Michigan officially reached out to Les Miles - Sam Webb

You can all take this one of two ways. The people making these decisions, Hackett, are covering all of their bases because as of now they are unsure as to what Jim will do in the near future. The negative outlook, yes this is the negative, is that Jim has made it known that he is no longer interested so Hackett is seeking out other more viable candidates that he is sure will have more than a passing interest. 

Hackett's process involves listing all potential candidates and beginning the process of vetting, contacting, and interviewing.

Of course there are more swim lanes than JH.

Contacting Lester the Molestor and Cutty Sark simply means that their swim lane is now in motion.

It doesn't mean that JH's lane has been abandoned.

This "news" only informs us that The Emperor is doing a boss job at keeping a wide funnel in case JH doesn't reach the end of his swim lane.

BUT HE WILL!!!!!!  DON'T GET OUT OF THE POOL!!!  STAY IN YOUR LANE!!!!  COME HOME, JIMMY!!!!!!!!

You get a cup of coffee.

I like it. Tightening the screws on JH. This will give jimmy something to think about.

We were told Hackett is using a professional search organization.  It makes sense that they would work to provide him with the results of their analysis and that he would "contact" at least some of the candidates highly ranked by the search organization.  There is no reason to believe that this means we will not wind up with Jim Harbaugh.  In fact, it is less than clear exactly what it does mean.

Of course we were going to gauge interest. Even if we have JH locked up, he can't sign an agreement until his season is over. Even if he had signed an agreement, we have to gauge others' interests if, for no other reason, then to look thorough and to retain some semblance of leverage in negotiations with JH. The only thing that would be shocking is if we didn't at least gauge many coaches' interest.

With regard to The Hatter, I have mixed feelings. I think he's an excellent coach. He'd shake things up in some good ways. I just wouldn't want to turn into an SEC-style team re: recruiting, over-signing and shenanigans.

Jesus Christ people. This has no bearing whatsoever on JH. There is a list of candidates that will be contacted in any event, and Les is on that list. SIMPLE AS THAT.

So.....what did he say?

I'd be happy with Miles, and I'm telling you this because I know you've all been waiting to hear from the mom from Evanston on this important development.

Yes!! Finally. Im not sure why it took this long. Hes a great coach and loves Michigan. If not Harbaugh, then Miles is the next best thing. Stoops would also be in the next best thing category as well.

Evidence from today:

1) Woodson comments on "not looking good" for JH. Given CW would likely have good intel if JH to Oakland (soon to be LA?) was happening. 

2) Odds on JH to Oakland in Sportsbook (-160) still beats JH to UM. Bettors aren't stupid and know that the tire fire that is the Raiders make them marginally attractive at best. 

3) This "reaching out" seems legit and while it may just simply be the result of some initial due diligence by the search firm finally being finished (and with that, contact starting), in the context of items 1) and 2) it is also quite reasonable to assume that folks in the know are reading the tea leaves on JH and think things are getting away from UM. 

I sure hope I am wrong.....

Back to my regularly scheduled procrastination.

Still prefer Harbaugh, still want Harbaugh.  pay the man.

 

This is fantastic news. If we cannot get Jimmy, Les is one hellofa plan B. The man is a winner and would restore is just as fast as Harbaugh IMO-his age would just prevent him from sticking around as potentially long.

WTF!   If this isn't the biggest bag over the head, punch in the face I've ever got, GODAMMIT!

 

Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Jim Hackett, my beloved school's interim AD, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there at 1000 South State Street with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?

Let's compile a list of words sportswriters and blog commenters like to over use when talking about recruiting and coaching searches. I'll start! Nab. Snubbed. Spurned. Smokescreen. Sources. Blasts. Heralded. Route. Rampant. Speculation. Unveil. Up the challenge by finding an espn article without one of these words.

had these morons done this in 2007 we'd have smugly been sitting atop the big 10 by the time OSU got Meyer.