Brandon reiterates "end of season" timetable (AP)

Submitted by psychomatt on

Apparently, Brandon felt the need to say again today that the decision will be made after the end of the season. As if RR did not have enough to deal with, Harbaugh will be at this year's team banquet:

The situation swirling around Rodriguez's status might turn into a circus at the team's banquet Thursday night because Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh plans to be there to be honored along with his 1985 teammates.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/11/29/sports/s061…

Frank Drebin

November 29th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^

Yes, he could. But you don't want a reaction from the crowd that would become anti-RR. This is an end of the season awards banquet for the team, and they don't need to have the moment soured by people who are not connected directly to the program (don't play, coach, etc) and their opinions of the program/coaching. If there are Harbaugh for coach people in the crowd, it could get ugly. Sounds like a good and classy move on Jim's part.

Bando Calrissian

November 29th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^

I guess the organizers of this event, when they put these plans into motion months ago (probably even before the season started), should have forecasted Harbaugh's ascendance as the write-in candidate for the head coaching position come the first week of December...

I mean, how dare they not know the future?

M-Wolverine

November 29th, 2010 at 3:13 PM ^

(I mean really...75th anniversary team? Everyone knows the blue hairs hate Rich!) But you're rebuttal is silly. People were calling for Harbaugh after last year. It's not that hard to postulate that a predicted 7-5 record might come to be, that people wouldn't be happy, and Harbaugh would be the #1 candidate.

ontarioblue

November 29th, 2010 at 10:28 AM ^

Why not ask him to stay a while.  This speculation is killing me.  Brandon needs to make a decision quickly.  If Rich is to stay next year, announce it.  If he is going, fire him.  Another month isn't going to make any difference.

UMMAN83

November 29th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^

season become after a bowl game?  If you are going to stick by the team make the statement now.  Otherwise, we get to read the same posts over and over for another month.  So what happens if we lose the bowl game.  Has the decision now changed?  Then we scrabble again for the right fit.  Should be interesting if JH makes some comments that night. 

Louie C

November 29th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^

You're right. Another month is not going to make a difference. In fact, I think this is detrimental to the team in regards to moving foward. I think the recruits and the team needs to know so that the cloud of uncertainty can be lifted so that this team can move forward regardless of who the HC is. Doesn't Brandon realize that our Big Ten rivals and other schools that are recruiting the same players Michigan is can use this as fodder for negative recruiting? If he fires RR, so be it. I can live with that decision, but a decision needs to be made. My patience is starting to run thin. Neg away if need be, I'm a big boy.

joelrodz

November 29th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^

That's quite interesting. No trying to inspire any conspiracy theories here but this gives AD Brandon and JH an alibi if they so desired to discuss the future of Michigan's football program and JH's interest in being a part of that future. Can things get any more weird?

Don

November 29th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^

This is like a couple whose marriage has been stormy and contentious nonetheless throwing a lavish party to celebrate their anniversary, and the husband decides to invite an old girlfriend who everybody "knows" he's still lusting after. Serve the booze and pass the popcorn.

Six Zero

November 29th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^

That our next head coach will be determined that night, as Brandon will unceremoniously call for an arm wrestling match between Rodriguez and Harbaugh.  The winner will get the head coaching job, and the loser will have to be interviewed by Lou Holtz, without the convenience of a splash guard.  OVER THE TOP!!

*No, not really

MGlobules

November 29th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^

good. Now we're going to find out whether he ACTUALLY is. I will continue to hope that he has quietly put out word to the recruits that RichRod is staying. Harbaugh, in his turn, may have something to say, too.  

ypsituckyboy

November 29th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^

Actual RR and JH conversation:

RR: "So...how are things at Stanford?"

JH: "Good...how are things in Ann Arbor?"

RR: "Good..."

...Longer Lynn Henning version...

JH: "Cool, well I'd better run. I've got a few meetings." ::starts to walk away::

RR: "Nice. Meetings are fun. Out of curiosity, who are you meeting with?"

JH: "Oh, some old friends... Ya know..."

RR: "Old friends? Like who?"

JH: "Pfft, I can't even remember. The ole memory bank isn't quite what it used to be."

RR: "SHIT, HARBAUGH, JUST TELL ME WHO THE DAMN MEETING IS WITH! IT'S WITH BRANDON ISN'T IT!? ISN'T IT!?"

Tony Soprano

November 29th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^

DB needs to stop treating this like the corporate world - it's not.  Wait until the performance review??   I didn't have to wait until the yearly performance review to know that my assistant was horrible and I need to fire her "now!".   Is he honestly unsure as to whether RR deserves another year or not?

Come on Dave Brandon, make a decision ASAP so we can either get excited about Harbaugh or wait in anticipation to hear who the knew DC is going to be for RR...

Don

November 29th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^

I can easily envision a scenario at the banquet where well-lubricated former players issue boos and catcalls when RR is at the mike, and erupt into cheers when Harbaugh appears. However, there might also be other players still pissed at JH for his critical comments about the UM program. You've got your loyal LC partisans, and you've also got former alum players who really hated Carr (I know one personally).

What we've got are the highly-combustible ingredients for a chaotic, banquet-wide brawl involving hundreds of people, broken chairs, crashing tables, toppling chocolate fountains, flying platters of prime rib, insults, invective, black eyes, and torn sport coats.... an old Three Stooges episode updated to the 21st century.

Plegerize

November 29th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^

I saw this and couldn't help think to myself that something's sketchy about this.

While it's convenient that the '85 team is having a reunion, You can't help but think that Harbaugh and Dave Brandon will share at least one conversation regarding football and the future of Michigan's team.

God you will probably be able to cut the tension with a knife that night. How awkward that is going to be...

LB

November 29th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^

I have had it with DB not coming here and finding out what we want before he makes announcements. What does he think he is doing, anyway.

switch26

November 29th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^

Brandon has already made his decision im sure, just because he doesn't want a media shit storm to erupt is fine with me.

B

November 29th, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^

I agree that if a change is made it needs to be made now, but the wait might not be DB's decision.  If Harbaugh says I want to be the coach but I'm not going to leave my team before a BCS game, what can DB really say if he truly believes Harbaugh is the answer to Michigan's problems. 

natesezgoblue

November 29th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^

 The sooner the better for everyone.  Anyone think that RRod, Harbaugh and the players already know?  The only reason I can see waiting is for harbaugh to have less of a distraction during bowl prep.

VaUMWolverine

November 29th, 2010 at 1:50 PM ^

needs to get a rumor started on twitter. Something like, "unnamed sources saying Harbaugh has been contacted by Michigan". This would force DB's hand. I'd do it but I dont have the sack to start something like that.

Dr. Defense

November 29th, 2010 at 1:54 PM ^

If Rod gets fired after the bowl game, the recruiting class is all but gone. If Rodriguez is not out by the end of the week, this, to me, signals that he is staying.