Former Michigan coach on The Big House: ‘It is more of a tennis crowd’
Sorry if this would be considered OT as he's not with UM anymore, but I found this take "interesting" from former linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary:
“I think the University of Michigan crowd — which is a good crowd, I am not going to say it is a bad crowd — it is more of a tennis crowd,” Jean-Mary said. “We have more of a gladiator stadium crowd at the University of Tennessee.”
While I cannot disagree for some games, especially the OOC stuff, the Big House can be a bit...ahem...quiet.
But all one has to do is watch 30 seconds of the Washington Game under the lights to know when it's ON, so is the Crowd!
I found his remarks REALLY interesting after the article reinforced this tidbit:
Really interesting caveat here: Jean-Mary has never coached a game with fans in The Big House. Hired in the offseason in 2020, he oversaw the linebacking corps in a year when fans were not allowed to attend games.
I know, not much in the way of trash talking - but for someone who never personally experienced the Big House with fans - he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Go Blue!
September 28th, 2021 at 8:53 PM ^
Dunno, I hear Milton would hang 50 on us if they did...
Honestly, I'd like to see him try. Maybe he could hang 50 passing yards on us, not sure.
September 28th, 2021 at 5:19 PM ^
I'm not going to say anything bad, says something bad.
September 28th, 2021 at 6:40 PM ^
What a jackass thing to say.....Well then I will share this... The only time i was at Neyland Stadium watching Tennessee play, I heard fans scream "catch the ball, N****** !" Etc using N word as if it were normal. I hope he doesn't experience that from the "gladiator" crowd. Jackass.
September 28th, 2021 at 7:58 PM ^
for what it's worth, there is actual data about peak, measured decibel levels. as of 2016, michigan stadium had the 10th highest measured level...neyland was 9th, although the article below doesn't make any distinction between people and livestock.
https://news.onecountry.com/lifestyle/loudest-stadiums-in-college-football/
September 28th, 2021 at 9:10 PM ^
Trying to distract from the tire fire of a program that you're currently hitched to? How much of that crowd is going to show up on your behalf when you're getting your doors blown off by Alabama and Georgia every single year?
Don't get me wrong, Michigan Stadium is hardly the most raucous environment in college football. I can easily think of ten stadiums that are louder. Probably more. But it can get pretty loud when it wants to.
September 28th, 2021 at 10:00 PM ^
While he's not one to know, I don't necessarily disagree with him. People complain about the boomers who don't stand or cheer all the time, so don't change your tune now when a former coach says something. And no, mentioning the Washington game doesn't change that. That was the best environment we've had in a long time and was an exception
September 28th, 2021 at 10:47 PM ^
Tenn used to have sellouts and crowds well in excess of 100K - not anymore. Not exactly a "rival" and what have they done since Phil left. Their last 10 win season was 14 years ago (2007) and they will not be seeing one this year either.
They are drawing crowds 70-80 K maybe expect when they play a good team where the visitors fans come in by droves.
September 28th, 2021 at 10:59 PM ^
Ok Mary
September 29th, 2021 at 1:01 AM ^
Fuck you Brian lol
September 29th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
Im prepared to get negged to death. That's just the type of place mgoblog is, but he's 100% right. I go to a Michigan game and a Tennessee game every year. Im going to the south Carolina game Columbus day weekend this year. My brother went to UT and it is night and day. Tennessee's crowd blows Michigan's out of the water. I've never been told to sit down at a Tennessee game because I'm blocking someone's view. I wish Michigan would get as loud because I think the crowd can swing a game.
September 29th, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
I will also be at that game. I agree UT can have good crowds but I don't think night and day different. I think the set up is different. The gradual slope of Michigan Stadium kind of removes the "crowd on top of you feel" that Neyland and other multie deck stadiums have. Having gone to several UT games over the last 8 years when they are losing that place is like a church. When they are winning it gets pretty hyped. Plus their pumped in music, especially for third downs is much much louder than anything Michigan is doing with pumped in music.
I will say UT fans are very passionate about their team but can get crazy negative like all fans bases.
Winning team = loud stadium Bad team = Not so much
September 29th, 2021 at 9:14 AM ^
Obviously "tennis crowd" is a variation on the notion of Michigan fans as an elitist “wine-&-cheese crowd.”
However, it hit me. His comment is a little elitist itself. How does that proponent of gladiatorial combat know what a tennis crowd is like? Does he—gasp!—watch tennis?