True Blue Grit

January 20th, 2023 at 8:59 PM ^

Because he's attempting some damage control after several weeks of dysfunctional events and inaction permeating the department, all of which is making U-M look really bad.  This is basically a "hey, look at all these good things going on" to deflect attention from all the negative crap.  

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32373

Bobby Digital

January 20th, 2023 at 8:53 PM ^

The statement: “We are also excited at the recent news involving coach Harbaugh’s commitment to continue leading our program and announcements from many student-athletes of their intentions to return to school instead of seeking professional opportunities. Options abound for people throughout this program; I am heartened that they choose to further their education and careers here at U-M and I look forward to announcing further specifics.”

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 5376

Brhino

January 20th, 2023 at 8:55 PM ^

If the relationship between Harbaugh and Warde is as bad as the insiders seem to think it is, it's little wonder Harbaugh keeps looking at NFL options.  No job is a good job when you can't stand your boss.

Joined: 09/08/2009

MGoPoints: 19502

Brhino

January 20th, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^

True, and he got firsthand experience of that with the 49ers.

It's just that many of us are struggling to understand how you can smoke Ohio State, win a conference championship, and then immediately start considering other opportunities... but if he and Warde hate each other that much, it starts to make a lot more sense.

Joined: 09/08/2009

MGoPoints: 19502

Other Andrew

January 21st, 2023 at 7:47 AM ^

That’s actually the part I kind of get. For someone as competitive as Harbaugh, who has had success at every coaching stop, a big achievement may be something that he wants to top, not repeat. Of course one could argue that can still be done at Michigan in the playoff. But let’s be honest, he’s already had the biggest win of his Michigan tenure. Winning the national championship would be right up there, but 42-27 is a cornerstone in the lore forever.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 7686

charblue.

January 20th, 2023 at 8:55 PM ^

Yeah, this seems like a peace offering statement that came as a result of a brokered deal between Ono and Harbaugh that Manuel agreed to amid the other issues now impacting Michigan, negotiation over self-reported recruiting violations and a staff firing. 

This seems like a deal both sides entered into in order to pacify the other. 

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11420

WirlingDirvish

January 20th, 2023 at 8:56 PM ^

He sent an email blast out with a full update on Michigan athletics. That was one paragraph from the opening part. The full statement from warde is:

UPDATES FROM THE AD

Happy New Year, Wolverines!

 

We are immersed in the winter sports season, and some of our traditional spring teams are already in action as we look forward to warmer days. 

 

With the timing of this email, I want to enthusiastically welcome our new head coach in volleyball, Erin Virtue. Erin returns to U-M, where she served as our recruiting and offensive coordinator from 2011-16, with significant experience with Team USA and the National Team Development Program. Please join me in welcoming Erin. 

 

We are also excited at the recent news involving coach Harbaugh’s commitment to continue leading our program and announcements from many student-athletes of their intentions to return to school instead of seeking professional opportunities. Options abound for people throughout this program; I am heartened that they choose to further their education and careers here at U-M and I look forward to announcing further specifics.   

 

On the community front, please take note of our annual Big House 5K, scheduled for April 16. Founded in 2014, this wonderful event has raised over $1.2 million in support of local non-profit organizations throughout Washtenaw County. Participants of all abilities can register here .

 

Go Blue!

 

Warde Manuel,

Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics

And then there was a review of each sport after.

Joined: 07/24/2009

MGoPoints: 5107

I'mTheStig

January 22nd, 2023 at 1:03 PM ^

It's awkwardly written because it's copypasta from about 10 different people.  

One of Warde's minions sends out an internal email saying we need inputs from each of you for the newsletter.

Warde's staff collects all the disparate replies, changes some of the 2nd person tense, and the mods some subject/verb agreement as applicable and dumps it all into a single thing.

Joined: 11/02/2018

MGoPoints: 11373