1974

October 25th, 2015 at 4:50 PM ^

By "the top" I'm assuming you mean the Ford family.

- - -

The word is out and has been for many years. Only desperate clowns will work for the Fords and put up with their micromanaging. With a few exceptional spurts, the Lions will be mediocre until there's an ownership change.

LSAClassOf2000

October 25th, 2015 at 4:59 PM ^

Lately, it has dawned on me that until the upper levels of the Lions organization are aligned more with the practices of tradionally winning organizations - and yes, that probably means the end of Lewand, Mayhew and quite a few others as well as someone other than the Fords owning them - we can sit around and blame coaches and players all we want but it would only get so much better....or a lot worse. Lasting change in Allen Park would begin with some serious adjustments in the front office and in management culture. 

MGoGrendel

October 25th, 2015 at 8:03 PM ^

When I was a teenager, I remember my dad saying the same thing about the Ford family.  It's sad that they have been allowed to keep a team this long with the NFL "all concerned about parity".  Sure they are. 

When William Clay Ford died, I thought his son would change things up a create a winner.  Now, I think they know how to run a team just well enough to milk it for cash each year.  And the sucker fans are given just enough to keep them coming back - just like Cub fans.

I'm in Atlanta now.  Time to Rise Up and follow a new team.

Brodie

October 26th, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^

hahaha WHAT?! I'd bet you a million dollars that if the Fords were to sell, Dan Gilbert would ditch the Cavs like hot garbage. And even if they were sold to someone from <dun dun dun> OUT OF STAAAATE, there is zero reason to move the team with their brand new stadium. 

Mr. Elbel

October 26th, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^

There's truth in this, but at the same time you have to have competent owners to hire good GM's and coaches. You might luck into one, as Cincinnati and Arizona have, but it's unlikely to happen so long as the Ford's are in charge. Can't get good coaches without a good GM. Can't get a good GM without a good owner (or without a little luck on your side that your crappy owner somehow snags a capable GM).

On another note, kind of amusing that the Ford's haven't been able to hire or keep good GM's.

Wolverine Devotee

October 25th, 2015 at 4:15 PM ^

Michigan plays UCF next year.

Likely that Norm Chow at Hawaii gets the boot, as well. 2/3 non-conference opponents will have new coaches.

Mr. Yost

October 25th, 2015 at 4:20 PM ^

They're never going to be good at Hawaii with the funding a facilities.

UCF could be a mid-level POWER if they had a good head coach. The Fiesta Bowl/Baylor win was a flash in the pan.

If they would've gotten Rich Rod or Charlie Strong along the way, they'd be in a major conference like TCU.

Has no bearing on Michigan next year...because a new coach is going to need time, but there's SO much potential to be great at UCF it's not even funny. Especially over the past 5-6 years with Miami down and Florida struggling until this year.

They kept GOL and may have very well missed their window.

Yo_Blue

October 26th, 2015 at 8:57 AM ^

I'm not sure that Mike MacIntyre is safe at Colorado either.  Plus, Illinois will have a new head coach (probably Cubit, but with an official title).  Randy Edsall is not feeling too comfortable at MD either.  The, all we need is for someone to take a better job (I'm looking at you Mork) and we would be facing new coaches in half our games.

Mr. Yost

October 25th, 2015 at 4:27 PM ^

DJ Durkin...no, hell no.

Geoff Collins, the current DC at UF for McElwain has UCF ties. I could see that one.

Al Golden if they want another New England retread like O'Leary

There aren't any sexy names on the offensive side of the ball like Herman or Morris.