CC - Why the delay by Dave Brandon?
For those that DO want to discuss the biggest topic at hand, consider this...
Dave Brandon has stated many times that he will wait until after the bowl to make any decision. This could be 100% wrong but here's my theory behind it...
-RR and the players have "earned" the bowl and deserve to play in it no matter what. Good move
-Harbaugh (yes) and his players have earned their bowl and deserve to coach/play in it. Good move
-RR will be fired or resign as coach of UM after the bowl, and Harbaugh will be named coach after his bowl game.
If you think about it, it's the best way to go about the process without ruffling too many feathers. Stanford won't be pissed about UM "stealing" Harbaugh before their huge, potential BCS bowl. RR gets to cap off the season with his players, as he has earned it. It will appear that DB went through a full evaluation process, which I am sure he has done anyway by now. And as we know, the buyout is lower.
Sure recruiting might suffer, but with the dead period beginning on Dec 20, it's not as bad as some may think. And IF Harbaugh is the guy, he will likely bring some recruits. Going through his current commits, some are from NJ, NY, IN, PA, GA, LA. Like him or not, we know that he is a great recruiter. Not to mention, this is obviously a long term move and not just about one season or recruiting class.
I just keep thinking that if DB really wanted to keep RR, he would say it now publicly for many reasons.
Again, for those that DO want to discuss, what are your thoughts? I think it's already a done deal. Please no facepalms, atomic bombs, etc. Boobs are okay. We are ALL Michigan fans and support the team no matter what.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:14 PM ^
December 1st, 2010 at 8:20 PM ^
What's the deal with ovaltine? The mug's round, the jar is round. They should call it roundtine.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^
Thats GOLD Jerry, GOLD.
Puke.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
Poop nuts and balls. Also, boobs.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
See folks, it's about delivery. And when it's the written word, you have to use grammar to signify the appropriate hesitations, etc... that make up timing and delivery in speech.
Here, the author uses a period, and then a coordinating conjunction (in this case, "also") followed by a comma. Therefore, the author has joined two items of equal syntactic importance, while at the same time grammatically separating their delivery so as to maximize comedic effect.
Nicely done.
December 1st, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^
I forget who the other one is. I like the cut of your jib, though.
December 1st, 2010 at 9:19 PM ^
and farts don't you ever forget farts.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:18 PM ^
Was Jon Gruden's rather explicit insertion of his name into the Miami search, while not really wanting the job, a signal to Brandon that he might be interested in Michigan?
Just asking.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^
I'd suggest smoke signals as a better way of informing brandon he's interested in the job.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
I am not sure if we do talk about it here or in one of the other hundred threads. I honestly just couldn't keep up because there are so many. As for the OP's thoughts, I don't think they are completely out there. I am actually a Coach Rod supporter and I hope he comes back. But, as many have said, I think DB has had enough time to evaluate the program. I feel as Bo did with Gary that a coach should get at least 4 years. Let coach Rod ride with the horses he brought for next year. Whether that is to keep GERG, fine so be it.
Problem I have with the OP's assertion about Stanford getting to play in their bowl game and for our guys to play in our bowl game. Although, I think that is a great thought and our players deserve it. I would like to have our situation resolved sooner rather than later for the sake of recruiting and continuity for the future. I don't want to sound harsh, but if Harbaugh is going to be the coach, he should come in now. Sorry Stanford, I don't really care if you get riled up. Michigan is much more important. OK, I have given my rant and I trust DB has a bigger picture in mind than I can have.
Go Blue.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:27 PM ^
He is secretly working for tUOS, and he knows this is the best way to torpedo Michigan's chances, not just for recruiting this season, but for the coming years.
Check that... Brandon hates America.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
I think it doesn't look good for RR right now. If DB was going to keep him then he would come out and say it.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
That would be a direct renege on the timetable he set at the start of the season.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
... that "had we performed better, we wouldn't be talking about this now". Maybe he would have endorsed RR. To me he is just waiting to see how Michigan performs in the bowl game, after the 15 practices. 15 practices should be enough to re-emphasize fundamentals, healing of hurt players, game plan for the oponent, etc. I would expect a performance like the UConn game. If after all that preparation, we still look sloppy, then I guess RR will be let go.
December 1st, 2010 at 11:13 PM ^
would we be talking about this now?
December 1st, 2010 at 8:34 PM ^
Part of me wonders whether Brandon is waiting things out to appease the FIRE BAD CORCH RABBLE RABBLE crowd, so as to give the appearance that he weighed things long and hard and followed his process--reevaluate at the end of the year. If so, I bet he clued RR in on that.
Another part of me wants to blow my brains out because although I don't want to click on these threads and comment, I seem to be drawn irresistably, inexorably to them. They're like cigarettes in that way, I suppose.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:42 PM ^
Does he need to sacrifice part of a recruiting class to satisfy some fans? I hope not, but you never know.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:36 PM ^
I am interested to see how this plays out. Truly no one has any idea what is going on, we only have what we think. My question is will this bowl game have any effect on any people who are on the fence about what to do? If we blow out a good team, or just win, does that make you want to bring back RR? Or if we lost or get killed, does that mean you've had enough? Or will the game really not affect your opinion as you still view the season as a whole?
December 1st, 2010 at 8:41 PM ^
lol ever since the media made it out that Harbaugh "wants" to coach at michigan if RR is fired this year.
When did Harbaugh actually ever come out and say he wants to leave Stanford after this year?
Ive also seen a lot of people saying if he doesn't leave this year then it won't happen..
Who fuckin says that? No one knows what the hell is going on, it's hilarious
December 1st, 2010 at 8:46 PM ^
I'd be very, very shocked if Harbaugh came here even if he was offered the moon.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:49 PM ^
Well, he is on the short list for the Miami job, per the Miami Hurricane twitter feed. He may or may not be interested, but there is a lot of smoke indicating Harbaugh is looking at his options.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:51 PM ^
Bob Stoops was on the short list for the Notre Dame job last year as per Notre Dame sources.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:42 PM ^
Overweighting bowl game caused, among other examples, the hiring of Bill Stewart (West Virginia) and Bobby Williams (Lil Bro), and the firing of Glen Mason in favor of Tim Brewster (Minnesota).
Bowl games are unique. Teams have a month or more to prepare, they're on a neutral field, and are usually against teams you don't see much. The players are usually rusty. The games bear little resemblance to the week-in, week-out conference grind. They should be a tiny, tiny consideration in rare circumstances -- anything else is sheer folly.
December 2nd, 2010 at 8:23 AM ^
This is scary—I actually agree with Shuttlesworth. He makes a very valid and relevant point.
December 1st, 2010 at 9:03 PM ^
Because Brandon doesn't do "Delivery in 30 minutes or less or it's free" deals anymore. Been there, done that.
December 1st, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^
Can't wait till Spring.
December 1st, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^
He's either:
1. Going to have RR fired
2. An idiot when it comes to football
I'm so damn sick of hearing "Brandon this, Brandon that" like he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Leaving the door open for speculation is the dumbest thing he can do. It's only going to divide the fanbase even more, make recruits waver, and set us back. We have shown obvious improvement, so if that's his excuse for waiting...It doesn't look good. (for those of us who want RR to still be our coach, anyway)
December 1st, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^
I think he's the best thing since the beejer. Why? It's the pimp hand.
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 AM ^
Think of it more like a dramatic pause than a delay.
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:40 AM ^
This will harm recruiting to some degree. I cannot believe 15 days of practice and a bowl game will be enough to decide RR fate. DB knows what he's going to do but doesn't want to spill the beans. Personally, I would give RR through his original contract. In 2012 the defense will be serviceable, may be 3rd best in the conference. But I'm no expert and DB is the AD who has to decide what is best for the football program!
I'll always be 100 percent behind the team, coach and AD no matter what transpires!
December 1st, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
Though I hate losing, hate driving 8 hours (yes that is how far I drive to get to the 3 or 4 games a year I attend) to see an embarrassing loss, hate the fact that I know (as a gir!)land RR doesn't you do not put a true freshman in single coverage against a senior wide receiver that is likely to be drafted, hate the fact that RR doesn't know what a timeout is, or how to recruit a kicker, or many other things, I have 2 reasons for wanting Rich Rod out the door. Both reasons are directly related to his lack of leadership skills. Here they are:
YOU LEFT YOUR TEAM HIGH AND DRY BEFORE A BOWL GAME FOR A CHANCE AT BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS. There is nothing wrong with seeking advancements and improvements, but not at the expense of a team that puts it's faith and trust in you. As a former coach in Texas, I would NEVER do something so underhanded as to leave my players for money. Those kids deserved your committment as they committed to working their butts off for you! How dare you treat them like they don't matter?!?!?! That shows complete lack of leadership and committment.
YOU ALWAYS BLAME YOUR PLAYERS AND NEVER BLAME YOURSELF FOR LOSSES. Sure the players make mistakes and deserve to be consequenced, no disagreement here. However, if something is continually going wrong, you need to look at yourself. I am sick of every post-game press conference and interview being about all the mistakes the kids make. How about what you did wrong? Call me crazy, but if kids continually fail a teacher's class in school, wouldn't it come back on the teacher? If a store is not making sales, doens't it fall on the manager? Rich Rod, you have no sense of how to build camaraderie, trust, or respect in your team.
For those two main reasons, and the many other little reasons, Rich Rod please leave! Jim Harbaugh leading the maize and blue down the tunnel and onto the field is the only thing I want for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!
December 1st, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^
Ha Ha... just kidding. That sounds fucking crazy.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
The OP correctly used CC. I am nuking dxcookie for flaming opinions that do not contribute. You have crossed the demilitarized zone.....
Tango...Charlie...Zulu...Bravo....
December 2nd, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Well done sir. I applaud our newfound MGoNuclearWinter.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^
YEAH! He doesn't have any family values and kills a baby every morning!
December 1st, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^
December 2nd, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^
First of all, I don't understand why there isn't more support of dxcookie. All she is stating is well.... FACT! You here all the talk from Rich Rod and the media about the defense being true freshmen and redshirt freshmen (lacking experience) and getting criticized and injuries to Troy Woolfolk and JT Floyd is a big reason for playing the freshmen. Fact is after 3 season Rich Rod STILL doesn't get it. Defense wins championships in the Big Ten. My question is why doesn't Rich Rod learn how to recruit defense, defense, and more defense? OH THAT'S RIGHT THE BIG EAST (when he was head of West Virginia), ACC (when he was Off. coordinator at clemson), AND CONFERENCE USA (when he was head coach of Tulane) don't play any defense at all.
When my 19 year old sister knows more about football than our head coach @ MICHIGAN there is a problem. Mary Sue(Michigan President) and DB cuts the ties with Rich Rod and bring in a REAL head football coach!
December 2nd, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^
Thanks Goblueknight for adding more facts and intelligence to my post. I find it HILARIOUS that people actually get on here and type stupid meaningless comments that have NO factual basis, no real context and contain no intelligent thought. My only conclusion is that they must not be actual Michigan fans, but OSU or MSU fans that like seeing us lose over and over, and like seeing our top recruits leave to play for a team that actually trains them in pro-style play (versus our spread that prepares them for nothing and doesn't work anyway!). Personally, I want to see the return of teams like those under Bo, Mo and Carr. And I am SO SICK of hearing how RR needs some time rebuild!!!! Rebuild what? What he tore down? Look at these statistics:
1968 record was 8-2. Bo took over for 1969. His first 3 years at UM went as follows: 8-3 with Conf title, 9-1, and 11-1 with Conf title.
1989 record was 10-2. Moeller took over in 1990. His first 3 years at UM went as follows: 9-3 with Conf title, 10-2 with Conf title, and 9-0-3 with Conf title.
1994 record was 8-4. Carr took over for 1995. His first 3 years at UM went as follows: 9-3, 8-4 and 12-0 with National Title.
2007 record was 9-4. Rodriguez took over in 2008. His first 3 years at UM went as follows: 3-9, 5-7, 7-5.
So again I ask....REBUILD WHAT? There was nothing wrong when he took it, but there is now! Not since Bump Elliot have we been dominated on the field so embarrassingly. And yet I could still find some reason to support him if he had some sort of leadership skills and moral foundations.
If you want to disagree, fine. But be sure as to do so intelligently and with the support of facts, not ignorant comments and videos.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^
We are living in an era in which news and information about a situation is needed right away. If there is a "dead period" in where we do not get updates, it makes everyone paranoid, anxious and vocal. With the prevalence of the 24 hour news channels, the internet, or any other medium in where information is a click away, I feel that the trends (such as trying to interpret every word that Brandon, RR, or any other person of importance has to say) will only get worse and we are kind of seeing a microcosm of this right here.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^
I get that Brandon is not making a move on RR's status, what I cannot understand is no word on changes on the defensive side of the ball. Unless he has been told otherwise, it seems like this would be a good time for RR to pull the plug on at least GERG and start searching for a replacement. It just does not make sense not to unless he is unable to make those changes at this point.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:49 PM ^
did you write this thread?
(Why did I add to it?)
crap...
December 1st, 2010 at 10:59 PM ^
It is also possible that DB has instructed RR the only way he keeps his job is to replace most if not all of the defensive staff. They may already have a new crew in mind but cannot talk about it because that group of coaches is also involved in bowl game preparations.
December 1st, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^
doesn't that mean we have to post the job for two weeks publicly before we can get Harbaugh? That kinda makes the situation tricky...
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:54 AM ^
No one outside Jim Harbaugh's office has a clue on whether he actually wants to come to Michigan. Ok, maybe Brandon. Can we just stop making posts that assume that Harbaugh will take command if he is presented the opportunity?
That is why this whole ordeal is tiresome to me.
December 2nd, 2010 at 7:21 AM ^
the correct response is, "Fuck you."
Other times it seems better to say, "Kiss my ass!"
However, here is where you have to be careful; because if you aren't paying close attention and let emotion get the better of you, it can end up, "Fuck my ass!"
Well, then you are just going to have to deal with the awkward silence.
December 2nd, 2010 at 8:58 AM ^
Why the delay? Better question is why the hurry?
Brandon has referenced doing what is best from a "big picture" perspective. And the big picture is that M has been playing football for over 100 years. Assuming that the Rodriguez era really does end up a failure, then what does it matter whether we endured 3 or 4 seasons of "unacceptable" won-loss records?
The big picture is that Brandon's legacy will depend disproportionately on his choices for head football coach.
The big picture is that Harbaugh (in fact, most coaches) will come whenever Michigan calls. I have little doubt that Harbaugh would pull a Kiffin-at-Tennessee to return to his alma mater.
The big picture is that the personnel of the current team is still very young and another year should see continued improvement. And given the attrition of the last regime change, could the team really risk a second wave of transfers in a single 4-year span and really expect improvement?
Big picture, the question shouldn't be why the delay? But really, what is the hurry?
December 2nd, 2010 at 9:06 AM ^
based on the fact that 1) DB has made up his mind and basically hired JH, while 2) RR has no clue this is happening.
That seems unlikely to impossible, so my guess is that (gasp!) DB is telling the truth as to evaluating the team after the bowl game.