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The RichRod hire and trying…

The RichRod hire and trying to get a better understanding about the read option offense and the 3-3-5 defense. It was really the first time I got into the schematics of football and the way this site breaks down the game has only further enhanced that. I think we’re all pretty lucky to have this kind of coverage on the How/why and not just the what.

Quasi-participating...gave…

Quasi-participating...gave myself a pass on Monday and will do so again for the championship game (possibly).

My wife likes to do it as a reset so I just go along with it.

I've tried some of that alt, non-alc liqours and they are pretty gross. I mostly just swap it for tea or ginger-flavored sparkling water (from Whole Foods).

Can't believe I'm saying…

Can't believe I'm saying this but I prefer the all-whites, all-blues, and white top/blue bottoms to any of the maize pants combinations. 

There's a part of me that…

There's a part of me that wants to see the B1G try to drop the hammer just so UM goes scorched earth on everyone else.

It's not as big of a part of me that wants this to be over and to see them go on a title run.

But there's a part.

Didn’t want to start another…

Didn’t want to start another thread and this seemed like the next best place…can someone clarify which rule we definitively broke? (CMU shenanigans aside)

Stealing signs in general isn’t it.

The scouting future opponents rule seems to be the grey area, right? Definitely can’t send staff but did CS paying friends to go break it? Isn’t there some exception for 3rd parties?

recording seems specific to in-game on the sidelines.

Does anyone have an impartial summary?

I still think he would have…

I still think he would have succeeded if he just assumed more of a figure-head CEO role and delegated the actual playing of the football. He was a great recruiter and loved the university. Not saying he would've made the playoff or anything, just better than what actually transpired.

That wasn't a splash hire it…

That wasn't a splash hire it was a desperation hire after the fan base revolted at the news of Schiano. That may be wildest coaching search story of all time.

I think there was a reason Pruitt was never high on anyones HC list even though he was a highly successful P5 DC for many years.

Love Josh - great listen if…

Love Josh - great listen if to stay in tune with the CFB world if you don't have time to watch all the games.

 

I'd prefer to keep the internal momentum going with someone like Moore. Having said that, I can't even think of a guy off the top of my head I'd be over the moon with. I was always convinced Whittingham would be great but he's too old at this point.

I may be naive/optimistic…

I may be naive/optimistic but based on everything we've heard recently about how the program has evolved since 2020 that set up the back to back OSU wins, B1G champs, and CFP appearances (that's fun to write) makes me think this isn't about one man as much as it used to be.

It's probably earlier than ideal but this feels like a legit culture now that extends beyond the HC. I'd feel pretty good about moving forward with an internal candidate who was part of that evolution, specifically Moore.

I really don't know who else would be a great hire from the "outside" but coaches seem to move now more than ever (Riley, Purple Face) so I'd imagine almost anyone is theorhetically on the table.

I'd give it to Gattis on an…

I'd give it to Gattis on an interim basis and give him a chance to prove himself as a HC. It just feels like it is way too late in the game to bring in someone from the "outside".

- Keeps stability with program, staff and recruiting

- Doesn't force yourself to be tied long-term if it blows up like Fickel at OSU after Tressel

- Doesn't seem like an offense to Gattis nor is there anyone else on the staff in a position to be upset.

For discussion sake (since you know this is just a message board and all of the people complaining about this topic can gtfo), I really like the idea of Mark Stoops if we're talking outsiders.

Honestly...who gives a shit…

Honestly...who gives a shit what Bo would do as a hypothetical AD in 2022.

These look great. Only…

These look great. Only argument against them is nostalgia but cmon…it’s ok to do something different.

Well as long as he dots his…

Well as long as he dots his....lower case j's

I'm actually pretty…

I'm actually pretty intrigued to see how he does.

Oh I don’t know. Was just…

Oh I don’t know. Was just thinking of what series of events would be most ironically painful for UM football.

Wouldn't them hiring…

Wouldn't them hiring Campbell, the fan favorite to go to UM if JH left, and continuing to dominate the rivalry be more in-line with BPONE?

I think it's been extremely…

I think it's been extremely helpful for offensively minded teams to take advantage of Brown the past 2-3 years. Once everyone learned what he was all about (which isn't hard since he talks about it all the time) I can't imagine it's a particularly difficult task to scheme circles around him as we started to see.

So when you pair that with a guy like Day (who was already familiar with him) who is by most accounts a very good offensive coordinator, or a guy like Moorhead (who shredded his D in 2017) it just makes it that more difficult to slow down in an increasingly offensive-dependent sport. Hell even MSU was able to put to together a plan specifically for the game because they knew exactly what they were getting.

Will definitely be interesting to see how a new DC fairs as less talented teams like IU and NW held them somewhat in check.

I'm not sure you understood…

I'm not sure you understood what I was getting at. Just pointing out that MC's latest resume highlight (ISU), is a lot like Saban prior to him leading LSU to a national title in that they "brought a program to new heights" (MSU in Sabans case).

Wasn't saying that was a prerequisite for succeeding at a larger program. Hence the entire second half of the post that clarified that's not what I was saying and that there is no specific formula for successful coach.

Doesn't Matt Campbell…

Doesn't Matt Campbell currently resemble (not 100% but directionally) a Nick Saban at MSU?

The excitement over MC is that he's succeeding at a difficult place to succeed and lifting that program to heights they haven't been to before.

The naysayers are pointing out a lack of actual hardware and inability to beat their "rival" Iowa. 

I'm not claiming by any means that MC is the next Saban or a sure thing because that doesn't exist. A magic formula doesn't exist. A prototype or template doesn't exist. Which is exactly why "blue blood" programs like Michigan, USC, and Texas are all pretty mediocre lately. And why other programs, including the vaunted Bama, OSU, and Clemson have all had mediocre tenures.

Do those of you who seem to…

Do those of you who seem to think everything is a ok now and "here comes captain comeback" not realize the impact this entire charade has and will continue to have on recruiting and building a staff?

You're telling me a LB coach from the NFL is the best person to lead the D? I'm not saying he won't succeed but you're taking a massive risk on a guy who has never coached in college, never recruited, and never coordinated a defense. Clearly top candidates are weary of the situation, as they should be.

They're also a sitting duck in recruiting now. Other coaches can literally say, factually, without it being dirty, that UM doesn't even trust their own coach.

I'd love to see 2016 Harbaugh walk through Schembechler hall to the Stone Cold Steve Austin glass-breaking music but what have we seen in the last 4 years that gives any indication that is going to happen.

Unless they make a complete 180 and have a 10+ win season the spiral will continue.

This is one of the worst…

This is one of the worst ones.

From my personal…

From my personal interactions with Ravens fans I can tell you they would be livid if the OC thing had any semblance of truth to it. A) Most of them don’t like John and B) View Roman as the key to their success.

As is my general feeling…

As is my general feeling towards UM football these days...meh

I remember Les Miles being …

I remember Les Miles being "confirmed" as the UM coach (for the second time) back in the 2009 title game as it scrolled along the bottom of the screen.

The agent comment is…

The agent comment is definitely a good call out. 

However, the last four similar jumps I can remember (Carroll, Kelly, Schiano, and Rhule) all have articles available about their pending interview...in some cases w/ multiple teams (Kelly and Rhule).

Those situations might be different and I do agree the agent/non-agent thing is a good point, but it's not like we wouldn't find out if he's interviewing JUST because he's a college coach.

I think it's blatantly…

I think it's blatantly obvious and has been that this entire ordeal would come down to whether or not an NFL team would take a shot on Harbaugh. However, unless they are somehow keeping everything under wraps so his interest is concealed, it doesn't seem like there is any. All requests for interviews from these teams is pretty widely reported and there's been nothing w/ Harbaugh.

In regards to not texting…

In regards to not texting back and forth with players, is this something new? or is this part of his kind-of-awkward-everyday persona anyway?

Let’s be honest - it’s the…

Let’s be honest - it’s the formatting of the site. It’s doesn’t really lend itself well to long-term board discussions.

Don’t get me wrong - love the content, insight, podcasts, and the posters who share whatever inside info they can. But the format isn’t great Rob.

If want to replicate their …

If want to replicate their "success" we would have to switch divisions or go independent.

Considering negotiations…

Considering negotiations usually start high and Matt Rhule just got like $9 mil with a career highlight of just getting Baylor to 11 wins I’d say this seems fair.

Where is the Moorhead stuff…

Where is the Moorhead stuff coming from?

Isn't it kind of odd that…

Isn't it kind of odd that coaches in the NFL often get second chances and some actually turn out great (Belichek, Coughlin, Carroll) but the top programs rarely give a guy a second chance. I could just be missing something but seems a bit odd.

I don’t recall a lot of…

I don’t recall a lot of people saying Harbaugh needed to win a championship in 2-3 years. Maybe be trending towards competing for one but most people recognized there was a lot to rebuild. The issue, at least in my opinion, is that trend peaked in year 2 and doesn’t show any signs of being able to regain momentum.

I think some of you are…

I think some of you are letting your angst towards the person cloud your judgement of him as a football coach. IDK whether or not he will translate/succeed in the NFL but he didn't just win because of talent differential and seemed to be able to evolve/tweak his schemes as necessary so he isn't just a one-dimensional spread option guy.

Given some of the modern-O influences in the NFL these days I'm actually intrigued to see how it would work.

Not worth it's own thread…

Not worth it's own thread and SIAP but it was mentioned on the FOX pregame show that at least one NFL team had reached out to the 49ers to discuss what JH was like as a HC. 

Que Bryan Harsin getting a…

Que Bryan Harsin getting a raise...

I had a similar thought but…

I had a similar thought but if that was definite an extension would've been announced by now in my opinion. Timing sucks this year given everything going if the NFL is the way out for Harbaugh. The option on the table is essentially JH is the coach next year or JH leaves in mid to late January at the latest. 

We saw this bite MSU last year where the timing was so off it impacted the ability to hire a coach because of the difficulty putting a staff together that late in the game. I actually would not be entirely shocked or opposed to an interim next year if it does in fact play out this way.

This X1000 - if they somehow…

This X1000 - if they somehow pulled off an upset over OSU that’d be great and all, but it wouldn’t make me feel any better about the direction of the program without seeing 2016 Jim back out there. 

Only reason I don’t think…

Only reason I don’t think his behavior changed because he was told to is because some of it is just instinctive. Like there is no way he wouldn’t let it out at some point the last 4 years.

Idk...how exactly could the…

Idk...how exactly could the admin hold these guys back aside from admissions standards? They seem to have full support from the university. Isn’t it quite possible that they just hired the wrong guys? They all failed for different reasons.

something happened to harbaugh after 2016. Idk what but he’s completely different and it’s changed how the program performs.

A) I don't see any reason…

A) I don't see any reason why he can't. I don't have specific numbers but I believe they've brought in more 4 star types since his arrival than ever before. 

B) I don't really think the ability to bring in 5-star talent is directly related to just the coach. The facilities/support of the program have to be there as well. Saban wasn't known as a great recruiter at MSU but hes the best at Bama. Les Miles was known for being a great recruiter at LSU but hasn't done anything at Kansas. Neither Hoke or Harbaugh were known for their recruiting but they both did very good bringing in high end talent at UM.

I'm just drinking pretending…

I'm just drinking pretending to be a NW fan so...

I'll start by prefacing I'm not "all-in" on MC as I stated in my post above. I personally don't think UM needs some big swing for the fences hire to be successful. The last 3 coaches failed for completely different reasons...

RR - While credited with inventing the spread-option I don't think he was really an offensive mastermind (in fact I believe he invented it because of a mistake in practice). I think he was one dimensional and as coaches learned how to defend the spread he was brought back to earth

Hoke - Got in his own way with his insistance on a Manball mentality on both sides of the ball and refusal to adjust to the modern day cfb.

Harbaugh - This is a tale of two Harbaughs. If we continued to get 15/16 JH I have a feeling we would be in a much better situation. But the stories you hear about how the program is being run these days, poor recruiting coordination, no identity, not a motivator, doesn't connect with this players and general malaise...it just seems like wee have a completely different guy in charge.

Personally, I don't want a "system" coach. I'd prefer a guy who has proven to be able to build and run a program. Campbell fits that mold. Players seem to love him, he gets them to punch above their weight, he's not reliant on a certain style of ball. I also feel that it is important for UM to get back to recruiting Ohio. when theyve been elite, they had lots of ohio talent and I think its a reason they've struggled in The Game. MC being from Ohio and having coached at Toledo is a huge plus for me.

Harbaugh was about as perfect of a coach UM could have hired as far as his resume was concerned. For whatever reason it hasn't worked which just goes to show there is no such thing as a perfect candidate.

I’m not all-in on Campbell…

I’m not all-in on Campbell or anything but here are the recruiting rankings for the last 4 years (17-20) of the two teams playing today...

OU: 12, 6, 9, 8

ISU: 46, 46, 55, 52

And they’ve already beaten them once this year.

 

I have no idea what this…

I have no idea what this means but I completely agree.

yeah from the eye test I…

yeah from the eye test I would completely agree. I guess what I was getting at is that if they can come to some sort of definitive resolution that will actually take place I guess I'm ok with it?

I just want to know wtf is…

I just want to know wtf is the plan with the offense. The D has always been reliant on the coordinator, whether it was Durkin or DB. Assuming they hire a decent replacement there I'm not worried. I'm still confused about the offense...has this been 100% Gattis the last 2 years? Has JH inserted himself? is it a shared responsibility?

It's been 6 years and the O has no identity, no staple, no consistency. If JH is staying around, my hope is that he has been meddling the last two years and has actually turned the keys over to JG to do his thing.

I want crazy, intense, high attention to detail JH but with some delegation of playcalling...mostly so he can focus on how much f*cking time is left on the clock under 5 minutes.

Not trying to be a downer or…

Not trying to be a downer or negative by any means but recruiting hasn't really been an issue in this rivalry. UM out recruits MSU by a large margin every year but its been a 50/50 split in the JH era.

Am I the only one who thinks…

Am I the only one who thinks if the game has to be cancelled because OSU-covid situation that NW should be awarded the conference championship?

Harbaugh wants to/plans on…

Harbaugh wants to/plans on/expects to/hypothesizes that/believes he will/ etc. be the coach at Michigan next year will be the story up until an actual decision is made regardless of what that decision is and gives us no more clarity either way of what is planned.

Feels like he’s either going to the NFL or coming back so unless we hear about him interviewing for a HC gig I would plan on seeing him on the sidelines in 2021.

Was anyone else miffed at…

Was anyone else miffed at why they used that image as one of their cut-outs?