August 29 Kickoff Dinner -- Speakers to include Brian
This hasn't been posted yet, has it?
Celebrate the opening of Michigan Football's 132nd season and kick off the Brady Hoke era with the University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit!
On Monday, August 29, the club will present the annual Football Kickoff Dinner at Park Place Catering in Dearborn, located at 23400 Park Street, near Michigan Avenue and Outer Drive.
You're invited to wear your maize and blue as we prepare for each game of the 2011 season; from the season opener versus Western Michigan through the home finale against "that school in Ohio," as Coach Hoke has so routinely called Michigan's greatest rival since his first day back in Ann Arbor.
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, wine, and a club favorite, Ann Arbor's own Wolverine Beer! The evening will continue with dinner at 6, followed by the speaking program and drawings at approximately 7:30.
Guest speakers scheduled to attend include: Detroit News beat reporter Angelique Chengelis and columnist Bob Wojnowski, two of Detroit's long-standing and most reliable voices on the University of Michigan and Detroit sporting scenes; Brian Cook, the owner and primary editor of the immensely popular MGoBlog.com, the Web's go-to home for Michigan athletics analysis; and Greg Dooley, who, as the editor of MVictors.com, brings a leading historical perspective to Michigan's generations of athletics tradition.
The four speakers will discuss their outlooks for the 2011 season, answer questions from the club, and provide their analysis for where Michigan has been and where Michigan can go.
Someone else asked for Brian's prediction quotes, but I guess they fit here as well:
Brady Hoke is not a serious candidate for the Michigan job. He is not any sort of candidate. If Dave Brandon was willing to hire Hoke to coach Michigan, Rodriguez would already be out the door because there would be a dozen people he'd rather have coaching Michigan than Rodriguez. Unless meteors hit both Jim Harbaugh and Rich Rodriguez, the chance Brady Hoke is Michigan's coach in 2011 is zero point zero percent.
Brady Hoke will not coach Michigan in 2011.
Speaking of recruiting, not to be, like, you know but… Michigan has eight coaches. Seven are white and one is Fred Jackson. Most are old, and even the young-ish ones look like old white guys spiritually. This 1) is bad, 2) looks bad, and 3) can be offset if the last two guys are "energetic recruiters" in the same way Zack Novak is "heady."
Others have posted many other quotes. I don't have the time to dig them all up now (and lack access to his radio quotes). Look, the entire "I was only upset at the process thing" is not true. A guy who said the things quoted above has every right to his opinions but maybe shouldn't be a speaker at a Kickoff Dinner.
Let's not forget the following:
- Brian's views on Coach Carr (and his weak apology for some of his comments),
- His blog's creation of the "Sherideath" nickname and bashing of a walk-on QB that did his best
- MGoBlog's insinuation that Hoke is forcing players off the team in the interest of oversigning
- His hypocritical comments aout Dave Brandon and his "corporate" ways
- Regularly censoring opposing views on his blog (doubt you will be able to even read these comments)
Brian is entitled to his opinions but the fact is he is running his blog for his own financial gain, as such it is to his benefit to have controversial positions which creates more interest and response. Same formula as Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, and Glenn Beck. I wouldn't want any of those guys speaking at a Michigan Alumni event either.
The saying is M Go Blue, not M Go Blog, and definitely not M Go Brian
so, because Brian was wrong in his prediction, he is thereby disqualified from being a good person to speak at a kickoff dinner? Hmm. Have you checked the other speakers to see if they have ever made mistakes in their predictions? Or is it only Brian's mistakes that you object to?
Ok, I'll give it one last stab...
Brian is not a good fit to speak at the event because he, more so than any other member of the media, criticized Hoke, Hoke's abilities and the hiring of Hoke. He then made a number of negative predictions about Hoke (and the program under Hoke's leadership), none of which have been correct. Brian has a great blog (probably the best Michigan blog out there), but his aggressive (the most aggressive) anti-Hoke stance makes him a bad fit for this speaking role. It's really that simple.
Heaven forbid Brian be hired to speak and then actually be allowed to, like, speak. That would be disasterous.
If there's one thing I've learned from this blog (apart from getting analysis of all the things Hoke has done right so far from the Brian himself) it's that Brian is intent on shooting flames out of his mouth and destroying everything we all hold dear.
Goddammit this bit is so tired. So very tired...
Haven't you ever changed your mind about anything dahblue?
Of course, but when I change my mind, I don't keep dipping back into the "not really" well by continuing to make unfounded (and incorrect predictions) and continuing to complain about things that haven't even happened. All I'm saying here is that you don't bring a naysayer to an optimism party.
So, what you're saying is ... detractors not allowed? Holy smokes, dahblue; that's a tad hypocritical of you.
You clearly read Brian's material a lot differently than I and many others do, that's fine. I suspect you're a more reasonable person that what you're showing in this space.
You've gotta be kidding me!
Would Mark Snyder speak at a RichRod Kickoff? No. Mostly because he stirred up a bunch of shit. Brian whined endlessly here (and on the radio) about Hoke and, therefore, is a bad match to speak at the event. He can attend. He can shake hands. He can talk to folks. He just shouldn't be a speaker when he previously said:
Unless meteors hit both Jim Harbaugh and Rich Rodriguez, the chance Brady Hoke is Michigan's coach in 2011 is zero point zero percent.
Detractors are now allowed...they just make for bad speaking guests.
Brian said that more than 3 WEEKS before the bowl game debacle. Even as The Process unfolded, it seemed like Hoke was a longish shot.
It seems that your mission is to rip Brian any chance you get just because he thought Michigan could have and should have considered candidates with better results that Hoke. Hoke is clearly the right guy for Michigan, but that doesn't mean Brian's criticisms of him are baseless. You're a hindsight king, and its a tired bit.
Consider chilling out...
Another suggestion: bitch to the people who put him on the dais.
http://mgoblog.com/content/brady-hoke-and-nature-information
would be funny to see Brian do that. Congrats Brian.
Depends on his wife "gentle nagging" if Brian starts sporting a new hair cut. Honeymoons over Bro welcome to the married life.
He's fast approaching the age when, even guys who run successful blogs from home and don't have much need or concern for appearance, look kinda bad at that hair length.
He'll be sporting "Denard" dreads come August.
Am I the only one that wants Brian to rightfully call someone "horseface" at the dinner?
Yeah, probably.
Giving a generic "Michigan football is wonderful" talk works fine too.
I hope Brian takes a jab at freep and wave's back to them in the 1990's.
Because with Coach Hoke possibly there to speak (maybe? perhaps? maybe/perhaps somebody else from the program, officially?), it will be a required-work appearance for Mark Snyder. And yet he'll be there to watch the competition; the lovely and talented Angelique Chengelis (the only reliable and worthwhile Michgan beat-reporter for any newspaper) and the genial Bob Wojnowski.
It could be just my imagination, but I look at this as yet another finger stuck in the eye of the Freep. Coming straight from the top of the Michigan Athletic Department.
And, to be completely candid, there could be another explanation. Mark Snyder might have been asked to be a speaker, and declined. Because, wouldn't that roomful of people have just a few questions for Mr. Snyder?
I would bet money, that Rosenberg would not even attend. Now that I have said it, we'll see...
~ btw, August 29, 2011 will be the two-year anniversary of the Freep's 'Stretchgate' Jihad. To the day. The Sunday-edition Free Press, which will live in infamy, was dated August 30, 2009. But the Freep had posted the story online on the 29th.
"Immensely popular" and the "web's go to home for Michigan athletics analysis"
Boom. Brian Cook'd
A few of my friends and I mailed in our ticket request form today. I can't wait!
Personally I hope that Brian is verbal about both the positives and negatives he sees in the Michigan football community. Obviously no one goes to an event like this to receive a stern lecture, but it is a prominent venue from which Brian can advocate for a more expansive conception of who/what exactly constitutes a "Michigan Man," among other things.
Besides which, the people who put these things together aren't stupid. I'm sure many people at the U of M Club are avid MGoBlog readers who are more than familiar with Brian's dissenting opinions during The Process. Maybe they're looking for a few fireworks?
IMO, this would be ideal.
Remember Brian was very critical of the process and hire, not the job Hoke has done since his hire. One of the things he was adamant needed to happen was to open the check books for Mattison.
Think about this: If we didn't snag Mattison, how would we be feeling about the Hoke tenure thus far? Mattison has been THE recruiter for Michigan (see Misopogan's front page post from yesterday). Without him, we may all agree with Brian's "We are ND" sentiment.
I would love Brian to go into a semi-lecture mode about what it means to support a program and why many of those who actively tried to make RR fail should be ashamed. We're in this together for Michigan. There is no room for anything but support, no matter how big your checkbook.
There is no room for anything but support
In soviet Ann Arbor, program supports you!
I've never attended one of these before. Will anyone that is directly affiliated with football team or athletic program be present?
The U-M Club of Greater Detroit, along with the Victors Club, and the Bob Ufer Quarterback Club are among the leading scholarship-fundraisers we have. And it is common that somebody will be there, to shake hands, etc. Even if not pre-announced. No preannouncment gives them scheduling flexibility. That's a busy time of year for the football staff, where they are working about 26 hours a day.
To interview Hoke about his Saban-esque plans to medical unwanted players off the roster. Why bother with innuendo and dark hints of questionable ethics when you can get it straight from the source?
was wrong alongside many others (myself included) when he expressed optimism about UM's football future with a young new coach having unorthodox ideas and a 70% winning pct as HC including a 32-5 record over his most recent 3 years and demonstrating impressive offensive and defensive statistics.
The indictment that so many people including Brian got Rodriguez "all wrong" may be 100% correct. Congratulations I guess. And I would be the first to acknowledge that Hoke has done a surprisingly very good job since assuming the HC duties at Michigan in 2011. No mistakes thus far, so that's just great.
But after foolishingly falling for the "peanut butter jelly time" of 32-5 and the idea of Pat Whites in winged helmets, the criticism of those with understandable hesitation to take the new guy on faith all over again with insufficient evidence seems stupid to me. Hoke is the new HC, who by the way and with all due respect, comes to Michigan with what can only be described as a rather ordinary resume and 48% winning pct as a head coach from previous MAC and MW conference schools.
I hope Hoke is the next Bo Schembechler, etc. He might be. But even Schembechler showed up to town in 1969 as a proven winner, achieving a 66% winning pct as an HC from his earlier stint at Miami (OH). The previous performance was the reason why I was optimistic about Rodriguez, and also why I'm struggling a little bit with Hokemania right now. I'm operating on Pacific time, but I'm sure I'll be all "I gets it" eventually.
Wow..This thread has turned into a pissing contest real quick.
All's I have to say is that almost everything for RR fell the wrong way. He's a great guy and loved the University. Wherever he coaches they'll be my second favorite team.
The Scenario could very well be different if the things in Columbus happened 4 years ago. With that said Hoke is taking advatage of that situation like he should.
He's done well so far, The jury is still out.
Mine will always be the team that is playing OSU that week.
Brian threw a temper tantrum for several months after the Hoke hire. It's only in the last couple of monthsthat he seems to be warming up to the Hoke hire some.
If he wants to reserve final judgement until after the season, fine. But his schtick re Hoke is more than a little old.
i dont think anybody was excited at first about the Hoke hire. I dont think anybody thought we'd land Mattison either. Its worked out good so far..
Many people in the football community were excited about Hoke and suggested he'd be a good fit here. If you recall, Craig James spent half the bowl telecast going on about what a good candidate he'd be. Brian chose to tune that out and suggest that Hoke wouldn't be hired, which had the effect of making him look like a desperation hire when it happened. But it's possible that he was Brandon's top guy all along.
In any event, Brian's immediate response to the Hoke hire had the effect of lowering many people's expectations, so that it's been easy for Hoke to surpass them. I guess he unwittingly did him a favor.
I don't know if Brandon will be there, but I would love for Brian to send a message (a gentle jab/joke) expressing concern re: the potential corporatization of Michigan Football. I guess dressing up as a stupid looking wolverine mascot with Arbys and Dominos patches would be over the top...I'm sure Brian could find a more subtle and witty way to send such a message that I'm sure would be supported by most in attendance.
How about Brian sits this one out and TomVH speaks instead. His hair is the appropriate length, he doesn't throw tantrums, and never talks about Hoke's poop. In a nutshell he is an adult.