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To clarify, admissions let's…

To clarify, admissions let's them in before the credit situation. Credits are handled by an advisor in the college and the college/department. Transfer admissions is an earlier team and step. You get admitted (or not) and then someone looks at what credits will be accepted. 

Admissions are about "can this person succeed here and do they add value to the student body." The majority of scholarship athletes will pass that. Can pass college classes; leadership; diversity, including having lived elsewhere and had other university experiences to contribute to in class discussions. 

A couple years away can…

A couple years away can reignite a passion. Coaching is tough. Good coaches would benefit from a sabbatical every 4 years but it doesn't work that way. 

They still get in. But they…

They still get in. But they may not be sufficiently progressed towards their degree after credits are sorted to be NCAA eligible. Or they will run out of eligibility before they could earn a degree and thus not have a scholarship to cover their degree. So they choose not to matriculate. 

Why did Lunquist leave…

Why did Lunquist leave Buffalo for Bama? Why did Chip Kelly leave UCLA?

It happens. But those are outliers. 

I think the fan hate did it,…

I think the fan hate did it, not a QB competition.

Also, as others mentioned, Cam Ward was rumored to OSU at that time too. And there was an article (maybe the Athletic) saying the going rate for QBs was like $1.5-2Mn. So basically, McCord has to compete against a guy making way more in NIL, and if he beats him out, would not be compensated equivalent to the guy he beat. Without an assurance he would be compensated the same, he left. 

• Michigan will send nine…

• Michigan will send nine wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, including six returning NCAA All-Americans in Michael DeAugustino (125 pounds), Austin Gomez (149), Will Lewan (157), Cameron Amine (165), Shane Griffith (174) and Lucas Davison (Hwt). Griffith is an NCAA champion, winning at 165 pounds in 2021, and a three-time All-American. Amine is also a three-time All-American, Lewan and Davison are two-time All-Americans, while DeAugustino and Gomez both claimed fourth place in 2022.

• Two Wolverines are set to make their NCAA Championships debut this week in Kansas City: freshman Sergio Lemley (141 pounds) and senior/junior Jaden Bullock (184).

Source: Team Page

Claire Hao was 21 editor in…

Claire Hao was 21 editor in chief and is an excellent energy columnist for the Houston Chronicle.

Does that count?

Great point. After the…

Great point. After the Howard experience, we have the taste of "must have head coaching experience" in our mouths.

That's a strong preference, but is it really a must have? Does it really reduce the likelihood of failure and increase the likelihood of success? 

A long time assistant coach is something to consider. I doubt they are more likely to fail or less likely to succeed. 

I also like his analytics…

I also like his analytics take. Find something that is repeatable and clearly the result of coaching, that gives a relative competitive advantage. It keeps the team in games they may otherwise lose and reduces the odds of losing games they should win. Players, seeing sustained improvement and an identity in that area, believe in themselves and each other. It creates better, lower variance teams. 

That's only one part of the job though.

 

There are no sure things…

There are no sure things. That's why it is important to have a decisive AD when it is the wrong thing. 

Milroe did graduate in…

Milroe did graduate in December, so he'd have no issues enrolling as a grad student. But I suspect Deboer can adjust his offense to reasonably fit Milroe and they have had numerous conversations on how to do it. 

While I agree, the number of…

While I agree, the number of people who drink and drive and also say this, is high in my experience. Those people say "but I only have 1 or 2, I don't get drunk." And this is true. They may have a 1 drink rule and never stray.

However, impairment starts at the first sip. I often wonder if we are better off reminding people of this than saying "eff people." 

With Phil Parker from Iowa…

With Phil Parker from Iowa as Secretary of Homeland Security. No offensive capabilities, only defense. 

Yelled at an opposing coach…
  1. Yelled at an opposing coach he was going to kill him
  2. Slapped an an opposing coach
  3. Acted heatedly towards a staff member that resulted in that staff member feeling physically threatened
  4. Made physical threats towards his own (player) son in practice that left observers extremely uncomfortable 

That may not meet your definition of psycho, but it strongly suggests Coach Howard has insufficient control of his temperament to be a successful employee. 

He made comments at the time…

He made comments at the time that it was more than just wanting to try the NBA. It was more of he didn't like all the changing aspects of college and was done, but wanted to try the NBA before being done with basketball for good. 

Nix was good for 2 years

Nix was good for 2 years

3. Rocky Balboa is my…

3. Rocky Balboa is my favorite villain. 

I subscribe to the alternative Rocky IV theory. Ivan Drago intended to use his exhibition bout with Apollo to defect to the US. He hated the Soviet system and wanted freedom. When he accidentally killed his idol, he couldn't defect. The US citizenry would kill him. Not only was he forced to return to the USSR, he was then forced to fight Rocky on Xmas Eve, all while still grieving from killing his idol. The best boxer in the world can't reasonably overcome all those tragedies. Consider this: why does he yell, "I fight for me! For me!"? Would a communist say that? Of course not. That is something a freedom loving capitalist would say. Also consider: Rocky didn't throw in the towel, and he abandoned his wife and kid on Xmas for a payday. Those are villain traits. 

There aren't any Chargers…

There aren't any Chargers fans. Most from San Diego abandoned them..

While not everyone thought…

While not everyone thought 2020 was an anomaly, the sentiment was that Jim H was a good coach but wasn't going to get the team over Ohio State or even pull away from MSU. Yet he was being paid like he'd done so. Was Michigan and the fanbase okay with 10-3 and 9-4 seasons, losing to OSU 100% of the time and MSU 50% of the time plus the bowl game?

The sentiment was no. For his contract, the results that would be okay would be to beat OSU 1 in 3 games, beat MSU 2 of 3, and win > 33% of bowl games. He hadn't beat OSU once. His overall records were otherwise acceptable. 

People wanted him gone, but not because he wasn't a good coach. He just wasn't good enough. Many were okay with rolling the dice and would have accepted worse results if it also meant a victory over OSU on occasion. 

This is different then Howard. Harbaugh still had UM averaging out as the 3rd best B1G team during his tenure to that point, maybe the 2nd. SP+ still liked some of those underachieving Michigan teams. Only in the pandemic year were they bad. In contrast, Howard's teams have been slipping every year. They are nowhere near a top 3 conference team. There is no evidence Howard is a very good head coach. 

For Juwan to right the ship it will require doing what Jim did: turnover staff and listen to the new staff. 

He had a great 2020 as OC…

He had a great 2020 as OC with Penix; a bad 2021 without.

I wouldn't be happy as a Bama fan, but as a neutral party, I trust Deboer. I don't think there is enough data on Sheridan as an OC. Indiana's Oline couldn't block a 3-legged puppy in 2021.

As an alum and fan, I've…

As an alum and fan, I've shared this criticism. It has been common on this blog until 2021 when winning and a great team culture increased the interaction between fans and team. 

Go back 10 years and there were several articles on this blog about whether the stadium renovations would increase crowd noise. 

I don't see this as a knock at all. Brian has had the same criticism over the years. 

NCAA indoor championships…

NCAA indoor championships run the mile, not the 1500m. All other pro and NCAA outdoor championships run the 1500m.

The mile is still quite popular at collegiate and professional Indoor and other events. Everyone knows "the 4 minute mile" so people like to chase it and fans like to cheer for it. My observation is it is probably run at around 25% of collegiate and professional meets. Most of the big ones aside from the championships, will run the mile. "Diamond League Mile" may attract more competition than a 1500 even though a WR attempt could be chased at either. 

In some ways this is because people race to win at championships. Depending on weather and the field strategy, times can be slower at a championship race. But if you put on a premier mile race, the field is going to chase time every time. 

UW >>>>>>>>>> UCLA.

Good…

UW >>>>>>>>>> UCLA.

  1. Good fan base
  2. Great, on campus stadium
  3. Better financial resources 
  4. Greater history of winning

Someone may prefer LA to Seattle but UW is the better job. 

Lol. Again, Osborn is not…

Lol. Again, Osborn is not employed by the Ravens. He works for Biff Poggi at Charlotte. 

The consensus was he was a…

The consensus was he was a bad recruiter until he got Marshall. 

I think he graduated and…

I think he graduated and went to WVU as a grad student, not a transfer.

Agreed. It is a great…

Agreed. It is a great recruiting asset to have people on staff with long tenures in the NFL. That needs to be balanced with young, relatable coaches on the recruiting trail, but "this guy knows what it takes to be successful in the league" is a selling point. It increases a recruit's willingness to pay/play. 

Harbaugh uses Excel for…

Harbaugh uses Excel for EVERYTHING. I think we found Harbaugh's burner twitter account. 

You are missing Penn State…

You are missing Penn State who are #1. Sanderson has that program on another level. 

This has probably hurt Lewan…

This has probably hurt Lewan and Amine due to their styles, especially the former. But I like it. It encourages more aggression and rewards it. 

It would be QUITE the splash…

It would be QUITE the splash if we had a national headline hire for safeties coach. 

Jim keeps it in Excel, but…

Jim keeps it in Excel, but probably on a 1998 Gateway computer. 

The downside is if the next…

The downside is if the next HC wants his own guy, of if there is a falling out with Moore, you need to pay for two strength coaches. And you need to pay the second guy the same or close to what you pay the first guy. 

Now you can play hardball and tell the next HC "you have to use this S&C guy," but then that hurts negotiation with that coach. 

But we don't know exactly what was asked for or how negotiation went. Maybe what was most important was Herbert wants to be employed at UM until his kids graduate High School. If that was most important, then maybe other options could satisfy it (like some other role with less $). There's no way to know what interests and options were discussed. 

People have ran too hard…

People have ran too hard with the "NFL S&C coaches aren't important and everyone has their own guy." 

Not everyone has their own guy. Some do, especially for off-season. But not everyone does. Practice squad players and guys buried on the depth chart likely don't have their own guy in season.  

They don't achieve celebrity status in part  because their contracts probably prohibit them from working with players from other teams in the off-season. Two reasons for this: it would be helping a competitor and the coach may get knowledge of a competitors injury. This doesn't mean NFL S&C coaches aren't highly regarded. 

The downside is subjecting yourself to the coaching carousel and NFL players won't have the gains as college players. That's impossible. The body changes more from 18-22. But if injury prevention, rehabilitation and explosiveness are your thing, the NFL is a great place to be a coach. 

It's off-season cluckbait

It's off-season cluckbait

He would be on my list to…

He would be on my list to interview for TE coach. 

No. Lefty has a so-so OC…

No. Lefty has a so-so OC record. If we want a MAC head coach to become coordinator, get Toledo's coach or Joe Moorehead. 

If the timing were different…

If the timing were different, I'd have loved a more public search to include Deboer and Fisch. Maybe there were discrete talks to their representatives in the background all fall, or to others. Maybe Moore still emerges from that search. That is a possibility after interviews. 

I can't think of anyone on the market without the same amount of risk or more. Some of the unknowns are different. 

Fisher was a good coach. His SDSU legacy proves that. 

This was illegal because he…

This was illegal because he was under 21 when he placed the bets. Louisiana allows sports betting, but you must be 21 and over. 

It's probably not illegal in most states to place a bet on your own team, unless: a player has access to information the public does not; or the player is somehow fixing the game which defrauds the public and other bettors.  It's not allowed by leagues because even the hint of this happening damages the leagues reputation, and allowing it even a bit is likely to result in match fixing. The NFL has a 2 year suspension for betting on your own team. 

I thought one reason Elston…

I thought one reason Elston came to Michigan from ND was he was passed over for DC at ND. The consensus then was "this guy should be a P5 DC, at a good program." It's an embarrassment of riches. 

He was also an analyst at…

He was also an analyst at Michigan, I think one of Harbaugh's first years

He's not going to give them…

He's not going to give them a 1:1 exchange. But if there was an off field coach or position coach clearly ready for a coordinator position, he'd encourage them to take it to progress their careers. Part of building a culture of excellence is giving people their shot. If he can't, he will encourage it elsewhere. However, this takes 2-3 years too. John Harbaugh has this luxury because he's been at Baltimore and successful almost every year his entire duration. He's had institutional continuity which helps him acquire and let go of good talent. 

Correct but he brought in…

Correct but he brought in Martelli to help him learn the ropes. That hasn't worked out. Though I'd say the difference is he didn't need a former head coach. He just needed a staff familiar with NCAA rules. Moore doesn't need anything like that. 

I think he enjoys being…

I think he enjoys being around his Dad, Grandpa, and nieces and nephews. Also having his kids around them too. That's a big draw. 

He's a take at almost any school or NFL team as a position Coach. Maybe not any coaching position at any team of his choice, but if he wanted to go to the NFL he could get a position coach job. It's only a question if can he get a good college coordinator job without spreading his wings. I agree he likely doesn't care. 

That still was an explosive…

That still was an explosive or chunk play, but it helped set a tone for sure. It was like "you got one. That's all you're gonna get because we are better than you."

It's possible he was under…

It's possible he was under the radar in HS coming from Massachusetts. More likely, he just wanted to transfer for academic/environmental reasons. 

Michigan would take nearly anyone as a walk on who played as a Freshman at reasonable collegiate level. Most long snappers are walk ons who couldn't gain enough size to play OL or have TE size but not the athleticism. It's zero risk and only upside to take one who played at Holy Cross. I bet Michigan spent all of 5 minutes evaluating film and it was as simple as "if you get admitted, we would love to have you walk on." I hope I'm wrong and there was something that really popped. 

Tacopants returns with an…

Tacopants returns with an Nth season of eligibility.

Because it increases traffic…

Because it increases traffic to MGOBLOG and thereby revenue, so Brian et al can keep producing quality content. 

Can't trust any of these: 

Can't trust any of these: 

  • West Coast
  • Run and Shoot
  • Air Raid
  • Power
  • Pro
  • Single Wing
  • Triple option
  • Spread
The effort to fill GA…

The effort to fill GA positions with more representative GAs began 25 years ago. That's an old problem and solution, though one that requires attention each year. 

Today's problem is many of those persons were never able to move up. There remain ceilings. Slowly, those ceilings are cracking, but it's really slow. 

The analogy to use is multiple: representative GAs are a pipeline. There tons of people on the lower rung of a ladder. As they climb, sometimes a step is missing. They need someone higher to reach down and pull them up. But people on those higher rungs tend to look for people who look like and had similar experiences as them. This causes a lot of people trying to climb up to leave. It requires keeping the pipeline at the bottom full but also ensuring there are no broken rungs, and that people at the top are advocating for and lifting everyone up. That doesn't mean the Rooney Rule is effective at this.