Blue in Yarmouth

January 21st, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^

I agree with you completely. Just look at Derrick Green. The number one running back in the country and how did he do this year? He couldn't make a difference because the guy overseeing the offense proved incapable of doing his job adequately.

At the end of the day no one player, no matter how good, can have the same influence on a program as a really good (or in contrast a really bad) coordinator can. We know a change had to be made and if Nuss proves to be the upgrade we all think he'll be, I'd take hiring him over anyone player in any recruitng class. To me it's that big of a deal. 

tmzenn

January 21st, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^

I just don't understand why these kids commit to a coach over a school. Especially in the case that this kid has said Michigan has always been his favorite school. I feel like this might not be different from Campell because he is from Kentucky, and not Ohio or MIchigan.

This is just my own speculation because I get a feeling kids that say they love Michigan and don't live in the battlefield of the rivalry, probably don't have deep attachment to the school.

Me being from Ohio and having to deal with my family and friends bashing Michigan my whole life, has of course deepened my passion for the school. I know everyone is different. I try to put myself in these kids situations, and I could never see my self decommitting from Michigan, if given the opportunity to play there. 

Rabbit21

January 21st, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^

I don't see this as being an issue and it's also why it's hard to get excited about kids committing before their junior years.  They're likely going to feel strapped in and want to look around.  Hard to blame a guy for seeing what happened this year and realize that the vision sold doesn't match with reality.

I'll hold out hope he comes back to the good guys, but, if not, next man up.

Heinous Wagner

January 21st, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^

"There are, it has been said, two types of people in the world. There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!"

LordGrantham

January 21st, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^

If Michigan was still #1, there would have been no reason to decommit.  It's pretty obvious that we're not.

jwillz21

January 21st, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^

More and more players want to visit more schools these days and I dont blame them. Seeing your best fit is smart and we just changed coordinators. I think seeing the product on the field reaffirms his committment. After watching Alabama's offense this year its pretty clear that Nuss was the perfect hire for this team and I can't wait to watch this team, welcome 2014!

Young John Beilein

January 21st, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^

It was a little weird when he did commit.  It came on the heels of the BBQ (which Damien did NOT attend), and George Campbell's committment.  He had also recently visited OSU and said they were co-leaders in his recruitment.  I think he got swept up in some excitement and possibly pressure (from peers, media...I don't know; pure speculation) to commit.  I like how he is conducting his recruitment now and hope he can make a (better informed) decision before his next season without too many fans and media badgering him.  Lets hope Nuss can show him that Michigan will be a place where he can succeed.  I think losing Borges has less to do with it than many are speculating.  I would hazard to guess that the inability to run the ball and win games was far more influential in Harris' decision.

UnkleBuck

January 21st, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^

I think it would have been a nice gesture if Hoke had rode along on the recent visit to Harris. Not sure if it would have made a huge difference though.  When you chase after the high flyers, these things are bound to happen.   Hopefully, Harris ends up at the place that fits best for him.

991GT3

January 21st, 2014 at 12:30 PM ^

why did he formally decommit? As I understand the system, he still could look at other schools. Is it because of the Brady rule that if you visited other schools the Michigan offer will be withdrawn? Either way he still gets to scope out other schools.

 Based on what I have read, I believe the glass should be only 10% full with a significant hole which is leaking.

Swazi

January 21st, 2014 at 3:24 PM ^

The Hoke rules for commits is don't take visits. He left the class so he could take visits and make sure Michigan is riggt for him. I really don't see why this is a huge deal, especially guven that we are pretty deep at RB.

Let him do the process. Like Campbell, he could come back. Personally I think Harris will since he grew up a Michigan fan and Nuss is recruiting based on a ground and pound philosophy.

falco_alba15

January 21st, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^

And call that glass half-empty.



Who are we, exactly, as a football program? We are NOT elite. We are NOT nationally competitive. Do we have the tools? Sure. But that doesn't change the fact that you have to have a staff that knows how to use them. Using a wrench when you need a hammer is ridiculous. Sure you might make it work, but that's not the most efficient way to work.



So when a kid makes an emotional commitment and then rationalizes it, it probably sounds something like this. Michigan went 7-6 this year, had THE HORROR Part 1 AND 2, lost to 2 out of 3 major rivals, lost to three other minor rivals, and tanked a low level bowl game. The year before that wasn't much better. The highlight of the season was losing to Ohio State without crapping the bed in the process. Then they fired the guy who was responsible for recruiting him. Yeah, I would re-evaluate my commitment too. Is anyone really surprised? How about we take a hard look in the mirror and try to see it the way these recruits do.



And if you have a Twitter account and you tweet a 16 year old kid you will never meet because you're pissed that he is weighing his options, you should be banished to Siberia. Forever.

eth2

January 21st, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^

- Think about something you do well.

- Imagine people exist that rank your performance against peers say you are elite, one of the ten best at this thing.

- Job offers flood in two years before your eligible to begin work.

- One offer stands out, a company you know well with a great reputation. Someone you trust has strong ties to a head honcho there.

- You go for an on-site interview, are blown away by the experience, and accept an offer on the spot two years before your start date. You learn that another top 10 guy signed up to start on same date. Amazing!

- Immediately you start getting contacted by company shareholders telling you how great you are. Odd that strangers are contacting you, but they are saying such nice things reaffirming your decision.

- Fast forward and after a promising first quarter, the company begins to struggle. Other companies are contacting you more frequently with offers equally if not more enticing. You research those companies. Stock prices soaring, scads of top talent signing up. Looking further, one company has outperformed yours 11 out of 17 times during your lifetime including 9 of the past 10. And now the two time reigning "company of the year" is showing interest.

- You stick with your decision, but the company's performance continues to decline. Once again they are outperformed by their biggest rival. Rumors begin circulating that the CEO may be in trouble, that your advisor's connection is on the chopping block. The other elite prospect who signed up with you suddenly backs out. He's looking at other companies closer to home; one is named company of the year shortly after.

- You are confused. Shareholders from all over are telling you what to do and how you should feel. The company close to home is telling you that you are the answer. And then it happens. Your chosen company fires the guys who most strongly connected you to them. They bring in a new guy who is very respected, but you don't know him. Your friends and family recommend you look around a bit. After all there's plenty of time. Rumors start circulating that you might be on the market again. Some stockholders at your favored company suddenly aren't being nice anymore. It all feels crazy.

- You call the company and tell them you are backing out. Not completely out, but you need time to reassess your options. You have many. You have time. 

Not a perfect analogy*, but put in these terms, I can better understand what this young man is going through. 

* Imagine if you got a job offer and started hearing from shareholders. Guessing most wouldn't like that. 

 

 

 

I dumped the Dope

January 21st, 2014 at 7:33 PM ^

That he committed really early without taking a visit and didn't attend the BBQ is a warning sign that he got caught up in the moment.

I think he might be second-guessing himself and that's perfectly acceptable.  As I recall from that age, a choice of colleges is like the biggest decision a kid has ever made to that point in his or her life and so it seems mountainous.

So I would like him to look around at other places.  And in the meantime see what Mr Nuss has in store for us.  I really like that he was a boyhood fan.  That draw is quite powerful.  I'd like to see Coach Hoke visit him personally as permitted by the rules.  I'd like to see Damien take an official or unofficial visit to Ann Arbor and hopefully take in an actual game to see what the Big House is like in person.

In the end, if the college and recruit aren't a match then it was never meant to be.  I will close with that we really love his mad skills on the field and if it ever comes down to a complete tie or draw between two schools.......your first answer is always your best answer.......8-)  go blue

uncleFred

January 23rd, 2014 at 7:52 AM ^

if the coaches talking with Damien thought it would have helped. Keep in mind that Hoke is the person who fired Damien's friend and favorite coach. Were I Hoke, I'd probably give the emotions around that fact time to settle down before I had any personal contact with Damien.

Leonhall

January 21st, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^

Bottom line is if we win 9-10 games next year, he'll be back. If we play like we did last year, he's gone. To get the attention of MOST 5 stars, you gotta win. He's curious...hopefully he'll be back.

Urban_warfare

January 22nd, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^

He'll be back. I've been tweeting and fbooking him all day. The rest of my class is on it too. Don't worry, we'll get him back. 

BlueCube

January 22nd, 2014 at 2:46 PM ^

His coach says Michigan is still #1 but Damien wants to be sure it's the right decision. The coach is upset about tweets from "Michigan Fans".

The more other schools hear this the more they will harass him. I wish someone could tell the coach and family it's a few people and may not even be from Michigan.

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