The MgoBlog Confession Booth: Beilein

was time to move in a new direction. After almost 3 years of ugly losses and indifferent play, the program had lost the UM fan base and seemed uncompetitive in a top 15 sense. The last 3 weeks do not negate all of the crapola over the last ~3 years, but the momentum certainly buys him next years at least. Beilein has some some talent arriving in Livers, Ellis and Poole for his strongest class in 4 years - and the addition of Mathews is unusual for a Coach since he is an extremely athletic transfer.

I called him a dipshit and I said his halftime speeches put me to sleep.  Oh and that he recruits altar boys.

anyone know how or where to get an 8x10 of Beilein?

What everyone was drinnking when the "Fire Beilein" crap was going on.

He is the best guy for this position in every respect.

I did not want to post my support....probably would have generated neg bangs.......who needs that?

Go Blue!

 

I jumped on the Fire Beilein crowd after a loss this season. I think they started winning shortly thereafter and I jumped off that bandwagon pretty quickly. I've always lightheartedly said I love Beilein and that he is like a father to me because of the success he has brought to a program I have loved for a very long time.

I would love for the people who said things like "I won't be sad to never see Zak Irvin suit up in a Michigan uniform ever again after this season." Those types of comments are pretty malicious.

Why should we have to repent? It's great to win the B1G tournament, but has the long term trajectory of the program really changed? I've said this before, but next year Michigan loses their best player (Walton) and a top 3 player (Irvin, who right now is probably the 2nd best player on the team). If we're being completely honest, Wagner could probabably go pro if he wishes. They bring in an underwhelming recruiting class a year after bringing in an underwhelmingt class that produced close to nothing for this year's team.

That said, I never once called for Beilein's firing (unlike others here). His runs in 2013 and 2014 were two of the best years I've ever experienced watching Michigan basketball (and that includes the Fab Five years) and earned him leeway in my eyes despite sub par 2015 and 2016 seasons. I did say that he would be on the hot seat if he did not make the NCAAs this season and a few weeks ago there was a real chance that Michigan was headed to the NIT. He righted the ship and Michigan went on a great run culminating in a B1G title. Congrats are in order, but that doesn't mean that I have to accept this narrative that all is well and that criticism of Beilein is misguided. 

I strongly believe Michigan is a top 4 B1G program based on history and resources. I can also make an argument that they are a top 2 B1G program, but I think top 4 is that baseline. If they finish the regular season in the top 4 then they have met my expectations. Despite a strong finish this year, Michigan finished in a four way tie for 5th. That's not meeting my expectations, hence my criticism. Thus far in the postseason, by getting to the B1G final and winning it, they exceeded my expectations. 

I also believe Michigan is a top 20 program nationally and an annual visit to the Sweet Sixteen should be the baseline. Let's see what transpires this weekend. If they advance then I will consider this season a smashing success. If they lose this weekend then they will once again have failed to meet my and others' expectations.

Maizen absent from this thread, color me surprised.

/s

...I was calling for his neck passionatly ...but hell, sometimes you need a good kick in the ARSE to get going...and maybe all of us who raised hell put enough fire under the bellies of this team to get going. 

 

GO BLUE AND #saveBeilein. 

He has done a tremendous job in the second half of the season and this team has truly come together the last few weeks.  I still hate some of the dumb losses, but whoever got Zak Irvin to come out of his shell - Kudos.

GO BLUE!! Final Four Baby!

Congrats to the coach and team for putting it all together. I remember the fire Belein talk and I said then that he was a great coach. Teams dont play in National Championships with average players and bad coaching. Its been obvious to me that our coach is elite for being able to coach up average talent and motivating them to play hard and well for each other. 

I also remember saying that there may not be a better coach available, should we let Belein go. I said that any hire would have to be a homerun hire on the level of Calipari, Self, Coach K. and if not, I would rather take the good and bad with Belein. 

I seriously question whether or not Michigan fans would demand a change as long as Football is great and basketball is competitive. Certainly we can all agree BB is more than competitive right now but I think we all long for a powerhouse BB program year in and year out.

I say, get Belein help with putting together a recruiting machine that attracts McDonalds All Americans and a great defensive mind for an assistant and we will be a force every year.   

Great Coach. Have said that before, will continue to say that. Just not a great recruiter. Had a stellar 2013-2014 with great talent, had some hiccups the next few years, injuries, misses on the recruiting trail. But if steps up his recruiting, we will not have to wait to develop talent, like DJ coming into his own. We start recruiting at a eleite level like in 2013, the ceiling is the roof for Beilein and this program

I've always been a huge supporter of coach Beilein and it was hard to read many of the "fire him" missives from earlier in the year. But honestly we are a passionate fan base and maybe over zealous at times. But that same fan base does miraculous things such as keep the memory of Chad Carr alive, win very blood drive that we ever compete in and says go blue through good or bad wherever I go. Honestly I'm proud TJ be a Michigan Wolverine and it's ok to criticize as a fan if in the end you still believe in what the Block M stands for. That's all that matters: win with class, lose with pride and always stand proud. This team almost died on a plane Wednesday, a tragedy that is unfathomable to me not just as an alumnus but as a parent. Beilein isn't just a great coach but a great human being. He is honest in his assessments and forth Wright with his candor. You always know where he and the team stand. If we paid close attention we could have seen this coming. The blew out SMU and that team didn't disappear, it just learned how to fight. Just like all of us learned how to rally around them and support that fight. Never more proud to say these words: GO BLUE!

I never though Coach had forgotten how to coach offense, but I did wonder if adding Donlon would boost our defense, and we are not recruiting at the very highest levels.

This past month has showcased his strengths.  We have adapted to our previously poor defense and now can depend on it when the shots aren't falling, continued to play elite offense, and gotten more than I thought we could out of our players.  This may not be a Final Four squad - beating Louisville and then another top team is a tall order - but it's one of the best coaching jobs of his career.

This is Coach at his best.