The Vibe on Today's WTKA

Submitted by AmishRule on
After listening to Sam and WTKA today, it seems like his tone changed every so slightly (maybe more dramatically for other listeners). From last week of discussing the idea of Brady possibly staying on and I believe making a comment that recruiting is not the most significant factor in the whole scheme of things. Now it seems he is working the idea that timing is critical for a new coach as how it impacts recruits and it could be likely that Hackett makes the call on Hoke and it should be done immediately after the Ohio game. In other words the AD transition could be after or well after the coaching hire. Interested in everyone's thoughts. Is this (coach hire before AD hire) a good thing and/or a telling thing? I find it a bit of a shift and possibly telling of something's happening currently behind the curtain. Is there truth to the idea of letting your new coach help with the hiring of the new AD? By hiring the coach first, does it need to be a "no-brainier hire, to keep quality potential AD's interested? Has this AD search process been accepted by a potential new coach's camp and Hackett can take his time to find the AD after the new coach is announced and he stays interim for the longer period that the President mentioned during the press conference?
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Erik_in_Dayton

November 10th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^

...not having an AD in place first would be a colossal mistake, but that's because I question whether Michigan would let the new coach help pick the AD.  But maybe Michigan would do that, in which case I think it's fine.

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Tater

November 10th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^

If Hackett already has a deal in the works with a coach such as Harbaugh, there is no pressure to hire a permanent AD right away.  But if this job is going to go to market and nobody really great has contacted Hackett under the radar, it would be much more difficult to sell the job to other candidates, especially "outsiders."

I am hoping that Hackett has already reached out to a few agents, has a tentative deal with someone and has managed to keep it all under the table.

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bluebyyou

November 10th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^

Maybe I'm being a bit naive, but once a coach is picked and the financial arrangements are worked out for him and his assistants, I'm not sure just how much impact  a new AD would have unless the AD were to want to go cheap on hiring of future staff. 

DB's approach of micromanaging, or at the very least participating in meetings, is not typical.

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303john

November 10th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^

The talks have already started with the new AD. I maybe naive but I think Harbaugh is just finishing out the season. And will.be here soon.

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The Baughz

November 10th, 2014 at 10:39 AM ^

I think it'd only work if the new coach would have a say so in who the next AD will be. I cant imagine a guy like Stoops or Harbaugh will be interested in coaching here not knowing who the AD is going to be, especially if they have no say so in it.

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michgoblue

November 10th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^

If we are going to swing for the fences and go for Harbaugh as plan A, and Miles or Stoops level coaches as plan B, what is it that that all of these guys - and pretty much every head coach has in common?  If you said a huge ego and desire for as much control as possible, you got it right.

In terms of attracting a top coach, it might be a selling point for Hacket to be able to tell coaching prospects that they will have a role in selecting the permanent AD.  Now, there is a difference between offering a role in the process and letting them go out and hire their own boss. 

Keep in mind that John Beilein - sage wiseman of M coaches (no sarcasm intended) - has already expressed a desire to be on the committee.  I think that the best move would be to offer the new coach the same involvement along with "veto power" over any AD prospect.  So, while Harbaugh (for example) would not be able to just go out and select the AD, he would have the comfort in knowing that he would not be forced to work for someone he dislikes, as he can veto that person.  Beilein should be given the same veto power. 

Doing it this way might actually turn the AD flux into a benefit for Michigan.

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skegemogpoint

November 10th, 2014 at 10:49 AM ^

I blasted Sam and Ira last week when they threw out the "UM won't pay Harbaugh" bullshoot.  If you want to listen, here's how it goes:

1.  Hackett fires Hoke within 3 days of the Ohio St game win or lose.  This is a done deal;

2.  Hackett continues to backchannel Plan B;

3.  Once 49ers are eliminated, Hackett makes the ask on Plan A;

4.  If Jim wants to stay in NFL, he stays.  Plan B then executed;

5.  New Coach hired by Christmas;

6.  Permanent AD hired at end of Spring term.

Joined: 07/08/2008

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jmdblue

November 10th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^

1) whomever Plan B is is going to know he's Plan B.  He may not be a Harbaugh level guy, but he's still going to be a major player in CFB and have a major ego.  He will not likely put up with being strung along while Harbaugh's life and decisions dictate whether he'll be offered a job.

2) I would hope JH would be willing to talk to M anytime so long as it was very confidential (likely through his old man).  JH will know the importance of at least an informal yes/no so Plan B's can be identified and negotiated with.  I would guess Hackett or another AD will be 90% sure of Harbaugh's decision one way or another by the OSU game.

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Moonlight Graham

November 10th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^

first week of January and will be too busy to worry about whether they're "plan B" or not. Miles and Stoops will probably be in New Year's Six bowl games and Mullen may make the championship game. 

By the time those guys are done, Hackett could approach them all as if they were "plan A" and if they ask about the "real" plan A Harbaugh, Hackett could just say ... uh, in case you haven't heard, he's the Bears/Dolphins/Jets' new coach. Not sure why you're asking." 

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M-Dog

November 10th, 2014 at 7:49 PM ^

If Jim Harbaugh is coming to Michigan, he's already made that decision.

It does not matter what the 49ers do.  The rest is just working out logisitcs behind closed doors while other stuff is going on.

If he's not coming, he's already made that decision too.  His conversations with Michgian will be brief and over quickly.

If there needs to be a Plan B, Michigan will be able to get to it very quickly.

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big john lives on 67

November 11th, 2014 at 10:00 PM ^

Plan A can be handled behind closed doors, quickly, and without any public disclosure.

If the JH in that video posted on the board a while back still exists, he will come and that will be known by Hackett quickly after the OSU game.

If the NFL still holds his heart, Hackett should know his plan B options in detail.

This is time, more than ever, for a big boy coaching search.

 

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turd ferguson

November 10th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^

The timing depends on the coach.  If there's an opportunity to hire Harbaugh (or Stoops or someone else at that level), you hire him and figure that if the future AD has a problem with that, he's too crazy to be AD anyway.  You can't hire anyone beneath the "dream candidate" list without the new AD being involved.  The dynamics would be too weird and messy if we hired an AD who stepped into a situation in which Todd Graham or Tom Herman or someone had just been hired.  

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jblaze

November 10th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^

if all (or a decent subset) of the coaches could meet 2-3 AD finalists and voice their opinion. I'm sure guys like Red and Beilein are good evaluators of people and can make a decision that is best for the University over a bunch of corporate guys/ an AD who has never hired a coach before.

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MGlobules

November 10th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^

old coach fired does not necessarily need to imply that a new coach hire is imminent. Whatever the AD status, sending the clear signal ASAP that Michigan is getting a new coach is the necessary way to go in order to retain recruits, let fans know M is getting its house in order and staking out a high-profile search. These guys can help rebuild Michigan's prestige by doing this right.

As a sidenote, I think a good scenario might see us squeaking by MD so that we have a bowl and a certain amount of (however illusory) pride in getting to the postseason, that bit more opportunity for development, etc. The bowl announcers can be building the anticipation if things are being guided well, and that too can be part of the rebuilding process. Who knows, sometimes the knew coach is upstairs or being interviewed. . .

Getting killed in the bowl would NOT be a great look for us, but I would be curious to see how DG played if he had his wheels back.

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Drew_Silver

November 10th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^

cheney was in charge of finding bush's VP - he picked the best choice he could find - himself!

I think hackett could stay on as AD for 18-24 months then get a new guy.  It could take years to unwind the changes DB made - if we even want to reduce overall revenue

as far as the coach is concerned, I personally am not in love with the idea of a coach having more power than his immediate boss (the AD).  There has to be a clear chain of command and accountability.

Having said that, I fully understand that any UofM coach who wins Rose Bowls and even a NC is a god and any AD would have less power than him.

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jmdblue

November 10th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^

I think if we want Harbaugh (I don't think Brandon ever made a good-faith offer last time around) we need a list of AD names from Harbaugh he would be comfortable with.  Contact could be made though Jack Harbaugh or anyone else around the program JH remains close to.  This would also serve to gauge JH's interest (if any).  Ideally the two hires are made almost simultaneously and at least a few weeks prior to NSD.

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