Get #firepetitti going on social media?
I'm a social media nobody with almost no followers...
But i think a primary Team UM goal this week as we await Friday's hearing (aside - I'm certain the week will feel like it's 15 days long...) should be to get some momentum behind the #firepetitti tag.
I've seen it a lot around here..., but we're a fairly confined and homogeneous audience., but only sparsely on twitter.
Any chance the UM insider / influencers / media could get broader (supportive) national media and key influential alum on board to include that tag in every (enough) posts to bring some more favorable attention to Petitti's unprofessional, unfair, and unethical actions and arguable abuse of power?
If Cowherd, Eisen, Klatt (Fox), Wetzel, Orlovsky, Brady, Woodson, Desmond, Lewan, Santa(?) , etc... got beind it, maybe it could help? I'm sure some of these folks would not participate / take a position (Klatt / Fox leadership), but who knows.
I doubt Petitti / Big Ten would reverse course - too proud for that. But the organization around it and the breadth (if it started to trend) would hopefully give him some concern about his future.
Not sure exactly how to get that going from where i sit, but i figured I'd float the idea. Honestly, i was surprised someone else hadn't yet.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:40 PM ^
Or we could just win out and let that trend instead...
November 12th, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
…yeah but it’d be nice if Petitti and Thamel got fired too
November 12th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
... yeah, and that would be the catalyst, trust me.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:41 PM ^
This was a strong lead in:
"I'm a social media nobody with almost no followers..."
November 12th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
I'd be just as happy for M to start the process of leaving the conference and leave the rest of the schools with Tony Petite. Let him stay on and find another target to annoy.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
Petitti is not the core of the problem. The problem is the big10. Maybe time to explore options other than a conference that hates you.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
The core of the problem is the sport has not organized into a professional structure run by a professional commissioner's office and a players union. That is the core of the problem.
Until that happens TV and the Indianas of the sport will have an outsized say and they will continue to hire tv execs as the dysfunctional leaders who do not understand the sport at all.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:41 PM ^
last thing we need is an organization more predatory on these kids than we already have - the union can be left out of it.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:08 PM ^
Pettiti is a big problem
November 12th, 2023 at 4:34 PM ^
How the fuck is he not a problem? He showed no fucking backbone to tell the assholes that once the investigation was over he’d make a ruling ! FUCK HIM
November 12th, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
Nobody said he wasn't a problem.
He's not the CORE of the problem. The core of the problem is the hatred of anything Michigan by a few members of the big10 conference. This goes back decades not just recently with thimble dick Petitti.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:10 PM ^
Since according to the BIG, it is punishing the University, not Harbaugh by suspending him.
Any successful legal action from Michigan punishing the BIG then should include provisions for the suspending or firing of Petitti.
Clearly nothing personal, not that we think he is a petty and vindictive A$$hat, that is just how it is done in the BIG.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:50 PM ^
You can try it, but I don’t think it’ll mean much given the fact that most of the media and opposing fanbases have been anti-Michigan. Now the lawyers, court, and whatever evidence Michigan has holds way more power than a hashtag
November 12th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
Petitti answers to the Presidents. He’s not going to get fired because Michigans fan base tweets #firepetitti. This is a conference thing not a commissioner thing. He is doing their bidding.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
He really answers to TV contracts. Imagine an sec w Michigan in it. That's the start of your super league, because I'm sure that would raise the money pool for the SEC teams.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:43 PM ^
I'm down in Tampa and was wearing UM gear this weekend, went to a couple of bars yesterday. Had a dozen FSU fans come up to me at random really excited about the mere chance, the infinitesimally small possibility of Michigan to the ACC. I think we'd be welcome with open arms elsewhere.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
Petitti chose the gutless option to ignore the rules specifically for the purpose of saving his job. One school pissed is better than 13 by his calculus. Some 3rd parties may be sticking up for Michigan, but I’m sorry to say that within the big ten, nobody outside of Ann Arbor is shedding a tear right now. Petitti keeps the job for now, unfortunately.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:06 PM ^
I agree with someone I read. He's from baseball and views this thing from the lens of the Houston Astros scandal. He doesn't understand the difference at all. He thinks they are relatively the same. Ohio State and Penn State told him so.
He's a TV asshole. Everyone needs to stop hiring tv assholes who don't understand the sport or leadership at all and only have professional relationships with Fox and ESPN execs as their only qualifications.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:14 PM ^
Yes that too. Doesn’t know about the game + he didn’t get to the top of the tv world by having values centered reasoning. He’ll make whatever choice saves his neck whether or not he thinks it’s the correct thing.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:55 PM ^
I'm in the minority, that I'm ok with the suspension. It would be truly naive to think we'd escape this without any kind of penalty at all, and this way we're able to keep playing, have no wins taken away from us, don't even lose Harbaugh from coaching during the week, and get the benefit of the emotional edge it gives us.
Not to mention it may limit any additional penalty coming from the NCAA.
I'm not saying it's good. I'm just saying, despite the incredible outrage on this message board about how unfair it is, there is no way we were ever going to escape this without some kind of punishment, and frankly, this doesn't seem as bad as it could have been.
Now, if the NCAA comes in and drops a significant additional hammer, that will suck. But for now, I think our outrage is misplaced, let alone the incredible personal animosity voiced here at every other coach in the conference and now the commissioner. Just keep winning, and don't let it spoil your mood.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
I mean I don’t agree with the Big Ten suspension because it’s something they’ve NEVER done…EVER. But, if they were to suspend him the 2 games, fine. Don’t add the extra game vs OSU that was made by an absolute sham committee of 2 PSU votes and an OSU (and NW). That’s the worst part.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:02 PM ^
I appreciate the brave contrarian take on this board, as those traits are admirable. I just can’t agree, if I’m being honest with myself. This particular suspension was an act of cowardice by a weak-kneed individual with very little experience dealing with such situations.
Allowing the NCAA to handle the investigation and then allowing Michigan to handle punishment from the NCAA in due time was the correct way to handle this.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
So you're saying that an unprecedented punishment handed down by the BIG without them doing an investigation over a very questionable rules violation, based on hearsay and false outrage from opposing coaches, is a win for Michigan?
I understand that Petitti's hands are sort of tied, but he let the cat out of the bag by even letting a mob mentality amongst the universities rule the day.
All that being said, no trend on Twitter will make a difference I'm afraid.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:10 PM ^
Process was terrible. Petitti and b10 are a joke.
As to ultimate punishment and outcome: it’s almost certain Stallions broke rules and got caught red handed. If he’s exonerated, that will be truly remarkable, but more than likely he won’t be. In that case, the Michigan program did get caught cheating (albeit on a stupid rule with limited to no advantage gained) and was in for some sort of punishment. Even if Stallions acted alone, Harbaugh was likely in line for ncaa action under head coach responsibility bylaw.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:18 PM ^
The ncaa has actually ruled that an infraction occured - the rule on using "third parties" for in-person footage is ambiguous.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
Im pleased they didn’t directly punish the players (b10 championship ban, vacated wins). That said, the b10 has not closed the book on this yet and reserves the right to institute more pain in the future. If this is the end of it, I’d agree that it’s not so bad. It was a totally bs process but probably a reasonable outcome if all of the suspicions about advance scouting are confirmed, even if it’s clear or likely stallions acted alone.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
The NCAA is going to drop another hammer. I don't see how it can do otherwise. For me, the question is when? Does the NCAA assess penalties starting next season, or does it act this season under some kind of "this extreme act requires action now" kind of reasoning?
November 12th, 2023 at 4:24 PM ^
NCAA will follow its own rules, so we’re talking next year if it moves insanely fast.
If no evidence links anyone else in the program to the advance scouting efforts, I think this year’s Harbaugh suspension is the end of it (if UM wins the injunction, maybe the 2 other game suspensions occur next season.)
November 12th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
Not to mention it may limit any additional penalty coming from the NCAA.
Surely you jest.
Moreover, nothing in this decision says the matter is even finished for the Big Ten. They could pile on more after the NCAA wraps things up.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:41 PM ^
So you’re alright with the other coaches trying to sabotage Jim Harbaugh? Yeah that’s real sportsmanship!!! You’re alright with giving out a suspension without an investigation being completed? You’re alright with leaking the suspension to the press before notifying Michigan ? You’re alright waiting until the team has departed and is in flight to announce the suspension? FUCK THAT SPINELESS ASSHOLE pettit and the B1G
November 12th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
Well, looking at the kind of punishment given to TN, UNC and Kansas, I should say NCAA should have tossed it on day 1. I am not OK with it and your opinion is awful. I am sick of people trying to justify and agree with tarnishing another man's reputation at ease. Would you be OK if this was your Team and your reputation?
Personal animosity against other coaches? Dude, you are way off. You are forgetting to point out their personal animosity against Harbaugh.
November 12th, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^
Firing Petitti will take care of itself. I would prefer if we all focus on laying waste to the existing Big Ten and pulling for our heroic boys.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:43 PM ^
The team is focused … this ranting by us and social media pressure on that asshole pettit has no bearing… you saw yesterday what THE TEAM is all about !!!
November 12th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
He has two teams in OSU and UM playing each other undefeated, with viewership through the roof! and he does some bushleague $#!T like this...
November 12th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
We should be shopping our value. No need to do anything hasty, but be deliberative and see if we could do better, all-in, by ourselves like ND or in another conference. If one or both are good options, then talk to B10, matter-of-factly. Petitti being gone is the ante, and we should put on the table unequal revenue sharing. But, deliberate and thoughtful. This only works if we have carefully looked at other options and figured out they are better for us.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^
That’ll learn ‘em.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:14 PM ^
The most aggressive thing I can think of to do (and we won’t) would be to play in the CFP with no B1G patch on our jerseys. I’d love it, of course, but it’s hard to see it happening.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:14 PM ^
I don't want to see Mich leave the B1G unless the commissioner and the rest of the B1G don't try to make amends somehow. It just wouldn't feel right if Michigan wasn't playing against traditional B1G teams every year. However, if the B1G doesn't make things right, then they should definitely leave.
How can the B1G make it right? First, either Pettiti does something drastic, like rescinding the suspension and apologizing (would never happen) or the rest of the B1G agrees to fire Pettiti. Second, the rest of the B1G agrees to some kind of truce and sends some kind of message of solidarity/apology to Michigan and maybe agree to like a 3 year period where Michigan doesn't give any of their revenue to any of the offending schools as a penalty? That would satisfy me.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^
The PAC 12 has dissolved. OU/UT are in the SEC.
Michigan leaving the BIG would be a shock, but life would move on.
Consider that OSU started a damn investigation to cripple Michigan, for us to live under their heels???
November 12th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
Yeah this seems silly but I do have genuine question: who fires him? Is it something the schools vote on? Do the presidents vote on hiring him and they'd have to do the same to fire him?
Point is, if he can only be fired by presidential vvotes I'm willing to bet there isnt any way hes going to get fired. I bet they love him "standing up" to M and big, bad Harbaugh. They know no other team or coach will pull that shit against another institution.
Now maybe if Michigan leaves or has a one actual foot out of the door WRT to leaving the conference and there is real public pressure or news about that, maybe that changes things, but otherwise Im skeptical.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:47 PM ^
It would be a vote of member presidents for sure.
Totally agree that vote would not have enough support now, but if UM begins to explore other options, the $ might change some minds at the U presidents level - all of whom have currently knee-jerked to support the ADs and coaches without considering the precedent. Word last week was Santa had conversations already to develop some support (to delay conference punishment action) - at the time, i think many of us didnt realize the sham exec committee needed to approve 3+ games consisted of 2 PSU, OSU, & NW.
I floated this suggestion as a tactic reflecfing what WE can actively do as fans to supoort the team's and university's interests to run in parallel with everything else others have replied with but we have no direct influence over: winning out (obvious - of course), the TRO / injunction, lawmaker pressure (longer term approach), and exploring non Big Ten options for the future - even if only to establish a reality behind the threat to take our $ elsewhere.
I didn't imagine getting negged so badly for the idea, but oh well. I'll take the L on this one.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
Conference insiders are saying Tony Petitti doesn’t tip restaurant servers
November 12th, 2023 at 4:16 PM ^
Forget social media - fans at the games should chant this. Especially on the first Saturday in December.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:31 PM ^
We're the only fanbase pissed at him. This won't work.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:37 PM ^
How about we just win out and then leave the B1G? They can keep the Pettiti and try to renegotiate without us and The Game in the fold.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:50 PM ^
Well, I could try, but if you've seen my account, it's basically like a minor official showing up at protest for his own removal and siding with the protestors, so I probably am not the best person to help one get anything trending.
November 12th, 2023 at 4:57 PM ^
Let the hired guns do their jobs. It's what they do.
Watch a historic season unfold.
Profit?
Beat Maryland.
Win The Game.
Profit.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^
Nonsense.
Just win out and force that room-temperature-IQ-in-a-suit to hand Harbaugh and the team the Big Ten championship trophy.
November 12th, 2023 at 5:13 PM ^
Win out and take the hardware from his hands in front of millions of viewers.
#TonyhandmetheMFtrophy