Possible Replacement Coaches
There have been tons of posts about whether or not Michigan should fire RR. That is not the topic of this post. My question for the board is this:
IF Michigan does choose to fire RR at the end of this season, who are the realistic candidates to replace him? Not a wish list, but who is realistically out there that would want to leave their current job to come to Michigan?
I know that the popular candidate on this board, and everywhere else, seems to be Harbaugh. But, is there any reason to believe that he would come here?
Just curious what everyone thinks . . .
November 1st, 2010 at 10:13 AM ^
uh-oh
November 1st, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
Gosh, please win RR. While I think Harbaugh is a fantastic coach, I don't think I could stomach another system transition where we have this guy running off-tackle in a power-I set...
November 1st, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
i think that a coaching transition would probably provide us with a coach who isn't stupid enough to run this guy up the middle on 3rd and 1, so if anything, that part of the game is a big improvement.
November 1st, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
If only Vincent Smith hadn't been given the ball so often -- THAT was the problem.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:00 AM ^
Something tells me Harbaugh and one Stephen Hopkins could have a very good relationship...
November 1st, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
You mean S-Train. Still wish this guy would wear 32. Every time I see him run it reminds me of Anthony Thomas.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:38 AM ^
Hopkins would be great in Harbaugh's system, not to mention that Toussaint, Shaw and Cox. Our tackles are pretty beastly too. I'm sure Lewan would excel in a pro-style system.
November 1st, 2010 at 1:33 PM ^
Two things:
(1) If DB cans Rich Rod, there better be a shoe-in waiting to fill the void. This is not a time to hire a project coach.
(2) You better believe Harbaugh would love to be "the savior of michigan". If JH gets the nod, he's going to rob DB blind for it. They will have to shell out for Jim if they want to keep him away from the NFL. (this could be a factor when it comes to feasibility of signing him).
a bonus item:
I think Harbaugh could create a hybrid spread/pro style offense to fit to Tate (and maybe Devin?) I think the necessary passing skills are in place with Forcier, and Harbaugh could actually build an offense based on that ability. I highly doubt the transition on offense would be nearly as bleak as you might think. He would inherit weapons.
November 1st, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
Your point about the hybrid offense is good however Devin will be the QB, Tate will be lucky to be the backup. Look at Andrew Luck's measurables, he is just a physically Mature DG. The way Harbaugh plays Luck would be very conducive to Gardner's skills. Forcier is not built to throw the ball down field and stay in the pocket while trying to see over our tall lineman in play-action, which is a huge staple of Harbaugh's offense. I really think Harbaugh could come in and Win 9 or 10 next year. We have a favorable schedule and a ton of experience coming back.
November 1st, 2010 at 2:26 PM ^
Why do you think Harbaugh can win 9 or 10 next year? Is he miracously going to fix the defense? If you think Harbaugh could win that many games, how many games do you think Coach Rod would win with his own players.
November 1st, 2010 at 3:43 PM ^
I love this - we've been watching this mess for three years. We know the players on D and what they can and can't do. And suddenly Harbaugh makes us winners by taking us away from the offense that is leading the NCAA? OK.
Not one post above this mentions Denard, one of the 3 most dangerous players in the NCAA. Whether or not we should fire RR, you people are losing your minds.
November 1st, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^
Denard's amazing personal statistics have done nothing for the win-loss column that Tate didn't do as a Freshman with a worse offensive line.
November 1st, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
But that is the list. It's Harbaugh or Rich Rod comes back, end of story.
November 1st, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
One thing Dave Brandon has done over his career is to have a strategic plan in place that implements his vision and makes his company competitive in the long run. Although I would really hate going through another coaching change, I think if DB can get Jim Harbaugh before he bolts to the NFL, he would probably be best for the program and the University in the long run. If DB can't get Harbaugh, I feel we need to stay with RR for fourth year.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
Gary Peterson TCU
November 1st, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^
I think this is doubtful after the concussion incident.
November 2nd, 2010 at 1:23 AM ^
here's how it goes:
#1) mike tomlin. he's the first guy i'd ask. he'll probably say no, but asking's like praying, it can't hurt.
#2) JOHN harbaugh. he's the second guy i'd ask. you get everything that you get in jim, minus the a-hole. he'll probably say no also, but, again.
#3) JIM harbaugh. best candidate amongst the college ranks. he just happens to be a michigan alum.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:16 AM ^
...and it is not from all the beer yesterday or the game on Saturday. I just want Dec. 1 to be here so we can get all this settled.
To answer the question. Harbaugh would be #1 on the list and unless his ultimate goal is the NFL he would come back home. He has a profound love for Michigan and views it as the ultimate bastion of college football.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
I also want Dec. 1 to be here so that this is decided.
Thanks for the serious reply - as a follow-up question, I have heard so many people say that Harbaugh considers Michigan to be his dream college job. What is this based upon? Also, I have heard that his family loves Palo Alto. Any idea on how this would factor in?
November 1st, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^
He grew up here, went to Pioneer; played his college ball here; loved Bo like a father; has always remained involved with the football program and the University; was deeply hurt when Loeffler got the QB coaches job over him because he wanted to be part of this program and he has repaired the bridges that were burnt with is comments regarding academics. In addition you have an AD with a direct lineage to Bo which would mean a lot.
Finally he has a huge ego and desire to be great. To paraphrase what Don Nehlen said as part of the RR hiring process and holds true in this case. "You win at [insert school here], you walk on water in [insert city or state]. You win at Michigan, you walk on water. Period."
November 1st, 2010 at 1:47 PM ^
"has always remained involved with the football program and the University"
"he has repaired the bridges that were burnt with is comments regarding academics."
When did he do this?
November 2nd, 2010 at 2:24 AM ^
I don't want Dec. 1 to be here. That would mean the regular season is over :(.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
oh pick me!
November 1st, 2010 at 10:19 AM ^
I think there are going to be disgruntled people posting on this one.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
Yes, I imagine that many disgruntled people (of which I have recently become one) will be posting on this topic. Is there anything wrong with that?
Our program is going through a difficult time period. There is a lot of media speculation - as well as speculation from many in our fanbase, alumni and students - that our coach MAY be fired at the end of the season. Not sure why some people on this blog find this to be an inappropriate topic to discuss. For those that think thatb this topic is not interesting, I tried to make the title descriptive enough that you wouldn't feel compelled to click.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:28 AM ^
I was just thinking that maybe it's a bit too early to start speculation on who a possible replacement could be when we still have 4 games left. The loss is still very sore why pile on right now?
November 1st, 2010 at 10:26 AM ^
I am All In For Michigan but if we can get Harbaugh I am All In For Winning! If Illinois rolls us I think Brandon might be tempted.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
my flyweights just finished the season and only averaged allowing 13 points per game.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
Is going to get ugly fast. I personally would imagine if RR gets fired it will be because the blue hairs finally formed up a lynch mob and put pressure on Brandon (first time they've stood in awhile). If the blue hairs are putting pressure on the AD (via donation holdouts or whatever) it suggests Harbaugh would be the obvious candidate due to his pedigree and interest in the job.
Beyond that you basically have the usual list of suspects any big name school considers taking a run at. Patterson, Muschamp, Peterson, etc. Also Michigan fans like to bring up Ferentz but I don't know about that one.
If we do make a move my only really dream would be to get Scott Loeffler back as QBs coach or OC.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:08 AM ^
(first time they've stood in awhile)
November 1st, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
It's so easy to demonize anyone who is an alumnus and who is dissatisfied with this as a "blue hair". I hope you have great success going through the rest of your life personally attacking anyone who disagrees with you. You would be a perfect candidate for congress.
Personally, I have supported RR from the beginning and am torn as to what Brandon should do, but, if I conclude that RR should go, I shouldn't be personally attacked.
November 1st, 2010 at 1:53 PM ^
Actually it was a crack on the section of alumni directly to the right of the student section who is known for "DOWN IN FRONT" and never making any sort of noise on defensive series. I'm actually lobbying for RR to be fired in my diary so I'd qualify as part of the anti-RR group. I actually cheer at games though.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
RR will get atleast one more year before he is fired. Honestly, as an "offensive" head coach, his job is to recruit, run the program, and make sure the offense is great. He's done all those things pretty well. I don't blame him on keeping GERG around as long as he does, before GERG came in we had what, 3 or 4 d coordinators in 4 years? A potential cause for our sucky d's could be because of this. It is time for a new d coordinator, someone who the players want to play for. He'll be expensive and have to improve the D to a respectable level. Inexperience is handcuffing us, but even the basics on D escape us, and exacerbate our problems on D.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
FA endorses this post.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^
Not trying to be snarky, but in making this post, I tried to be specific that I was not writing to start a discussion as to whether RR should or would be fired. The entire premise is that IF he is fired, who would be a replacement candidate. There are bout 10 other forum topics to discuss whether he will or will not get fired or whether he should or should not get fired.
Also - and I am being a hypocrit to what I just said - I cannot agree that "Honestly, as an "offensive" head coach, his job is to recruit, run the program, and make sure the offense is great. He's done all those things pretty well" He has NOT recruited well on defense, at all. If he stays, he will find recruiting from the hot seat even harder. As for "run the program," this is up for debate, but I don't personally think that he has done a great job (NCAA violations). And, as for the offense, yes we are capable of running up gaudy yardage totals against crappy defenses (ND, UConn, BGSU, PSU), but we have gotten shut down by decent (MSU, to some extent Umass(!!))) and good (Iowa) defenses.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
We rolled up over 500 against Iowa.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
The Denard-led offense scored 7 points on 6 possessions. When the game was in contention, Michigan's offense was inept.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^
Games are 60 minutes long......and Michigan was down 7 with 3 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
And then won...right?
November 1st, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^
I thought he said we were down by 7 in the fourth...
November 1st, 2010 at 11:11 AM ^
What more must the guy do for people to quit the Denard not our starter rabble. Every week he takes this team on his back, and he carries them as far as any one player can. He had 380 yards by himself, he had four touchdowns. He is the nations leading rusher, with a 155 qb rating, and most importantly he does it with the kind of grace that we expect out of a Michigan man, humble in victory, gracious in defeat. Never flamboyant, never arrogant, do you want him to part the red sea for you also?
November 1st, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
I'd like him to heal his shoulder or learn to read Big Ten defenses with a pulse. Whatever it takes to complete a pass more than 5 yards down field.
November 1st, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
I agree with you bluefrombirth... People have a hard time liking denard because he is different. I know i will be the bad guy for saying this but if denard was white he wouldnt have all this hate thrown at him.. There is still a portion of football fans no matter college or pros that believe blacks dont make good quarterbacks.. This is a bullshit stereotype to still believe in 2010 but its the truth.. Denard is the man and I only wish him the best but if they make the move on coach rod I can see Denard leaving with him.. For the people that thinks coach rod wouldnt have a job next year you're crazy and I think the place for him is Miami.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
So now we're dogging Denard? Unfreaking believable.
November 1st, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
Good thing the team with the most yards wins
November 1st, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
I tried to be specific that I was not writing to start a discussion as to whether RR should or would be fired. The entire premise is that IF he is fired, who would be a replacement candidate.
The problem with that is a large percentage, whether majority or not, feel that RR should be fired no matter what. To them, this is the "Who is the next head coach" thread.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
star a WHO IS THE NEXT COACH thread, so this one can be retitled the *IF* RR gets canned, who is the next coach -thread. see? then everybody's happy!
November 1st, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
"The problem with that is a large percentage, whether majority or not, feel that RR should be fired no matter what. To them, this is the "Who is the next head coach" thread"
Who cares what they think? I'm not one of them and it's a relevant exercise to see who is, or isn't available. My pink ponies in a field of chocolate-dipped strawberries dream is for this team to win out while the defense learns to quit embarrassing itself.
But if that doesn't happen, the likelihood of change increases. I think it's safe to say that this conversation is relevant at this time.
November 1st, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
There is just a head coach. RR knows more about his offense, but he is responsible for the whole product he puts on the field. Dismissing that the defense isn't on him too is making excuses for him that shouldn't be excuses.
I'm not calling for him to be fired (yet, at least) but the defense is just as much his responsibility as the offense, and not recruiting a coaching staff, like the one you claim we need, is on RR too.