Santa Ono and Jim Harbaugh appreciation thread

Well in all fairness, we are approaching that time of year. It’s kind of Santa’s forte.

Seconded!

I was at the Indiana game and Mr Ono participated in the halftime show. At one point he was wearing one of the band members hat! He then proceeded to throw some T-shirts to the student section and the whole time it was raining.

Dude is a rock star!!!!

 I don’t know Schlissel seems to know about computer crimes. 

It’s admittedly speculation, but I feel pretty strongly that had Schlissel still been president, Harbaugh would have been fired already.  He wouldn't have the spine to put up a fight for athletics.

Schlissel would have dropped the program to D3.

Fuck ohio- from the students 

Maybe a “Harbaugh” or something like that but it was hard to tell, it obviously didn’t grow so you could hear it on TV

I believe there might have been a chant coming from the student section. But, the band was on the field doing the "Let's Go Blue" cheers prior to the game so it was very difficult to hear exactly what they were saying.  The F** Ohio chant was very frequent and audible throughout the game from the student section.

The pictures I saw made it seem as though he was truly enjoying himself. I think that can run at least as deep as knowing which side of the bread holds the Kerrygold.

I agree. Where in the world is Warde? I haven't been for or against him with all the shenanigans that have gone on with coaches being hired/fired, but this is where your AD is supposed to be out front doing or saying something. Instead, the president of the University is. He's barely came out and said "Hi". 

is strange how an ex football player who played a position requiring strength and toughness would be so soft and meek as an AD

Also not a Warde apologist but on something like this you want the president out there, if they are willing. Don't believe anyone is suggesting that Warde should have penned this letter instead of Ono. The AD is always going to argue for the athletic program. The university president speaks for the organization as a whole. 

Someone wrote a four-page comment in a thread that was deleted earlier voraciously defending Warde. I think it was Warde

As a person with some background in crisis management for large enterprises, I am utterly shocked at how poorly Warde has handled this.  The fact that we can't respond substantively to allegations being investigated by the NCAA doesn't tie Michigan's hands from saying some things.  Warde should have had multiple press conferences to reaffirm Michigan's commitment to exemplary conduct, to remind people not to believe everything they may hear online or on TV, and most importantly to take questions.  

As to taking questions, yes, NCAA policy may not prevent him from answering, but then say that.  Say it again and again if you have to, but take questions until people are tired of asking them, answer where possible, and where answering is not possible, say that this is an ongoing investigation to which we are barred by rule from responding fully at present.  These sorts of press conferences are a perfect opportunity to remind everyone that they are hearing only half of the story, and to project confidence and competence.

Warde didn't do *any* of that.  

While I choose not to speculate on things about which I have no idea, I will say this: I am thankful you are not a part of the decision-making process.

The very last thing I would want to see from a University President is a knee-jerk response to media blather. I want a studied response. This is just one of the reasons I'll never be a University President. I'd have gone over, removed the nameplate with his title and replaced it with one bearing just his name.

I’m not so sure that Warde is trying to be a public face here. Seems like he is either acting as a peacemaker or a conduit or is tending to the other sports programs that he is charged with overseeing. An NCAA investigation may be above his pay grade as determined not by fans but his real bosses, the President and the regents. If any of the powers that be thought that Warde was ineffective or a liability he would have been gone by now. But he has now been AD spanning two presidents. They must think that he is doing a good job, which entails more than just tending to football and damage control.

So you fondly remember Gene Smith during the Meyer fiasco? Interesting, I remember him coming across as a complete ass.