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 4:44 PM ^
A ringing endorsement of Coach Rodriguez.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:47 PM ^
Says a lot more than I thought he would before the bowl game. Seems like there is some writing on the wall.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
I don't see that at all. Seems deliberately vague and non-committal to me.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
just like he did with he "leaked" the OSU date chage info
November 29th, 2010 at 6:27 PM ^
I would think he is playing many angles here.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
I think the only thing that's changed from previous Brandon talks is that he discussed the end of the year (obviously unsatisfying) which, well, hadn't happened by the time of his previous talks
November 29th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
making sure the fire RR crowd knew he was SRS YOU GUYS, laying it down, but what you would do before bringing him back another year.
We're in good pimp hands with Brandon.
November 29th, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^
Of course, I always do
November 29th, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^
The closer to the first week of January this runs, the closer to a coaching change we likely are.
I guess waiting gives him the opportunity to quietly work it out with James' people and, if it doesn't work out, to fall back on RR.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:19 PM ^
I tend to agree with you. I personally think if a change occurs there is a 50/50 chance that RR "resigns" before the bowl game.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:13 PM ^
with that statement. Is it possible that Brandon is waiting for RR to resign so he does not have to pay him? Does anyone know how much RR has on his contract for a buy out?
Jimmy does not want to risk a potential shot at a national championship if the Quacks loose this weekend. He would leap TCU for sure.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:42 PM ^
Brandon may be letting Rodriguez know that the door is open for a negotiated resignation. Rodriguez is not a fool, he's not going to give up 4 million (or 2.5 million) unless someone's approached him with another wonderful job -- not very likely at this time and place. On the other hand, no one likes to be fired.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
That does sound a little more morbid than previous comments by him. He might be feeling the pressure to snatch Jim Harbaugh (if the opportunity really is there) now. DB is in a real tough position right now. It isn't an obvious firing and the future is so cloudy.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^
i wanted to paste it for those who only read the post and didnt click the detroit news article. but what it sounds like to me is the same thing he has said all along.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:19 PM ^
"The team has the opportunity to practice 15 days and prepare for a bowl game, wh i ch they've earned the right to," Br a ndonsaid. "I have so consistently stated what m y process is, how I do this, and what is in the best interest of the program. That's what I do, and that's what I'm going to do. All of this desire f or i nfo r mation soon e r, all this speculation is fueling cu r iosity — it doesn't change how I'm doing my job.
"Back when we we r e 5-0, I s a id (this would be the evaluatio n process), along the way, I've sai d it, after exciting wins I've said it. This is h ow I'm go i ng to do my job. I have not equivocated on that at all. Just because people out the re are stirring the pot, that's not going to deter what I'm going to do."
Brandon ha s fielded calls from fans and fo r mer players, he has had in-person interaction, and he said he has received e-mail, although not as much as you might think.
"I get a lot of input from a lot of different places, in a lot of different ways," said B r a ndon, adding he listens to and processes all of the conversations.
Michigan is destined for a bowl game in either late December or Jan. 1 — the likely options are the Insight Bowl (Dec. 28), the Texas Bowl (Dec. 29) and the Gator Bowl (Jan. 1) — so Brandon's eval u ation clearly will take place after that g ame.
But does waiting create an issue with recruiting and potential recruits w h o want to know whether Rodriguez will be coaching the Wolverines in 2011 or if there will be another head coach? The national signing period begins Feb. 2.
I am going to fire rr and hire harbaugh
November 29th, 2010 at 5:33 PM ^
Haha wow, that's funny...you should work for the military or something. That was some serious codebreaking. Much enjoyed.
Unfortunately, the people you're making fun of either don't read Mgo or are too dumb to realize what you're doing....
November 29th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^
I'd show you the rest of my work, but then I'd have to kill you
November 29th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
From what I've heard, DB sound a lot more hesitant talking about RichRodriguez, especially since we were all under the impression that DB was supposedly a avid supporter
i hope he lets RR stay another year.. i think he deserves that much more to prove what we have
November 29th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
At the same time, I think Harbaugh could take us to competing to national championships again as well. Not only that, he would unite the other whiny piss ass half of our fan base that hated Rich Rod before he even got to Ann Arbor. And while I'm not a subscriber to the "OMG HES NAT A MEESHEGANE MAN" mentality, I would like to see our fan base more united and not have half of it hoping for losses.If Rich Rod is fired after the bowl game I'd assume that's because we already have a commitment from Harbaugh. I think Rich Rod has one more year to put us in the top 10 at the end of the season, however the window for hiring Harbaugh probably won't last that long, so if Harbaugh was hired January 1, would I be upset? Absolutely. Would I still be optimistic about Michigan football and have Harbaugh's backing 100% Absolutely. Thoughts?
November 30th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
*****THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POST TO READ BECAUSE IT'S 'THE' TRUTH*****
#1) Michigan is NOT Jim Harbaugh's 'dream job.' He wants an NFL job, because him and his brother are so competitive. SD, SF, Oak and Car (and maybe even Dal and Min) are all going to be fighting over him this off-season.
#2) Dave Brandon is going to be doing absolutely everything he can to convince him to come to Michigan over the next month.
#3) In all likelihood, Rich Rod will be brought back (signing a two year extension after the bowl game), and Greg Robinson will be replaced (along with the 3-3-5). Ron English is supposedly an early DC candidate.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
It sounds like he is waiting until after the bowl, where a decision will then be made.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
Is there anybody who really believes that Brandon is keeping his mind completely open and isn't thinking about this at all until after the bowl game? Nobody can be that naive.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^
I don't think Impaler is being naive. I don't want to speak for him, but when I think "wait til after the bowl game to make a decision," I think of the specific action of stating whether RR will remain coach or DB will hire a new coach.
DB has obviously been evaluating RR every day he has been on the job. The "decision" here is the act of carrying out his constant evaluation.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^
I didn't mean to single out that one poster. I was kind of implying that we must all think that DB has been thinking about this for quite some time and probably has already made his decision. If not, he at least has a leaning. For that reason, I don't think it is too crazy to try to read into what David Brandon is saying.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
If RR gets us to a Jan 1 bowl and we blow out Oklahoma and several 5 star recruits commit, making UM the #1 recruiting class, why wouldnt Brandon keep RR?
Not very likely but possible. So Mr. Brandon, do the right thing and my God influence your decision.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^
This is my opinion and just my opinion so take it as pure speculation but that sounds to me as if he is setting the table for someone to be let go. Can we just hit the Staples easy button now and jump to next spring?
November 29th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
Like Bo says, Those who stay will be champions. Like your mother says, If it was easy, everyone would do it. Maybe setting the stage for GR to go? idk
November 29th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
pimp hand is strong, I know one thing for sure. I would not play poker against DB.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^
DB is keeping his Pimp-Hand strong and his game tight.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^
I hope the guy in the middle is M's new DL recruit.
November 29th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^
electric chair.. What kind of guy are you?
November 29th, 2010 at 9:09 PM ^
edit: n/m
November 29th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^
Brandon is a smart guy, but I wholely disagree with his assertion that the timing on any announcement either way does not matter to recruiting. Like the stock market, recruits and their families don't like uncertainty.
November 29th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
Why is he such a smart guy? For turning around dominos? Good for him. That doesn't make him a good AD.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:27 PM ^
Well considering that I have never met DB. It doesnt make him a BAD AD either. He supports ALL athletics at UM. Remember these are student-athletes who will go pro in something other than sports.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^
I read that oppositely.... that timing matters 12 months of the year, and regardless of when you hire/fire a coach, it's going to affect recruiting. (Still, I have to believe there's a timing that would minimize such an effect.)
November 29th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
That doesn't sound like an endorsement for or against RichRod. Even people for keeping Rich ( me) next year would pretty much say the same thing
November 29th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^
By not outright supporting RichRod Brandon is obviously attempting to bring in Harbaugh. Brandon talks about how recruiting is a year round challenge while leaving his head coach and his recruits and prospective recruits hangin out to dry.
M f'ked up the Carr transition with an ugly public hiring process but might be throwing the baby out with the bathwater getting rid of RichRod.
Harbaugh is an arrogant dick IMHO.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:00 PM ^
By not outright supporting RichRod Brandon is obviously attempting to bring in Harbaugh.
I disagree with your analysis. Every day, DB is inundated with letters, calls, emails, guys in the parking lot, smoke signals, telegraphs and facsimiles from outraged fans who want RR fired three years ago. Were DB to extend RR's tenure in Ann Arbor with a game still to be played, DB is vulnerable to further attacks that he made an "uninformed" decision.
DB is waiting to see the entire season unfold (including the bowl game) to make his decision so that, whatever it is, there will be no question that he considered the entire body of available information. Nothing about these circumstances necessarily means DB is actively pursuing Harbaugh.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:49 PM ^
If Brandon is truly up in the air about this, why were all his statements negative? Where was the olive branch to RR supporters?
November 29th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^
I'm not sure his statements were overtly negative as much as matter-of-fact. We have high expectations, and nobody (including RR supporters) is happy going 7-5.
I'm still theoretically a RR supporter, and I didn't feel at all alienated by DB's comments. I suppose that's what makes him a talented orator.
November 29th, 2010 at 7:54 PM ^
That's the striking thing to me. It was hardly three weeks ago that Brandon was making statements that seemed very "understanding" (for lack of a better word) of the roster experience situation, along with expressing what seemed to be doubts about the wisdom of firing coaches too readily. Either the final two games against Wisky and OSU turned his thinking around, or he's just reacting to the predictable swings in public mood.
Whatever the total number of posts about the 2007 hiring search was, I think we'll blow right past it this time. Information abhors a vacuum, and until there is concrete information it's going to be completely nuts on the rumormongering front.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:54 PM ^
I don't think the rumormongering bothers him in the least.
Sheer speculation, this: I think DB talked briefly to JH, and the two agreed that they would talk again after Jan. 3, and left it at that. I think Brandon would be entirely comfortable with that scenario. And Harbaugh gets to focus on preparing for a BCS bowl.
Will this affect recruiting? Perhaps. And I think DB went out of his way to say that he can live with that. Our current commits will have plenty of time to de-commit if they don't like the results come early January.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
To me it sounds like he is saying he understands that everyone is upset, but...
November 29th, 2010 at 4:55 PM ^
You broke up a double post? Is that even possible?
November 29th, 2010 at 8:12 PM ^
Denard logged onto my account.
November 29th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
I think that's more or less what he's been saying for a while now
November 29th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
OMG WHAT IF Thought:
Harbaugh is coming in town for the 85' team reunion. What if him and Brandon are meeting "in private" at that time. It's the perfect come in under cloak and darkness smokescreen scenario. It gives justification for Harbaugh to be here and it would provide a face to face discussion with the pimp hand himself.
This is how these OMG Rumors have made me feel as of late, though:
(yes, I also posted this on Brian's main page post in the comments section. Can't a man love playing with his otter?! Frankly, this makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, thank you very much)