January 4th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
He was a life long fan now he has turned his back on us I hope we start winning soon or this is going to continue to happen.
Hopefully we can get todd chandler
January 4th, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
is no longer visiting, so I doubt UM gets him. He's visiting Memphis instead.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:38 AM ^
*facepalm*
January 4th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^
Jay Hopson recruit. Coincidence?
January 4th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
Did someone at UofM give Arch a wedgie or sumpin? Dude carries a grudge like nobody's business.
I'd rather Hankins go out of conference than sign with the Bucks ... salt in wound if he ends up being pretty good in Columbus.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
That's too bad. But aren't we somewhat at fault here? It seems we took the "prove it" approach and might have lost some ground in the process. Maybe that's too superficial on my part.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
Offering Hankins and accepting his commitment in the summer would not have magically turned Archie Collins into a Michigan fan. We were all over Fred Smith two years ago, and look what happened.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
I hope we get a LB coach that can make an impact in recruiting if we can't even get todd chandler to visit us over Memphis somthing is wrong. I guess are old LB coach was good for somthing.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
I don't claim to know anything about the inner workings of the Hankins recruitment, but TOB is saying that Collins works with ulterior motives and an agenda to sway players from UM. If so, that's lame as hell. Re: the staff taking a "prove it" approach - I mean, shouldn't they? If UM offered every player that was a UM fan but hadn't yet shown they were UM-quality, we as fans would flip... I don't think it's asking too much of a player to convert some of that potential to production at the high school level before throwing an offer his way.
Oh well.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:04 PM ^
Yeah, sorry, not faulting the staff for taking that approach only saying that sometimes that approach has negatives and that we shouldn't cry if we lose out on some because of it. Sometimes RR offers early in the game (e.g. Carvin) and it yields positive results.
It's too bad that we couldn't overcome the slow start on Hankins and the external factors (Collins).
January 4th, 2010 at 11:53 AM ^
I understand the reasons for not offering Hankins earlier than we did, although I would have extended an early offer myself. Any time you don't give an early offer to someone who's always yearned for you, there's always the chance they'll feel spurned and end up somewhere else. My bet is that it happens to every school, but it hurts double here if he does indeed end up at OSU. You gamble, sometimes you lose.
I would guess the staff isn't losing all that much sleep over this since it took them a long time to offer him in the first place. It will really suck, though, if we don't land any of our other late offers on the DL.
Who's Archie Collins?
January 4th, 2010 at 11:59 AM ^
Do you think we have any shot at him changing from Tenn? He looked really good in the UA game this weekend. I think he and Parker would be huge to finish this class.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
He was a Hopson recruit, so I doubt it.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:59 AM ^
Just so everyone understands the dynamics here:
Archie Collins is the defensive coordinator for Detroit Southeastern. He played safety for Michigan State under HC Nick Saban and DBs coach Mark Dantonio in the late 90s. He controls the recruitment of every prospect that comes through Southeastern. How he has so much pull, I have no idea, but he is responsible for lifelong Michigan fan Fred Smith being a Spartan, he is the man that William Gholston lives with, and he is now responsible for lifelong Michigan fan Jonathan Hankins being driven away. None of this would've been prevented if UM had taken Hankins back in the summer. Collins is a Spartan through and through, and he will run interference against UM every time the maize and blue come calling for a SE prospect. If it's a kid MSU wants, he will do whatever it takes to get that kid to East Lansing. If it's someone MSU doesn't want, he will do whatever it takes to drive the kid out of state. He tried his damndest to get Hankins to visit Alabama. When that didn't happen, he pushed Ohio State, and succeeded.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^
So, Hankins dream to become a Wolverine takes a backseat to the selfish motives of a washed up coach with an axe to grind? Too bad for the players being fed a line a bull by someone they should be able to trust. Hope he's happy with the arch enemy of the team he loves...
January 4th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
the reason for his grudge against michigan??? i understand that playing for state is a big part of it, but there has to be more to it... was this guy spurned by michigan when he was in HS???
January 4th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
Sounds like the typical "Sparty complex", knowing you played for the second tier team from your state. The kids committing to State today don't seem to understand this phenomenon of the continuous revival - new coach, hungry players, etc. etc. Archie's still participating in the revival, hoping someday the outcome will change. Don't think misleading 18-year-old kids will be the difference maker.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
I've seen articles about Collins (specifically the Gholston/ Collins dymanic) hit ESPN so best case scenario maybe he'll be napped up as the DC somewhere in college relatively soon and we won't have to worry about this any more. You know GVSU, Central, Eastern or wherever would love to bring on a guy who has his "player interaction skills."
January 4th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
Maybe when Sharrif Floyd commits to OSU, Hankins will change his mind.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
I have "player interaction skills", but mine are the kind with the ladies, if you know what I'm sayin'...
January 4th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^
Woody Hayes. He wrote the damn book.
(Special note for the sarcasm-deficient:)
By that, I mean hitting that Clemson kid in the mouth.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:34 PM ^
How is Archie responsible for Hankins being "driven away". The U of M coaching staff told the kid the lose weight and we "might" offer you. OSU and Oklahoma saw a window and made the kid feel wanted. Being a fan of a school is great but ultimately it's wise to go to the school that is the best situation for you. OSU convinced the kid that they liked him regardless of his weight. The kid proved he could work hard enough to bring down the weight and then U of M offered. It was too late by then. Archie is responsible for looking out for the kids' well being first and foremost. Why should they waist precious time getting this kid a scholarship putting all their eggs in U of M's basket? U of M gave no guarantees and got burned. If he turns out to be a starter then we might have another Vernon Gholston situation. Hell, Wilcher is a U of M booster and all his kids don't go to U of M (i.e. Mathis, Gholston, Barksdale).
Don't be blind, U of M has had a bad habit of playing high and mighty with PSL kids and the coaches don't appreciate it. The bad relationships have killed the basketball program. The same is happening to the football program.
The demise of the catholic league is killing U of M. Gallagher was a feeder program and is no longer in existence. All the other schools have significantly smaller enrollments. U of M is going to have to get better at locking down its backyard. The worst part is that we are not only losing talent but they are playing against us.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^
Oh, so THAT'S why Archie and the SE coaches were at the Hankins household last night badmouthing UM until Jonathan's parents (who were very solidly in Michigan's corner) relented and agreed to support their son going to Ohio State. Because Archie the Sparty's a "cool dude."
January 4th, 2010 at 1:40 PM ^
Jeez, how are you aware of all of this?
January 4th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
Archie is definitely a true "Spartan Dog". The facts remain that U of M only has Wilcher as a true booster for U of M in the PSL. Crocket has sent Graham and John Thompson to U of M but U of M is losing with a few schools. Renaissance,Southeastern, Pershing are definitely anti U of M. King is not a U of M strong hold anymore. Reynolds retired so I can't tell you were Kings stands, but Perry got snatched away.
In the Catholic league Brother Rice and Catholic Central are anti U of M and have been for years. Do you see were I getting at? Everyone is bad accept the Wolverines? You can only get so many Pahokee and Florida kids while other schools snatch the best right out of your back yard. This doesn't happen at OSU, LSU, Alabama, Texas, Florida, or USC. Thats why they are CONSISTANTLY top 5 or 10 teams.
People have to take their heads out the sand and stop saying the all these schools are just "paying recuits" and realize they are doing a better job recruiting and winning games. Ignoring the problems and complaining about the outcomes does no one any good. Izzo wins because not only can he coach but he also have great relationships with the HS coaches. Dantonio is following the same blue print and has beat us two years in a row with kids from the state of Michigan.
Archie is a cool dude because he's doing a good job giving these kids options. Southeastern is in a VERY bad neighborhood so the more kids he gets into college the better. He's going to boost his alma matter and down their rivals. Thats the name of the game. As some posters said before. Winning records speak louder that any thing. 9-4, 3-9, and 5-7 kill you more than anything. When powerhouses that give a better opportunity to win and exposure come knocking kids are going start listening. Staying at home during bowl season doesn't equal exposure.
U of M is lucky that there are people in Detroit who still live and die by U of M. You don't think that kid was crushed when he was told he wasn't good enough for U of M. The coaching staff left the door open and then got it slammed back in their face once they deemed him worthy because other recruits turned them down. He's going to go to the place who shows him the most love and that is bigger than anything Archie can say. If Archie was such a big influence why isn't the kid going to MSU with Gholston?
January 4th, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^
Because MSU doesn't want him. If they wanted him, Archie would've abducted him and drove him up to East Lansing for a weekend without anyone in his family knowing about it or knowing where he is, just like Fred Smith two years ago. Archie's giving these kids options while taking away one of the best ones because he's got Dantonio's balls on his chin.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:36 PM ^
Building a wall around the PSL, or the entire state of Michigan for that matter, is not going to result in UM returning to its elite status.
UM has always relied on out-of-state players because historically there just hasn't been enough talent in Michigan to sustain big-time programs. That's one huge difference between UM, on the one hand, and OSU, Texas, and Florida on the other.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
was referencing the fact that to be an elite team you also need to secure your backyard. we did a nice job getting devin, but the staff wanted hankins. losing him, esp to osu, definitely stings. no ifs ands and buts about it.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:33 PM ^
A SPOT ON post.
January 4th, 2010 at 5:08 PM ^
Do you really know what this guy was going last night? What's wrong with you?
January 4th, 2010 at 5:29 PM ^
Easy, ace. I'm just passing the info along, I didn't sit outside the Hankins household all night with binoculars and a fake mustache.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
Pity, a fake mustache and a mustache ride might have sealed the deal. Way to NOT take one for the team.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:29 PM ^
As we all know, only Bobby Petrino sits outside prospective players' homes with binoculars and a fake mustache.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
Nice comment. But it seems like you have not made many friends since you have joined this blog.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:07 PM ^
It seems the truth hurts around here. I just want to see the program turn around. What happened at ND can happen at U of M. You can keep pointing to tradition and next the thing you know thats all you got.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:44 PM ^
is to beat Michigan State's ass — repeatedly — while on your way to conference championships and bowl games. As long as we languish in the bottom of the Big Ten and lose to Sparty to boot, Collins will be able to make an argument against committing to UM.
That being said, it's not unreasonable to question the strength and depth of an alleged lifelong "love" for Michigan when a recruit does receive a UM offer and then signs with Ohio State.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
Agreed. It sucks to see situations like this occur, but the door is opened for these to occur when you go 8-16 over the last two years.
It's a lot harder to steer kids away from a program coming off a championship than one coming off a couple of very poor seasons.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^
Doesn't Michigan have an in home with Hankins tomorrow? Is that a no go now?
Sounds like a long shot. Maybe just maybe they can play some serious defense and get the family to see the HS coaches agenda.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
And......
.....time to move on to the next recruit. If the kid doesn't want to come to Michigan, why waste time trying to convince him or arguing about it here.
Personally, if we're playing the "jilted lovers" card, I'm much more content with having Cullen Christian and Vladimir Emilien on my team pissed off about being "rejected" or "not shown love" by Ohio State. The Buckeyes received Zach Boren and Johnathan Hankins as "Michigan jilted lovers." I think Michigan's doing just fine in this game.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^
Our record doesn't say that. "You are what your record says you are" Bill Parcells
January 4th, 2010 at 2:17 PM ^
Hi, Tom Hagen.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
The record says Michigan pulled Christian and Emilien, the Buckeyes have pulled Boren and (probably) Hankins.
I'm not sure what record you're talking about. I'm not talking about Michigan's on the field record, but nice try brah. Now go back under the bridge.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:46 PM ^
The funny thing about all this is that a few weeks ago, very few people on this board even wanted Hankins. Suddenly it's reported that he's going to choose OSU (which was a highly possible destination for the entire time he didn't have a Michigan offer) and now everybody's crying because we're losing a recruit to an out-of-state school.
If the coaches REALLY wanted him, they would have offered him earlier. The fact is, they've struck out on some other DT recruits, and Hankins - The Fallback Plan - is choosing a team that showed him some love the entire time.
Congrats to Hankins for going where he's wanted.
In the meantime, the only person we've lost on the DL is Brandon Graham. That means we still have all three nose tackles returning from last year, and who knows - we might get in on another recruit in the next month.
I told everyone not to panic when Beaver decommitted last December. Hankins was never committed, and we might not even have room for him, anyway.
Chill.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^
Magnus = correct on this one. Also, last I looked Hankins is "three star mafia" territory to all the major services. Apparently the move to sign with tUofOSU has elevated his potential?
January 4th, 2010 at 4:18 PM ^
Is Archie the same crybaby that complained about Lloyd's treatment of Carson Butler and other SE players? I had always thought that these past incidents were the cause of the hatred of UM from the SE coaching staff, not just being sparties.
January 4th, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^
No, that was/is the Renassaince coach. He is the coach of Mylan Hicks(2009) and Lawrence Thomas, a 2010 recruit.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:44 PM ^
I went to high school with Archie Collins (Cass Tech, colors green and white, btw). I knew the guy since 9th grade and i can honestly say he HATES UM and always has for as long as I've known him. I don't know what happened, maybe his folks are sparties, but he has always liked the lil bros. I remember when I was in 12th grade and I got accepted to UM during an on-the-spot admissions interview, I came back to class and some of the other students were congratulating me. Not Archie. He gave me a nasty look and said something like "why do u wanna go there?". I just looked past his dumb remarks and said, because its Michigan. But he was being a real a-hole about it and everything.
I ran into him again when I was in college. I liked to visit MSU and some of my HS buddies for their annual picnic at the end of the school year, if you've ever been, you will know what i'm talking about. I saw him at a campus pool party after the picnic and he was visually upset that I was even there because he knew I was a Michigan man. I just gave him a nod and moved my attention on to the bikinis. I saw him hating, even though most of my other friends at MSU were glad to see me.
As you can tell, Archie hates UM and I am not surprised that he is pushing Southeastern players to go to MSU or to hate on Michigan like he does.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^
This is what rivalries are all about. The hatred we feel for Buckeyes is the hatred MSU people feel for Wolverines.
From a football perspective, you can't go wrong with heading to OSU. They put players in the NFL, they win Big 10 championships, and they contend for national titles. Michigan doesn't do all those things right now.
Archie Collins might be a jerk, but he's not necessarily steering Hankins in the wrong direction.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
I will believe this on signing day. Bust out the snaked oil Rich. The one thing I have learned since I have started to follow recruiting a little bit the past few years is kids change their minds, a lot.