Dallas Crawford Update
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."
December 16th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
He didn't say that it had no effect on recruiting; he said that recruiting was a year-round event. If DB has someone lined up to coach after the bowl, and he fires RR now, that's a month out of the year that no one is recruiting. How does that go against what he said?
December 16th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
If he wants to be Michigan's coach he should be here now not wait another month. Unless, of course, he is a former player and alumnus that threw the program and academics under the bus. If it's him to hell with him.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^
Saban got crucified when he left MSU before their bowl game to go to LSU. RR got crucified when he left WVU before their bowl game. Maybe, this coach wants to start off on the right foot. Wouldn't that be something to have a coach with the media on his side?
December 16th, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
That may be the case in most circumstances for coaches leaving. JH wouldn't have to worry about the media being on his side, I think they would trip all over themselves jumping on the bandwagon. Anybody but RR.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:20 PM ^
But the coaching uncertainty is lurking no matter what DB does. No matter how forcefully he comes out and endorses RR, you're still getting negatively recruited just based on the last 3 years of results, and the uncertainty that persists. Furthermore, this tack makes it look like you're giving him one more chance, rather than evaluating objectively based on progress. Not really a stabilizing force IMO.
Negative recruiting is gonna happen this year no matter what DB does/doesn't do. I'm sure there is a lot going on that we don't know about, I'm just going to trust that he is approaching the situation the right way. IMO the only thing that can really restore confidence is a strong showing in the bowl game with a finally healthy and rejuvenated team.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^
If RR stays he will likely receive a contract extension in order to stop the crazy speculation about his job status. If RR goes Jim Harbaugh will undoubtedly be hired, and he will arrive fresh off an 11 win season, at worst, and continue his excellent recruiting prowess (a current class at Stanford which is better than MICH's) and secure an excellent class for MICH.
I don't get why people are worried. If these kids want to play for RR, they'll have their clarity within 3 weeks. If they want to de-commit because Harbaugh is the new coach, (a) they're being stupid because Harbaugh is a fantastic coach with NFL connections; and (b) Harbaugh will undoubtedly replace them with players eager to play for MICH, for Harbaugh, or for both.
Either way, the month of January will be fantastic for Michigan recruiting. Stop worrying, everyone.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:51 PM ^
December 16th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
Thank God for your wisdom and Knowledge, if it weren't for the intelligent bunch, we ignorant f**ks would be left to squander in our on shit.
Thanks for shining a light on our shortcomings.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^
This is your chance to chill the fuck out and be one of those knowledgeable posters to which he is referring or one of everyone else.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
One side : Brandon knows what he's doing, he must be right.
Other-ish side: It's POSSIBLE that waiting on a coaching decision could hurt recruiting.
One side is claiming that the strategy is practically infallible while others are simply questioning it. They are then criticized for talking with a foot in their mouth because they have no idea what David Brandon is thinking because we're not involved in the process, yet in the other hand will claim they know exactly what Brandon is thinking and that it's the right decision. Apparently knowledgeable is synonymous with ability to make arrogant assumptions.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
Really, the one side, the side that I'm on, is not saying DB is infalliable, they're (I'm) saying to chill out for 2 weeks instead of flipping out, and to trust that maybe DB knows more than we do. I'm saying I think there's a good reason he's doing what he's doing, and although I'm not exactly sure what that is, I'm willing to let the Earth continue to spin until I find out.
If the other-ish side was really just questioning his "decision" and saying it could possibly hurt recruiting, this thread would be 8 posts long. But your other-ish side, at least most of the people on that side, are saying "Fire DB, he's doing more damage to the team than RR ever did, there's no excuse for him to wait this long, our class is fucked. blah blah blah." That is not questioning anything, that is assuming they know the whole story and making a judgment on what hasn't already happened.
If someone said "I'm really not sure why we're waiting this long, but I'm interested to find out why and I'll voice my opinion on DB's decision once it happens" no one would be up in arms. But that's really not the way it's gone so far.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:38 PM ^
don't necessarily mean knowledgeable poster.
You can say whatever you want about RR, but the reality is there is very little quality talent that are RS seniors, seniors, and RS juniors. This is not his fault. He is in the process of building something here and has almost every significant piece back for next year. He has had two recruiting classes of his own and brought in some other players (Roundtree, Odoms, Shaw, Omameh, and Barnum) while keeping most of LC's last class (Martin, Stonum, Demens).
If you played sports in HS, how would you have fared as a freshman playing varsity football? This is where we are on defense due to reason beyond control (how excited was everyone over JT Turner's commit, Vlad not getting his speed back, some missteps with admissions) and only time is going to change that. Next year Woolfork will be an upgrade over Rogers. They have to replace Mouton (bad Mouton easy, good Mouton hard), and everyone else is back with a year's more experience and time with Barwis. Throw in at least 6 RS on D and this years recruiting class and competition should heat up.
My personal feeling is no coach can be truly judged until his first full recruiting class has finished their senior season. RR's are just finishing their sophomore season.
December 16th, 2010 at 6:00 PM ^
I agree with most all of this post (including your first sentence). I don't mean to say that I think RR needs to be fired. I'm pretty on the fence when it comes to who will be our coach next year, assuming JH and RR are the only options. I think both of them are good coaches who will succeed in AA. Let it be known I certainly don't want RR to go if it's not for JH. I'm completely OK with giving RR his 4th year as well.
My stance is more about DB's methods than about who he ends up picking. Because I think he'll probably pick JH, I'm less upset about the wait. I think a lot of the people mad at DB for waiting to announce aren't actually mad about the wait, but more about who they think he'll pick. This is a valid concern, but one that's not being vocalized well, IMO.
December 17th, 2010 at 1:51 PM ^
I was just playing off of the distinction that he made between knowledgeable posters (who sit back and wait for facts before they criticize) and the people who freak out over nothing. The knowledgeable posters aren't the ones who have the most points; they're the ones who know that complaining about something before it even happens is ridiculous, especially when the event never actually happens. Like Dee Hart committing to Auburn. Like Dee Hart committing to Bama. Like Dallas Crawford openning up his recruitment. Like no recruits being willing to commit until they know who the coach is. The only bad thing that has actually come out of this so far is the Sousa decommit, which no one freaked out over, because he was most likely going to be a career backup.
Whether RR is kept is beside the point. The argument is based on DB waiting 5 weeks to make/announce the decision and how it is hurting us. Well, it hasn't. So, sit back, calm down, and wait until the press conference to find out the facts before you make any judgements.
BTW, it's Woolfolk. Folk. F-O-L-K. WoolfoLk.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
"knowledgeable posters" present company excluded?
December 16th, 2010 at 1:56 PM ^
well said, jg... These are the kind of posts that earn people MGoProfile invitations.
See what I did there...?
December 16th, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^
If they want to de-commit because Harbaugh is the new coach, (a) they're being stupid because Harbaugh is a fantastic coach with NFL connections;Oh I get it. They're stupid because they want to do something with which you disagree.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:06 PM ^
I wonder if a contract extension is possible without having ever beaten a Big Ten team that finished the season above .500 in the conference, let alone Ohio State.
But I do agree with your basic premise, which is that Brandon is going to try to do something to tamp down the uncertainty for the immediate future. Maintaining the status quo just extends the uncertainty another year. A different approach would be to announce that Michigan will honor the rest of Rich's contract, and the next evaluation of the football program will come after the regular season in 2012. The head coach either gets a new, long-term contract at that point or he's gone. No more in-between.
Finally, here's one other probable reason why Brandon is holding off: the best thing that can happen for Michigan Football and its recruiting right now is to beat Mississippi State. The best way to do that is maintain the current coaches and allow the team to focus on preparation.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:45 PM ^
There is more to life than playing for a coach with NFL connections. Like playing for a coach you've personally bonded with.
Face it -- if you're a four-star recruit, most schools want you. You choose the school you want to go to. People need to get their heads out of their asses and realize that these kids have choices, and a big part of their choice is playing for someone they trust and respect. If they trust and respect Harbaugh more than any other coach out there, then they'll stay. If there's another coach they trust and respect more, they'll leave. That's why coaching changes can be disruptive.
People who think a Harbaugh hire wouldn't be disruptive are on crack.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
I didn't say it wouldn't be disruptive, or that it wouldn't be, but it wouldn't be bad, especially not for recruiting or for public relations surrounding Michigan.
Wayne Lyons, for example, has Stanford and Michigan in his final five.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:06 PM ^
December 16th, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^
I agree 100%. People who want something done now before the bowl game are short sighted and don't understand the long term consequences of DB's decisions.
Besides, how many recruits have ACTUALLY decommitted? Oh wait, that would be ZERO.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^
What difference does it make if David Brandon says on December 16th that "Rich Rodriguez will be our coach in 2011" or if he says "Rich Rodriguez is going to be fired and we're starting to look for a new coach"?
Rodriguez is on the hot seat, whether David Brandon says right now that Rodriguez will return in 2011 or if he waits until early January.
Rodriguez might be fired, whether David Brandon says so right now or says it in early January.
The end result will be the same. The kids know Rodriguez is on the hot seat even if they stick with Michigan and he returns in 2011. They know that he could be gone after their freshman year, regardless of what David Brandon says. They'll either stick with Michigan after January 2nd (or whenever Brandon makes his announcement), or they won't. There's no reason to fret about it.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
Will people please just cut-n-paste Magnus' response when this "stuff" recirculates during the next three weeks.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:12 PM ^
R. Lee Ermey is right, if RR is retained, he is still on the hot seat and that is not changing regardless of the bowl game. And at this point, we are pretty close to the dead period anyway.
I can understand the frustration with DB right now, no one wants to see us losing committed recruits. Just have to be patient and we will have our answer soon enough.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
The difference is in perception of recruits. Perception impacts the recruit's decisons.
DBs uncertainty begets fan uncertainty which grows into speculation and then increases the uncertainty of recruits. Marginally, you say, but decisions like these can be made at the margins. Increased uncertainty is bad.
You can point to any one factor that influences recruiting and call it a trivial matter of little importance. But at some point SOMETHING differentiates one school from another. It may be weather, academics, football records, coach relationships, etc...or it may be coaching staff certainty.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^
But our likely #1 RB next year has lost 4 months of time that he could get acclimated to college life.
It might not matter in the end, but it also might. Certainly it would be better to have Hart on campus in January than not.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
I've been trying to say this for weeks, but you put it much more succinctly.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^
a mere re-affirmation of RR's status post-bowl game will be sufficient for recruiting purposes. Won't DB have to give RR an extension along with the dreaded vote of confidence? Otherwise, this will just be self-perpetuating, with the same questions about RR status being asked by the Class of '12 recruits starting February 2011, no?
December 16th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^
I agree with an earlier comment -- STOP WORRYING ABOUT DEE HARD AND OTHER COMMITS regarding the coaching change. Just STOP.
This isn't the Lakers. You don't make a coaching change (or not) based on the feelings of one or two 17 or 18 yr olds who aren't even on the team yet. The issue is the long-term future of the program, not this year's class.
If no change is made, RR gets extension, we look better to recruits (although he is still on the "hot seat" anyway). If Jim is the new coach, we maybe lose a few recruits (and, yes a potential 5*), but, he might sway some kids who aren't even on our radar yet (think: Roy Roundtree), maybe pluck some from the Stanford class, etc -- you just don't know. Personally, if Harbaugh comes in, then Dee Hart might not be the prototypical runningback he'll want, even if he keeps the spread with Denard at QB / omniback / "back" or whatever position the electorate thinks he plays. Got me, I have no basis to know.
DB has made his bed, he's waiting until January, so stop worrying about it. Or, better, if you're worrying about it, keep it to yourself.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^
For all the problems that people blame on RR. I think DB is doing way more damage to our program than RR has ever done.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
what?
December 16th, 2010 at 3:04 PM ^
FIRE DAVE BRANDON!!!!!!!1!!!!!!
December 16th, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
I think you should step back and keep perspective. Brandon has done a lot of positive things, and virtually the ONLY "negative" thing (as some of you see it) is this whole "I'm going to wait until after the bowl game to make my assessment."
Meanwhile, Rodriguez himself has been around for a few years and his coaching, hiring decisions, recruiting, and personnel decisions are largely the reason that he's on the hot seat in the first place.
But never mind all that. Brandon MUST be doing more damage than Rodriguez BECAUSE DAMMIT A COUPLE RECRUITS MIGHT GET THEIR FEELINGS HURT AND GO ELSEWHERE.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^
and putting Michigan and Ohio State in different divisions
December 16th, 2010 at 3:46 PM ^
All of the other things DB has done are secondary. Just as Martin will be judged by the Rrod hire more than any other decision, DB should be judged by this decision. So far, the indecision makes him look bad and is hurting this program. In the end, if Harbaugh is hired, no harm no foul. It may be worth taking these hits if DB views Harbaugh as the ultimate prize. But if DB keeps Rrod and even signs him to an extension, there will be no excuse for this delay. He could have done those things the day after Ohio St.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:51 PM ^
In your best case scenario - Harbaugh, DBs job is still to do whats best for Michigan. This means getting Harbaugh into the HC position ASAP. If playing in a BCS bowl as Stanford's coach means that much to him, he isn't the right man for the job. The right man knows he's going to BCS bowls as Michigan's head coach. You don't sacrifice a month of recruiting for that.
In either the RR or the JH case, the indecision is damaging. Theres just no question. It may not be VERY damaging, we have no way to know what the alternate reality may look like, but it is certainly not helping.
This is a CHOICE that DB is making to not help the program.
It's valid to say "Its not a big deal, whats a couple recruits on the margins compared to the HC decision" but you can't with a straight face say it has no impact whatsoever.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:34 PM ^
OK Mat. Let's say DB has decided, as the leader of our athletic department, that JH is the best man for the job. Now, let's say JH says, "I owe it to my kids to coach them in the biggest game that most of them have ever and will ever play in. It would be bad form for me to quit on them before that. I'll take the job starting Jan 4th." Both of those are quite likely to have happened.
Now, if DB says, again assuming he thinks JH is the best man for the job, "Sorry Jim, we absolutely need you to to coach us during the month of December, so I'm going with RR or someone else" then I would absolutely want him fired. That's ridiculous.
Luckily, that's not what he's doing. I don't think he's waiting just for the hell of it. He has a plan, but none of us know exactly what that is. Depending on how it plays out, we might never actually know. But your suggestion of "Get JH immediately or not at all" is seriously, completely, unequivocally, batshit stupid. Also, pretty dumb.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
I think what you said of JH is admirable. But, what about the kids that he will be coaching and his new job. Does he owe it to them as well to give them all his attention. We do need him to start working with the team ASAP if he is thinking about switching offensive philosophies.
As for DB, I agree if he thinks JH is the best candidate, he really doesn't have anything else he can do if that is what JH wants. Since everything is kept so secret and no leaks, I hope he has had time to critique other candidates to find out JH is the best.
Of course this is all speculation that DB has already talked to JH and made up his mind.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
Belief does not equal truth. Even for your revered "leader". I don't take DB's beliefs as unassailable truths. I don't really care what DB thinks either, I care that he acts in a manner that is correct (i.e. in the best interests of the program).
If JH is the one making the demands in this negotiation then I don't have a great deal of faith in DB as a negotiator. Particularly since he caved on OSU-Michigan. If the BCS game means that much to Harbaugh then Michigan doesn't mean enough to him. If DB buys that weak bullsh lines about "bad form" "owe it to the kids" then he is a fruitcake. What about what you'll owe to the kids at Michigan? Does he not owe THEM his full efforts going forward. A Michigan Man will coach Michigan - isn't that the presumed idea w/ JH anyway? How is "OK, you can be a Michigan Man after you're done doing your Stanford thing" an acceptable response by our athletic director?
It seams you're making some big assumptions (DB is right. DB has a plan that is worth following. JH is coming. JH really really loves Stanford, but he'll love Michigan even more in a couple weeks). It all boils down to faith in DB that really hasn't been earned at all. Its blind optimism in a savior.
I agree that we may never know the thinking, even after the fact.
I'll refrain from saying "no, your ideas are stupid" because you've commented logically enough on here many times. I'll just use the word misguided. Naive and overly trusting were other candidates.
December 16th, 2010 at 6:00 PM ^
If DB buys that weak bullsh lines about "bad form" "owe it to the kids" then he is a fruitcake. What about what you'll owe to the kids at Michigan? Does he not owe THEM his full efforts going forward.
What is this bullshit? The Michigan players are able to play in a bowl game without distractions. Maybe, just maybe, the Stanford coach also wants to guide his team in the BCS bowl he has led them to? The next two weeks are a recruiting dead period, so in the grand scheme of things, they are pretty meaningless.
Like people have said many times in this thread.....how about we wait until the process is complete before beginning a giant bitchfest about what "might happen"?
December 16th, 2010 at 6:07 PM ^
Whats at stake (besides the HC job, arguably) with a win or a loss in the Gator Bowl? Warm fuzzies? That pales in comparison to the potential recruiting impact, practices, program organization, player evaluations, etc that could be taking place throughout december.
The last few weeks were NOT a recruiting dead period. And if you think recruiting doesn't still happen through backchannels you're probably naive.
What might happen, I can't speak to, but what IS happening IS HAPPENING. right now. The world doesn't stop because DB is being indecisive.
No one is having a giant bitch session. People are pointing out that its damaging. Its the people who are trying to deny that - thats who I'm arguing with.
My question to the "lets just wait" crowd is:
Wait for what?
What will change that alters the impacts of DB's decision? Wether is JH or RR recruiting is being, to some degree, hurt. The program can't move forward until things are decided. Doesn't mean its moving backward, or crippling, or whatever, but its probably not a good thing.
December 16th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^
Do you honestly think DB hasn't given a response because he's being "indecisive?" Because if that's who you view this, then I have nothing to say because we just disagree on a major facet of this discussion. I think he's waiting intentionally, not because he hasn't made up his mind. If you disagree that he should wait, that's another issue, but since we don't know why he's waiting, it's hard to say you disagree with why he's waiting.
If you think he isn't waiting, but he just can't make up his mind despite having enough information to do so, then you and I are not anywhere near the same page.
December 16th, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^
Its pretty baffling. Either its a new head coach or DB is stubborn to stick to his defined timeline. Or...something else. I don't understand it. I can't see any reason why waiting is a good idea, which is why I have a negative view toward DBs approach here. It seems like being indecisive, but maybe you're right - maybe it is waiting around for some new coach.
"waiting intentionally, not because he hasn't made up his mind"
What does Michigan gain by waiting? If it is a new head coach, isn't Florida's quick response method much more effective?
If you're wrong, and Harbaugh isn't the HC in January, would you then say DB made a mistake?
December 16th, 2010 at 8:40 PM ^
HI can't see any reason why waiting is a good idea, which is why I have a negative view toward DBs approach here.how many times does it need to be said? I've seen it laid out here in this very thread at least ten times already. There are at least two scenarios in which it would be wise to wait.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^
I am gonna buy you and your friends a beer when I come to SoCal. I enjoy reading your posts.
If the LA is Louisiana, I'll buy you all two.
Harbaugh is the guy we need and we are very lucky to have the connection that could make it happen. Other schools with vacancies can forget about it. The guy is the hottest name out there not because of myth or false analysis by observers. He is the hottest name because of results.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
Thank you Nate, it's Los Angeles. You can bring that surfer babe in your avatar with you, if you'd like.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^
Brandon is thinking long term and will base his decision on long term. He took the job to fix football. It is near and dear to him.
The Rodriguez must stay crowd can likely count on one thing: If he does stay it will be unequivocal and long term, at least publicly. Otherwise, no defenseive coordinator worth having would take the job with a lame duck coach installed.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:54 PM ^
Literally NOTHING has happened yet other than a couple kids saying "Umm, yeah, I might look elsewhere." Every single prior commit is still committed (except a couple guys who were going to disappear anyway).
David Brandon should be "judged by this decision"? You mean the decision to wait until the season's over to make a personnel decision? A decision in which he might decide to keep the status quo or he might choose to go in a different direction?
Some of you people need to "judge" things so quickly, before things even play out, that it clouds your own perspective and judgment. You demand action and repercussions right this instant. Just let the damn thing happen. This could be the greatest thing to ever happen to Michigan. It could be the worst.
I have no damn clue why so many people are bitching about this on December 16th, like they know the outcome and it's going to be terrible. I know you feel like you're going to die if David Brandon doesn't call you up personally and tell you his decision by 8:00 p.m. this evening, but trust me, you will live until January 2nd or 3rd or 4th to see how this ends.
The world is not ending.