"Insider" rumblings Pettiti's near-term future is ominous as B1G AD

Submitted by Hail to the Vi… on November 15th, 2023 at 8:40 PM

I'll start first with the disclaimer: I cannot speak to the level of "credible insider" the reporter is; so until it becomes more substantiated by credible publications, it's best to assume this is just posturing/speculation.

Matt Broder is a former Michigan Baseball player and is now a beat reporter covering the Detroit Lions for Woodward Sports (I know, little to no credibility as a sports journalism outfit; it's Detroit Sports Radio that streams a YouTube channel). He had an interesting/cryptic tweet related to some significant, systemic changes anticipated from some within the Michigan Athletic Department:

While I'm not a huge fan of the way he teases these implications could suggest Harbaugh is in any real trouble of being removed from his HC position (he is about to sign a deal making him the highest paid coach in the B1G), it is the first piece of "credible" speculation I have seen from an actual reporter rather than message board posters and internet sleuths. Given Matt's history as a UM athlete and a credentialed member of the Detroit Sports media - albeit credentialed for the Detroit Lions, not UM - I thought it's at least plausible that some close to the situation have reason to believe Pettiti won't make it in his position through the balance of this year.

Segment below is his commentary on Ermani & Edwards sports talk radio show:

https://youtu.be/GrfzPF0CMaY?t=1740

 

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BoFan

November 15th, 2023 at 11:55 PM ^

It sounds like BS. 

The council of Presidents has to fire Pettiti. Why would they fire him if he was only doing what the majority asked him to do. Yes he turned out to be an idiot and over his head on non media matters.  But it seems unlikely they turn on him when he followed orders.

Could the council of Presidents decide that Pettiti is damaged goods and really doesn’t know what he is doing. And, to save the union and restore peace they offer Pettiti as a sacrificial lamb. That’s a possibility. I’ve seen that happen.  At the end of the day, if retaining Pettiti has a risk of lowering their long term revenue they will turn on him instantly.  

For Jim, the regents, president, and AD have hiring and firing authority.  And since every one knows Jim does his best to run a clean program and has zero connection to Stalions, it would be absolutely crazy to turn on him for any reason.  

Can the Big 10 put so much pressure on Michigan to force out Jim?  It’s not possible.  The regents would leave the Big10 and close the door in Pettiti’s face.  They would want to make sure they can claim the B10 breached the agreement and then can take their media rights with them.  If they can, they should be able to get more out of another conference with a pro-rata share vs the flat fee from the B10.  It’s all about money at the end of the day.  

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skifly

November 16th, 2023 at 7:55 AM ^

Are we sure that Pettiti actually did exactly what the mob wanted?  Given his already demonstrably weak leadership, it would make sense that he tried to split the baby here -- i.e. he administered a punishment that wasn't what the mob was after and weaker than what he initially discussed with Ono in the hopes that he could appease all sides.  If that's the case, predictably, now everyone's pissed.

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bluesparkhitsy…

November 16th, 2023 at 8:50 AM ^

A different but related question:  In the call where Pettiti reportedly was urged by member schools to go after Harbaugh, were the schools represented only by their ADs, or were presidents on the line as well?  I could see a scenario where ADs are ginned-up by what they think Michigan may've done but presidents are looking at the bigger picture and don't like where this is headed.

EDIT:  I put no weight behind the above rumor, to be clear.  But I am curious as to how certain university presidents may feel about what the Big Ten is doing here.

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Yinka Double Dare

November 16th, 2023 at 11:43 AM ^

Well, the mob wanted him to do something to Harbaugh that even the conference seems to have realized they didn't have the power to do. So the B1G tried to do something that likely still was outside their power but were able to put a fig leaf on it that has at least a chance of working, unlike an full-on suspension of Harbaugh. 

So maybe the mob is pissed, but the mob doesn't care about the rules, they just want blood.

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mgoblue78

November 16th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^

There might be a hint of what the other coaches and AD's wanted in the stated rationale from Pettiti that suspending Harbaugh wasn't punishing him, but punishing the program because he is the face of the program.

I'm willing to bet that there were at least some schools that were pressing for other penalties against the program, including but not limited to (i) barring Michigan from the B1G Championship Game and (ii) financial penalties - not just a fine, but a  forfeiture of at least some share of  TV revenue.

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ESNY

November 16th, 2023 at 9:42 AM ^

I can't imagine the Presidents were the screaming parties demanding Pettiti act on Harbaugh.

He gave in to a yelling mob of rivals rather than be rational about it and perhaps the Presidents see their cash cow conference taking serious collateral damage from an unqualified hack who appears to serious lack proper judgment

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Buy Bushwood

November 16th, 2023 at 8:53 AM ^

What a dumb tweet, some zero sum duel between Harbaugh Pettit-Wenie?  Petititi-Wenie can't fire Harbaugh, and has essentially zero power to affect Harbaugh's long-term position at Michigan.  So, it is unquestionably not a one-guy-wins-and-shows-the-other-guy-the-door scenario.  Just dumb.  

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