SEARCHBITS XVII: DOT GIF?
never not funny
IT'S HAPPENING? IS IT HAPPENING? TELL ME IT'S HAPPENING. You go out of pocket for a few hours and you come back and the internet's falling apart. Near as I can tell there were a couple of posts around 8:30 last night on Scout and Rivals, both of the positive variety. Allen Trieu mentioned($) something might happen tomorrow(!). Which is today(!!!). (Side note: GBW has a rumors board that they can report more freely on without guaranteeing total accuracy, so don't get down on 'em if they're off some.)
A few hours later, Jeff Moss and Gregg Henson joined in with highly positive updates. I know, I know, I'm considerably more cautious than those two guys. And in this case there are NFL parties yet to be heard from, things that could change, etc. But they've had things before, so that should affect whatever your Bayesian estimate is to some degree.
The night ended with Steve Lorenz adding his stuff to the GOOD NEWS pile($), with "important Michigan-related figures" incrementing their optimism. He's "cautiously optimistic" now. Oh, and Trieu again($).
The upshot from everyone is a rising tide of optimism.
TODAY?!?! No. Trent Baalke's de rigueur "we evaluate after the season" statement happened late afternoon yesterday. Most targets are still in two weeks. It's highly unlikely we hear anything today. I'm betting we have to endure the full 12 days in limbo here unless it all falls apart.
SOURCES OF SAID TIDE. Moss says that Brandstatter is feeding some of this information to people. Brandstatter says he isn't. I have heard that Jack Harbaugh is a major source for both Rivals and the pile of former players who are increasingly giddy. Jack would know a lot about Jim's intentions, but I am a little worried that Jack wants this to happen so badly that he may be overstating the case.
Then you've got players Harbaugh talks to, guys he might be reaching out to as staff members… there is a lot of chatter.
A RISING TIDE… EXCEPT THIS ONE GUY. Some cold water: got a lengthy note from a source who is second-hand but has had good info during coaching searches past that is basically a re-iteration of the NFL reporter position that Michigan's chances are slim at best. I believe the guy, and believe the NFL reporters to some extent—there is clearly a story out there in which Michigan is the wallflower hoping to get noticed by the prom queen. There was a credible-seeming Cassandra on Rivals offering up a similar story about how this isn't happening and was never happening.
Some of this is from people who swear Harbaugh wants to remain in the NFL. Some of this comes from within the Michigan base. It would look pretty bad for Brandon if Hackett did lock Harbaugh down, and it was mentioned to me that he is hoping it doesn't happen. He could be a negativity vector there. That would be the best case scenario for this undercurrent of NOPE amongst the cresting wave of euphoria for the same reasons Jack Harbaugh might be overly enthusiastic.
It is hard for me to reconcile the piles of internal optimism with the idea Harbaugh is just stringing Michigan along. There would be a way to approach this without giving everyone the impression it's happening dot gif. On the other hand, this is a credible person. There are people close to Harbaugh who think it's not happening dot gif.
Many someones are about to be very wrong.
ON THE TRAIL. As a counterpoint to that, heard that a Michigan assistant has been pinging kids in his area asking them to hold off on commitments until Harbaugh is in place two weeks from now. A couple of the staffers are hoping to stick… well, most of them probably are, but a couple in particular have higher hopes than others. They're pitching the big kahuna.
nyet
EXIT LES. Les Miles had a weird intro to his press conference yesterday, talking to reporters off the record about his interest in the Michigan job: he has none. Cameras off, direct quotes prohibited, gist communicated: weird.
Why he wouldn't just issue the standard press-conference denial is unknown. The explanation that comes to mind is that he was wary of getting a little emotional now that he knows for-sure-for-sure he'll never coach Michigan. Or he could just be weird. That is always on the table with Les.
If you're so inclined, you could read this as evidence that IT'S HAPPENING, as word trickles out to connected Michigan people and Les's slim hopes have just gone to zero. The other option is that all the people swearing up and down that Miles would come back if given the opportunity are wrong. The agreement there within the Michigan insider community is iron-clad, though.
ON ASSISTANTS? Are we talking about assistants already? Seems way ahead of ourselves, but okay. Ty Wheatley has been rumored to be on his way back ever since it looked like Hoke wasn't going to make it. It's obvious why—Michigan Man.
He has also made his interest in returning known, as long as it's some sort of upgrade on his current role as the Bills' RB coach. While Michigan probably wouldn't want to throw him in the deep end as a coordinator right away, something like OSU's recent setup with Tom Herman and Ed Warriner as co-OCs would work.
Sam Webb recently downplayed speculation by saying their hasn't been any contact; even so that seems like it might happen once a hypothetical staff hypothetically starts being assembled.
Durkin also had a minor role in Office Space
Trieu also dropped($) Florida DC DJ Durkin's name. Durkin was the DE/ST coach at Stanford for Harbaugh's first three years there, then moved on to Florida, where he was an LB coach for a bit before taking over as DC for the last two years. The obvious catch is that he was working under Will Muschamp, who is now making more than a lot of head coaches as Auburn's DC.
Durkin is in demand, being courted by UNC and A&M; as a Youngstown guy who went to BGSU he has a ton of those Ohio recruiting connects. There was some chatter that he'd be retained by McElwain but Thayer Evans reports that UF is going to hire Mississippi State DC Geoff Collins—yes, the you're a baller guy—instead*. Interestingly, Durkin was a GA under Urban Meyer for the two years Meyer was there, then moved on to Notre Dame in the same capacity—no doubt on Meyer's recommendation.
*[Exhibit A as to why Mullen would jump at the chance to move to a school with more resources.]
PLAN B. Heard for a second time that Tom Herman was under serious consideration as a backup plan. With Les out for whatever reason, the non-Harbaugh options get slim fast if Michigan cannot poach a Power 5 college HC in a good spot—always hard to do and harder these days when everyone has buckets of cash.
I'm just sayin', Dan Mullen hasn't signed that extension… because now it's real easy to see Michigan burning through candidates until it's looking at wild-ass swings at up-and-comers like Scott Frost (high on CSU's list) or the Schiano-Addazio-tier Life Is A Grim March To The Grave candidates. Mullen told the local media via text he hasn't heard from Michigan, period, and in this case I believe him. If Collins does jump to Florida he's got to be steamed, though.
I wonder if someone at Michigan will reach out to Herman and tell him not to sign anything just yet—Herman already announced he wouldn't be joining Houston until OSU is out of the playoff. He is looking increasingly like Michigan's best will-obviously-come option. Short term sketch? Yes. Worth it if we don't hire Steve Addazio? Yes.
SERIOUSLY. Bo Pelini. Pitt. Make it happen.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
of your Human Culture is to be found in these animated missives from the Warner Bothers of the mid-20th century.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:17 AM ^
I honestly think a lot of the itsnothappening.gif is coming from the Brandon camp. Believe it or not, he has cronies. I wouldn't put much stock in that report from said individual who has some stuff on "coaching searches" because, what do you know, General Cockface ran the last one.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
Upvoted for use of General Cockface.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
State Street, from what you know Harbaugh is definitely coming?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^
The fact that Brandon is hoping we dont get Harbaugh, just shows how despicable of a human being he truly is.
Thank you Brandon for four years of Chris Christie.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
and that she did with a 12 gauge shotgun.
Your post needed some fair and balancing, Doc.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^
lol I was basing the Christie comment soley on the fact that Brady and Christie look like twin brothers. Not injecting any political conjectures.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
are Republicans and Hoke does not look that much like Chris Christie. Christie is more well-endowed when it comes to fat than Hoke.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^
But I am much less optimistic today that I was yesterday. Even without the giddiness of last night (and I *was* giddy, no question about it) I was reasonably certain that there was enough smoke that this thing was a done deal with Harbaugh. Maybe it's an emotional hangover, but who knows. Maybe it's alcohol.
Today, finding out that "sources" may or may not be Brandstatter, et al, i.e. people not a part of the search leaves me feeling pretty cold on the whole thing.
In the light of today, Bagheera's best friend's brother's sister's next door neighbor who works in the mail room at the Raiders sounds more plausible, even if it's only because it would make perfect sense for the Niners to allow a non-NFC team to talk to Harbaugh about what the parameters of a deal might include in exchange for the Niners receiving some form of monetary compensation and/or draft picks.
I'm back on the fence as to whether Harbaugh comes or not. I'm hopeful but prepared to be profoundly disappointed.
Oh, Reader71 and Read Your Guard, where art thou on Coaching Fiasco 2014?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
I'm with you, Bagheera has me spooked. Who is that guy, and why was he rooting for Harbaugh 2 hours before he suddenly changed tune and brought out the ice bucket. Bagheera, wtf?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
Could it be that you're not getting your hopes up as to not have them come back to hurt you?
December 16th, 2014 at 1:24 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^
I really think the information might be coming out differently because Harbaugh maybe telling people different things. It's possible he has both said I would like to coach at Michigan to Michigan friends and said man, I really can't see myself bailing on the NFL this quickly to NFL peeps because he is actually thinking both things and still deciding.
This still just feels too much like last time to me again with Michigan insiders saying he wants it and is coming back and NFL guys saying he isn't leaving the NFL. I refuse to believe it is likely until the NFL guys cave and they have not yet.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
to tell us whether to start cranking up the F5s or to ease off the key. Brian's post moves the F5 clock backward. Until the next Jeff Moss-esque rumor moves it forward again.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
for making the boring parts of this search interesting. Daily now, I guess.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
I pity the coach who has to take the reins here in his stead.
So Harbaugh had better come. He owes it to the rest of the college coaching fraternity.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
Wait... your account is allowed to post comments without monkey rodeo gif attached?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
Imagining Herman coaching this group of offensive players (Green, Smith, Isaac, Norfleet behind this group of o-linemen) while getting to mold Shane Morris into a true dual threat spread QB makes me tingle.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
Honestly, if Harbaugh and Stoops are no's than I would love to see either Mullen or Herman and I'm not even sure which I would rather see. I mean Mullen has HC experience, but I find the idea of Herman very intriguing.
December 16th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
I'm not and never was 100% certain that Harbaugh is a lock however I'm still optimistic because I believe Hackett is not waiting for nothing.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
Until we start actually losing candidates that would be a good fit I'm not going to get worried. Miles's non-official, official denial is meaningless IMO and he could easily say "that's why it was off the record guys" if he gets the offer and takes the job. Mullen hasnt signed his extension yet. Herman hasnt signed his contract yet and nothing's happened with the Alpha Dog out in SF yet either.
So with apologies to Brady Hoke "all our head coaching goals are still within reach" - nothing's changed and every day that passes with no change in the above increases the likelyhood that everyone's simply waiting on Harbaugh to make the call and then the dominoes will start falling fast.
This is kinda fun to be honest.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
Do you use Pepto Bismol by the gallon?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
Yes I'm enjoying this immensely.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
I agree. Without the current coaching search, our other options for this moment would be:
1. Brady Hoke returning, which would kill off Michigan football once and for all.
2. Non-Harbaugh hire that would definitely not be as good as Harbaugh.
Give me a 50% chance at JH and I'm the happiest I could be short of him already being the coach.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
By your definition of the word, I am assuming you spend your weekends making hundreds of long shallow cuts in your skin with razorblades, soaking in saltwater, and repeating. Perhaps occasionally mixing it up with some do-it-yourself dental work and joint replacement surgeries with no anesthetics.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
Seriously though take a step back and look at what's happening. Nebraska, Oregon State, Wisconsin and Florida all jumped fast for the first available candidate (or so it seems) and not much of their fan base is happy with the selection.
None of our primary candidates are off the board so ALL of them remain potentially in play and I think there's a solid reason for that. I believe Hackett has communicated to each of them their relative attractiveness to Michigan as a candidate and the timeline we're waiting on from Harbaugh. I think we've probably indicated to them something like "as you know we're waiting to hear from Harbaugh but we dont know what he's going to do and if he's a no - we'd very much like to consider you for the job. And we'll get an answer from him by X date." It's not like our interest in Harbaugh is a big secret and it's not like any of the other guys would be insulted at the knowledge we've made him our first choice.
I think Hacket has quietly lined up candidates 2, 3, 4, and so on and has a date in his head when everything is going to start rolling but he's waiting on Jim. And he TOLD us that in his presser regarding the search when he mentioned the "swim lanes". It's funny to me that we seem to have forgotten that collectively that Hacket was pretty transparent in his ".....you can get a C candidate right now but to get the A candidate you might have to wait" speach to all of us.
Patience all - patience.
December 16th, 2014 at 2:07 PM ^
December 16th, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
And you don't even need to use the whole tube.
You have some left over for a couple of other teeth, and a shoe or two.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
Well informed and reasonable, as always. Gonna rely exclusively on your searchbits posts from here on out. Quick question on Miles. I know your not a big fan of Miles, but I am a bit confused by your last sentence on him - "The agreement there within the Michigan insider community is iron-clad, though." Did you mean that Michigan insiders claim that Miles is out, regardless of Harbaugh's decision, or that Miles would come to UM if given the chance? In other words, is insider information + yesterday's events an indicator that Harbaugh is really in (yes!!!) or that Miles is really out, independent of Harbaugh (no!!!!).
December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
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December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
The way I read Brian's paragraph was that sentence means that there is universal agreement in the Michigan insider community that Les Miles would come to UM if actually offered the job
December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
The way I read Brian's paragraph was that sentence means that there is universal agreement in the Michigan insider community that Les Miles would come to UM if actually offered the job
December 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
The way I read Brian's paragraph was that sentence means that there is universal agreement in the Michigan insider community that Les Miles would come to UM if actually offered the job
December 16th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
thanks
December 16th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
The agreement is that Miles would come if offered.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
Isn't Jack Harbaugh, Jim's father? Wouldn't he know something? If he was saying that his son was coming to Ann Arbor shouldn't that be a good sign?
December 16th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
Yes. Probably. Maybe or maybe not.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
Thanks for clearing that up.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:33 PM ^
You're welcome.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
You're welcome.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
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December 16th, 2014 at 8:00 PM ^
Not necessarily... do you tell your dad your every thought on potential career moves? Jack certainly seems to want Jim at Michigan, much like Don Nehlen told RichRod to come here. That doesn't mean Jim is going to do it. There are a lot of moving parts, I'd imagine.
December 16th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
Someone please quickly find a reason to discredit the cold water source Brian mentions. Even though we don't know anything about him or his rationale. Cassandra too, that bitch just sounds like a liar.
(am I doing this right?)
December 16th, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
i think the 49ers are still in play
December 16th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
(Maybe) no Harbaugh, no Les...
Why are we even doing this? Shut the whole damn thing down.
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