DetNews article on search firms
Angelique Chengelis has a nice article in the Detroit News about search firms. Personally, I was glad to hear that the AD was using one.
Although she never says that Korn Ferry is the firm that Hackett is using, there are some Michigan connections. Former Michigan player, Jed Hughes is at Korn Ferry.
Could this be what Jim Hackett was talking about at his press conference when he said
"Part of the choice there, by the way, is to find somebody I don't have to spend a lot of time brining up to speed on what Michigan's all about," Hackett said, referring to the head-hunting firm. "The type of firm I'm picking is someone who knows us because you're paying for that consulting time, and you want to make sure that money's directed toward finding the coach, not me teaching them about Michigan."
I have some mixed feelings about this:
* Korn Ferry helped Michigan when they hired Dave Brandon and Brady Hoke.
* HOWEVER, Jed Hughes was also a LB coach at Michigan for two years while Jack Harbaugh was the DB coach.
Let's hope using this search firm is an additional aspect that might work in our favor of landing Harbaugh.
December 4th, 2014 at 7:51 AM ^
I'm not sure I had ever heard of Jed Hughes before, so I checked out Korn Ferry's website. This guy is really impressive. He's got a PhD from Michigan.
Plus this list of placements:
His high profile placements include New York Jets GM John Idzik and President Neil Glat; Mark Murphy, CEO of the Green Bay Packers; Larry Scott, Commissioner of the Pac-12; Bob Bowlsby, Commissioner of the Big 12; Dave Brandon and Brady Hoke, the athletic director and the head coach, respectively, of the Michigan Wolverines; USC head basketball coach Andy Enfield; and Chris McGowan, president and CEO of the Portland Trail Blazers. Jed has conducted searches for the USOC, LPGA, PGA of America, Seattle Seahawks, Arsenal Football Club, Liverpool Football Club, Ohio State, ATP Tour, and WTA, among others.
December 4th, 2014 at 7:58 AM ^
Those are definitely some big names. However, there are a few names that aren't exactly to boast about. I think Jet's fans would love to see Idzik out, while I don't need to say anything about the Brandon/Hoke hire.
December 4th, 2014 at 8:05 AM ^
I don't look at the candidate's success or failure as being on the head hunter. The head hunter works with the hiring organization's decision maker. That person is the one who pulls the trigger. For instance, it's not Jed Hughes' fault that MSC chose Brandon. It's MSC's fault.
December 4th, 2014 at 8:12 AM ^
You can lead a horse to a bunch of different water but you can't make him not completey fuck up a coaching/AD hire.
December 4th, 2014 at 7:58 AM ^
I wouldn't call John Idzik, Dave Brandon, Brady Hoke impressive. Also, Enfield has struggled at USC
December 4th, 2014 at 8:02 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^
he's been there barely more than 1 year--taking over a mess of a program. He had a very good recruiting class in 2014 and is expected to have a better one in 2015.
December 4th, 2014 at 7:57 AM ^
Pretty impressive list, mostly hits with only a few misses thrown in.
December 4th, 2014 at 8:05 AM ^
Ugh. The same firm that gave Michigan David Brandon? Is 7:05 am too early to start drinking?
December 4th, 2014 at 8:57 AM ^
You can't judge the success or failure of a search firm without knowing the other candidates that were presented to the client. They don't force the client to make the decision. The fact that this firm has so many high profile clients is rather impressive.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
look like pre-ordained hires that simply needed an outside firm to provide some level of legitimacy to for the ones pulling the trigger (MSC and Brandon, respectively.)
December 4th, 2014 at 8:08 AM ^
If he could provide the best option to get Harbaugh, then great. Otherwise, I honestly feel that people with a UM connection are honestly a detriment at this point. I just don't think you can trust them.
December 4th, 2014 at 8:12 AM ^
Before Hoke tanked, most fans thought this was going to be great hire. I'm sure Hoke interviewed well and there is no argument against the fact that Hoke is great man who is beloved by his former players. Nobody would need a search firm if you wanted to hire a coach or employee simply based on his W-L record or a one page resume. Sometimes these things just don't work out and people you thought were going to be great fit, end up being a train wreck for a number of different reasons. I'm not defending the performance of Brandon or Hoke, I'm just saying that they both appeared to be impressive candidates for their respective positions. Let's face it, most of us were drinking the Maize and Blue Kool-Aid after that 11-2 season. Which is why I no longer drink Kool-Aid.
December 4th, 2014 at 8:25 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 8:35 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 8:35 AM ^
December 4th, 2014 at 8:53 AM ^
and was quickly sold on Hoke's "I'd walk to Michigan to be the head coach" statement.
December 4th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
fixed dumpster fires at Ball St. and SD St., and failed at Michigan. There was no failure before Michigan unless 1 year turnarounds are expected. I'm not saying he was qualified to coach Michigan, but he was probably no less qualified than Dantonio or Tressel for their gigs.
Also, I there are only 2 guys who can make Michigan great again we really are fucked. Some people are truly indispensible to thier organizations or to a process. Issac Newton to physics, Steve Jobs to Apple, David Brower to the environmental movement and the 10th Mountain Division. Bo was not a slam dunk hire, but he gave us modern Michigan football. There are lots of guys out there who can get the job done. Hackett just needs to make, and land, the right choice.
December 4th, 2014 at 8:32 AM ^
Please don't panic based on the Brandon/Hoke hires. A search firm goes out and recruits someone who will fit the mold of the job description. Mary Sue wanted someone like Brandon, and Brandon wanted someone like Hoke.
December 4th, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^
One of the benefits of hiring a search firm is that they probably aren't subject to the same FOIA rules that the University would be if it was handling the entire process internally. I'm sure Section One has already filed a dozen FOIA requests since Brandon was fired.
December 4th, 2014 at 9:24 AM ^
As a whole, there is an annoying mindset that permeates M alum like sweat through a T shirt that makes them unlikeable. All things being equal I will always hire a person that did not graduate from Michigan. Their classism and elitism creates a negative (almost hostile) work environment. That school needs to fix EVERYTHING. Unfortunatley, it is most evident to most people only when they play sports.
Anonymous Lawyer
December 4th, 2014 at 10:15 AM ^
You know one of the absolutely amazing things about this board? How easy Sparty trolls are to spot: almost every one I've ever suspected, I've taken note of the date they joined the board, opened another tab to check Michigan's schedule from that year, and like clockwork, I'll bet probably a ~90% correspondence, they joined the day of, or at least the week of, the Michigan-MSU game from that year. Congrats on being a "day of" joiner, I'm sorry you didn't have anything better to do the day of a win.
December 4th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^
Is it just a coincidence that the guy from Michigan Agricultural College has a user name of Auger?
December 4th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
Quote from Dantonio? Check
Lying about job prestige? Check
Joined the day of a Michigan loss? Check
Insulting Michigan grads for being arrogant and elitist? Check
Yep, it's a Sparty troll.
December 4th, 2014 at 10:00 AM ^
This is true. But when the client is new, out of the loop, learning a new role, or otherwise heavily dependent on the consultant/search firm, then the tendency is to go with the advice of the search firm, "after all they search for coaches all the time, they must know more." In my career I've observed top end CEOs and Sr. VP's make horrendous decisions from consultants advice that undermined profitability and resulted in entire company operations being on its knees begging for relief. Never underestimate stupid, nor nepotistic safety nets.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 4th, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
Korn Ferry - comes to your bed and leaves a quarter under your pillow after you make poop with a corn, er maize in it that day. Maybe if we all poop enough maize she'll leave Jim Harbaugh under our pillow.
December 4th, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^
Is that a good start?
December 4th, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^
Why do we need a search firm to find Jim Harbaugh? Can't we just hang out at the baggy khaki pant store till he comes shopping next and offer a life time supply if he comes to Michigan?