Trust in Dave Brandon

Submitted by BlueintheLou on

This is getting out of control. Believe me, I am as frustrated as the next guy. Watching the game yesterday, in conjunction with every time they mentioned not winning since 2003, made me sick, actually. I know we as fans love to speculate until we hear an actual decision about anything on this board. This team has had a rough year, they showed signs of potential greatness, but coupled that with signs of regression. That leaves us as a fanbase in quite a quandary, because in year 3 of a new regime, we had expected and hoped to see something further along.

I come here with a plea for us as a fanbase, at least the rational ones, to just let this play out. Brandon has repeatedly said he will evaluate after the season. I love mgoblog, but I do not want to sit here all month long reading new posts about Harbaugh or any other potential coach/DC we might see. Can we please just trust Mr. Brandon to make the right decision for the future of this program. I have been an RR fan through thick and thin, and part of me still wants him back because I think he can succeed, but ultimately, I am putting my trust in Dave Brandon to make a good decision to put this program on the right trajectory for the long term. So, that the Michigan brand rises back to where it belongs and so that the product on the field is contention, every year. Dave Brandon will get it done, with whomever it may be, RR, or moving a different direction.

In Dave Brandon I trust, and so should all of us. Good luck boys, let's get some solid practices in before the bowl game.

lager86

November 28th, 2010 at 2:23 PM ^

I liked the DB hire, but I just can't believe that waiting until after the bowl game helps anything.  All we've been saying for the last 2 years is that we need to get back to bowl games in part to get extra practices.  If RR is stayng, why not support him now, give him a chance to hire a new DC and get 15 practices under his belt?  If RR is out, why not let the new coach get a 15 practice and bowl game head start?  I can't believe that there's anything to learn in the next month that DB couldn't have gathered during the season.  He keeps claimig he knows what's happening in the lockerroon and in practice etc.  what are exit interview of the handful of seniors going to prove?  If that's what is going to sway the decision that much, I would start to doubt DB.

M-Wolverine

November 28th, 2010 at 2:28 PM ^

Or at very least, Dave is unsure of what to do. If he knew Rich was coming back, there's NO reason no to announce it now. It only helps, everything.  If he waits, the only thing it helps is to get the buyout to go down $1.5 million.  What could a bowl game reveal that would sway big time one way or another? Either you think he should be back or you don't...at least if you're Dave Brandon, I hope. Fans can be unsure....we don't have to make the decision.

Blue in Yarmouth

November 28th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^

I agree that if he was staying, there is no good reason to have not said that already. Keeping quiet the fact that he is staying doesn't serve any purpose that I can see and would do more harm than good.

I am going to add something that will likely get me negged to bolivian but so be it. I have to question where everyone gets this overwhelming confidence that DB is a great AD? He has a great track record as a busniess man but the responsibilities are not exactly the same.

When I see all this "I trust DB" and "DB knows what he is doing" I just kind of scratch my head. Where is the evidence? We aren't exactly running a pizza chain here in AA and all the evidence that DB knows what he is doing comes from that sort of venture.

I am not saying he doesn't know what he is doing, but I am also not running around with the idea in my head that he can do no wrong and that he is obviously going to be a success as the UM AD.

I don't know, I guess I just find it strange that there is this sentiment on the board that the man knows exactly what to do to get UM football back to the glory years. I haven't seen anything during his tenure here that gives that same feeling of absolute certainty that he is going to do the right thing here.

Hal_Victor

November 28th, 2010 at 10:25 PM ^

DB wasn't just the CEO of Domino's, his experience as a former player under Bo and as a regent means he's intimately aware of the traditions and expectations that many of us share.  To me, his hiring was a home run, because I couldn't imagine someone better suited for the job.  That's why I trust him and will live with whatever he decides.

As for waiting after the bowl game, waiting may indeed foreshadow bad things for RR.  If he is going to make a move it would obviously be better to get Harbaugh (safe assumption he's the target) here sooner rather than later, but the wait may be dictated by JH, so DB's hands may be tied as far as when he can make the move.  I'm sure the $1.5mm isn't a small part of the equation either.

Blue in Yarmouth

November 29th, 2010 at 8:00 AM ^

My point still stands, there is zero evidence that points me to trusting DB to make the right decision. Being a player doesn't make you a great AD. Being a regent doesn't make you a great AD. Being a business man doesn't make you a great AD. Finally, having no experience in the position doesn't make you a great AD.

As I said in my post, I am not saying he won't be great, nor am I saying he won't make the right decision. What I said is I find it strange how everyone is SO sure he is going to make the right decision based on what we know about him as an AD (which is absolutely nothing at this point).

This is the decision that will give us data on which we can judge DB. If he makes the right decision, then yay for us. My point is all these people running around saying "don't fear, DB knows what he is doing" are basing this on blind optimism, and that is fine if they wish to do that. I am simply saying that I am not one of those people.

I hope he makes the right decision, but I am a cardiologist by profession, and nealry all of the decisions I make at work (and in my life in general) are based on evidence. In this case, there simply isn't enough to give me the optimism most others are feeling.

M-Wolverine

November 29th, 2010 at 9:50 AM ^

But I agree.  I mean, to be straight, I was one of the few who thought Brandon would be the best candidate for AD (When this site was saying "eh, you need someone who's been an AD"), and I do think he can do a good job.  But the unquestioning love he gets around here is a little scary.  Because he's really not done all that much. He managed the infractions situation, but I imagine the expensive firm they hired to tell them what to do basically laid it al out for him. He has some nice soundbytes. We'll never know if he was manipulating the public by leaking the M/OSU game stuff, or if he was going along with it, or if he should have just been straight and fought it.  And while I'm fine with the compromise, I'm still not sure that being in opposite divisions is what's best for the rivalry.  Just a lot better than moving the game from the end of the year. He put lights up that look great (the night game is a give-take thing for me, it's cool, but it's not a huge thing for me), but he put Arby logos on everything (which I think is going to happen a lot).

I still think he has the potential to be the best AD since Canham (not that there's a lot of competition....even Bo was just AD to name his successor).  I think he's smart (though maybe a bit cold and ruthless for a college environment), and has a great balance of business savvy vs. sports background. But going ga-ga over pimp hands over what he's done so far? I'm not seeing it. No reason for outrage either.  And probably more reason for praise than scorn.  But blind trust?  Let's see how the football situation works out. That will define him, just as if Rich succeeds or not will probably define Martin (who did other good and bad things....but football is always what's most important).  Either keeping Rich or getting someone else, Brandon has to get the football program back to where it was, and soon.

bleuadams

November 30th, 2010 at 12:53 PM ^

*****THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POST TO READ BECAUSE IT'S 'THE' TRUTH*****

#1) Michigan is NOT Jim Harbaugh's 'dream job.'  He wants an NFL job, because him and his brother are so competitive.  SD, SF, Oak and Car (and maybe even Dal and Min) are all going to be fighting over him this off-season.

#2) Dave Brandon is going to be doing absolutely everything he can to convince him to come to Michigan over the next month.

#3) In all likelihood, Rich Rod will be brought back (signing a two year extension after the bowl game), and Greg Robinson will be replaced (along with the 3-3-5).  Ron English is supposedly an early DC candidate. 

winterblue75

November 28th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^

It's going to play out no matter what goes on here at MGoBoard. Don't worry yourself about what others write or think. Don't want to read it, don't click. Don't want to hear it, don't listen.

Zone Left

November 28th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^

That nothing has happened yet is a pretty solid indication of what will happen.  Rodriguez is going to get at least one more year, for good or bad, and we'll see what happens.  I'd expect the entire defensive staff to change the day after the bowl game ends and we'll go from there.

For the record, I really hope the move succeeds fantastically.

dahblue

November 28th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^

That's just crazy talk!  "Nothing happened" means RR is getting another year?  Righhhttt....  I have to break it to you, but DB saying that he's "out of town" on Monday is a lot different than "RR will be our man in 2011".  Wonder where DB is headed?

Bottom line - DB is just waiting because he bought RR's bags from Overstock.com and selected "free shipping" which takes wayyy longer than regular shipping.  

dahblue

November 28th, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^

Hey!  I wondered where your anger and big mouth had gone.  Good to see you.  Still confident that we're going to beat OSU?  How about your boy RR coming back?

By the way, thinking that RR failed in A2, doesn't mean people "hate" him...just that they don't approve of his job performance.

dahblue

November 28th, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^

Overjoyed?  No.  I'm pissed that we got blown off the field.  I'm pissed that OSU and Wisc basically took a knee for the 4th because our defense is such a joke.  It is nice, however, to see that the angry legions screaming "STFU" to anyone who would dare question His genius are now a bit more quiet. 

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^

Why? You form arguments with the same strategy as Palin/Glenn Beck. 

I want Michigan to succeed too. Anyone who thinks either side has a slam dunk case is completely deluded. 

Rich is the path to greatness if you actually look at the data and the incoming talent through recruiting and gaining players back from injury. 

I LOL at you calling me childish when your posts against rich are filled with insults towards his and his supporters. You are a hypocrite. 

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 7:59 AM ^

I bet you are happy since you have hated Rich from the beginning. I call BS on you thinking he failed is not personal. RR haters like you will come up with every lie in the book to get rid of him. I bet rosenberg is your favorite writer. 

I am still confident RIch is back next season. 

dahblue

November 29th, 2010 at 10:00 AM ^

I "hated Rich from the beginning"?  No.  I was excited about the possibilities.  I worked with a WVU alum who told me about the greatness we were about to encounter.  I was bothered deeply by year 1 but hoped he'd make that dramatic turnaround.  Near the end of year 2, I wanted him fired as I saw the writing on the wall.  When he was allowed year 3, I went back to hoping (but keeping grounded in reality).  That "hope" was always tampered by the results on the field.  Those do matter.  I "lie" to "get rid of him".  Dude, you're insane.

Rich will be back next season...wherever he chooses to call home.

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^

Rich will be back at Michigan with a new defensive coordinator and a clean house in the defensive staff. Sorry to bust your JIm harbaugh hard on. 

What writing on the wall. You mean this offense which is currently ranked #6 in the country. I cannot wait to see Rich work with seniors and upperclassmen on this offense. Do you also mean the influx of talent coming in for the D through recruiting and getting upperclassmen back from the Michigan Secondary Hating God. 

We need patience not a coaching firing. I think anyone who wants to fire Rich is a freaking dumbass. 

dahblue

November 29th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^

Really?  Are you 12?  "Jim Harbaugh hard on"?  "Anyone who wants to fire Rich is a freaking dumbass"?  I guess the vast majority of football-followers are "freaking dumbasses".

As for your stats...Our offense by yards is #6 nationally.  Our scoring offense is #23 (a team needs strong fundamentals to actually score the points).  Where is Stanford...Where oh where is Stanford?  #8.  Want more stats?  You know what's coming...Total defense (yardage) #109.  Scoring defense #102.  Yes.  RR has, again, put forward the worst defense in the history of the program.  How many bad records must he set before you wake up?

Need another stat as you sit back and pretend that our D will magically become strong next year...RR has lost just over 25% of his defensive recruits.  What happens with the next injury? Who gets the blame for lack of depth?  Ron English?

In year 17 of your RR fantasy, what's the latest excuse?  Smog?  Locusts?  

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^

Please keeping ripping me for calling you names, when you do the exact same thing. Pot meet kettle. 

yep strong offense, tons of improvement since Rich took over the quagmire on the offense when he took over. 

Defense is going to improve with the recruiting (which we have a strong defensive class coming in, especially at DB) and getting future upperclassmen back from injury, Cams, Kenny, and Black look like studs and they are getting valuable experience this season. Plus we have Roh coming back. But you will ignore these points as it doesn't fit your view....

.RR has lost just over 25% of his defensive recruits....Got proof of this accusation? LOL Sounds like another lie. 

In your world I guess valid reasons are excuses. Your abuse and misuse of the word excuse is why I called you a Palin supporter. 

dahblue

November 29th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^

It's so cute how you squint your eyes and pretend things happened that didn't.

Anyway, some facts for you (I know how you hate them).  Hell, this is for all of the RR-loyalists who neg anyone who dare mention the fact that we've lost a ton of defensive recruits under RR.  I have been saying 25%.  That's wrong.  It's 32%:

2008 Class:

25 commits; 8 on defense

Gone: 

Brandon Smith

Marcus Witherspoon

Boubacar Cissoko

Taylor Hill

2009 Class:

22 commits; 10 on defense (I'm including Big Will as a defender who stayed)

Gone:

Adrian Witty

Vlad Emilien

Anthony LaLota

Mike Jones

JT Turner



2010 Class:

27 commits; 16 on defense

Gone:

Demar Dorsey

Antonio Kinard

That's a total of 11 commits who split during the RR tenure (out of a total of 34 defensive recruits).  Math time!!!!  Guess what...that's 32% of RR's defensive commits who are gone.  Maybe I should stick to the exact number next time.

p.s.  Facts don't lie, nor do they have excuses...but I bet you do.



 

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^

2008 was not Rich. That was Lloyd. Thanks for playing. 

Witty-academic. Happens to every coach. Remember sex lion? 

Spoon - I will give you that one. 

Boubou - Lloyd recruit, but Rich cannot watch his players 24/7/365 to keep them from going on a crime spree robbing pizza delivery guys and taxi drivers.

Hill- I will give you this one too. 

Vlad - never was the same after his injury. Never could rise above scout team. He saw the writing on the wall with the depth chart at the time. 

Smith- Smith was kind of a man without a position in this defense. He's too slow to play safety. He's too slow to play SAM. He's not bulky enough to play Quick, and he's too raw to play either inside linebacker position anytime soon

Witty -yet again academics.

Lalota - depth chart. Couldn't even climb this depth chart...

Jones -  I will give you that one. 

JT Turner - Doesn't like going to class and only likes to play PS3. He just transferred from west virginia. 

Demar - Duped Rich, Louisville, and FSU with his fake high school. 

Kinard - I will give you this one. 

 

Hmmm...only 4. Nice how you lump in academic, legal, and injury casaulties in there. Nice try.  

Math time (FYI, I minored in math and have a degree in physics. I think I know a little more about mathematics than you). 4/34 = 11%

Facts don't lie, but stretching the truth seems to be your forte. 

dahblue

November 29th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^

I count 9 excuses!  Unreal how all those players leaving turns into "4" when you're done making excuses.  Who knew that it didn't count as a transfer when a player "couldn't climb the depth chart", "doesn't like going to class", "was a man without a position", etc?  I thought I was a homer, but I got over the "it is someone else's fault" thing when I was a child.  

32%.

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^

I count 9 valid reasons. Your abuse of the word excuse hurts. I think a player getting a season ending injury like an ACL or broken ankle and never fully recovering like Vlad counts. Any reasonable person would agree with me. 

Rich cannot force his players go to class. Last time he punished a player for not going to class it ended up in Rosenberg's article. Since Rich must be a slave driver forcing his players to class. 

I am no homer, I call bullshit when I see it. WHat you posted is 100% grade A bullshit. Like I said again you sound like a Fox News pundit.

So did I when I grew up. However, I also gained ability to discern valid reasons from excuses, something you seem to have a problem with. 

I find it laughable that someone would plus you for that post where you defended your list of players with no explanation. Last time I saw that list it was Mike Valenti and he was roasted on the mgoboards. 

dahblue

November 29th, 2010 at 3:41 PM ^

I presented facts.  You swear and pout.

Those players were commits under RR and they did leave.  You presented excuses as to why they don't "count" because of grades/benching/etc.  That's laughable.  Did they not leave? 

LaLota doesn't count as a player that left because he was "behind on the depth chart"?  And you say that I presented "bullshit"???  Did he evaporate?  I won't even get into your medley of other excuses.

The statistics are facts that will not change.  It doesn't mean that RR is the devil.  It just means that 32% of defensive recruits have departed under his leadership of the program.  A good manager would look at the facts and try to figure out what the reason is (statistics, you see, don't always answer the "why").  I think Brandon is a good manager and trust that he is very aware of that figure.  He isn't going to hide from reality as you hope he will.

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 4:12 PM ^

Ok, in your honest opinion if a player like Vlad suffers a season ending knee injury and never regains full strength after an appropriate rehab period and is buried on the depth chart is that a valid reason for transfer and not on the coach? Is Rich responsible for baby sitting Boobou to make sure he doesn't go on a crime spree. Is Rich responsible for JT not going to class and practice to stay at home and play PS3 even after he punished him by sitting him and putting him on the scout team. Or how about Rich pushing Lalota pushing him as hard as he can but Anthony still cannot crack the top 2 lines. Honestly, If I was coach I would support Anthony's wish to peace out if there is another program where he could succeed. 

You have a skewed view of the difference between excuses and valid reasons. 

Nobody is pouting here. If anything I am shaking my head at your lack of common sense. Based upon your posts thank god I will never work a manager like you. I bet I could get t-boned on the way to work by a drunk driver going 50 in a 35 causing me to go to the hospital, but you would still punish me for being late to work. 

Brandon is a great leader so far. He is aware what led to the players leaving, not just that they left in your black and white world view. 

Your complaining about swearing, makes you sound like Rosenberg.God forbid I harm your fragile state of mind with a curse word. God help you if you go to Yost. 

dahblue

November 29th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^

See...that's a key question.  In your hypersensitivity, you assumed that I blame every departure on RichRod.  RR is clearly not responsible for every departure, but when a coach loses 32% of his defensive recruits, there is a problem that can't be explained/excused out of hand.

As for babysitting players...Let me tell you about how a Michigan coach did it in the past.  Coming home one day, my neighbor in the dorm left his door open as he listened to his answering machine.  Gary Moeller was screaming, "[Player's name omitted], you stupid motherfucker.  If you skip one more fucking class, you'll never see the field for the rest of your days.  You better get your shit together..."  Then he slammed the door.  I don't want to embarrass the player, so I don't include his name.  The point is that an involved coach knows when there are problems to be on top of.  They can't control everything, but they can do their best.  Sometimes a coach has to do more than run the offense when he's leading a big time program.  These are kids that often need extra attention.  That's just the way the job works.

p.s.  I have no issue with swearing.  I talk like a drunken sailor, but I can make arguments without being a dick.

Wolverine318

November 29th, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^

Well you did put blame on Rich for every single person that has left the program if you go back and read your posts. My argument for that premise is safe. You have to be completely delusional if you believe 32% left due to actions because of Rich. There are valid explanations for for the majority of the individuals which any reasonable and fair person would accept.

You don't think Rich did that for Boobou, especially with backstabbing individuals like rosenberg and whoever else that was backstabbing him (maybe Jamie Morris, we already know he lies to the AD) watching him like a hawk for "family values."

I make arguments without being a dick too. However, when someone like you who is a dick too I return the sentiment right to their faces.  

By the way thanks for negging everyone of my posts on this board. I am definitely return the favor to you.

dahblue

November 29th, 2010 at 7:04 PM ^

Tell you what, I've tired of you.  If you had a quote to prove that "I put blame on Rich for every single person that has left the program" you would have copied and pasted it.  But, you don't...because it's not true.  Please stop making things up.

It doesn't matter if there are valid explanations why 32% of his defensive commits left...they left.  That's the point.  

The real world is a great place; try to step out of the MGoBubble.

Wolverine318

November 30th, 2010 at 12:44 AM ^

yet you are damning Rich when fair and intelligent individuals realize that basically 4 of those individuals are actually on Rich. THEY ARE VALID EXPLANATIONS. Please tell me how Rich is responsible for Vlad or Bouboo. you are the only person that blames Rich for those two.FYI, I didn't make anything up you idiot. It is too bad you are too blind in your hate to recognize the truth right in front of your face.

I love how you lumped in the 08 class when that was a Lloyd class. Nice try. 

I live in the real world which is real of grey not a binary world like the one you live in. 

I have no clue why I waste my time on you. 

Wolverine318

November 30th, 2010 at 12:46 AM ^

 

Really?  Are you 12?  "Jim Harbaugh hard on"?  "Anyone who wants to fire Rich is a freaking dumbass"?  I guess the vast majority of football-followers are "freaking dumbasses".

As for your stats...Our offense by yards is #6 nationally.  Our scoring offense is #23 (a team needs strong fundamentals to actually score the points).  Where is Stanford...Where oh where is Stanford?  #8.  Want more stats?  You know what's coming...Total defense (yardage) #109.  Scoring defense #102.  Yes.  RR has, again, put forward the worst defense in the history of the program.  How many bad records must he set before you wake up?

Need another stat as you sit back and pretend that our D will magically become strong next year...RR has lost just over 25% of hisdefensive recruits.  What happens with the next injury?

Sounds like blaming Rich to me. You are delusional. 

BlockM

November 28th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^

The best way to calm things down then they're out of control is to throw another opinion into the ring and ask others to keep theirs to themselves.