Where is the bottom?

Submitted by Roy G. Biv on

Trying to look at this question as rationally as possible.  My fear is:  3-9, Hoke and Brandon fired, ensuing search for coach botched, transfers, de-commits and in general the program in shambles.  That, I think, is the nadir we're headed for.  An admittedly pessimistic outlook.  Someone please talk me off the ledge. 

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UMxWolverines

October 5th, 2014 at 12:16 AM ^

I don't think players would transfer if we hired someone good. And if the current recruits are committed to Hoke, then too damn bad. If they're committed to Michigan than they have nothing to worry about. It's a small class anyway so not like when RR was fired. 

But in order for that to happen Brandon needs to be gone. 

I will be wearing a Fire Brandon t shirt and holding a sign as well next week and I encourage everyone else to do the same. I'm looking forward to the entire stadium chanting it. 

Joined: 03/01/2009

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Amaizeinblue

October 5th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^

because Hoke is too busy trying to be their friends instead of a coach. I don't think I've ever seen him go off in anger ever. Guys come off the field laughing after the Minnesota game and he's over there hugging people etc. Fire someone up Saban style, go purple Brian Kelly style (okay maybe quarter purple). Where's the passion? All I see is a glorified cheerleader where our head coach should be.

Joined: 01/18/2011

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allintime23

October 5th, 2014 at 12:16 AM ^

The bottom was when bo died before the game leading into app state in 2007. The problem is getting up from the bottom because we never have. It's been one long game of hell that won't end even when you think it's going to be okay.

Joined: 09/21/2009

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gwkrlghl

October 5th, 2014 at 12:21 AM ^

The real start of these problems was probably in the 90s or 2000s when being a "Michigan Man" for some reason became a prerequisite for coaching here and the mediocrity set in that allowed us to bottom out in the later part of the decade

I think we're going to suck till we shake the "Michigan Man" crap. You don't have to be associated with Michigan to coach here. Hutchins and Beilein are probably our two best coaches and neither had Michigan ties. Just go get the best available and let them do their thing

Joined: 04/13/2012

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gwkrlghl

October 5th, 2014 at 9:32 AM ^

Does any other school do this crap? Does Texas have to hire a "Texas Man"? Or Alabama an "Alabama Man"? We don't even play this stupidity with our other sports! Whyyyy does the coach need to be in some way associated with Michigan? Just try to hire the best guy available

Joined: 04/13/2012

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gwkrlghl

October 5th, 2014 at 12:16 AM ^

This season is about bottomed out. We're likely projected to win 3-4 games at best.

Rock bottom will be if we go through all this crap, fire everyone, and then hire another no name mid major coach which will signal another 3-5 years of mediocrity. Thats when Ill just quit hoping it will ever change

Joined: 04/13/2012

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UMDWolve

October 5th, 2014 at 12:16 AM ^

2-10 with Dave Brandon retained is the bottom.  There's no scenario where Hoke keeps his job.  If the regents and Schlissel retain Dave Brandon, I'm afraid it'll do lasting damage to the program in the form of permanent 'badwill' from the fanbase.

Please, please beat PSU.  Even down here at the bottom, I'm always going to root for the team to win.

Joined: 09/14/2014

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rainingmaize

October 5th, 2014 at 12:52 AM ^

Rock bottom would be exactly what you said, except in addition, Arizona and MSU play against each other in the Rose Bowl/playoff, we lose a bunch of recruits, Peppers transfers, Beilein can't stand the drama and retires, and Brian Cook decides to quit Mgoblog in order to pursue his dream of being in Cirque du Soleil. There is always worse than rock bottom. Michigan has to many resources and tradition to stay down long.

Joined: 04/13/2010

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rainingmaize

October 5th, 2014 at 12:52 AM ^

Rock bottom would be exactly what you said, except in addition, Arizona and MSU play against each other in the Rose Bowl/playoff, we lose a bunch of recruits, Peppers transfers, Beilein can't stand the drama and retires, and Brian Cook decides to quit Mgoblog in order to pursue his dream of being in Cirque du Soleil. There is always worse than rock bottom. Michigan has to many resources and tradition to stay down long.

Joined: 04/13/2010

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karpodiem

October 5th, 2014 at 12:17 AM ^

You have to look at longer arcs of time. Notre Dame finally has stability after 20 years. Will it take that long? Who knows. But we have the one thing that can at least buy you time while you go through 5 or 6 hands over a decade or two - proud alumni with a shitload of money. Ross may be rich, but he can't subsidize 40-50K empty seats a week.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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User -not THAT user

October 5th, 2014 at 12:42 AM ^

I've had a bad feeling about Penn State forever.  Northwestern is looking more and more like a solid Big Ten contender (as long as they don't play anyone out-of-conference), and Indiana scores at will and beat what is considered to be one of the better ESS-EEE-SEE Eastern Conference teams.  That leaves Maryland as the last home game of the year and who knows what the atmosphere will be for that.  OSU and MSU aren't even worth considering.

MAYBE one win out of that.  They actually played with a pulse on the road tonight, but still lost to a team that no one thinks they have any business losing to.

Joined: 06/05/2012

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mi93

October 5th, 2014 at 12:49 AM ^

A brand new president, 4 months into the job, is NOT going to fire the Athletic Director of one of the most profitable athletic departments in the universe with out "due process".  This is not a matter of huevos.  This is a matter of poise, posturing, and prudence.  This will be a well documented, planned, and executed exit - provided Schlissel isn't in over his own head.

Joined: 11/15/2008

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Jon06

October 5th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^

I like this opinion so much that it's my own. See any of my several comments in this thread, including this:

The thing about our communications going forward is also an extremely serious shot across Brandon's bow in a situation like this. Like I said below, I really, really hope this is real. That is a statement from somebody who knows how to run this place. And Brandon is as good as gone if indeed Schlissel released that.

And this:

That is the statement of a University President who is about to fire his Athletic Director for cause. They're going to get sued by Brandon for doing it, so they have to be careful here. But read between the lines--Brandon is done.
HOORAY PRESIDENT SCHLISSEL!
PRESIDENT SCHLISSEL FOR PRESIDENT!
LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT!

And this:

The Office of the General Counsel and the AD/President's PR people wrote the statements. But don't be distracted by the professionalism of the statements. Look at the content. Look at the clearly implied criticisms that a University President just publicly let fly about an embattled underling. These are very serious people. Those are very serious criticisms to make public. That's as close as President Schlissel can come to saying "I'm going to fire Dave Brandon as soon as legal figures out our strategy for not paying him his full buyout."
The way these things work is that you have to negotiate a buyout--we won't fire you for cause and you won't sue us and we'll say complimentary things about you and you'll resign for a small payoff. That takes time. It takes time for an egotistical asshole like DB to come to terms with the fact that he's done. It takes time for his lawyer and the U's lawyers to come to terms and get DB to accept those terms. And it takes time to craft a plan to competently run an AD that's been recently restaffed by handpicked yes men without the leader it is supposed to be their entire job to fawn over.

Joined: 09/19/2009

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PA_Blue

October 5th, 2014 at 12:20 AM ^

I have been watching Michigan football since 1979.  I have experienced every emotion possible over the last 35 years but for the first time I have complete apathy for the program.  No joy in a good play, no anger over a missed assignment, no disappointment over a tough loss.  I feel nothing, absolutely nothing.  This is worse than 2008-2010.  I would rather feel frustration and depression like I did then as opposed to now where I am just numb to the mediocrity.  This program is at a crossroads.  If they don't get the next AD/coaching hire right, you could be looking at another decade-long period of Michigan football being completely irrelevant.  

Joined: 10/04/2014

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switch26

October 5th, 2014 at 12:58 AM ^

I agree, because with RR's teams all 3 years our defense wasn't good everyone knew that, but our offense moved up and down the field on just about everyone we played..

 

The problem i think a lot of people forget was how many turnovers we had.. and it was mostly fumbles..

With hoke's team there is just no improvement anywhere and now tonite the Offense shows a little bit of life.. and the Defense sucked balls.

 

They regress somewhere every week..

 

First Time ever we have started 0-2 in conference in like 46 years, and gave Nova his best career day ever..

 

Also we went from forcing the most INT's in the B1G last year and now we have forced 1 turnover the entire fucking season..  How is that even possible?  Even out of sheer luck.. what a joke..

 

Tonight i watched our DB's completely ignore the football and just try to hit Rutgers shitty WR's.. when Nova threw 3 or 4 balls that should of been easily intercepted..

 

Ive never seen such inept corners in my life.

Joined: 02/04/2010

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alum96

October 5th, 2014 at 12:26 AM ^

I said 2-10 was very plausible last week and I see nothing to change that view.  4-8  is the upside.

Minnesota and Northwestern were our 2 best matchups.  Rutgers was not that good of a matchup for us strength on strength.

And now Northwestern is waking up.

There is no cogent offense to be had outside of hero ball, that will get Devin hurt more week by week.  Our so called 9th ranked defense is average.  Sorry, I am sick of people defending it.  On liveblog we said they'd march down the field in 2 minutes at end of the 1st half and they did.  Rutgers was missing its best player on offense.  Nova was made to look like a Heisman candidate.  And they made so many 3rd and longs. 

Your only hope for wins are Devin has a 2013 Indiana/OSU moment and it comes versus either PSU or Indiana or Maryland and those teams have a very bad night concurrent to Devin going off.  But with this defense it wont happen.  We will make Hack, CJ Brown, and Sudfeld all look like Heisman candidates when they show up in AA.  And Maryland has WRs that are going to make our DBs look zilly.

OSU and MSU will be slaughterhouse.

It doesnt matter though - everything must be burned to the ground on Dec 1 and start over.  It is a fundamentally poorly coached team.  Rutgers is average as hell with about 2 playmakers.  We likewise have 2 playmakers at this point (Funchess/Henry)

Joined: 04/28/2012

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slama

October 5th, 2014 at 12:21 AM ^

if DB makes it past December. It seems like a given the coach will be gone. The fan base will dwindle if DB somehow stays on. It is up to the fans/alumni/faculty to left the administration know how we feel.

Joined: 05/05/2014

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