Dallas Crawford Update

Submitted by icefins26 on

I just stumbled on this article about how he may reopen his recruitment (FWIW, Rivals has an article up):

http://www.news-press.com/article/20101216/SPORTS01/12160405/1010/SPORT…

Crawford, who has verbally committed to Michigan but grew up a Miami Hurricanes fan, said Miami's new coaching hire and rumors surrounding the Wolverines coaching staff could leave the door open for him to resume taking offers."I may open back up. Not decommit," said Crawford, who said Southern California has gotten in touch. "I don't know anything right now."

I know this was rumored a few days ago.

EDIT:  also in the article:

North defensive linemen Aaron Lynch and Jimmy Stewart of Island Coast got their first looks at South quarterback Dallas Crawford of South Fort Myers."He's fast," Lynch said. "He's probably the best I've ever seen."

BlockM

December 16th, 2010 at 1:22 PM ^

It's starting to get ridiculous?

It was either ridiculous or it wasn't the moment that DB said he wouldn't be making a decision until after the bowl game. Nothing has changed since then.

Steve Lorenz

December 16th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^

The escalation with these commits starting to question those commitments should send some kind of signals to our athletic department that maybe they're not going about this in the correct manner. Still can't figure out how a bowl game is going to answer any more questions that might be out there. 

Steve Lorenz

December 16th, 2010 at 1:38 PM ^

I don't totally disagree with this, but it still doesn't explain the prolonged wait? Other schools haven't had problems making coaching changes before bowl games. We're losing commitments at positions of need and potentially losing more, yet nothing changes from the AD. I give him credit for sticking to his word but what's the cost going to be after the Gator Bowl when Crawford is a Hurricane and Hart is a Gator (hypothetically and among others)? 

BostonWolverine

December 16th, 2010 at 1:49 PM ^

The only commit we've lost is Sousa. And that doesn't sound a whole lot like it was DB's fault. My guess is the wavering ones will get resolved somewhere in the vicinity of Jan. 2. In the meantime, hypotheticals are as useful as Denard's shoelaces.

joeyb

December 16th, 2010 at 2:57 PM ^

What if Harbaugh is coming here, but said it had to be announced after the bowl game? Is it better to have a 5 week waiting period with or without a coach? Is it better to play a bowl game with or without a coach? Is it easier to attract recruits with or without a coach? I'm guessing that Brandon has his reasons for waiting and I highly doubt he hasn't made a decision yet.

WolvinLA2

December 16th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^

That's actually a valid point, but a whole different discussion.  Because no decision has been made, the people who are mad at DB are mad simply because they don't like the way he's coming to his decision, without even knowing what the decision is. 

Now, once the decision is made, and you don't like it, that's a new discussion altogether.  If DB made all the correct moves to get Harbaugh, but you just didn't want Harbaugh, then can voice that at that time.  But until we know what the decision is, we really can't fault DB for how he's going about making it. 

I have a strong feeling, however, that if JH is our coach in Jan 4th, there will be far more M fans in favor of it than against it.

joeyb

December 16th, 2010 at 5:20 PM ^

In the scenario I provide, there are three options, as far as I see it.

1) Fire RR and wait 5 weeks to announce Harbaugh.

2) Fire RR and announce that Harbaugh is our next coach, which might backfire and cause Harbaugh to not come here.

3) Keep RR on to help us win a bowl game and keep as many recruits in place until Harbaugh gets here. This requires a lie about why he is waiting.

So, he can either be incompetent, a (possibly incompetent) liar, or a competent liar. I'll take the competent one.

Blue in Seattle

December 16th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^

David Brandon has said he's waiting to begin evaluating the coach when the season is over.  He hasn't stated anything about what the result of the evaluation will be, since in the words that did come out of his mouth, he hasnt' even started yet.  Which means even he doesn't know.

There is no lying going on.  There is just the lack of a review, because it's not time for a review.

Out of all the possibilities of the review, many people have foolishly decided the result is to fire Rich Rodriguez and hire Jim Harbaugh.

I admit that's still a possibility our of all the possibilities, but there is no evidence at all it's likely.

Yes, this part is painful.  We are witnessing what's it's like to be a child of a determined parent who can only teach the lesson through patience and a commitment to their belief.

The long term lesson is that every Athletic Team at the university will get to finish their entire season without any drama about a "change".  They will be measured on the results of their complete season, which of course has to be over to complete.

Now I don't see anywhere that this means David Brandon can't act any time he needs to in making a decision.  If Rich Rodriguez drove Denard out to a bunch of bars one night and was pulled over for a DUI, I'm pretty sure a decision would be make quickly.

The other thing everyone forgets, that was a clear statement from David Brandon, as recorded in the Crain article that started all of this, was that he uses more than Wins and Losses as things to consider during his evaluation.  And for me, the only thing I don't like about what Rich Rodriguez has done is only get to 7-5 this year.  Every other aspect of how he has managed the team, built recruiting pipelines, lead by example in his activities outside of football, etc. has been done extremely well.  OR there is no other reason to fire him except, "I don't like that we lost to Michigan State because my friend at work won't stop teasting me"

Now, yes, recruits are stating, "hey I only want to go to Michigan if Rich Rodriguez is my coach".  But these are only some recruits, (go back and read TomVH yourself to find the other recruits who state, "I want to go to Michigan because it's Michigan") and they haven't yet enrolled at another University.  So what has really happened in the past few weeks where Brandon has stated nothing?

From my point of view, all that is happened is that they completely fabricated stories that Journalists are calling "reporting" these days are getting fewer and farther between, and readership has moved on to other topics where facts actually exist.

For me, I find the psychology of what David Brandon is doing very interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens next to the rats in the maze when they can't find their cheese next week.  Will they remember that they will get now cheese until Jan 2, or will they again squeak loudly about "the unfairness of the universe", and "will someone please think about the children who want to commit to Michigan"

it's enthralling, really it is, way better than "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"

I have no idea why my wife watches that crap.

aaamichfan

December 16th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^

There is still a month between Jan 1 and NSD for the coaches to firm up commitments. It's not like anything happening in the meantime is binding. 

 

This is all just noise.

Steve Lorenz

December 16th, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^

It is technically noise, but when you continue to see these types of articles popping up, it's hard as a fan to not want to see something resolved soon before the class breaks apart, which is possible. 

Magnus

December 16th, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^

Well, it's a good thing that coaches, players, and school administration are all more important than what the fans want.  We are observers, not included in the process.  Just sit back and watch instead of feeling like you're a part of it.

jg2112

December 16th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^

How about you abstain, rather than absolve?

Seriously, if you want Michigan to be coach-less right now, or have Greg Robinson as the interim coach because RR was dismissed and Barwis, Smith, Tall and Frey followed him out the door, along with a number of RR recruits, then your admonition for David Brandon to make up his mind right now makes perfect sense. Also, if you'd like David Brandon to have Jim Harbaugh reject the Michigan job a la Les Miles in 2007, then firing Rich Rod right now is a splendid decision.

If, however, you'd prefer for the team to have its full complement of coaches, for RR to finish out the season, and for Stanford to be allowed to prepare for a very, very big bowl game without intermeddling by David Brandon, then just be patient. January 4th is not far away at all. If a commit, or a fan, can't wait 21 days to see whether RR or JH is the coach, well, get a hobby.

Maize and Blue…

December 16th, 2010 at 5:05 PM ^

almost immediately as to RR's return or a contract has already been agreed to be a new coach.  There will be less than a month for recruiting and it must fall in with this schedule:

  • December 20-January 3: Dead Period (staff may have contact with recruits who have been admitted for mid-year enrollment)
  • January 9: Quiet Period
  • January 10-13: Dead Period (staff may have contact with recruits who have been admitted for mid-year enrollment)
  • January 30: Quiet Period

    January 31-February 3: Dead Period. [Note: Feb. 3 is "national signing day," the first day that recruits can sign a National Letter of Intent for their school of choice.]

    To EE's it would be nice to know who their coach is going to be.  How valuable would it be to have Dee enroll early get to work with Barwis and go through spring ball?  To those possible recruits looking for a new destination because of a coaching change it would be important to know who the coach is going to be. 

    I can hear RR now, "Hey "big time recruit" sorry you had to go through that coaching change at Miami.  I would love to have you come to Ann Arbor for a visit so we can offer you a scholarship."  "Big time recruit", "But, coach are you still going to be there if I come."  RR, "Good point, nevermind."

    Maize and Blue…

    December 16th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^

    this class will fall apart.  The instate guys will stay committed, but I doubt if many of the others do.  Unfortunately, a three star in Michigan where HS football is weak is not a three star in the talent rich states.

    It may fall apart even if RR is retained because of DB's timeline.  As EEs chose other schools and players like Cooper walk away because of the coaching termoil.  We can't even take advantage of the firings at other schools.

    jg2112

    December 16th, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^

    Disagree. I doubt that (a) many people would back out of a commitment to Michigan if RR was gone and Jim Harbaugh took over (gee, I don't want to play for a coach with NFL connections and history, who just went 11-2 or 12-1, and had players as Heisman finalists two years in a row); or that (b) Harbaugh wouldn't put together a fantastic 2011 class with the remaining month before NSD. After all, his current class is better than that of MICH.

    WolvinLA2

    December 16th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^

    Well, that's all part of the gig.  And maybe you're right, but maybe that something that makes JH more attractive, that he'll likely get less negative press.

    But I think there's no doubt JH is and will be a great recruiter.  He was a star college football player for Michigan and had a long NFL career with multiple teams.  His brother is a current NFL head coach and between the two of them they know just about every coach in the NFL, assistants included.  JH's assistants usually have NFL ties as well.  For the guys we're recruiting with NFL aspirations (likely almost all of them), this is very attractive.

    In addition to that, JH has fielded successful college football teams, and he has had two Heisman finalists in as many years (were they both runners-up?).  Playing for Jim Harbaugh you are in good position to have team success, individual success and set up well for the NFL.  Couple that with the winningest program in NCAA history and that's an attractive sell to recruits.

    jblaze

    December 16th, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^

    If I were a top recruit to Michigan, and I thought Brady Hoke may replace RR, I would de-commit too.

    Our only hope is that DB makes a decision ASAP and RR or JH can get these kids to re-commit.

    Captain Obvious

    December 16th, 2010 at 1:35 PM ^

    DB told me that the delay has no effect on recruiting!  If I were RR or someone that mattered (and actually had a premium subscription) I would just forward articles to DB all day talking about the negative effects his inaction is having on our recruiting...just to show him how amazingly stupid his comment was re: recruiting.

    Our (arguably) top 2 commits are on the verge of looking elsewhere or already are.  The dozens of comments from current players, commits and prospects talking about how they don't want RR gone or (with commits and prospects) how Michigan will no longer be on their list in RR leaves.  The numerous top targets that have scratched Michigan or committed elsewhere, some citing the coaching uncertainty as their explicit reason for dropping us.  Compare this to the sparse comments received from recruits that the coach doesn't matter--which may or may not be genuine, Dee said similar things re: committing to the school rather than the coach--and it's pretty damn obvious that there's an effect.

    Sure, some may be re-swayed in our direction by whoever the coach is in the 3-4 weeks they will have to throw something together.  But it's a hell of a lot easier to get an initial committment than to force a kid to decommit somewhere and come to Michigan.  And the coach sure as hell won't have a lot of time to do so.  As we have seen, many will not risk waiting till the last second to commit somewhere, for fear of other schools filling up at their position.

    Thanks DB!

    Captain Obvious

    December 16th, 2010 at 1:47 PM ^

    because that's precisely what I was suggesting we do.  Fail.

    DB has the information he needs to make a decision and could have made one in a way that doesn't damage recruiting nearly as much.

    By the way, having a subpar recruiting class or one filled with attrition haunts the program for years to come.  Do we want to have some classes with very few seniors again in 4 years, whoever is the coach?  I don't.  It's not something that can be dismissed out of hand like so many are willing to do.

    jg2112

    December 16th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^

    So, you think it's better to have the team prepare for a bowl game without its head coach or a number of assistants ( I can think of at least 4 that would leave the second RR was fired ), and that it's good to prepare for a bowl when many of the players are thinking of maybe transferring?

    And, you don't think giving RR a contract extension, or hiring Jim Harbaugh the first week of January, won't have a galvanizing, positive effect on recruiting WHEN IT IS NEEDED THE MOST, THE MONTH BEFORE SIGNING DAY?

    Thank goodness you aren't Athletic Director.

    NoNon

    December 16th, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^

    ...of the current players on the roster who may leave if Rodriguez is gone.   Decommiting recruits are an inevitable result of any coaching change in any program (i.e. Florida, Miami, PItt right now) but there is just as much concern for potential transfers.

    I sincerely hope Brandon takes EVERYTHING into consideration.  Until then, though, there's not much fans can do except wait it out.