry and there are so many variables at play. This could go either way, easily; thus, Brandon can't appear to be rash about making his decision.

"There's no good time, bad time, better time as it relates to how you manage the situation."

In-limbo is a bad time and place to be in. Support or fire RR, it's your call, but don't put the decision on hold for 30 days.

Now, if you are just saying this to stall for Harbaugh, fine.