Jordan Strack: Sources indicate poor energy around Michigan, recommends firing Warde
https://x.com/jordanstrack/status/1754895580474622331?s=46
”After talking with some people connected to Michigan & some in the coaching profession - things are not great right now in Ann Arbor. Jim Harbaugh held things together.
President Ono is going to have to make the decision to move on from Warde Manuel & it has to happen soon.”
February 6th, 2024 at 11:39 AM ^
Who is Jordan Strack? Am I supposed to know (or care) who he is?
February 6th, 2024 at 11:40 AM ^
He is considered to be have decent knowledge within the Michigan program, and has been cited previously on the board as reputable. He is not a hot take artist or “throw shit at a wall” journalist.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:41 AM ^
I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for the answer!
February 6th, 2024 at 12:45 PM ^
Jordan Strack worked for WTOL -TV in Toledo for 14 years before he was dismissed for encouraging viewers to reach out to him if they wanted to learn more about FanDuel, DraftKings and Barstool Sports. Strack offered to send viewers a “referral link” to those apps if they wanted to try out the services.
It was not the first time Strack advocated for sports betting. A source familiar with his activity pointed to a social media account Strack launched in 2021 that was entirely dedicated to sports-related gambling. The account described Strack as WTOL’s sports director “by day, sports gambler by night.”
WTOL declared Strack’s social media activity to violate the company’s professional conduct and ethics policies, and he was shown the door after nearly 14 years at the station. Strack later deleted the tweet encouraging viewers to reach out to him for sports gambling referral codes.
https://thedesk.net/news/jordan-strack-wtol-fired-sports-betting-tweet/
February 6th, 2024 at 12:56 PM ^
This may suggest he has a penchant for gambling but in no way invalidates or discredits his reporting on Michigan's sports programs or Warde Manuel.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:34 PM ^
That was just part of the reason he got fired
February 6th, 2024 at 11:52 AM ^
Think to yourself....Would this journalist that does this for a living really completely make this up? It is possible, but unlikely in my opinion. Strack has long covered Michigan football and it seems a bit delusional to just assume he created this story.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:10 PM ^
While this particular journalist seems reputable, some of the most experienced and "respected" sports media sources have often portrayed common conceptions or opinions into what they deem as factual insider knowledge. Also considering twitter (or X I guess), is the wikipedia of the breaking news world, it's completely sane to question source material if you don't know who is making the report.
Either way, I hope Warde has his sit down with the Bobs soon a la Office Space and gets a nice, fat gutted trout on top of his TPS reports.
February 6th, 2024 at 4:02 PM ^
Warde can keep the Stapleton…I mean stapler.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:40 PM ^
On the other hand, it could reflect a power struggle between Harbaugh and Manuel.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:08 PM ^
Stracks good people and seems to be connected. He’s only a half hour down the road and has always been what I’d consider a Michigan fan in his reporting. Wtol messed up when they terminated him, he was a good sports guy.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
I'm going to take a different stance here. Strack is a blowhard, and I don't believe he has much of an insider connection to the program.
On the positive side, he's a UM fan. However, I'm guessing this an opinion piece that doesn't provide any information (I won't read his stuff) to suggest that administration is seriously considering a move, even though I agree that his time should be up.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:22 PM ^
I agree with your blow hard statement. He became close with Matt Campbell when he was the head coach of Toledo and Strack always was finding ways to call for Harbaugh’s head the second things went even slightly wrong so that he could push for his buddy Matt Campbell get the job.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:38 PM ^
Oh yeah, I wondered why I remembered that name. He was all in on Matt Campbell replacing Harbaugh.
Doesn't mean he's not credible but I do feel like his sources may be somewhat limited.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:34 PM ^
We were about to be 10-1 as we were pounding Maryland the week before the 2021 OSU game. And he was yet again on Twitter complaining about how different our offense looks compared to OSU (who poured it on MSU earlier that day) and how one offense is in the CFP every year and the other isn’t and how one offense has only lost 3 games in 3 seasons with 2 of them being CFP losses. He’s been really quiet now that we’ve made the CFP 3 years in a row and only lost 3 games in 3 seasons with 2 of them being CFP losses. That idiot better not start mouth breathing too loudly the second he sees adversity during Sherrone’s tenure.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:13 PM ^
I believe he gets most of his 'inside' information from reading MGoBlog......
There were a few people here also saying Warde needs to go, he may have been one of them.
February 6th, 2024 at 5:01 PM ^
I clicked the link - I think he blocked me and I've never heard of him!
Edit: after seeing a few more posts, I believe maybe my being a steadfast defender of Jim Harbaugh following 2020 may have gotten me blocked by this guy 🤷♂️
As they say, time will tell who was right on that one! 😂
But I actually hope he's right about Warde!
February 6th, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^
He's a Toledo-based reporter. I don't know how plugged in he is, and the real question that his tweet leaves unanswered is whether there's any indication that Ono will move on Warde or if as it relates to Strack, his message is just "well that's just like your opinion, man.gif".
February 6th, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
Stephen Ross lives in Miami and is pretty deeply plugged into the program...
February 6th, 2024 at 2:12 PM ^
Has Stephen Ross said something to make you mention him?
February 6th, 2024 at 4:31 PM ^
yes, stephen ross is jordan strack's godfather.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:43 AM ^
Twitter bio says Toledo-based media personality. Initially I was thinking it was outspoken Regent Jordan Acker, which would have been a much more damning tweet.
February 6th, 2024 at 2:07 PM ^
I had the same immediate reaction, but a regent, who represents the University in an official capacity, would never chime in casually with such a take.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:54 AM ^
I can't speak for how things are in the inner circles of Michigan Athletics, but as someone who follows the goings on within Michigan athletics from the outside, if things are hunky-dory, it would totally shock me.
Manuel, IMO, is an incompetent hack who has managed to survive because of what largely preexisted before Manuel showed up. Hackett brought Harbaugh to Ann Arbor, Beilein was there, Red was running hockey, Bakich was coaching baseball.
Harbaugh is gone, Howard without Beilein's players is a disaster, Bakich is gone and hockey remains a question mark - all under Manuel's watch.
I remain unconvinced that JH left solely to chase a Superbowl trophy.
NIL is a mess.
Warde Manuel needs to go and the sooner the better.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
Is Harbaugh's master plan to go win a SuperBowl with the Chargers the next two years while Warde gets fired (and the football program implodes) and then come back to win several more national championships with an AD and admin who appreciate him and have his back? Maybe Harbaugh does love us?
February 6th, 2024 at 12:41 PM ^
Win his Super Bowl and come back as the AD!
February 6th, 2024 at 2:08 PM ^
Harbaugh doesn't have a 'master plan'. His only master plan is to win, win often, and win big.
February 6th, 2024 at 2:35 PM ^
The MGoGirlfriend and I were talking after Harbaugh announced he was going to San Diego. I said he had to go for the one thing he hadn't gotten, the Super Bowl win. The Lombardi Trophy was his Holy Grail.
She said, Yeah, but once he gets it, what does he do then?
The more I thought, the more I realized it was a really good question. What does Jim do if he fulfills his quest, when / if he's faced with a "Oh yeah, I've already done this" situation? What's left when there's no more quest?
Somehow, JH doesn't seem the type to rest on his laurels, or rest at all. Some people just don't know how.
February 6th, 2024 at 2:46 PM ^
My guess is that he feels like he would need at least two, i.e. at least one more than John has...
February 6th, 2024 at 2:57 PM ^
He'll probably climb the Himalayas.
...or die trying.
February 6th, 2024 at 3:59 PM ^
Only if he can carry a football and spike it when he gets there.
February 6th, 2024 at 3:54 PM ^
He will go coach in the EPL, Ted Lasso-style.
Talk about a football challenge . . .
February 6th, 2024 at 4:11 PM ^
Hmmm. Have found myself letting my imagination wander in that direction myself at times the last week or so. Right now, just hoping Coach Elston and Coach Clinkscale stay.
February 6th, 2024 at 8:51 PM ^
I come from the future with a bit of bad news...
February 6th, 2024 at 5:29 PM ^
I in no way mean this to disparage Jim Harbaugh, although I'm sure it will read that way - but I'll be shocked if he wins a SB in any less time than it took him to win the NC.
He's got Reid & Mahomes blocking his pathway in his own division, and his brother also standing in his way.
Plus Burrow, Allen, Stroud, etc. And that's just to get to the SB!
Despite the presence of Justin Herbert Jim didn't pick the easiest job! I'd have gone to D.C. - less immediate expectations!
February 6th, 2024 at 12:19 PM ^
Yep. That we've lost a number of our highest-profile coaches in just a few years could already be a red flag, but Manuel's hired replacements, for the most part, aren't looking great either.
Barring a miracle, men's basketball is going to need a new coaching staff. Does anyone have confidence Manuel can find the right guy?
Moore is going to need greater support from his AD than Harbaugh had to keep this program running at a high level. Anyone have confidence Manuel can offer that?
The football title shouldn't blind the administration to the challenges the athletic department faces.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:32 PM ^
Jordan Strack is an osu fan boy who wants to be liked by hs recruits. Thats it. He is saying what many already assume. You know what they say about assumptions. I would remind little jordan strack that Michigan just won a National Championship… checks calendar…4 weeks ago lol.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:41 PM ^
Great, but that doesn't change anything about the direction in which our athletic department seems to be headed.
If I were a Buckeye fanboy, the last thing I'd be arguing for is for Michigan to move on from Manuel.
February 6th, 2024 at 2:58 PM ^
Strack is not an OSU fan.
February 6th, 2024 at 3:29 PM ^
No one should be.
February 6th, 2024 at 3:17 PM ^
This is wrong.
Jordan has been a huge M fan since he was a kid -- his dad asked for help getting authentic M gear for him back when I was a student. (very-extended family)
While I do not know if he has any inside connections there is no need for you to make s$%^ up on the internet.
February 6th, 2024 at 5:24 PM ^
This is completely wrong from everything I have ever heard about him. You just pulled it out of thin air to support your opinion.
February 6th, 2024 at 3:29 PM ^
I can't even imagine what the vibe is like on the basketball team. If you go by our record at halftime, we would be second in the Big Ten right now, with a double bye in the conference tournament all but locked up. But instead we're in last place.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:07 PM ^
Get someone forward thinking. Let Warde and his purse strings be gone.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:31 PM ^
He's an idiot
February 6th, 2024 at 4:18 PM ^
Used to be the sports guy at Toledo CBS WTOL affiliate. Pretty unbiased straight facts guy.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:40 AM ^
Heather Lyke is right there for the taking, Santa.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
Michigan alum!
February 6th, 2024 at 12:15 PM ^
So was Warde. So was other ADs that flamed out at other spots. Maybe an alum is not the way to go.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:19 PM ^
She has proven to be very good at her job.