Rufus X

November 13th, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^

Love the man. Love the cause... But I'm not sure this is the best move.  He'll be entertaining and passionate, but I'd rather have a cold-blooded killer of an attorney making our legal case.

Joined: 10/29/2010

MGoPoints: 3997

NYCBlue

November 13th, 2023 at 4:00 PM ^

What a fucked up situation, where a head coach has to spend time preparing to speak at a hearing that should never have happened it the first place.  Petitti's strategy - including (i) seeking permission from Ohio State and Penn State to go beyond his authority under the bylaws of the conference and (ii) sending notice to Michigan after they were already in the air less than 24 hours before kickoff - is a cute litigation approach.  In a true litigation where the parties are out for blood, that's what you should do.  Pull every trick in the book.  But where teams and the conference leadership are supposed to have a long-term relationship, his strategy is not only disrespectful and childish, but it is toxic. He has created a litigation environment within his conference that will last for years.  None of his constituents in the conference will trust him or each other, ever.  That is horrific leadership at its worst.  

Joined: 09/04/2011

MGoPoints: 2458

MarthaCook1977

November 13th, 2023 at 4:12 PM ^

The Big Ten claims that Harbaugh embodies the University of Michigan. How tempting for him to say, "L'Université c'est moi!" or "Michigan c'est moi!" It would probably be a better idea to confine the sentiment to a t-shirt or bumper stickers lest it be construed as an admission and agreement with the Big Ten's position.

Joined: 09/26/2015

MGoPoints: 113

kwallace2386

November 13th, 2023 at 4:27 PM ^

It just KILLS me that we didn't get the TRO - a very common practice. Then we have a much better shot against OSU. Now, I can see UM losing on Friday, getting embarrassed themselves instead of the Big Ten, losing to OSU without Harbaugh, and the Big Ten getting what it wants while getting off scott free. I only think this way because EVERYTHING has gone against UM so far. But the TRO, which could have changed everything in terms of who is embarrassed, beating OSU, etc., kills me the most

Joined: 09/16/2019

MGoPoints: -12

Blue Middle

November 13th, 2023 at 5:58 PM ^

HIGHLY recommend watching Harbaugh's full press conference at MGoBlue.com

My favorite quote (when asked about whether or not he'd be frustrated if he couldn't coach when the team gets to 1,000 wins):

You don't really get me too much; I don't think anybody really does.  Whatever the emotion is...I just go find work to do.

He goes on to talk about mowing the lawn, caring for the chickens (there's a whole story there), getting a workout in.  Basically says he turns emotion into productivity.

He also talks about Sherrone's post-game interview and calls Sherrone "the best of the best" in naming him the acting head coach if the B1G suspension holds.  Pretty clear what the succession plan is if Harbaugh leaves.  Says he'll remember Sherrone's words "until they throw dirt on me."  

Says the same thing about what his daughter (Grace, UM Water Polo athlete) posted on instagram:

The other day I was talking to my dad on the phone.  I asked him how he was doing, and to that he replied: "I am only doing as well as the people who I love are doing: my family, my team, and my chickens." (yes, he has chickens).

Oftentimes I think we have an idea of who people are, before we even know them or understand things fully. People know my dad to be incredibly headstrong, stubborn, and unapologetically himself. They're not wrong.

But what people also don't know is that he refers to his players as his own kids. That he loves Michigan football more than anything in the world. And that in my 23 years of life, I've not once heard him complain; not when things get hard, not when I know he's exhausted from pulling 18 hour days. And especially not when due process has failed.

My parents both taught me the importance of integrity, accountability, and leading a life in the light.  I know who my dad is, I know his heart, and I know that what he taught me about leading a good life is what he practices daily.

Joined: 01/07/2019

MGoPoints: 5256

Bo Harbaugh

November 13th, 2023 at 6:41 PM ^

Expect bombs on other programs in the B1G, particularly OSU, to drop going into the week of The Game.

Really only OSU tbh.  PSU has been running clean under Franklin.

And the purpose here will be very targeted...to defame OSU

Joined: 08/03/2019

MGoPoints: 38684

UcheWallyWally

November 13th, 2023 at 8:44 PM ^

I love your optimistic takes and maybe/maybe not inside information but I do have to say the goal post do seem to keep getting moved on this stuff. I really hope all this info they have to drop on other teams turns out to both be true but also very impactful, forcing action.  A bunch of hearsay not backed by anything will just get mostly ignored by the media and possibly even flipped back at UM for trying to deflect.  They need substance to these claims. 
 

I do agree that dropping this stuff OSU week makes more strategic sense but just yesterday you said they’d start going nuclear this week.  There’s also the whole no time for any kind of investigation or fact checking on such short notice 

Joined: 08/24/2016

MGoPoints: 1687

bOttOmfeeder

November 14th, 2023 at 7:01 AM ^

At the hearing, the Big10 lawyers will call star witness, ESPN's Pete Thamel to the stand.

Mr. Thamel will inform the court that he has evidence of Stalions and Harbaugh coordination of the (incorrectly blamed) Chinese Spy Balloons.

With used vacuum cleaner parts and plans from an ACME Secret Spy Kit No. 4, Stallions built the balloons.  Harbaugh was providing trained chicken pilots.

 

 

 

Joined: 07/09/2015

MGoPoints: 461