I can see the argument, but my view is never fire someone unless you are confident you have someone better lined up. I’m not sure Warde can be confident of that.
I went into this season thinking that this would be the last season where college football resembled anything like the game I grew up loving and have followed zealously my whole adult life. Not that money wasn't a driver of the game, but it's now taken all the fun out of it. To wit:
Conference expansion. I like the regional element of college football. I didn't like Maryland and Rutgers joining the B1G. Hell, I didn't like Penn State joining. It's gotten out of hand and has ruined regional rivalries by either canceling them or watering them down. I hate the idea that we might play OSU three times a year.
Winning the B1G has become meaningless. It has always been, for me, the biggest deal.
The importance of the OSU game has been attenuated.
The endless commercials during a game.
The idiotic hypocrisy of the NCAA and the B1G and Michigan's unwillingness to stand up to them.
NIL/Pay for play. We get slapped for a cheeseburger while OSU openly tampers with and buys players. Insane.
Harbaugh realizing that at least the NFL has a salary cap, which levels the playing field some.
It felt to me all season that we were at the end of something. This team was a joy to watch, and they seemed to embody the less mercenary more school oriented aspect that makes college football COLLEGE football and not simply a minor league for the NFL. All pretense has been washed away. It's increasingly difficult to defend how putatively academic institutions are conducting themselves.
So I went into the season in "last hurrah" mode. And what a last hurrah it turned out to be.
Not sure how I will feel come August when the rhythm of football returns, but right now I think I can wash my hands of the whole enterprise.
What’s a bigger threat to the future of the rivalry: a coach who is already 1-0 against OSU, or OSU firing their money cannon and putting together the best team money can buy?
Part of Michigan’s recruiting pitch is that going to UM has a lifetime bonus, it’s a 40 year plan. NIL seriously undercuts the appeal of that pitch. “OK: I’m going to be a millionaire before my sophomore year, so…I think I’m good.”
The transfer portal, realignment, NIL, tampering, pay-to-play, the administration of the B1G — those are the things that are sucking the joy out of college football for me.
Jim is doing what 98% of the readers on this board would do if they were in an analogous situation with their employer. I don’t think it’s fair to question his love for Michigan just because he’s exploring other options. He’s given more to this place than anyone on this board (maybe other than Brian) has.
I don’t think there is anything UM can do to “get it done.” Harbaugh doesn’t want to deal with the endless bullshit of the NCAA, which will look the other way at tampering and pay-to-play but go full nuclear on cheeseburgers; or having to pay the price for some rogue clown putting together a hair-brained scheme; or the B1G and its unique collection of fuck-faced hypocrites; or a school that wouldn’t stand up and fight for him the way other schools have done for their coaches; or kissing the asses of 17 year olds who, according to Klatt, are showing up to signing day driving Lamborghinis.
Don’t blame ya, Jim. Thanks for the memories, and I’ll root for you in LA.
NFL stands for NOT FOR LONG. He will have no job security in the NFL. He can coach at Michigan for as long as he likes. I doubt very much the NCAA could force Michigan to fire JH.
Are there any future Hall of Famers on this team? I’m guessing not, but I’d say Zinter or Grant have the best shot at it. The sleeper is Will Johnson, who I think will be a very good pro. Marlin Jackson as his floor, but I’m not sure he can get to Woodson’s level as a ceiling.
This is well done. And I agree: it feels like the end of something. But not only this team and these players and what they have meant to this program, but to the whole sport of college football, a sport I have followed passionately and a team I have followed passionately since 1969. With NIL and transfer portals and conference realignment and an expanded playoff and endless commercials (my god, the commercials) it feels as if a seismic shift has taken place, and we are still a ways from seeing all it effects. Money may have long ruled the game, but at least the powers-that-be had the decency to lie about it. Their hypocrisy was the homage their vice paid to virtue. But now the veils are dropped and the blinders are off. This Michigan team feels to me like they will be last team I see that was, well, a team of college kids playing for their school, for their fans, and most importantly for each other. I worry that what we long suspected — that major college programs are little more than a developmental league for the NFL — will now simply be accepted as the way things are. And that is a small note of sadness in the chorus of happiness that has been this season. And as a Michigan fan (and this is what separates us from OSU fans), I believe I have no right to such happiness, no entitlement to it. As a result, I can take pure delight in the surprise of it, precisely because I don’t expect it.
So I am grateful to this team for spending the season, as Brian said, running like their pockets are empty. We may not see their likes again. The adults have weighed them down by pouring coins into their pockets. In the past, we could see the continuity between the backyard and the playground and the high school field and the Big House. Those connections of sentiment and sense are now broken, perhaps irreparably. But for one season, this season, we got to witness 100 young men in the bloom of youth bring us back to those chilly autumn days when we freely gathered in the backyard and we’d count Mississippi three times and we’d draw routes in the dirt and the ball would arc against the gloomy sky and laughter would fill the air. This team captured for me the pure joy of those days and gathered again the blissful fragments of memory, and I’ll take that with me to my end. Of all the seasons in all the times when we needed a team like this, we got it, and that is a gift to cherish forever, no matter what the future looks like.
Not to be a killjoy, but I can understand that with a childhood such as his that movies provided an escape and, that in some way, he still wants to live in a world where things work out and love prevails. I don't know if he has any talent, but if you can't find some empathy for his story there's something wrong with you.
A person I know well was married to someone with deep connections to the OSU football program. (I know, I know.)
She told me that the first thing Day did as head coach was tell the whole staff that they were no longer going to put in the maniacal hours that Meyer required of them. Instead, it would be more "family friendly" and "life-work balanced."
I didn't say anything at the time, but I got giddy when she said this. I figured the very edges and margins of effort were enough to swing things. I know we bash on Day a lot here, but it's possible that his problem is that he's too nice a guy.
“Anonymous coaches” say JJ is really dangerous scrambling to his right, which would be away from Trice. I’m worried about my level of optimism for this game.
To be fair, I don’t think he goes into the interviews thinking the majority will pick Washington, or only selects coaches who hate Michigan. I think he asks his questions and this is how it played out. What I don’t know about is his editorial process, because there’s more negative stuff being said about UM than UW.
I just think they do a poor job with the details of the play, especially when compared with Klatt, who would have for sure discussed how Stewart caved in the right tackle. He also would have noted Colson following the back in motion, taking that read away from Milroe (if it even was an option).
I can’t even tell you what Herbie said about that play, but how he missed the Stewart push is beyond me.
I think this is a weakness OSU’s and Bama’s five-star strategy. A 3-star 22 year old who has spent four years in Herbert’s S&C program and has four years of maturity and experience will beat a 19 year old with a higher athletic floor. Michael Barrett is a poster child for the success of Michigan’s recruiting strategy.
The five-stars (JJ being an obvious exception) care mainly about getting into the league and will transfer out (like McCord) if they don’t get their NIL money or a guaranteed starting role. Michigan is recruiting team-first guys and has much greater roster continuity than these other programs.
Recent Comments
I can see the argument, but my view is never fire someone unless you are confident you have someone better lined up. I’m not sure Warde can be confident of that.
What a shit show.
Fuck them both.
I wish I could give you 100 points for the Furtwängler reference. Genius stick-waver.
Mahomes is 9-2 in the playoffs when trailing by a touchdown or more. Next best is Brady at 10-11.
I went into this season thinking that this would be the last season where college football resembled anything like the game I grew up loving and have followed zealously my whole adult life. Not that money wasn't a driver of the game, but it's now taken all the fun out of it. To wit:
It felt to me all season that we were at the end of something. This team was a joy to watch, and they seemed to embody the less mercenary more school oriented aspect that makes college football COLLEGE football and not simply a minor league for the NFL. All pretense has been washed away. It's increasingly difficult to defend how putatively academic institutions are conducting themselves.
So I went into the season in "last hurrah" mode. And what a last hurrah it turned out to be.
Not sure how I will feel come August when the rhythm of football returns, but right now I think I can wash my hands of the whole enterprise.
What’s a bigger threat to the future of the rivalry: a coach who is already 1-0 against OSU, or OSU firing their money cannon and putting together the best team money can buy?
Maybe he can figure out how to score in the second half.
Part of Michigan’s recruiting pitch is that going to UM has a lifetime bonus, it’s a 40 year plan. NIL seriously undercuts the appeal of that pitch. “OK: I’m going to be a millionaire before my sophomore year, so…I think I’m good.”
The transfer portal, realignment, NIL, tampering, pay-to-play, the administration of the B1G — those are the things that are sucking the joy out of college football for me.
Jim is doing what 98% of the readers on this board would do if they were in an analogous situation with their employer. I don’t think it’s fair to question his love for Michigan just because he’s exploring other options. He’s given more to this place than anyone on this board (maybe other than Brian) has.
It ain’t about the money.
I don’t think there is anything UM can do to “get it done.” Harbaugh doesn’t want to deal with the endless bullshit of the NCAA, which will look the other way at tampering and pay-to-play but go full nuclear on cheeseburgers; or having to pay the price for some rogue clown putting together a hair-brained scheme; or the B1G and its unique collection of fuck-faced hypocrites; or a school that wouldn’t stand up and fight for him the way other schools have done for their coaches; or kissing the asses of 17 year olds who, according to Klatt, are showing up to signing day driving Lamborghinis.
Don’t blame ya, Jim. Thanks for the memories, and I’ll root for you in LA.
I’d put 2022 OSU in front of 2024 Alabama. In Columbus. Validated the prior year. Definitively signaled that the balance of power had shifted.
And you put the ‘98 Rose Bowl ahead of this year’s NC game? Nope.
Actually, you can never know the future.
Just as long as they leave our guys alone. They may have been impressed by our OC and DC.
At Costco today, and they had Champion™️ gear there, marking the Natty. Hoodies: $30. Ball caps: $21. T-SHirts: $16.
OSU, 2021. Most important game in UM history.
Yeah, this should do the trick.
He has been clear that his ultimate goal is to coach until he dies. He'd like a Super Bowl; he needs to coach.
NFL stands for NOT FOR LONG. He will have no job security in the NFL. He can coach at Michigan for as long as he likes. I doubt very much the NCAA could force Michigan to fire JH.
I wish I shared your optimism.
Does that statement make any logical sense whatsoever?
Are there any future Hall of Famers on this team? I’m guessing not, but I’d say Zinter or Grant have the best shot at it. The sleeper is Will Johnson, who I think will be a very good pro. Marlin Jackson as his floor, but I’m not sure he can get to Woodson’s level as a ceiling.
This is well done. And I agree: it feels like the end of something. But not only this team and these players and what they have meant to this program, but to the whole sport of college football, a sport I have followed passionately and a team I have followed passionately since 1969. With NIL and transfer portals and conference realignment and an expanded playoff and endless commercials (my god, the commercials) it feels as if a seismic shift has taken place, and we are still a ways from seeing all it effects. Money may have long ruled the game, but at least the powers-that-be had the decency to lie about it. Their hypocrisy was the homage their vice paid to virtue. But now the veils are dropped and the blinders are off. This Michigan team feels to me like they will be last team I see that was, well, a team of college kids playing for their school, for their fans, and most importantly for each other. I worry that what we long suspected — that major college programs are little more than a developmental league for the NFL — will now simply be accepted as the way things are. And that is a small note of sadness in the chorus of happiness that has been this season. And as a Michigan fan (and this is what separates us from OSU fans), I believe I have no right to such happiness, no entitlement to it. As a result, I can take pure delight in the surprise of it, precisely because I don’t expect it.
So I am grateful to this team for spending the season, as Brian said, running like their pockets are empty. We may not see their likes again. The adults have weighed them down by pouring coins into their pockets. In the past, we could see the continuity between the backyard and the playground and the high school field and the Big House. Those connections of sentiment and sense are now broken, perhaps irreparably. But for one season, this season, we got to witness 100 young men in the bloom of youth bring us back to those chilly autumn days when we freely gathered in the backyard and we’d count Mississippi three times and we’d draw routes in the dirt and the ball would arc against the gloomy sky and laughter would fill the air. This team captured for me the pure joy of those days and gathered again the blissful fragments of memory, and I’ll take that with me to my end. Of all the seasons in all the times when we needed a team like this, we got it, and that is a gift to cherish forever, no matter what the future looks like.
Goff hasn’t won a playoff game in Detroit either.
There’s no crying in football!
The more confident I feel, the more nervous I get.
Yep. Alas.
Not to be a killjoy, but I can understand that with a childhood such as his that movies provided an escape and, that in some way, he still wants to live in a world where things work out and love prevails. I don't know if he has any talent, but if you can't find some empathy for his story there's something wrong with you.
A person I know well was married to someone with deep connections to the OSU football program. (I know, I know.)
She told me that the first thing Day did as head coach was tell the whole staff that they were no longer going to put in the maniacal hours that Meyer required of them. Instead, it would be more "family friendly" and "life-work balanced."
I didn't say anything at the time, but I got giddy when she said this. I figured the very edges and margins of effort were enough to swing things. I know we bash on Day a lot here, but it's possible that his problem is that he's too nice a guy.
“Anonymous coaches” say JJ is really dangerous scrambling to his right, which would be away from Trice. I’m worried about my level of optimism for this game.
5?!?
Agree.
Yes. No.
To be fair, I don’t think he goes into the interviews thinking the majority will pick Washington, or only selects coaches who hate Michigan. I think he asks his questions and this is how it played out. What I don’t know about is his editorial process, because there’s more negative stuff being said about UM than UW.
Someone absolutely launches a helmet at the 2:02 mark.
I just think they do a poor job with the details of the play, especially when compared with Klatt, who would have for sure discussed how Stewart caved in the right tackle. He also would have noted Colson following the back in motion, taking that read away from Milroe (if it even was an option).
I can’t even tell you what Herbie said about that play, but how he missed the Stewart push is beyond me.
I think this is a weakness OSU’s and Bama’s five-star strategy. A 3-star 22 year old who has spent four years in Herbert’s S&C program and has four years of maturity and experience will beat a 19 year old with a higher athletic floor. Michael Barrett is a poster child for the success of Michigan’s recruiting strategy.
The five-stars (JJ being an obvious exception) care mainly about getting into the league and will transfer out (like McCord) if they don’t get their NIL money or a guaranteed starting role. Michigan is recruiting team-first guys and has much greater roster continuity than these other programs.
Dad?
God is good even if you’re not a religious person.
User name checks out.
But it does have Will Johnson, and I don’t think comparing the two is a stretch.
With Edwards, Loveland, and Barner being non-factors in the passing game. Would not have guessed that.
With Edwards, Loveland, and Barnes being non-factors in the passing game. Would not have guessed that.
Me is watching at home.
Meh.
Hard pass.
Yeah, the past three years after the B1G championship game, they couldn’t have looked more indifferent.
He has three.
I’m sure every recruit who has signed the last two years, plus those who signed today, appreciate your insight.