What does Urban Meyer leaving mean for MICHIGAN?
On a more positive slant, it puts 2 (3 with S. Florida?) in transition, and may make stealing some recruits there for a couple of years easier. Could really makes some inroads there while the programs aren't at the top of their game, like we have elsewhere. There will be some pretty darn good assistants possibly looking for a job. And we need at least one. And Notre Dame hired a coach, so suddenly Kelly to South Bend doesn't look like the worst case scenario. Also, who knows what the fallout from the coaching switches might be.
On a more negative slant, if the problems he's having aren't THAT serious, or recoverable (and just for humanity's sake one would hope that is the case), if he even HINTS he might want to come back to coaching, the pressure on Rich gets doubled. Every media source would project Michigan as a possible destination if Michigan struggles, compounding scrutiny. (Even if it's NOT at all likely, the talking heads will throw it out there). And with his favored programs being OSU (going nowhere), ND (just hired coach) and Michigan, along with the fact that no other major job coaches are on the hot seat (Bama, USC, Nebraska, Texas has a few more years, PSU doesn't seem likely)...well, people will connect the dots even if the lines aren't straight. And the last thing this program needs is more doubts. But suddenly we've gone from "other than Kelly, who else is out there to get?" to the best coach in the game being unemployed. Heck, not just Rich Rod but every coach without a ring who wasn't just hired is feeling more pressure. (God forbid there's some rival for him to take over).
How else does it influence Michigan, the school we care about?
December 26th, 2009 at 9:46 PM ^
Michigan would never pony up the cash necessary to hire a guy like Meyer.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:52 PM ^
But, wouldn't that depend on the new AD? IMO Martin had created the infrastructure to take our athletic department to the next level. Now, our next AD can be more focused on the actual teams like Canham was. Whether that means we'd pay more for coaches or having a different relationship with the coaches rather then being completely 'hands off' like Martin was remains to be seen I suppose.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:06 PM ^
Canham invented the business of College Athletics. He trademarked the block M and filled Michigan Stadium. College athletic depts didn't make a profit until Canham made it into a goal. He hired coaches that allowed to him focus on the business and not worry about the actual teams.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:16 PM ^
Yeah, he innovated the AD role. Nobody is arguing that. But, your wrong if you don't think he didn't focus on the actual teams. He was the only person whose opinion that Bo cared about. Canham and Martin were very different from each other. Hell, Canham couldn't even stand the fact that Martin got hired and was never very fond of him.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:08 PM ^
Of course he resented Martin. Canham was asleep at the switch the whole 1980s and allowed a lot of problems to fester - including decaying facilities and a corrupt basketball program - which Martin had to deal with.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:22 PM ^
his efforts would have not been nearly as impactful.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:48 AM ^
It means about as much as this..
December 27th, 2009 at 9:51 AM ^
...is that Ted Dibiase Jr. in The Marine 2?
December 26th, 2009 at 9:54 PM ^
Maybe not, but they dropped $1 million for Barwis' new weight room, a built a multi million dollar new practice facility, paid for (part of) RR's buyout, gave him a good salary, and are still paying Lloyd.
Michigan (maybe just Bill Martin) is not cheap.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:17 PM ^
They lowballed Ferentz. If they had brought even an average offer to the table, Ferentz would be prepping for a NYD bowl as Michigan head coach. They don't call him Dollar Bill Martin for no reason.
And they paid for part of the buyout after months of RR fighting it. You don't really think that was just RR making the decision to try and get out of it, do you?
December 26th, 2009 at 11:07 PM ^
Your 'blog seems more than reasonable and I am (promise) not flaming here.
In the alternate universe where Ferentz is coach and UM is playing in early 2010, is Mallet driving? If not, what makes you think that Ferentz would have done much better than RichRod the past couple of years?
December 26th, 2009 at 11:23 PM ^
Doubt Mallett would've stayed, but Threet wouldn't have been broken down by running the zone read all the time (still would've been bad though), our offensive line would've been more stable (Boren staying), and most importantly, our defense would've actually been worth a damn. The ceiling would be lower, but the results would've absolutely been more immediate with Ferentz. Much less culture shock.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:48 PM ^
Do you not remember the beginning and end of the 2007 season? App St & Oregon on one side and miserable performances against Wisky & Suckeyes on the other. Boren staying? I think he's where he wanted to be all along; the lack of "family values" was a useful rationalization. Ferentz has had his share of bad records - no miracle worker there.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:54 PM ^
What exactly does the 2007 season have anything to do with any hypotheticals involving Ferentz?
Ferentz is not a perfect (or even elite) coach by any means, and I'd take RR over him anyday, but one thing Ferentz and Norm Parker have always had is a tough, fundamentally sound defense. What does that have to do with what happened at Michigan in 2007?
December 27th, 2009 at 2:22 AM ^
Simple: even with zero culture shock (no coach change, same system, etc) the team was on the wrong side of the suck line. Even if Lloyed had stayed, the last two years wouldn't have been pretty.
That said, I agree with you that Ferentz likely wouldn't have had the nuclear meltdown that RR did. I think a NYD bowel this year is a big stretch though.
December 27th, 2009 at 10:01 PM ^
that he's really well respected in NFL circles.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:33 AM ^
...the end of the 2007 SEASON was the win over Urban Meyer's Gators...
December 26th, 2009 at 11:52 PM ^
Mallett always wanted to go to Arkansas. He only committed to Michigan when it was clear to him he would start for a while behind Dingleberry (mustain(sp)) until he transfered to USC (fool).
December 26th, 2009 at 11:42 PM ^
I don't think Bill Martin wanted Ferentz any more than he wanted Miles. Maybe MSC was in that camp - not many else were.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:26 AM ^
two words...F Ferentz.
Ferentz woulda done what carr did in his final years win 8-9 games and go to a bowl thats not the NC game. Give it time. If you build it, it(NC) will come.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:54 PM ^
...$4 million buyout later...
But even if that is the case (with suites to sell), that isn't going to stop talking heads, from the Freep to PTI from talking about it.
This isn't a "replace Rich Rod" thread. On that side of the ledger it is a "how much of a distraction could it become?" thread.
But then, if we can clean up some talent in Florida next year (or 2 or 3), it could become a "does Urban want to be our Receivers Coach" thread. :-)
December 26th, 2009 at 9:54 PM ^
Yes Michigan would try to hire Urban Meyer. Money would not be the issue, Because on reputation alone the kids would come flocking and hes proven he can win in a hard conference. The money would find its way up here and paying a guy a few million more wouldn't mean a damn thing if we started winning national championships. You think Wal-Mart sells a lot of cheap Michigan shit now, well....
December 26th, 2009 at 9:51 PM ^
If Florida was smatthe'd try and get Rich Rod.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:52 PM ^
Urban Meyer regains his health. I think that should be his first priority and that the UF fanbase can respect his decision not to die on the sideline.
If RichRod is not successful in the next couple of years then he will have made his own case to be replaced and if that means candiates like Urban Meyer for the best football job in America...well, good for us. RichRod controls his destiny on this; I just hope that for his family that Meyer's health is okay.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^
It helps our Florida recruiting, especially if they stop being a powerhouse. Plus, without Meyer and Tebow, UF will be a lot less annoying. On the other hand, I don't think he's likely to coach again. To me it seemed like the stress was to much on his health and he was going to stay out for a long time.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:08 PM ^
I don't see Meyer ever coming here. Harbough would likely be #1 if RR fails. The only thing that comes from this is we might get more recruits or at least have a stronger presence in Florida.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:42 AM ^
After blowing up the school in various interviews and throwing Bo under the bus, Jim Harbaugh is dead to me (based on Jamie Morris' comments he can't much be alive to the admin either). Unless the new AD is exceedingly forgetful of these concerns he's not coming. That said, he's nothing more than an average coach at the elite level (read Division 1)with a few quality wins. Nothing more.
If Meyer was available (read health improves) and RichRod doesn't have success in the next couple years I am sure he'd be a candidate for the best coaching job in America. Meyer would cost something but I am sure the concept of resurrecting the sleeping giant in Michigan would appeal to him at 5 or 6 million a year.
December 27th, 2009 at 8:53 AM ^
like they're coming from a dislike for the man more than reason. You may be right that he would never be considered for a head job at Michigan. He's burned enough bridges that there would be a significant camp working against him. Never is a long time though.
You're not paying attention if you think he's an average coach, though. Charlie Weis was average. Rich Brooks is average. Mark Dantonio is average. "Average" coaches names don't get mentioned as possibility for top jobs. Harbaugh's coaching the PAC-10 eqivalent of Northwestern, in a stronger conference than the Big 10, and he's recruiting like he's got the reigns of top program. In the year before he took over, Stanford won one frickin' game, and lost to San Jose St. and conference doormat WSU. They'd won a total of 16 games in the 5 previous years. That program was a complete mess. They aren't today.
And a "few quality wins?" Yeah, I'd say so.
Harbaugh is an ass. Agreed. But he didn't throw Bo under any bus. He said some uncomplimentary things about Mighigan, much of which was self-serving to Jim Harbaugh, but not entiterly made up. God forbid someone have a different thoughts sbout Michigan than Llyod Carr, Jamie Morris and Mike Hart.
December 27th, 2009 at 9:16 AM ^
Of course he didn't throw Bo under the bus - he waited for Bo to die first.
Make no mistake about it, what Harbaugh said spit in the face of everything Bo Schembechler stood for in the 20 years he coached Michigan. And he waited for Bo to die before opening his mouth because he knew what he was doing, and he knew what it meant, and he knew Bo wouldn't have tolerated it.
Harbaugh is what he is. He's arrogant, irresponsible, immature and a loudmouth. His on-field success at Stanford might make some regular Michigan fans forget what he did, but it won't make some powerful people in Ann Arbor forget. People who don't even acknowledge he exists at this point.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:09 PM ^
I believe it means his family is currently planning on spending more time at their lakehouse in Michigan, just after they get done eating at their grandparents this coming weekend.
Whoops, TMZ Sports just hijacked my account.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:20 PM ^
The lengths you guys are going to to find new angles with which to start threads over this Meyer thing.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:34 PM ^
That's because we're all compensating for our alma mater not being in one of those bowl thingies. Might as well start a thread.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:40 PM ^
There goes my "are we going to win our bowl game" thread...
December 26th, 2009 at 10:39 PM ^
Well, this could be good for Michigan. It might make it easier to recruit in Florida, but I still feel bad for the guy. Great coach, too bad he couldn't go longer. I'm sure Florida fans pooped their pants when they heard the news.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:43 PM ^
That last sentence may be the most accurate description, ever. :-)
December 26th, 2009 at 10:54 PM ^
Brian has some rare Bowl season TWIS material, big time...
December 26th, 2009 at 11:07 PM ^
My opinion is that Florida State benefits greatly from this development.
They attracted two great recruits after Bowden left...this could swing the state of Florida in their direction.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:44 AM ^
Nice to see the regular you back in business.
December 27th, 2009 at 3:02 AM ^
They seem to be in better shape as a program right now.
December 27th, 2009 at 9:26 AM ^
I could definitely see that happening as well. I always liked FSU better anyways, tomahawk chop, war chant, throwing spears in opposing teams logos at middle field just to piss them off, etc.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:10 PM ^
There is an outside chance that UF would consider hiring RR away from UM since UF runs a spread offense. I'm not sure if there are any escape clauses in RR's contract. I know UM has a similar 4 M buyout that WVU had in RR contract when he broke it. It may cost RR too much to leave, even if he was interested. Hopefully, he won't and in the next two years he will be successful here! If not, may be Urban's health will improve for him to get the coaching itch. At one time I was a Les Miles fan but now I would prefer the younger Harbaugh if RR does not work out here after a few years, or the NCAA comes up with a fluff major violation ruling.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:43 AM ^
I'd say there's finally a bright point to all of Rich's financial dealings, not being able to afford 2 buyouts, but I'm pretty sure Florida can afford anyone they want.
Though I'm not sure how a coach coming off two losing seasons would fly with the deep pockets, or anyone else. So we got that going for us. Because when/if he gets us up and running, Florida might be the rare job worth leaving Michigan for. But Meyer is stepping down at a good time to avoid that.
December 27th, 2009 at 9:48 AM ^
You would have to be utterly delusional to even have a smidge of concern that one of the top football programs in the country would try to lure Rich Rod away right now.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:16 PM ^
It means nothing except for recruiting
December 26th, 2009 at 11:43 PM ^
Huckleby , MARQUES Slocum
December 27th, 2009 at 12:37 AM ^
You missed "Harbough" too. :-)
(Not even touching "your" & "you're").
December 26th, 2009 at 11:47 PM ^
There are several potential benefits for Michigan:
1. Most obviously, there's recruiting. We may snag a guy or two from Florida's class this year, more next year.
2. There is also the potential that a national power is destabilizing. This helps because it may weaken the SEC, and give the Big 10 the benefit of the doubt in the MNC game sweepstakes down the road someday.
3. Assuming Florida mops the floor with a downbeat UC team, Michigan will be the only team to beat Urban Legend in a bowl game. That means something, man. We ruined his unblemished legacy.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:32 AM ^
If Florida messes up this hire, they become ordinary again. That would definitely weaken the SEC by one great team, which would effectively make the teams facing the Big Ten in bowls one slot lower. In other words, a three-slot might end up being more like a four-slot is now.
This would remove what many percieve as an inherent seeding advantage currently held by the SEC in bowl games against the Big Ten. It could also go a long way toward letting the Big Ten get their reputation back.
The other factor in the BT equation, of course, would be the return of UM to elite level. A combination of both could definitely swing the balance of power back to the Big Ten.
Also, I definitely agree about recruiting; this could re-open Florida to not only other instate teams, but also Michigan. Since Meyer got there, Florida has pretty much skimmed off the top of everywhere except Dade and Broward Counties, where "The U" has skimmed off the top. Florida dropping down a level would be a boon to everyone outside of Gainesville.
It will definitely be an entertaining winter now.
December 27th, 2009 at 3:14 AM ^
Uh, dude, Florida hasn't been ordinary in a long, long time, if ever. They are a top 5 team over the past 25 years. They have been much more relevant nationally than Michigan in the past 25 years. Couple bad Zook years, yeah, but other than that, no problems for them.
December 27th, 2009 at 3:42 AM ^
Won their first SEC title in 1991. Won their first National Championship in 1996. All under Spurrier. Before him they were the third best program in the State, an afterthought to Miami-FSU game (the schools really in the top five), best know for being put on enough probation that their coach would get fired. And before THAT they were a pretty mediocre squad, historically.
They had an excellent run under Spurrier, and a big blip with Zook, and what Meyer has done hasn't been matched in a long time. But it's not unlikely that if FSU and Miami could get their act together, the balance of power could shift. Florida talent has traditionally supported one outstanding program, one really good program, and one Meh program. Miami's run gave way to FSU that eventually shifted to Florida. There's nothing that historically makes it Florida's birthright. They just have the momentum now.