He is absolutely unique. Some may say weird. Just because a kid is a 4 or 5 star talent doesn't mean that he will fit into the culture and family that was being built. I trust Harbaugh has a way of finding out who will fit into the culture. If you are a money first type of recruit, you won't fit into the program, ie Underwood and Moore, not sure about Carr. Obviously, JJ and Jaydn are the exception. Maybe Amon wasn't a fit at that stage of his life. Here is to hoping all the money spent at OSU for players doesn't work out well for them.
Of course this is on Warde Manuel. In turn it's on the Board and President. They didn't do what it took to keep Harbaugh. Now, they didn't do what it took to keep Herbert. Neither needs Michigan to be elite and successful. Michigan does need both Harbaugh and Herbert to be elite. Warde, Board, and President seem to have other priorities than to keep an elite football program rolling. I'm guessing those priorities involve saving money, being arrogant, DEI, amongst that in total make them idiots. Any smart University administration would keep an Elite Head Coach, Elite Strength Coach, and furnish them with whatever resources needed. Oh well, we are stuck with idiots.
It's amazing the wording some of you use to blame Harbaugh for everything. Is it possible he saw the NCAA coming after him if he stayed at Michigan and the Board, AD, and President refusing to support him publicly? He was asking, in writing, for support from all of the above if the NCAA decided to come after him again. He wanted written protection that he wouldn't be the scape goat for an AD who Harbaugh didn't ultimately trust. I actually think Warde is happy about this situation. Harbaugh has earned the right to have whatever protection, pay, and benefits he wanted written into his contract. They refused to give it to him. That proved to him that his career at Michigan going forward was in limbo. If your career was in limbo at the place you love, would you take the next best offer? It would be utter stupidity for him to stay knowing he could get fired the following year for what we all know is nonsense.
Warde is a lazy and arrogant AD. I almost feel he wanted Harbaugh gone. He's ok with the mess of a basketball program and went the easiest of routes with a new softball coach. Michigan is lucky that Hackett was brought in to hire Harbaugh. Imagine if Warde handled the hire. OMG.
This is one of the many reasons Harbaugh decided to jump to the NFL. He says it was very difficult to leave because he loves Michigan but the Board of Regents, Administration, and AD wouldn't give him what he needs despite what he's done for the University. Imagine how dominant Harbaugh could have been if they would give him what he wanted. We can only imagine the legacy. Oh well, the typical Michigan arrogance.
Warde and the administration at Michigan arrogantly mishandled this situation. One is the financial end. Michigan doesn't want to share their revenue with players. Two is the political end. Warde is a big DEI guy and didn't like Harbaugh from the beginning. He didn't hire him plus he doesn't fit the political narrative. Third, personality and ego. Warde can't handle having a superstar elite coach in the department. They never respected how elite Harbaugh is and played games with him on multiple negotiators over the last few years. Let's be real. Football at Michigan is the most important thing to the university. Without football, Michigan falls far and fast into a place similar to Vanderbilt, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, etc... You have an elite coach. Any AD and President that is worth a crap give the man whatever he needs and wants to be successful. They didn't. They played games with him and let him walk. Yes, they arrogantly let him walk. Don't say if Harbaugh wanted to be here he would be here. That's just a stupid naive and uninformed statement. I will say, I think Moore is a great man and a great coach. He's no Harbaugh and shouldn't be put in a situation to be compared to him. Michigan isn't a place you learn to be a head coach. Shame on Warde, Santa, and the Board of Regents. You failed Harbaugh, the players, the students, the fans, and everyone who roots for Michigan. You are idiots. No surprise expecting administrators to put their egos aside and do the right thing. Those days are long gone.
Good luck Jim. I bet you are in the AFC championship within 2-3 years. He may not get to a Super Bowl because of a guy names Mahomes.
I agree with everything said above except that Moore should be handed the job. People must understand that Harbaugh was politically pushed out the door because Michigan wouldn't, in return for all the great things mentioned above that he did for Michigan, give him some protections and guarantees from NCAA harassment and firing. Harbaugh stays if Warde and the powers at Michigan give him his reasonable requests. Yes, he has a desire to chase a Super Bowl, but he wouldn't have left Michigan if they treat him with respect and met his conditions. All of us would want the same thing. He's different and deserves the protection and guarantees he requested.
The entire administrative end of UM messed this up from the beginning. Jim Harbaugh doesn't need Michigan to be great. Michigan does need Jim Harbaugh for it's football program to be great. There are a few coaches, both pro and college, that deserve what they ask for in regards to contract stipulations. Protection from the NCAA, which we all know is a outdated and criminal organization, is one of many protections that should have been granted. He asked for a 3 person panel. Give it to him. Warde doesn't have the clout or experience to be the only one responsible for firing a legend. Harbaugh is different and should have been treated differently.
I'd expect a large drop off from the last three years and back to 9-4 with the occasional 10-3 seasons. It could get worse. Warde has proven he's an average and lazy AD. He wasn't the best candidate available when he was hired. Politics and DEI were heavily involved. He didn't hire Harbaugh so he's been riding Harbaugh's coat tails with football. This will be his second big time hire. He didn't get the basketball hire right. That program is a tire fire. Softball was a disaster. No disrespect to Bonnie Tholl, but she wasn't even close to being the best hire. Warde didn't interview anybody. He took the easy political route.
Football will be his biggest hire and he's going to take the easy political route. I really love Moore as OC and eventual head coach (someplace like EMU, FAU, Ball St), but it doesn't mean that he's the best candidate for the Michigan job. There are a lot of good young head coaches out there that should be interviewed. Michigan isn't a place where you should start learning to be a head coach. Michigan is a place that should reward a deserving young or middle age head coach who's put in years of work, has extensive head coaching experience, and has a proven track record of winning. Warde is taking the easy route. I would argue the political and DEI route. I can see the interim tag on him for this year, but not handed the job. Again, I love Moore as OC but doesn't meet the criteria that we all know should be met to be the head football coach at Michigan.
I know a lot of you will argue with me and even call me names. This is the reality of our culture and world we live in today. Take an honest look and ask yourself, why did Harbaugh leave? I'm certain he has NFL aspirations, but he loves Michigan. If he would have been offered the protections he stays and finishes his career at Michigan and we are all happy. But the administration is playing politics. A few idiots will make the rest of us suffer. They basically ran him out of town. For as much as he's done for Michigan, they didn't give him in return what he deserved, which is protection and guarantees.
This has everything to do with Michigan (all levels) supporting Harbaugh against the NCAA and the college football financial system. Harbaugh wants to share structural revenue (tv revenue, athletic department revenue, etc..) with the players. The more he speaks out about sharing the more the NCAA and the Big Ten go after him publicly. Behind the scenes, I believe the university administration, athletic Department brass, board of regents, tv networks, etc... are very hesitant (no way in hell) in committing to support his desire to share in the structured revenue. Michigan likes winning but not at the cost of sharing structural revenue. I think the power structure in college football financial system are ok with NIL, pay to pay, etc... paying players with means outside of the existing financial structure. They don't want their $$ portion shared. It ok if a car dealer wants to write a 3 million dollar check, or an oil tycoon writing a check for a QB. Allowing those type of financial transactions keeps the focus away from the big structural money.
If Warde doesn't give the "Bear Hug" to Harbaugh then he needs to be escorted out the door by Santa Ono, assuming the structure of the University allows for the President to fire the AD at his/her own discretion. AD's are replaceable. Elite coaches are not. Harbaugh is a top 5 coach at any level. At every turn, Michigan has made Harbaugh's job more difficult than most other jobs. Jim is the guy who can finally rid college football of the NCAA. For example, the NCAA tries to punish Michigan and Harbaugh for violations. Michigan and Harbaugh refuse to obey and sue the NCAA and others. This could go to the Supreme Court where they rule the NCAA has no legal jurisdiction over College football because universities are independent entities and can govern themselves as long as they don't violate any federal or state laws. Thoughts?
Maybe 5 star QB's in Michigan aren't the best option and Michigan isn't sold on Carr, Moore, or even Underwood. Remember Shane Morris? Bust!!! He was the last 5 star must have Michigan QB.
I think he's a great talent. Saying that, I'd be very careful bringing him onboard. If he's matured and realized he made a mistake chasing the money and immediate playing time, then he could be a good fit. If he's serious about being developed, he will be willing to sit and learn for a year or two behind JJ or a grad transfer. What concerns me about him is that he will come on board and then leave once he doesn't get immediate playing time. It may also change the mind of Jayden Davis, who seems to be a really good fit for what Michigan does. I'd love to see JJ come back in 2024, Moore in 2025-26 seasons, Davis in 2027-28 seasons and Underwood in 28-30. Davis and Underwood compete in 2028. Pipe dream of course.
I agree the first 3 weeks of the season aren't the best for prime matchups. The average fan wants great matchups. As a former coach, I know why the regional games or cupcake games are played. These games are played so that smaller schools can get paid to get their butts beat to pay the bills for their entire athletic programs including female sports. It's not unheard of for a lower level school to receive a 500K-1,500K payment per game. If they play 3 non-conference games that will be a.nice payday for teams like EMU, Ball State, FAU, ECU, etc...
This is the world of Elite recruiting. Most Elite recruits don't want to go to a place where they must attend classes in person, work hard at their academics, work hard to make NIL dollars, and balance the life of a student athlete. Frankly, not all kids that Michigan recruits will get past the admissions process, hence they commit to another program. Places like OSU, UGA, BAMA are football factories where kids can take all online courses, have academic tutors doing most of their assignments, they get paid to play (in a sense), and are football players first and foremost. Plus, a lot of Elite programs adjust academic admission requirements so recruits get into the University. Michigan has to recruit a specific type of athlete that wants and can handle being more of a typical student athlete and also meet all of the academic entrance requirements.
Michigan will never recruit at an Elite level until we follow the same standards as OSU, UGA, and BAMA. I say we should follow and change the rules for athletes. It wouldn't hurt Michigan's Ivy League reputation one bit. Frankly, it would enhance Michigan's global brand if they were winning titles in Football and Basketball.
Warde is so arrogant. He isn't capable of handling the complexities of running the Michigan athletic department. Go get a top notch AD who understands NIL, and the importance of athletics.
How hard did Michigan go after CJ Carr? Was it mainly NIL that pushed Moore to Oregon? As we know, Harbaugh is big on cultural fit for the program. Maybe Carr and Moore didn't fit the culture like McNamara and McCarthy. Trying to think outside the box as to why the recruit chose another school or why Harbaugh didn't pursue hard enough.
The results of transformational vs transactional, arrogance vs reality, and Michigan vs real football programs. We will get our fair share of low 4 star or high 3 star quarterbacks, skill players, and defensive players with our current position on NIL.
If we continue to take this philosophy, which I'm not against, we can't expect our coaching staff to win games against superior programs with inferior talent. As Michigan fan base, we must accept that a 10 win season (playing 13 games) is our ceiling on most occasions. Beating the likes of OSU and USC might happen once ever 10-15 years. We will be more on par with programs like PSU and MSU in our region. We must be ok with those results if we agree to play by a higher moral character.
Go after Mike Bell at Pitt. Long time FSU pitching coach and actually should have gotten a shot at the FSU job. Gives us a recruiting base in the south and east coasts.
Don't worry. We are Michigan. Who has it better than us? We don't need to adjust to the landscape, we are Michigan. These are the inner thoughts of the elites running the University.
If true, the Michigan arrogance is ruining the athletics department. Michigan football could be the best in the country. The elites in charge fail to get their arrogant heads of out their asses. Watch how fast the softball, baseball and other programs fall into mediocrity if Michigan stays status quo on NIL.
Warde should take a run at Mike Bell from Pitt. He was the pitching coach at FSU when Mike Martin was head coach. FSU gave Mike Martin Jr the job when Mike Bell deserved it. He has recruiting ties all over the country, and especially in the south.
Just because we had success on the field last year doesn't mean recruits are lining up to come to Michigan. Everybody has facilities. Other programs have better NIL programs. If your goal is to get to the NFL and be just a football player, Michigan isn't a good choice because of the academic requirements. Times have changed and things are moving away from Michigan ever recouping its spot as a perennial top 10 power. It makes me sad to say this but it's the reality of our time.
I don't blame him. Taking a huge paycut was an insult to his character and reputation. Now, after winning the BigTen, the AD and administration low ball him on a long term deal, won't make the admissions/transfer process super easy and they won't unleash the Michigan brand for NIL. It's almost like they don't want to go all in and win. Without a level playing field, he will never compete at the level the arrogant fan base expects. He will always be coaching with one hand tied behind his back.
Let's face it. Michigan is not a destination job (in todays football and going forward) unless you are a Michigan man. Michigan is one of the most difficult places to recruit elite athletes. The administration doesn't fully support football. They make it too difficult to admit high schoolers and transfers. The elites in athletic administration won't pay coaches comparable to the SEC. They also won't fully dive into NIL. The Michigan name could easily be a top five NIL. The marxist elites are stuck in their ivory towers holding back Michigan football from greatness. Before you bash me, I'm a Michigan lifer.
If I'm JH, I wouldn't stay at Michigan unless the decision makers are going all in on NIL (Michigan should be a top 5 NIL program every year), make it easier for underclassmen transfers/portal admission into the University, and very large (millions) pool for himself and assistant coaches. It's hard enough to win at Michigan, without making the changes needed to compete in 2022 and beyond. Why would he want to stay at Michigan (with the unrealistic fan expectations) while watching the competition go all in. Harbaugh can easily win 10 games a year with the unconditional support of the University. We need to go all in to compete 50/50 with OSU and 50/50 in CFP games. Let Harbaugh be the judge if he wants to allow sketchy characters into the program. I trust he wouldn't allow it.
I absolutely believe John Bacon. The elites at Michigan (board of regents, administration and athletic department officials) are so arrogant. I always hear the phrase "we are Michigan." As if our Michigan brand is somehow immune to losing out and will always be great. It's not. If the last 20 years hasn't proven that, then you are asleep at the wheel. This type of arrogance will ensure we lose out and our football program will slide. The three groups of elites, mentioned above, are holding back Michigan football.
Harbaugh deserves to be paid like a top five coach. His contract should be restructured every year or two so his salary reflects. He should have as much money as he needs to keep assistants who want to stay at Michigan. Pay top notch coordinators whatever it takes. Michigan shouldn't lose a coach because of dollars. Michigan should have an ever evolving NIL program that allows them to compete with any other program in America, PERIOD. This is our chance to be an innovator in minor league football.
Any athlete that Harbaugh (or any other sport) wants should be accepted, even transfers from the Portal. Most athletes we are discussing won't stay to get their degree anyway. It will have little effect on the graduation numbers or Michigan's academic reputation. I argue the increase in our football program will elevate our brand even further. Quickly figure out a way, similar to other football factories, to keep students eligible.
Harbaugh isn't leaving. Nua left to be closer to home. Easier to recruit to USC than Michigan. Better weather and more resources. Morgan and McElwain left because, again, it's easier to recruit to Washington with the right staff in place. Depth players are leaving because they now have an opportunity to transfer without sitting out a punishment year. Most will go to lower level schools. Some may not find another home. Harbaugh will be at Michigan as long as the athletic departments increase his assistant coaching pool, gets serious about NIL and goes all in on football.
Michigan needs to expand the recruiting office. Three or four people isn't enough in today's college football. Poaching somebody from OSU would be great but very unlikely and difficult, but make him say No. I would look at adding multiple people to the recruiting office. One should be somebody with Michigan ties. The next two or three people should have recruiting roots in the Southeast/Florida, West Coast and Texas since that seems to be the main areas we are looking for elite talent.
Michigan's footprint for recruiting should be the midwest. Michigan should be able to land any kid in the midwest, northeast and parts of the west that don't have an OSU offer. We should beat ND, PSU, MSU and other midwest powers for most (not all) elite recruits and also depth (under the radar) recruits. Harbaugh is doing a great job of dipping our toes in all of the high talent areas like Florida, Georgia, California, Texas, etc... If we can pull kids from those areas that's great and we should go all in for them. The issue with mainly relying on those areas as primary recruiting grounds is kids get home sick and transfer. We need enough quality midwestern kids on the roster to make up if a Florida, Georgia or California kid leaves. The only issue I have with the way we recruit now is the lack of Ohio, PA and the midwestern offers. Ohio, PA and the midwest has been the lifeblood of our program. Just look at Cincinnati, Kentucky and others. They are offering those kids to build their programs. I'd argue, Ohio has almost as much talent as Georgia. Recruit Ohio, PA and the midwest better.
JJ fumbles the football in one of the most important drives of the game. Bad coaching. Please stop calling for JJ to be the starter. Cade is 100% the better Qb. Mel is a superior coach to Harbaugh.
They absolutely should play home and home games with all opponents. This is college football. Games should be played on campuses. The students are the ones who get screwed out of seeing the best games.
I think the new staff will be great coaches and pretty good recruiters. I think there are three major problems with Michigan Football.
Problem number one is Michigan isn't and has never been an elite program, ever. Michigan has been a very popular but above average football program. Prior to the RR era, Michigan averaged 9-10 wins per season, playing a 12 game season. Expecting Michigan to compete as an elite program is unrealistic.
Problem number two is Michigan's academic standards. College football has changed over the last twenty years. Michigan refuses to change their academic standards. They also refuse to allow students to be football players first and students second. They won't allow students to take the majority of their classes online. If you dig deep, the elite programs are football factories. Football is first and everything else is secondary.
The third problem is Jim Harbaugh is a weird dude who can't related to the type of players Michigan needs to be elite. He's a very good football coach and a Michigan man but he's weird and doesn't give off the vibe to recruits that guys like Urban, Dabo, Saban, Mullen, Fisher, Sark, Riley, Day, etc... give off. Those coaches are "dudes" and it takes a "dude" head coach to recruit "dude" players.
Harbaugh is more like your elderly father who's focus is academics first. I know that is the Michigan way. Michigan can't have it both ways. That is a fact that has been proven for almost 20 years now. Outside of Harbaugh's first year, he lacks the relatability, passion and personality to motivate 16-22 year old kids.
With 35,000 - 40,000 students on campus, who cares if a few hundred athletes are on campus to play sports first. It won't hurt or even impact the Michigan reputation. I argue it will help the reputation and build a bigger brand both academically and athletically.
This is a perfect example of why Michigan needs to recruit better within 250 miles of campus, especially Ohio and PA. Harbaugh and company have neglected Ohio and PA since arriving on campus. When all your eggs are in the baskets of kids who live in Texas, Florida, Georgia and California your basket is going to be fairly empty. Kids that live in those states should be bonuses and icing on the cake. That cake is built within 250 miles of campus. Let's hope 2023 is more in line with how Michigan used to recruit prior to the RR era.
Imagine if the institution would get out of the way and make it easier for freshman and transfers to attend Michigan. We could be elite. We are talking about less than 100 student athletes a year that would be admitted with special considerations. Admitting these student wouldn't hurt our academic reputation. I argue it would allow Michigan to avoid falling into mediocrity in athletics. Thoughts? Let's face it, an Elite football program and athletic department will only increase the Michigan brand worldwide.
Michigan will never be able to recruit on a national level against Bama, OSU, Oklahoma, and other powers because of Michigan the Institution. Lower the academic standards for athletic entrance and use the money made being elite to hire academic support so these kids pass their classes. Out of 35,000 students, if only two or three hundred get in based on athletic ability won't hurt Michigan's reputation at all. The arrogance of being elite and a unwillingness to adjust to the way the game is being recruited and played will always result in failure.
I'm certain Milton will end up a a mid major Florida school like USF, FAU, FIU or even UCF. He's a graduate so one of those schools will need his graduate major.
Recent Comments
Maybe they sent payments to Warde to make sure Harbaugh would leave.
He is absolutely unique. Some may say weird. Just because a kid is a 4 or 5 star talent doesn't mean that he will fit into the culture and family that was being built. I trust Harbaugh has a way of finding out who will fit into the culture. If you are a money first type of recruit, you won't fit into the program, ie Underwood and Moore, not sure about Carr. Obviously, JJ and Jaydn are the exception. Maybe Amon wasn't a fit at that stage of his life. Here is to hoping all the money spent at OSU for players doesn't work out well for them.
Of course this is on Warde Manuel. In turn it's on the Board and President. They didn't do what it took to keep Harbaugh. Now, they didn't do what it took to keep Herbert. Neither needs Michigan to be elite and successful. Michigan does need both Harbaugh and Herbert to be elite. Warde, Board, and President seem to have other priorities than to keep an elite football program rolling. I'm guessing those priorities involve saving money, being arrogant, DEI, amongst that in total make them idiots. Any smart University administration would keep an Elite Head Coach, Elite Strength Coach, and furnish them with whatever resources needed. Oh well, we are stuck with idiots.
It's amazing the wording some of you use to blame Harbaugh for everything. Is it possible he saw the NCAA coming after him if he stayed at Michigan and the Board, AD, and President refusing to support him publicly? He was asking, in writing, for support from all of the above if the NCAA decided to come after him again. He wanted written protection that he wouldn't be the scape goat for an AD who Harbaugh didn't ultimately trust. I actually think Warde is happy about this situation. Harbaugh has earned the right to have whatever protection, pay, and benefits he wanted written into his contract. They refused to give it to him. That proved to him that his career at Michigan going forward was in limbo. If your career was in limbo at the place you love, would you take the next best offer? It would be utter stupidity for him to stay knowing he could get fired the following year for what we all know is nonsense.
Warde is a lazy and arrogant AD. I almost feel he wanted Harbaugh gone. He's ok with the mess of a basketball program and went the easiest of routes with a new softball coach. Michigan is lucky that Hackett was brought in to hire Harbaugh. Imagine if Warde handled the hire. OMG.
This is one of the many reasons Harbaugh decided to jump to the NFL. He says it was very difficult to leave because he loves Michigan but the Board of Regents, Administration, and AD wouldn't give him what he needs despite what he's done for the University. Imagine how dominant Harbaugh could have been if they would give him what he wanted. We can only imagine the legacy. Oh well, the typical Michigan arrogance.
Warde and the administration at Michigan arrogantly mishandled this situation. One is the financial end. Michigan doesn't want to share their revenue with players. Two is the political end. Warde is a big DEI guy and didn't like Harbaugh from the beginning. He didn't hire him plus he doesn't fit the political narrative. Third, personality and ego. Warde can't handle having a superstar elite coach in the department. They never respected how elite Harbaugh is and played games with him on multiple negotiators over the last few years. Let's be real. Football at Michigan is the most important thing to the university. Without football, Michigan falls far and fast into a place similar to Vanderbilt, Stanford, Harvard, Yale, etc... You have an elite coach. Any AD and President that is worth a crap give the man whatever he needs and wants to be successful. They didn't. They played games with him and let him walk. Yes, they arrogantly let him walk. Don't say if Harbaugh wanted to be here he would be here. That's just a stupid naive and uninformed statement. I will say, I think Moore is a great man and a great coach. He's no Harbaugh and shouldn't be put in a situation to be compared to him. Michigan isn't a place you learn to be a head coach. Shame on Warde, Santa, and the Board of Regents. You failed Harbaugh, the players, the students, the fans, and everyone who roots for Michigan. You are idiots. No surprise expecting administrators to put their egos aside and do the right thing. Those days are long gone.
Good luck Jim. I bet you are in the AFC championship within 2-3 years. He may not get to a Super Bowl because of a guy names Mahomes.
I agree with everything said above except that Moore should be handed the job. People must understand that Harbaugh was politically pushed out the door because Michigan wouldn't, in return for all the great things mentioned above that he did for Michigan, give him some protections and guarantees from NCAA harassment and firing. Harbaugh stays if Warde and the powers at Michigan give him his reasonable requests. Yes, he has a desire to chase a Super Bowl, but he wouldn't have left Michigan if they treat him with respect and met his conditions. All of us would want the same thing. He's different and deserves the protection and guarantees he requested.
The entire administrative end of UM messed this up from the beginning. Jim Harbaugh doesn't need Michigan to be great. Michigan does need Jim Harbaugh for it's football program to be great. There are a few coaches, both pro and college, that deserve what they ask for in regards to contract stipulations. Protection from the NCAA, which we all know is a outdated and criminal organization, is one of many protections that should have been granted. He asked for a 3 person panel. Give it to him. Warde doesn't have the clout or experience to be the only one responsible for firing a legend. Harbaugh is different and should have been treated differently.
I'd expect a large drop off from the last three years and back to 9-4 with the occasional 10-3 seasons. It could get worse. Warde has proven he's an average and lazy AD. He wasn't the best candidate available when he was hired. Politics and DEI were heavily involved. He didn't hire Harbaugh so he's been riding Harbaugh's coat tails with football. This will be his second big time hire. He didn't get the basketball hire right. That program is a tire fire. Softball was a disaster. No disrespect to Bonnie Tholl, but she wasn't even close to being the best hire. Warde didn't interview anybody. He took the easy political route.
Football will be his biggest hire and he's going to take the easy political route. I really love Moore as OC and eventual head coach (someplace like EMU, FAU, Ball St), but it doesn't mean that he's the best candidate for the Michigan job. There are a lot of good young head coaches out there that should be interviewed. Michigan isn't a place where you should start learning to be a head coach. Michigan is a place that should reward a deserving young or middle age head coach who's put in years of work, has extensive head coaching experience, and has a proven track record of winning. Warde is taking the easy route. I would argue the political and DEI route. I can see the interim tag on him for this year, but not handed the job. Again, I love Moore as OC but doesn't meet the criteria that we all know should be met to be the head football coach at Michigan.
I know a lot of you will argue with me and even call me names. This is the reality of our culture and world we live in today. Take an honest look and ask yourself, why did Harbaugh leave? I'm certain he has NFL aspirations, but he loves Michigan. If he would have been offered the protections he stays and finishes his career at Michigan and we are all happy. But the administration is playing politics. A few idiots will make the rest of us suffer. They basically ran him out of town. For as much as he's done for Michigan, they didn't give him in return what he deserved, which is protection and guarantees.
This has everything to do with Michigan (all levels) supporting Harbaugh against the NCAA and the college football financial system. Harbaugh wants to share structural revenue (tv revenue, athletic department revenue, etc..) with the players. The more he speaks out about sharing the more the NCAA and the Big Ten go after him publicly. Behind the scenes, I believe the university administration, athletic Department brass, board of regents, tv networks, etc... are very hesitant (no way in hell) in committing to support his desire to share in the structured revenue. Michigan likes winning but not at the cost of sharing structural revenue. I think the power structure in college football financial system are ok with NIL, pay to pay, etc... paying players with means outside of the existing financial structure. They don't want their $$ portion shared. It ok if a car dealer wants to write a 3 million dollar check, or an oil tycoon writing a check for a QB. Allowing those type of financial transactions keeps the focus away from the big structural money.
If Warde doesn't give the "Bear Hug" to Harbaugh then he needs to be escorted out the door by Santa Ono, assuming the structure of the University allows for the President to fire the AD at his/her own discretion. AD's are replaceable. Elite coaches are not. Harbaugh is a top 5 coach at any level. At every turn, Michigan has made Harbaugh's job more difficult than most other jobs. Jim is the guy who can finally rid college football of the NCAA. For example, the NCAA tries to punish Michigan and Harbaugh for violations. Michigan and Harbaugh refuse to obey and sue the NCAA and others. This could go to the Supreme Court where they rule the NCAA has no legal jurisdiction over College football because universities are independent entities and can govern themselves as long as they don't violate any federal or state laws. Thoughts?
Maybe 5 star QB's in Michigan aren't the best option and Michigan isn't sold on Carr, Moore, or even Underwood. Remember Shane Morris? Bust!!! He was the last 5 star must have Michigan QB.
I think he's a great talent. Saying that, I'd be very careful bringing him onboard. If he's matured and realized he made a mistake chasing the money and immediate playing time, then he could be a good fit. If he's serious about being developed, he will be willing to sit and learn for a year or two behind JJ or a grad transfer. What concerns me about him is that he will come on board and then leave once he doesn't get immediate playing time. It may also change the mind of Jayden Davis, who seems to be a really good fit for what Michigan does. I'd love to see JJ come back in 2024, Moore in 2025-26 seasons, Davis in 2027-28 seasons and Underwood in 28-30. Davis and Underwood compete in 2028. Pipe dream of course.
I agree the first 3 weeks of the season aren't the best for prime matchups. The average fan wants great matchups. As a former coach, I know why the regional games or cupcake games are played. These games are played so that smaller schools can get paid to get their butts beat to pay the bills for their entire athletic programs including female sports. It's not unheard of for a lower level school to receive a 500K-1,500K payment per game. If they play 3 non-conference games that will be a.nice payday for teams like EMU, Ball State, FAU, ECU, etc...
This is the world of Elite recruiting. Most Elite recruits don't want to go to a place where they must attend classes in person, work hard at their academics, work hard to make NIL dollars, and balance the life of a student athlete. Frankly, not all kids that Michigan recruits will get past the admissions process, hence they commit to another program. Places like OSU, UGA, BAMA are football factories where kids can take all online courses, have academic tutors doing most of their assignments, they get paid to play (in a sense), and are football players first and foremost. Plus, a lot of Elite programs adjust academic admission requirements so recruits get into the University. Michigan has to recruit a specific type of athlete that wants and can handle being more of a typical student athlete and also meet all of the academic entrance requirements.
Michigan will never recruit at an Elite level until we follow the same standards as OSU, UGA, and BAMA. I say we should follow and change the rules for athletes. It wouldn't hurt Michigan's Ivy League reputation one bit. Frankly, it would enhance Michigan's global brand if they were winning titles in Football and Basketball.
Warde is so arrogant. He isn't capable of handling the complexities of running the Michigan athletic department. Go get a top notch AD who understands NIL, and the importance of athletics.
I hope he learns to put some touch on and air under the ball
I'm pretty sure Harbaugh and company backed off recruiting Moore. It doesn't seem like this kid was going to fit into the culture at Michigan.
Divisions in college football is stupid. They only did it to add a championship game for $$.
MSU CULTURE.
How hard did Michigan go after CJ Carr? Was it mainly NIL that pushed Moore to Oregon? As we know, Harbaugh is big on cultural fit for the program. Maybe Carr and Moore didn't fit the culture like McNamara and McCarthy. Trying to think outside the box as to why the recruit chose another school or why Harbaugh didn't pursue hard enough.
The results of transformational vs transactional, arrogance vs reality, and Michigan vs real football programs. We will get our fair share of low 4 star or high 3 star quarterbacks, skill players, and defensive players with our current position on NIL.
If we continue to take this philosophy, which I'm not against, we can't expect our coaching staff to win games against superior programs with inferior talent. As Michigan fan base, we must accept that a 10 win season (playing 13 games) is our ceiling on most occasions. Beating the likes of OSU and USC might happen once ever 10-15 years. We will be more on par with programs like PSU and MSU in our region. We must be ok with those results if we agree to play by a higher moral character.
I don't think Warde knows much about baseball.
Go after Mike Bell at Pitt. Long time FSU pitching coach and actually should have gotten a shot at the FSU job. Gives us a recruiting base in the south and east coasts.
Don't worry. We are Michigan. Who has it better than us? We don't need to adjust to the landscape, we are Michigan. These are the inner thoughts of the elites running the University.
If true, the Michigan arrogance is ruining the athletics department. Michigan football could be the best in the country. The elites in charge fail to get their arrogant heads of out their asses. Watch how fast the softball, baseball and other programs fall into mediocrity if Michigan stays status quo on NIL.
Warde should take a run at Mike Bell from Pitt. He was the pitching coach at FSU when Mike Martin was head coach. FSU gave Mike Martin Jr the job when Mike Bell deserved it. He has recruiting ties all over the country, and especially in the south.
Just because we had success on the field last year doesn't mean recruits are lining up to come to Michigan. Everybody has facilities. Other programs have better NIL programs. If your goal is to get to the NFL and be just a football player, Michigan isn't a good choice because of the academic requirements. Times have changed and things are moving away from Michigan ever recouping its spot as a perennial top 10 power. It makes me sad to say this but it's the reality of our time.
Nope. Bucs or Dolphins. He's a Florida kid.
I don't blame him. Taking a huge paycut was an insult to his character and reputation. Now, after winning the BigTen, the AD and administration low ball him on a long term deal, won't make the admissions/transfer process super easy and they won't unleash the Michigan brand for NIL. It's almost like they don't want to go all in and win. Without a level playing field, he will never compete at the level the arrogant fan base expects. He will always be coaching with one hand tied behind his back.
I should have said Trump supporters in their ivory towers.
Let's face it. Michigan is not a destination job (in todays football and going forward) unless you are a Michigan man. Michigan is one of the most difficult places to recruit elite athletes. The administration doesn't fully support football. They make it too difficult to admit high schoolers and transfers. The elites in athletic administration won't pay coaches comparable to the SEC. They also won't fully dive into NIL. The Michigan name could easily be a top five NIL. The marxist elites are stuck in their ivory towers holding back Michigan football from greatness. Before you bash me, I'm a Michigan lifer.
If I'm JH, I wouldn't stay at Michigan unless the decision makers are going all in on NIL (Michigan should be a top 5 NIL program every year), make it easier for underclassmen transfers/portal admission into the University, and very large (millions) pool for himself and assistant coaches. It's hard enough to win at Michigan, without making the changes needed to compete in 2022 and beyond. Why would he want to stay at Michigan (with the unrealistic fan expectations) while watching the competition go all in. Harbaugh can easily win 10 games a year with the unconditional support of the University. We need to go all in to compete 50/50 with OSU and 50/50 in CFP games. Let Harbaugh be the judge if he wants to allow sketchy characters into the program. I trust he wouldn't allow it.
I've been saying that for almost 20 years. The Michigan elites think they can stay status quo and because "We Are Michigan" things will be just fine.
Well Said.
I absolutely believe John Bacon. The elites at Michigan (board of regents, administration and athletic department officials) are so arrogant. I always hear the phrase "we are Michigan." As if our Michigan brand is somehow immune to losing out and will always be great. It's not. If the last 20 years hasn't proven that, then you are asleep at the wheel. This type of arrogance will ensure we lose out and our football program will slide. The three groups of elites, mentioned above, are holding back Michigan football.
Harbaugh deserves to be paid like a top five coach. His contract should be restructured every year or two so his salary reflects. He should have as much money as he needs to keep assistants who want to stay at Michigan. Pay top notch coordinators whatever it takes. Michigan shouldn't lose a coach because of dollars. Michigan should have an ever evolving NIL program that allows them to compete with any other program in America, PERIOD. This is our chance to be an innovator in minor league football.
Any athlete that Harbaugh (or any other sport) wants should be accepted, even transfers from the Portal. Most athletes we are discussing won't stay to get their degree anyway. It will have little effect on the graduation numbers or Michigan's academic reputation. I argue the increase in our football program will elevate our brand even further. Quickly figure out a way, similar to other football factories, to keep students eligible.
Harbaugh isn't leaving. Nua left to be closer to home. Easier to recruit to USC than Michigan. Better weather and more resources. Morgan and McElwain left because, again, it's easier to recruit to Washington with the right staff in place. Depth players are leaving because they now have an opportunity to transfer without sitting out a punishment year. Most will go to lower level schools. Some may not find another home. Harbaugh will be at Michigan as long as the athletic departments increase his assistant coaching pool, gets serious about NIL and goes all in on football.
Michigan needs to expand the recruiting office. Three or four people isn't enough in today's college football. Poaching somebody from OSU would be great but very unlikely and difficult, but make him say No. I would look at adding multiple people to the recruiting office. One should be somebody with Michigan ties. The next two or three people should have recruiting roots in the Southeast/Florida, West Coast and Texas since that seems to be the main areas we are looking for elite talent.
Michigan's footprint for recruiting should be the midwest. Michigan should be able to land any kid in the midwest, northeast and parts of the west that don't have an OSU offer. We should beat ND, PSU, MSU and other midwest powers for most (not all) elite recruits and also depth (under the radar) recruits. Harbaugh is doing a great job of dipping our toes in all of the high talent areas like Florida, Georgia, California, Texas, etc... If we can pull kids from those areas that's great and we should go all in for them. The issue with mainly relying on those areas as primary recruiting grounds is kids get home sick and transfer. We need enough quality midwestern kids on the roster to make up if a Florida, Georgia or California kid leaves. The only issue I have with the way we recruit now is the lack of Ohio, PA and the midwestern offers. Ohio, PA and the midwest has been the lifeblood of our program. Just look at Cincinnati, Kentucky and others. They are offering those kids to build their programs. I'd argue, Ohio has almost as much talent as Georgia. Recruit Ohio, PA and the midwest better.
Pay the man and allow him to add whatever he needs so Michigan can recruit at an elite level.
JJ fumbles the football in one of the most important drives of the game. Bad coaching. Please stop calling for JJ to be the starter. Cade is 100% the better Qb. Mel is a superior coach to Harbaugh.
They absolutely should play home and home games with all opponents. This is college football. Games should be played on campuses. The students are the ones who get screwed out of seeing the best games.
I think the new staff will be great coaches and pretty good recruiters. I think there are three major problems with Michigan Football.
Problem number one is Michigan isn't and has never been an elite program, ever. Michigan has been a very popular but above average football program. Prior to the RR era, Michigan averaged 9-10 wins per season, playing a 12 game season. Expecting Michigan to compete as an elite program is unrealistic.
Problem number two is Michigan's academic standards. College football has changed over the last twenty years. Michigan refuses to change their academic standards. They also refuse to allow students to be football players first and students second. They won't allow students to take the majority of their classes online. If you dig deep, the elite programs are football factories. Football is first and everything else is secondary.
The third problem is Jim Harbaugh is a weird dude who can't related to the type of players Michigan needs to be elite. He's a very good football coach and a Michigan man but he's weird and doesn't give off the vibe to recruits that guys like Urban, Dabo, Saban, Mullen, Fisher, Sark, Riley, Day, etc... give off. Those coaches are "dudes" and it takes a "dude" head coach to recruit "dude" players.
Harbaugh is more like your elderly father who's focus is academics first. I know that is the Michigan way. Michigan can't have it both ways. That is a fact that has been proven for almost 20 years now. Outside of Harbaugh's first year, he lacks the relatability, passion and personality to motivate 16-22 year old kids.
With 35,000 - 40,000 students on campus, who cares if a few hundred athletes are on campus to play sports first. It won't hurt or even impact the Michigan reputation. I argue it will help the reputation and build a bigger brand both academically and athletically.
This is a perfect example of why Michigan needs to recruit better within 250 miles of campus, especially Ohio and PA. Harbaugh and company have neglected Ohio and PA since arriving on campus. When all your eggs are in the baskets of kids who live in Texas, Florida, Georgia and California your basket is going to be fairly empty. Kids that live in those states should be bonuses and icing on the cake. That cake is built within 250 miles of campus. Let's hope 2023 is more in line with how Michigan used to recruit prior to the RR era.
Increase his salary to $4 to $5 million per year.
Imagine if the institution would get out of the way and make it easier for freshman and transfers to attend Michigan. We could be elite. We are talking about less than 100 student athletes a year that would be admitted with special considerations. Admitting these student wouldn't hurt our academic reputation. I argue it would allow Michigan to avoid falling into mediocrity in athletics. Thoughts? Let's face it, an Elite football program and athletic department will only increase the Michigan brand worldwide.
Michigan will never be able to recruit on a national level against Bama, OSU, Oklahoma, and other powers because of Michigan the Institution. Lower the academic standards for athletic entrance and use the money made being elite to hire academic support so these kids pass their classes. Out of 35,000 students, if only two or three hundred get in based on athletic ability won't hurt Michigan's reputation at all. The arrogance of being elite and a unwillingness to adjust to the way the game is being recruited and played will always result in failure.
I'm certain Milton will end up a a mid major Florida school like USF, FAU, FIU or even UCF. He's a graduate so one of those schools will need his graduate major.
I love the youth that Harbaugh has hired. I feel like he's going back to his first year when he had fire and grit.