A reason for hope
However, this classes impact will not be felt for 1-2 seasons. Yes, someone may step up but let's not kid ourselves.
Also, if you believe our current commits are all staying at this point...well let's just say it will take a miracle. We didn't receive a miracle today so I'm not expecting one near-term.
With that said, here's something which many of you are in the position to do: (Crowd Sourcing)
I'm not on campus nor even in the state of michigan but the current student body, fans, friends, faithful...please help by keeping the current team intact. Fortunately, (unlike in 08) it is Tee'd up for the next coach.
We are in great position to compete with 9 starters returning on both sides of the ball. (Thank you RR)
Please, everyone who is in shouting range of these young-men, encourage them to stay.
This is really really really important. We love you guys. Stay...Please!
January 5th, 2011 at 8:12 PM ^
When Tom Brady catches a cold, Bill Belichick gets the flu. When Brady hurt his knee, Belichick probably felt as much if not more pain.
Which is why any established "big" name coach is less likely to come if he already has a system in place - a system which is bringing good players regularly to him. Why blow that up unless something is really bugging him to leave. Harbaugh might leave because he knows he probably won't find another QB like Luck in the next few years and he is at his peak in terms of job leverage. Short of winning the MNC, he'll never be hotter.
If someone other than JH is hired, I'm curious to see if the powers that be will look at an up and coming defensive coordinator at one of the top defensive powers (as ranked by NCAA team scoring and total defense). Some are out of play like West Viriginia Jeff Casteel - can't see hiring him now, or Carl Pelini of Nebraska with the Cornhuskers joining the Big Ten. Vic Fangio, the DC at Stanford would be a second choice and a bit on the older side and this was his first college gig - all other experience was in the NFL - not bad, but may not be aware of the college demands without someone shielding him like JH. TCU has R. Bumpus (? age), Alabama - Kirby Smart, Boise State - Pete Kwiatkowski.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:56 PM ^
DB was pretty clear in his press conf of a requirement in his search being the need for prior head coaching experience so I doubt coordinators will be looked @.
January 5th, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^
Well I agree players make an average coach look good (see B. Hoke) ... but good coaches make players and the team better (see Harbaugh).
You named Luck, but name a guy on Stanford's defense .... well, Harbaugh and the DC made that defense. It's probably 2 and 3 star players, but they have been coached up and they are nasty.
As to the bright future, after 3 years we had 1) a good offense 2) a pathetic defense (worse ever) and 3) less than average special teams. So of the 3 "areas" of football only 1 has improved since RR came in 2008. IMO the other 2 facets were worse in 2010 than in 2008 ... and that's not progress.
Go Blue !
January 5th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
If u think Harbaugh is only gets two and three star players then I suggest u check out espn's recruiting rankings.
January 6th, 2011 at 1:45 AM ^
Why don't you check them yourself?
http://stanford.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp
Stanford has one starter on defense who is a four star, Skov. Every other starter is a 2 or 3 star.
January 6th, 2011 at 12:54 AM ^
You realize last year, in Harbaugh's third year, he 1) didn't have the same defensive coordinator as this year and 2) had the 90th ranked defense in the nation. But keep going with your comparisons.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:15 AM ^
the DC came from the Ravens staff .... hmmm, isn't that where JH's brother is ?
The board is full of people saying we have no talent on D, but look what happens when "lousy talent (90th rank) gets coached. Whether JH deserves credit it doesn't matter cause it goes on his resume, just like RR gets to carry his defensive failures into the future.
Go Blue !
January 6th, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^
Isn't it on the coach to find those great players?
January 5th, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^
Brandon was an utter buffoon. He was the Three Stooges trapped in Barney Fife's body. He was a blindfolded man with a scythe trying to blunder his way out of a room full of kittens. I just hope he is somehow able to channel enough competence to bring in a spread coach, preferably Patterson, Peterson, or Whittingham.
Sadly, to me, David Brandon looks like he has no idea where he is or what he is actually doing. You have no idea how much I hope I am wrong.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
Two thoughts on this:
Brandon made the tough choice that we needed to get busy building a better future in a new direction.
- That's precisely why RR was hired, only it seems like everyone forgot.
- But what is that new direction? I supported RR and thought that only JH was an acceptable replacement. But now that JH seems off the table, what is the new direction? Brady Hoke? That's not building a future, that's stumbling backward to the past.
January 5th, 2011 at 11:21 PM ^
If Bo were still alive he wouldn't let this clown come near the program. How dare a former player/alumnus throw the program under the bus concerning academics. Bo would have kicked his backside up and down. You can kiss JH's ass all you want, but I for one will NEVER cheer for JH even if he is the coach of the team I'll always support.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^
January 5th, 2011 at 6:55 PM ^
he is a many dreaded thing.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:54 PM ^
Obviously, if we bring in a more pro-style coach, we may lose Denard. Which would, of course, suck. But what freaks me out is the possibility that we'd be out both Denard and Tate. Tate may already be gone, due to his academic issues. Suddenly we would go from a team stocked at qb to a team with one viable qb. And, of course, who knows how Gardner would fit in/feel about the new coach.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:56 PM ^
i think gardner is versitle enough to play in most any system.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
2,570 yards passing, 62.5% completions, 18 TD to 11 INT as a true sophomore would indicate that he isn't just a read-option running QB. Virtually any coach that comes in should be able to design an offense that gives Denard opportunities to throw the ball and run the ball. He's also shown he's pretty good at both.
January 6th, 2011 at 2:00 AM ^
To take on a greater role in the passing game and make the offense competitive, Denard will have to make a jump equal in magnitude to the one he made between 2009 and 2010. It's possible but not certain by any means. He could linger in a Juice Williams-like state of mediocrity. Denard is still very inconsistent as a passer, especially against opponents with a pulse. Against Big 10 teams, he completed 58% of his passes and had 12 TDs and 9 INTs.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
Gardner is a smarter, more accurate, easier to root for, T. Pryor. I'm thinking Sugar Bowl type stuff without all the foolish remarks in the media and crappy OSU colors.
Not saying DRob is gone or can't work here in a pro system, but, Gardner will be great here.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:55 PM ^
I also think Harbaugh is still in play and all this shit is the new form negotiation; Using the media to help leverage a negotiation. Please don't let the ESPN's on the world scare you. And definitely don't let any idiot fans of other teams (or even our team) tell you we will never be back of that it will take decades. I admit, it looks bleak at times but you just have to have an unwavering confidence, it's the Michigan way. Those who call that arrogance are just insecure about themselves.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^
Agreed, Maybe it's wishful thinking but I see similarities in DB's statements today in noting the likelihood of JH to the NFL similar to when he floated the idea out there of being in favor of the OSU/UM game no longer being the final game of the season. As we all remember in the days following the tide turned and the universities were overwhelmed with concerns as to why the game would be moved. Here's to hoping JH is feeling a bit of the pressure from former teammates, alum, and family that UM needs now more than ever.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:57 PM ^
in which DB & RR were at, Denard walked out of SH upon hearing that RR was indeed let go. My Source is A. Chengelis' twiiter, tweet, or twat?
January 5th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
was that he left out the side door after the meeting. He walked out a side door and behind the media to a car. They totally missed home.
January 6th, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^
Avatar jacker...beware I'm watching you
January 5th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
Here's the actual tweet.
Hilarious. Was just told Denard Robinson walked out the side door then behind gathered media at Schembechler Hall got in car and left lol
Nowhere does it say it was in the middle of the meeting. Don't you think that's just a bit of an overly negative spin?
January 5th, 2011 at 9:36 PM ^
I don't see what is hilarious, or worthy of laughing out loud about that.
January 5th, 2011 at 6:57 PM ^
Denard is so fast he went out of the side door of Schembechler Hall, walked behind the media crowded outside and got in his car. Speed.
Also Rich Rod just left Schembechler Hall. An AP guy got a shot as he drove away.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
The media is packin' heat down at Shembechler Hall? And only the AP guy was fast on the draw?
January 6th, 2011 at 2:03 AM ^
Rosenberg fired in the air in glee as Rodriguez drove off.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
Harbaugh just doesn't seem likely at this point.
On the other hand, ESPN seemed to suggest Les Miles would come in a heartbeat and they want him out at LSU. The buyout is only 1.25 million, and that's fine. Denard might stay if Les came. Downside? Les can't munch on the field turf. Let's hire some MSU alumni to grow a patch of grass for him to nom on before games.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
I have no issues with hiring Les Miles.
He may be batshit but his hatred for tUofOSU would compensate for that.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:24 PM ^
al lot of other great coaches were quirky but still won and were beloved.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
Yeah...I have no problem with Miles. He might be a bit of a lunatic, but that may be a good thing. I know he had the oversigning issue (and the insanity one), but I just don't care. DB can tell him to keep it classy. I'm in no position to judge a man's character based on a few stories, and at some point there's a price for winning.
In this case, it looks like it'll be a $1.25 million buyout and a $3-5 million a year contract (plus a landscaping crew to cultivate some sod in the tunnel/on the sideline). Write the damn check and call it a day. He'll keep recruits, and bring some with him. Brady Hoke is just not acceptable (doesn't have a track record of winning).
January 5th, 2011 at 7:58 PM ^
I'm in no position to judge a man's character based on a few stories
Well, there are the facts on Rivals or Scout about how many kids he oversigned. So that's not really a story. Then there's the straight up lie he told about dumping the QB (forget his name) in the Outside the Lines segment. So that's not really a story either.
I really think the oversigning and then lying about it issue is a deal breaker. I could not care less if he eats grass and calls for fake punts on 4th and 90 from his own one yard line.
January 5th, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
I've been saying the last 3 days that I would absolutely NOT want Les Miles here because of his insanity and his unscrupulous SEC ways. HOWEVA, after the shitstorm that occurred last night and this afternoon, I started to reevaluate and I am starting to accept the idea of Les Miles as our coach.
The reason I think Miles would be a good hire is his proven record to win football games against tough opponents, and if not, to be competitive in those games. Now, his naughty SEC ways were the thing that concerned me the most, but after thinking about it, would he really be as able to get away with that BS at Michigan?
Putting aside the fact that he is tainted due to past acts (which is a major slight on his character, I admit), Michigan and the B10 have much higher standards than other conferences, especially the SEC. The average team in the SEC makes OSU look like the Mother Theresa of college athletics morals. My thought is that should Les Miles come to UM, he would have to drop that SEC oversigning shit at the door as he walks into Schembechler Hall.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^
in a heartbeat. In a damn heartbeat.
January 6th, 2011 at 8:35 AM ^
...that is pretty much my thinking on Les Miles too. I wouldn't say that I want him to be the next coach...but I would feel far more optimistic about future success with him than I would with someone of Brady Hoke's track record.
Brandon has stirred up a bizarre situation here. Bizarre enough that maybe the Mad Hatter is the best fit.
January 5th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
No Miles please.
Everything you said plus lying to recruits about Lloyd's health and that whole thing that happened while Moeller was our HC that I won't mention but if you know what i'm talking about then you know.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
Barwis is under a separate contract, according to the News. He has not been fired.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:34 AM ^
likely because they don't want to pay him out on his contract, they will expect him to resign his position and not require a buyout.
Don't expect Barwis to be here next year, I would be very surprised were that the case.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:07 PM ^
Fred Jackson? Can't imagine he was fired.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:09 PM ^
like when RR was brought aboard, the new coach will be given the chance to retain him. i imagine he will.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:59 PM ^
He's been here 19 years - get him a big time DC...?
January 5th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
JT Floyd says he came to this school for Michigan. He'll stay here for Michigan.
MIke Martin tells WXYZ that players have been speculating for a while, its been hard on all of them
January 5th, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
don't believe at all he is. However, if he was, why not ask him for a few names? He talks with DB and has ties to the university. Why not get some recommendations from the Comeback Kid himself?
January 5th, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^
If Dave Brandon needs to get the names of potential coaches from Harbaugh we're in more trouble than I thought.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:11 PM ^
We're a soccer school now.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^
was just chatting with my brother about coming back to Ann Arbor for a soccer game rather than a football game next fall and zsending an email to Brandon to that effect.
He played soccer at UM and graduated a few years after I did, so we can start a whole new set of gameday traditions and i can take my son to their shiny new stadium instead.
January 6th, 2011 at 8:40 AM ^
And it might not actually be too difficult to turn M Stadium into a soccer facility.
In the meantime, we could downgrade the football team to non-scholarship athletes and finally join the Ivy League!
January 5th, 2011 at 7:11 PM ^
We were on the brink of having our second coach from West Virginia bring us a pont-a-minute offense. Now, we are heading down the road of Notre Dame.
18 year old recruits do not remember the last time michigan was good. My cousin is a Junior and a descent recruit. Despite growing up in a Michigan obsessed family he backs tOSU. Why? Because as long as he can remember Mi has been over rated and fallen short in big games, lost to Appalachian State, lost five games with an experienced Henne and Hart, and gone through the last three years.
Recruits today were in diapers the last time Michigan (and the Big Ten for that matter) was respectable. Who wants to go to a school where the weather sucks, there are no hot girls, the accademics are tough, and there is no friggin' beach? If you are a top recruit, you either didn't grow up in the midwest, or you can't wait to get the hell out.
In ten years our recruiting pitch is going to be as appealing as this "Hey kid, come to play for Army. We were awesome in the '40's!" That doesn't work.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:26 PM ^
So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion...