January 4th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
It is a much more desirable job than before Harbaugh came.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
From laughing stock to top ten program at a minimum? Yeahhh, I'd say so.
January 4th, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^
It's also because of the conference alignments that have taken place since he hired on. The B1G and SEC are now the 2 premier conferences. The fact that Nebraska after a long drought got an established name shows where things are headed.
January 5th, 2023 at 7:41 AM ^
We’re now a top 3-5 college job. When Hoke left, not so much. Love Harbaugh but seeing JJ fling it around like a Stroud makes me ask, where the hell that’s been all season. Our personnel currently allows any new coach to pick what offense they’d like to run. Power spread, air raid, nothings off the table. Just no RR BS please.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
It's easily a top 5 college coaching job. Michigan is a destination program and it is stacked with talent to win now. Anyone not at the other top 5-10 programs would love to have the Michigan job.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
It also requires a lot more effort to win at Michigan than most other top programs though. Michigan does not have the benefit of being in the south and they're clearly not willing to break the rules or even bend them slightly to gain an advantage in recruiting. I think those 2 things would be enough to drive away some coaches, not that those kinds of coaches would be desirable.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
Aside from Alabama and Georgia I don't really think that is true. Think about the murderers row that teams like LSU and Tennessee have to beat to get into the Playoff. Unless Penn State is having an undefeated season it is basically beat OSU and you are in at Michigan.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
I think the "murderers row" changes from year to year. I don't know how good Tennessee and LSU will be next year. Is Joe Milton the answer, and that defense wasn't very good this year, LSU loses a lot.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
Can we stop with this stupid narrative? NIL is legal. Nobody will stop a donor from being a bagman anymore
the southern schools aren’t “cheating”. We are purposely playing the game with one hand behind our backs
January 4th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
Username checks out
January 4th, 2023 at 12:35 PM ^
What's happening is not NIL.
What's happening is Enticement disguised as NIL.
The Southern schools ARE cheating as well as a couple of close BIG schools.
Fake NIL as I like to call it is being used as the front to yeah, break the law....
January 4th, 2023 at 1:56 PM ^
There are no rules which means there is no cheating. Michigan has chosen to self-impose rules that they believe are in their best interest. Those rules are different than some other schools and certainly place the athletic department at a disadvantage in the immediate future when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent.
But telling a player "I will pay you X amount of money to play here" is not illegal or against any rules that the NCAA has any sort of standing to enforce.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
I really, strongly want Harbaugh to stay and think he's by far the best option.
But what he did this year after last year, making the team better despite losing multiple first rounders, significantly improves the outlook for the program long-term in the eyes of others. Last year *could* be questioned as a one-time thing, but not after this year.
And this team has the roster to contend for a national title. That is *very* attractive. The nagging other issues? A coach can figure on working on that stuff. A lot easier to work on that stuff when you're set up to contend for B1G titles and playoff bids right away.
January 4th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
I would say based on recruiting ability and fan support:
1. Georgia
2. OSU
3. LSU
4. Texas
5. OU
6. Michigan
January 4th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
No Bama?
January 4th, 2023 at 4:18 PM ^
Jeez thats embarrassing, I'd probably say between LSU and Texas.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
One of the best jobs in all of Football. With a pre-season top 5 team coming back. I would imagine there would be considerable intrest from coaches at the highest level.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
"Surprised" could mean a whole lot in this context. Not all of them pleasant.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
In the context of wanting the job, I don't think the context is really an issue. Would you be surprised if "bad" coaches wanted the job? So no, I think you are conflating things.
January 4th, 2023 at 1:23 PM ^
The bigger question is, are any of the surprises actually worth pursuing? Like, "Jimbo Fisher is interested in the Michigan position" would be surprising and not in a bad way, but that doesn't mean I want to pull the trigger.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
That's kind of why I feel like, stay or go, let's get this show on the road because Brady Hoke isn't going to be walking through those doors. There are really good coaches that would leave very good situations for the Michigan job.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
The only question about this is would Warde Manuel pull the trigger on an outside coach, or go for the safe hire internally?
I have little faith in Warde's ability to sack up and go outside the program on a career defining hire. Basketball, hockey, and lacrosse are not equal to football at Michigan.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
I just don't think they have anybody on staff with the experience necessary to be a legitimate candidate to be the Michigan head coach. If he is going to do that I say just give it to Mike Hart. The name recognition is there and if nothing else, he will give 150% to the job because he does not operate any other way.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Effort is awesome but it doesn't guarantee success. If it did Hoke would be compared with Saban.
I don't see anything of great distinction on Hart's CV.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
What specifically has Warde Manuel done - or not done - that causes you to doubt that he would make a good decision on behalf of the football program should he need to do so?
January 4th, 2023 at 12:42 PM ^
Fair question... Specifically, nothing. Non-specifically, I just don't see him as the out-front person that's able to take control and get big things done without someone holding his hand. The only time he's ever been out front of something was in admonishing Harbaugh after he called out the refs in 2016. He was part of the 2017 medical upgrade tour with Harbaugh leading the way (after Purdue gave a neck injury victim a ride to the hospital in the front seat of a panel van).
I also don't think he has the charisma, or personality, to walk into a room of peers and own it - let alone the ability to own the room against a type 1 personality, successful, head coach on a peer level with Harbaugh.
He's a good athletics director and a competent administrator. I believe the other AD's respect him enough to give him some wins (home/away rival scheduling, for instance), but wouldn't follow him into battle against the Commish (pick your own battleground topic).
Football coaches at a place like Michigan are different than the coaches in the other sports.
January 4th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^
Yeah, the thing is ... internal hires with little to no head coaching experience aren't actually any safer, except perhaps in terms of initial cultural fit. A few have worked out -- Lincoln Riley, Dabo (eventually), and of course Lloyd Carr (well, mostly).
Some others sustained inherited success briefly before sharply diminishing returns (Coker, Helfrich, Helton, Solich, Neuheisel, Doba, etc). Ryan Day is TBD between these first two categories.
Far more were mediocre (Bob Davie, Bill Stewart, Randy Shannon) or flat out failures (Bobby Williams, Mike DuBose, and Jimmy Lake come to mind).
If this is truly the year Jim departs, my first choice would be someone who has proven at multiple stops they can build a sustained winning culture -- much like Jim has -- without needing to be "born on 3rd base" (i.e., have every resource advantage in their conference/region).
Lance Leipold is the guy that comes to mind for me, and I think his personality, midwest roots, and offensive identity are a great fit for Michigan. Though the suggestion by Pate is that there will be some flashier names interested.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
I realize that many on here do not like Sam, but he is right about Sam. Sam isn't always 100% right but he is a valuable source and usually spot on. So Sam, if you read this please keep up the great work you do! There are many that appreciate your hard work covering Michigan football and basketball.
And before some of you go off on Sam, just remember that Sam was instrumental in giving Brian a voice on WTKA with the mgoblog roundtable.
I also want to add that Jim doesn't owe us a thing. The group he owes to be kept in the loop is his staff and players and that's it.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
Sam's coverage of this whole thing has been embarrassing. He's terrified to say anything even remotely critical of JH and totally dismissive of the idea that JH has done anything wrong. Cost of access I suppose.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^
Yeah, it's been pretty bad honestly. He's been performing some serious mental gymnastics and twisting Harbaugh's words to try to say that Harbaugh hasn't lied or done anything wrong. It's been hard to listen to
January 4th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Sam is a nice guy and is good with recruits and on his podcast with Gardner. But he, like Bacon, is ultimately an apologist/flack for the program. He's afraid to bite the hand that (indirectly, in his case) feeds him.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
I agree with pretty much everything. This is all part of the business. He has to do what’s best for himself and his family.
But, he gave his word last year. He owes us that much.
“My name is my name.”
- Marlo’s Stanfield
— Jim Harbaugh
January 4th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
Why do people not like Sam? His reports are more honest than the other insiders out there (albeit with a homer spin). Maybe it's because of his radio show (which I don't listen to)?
He doesn't put out trash like some others on the Michigan beat and his recent series with Vance Bedford, Al Borges and Devin Gardner have all been really great content pieces you don't see elsewhere (and that's not to mention the roundtable)
January 4th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Because he's a homer. But your post raises a good point. Reporters who cover M even a bit critically, like Rainer Saiban, are dismissed as trolls and literally banned here. But the ones who are too soft, like Sam or Angelique, aren't really practicing critical thinking. So nobody can win.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:33 AM ^
There's a difference between being critical and what Rainer Sabin does and what Drew Sharp did. Nick Baumgardner was often critical, but I don't ever remember anyone having a problem with him or calling him a troll. The Sabin / Sharp method of obviously looking to find the negative is not productive. Kind of like why would a Michigan fan ever listen to Mike Valenti? What's the point?
January 4th, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
Those segments are great ... he's also constantly carrying water for the program and that is totally disingenuous
January 4th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
ha ha ha ha .....
there is a L O N G list of guys who would be interested in the Michigan head coaching job....
#4 is going to blow you away!!
![Image - 2144] | I See What You Did There | Know Your Meme](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/002/144/fry.jpg)
January 4th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
Nice.
After next year, things are cloudy at best. JJ and The Don are gone. And before anyone comes in with the 'we have depth at every position' narrative, no shit sherlock. What we are looking for is above quality to elite depth, not just filler. We do NOT have that at the QB and RB position.
The new coach has got to land an elite class THIS year to maintain our results the last 2 years. And equally important, keep our 'dudes' from transferring.
Im curious what good coaches would kick the Michigan coaching tires.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
OK, I will wait for you to provide the exceedingly long list of college programs that today can say, "Yup, we are stacked and ready to challenge for a Natty in 2024 season...."
/s if I really needed to add it here...
That would be a VERY short list, if any...
January 4th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
Sure, but Cole Cabana is gonna be really good
January 4th, 2023 at 11:25 AM ^
The key position is QB. It does surprise me that three of the four CFP teams had Heisman caliber QBs. I like JJ and think he can do it, but - with NIL and moreso, the portal - getting two exceptional QBs on the roster is, IMO - both essential for continuity and keeping then on the roster is a challenge.
January 4th, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^
I’m not sure we saw enough from JJ this year to think he just needs one more season and then will be NFL worthy. He needs to make a big leap in the next year if that’s the case.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
One weird trick to hire the coach of your dreams
January 4th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
Athletic Directors hate him for this one simple trick!
January 4th, 2023 at 7:27 PM ^
Confirms what we knew all along
January 4th, 2023 at 1:02 PM ^
Warde's coaching search revealed a little *too* much and the cameras just kept rolling
Would you date a coach from the SEC?
You'll never believe what this 1990s A-list coach looks like now!
Leading doctor reveals the #1 WORST coach you can hire
You won't believe who Kim Kardashian wants Michigan to hire
January 4th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
Deleted
January 4th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
If there's one thing I'm absolutely dreading it's the upcoming plethora of "CC - insert random name" threads that will follow if/when Jim moves on. If they're like last time they'll follow this general pattern.
1. Actual serious candidates everyone has heard of, knows and might actually take the job
2. Actual serious candidates nobody has really ever heard of and might actually take the job
3. Unserious candidates that everyone has heard of that will never take the job
4. Dead candidates
5. Unserious candidates who are actual coaches
6. "Funny" candidates who are not football coaches
By the time we got to level three the posts really took off because level three through six represent a ton of possible names. Buckle up.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
CC- Chris Petersen