CC: JUB Interview re: his thoughts on the coaching search

Submitted by michgoblue on

John U. Bacon was interviewed on myfoxdetroit last night following the Michigan football bust, and of course the topic shifted to the coaching search.  For those who don't want to listen, JUB said:

1.  He believes that Harbaugh is still Michigan's top choice and that JH is still considering the option.

2.  He does not believe the recent NFL.com and similar NFL-source reports that Harbaugh has rejected Michigan.

3.  He also does not believe reports that Harbaugh is "signed, sealed, delivered" to Michigan.

4.  He believes that even Harbaugh doesn't know at this point.

5.  If we do not land Harbaugh, JUB still believes that we would end up with Miles.  His reasoning is that Hackett knows that much of the fanbase wants Miles if Harbaugh says no, and that Hackett is very good at listening to the fanbase. 

6.  Finally, JUB says that we are in for a few more weeks of speculations because "all sides" are entering a "dark period."   (I think that we have been there since last Tuesday, as we have heard NOTHING of substance - only media speculation going in every possible direction - from anyone other than the sourced "searchbits" from Brian).

Nothing new or earthshattering, although JUB's take on Miles differs from what many here think.  I always took Hackett's comments about looking for a coach who can win withing shenanigans to mean that Les was unlikely, but who knows.

 

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/clip/10929709/john-u-bacon-on-michigan

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mgoBrad

December 9th, 2014 at 10:58 AM ^

I got a distinctly different impression from that interview re: Miles than OP did. To me, it sounded like JUB was aware much of the fanbase would like to see Miles and Hackett would listen to those opinions, but nothing more. I've seen a few insider-ish rumors now that have said Miles wasn't even on Hackett's initial 14 name list, which jives with reports that there is significant internal strife regarding his viability. Guess we'll see what happens if Jimmy falls through.

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Muttley

December 9th, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^

--two mighty forces of nature--against each other, like matter vs. anti-matter, will be a tragedy, not only for the teams involved.." [ flips card over ] "..but for our planet. All nations must band together, to ensure that such a conflageration takes place starting next year."

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The_Mad Hatter

December 9th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^

I get the sense that Hackett will bring in Miles if JH passes on the Job.  They played together and maybe still know each other?

This is the advantage of having an "outsider" doing the HC search and selection.  If people in the AD don't like the hire, Hackett can just say go fuck yourself, I hired the best coach available.  And I never intended on being the permanent AD anyway.

 

That said, HARBAUGH!!!!!

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michgoblue

December 9th, 2014 at 10:51 AM ^

I personally plan to start 5 more before lunch.

Seriously, though, this wasn't really intended to be Harbaugh specific. It was an interview with someone who's views many of us somewhat respect and believe to be reasonably well-informed and it focused on the search, generally, and not specifically Harbaugh. Unfortunately, any discussion of our search will necessarily be focused on our number 1 candidate.

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LSAClassOf2000

December 9th, 2014 at 10:51 AM ^

The tone of Hackett's presser announcing that Hoke would not return gave me the impression, at least offhand, that Miles was not exactly the direction in which they might head failing the obvious first choice - the words he chose were pretty deliberate and, in my opinion, didn't exactly fit the popular image of Les Miles. However, I could have entirely misread Hackett - the man does seem to have a good poker face like that. 

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MaximusBlue

December 9th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^

I'll even deal with it for a few more weeks if it means Harbaugh. I don't want anything to screw this up. I actually love every time I hear these NFL reports. If anything, they give me more hope that he is coming. Until the man himself says no, I still believe Michigan will tug at his heartstrings and he'll come home.

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BIGBLUEWORLD

December 9th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^

All in all, a pretty reasonable summary of events.  Point number 4, that JH hasn't yet decided what he's going to do, is something I've been saying all along. 

As long as JUB remembers that he's a reporter, or even say "investigative journalist", I repect and enjoy his writing.  When he tries to predict the future or promote his agenda, he can lose perspective just like anyone else.

Fortunately, we here in Harbaughland, err, MGoBlog, never lose perspective.

 

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BluByYou

December 9th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^

JH is more charismatic, younger, would be a better recruiter and a better game day tactician.  Other than that, JH would suck.  Seriously, I would put Miles behind most any other coach in the mix, but ahead of Schiano.

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