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I'm trying to understand the

I'm trying to understand the sudden emphasis on cornerbacks when 3 were already in the stable together with those already on the team. Can someone help?

These national searches take

These national searches take time, especially if you had no Plan A going in. (or B, for that matter.)

Why didn't DB just fire RR

Why didn't DB just fire RR AFTER national signing day?

LM did not float this story.

LM did not float this story. The athletic director of LSU is quoted as saying so. Would he open himself to lawsuits if his story was incorrect?

The latest from the

The latest from the recruiting services is that M is 36th. If so, DB knew what the consequences of firing RR so late would be. Both DB and MSC ought to be held accountable.

Please don't blame BH. He has

Please don't blame BH. He has been put in an impossible situation. DB put him there!!!

Last I saw, one recruiting

Last I saw, one recruiting service rated our class 36th in the nation. Since replacing the coach, that is worse than RR's class that he was focused on. Some people on this sight are raising their expectations beyond realistic. I've seen one person with an excellent reputation for ranking recruiting classes who said 4 days ago that there was no way M could salvage this class.  He is right on target, unfortunately. Didn't DB know that when he waited 2 months to make this change it would impact the class. If not, doesn't that say something?

Have some of you seen the news that LSU is claiming we offered Les Miles - one of those vaunted Michigan men that DB bragged about would save us all and the program - 4 million and he turned us down. What kind of Plan A, B, or C did DB really have??? After the last fiasco, I would think he and the administration would have learned from their earlier mistakes.

Unsolicited advice to BH on

Unsolicited advice to BH on naming his coaches - haste makes waste, and one of the reasons your predecessor is now out of a job is because he named the wrong defensive coordinator. I hope he understands that these decisions set the course for his future - success or failure.

The coaching resumes are

The coaching resumes are underwhelming. Are these the guys that DB was referring to when he said he already has resumes in hand?

 

Ah, this "Michigan Man"

 

Ah, this "Michigan Man" stuff is great revisionist history! It never existed prior to a certain clique wanting to dip six the ex-coach.

Interesting to hear that jab

Interesting to hear that jab about Bill Martin. At least he had the courage to go against the Carr clique and choose from the outside. He displayed more character in that decision than some others.

I wish Hoke well for the sake

I wish Hoke well for the sake of the University and its football fans.

However, I remain positively stunned by the internal athletic department politics now coming to light. The cronyism is positively amazing and absolutely discouraging. Good luck to someone who has not been in the clique.

He is back, along with others

He is back, along with others from the LC era now unemployed. SC at Florida, for example. Ah, this attempt to recreate the LC era will be very interesting.

Alas, wishful thinking. He is

Alas, wishful thinking. He is not a Michigan man. My heavens, he threw out all that old equipment from the LC era and brought in new stuff! Say good bye - he'll land in Pittsburg with McGee, etc. And expect more of the old LC crowd to show up looking for work.

Please, folks, he was

Please, folks, he was recruited and groomed by the now fired head coach to be the centerpiece of a spread offense. He was in the running for a Heisman under that system. Either he bolts to one of those southern teams running variations of the spread, or BH will adapt the offense to him for at least a year. DB and BH cannot affored his defection - hence the lunch with him. Such a defection would make the criticisms of Mallet's defection under RR a little shallow, don't you think?

He is gone. The rumor right

He is gone. The rumor right after his being declared academically ineligible was that he was transferring to U of Montana to get a shot at starting. Neither RR or BH had anything to do with this.

I'm peeved at MSC for

I'm peeved at MSC for abdicating her responsibility with regard to hiring a coach, ditto with DB who turned the whole thing into a charade, but number one on my mistrust list is LC, whose ego to name a successor has re-divided the fan base for years to come. Finally, someone owes RR an apology for the way that he has been treated.

Having said all that, BH hasn't nothing to do with my displeasure with the above three, and I will support him because rebuilding is going to take another couple of years and he will need our support. This isn't going to be a pretty.

Amen. And what about MSC who

Amen. And what about MSC who claimed that she didn't know who the new coach would be? That sure says alot - we are paying her big bucks to know that kind of thing. Time to clean house of the entire administration.

Were the rumors  true that

Were the rumors  true that MSC - who lamely claimed she didn't know who the next head coach would be and she is making big bucks to run the place - and LC didn't want either Harbaugh or Miles from day one. The former because he made remarks about the program, and the latter because of old grudges. Cast about the internet, and you will also find pre-decision rumors that Hoke was the choice from day one.

I wish Hoke well because to do otherwise is cutting off your nose to spite your face. But that doesn't mean that I can't be crticial of MSC, LC, and DB for this charade because this is a public university and their course of action seems to have made a public laughingstock of it.

According to rumors, MSC and

According to rumors, MSC and LC never wanted JH from day one - noses permanently out of joint because he had criticized our athletic department and academics. Ditto with the rumors that LC would have nothing to do with LM because of old grudges. In short, LC now has his man. Anyone have the e-mail addresses of the Trustees?

And what about the head coach

And what about the head coach in waiting, Ron English? It seems his players at EM love him.

By the way, Tressel was

By the way, Tressel was 135-57-2, with 4 championships, before that school down south hired him.

This meeting with Miles has

This meeting with Miles has made for great theater. Miles, himself, makes for great theater - clock management and predisposition for grass. Therefore, because M must compete in the national theater of college football, and because their "brand" must be freshened to keep the cash cow Big Ten network buzzing along, I believe that it will be Miles. They recognize it was a mistake to ignore him in 2007, and, now, 3 years later, they cannot afford to be jilted yet again. I trust DB did his homework here, and that you will soon be introduced to your new coach - Miles. Hoke would be an admission that LC's cronies in the athletic department spent the last three years undermining RR, and that will immediately re-open wounds among RR supporters. Unless, of course, he has some other rabbit in the hat - Gruden?

Gruden

Your paragraph one is dead on. One other reason to add - if you are selling brand names - i.e. Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, etc., what better way to attract viewers to the Big Ten Network than someone with the name recognition of Gruden. It would instantly revitalize the product. The role of the cash cow Big Ten network cannot be underestimated as a factor that DB is using to make his decision. And, I have no doubt that many of the young recruits of the next few years worship Gruden as some sort of football god. I wouldn't rule him out. 

Miles, Gruden, Patterson, Mullen, Dark Horse

This is all about the future, and DB's legacy to M. He knows that football funds the athletic department, and that, at the moment, it and the BT Network are cash cows. This is about tv sets, the NY City market, recruiting, and repairing the defense. We are in the theater of national tv competing for dollars. Sorry, but I think Hoke is an admission of two things: 1) Carr's cronies in the athletic department spent 3 years undermining RR; 2) M is a program on the decline because no top ten coach will come here. The country is watching and anyone less than a coach with a winning track record and charisma is out of the question and will make us a laughing stock and the butt of jokes. Like it or not, Miles makes for good theater - clock management and his predisposition for grass eating. Gruden is a commentator for good reason - ratings. Patterson is what DB is looking for when it comes to defense - have you seen his defensive record the last 5 years? Mullen is charismatic and players will come. Finally, we shouldn't laugh at those Stoops rumors - there could very well be a dark horse. (Even Urban Meyer is not out of the question.)

DB did not lie about JH in his press conference. He already knew he was on his way to the pros. So, I think he had been negotiating with him sometime ahead of firing RR. No CEO in his right mind does not have a plan B. In short, let's trust him a little bit here, because I think we are in for a pleasant surprise and a bright future.

Miles, Gruden, Patterson, Mullen

This is all about name recognition and reasons for those outside Michigan to order the Big Ten Network. Remember that cash cow? Brandon is a businessman and must fund the entire University athletic budget from football. His legacy is at stake, not to mention mediocrity or a return to football greatness. So, forget Hoke. If they wanted him they would already have hired him. Besides, if you were from New York City, a market the network wishes to crack, pr Atlanta, would you pay the premium dollar to watch Hoke rebuild the team? This is the theater, guys. The theater of national football. All of the above names are marquis guys who can not only pack the stadium and sell those luxury boxes in the midst of a recession, but keep the fans interested, immediately attract recruits and rebuild the defense.

Of the four, Miles has the Midwest connection, played and coached at Michigan, and, makes for good television fodder - clock management and his predeliction for grass. I'm betting he's the first choice and they wish they had not ignored him 3 years ago, or we would not be in this mess to begin with. Failing that, Gruden makes for Network subscriptions. Patterson is the defensive minded guy that would satisfy both Bo and Carr supporters - have you seen that defensive record, and he is no namby pamby developer of talent. I put him 3rd. Then Mullen, obviously a charismatic choice.

I believe in DB and fully expect him to sign someone that we can all rally around.

Geeze, didn't know that! What

Geeze, didn't know that! What did DB say about understanding UM rivalries? Making even more sense. Great point!

Gruden

He has national name recognition (common guys, DB is a marketing guy and we are talking Big Ten network and the MIchigan brand which is a key player in that network, before folks begin to cancel subscriptions = $$$, which is what keeps our athletic department going), kids who grew up in the 2000s and are now being recruited recognize his name and would die to play for him, he knows the game and has no UM baggage, unlike Hoke and Miles, and, if I recall, he was in Phoenix when an M plane landed. So, darn logical to me.

This topic is certainly not

This topic is certainly not new. I do recall previous discussions. One name prominently mentioned, other than Notre Dame, was Tennessee. It makes sense, and entry into the
Southern market.

I've said some pretty ugly

I've said some pretty ugly things. I was wrong. They were in the Ohio State game. I watched it in Atlantic Coast Conference territory. Those folks love RR!!! They are right. They know that he is a damn good coach. It take TIME to change systems. RR shoudd be given at least two more years to recuit his team. To those whom I pissed off, sorry. Luckily, I am not the coach.

A winning record is not an

A winning record is not an anachronism.

I will end with it with it is

I will end with it with it is Bo who came up with the slogan that you quote, "Those who stay will be champions," not RR.

Regarding your first

Regarding your first paragraph, is that why we have had unseemly rumors about the relationship between RR and Forcier, that they go to bat for him every week? Is that why RR has to explain away the rumors?

Carr beat Florida. A national

Carr beat Florida. A national championship team. After two years, can you say that for RR?

The point is that Bo knew how

The point is that Bo knew how to mold a team, how to motivate guys, and was a great leader. Can't say that for the current coach.

They, why didn't RR stick

They, why didn't RR stick with Carr's schemes?

Bump Elliott has mediocre

Bump Elliott has mediocre teams for at least three years. In Bo's first year, he took those players and molded them into a team. He motivated, and he was a great leader. He beat what was then called Ohio States "team of the century." Now, after two years, we continue to break records, but at the wrong end of the scale, as in Michigan loses for the second year in a row to nobodies. I don't need to get on board the ghost ship, you need to get a dose of reality.

Let's Face Facts

The AD is retiring. The President of the University has twice signalled her 100% confidence in RR. However, RR and his agent recently met with Ms. Coleman. There has been nothing but controversy since he took over. He broke with Michigan tradition by firing everyone but one coach, there has been nothing but unfavorable publicity, during the game the coaches look like a fight will break out amongst them at any minute, good players have transferred, the team has utterly collapsed in the second half of the last four games, his new systemsn (offense and defense) have created numerous self mistakes by the entire team, the rotation of players in and out of new positions makes your head spin, and the team seems utterly lacking in the self confidence needed to endure a bad game. In short, the head coach is the problem and is likely toast after the recruiting season.

Boy, that last post hit the

Boy, that last post hit the nail on the head, except that you forgot this is the second time that she publicly stated her support for RR. I'll say it, he's toast.

Bo won in 1969 over Woody's

Bo won in 1969 over Woody's "team of the century" because he was able to motivate that team to play out of body for 4 quarters, not two. It's an intangible that you can't measure. Sorry, get ready to hit your liquor cabinet because I think this is going to be another of those dismal afternoons that we have come to know and hate simply because this team does not seem to be motivated to win - talent or no talent.

I agree that RR's endless

I agree that RR's endless rotation of not only captains, but players, in and out of positions, on a game basis, is unwise. You mean, the coaches can't tell who is best at each position at the beginning of the season? If they can't, then something is very wrong. And, how the heck can there be stability on a team (now obviously lacking) if you don't get a chance to play at your position on a consistent basis

The biggest criticism I have

The biggest criticism I have of RR to date is the revolving door at all positions. For heaven's sake, how the duce can the kid learn the position when they are in one game and out the next. Enough of this "earn it in practice" stuff. Stick with Tate, and please let him rollout and throw the damn ball on the run - he's darn good at it.

Did you have to use the

Did you have to use the phrase "the last time?" It's been a hex such as "in the last time Illinois beat us two times in a row," or "the last time Penn State won at the Big House."

The patient will recover

The patient will recover given time.

On the surface, this doesn't

On the surface, this doesn't look like much. However, if you did deeper this may be a very profound comment aimed directly at certain specific individuals who have been out to get RR since day one. I see this as proof that there is a clique out to get him, and she is signalling that she won't allow it on her watch. I hate to see this get so ugly. If the factionalism continues, an archangel won't be able to put Michigan football back together. Look at the reason for the mediocrity of our fellow in state school's football program all those years - it was the same disease - factionalism.

Martin is turning a profit on

Martin is turning a profit on the football program at U of M, which, in turn, is financing all of the other athletic programs. He isn't going anywhere anytime soon, nor is his choice as coach, RR, conspiracy or no conspiracy. But, expect the muckraking to continue because it sounds to me as if some powerful people are still smarting over the fact that they did not get their choice named as head football coach. And, power corrupts.

I'm sixty three. I have been

I'm sixty three. I have been laid off three times. The last was two and one half years ago. I could have given up, but ultimately got an excellent job, but in a different part of the country which I now call home.

Here is some advice that I will pass along, which has gotten me through the bad days. First, go to work every day. That is, set up a home office. Dress like you are at work. Put in 8 solid hours of looking for work. Secondly, comfort yourself with the fact that hunting for work is a series of "Nos" followed by a "Yes." Lastly prepare for the inevitable interviews and be yourself. Emphasize your accomplishments, and don't reveal negative information unless forced to.

The job will come. Hang in there!!!

Yikes, you guys can be

Yikes, you guys can be brutal. Yes, the defense may be average -as I understand it, currently 5th in the league. So, it may not get any better until defensive recruiting fills the gaps. But, we have won three games in a row on offense - an offense that is 3rd in the nation. Get that? Offensive players that have been dormant since they came to Michigan have sprung to new life under Rich Rod's spread. I saw and suffered through many a bowl game that we lost simply because our offense was so darn predictable and stodgy and couldn't score enough points to keep up with the opposition. And, total reliance on the defense in those close games did not work. Frankly, the decline of the defensive secondary showed under Lloyd Carr. I would cringe in close games as they picked it apart. But, anyway, Rich Rod's forte is scoring points, and we are going to surprise a lot of Big Ten teams and win by outscoring them!

The most telling statistic

The most telling statistic from the past three games is that the offense is 3rd in the nation. Then, in the last two games they have stopped the opposing team in the 3rd quarter while the offense thrashes their defense and eats up the clock. I don't think that the latter fact is coincidence, even though Rick Rod professes that it is. I think it is ruthless football coaching!

After 3 games it is obvious

After 3 games it is obvious that Rich Rod is a coaching genius. Take note you unconverted - M's offense is 3rd in the nation, the team has stopped beating itself, and the defense has been shutting teams down in the third quarter as the offense rips their defense wide open. They are back in the national polls. And, unless Forcier and Robinson are kidnapped, look out Big Ten because spread has changed the atmosphere of our stodgy league - forever. Look out Tressel and Jo Pa - this year's games will test everything your vaunted defenses have!