willywill9

January 7th, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^

I wonder how many posts it will take before this one gets hijacked with tweets, too.  (Not that I mind, actually I prefer it, i'm starving for any knowledge or fourth hand accounts of inside knowledge.

MaizeNBlueInDC

January 7th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^

I am at work shaking because I am laughing hysterically but trying to be as quiet as possible to avoid attention.  Oh yeah and I have tears running down my face too.  I think I managed to have only the nearest coworkers note my hysterics.  

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

January 7th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^

Oh god yes. That would be like a double whammy of awesome. I'd take back ten years worth of disparaging comments about school-issued tractors. I never brought it up though because I figure that Brandon's presser comment about "HC experience required" disqualified him. Besides, I'm not convinced the man even wants to be a head coach, and man, if the Rosenbergs of the world thought Rich Rodriguez was a hick, wait til they get a load of ol' Pud.....errr, Bud.

But we'd have a defense.

PurpleStuff

January 7th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^

However, my uncle's brother-in-law is Uncle Rico's financial planner and the man who can throw it over them mountains has been asking about the tax consequences of moving from a van in The Gem State to a big ole' mansion in Ann Arbor.

I would say more, but I must protect my sources.  You understand.

jvondo

January 7th, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^

Mike Bellotti the former Oregon coach. He was rumored to be interested in Colorado's opening saying that he was open to the perfect opportunity. He obviously is a spread attack guy that would make Denard and Co. happy and prevent massive rebuilding. He could help us find a replacement as he was very successful finding one for Oregon in Chip Kelly, from New Hampshire of all places. If DB pulled this off, it is the only option I would retract all bad thoughts over last 30 days. 

PurpleStuff

January 7th, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^

Bellotti is 60 years old.  He had a nice run after inheriting a team that had just gone to the Rose Bowl under Rich Brooks.  Then Pete Carroll showed up in the Pac 10 and he had one top-25 season in five years before hiring Chip Kelly who seems to be doing alright without him.  He's also never lived, coached, or recruited outside of the west coast.

Makes zero sense to consider him.

harmon40

January 7th, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^

was on Dan Patrick today and said that if Michigan called him he would be very interested.

He is from Michigan and grew up very close to Ann Arbor (Jackson).

He was an MSU fan growing up but his dad had two degrees from Michigan.

He is big into mentoring (recent best-selling book: The Mentor Leader) and would have a lifelong impact on every Michigan player.

He has a Q rating rivaling Hollywood movie stars and would bring all the star power of JH (probably more), without causing anyone associated with Michigan to worry about what he might say (or do) next.

Think DRob might stay to play for Dungy?  I think so.

Think Dungy would be able to keep our recruits?  Yup.  You would even see DHart scurry in a hurry back into the fold.

Think Dungy would be magic in a recruit's living room?  Rhetorical question; Dungy's gravitational pull would be even stronger than Jim Harbaugh's.

Think Dungy would unify the fan base and all factions of the athletic department?  Again, rhetorical question.  Who on earth would question that hire? 

Given that Dungy said this on a popular national radio show, I hope that Dave Brandon dials him up.  I would take Dungy over Harbaugh in a heartbeat - straight up, not as a consolation prize.

Now THAT would send tremors all the way down to Columbus, that wretched hive of scum and villainy...

big10football

January 7th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

He didn't even come close to saying that he would be very interested? the closest thing he said is that he is glad they didn't call him. He then said that if Michigan did call him, he would have good recommendations for them. He later said that he is done with coaching and that if the Miami Dolphins called and offered to make him the highest paid coach, he would turn it down.

The rumors are completely out of control.

harmon40

January 7th, 2011 at 1:56 PM ^

Mom always said I should just go ahead and say that whenever it might be appropriate.

You are right. 

I confess I didn't hear the interview myself, a co-worker heard it and said that Tony said he was glad we hadn't called b/c he would have been "tempted."  The co-worker knows some people who are close to Dungy and said that he loves Michigan.  Personally, I think he would be a great fit and do great things for the program if hired, so I guess I just got excited, and, well...like I said, I am sorry and you are right.

MI Expat NY

January 7th, 2011 at 1:30 PM ^

Remember when Bill Walsh went back to Stanford?  Didn't work out so well...  I don't want an old NFL coach, no matter what his Q rating is.  NFL retreads work about as well in College as College Coaches do in the NFL.  

Besides, there's a controversial aspect to Dungy that might not go over to well with parts of the University.

Benoit Balls

January 7th, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^

Dungy's very conservative views on some sensitive subjects, such as gay marriage.

 

At least In other places I've seen Dungy's name nentioned, I've also seen it postulated that his ultra constervative views might not mesh well with the younger "more liberated" Wolverine supporters. I'm not drawing any conclusions here, just reporting the news

 

Not that theres anything wrong with that

harmon40

January 7th, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^

I can see where some in AA would oppose the hire on that basis.  However I think that would be far outweighed by the positives, the mentoring, the recruiting, and most of all the winning.

However, I've been corrected (see above) by someone who posted a link to some of the interview content.  I got too excited and he is not coming.

Sorry for bringing it up, everybody.

MI Expat NY

January 7th, 2011 at 2:07 PM ^

And Jimmy Johnson was successful in the NFL after college.  There are obviously exceptions, but I bet I can find more failures in moving from one to the other than you can find success stories.  

Off the top of my head:  Callahan, Wanstead, Chan Gailley, Bobby Ross and Al Groh.

Edit:  I see how you've backed off on the Dungy news.  I leave this up here because it is still relevant to any ideas about Jon Gruden succeeding at Michigan.

harmon40

January 7th, 2011 at 2:43 PM ^

your point is valid.  Same general principle seems to apply for basketball as well. 

I've heard it said that this is b/c by and large rah-rah tactics that motivate college kids are usually ineffective on pro athletes (or can't be sustained over the grind of a pro season), while pro coaches don't understand or care about college traditions, our colors vs yours, etc.

Actually, that would seem to make JH a much better long term fit at the college level..

Princetonwolverine

January 7th, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^

As in Jimmy Johnson. If he is willing to do Survivor maybe he would consider coming back to college FB . Besides he is 1-0 in the Big House

michiganfanforlife

January 7th, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^

Tony Dungy idea. I was screaming all year for us to run a bas 4-3 cover 2 defense to simplify things for our incredibly green secondary. This would allow our guys to just fly around and make plays instead of trying to figure out where to line up (see bowl game). I agree that he would be a great recruiter, and he could even go get some pro guys as assistants. All the pro coaches would be attractive to recruits who, let's face it, are all about making it to the NFL.

I would  like Michigan to grab any one of the NFL greats that don't have a job right now. Gruden and Cowher would be good choices. I really just want DB to hire an exciting coach who has a track record of winning tons of big games in big spots. Let's not just look at who has a connection to Bo as our only alternatives. 

If they do go after a college coach, I think hiring a defensive coach is the way to go. Bud Foster is another fantastic option.  We all know the "defense wins championships" mantra, but the last three years has hammered that point into our skulls. If you have a great defense, you are in every game you play.