CC - Brandon's Delayed Decision and Forced D Staff Change Leverage

Submitted by naijablue on
Sorry to all who are tired of the coaching change talk. I wanted to give my opinion on the reasons behind Brandon delaying his decision. Bear with me for a moment and save your downvote for the end. If this angle has been discussed previously, I apologize and mods please delete. Delaying this decision until after the bowl game gives Brandon all of the leverage he needs to force Rich Rodriguez to completely overhaul his defensive staff. Many of these coaches have worked with Rodriguez for years and he will resist sacking them. This late in the game, Rodriguez would be most likely risking at least a year of unemployment for himself and his entire offensive staff as well if he resists staff changes as there would be nowhere for anyone to land. Rodriguez could call Brandon's bluff knowing that there are limited options for Michigan at this point, but I would think that he would want to save some of his coaches jobs rather than risk everyone being let go. I also think there is a possibility that Rodriguez and Brandon have already discussed staff changes and could be holding off until after the bowl for any announcements. You certainly would not expect to field much of a defense in the Gator Bowl if the entire defensive staff has been notified that they will not be returning and are busy out looking for new jobs not to mention ignoring recruiting. Sorry for the length, proceed with the downvotes.
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naijablue

December 15th, 2010 at 8:57 AM ^

Okay, sorry for posting. This is why I rarely post. Apparently this was worse than: "Darius Morris=Butterfly" and "Are Players allowed to cheer/chant." At least I have a sense of humor! Let's see if I can get down to zero points in a single day! Thank you all for your support.

Joined: 07/27/2009

MGoPoints: 643

diclemeg2

December 15th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^

 

this is the kind of asshole who says "this will not end well" to appease the lowest rung, that i cannot stand, and really wish brian would somehow put a stop to it.

but i digress, regarding the OP...  rodriguez doesnt have the leverage nor would he do that. he wants to coach here. i believe the decision to harbaugh was done after the MSU game, on a handshake, but if not, here is a novel idea... it'll take harbaugh a few years to get his type of player, and wouldnt it be interesting if rodriguez were to stay on as OC for one year only, as a michigan man he wants to be, to run the O with those players, while harbaugh recruits for the future.  this wouldnt be a bad gig for RR b/c he would get to see his players through, and would position himself to get a top head coaching job next year, and he then would have saved face somewhat on both ends. Otherwise the word is he'll need to go somewhere as a OC this year, so why not here.

Joined: 05/11/2010

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starrmander

December 15th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^

This is a novel idea would probably work well for next year. However, it is a little short sided and it seems like Harbaugh would want to start teaching his offense right away, much like RichRod did when he came here.

In the long run I think that it would be better for Harbaugh to start teaching his system and plays even with the players Michigan has now.

And this is all hypothetical of course.

Joined: 07/29/2009

MGoPoints: 934

raleighwood

December 15th, 2010 at 1:34 PM ^

Has it ever happened before where a "fired" coach lingers for coodinators position?  I doubt it.  Too much pride on the line.  It would be like a President stepping down to be Vice President.  Could you imagine John McCain as a VP candidate on a ticket with Sarah Palin in 2012.  He wouldn't do it (even if he was younger).  RR is under contract for three more years.  He doesn't need to be a coordinator.

Besides, while RR was an innovator of this offense, there are now hundreds of guys who can run it.  JH would be able to pick someone up if he chooses to follow this trend.

Joined: 11/26/2008

MGoPoints: 4711

bleuadams

December 16th, 2010 at 8:13 AM ^

I wanted to make a new thread out of this, but I'm not allowed to (see point total), so I'm just going to take over this...somewhat...similar thread.

How good will a Jim Harbaugh-coached UofM be NEXT season!?

I personally believe it's becoming more and more obvious that Jim Harbaugh is going to be our head coach next season, and I'm so excited about it that I couldn't wait to post a 2011 outlook with him at the helm thread, like, such as. 

OFFENSE:

First of all, the offense.  For those not familiar with Jim Harbaugh's coaching history, he runs sort of a pro-style spread/pistol offense at Stanford.  But he also ran more of a pure spread at SDSU.  He's not as stubborn as Rich Rod, and also much more flexible schematically, so I think that we can expect him to adjust his schemes accordingly given our talent.

QB: *Robinson(Jr.), Forcier(Jr.), Gardner(Fr.)
SR: *Roundtree(Jr.), Grady(Sr.), Gallon(So.)...Hayes(Fr./R.S.)
SR: *Odoms(Sr.), Robinson(Jr.), Dileo(So.)
WR: *Stonum(Sr.), Stokes(Jr.), Miller(Fr.), Williamson(Fr.)
WR: *Hemingway(Sr.), Jackson(So.), Robinson(Fr.)
RB: *Smith(Jr.), Shaw(Sr.), Hopkins(So.), Toussaint(So.), Cox(Jr.), Jones(Jr.)...Hart(Fr./R.S.)
FB: *McColgan(Sr.)
TE: *Koger(Sr.), Webb(Jr.)
C: *Molk(Sr.), Khoury(Jr.), Pace(Fr.)...Miller(Fr./R.S.)
LG: Barnum(Jr.), Campbell(Jr.)
RG: *Omameh(Jr.), Mealer(Jr.)
LT: *Lewan(So.)...Fisher(Fr./R.S.)
RT: *Huyge(Sr.), Schofield(So.)...Posada(Fr./R.S.)

First issue, quarterback.  I really do believe that he's going to give Denard Robinson every single opportunity to be our starting quarterback.  He saw first hand what an option QB can do in the Big10 back in Bo's days.  I think he's going to try and make it work.  Denard is a good enough passer anyways, and he'll only continue to improve in that respect.  If he stays, and it'd really be in his best NFL interests to do so, I think that he could be absolute dynamite under Harbaugh.  If he can't, and we go with Forcier, or better yet Gardner, he's still going to be the focal point of our offense as a runner/Percy Harvin-type.  Though, I'm guessing that he'd leave shortly after being moved.

Second issue, recievers.  Nothing much changes here.  We have five returning starters at reciever/tight end.  Harbaugh used 3 and 4 reciever sets at Stanford plenty.  He'll take advantage of these guys for sure.  Only difference is that Koger will be used more...and he's a real talent.

Third issue, running backs.  Yet another position where everyone is back.  This, however, is a position that could see a major shake-up.  First, Dee Hart, probably gone.  Second, Stephen Hopkins, probably our starter.  V Smith and Shaw will get some carries, sure, but Harbaugh's probably going to pound it a little more with the big boys.  Toussaint will definitely be a factor.  Maybe Michael Cox has a second life?

Fourth issue, offensive line.  Harbaugh would probably prefer bigger olinemen, and he'll get them in time, but for now, what we have is what we got.  4 returning starters.  Schofield might take over on the right side.  And it will be Barnum or Campbell (or Washington if the switch back is made) replacing Stephen Schilling.

Bottom line, we basically have 10 of 11 starter returning, and a lot of guys that played in sub packages coming back.  They'll all be a year older.  They'll all have a year's worth of the new strength and conditioning program.  It's not Rich Rod's offense they'll be running, but these guys are all very talented, and Harbaugh is a very, very smart coach.  I'd expect an overall improvement offensively next season...which means that we will probably have the best scoring offense in the conference, and maybe in the entire country.  Hard to say what will happen recruiting wise, but I think we'll see more good than bad after the coaching change (which goes for defense as well).

DEFENSE:

Jim Harbaugh has run a mixture of 4-3 and 3-4 fronts at Stanford, and I'm guessing he'll do the same here.  Once again, a ton of returning starters.  Another year's worth of strength and conditioning (and in the new program).  And much better coaching.  Should be a much better defense.

NT: *Martin(Sr.), Washington(So.), Ash(Fr.)
DT/DE: *VanBergen(Sr.), Talbott(Fr.), Heininger(Sr.)
DE: Black(So.), Wilkins(Fr.), Watson(Sr.)...Rock(Fr./R.S.)
DE/OLB: *Roh(Jr.), Paskorz(Fr.), Ryan(Fr.), Herron(Sr.)...Beyer(Fr./R.S.)
MLB: *Demens(Jr.), Bell(So.), Leach(Sr.)...Jones(Fr./R.S.)
SLB: *Fitzgerald(Sr.), Jones(So.), Furman(Fr.)
WLB: *C. Gordon(So.), Robinson(So.), Hawthorne(So.)
SS: *Kovacs(Jr.), Johnson(So.), T. Gordon(So.), Simmons(Jr.)
FS: *Woolfolk(Sr.), Vinopal(So.), VanSlyke(Sr.), Williams(Sr.)
CB: *Floyd(Jr.), Christian(So.)...Crawford(Fr./R.S.), Brown(Fr./R.S.)
CB: *Avery(So.), Talbott(So.)...Hollowell(Fr./R.S.)

First issue, defensive line.  Should be even better.  Martin is a real deal stud returning at NT.  Van Bergen is a good player that returns.  Jibreel Black is a promising young player that returns.  Craig Roh is a good player that returns.  Should be tons of depth behind them now too.  Definitely going to be the strength of our defense.

Second issue, linebackers.  Should be much better.  Demens, Fitzgerald and Gordon are all returning starters.  Talented young players behind them too now.  Better schemes up front.  Better coaching.  Should result in a much better group.

Third issue, secondary.  As of right now (ie, without landing a stud safety), Troy Woolfolk will start at FS.  Kovacs, Floyd, and Avery are all returning starters.  Lots of talented young depth behind them now too.  Better coaching.  Better experience.  Better schemes.  Should be a much, much better group.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Harbaugh's special teams at Stanford have traditionally been a relative strength, as opposed to the gaping weakness they've been for RR.  I can't expect that this unit won't improve.

K: *Gibbons(So.), Broekhuizen(So.)
P: *Hagerup(So.), Broekhuizen(So.)
KR: *Gallon(So.), Stonum (Sr.)
PR: *Gallon(So.), Dileo (So.)

Hagerup is a tremendous young punter, he'll only get better.  I'm guessing that Harbaugh already has a kicker in mind to bring in...which, we don't have, obviously.  Not sure what he'll do about return guys...but with all the speed and talent we have at the offensive skill positions, I've got to imagine there's someone better than Jeremy Gallon to be found if a coach is actually paying attention to special teams practice.

BOTTOM LINE:

I see no reason - NO REASON - why we can't win the Big10 in Harbaugh's first season.  It will sort of be misleading because RR really built this team up...but...now it's time for a real coach to come in and coach it properly.

Joined: 09/05/2010

MGoPoints: -784

Blue in Yarmouth

December 15th, 2010 at 8:52 AM ^

many of the best potential replacements for the current D staff will be gone by then. Have seen what has been going on in the college football coaching ranks lately?

I am not saying this isn't the reason (heavens knows I have no idea what it is), but if it is the idea, I think it could backfire.

Joined: 02/18/2009

MGoPoints: 6528

The Baughz

December 15th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^

Isnt DB making all these upgrades here at UM? The new jumbo HD scoreboards, the Big Chill, permanent lights, etc. He knows that Michigan needs an upgrade at DC, so If he is spending big bucks on those other things, why not pull out the check book for a quality DC.I fully expect to see a high profile guy come in, like a Randy Shannon,(god I hope it is him) and will definitley be well compensated.

Joined: 10/08/2010

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bluenyc

December 15th, 2010 at 9:02 AM ^

There have been alot of coaches moving around, but they are available candidates.   There always be candidates.  We may have to pay more or give them extra incentives to pry them lose from their current jobs.  IMHO, waiting limits our options

IMHO, I think this seems like possible reason for DB to wait.  Problem is that if RR doesn't agree to these changes, I am not sure DB has any leverage.  Would DB fire him and the staff, who would he get.  The options would be more limited.

Joined: 06/25/2010

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Wolverine0056

December 15th, 2010 at 9:00 AM ^

It is a good point that you have raised here. I'm not saying it hasn't been brought up before, but it is the first time I have read a post like this. Either way, I still believe (as does just about everyone) that DB is making a huge mistake by not announcing anything. He is hurting the program more than helping it.

Joined: 08/02/2010

MGoPoints: 7773

Derek

December 15th, 2010 at 10:13 AM ^

That's not thinking at the margin. Dave Brandon has a pretty good business resume, so I imagine he understands economics. I doubt that one, five, or even a thousand dollars really matter to him in this decision. It's possible that he cares about each and every one of those dollars, but extremely unlikely because that's a poor economic decision procedure. Just sayin'.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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