The TomVH appreciation thread
November 11th, 2008 at 3:31 PM ^
Thank you, I appreciate that. I love Michigan, just like all of you do. I work for you guys. (sorry, I had to add a cheesy line of my own)
November 11th, 2008 at 3:56 PM ^
Tom, I remember you saying you were from the Phoenix area; where do you go to watch the games? I just moved from Phoenix to Tucson but will be back in town the weekend of the Ohio State game. It would be cool to get some Michigan fans together and talk smack about the Luckeyes. Let me know and I will try to meet up...
November 11th, 2008 at 8:54 PM ^
TomVH-- I additionally greatly appreciate your posts... quick question for you in light of the whole McNeal and other recruits stuff going on... I know you said that one game doesn't change a kid's mind nowadays, but really with this generation of kids being so "gotta get this minute" mindset, I think the one game phenomenon does has an effect... I'm not criticizing you at all, but with the number of kids that continue the recruiting process even after the dreaded "verbal committment" (BTW-- is that as bad as the "vote of confidence" fro GM to soon-to-be-fired head coach?), I wonder if today's recruits are more focused on week to week, and that a complete game changer performance like Michigan v Minnesota this week (or UT v Wyoming) does have an effect on more kids than we realize? Can anyone at this point say they'd be completely surprised if McNeal or some of these other recruits recommit if we can pull off the miracle in the Shoe in two weeks?
November 11th, 2008 at 9:24 PM ^
You make a good point. But I want to clarify what I said. I still don't think that Michigan's losing has had the affect we think, as compared to how other teams winning has. Does that make sense?
To simplify this, I think that winning helps change a recruits mind more than a big time program going through a coaching transition losing does.
I'm having a hard time putting this onto paper, so hopefully you understand what I'm saying. These kids do change their mind a lot, because they have a lot of resources now, and a lot of different people telling them what to do. With a team like ours, there is a little bit of doubt there, the "what if," what if RR doesn't turn it around. That does play in their head, but I think us losing doesn't affect it as much as either us winning, or other programs winning. There's a big difference. I hope this makes sense. I'm pretty tired, and can't seem to say this right.
November 11th, 2008 at 3:37 PM ^
With you and Brian combining powers you have created a super Michigan Football Recruiting Bastion.
It's great for me because I really don't pursue recruiting any further than what is on here so it's great info! Nice job, keep it up.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:14 PM ^
The best part about the combo of Brian and Tom is that youy don't have to go anyplace else!
November 11th, 2008 at 3:38 PM ^
It's incredible how much you know about recruiting and how you manage to get in touch with people and everything. It's great. Thank you.
November 11th, 2008 at 3:59 PM ^
can't wait to see what you have in the works with Jelani.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:02 PM ^
TomVH aka "SnakeOil"
It all makes sense now...
November 11th, 2008 at 4:26 PM ^
that I appreciate the push-polling conducted in the interviews:
Q-Mr. Jenkins, RichRod is a genius that will make a star out of each and every player. Does this make you more likely to commit to M?
A-Well, yeah that's true.
Q-How do you feel about the EEEE that the world's best strength conditioning coach will provide you - does it make you like M more?
A-Sure, it doesn't hurt.
Q-Michigan's academics are unmatched. How much does this influence your decision?
A-Well, positively.
Q-Any idea where you are headed?
A-Michigan.
Tom - good choice.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:49 PM ^
How did you become the MgoBlog intern? Does Brian pay you? How and why the recruits take your calls? How old are yo and what were you doing before this? It just seems quite odd that you came out of no where, as if you worked for rivals perviously or something
November 11th, 2008 at 4:59 PM ^
he is actually Rodriguez himself. he just thought that using 'Rich Rodriguez' as his handle was pretty lame.
November 11th, 2008 at 5:21 PM ^
Yeah, Tom, you're a straight balla, yo.
November 11th, 2008 at 6:20 PM ^
Can you send me that picture, or tell me where i can get it? much obliged, are you in l.a.?
November 11th, 2008 at 7:44 PM ^
Yeah, I live in LA, hermosa beach actually. Give me your email and I'll send it to you, but I'm pretty sure I just found it on google images.
November 11th, 2008 at 5:24 PM ^
I'm a little girl for TomVH.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:11 PM ^
Tom VanHaaren sounds like a detective name. Maybe that is why he is so good at what he does. Tom if we get Jelani Jenkins, I will have your children somehow.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:19 PM ^
In my mind, I picture Tom to be a clean-cut, bright-eyed, newspaper boy from the 1920s who says things like "Gee Willikers!" a lot when bringing us the scoop on recruits. That said, Tom is awesome and it is great having our own inside guy exclusive to our little community. Just don't leave us if Rivals or Scout offers you a job, Tom!
November 11th, 2008 at 8:34 PM ^
I like to picture my baby jesus with a tuxedo t-shirt on, cause it says I'm formal, but I like to party.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:54 PM ^
all caps Y-E-S YES
November 12th, 2008 at 11:57 AM ^
I like to picture my TomVH singing lead vocals for Lynard Skynard with, like, an angel band. And I'm in the front row and I'm hammered drunk.
November 11th, 2008 at 8:57 PM ^
I will drink my 12th beer tonight in his honor.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:19 AM ^
12 on a Tuesday? I guess if it is in Tom's honor, than it is one beer worth drinking.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:18 AM ^
A recruit will use his TomVH interview to announce his commitment to Michigan. And it will be awesome.