Devin on the change in M culture: Harbaugh v. Hoke Semaj as example
This has nothing to do with the portal, so maybe it's OT (/s)
Devin and Sam today. Devin applauds JH essentially making Semaj appear on national TV. Just catch minutes 10-18 if you're pressed for time.
Summary:
1. Semaj spoke some questionable stuff last week.
2. JH likes the intensity, but also reins his player in: Cross the line a bit, but know just how far
3. JH puts Semaj on the national stage to give him an opportunity to prove he has learned something this week.
4. Every recruit in America should learn that JH wants you to be who you are, but be the best version of who you are.
5. (My summary) JH is crazy in all the ways we need him to be. And he has changed what it means to be a Michigan Man in a way that just might be a good thing.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:26 PM ^
Listened to that whole podcast. Sam/Devin couldn't hold it together they were laughing so hard on the absolute beautifully unpredictable cluster that is Semaj. That Harbaugh puts him out there sends a message to the entire recruiting universe that Michigan wants dawgs playing for championships on this team. The Hoke, gentile Michigan Man days are absolutely over.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
Are there enough quality Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. football players to field a great team?
December 4th, 2023 at 3:07 PM ^
There are. But Football haven't caught them yet. My son played in school, JV. Unfortunately, his built is not that of a football player's. They had a few "Indian" kids who were better suited. But they all drifted away to other sports/studies.
December 5th, 2023 at 7:55 AM ^
Now this is funny worthy of a +1 informative
December 5th, 2023 at 11:39 AM ^
We can be coached by Hayden Epstein and the ghost of Benny Friedman. All training table meals catered by Zingerman's.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^
Oy vey!
December 4th, 2023 at 5:14 PM ^
I’m sure that you meant that the team no longer exclusively embraces being genteel even if they are all gentiles.
December 4th, 2023 at 7:21 PM ^
I didn’t listen to the podcast but I always enjoy hearing former player perspectives, especially those from darker times. By all means, Hoke was his true authentic self like Harbaugh is and besides some questionable calls like the Shane Morris concussion fiasco, he was not a bad dude. He coached above his class and had some success here or there. The inevitable mediocrity finally showed up and everything lined up for Harbaugh’s return.
If one thing is for certain, it’s that the CFB coaching position is one of the hardest professions in the world and your mistakes are not only reviewed by a supervisor or board of directors once a year during a 1 hour meeting but weekly for 3-4 hours during the season and throughout the off season by hundreds of thousands of people. As long as you’re not a complete douche (Day, Franklin, Tuck), you should be able to find at least a few instances of respect for most coaches.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:28 PM ^
The discussion of Semaj had me in stiches.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
My teenage girls watched the interview live and they were like, "Ohhh, he's so cute and has good manners." I laughed at the irony, but then I thought about how important it is for people to have a chance to redeem themselves and showcase the best version of themselves.
December 4th, 2023 at 4:22 PM ^
Semaj's Fox interview with Jenny Taft @ 2:40. Harbaugh just marches him up to the mic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlQynxCMkmA
December 4th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
The sideline reporter getting smashed with this and still asking a reasonable question is impressive, not gonna lie.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
Do something good = airtime after the game
Donovan Edwards was this way too. Dude went from "worst interviewee I've ever heard" to "gives good soundbytes after eviscerating OSU"
Someone at Michigan is really really good at PR coaching. Even JJ, who started out great, has improved.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
Mikey sounds really polished as well. He ain't getting baited into saying anything disrespectful.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
Let’s all not forget Blake.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
Blake is smooooth.
Like, Head Coach smooth.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^
He will nail every job interview he goes on. Some NFL team is going to take him higher than the draft experts project because of his combine interview.
December 4th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^
Mikey sounds like a 10 year NFL vet ...dude has it down.
December 5th, 2023 at 3:31 AM ^
After Mike was on the Fox postgame show, Mark Ingram made a snappy remark like "the brother got some smooth words". Cringe worthy at the time, but another reason why I'm a huge Mike fan.
December 5th, 2023 at 2:22 PM ^
Quite impressive how all the guys have leveled up in their interviews. JJ sounds like a 5yr vet. Blake and Donovan went from boring interviews to now giving good soundbites. I love me some Kris Jenkins interviews, too, and think he needs more airtime. Mike Sainristil has a bright future--both in the NFL and in whatever comes after in life..he better never have to buy a drink/meal in Ann Arbor again. Will Johnson has good, unrattled confidence & poise--I hear him and go "yeah, that's the guy I feel confident putting on an island." This team has experienced leadership and it shows.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
Not gonna lie, I was a little nervous when Semaj appeared for the postgame interview.
Sherrone going to pieces after an emotional win is one thing. But Semaj dropping bombs after IOWA woulda been a bit cringey.
December 4th, 2023 at 4:17 PM ^
It took more guts for Harbaugh to put Semaj on national TV than it did for him to go for it on 4th and 7.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
I have been looking forward to hearing what Devin would say about Semaj after that incredible punt return. All year Devin has been saying the seniors need to keep him in check because he is way too good (for an freshman)and will get a big head. (In a joking way, nothing about off field things.)
December 4th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
There are a select few with savant-like focus in their desired field. You could say they are at the upper end of the spectrum. These individuals lead change.
Those unaccustomed to these gifts know not what they know.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
I’ve heard about the Semaj thing but can someone post the original thing he said and the follow up interview?
December 4th, 2023 at 3:48 PM ^
I'm not positive but I think he posted a something on Instagram talking a whole lot of shit to OSU maybe? If I'm remembering it right: warranted? Sure, why not. Fuck OSU and their soft coach. Should he have done it/does it make UM/JH look bad? Possibly.
EDIT: should have scrolled down further, other people have described it better than I did.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:43 PM ^
Sorry, I must have been asleep or something....what did Semaj do/say that was questionable?
December 4th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
Basically went on a profanity filled rant about how shitty everyone at OSU is.. And how Marvin Harrison Jr. is a little bitch.. etc etc. etc.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:55 PM ^
I thought he was talking about OSU defensive players? Wasn’t there also a #18 on defense?
December 4th, 2023 at 2:49 PM ^
He did a, live?, instagram video in the locker room after Ohio State. He did not hold back on his thoughts on some of their players.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
To me it was like Richard Sherman post-NFC endzone PBU vs Crabtree. Emotionally amped release.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:35 PM ^
Not great Bob.
But also, who was it that took that video and posted it? Not great judgement there either.
December 4th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
I don’t know. I am glad they posted it. And from what I hear, it’s pretty much what everyone in the locker room was thinking anyway.
December 4th, 2023 at 7:46 PM ^
That is hilarious when you see Harbaugh laughing when he shoves him in front of the camera here.
https://x.com/cfbonfox/status/1731174281072001533?s=46&t=NuYxj2YIMw_geg12KxUKow
December 4th, 2023 at 6:53 PM ^
Pretty sure Semaj himself took the video, haha.
December 4th, 2023 at 7:22 PM ^
Thanks for the link. I've been wondering what all the fuss was about. It sure puts a whole different perspective on JH walking him up to a live mic right after the B1G championship game. He is a great teacher: The best way to teach a freshman to be trustworthy is to trust him.
The video is, well...clearly the work of a very young man. He'll learn. He's got a great teacher. ;)
December 4th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
I saw that Hoke apologized for Semaj's comments last week!
/s
December 4th, 2023 at 3:41 PM ^
Too soon
December 4th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
For those wondering what Semaj did that was questionable, after The Game he posted a now-deleted video on social media (no idea which one, I'm too old for that shit) that was just dropping bombs on OSU. Fuck MHJ. Fuck McCord. Fuck Day. We beat y'all so you can't say nothin'. All the trash talk.
Next week, Jim is like "let's give this man a mic."
Edit: see video above
December 4th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
Did he really say their names? The only part I heard he was saying the numbers of the defensive starters and #18 (not sure if MHJ or also a number on defense?)
December 4th, 2023 at 3:00 PM ^
Maybe not. I'm unsure who #18 on D is for OSU, just assumed it was MHJ.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
He said "18 a bitch, 6 a bitch, Ryan Day a bitch!"
December 4th, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
Well....
I mean...not exactly a lie...especially that last one.
Ok, maybe just don't put it on video.
December 4th, 2023 at 2:59 PM ^
Harbaugh and Herbert out there building great men who, since they are also elite football talents, are also great football players.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
His interview was hilarious. I had no idea what to expect but when I saw coach rolling towards the fox reporter while she was mid interview with JJ, I was in buckle up mode. After he told Jenny that he hoped she had a nice day, I laughed out loud.
December 4th, 2023 at 3:14 PM ^
Hoke Semaj, is a commit?
December 4th, 2023 at 3:41 PM ^
Hoke Semaj delivered my Uber Eats order the other day I think.
December 4th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
Eh, grammar is overrated.
Let's eat grandma.
/s
December 4th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
I love Semaj, more Semaj please, don't let his guy disappear into our bottomless hole of unused slot bugs.