How are we supposed to maintain a culture recruting pitch?

Submitted by Speed_in_Space on January 29th, 2024 at 1:13 PM

Are we really going to be able to continue the culture recruiting pitch in light of the coaching shakeup? Send me to Bolivia for this one and neg me as much as you want, but I'm not seeing how we're supposed to continue the Michigan culture sales pitch to recruits going forward. We laugh at OSU and all these NIL schools for me first culture and a mercenary approach but we just had a former head coach talk about loving the program and wanting to build a permanent home and that he wanted to be considered a Michigan Man at the end of his life only to leave for the first shiny new thing out there.

Now all our assistants could be jumping ship and we're supposed to go around telling recruits to come buy into "the team, the team, the team" and our culture and not jump at the first shiny thing that comes along when the staff and coaches don't follow their own advice?

If this the only selling point we have going for us on the recruiting trail, we're going to be in a lot of trouble because it's only going to take a quick rebuttal from Day, Franklin, Lanning, etc pointing out transformational rather than transactional is just a bunch of snake oil.

Blake Forum

January 29th, 2024 at 1:17 PM ^

I know what you mean, but culture starts with the head coach. It's up to Sherrone Moore to rise to the challenge. That's what he's paid for, and he's earned the right to try. Let's see what he does to stabilize and improve the situation

bdneely4

January 29th, 2024 at 2:14 PM ^

I will never forget reading the thread about Biff Poggi and how he was the main reason our culture changed after Covid.  In that thread, there were claims being made that our team will take a step back since Poggi left.  It was like doom and gloom because a coach left.  Now we are here over a year later being called National Champions.  It sucks that Harbaugh is leaving and it sucks he is taking guys with him, but just like when Poggi left the new guys have to figure it out for themselves and keep the momentum going.  Do you think that when  The Don, Moore, Paige, and Stewart made the decision to come back that they knew exactly how this Harbaugh situation would turn out?  I think they decided to come back because they love the University and their teammates and want to make another run at a title.  I think it speaks volumes that we have had no surprise transfers (except for maybe Clemons) and have had some surprise players returning (The Don and Moore).  Biff Poggi may have been responsible for changing the culture, but all the players and coaches on the team were responsible for living it out which was proven this year.  I have faith that Sherrone will maintain the culture.  Go Blue!

Brimley

January 29th, 2024 at 3:46 PM ^

Sounds like Biff’s primary advice was simply, “Tell these guys how much you love and appreciate them.” Moore has already shown he does that with his mom’s favorite live interview.

By the way…Biff’s advice works across multiple situations. Take it from a retired manager type. It’s amazing how you can make someone’s day with a hand written note and a Starbucks card. 

mGrowOld

January 29th, 2024 at 1:47 PM ^

I'm worried I'm going to die someday.  I havent died yet but I'm pretty sure I'm going to die so that makes me worried.  Worried that I might die given that every other living thing on this planet has died but because I'm not dead yet i might buck that trend and live forever.

I think I need to start a thread about that.

Newton Gimmick

January 29th, 2024 at 1:52 PM ^

and he's earned the right to try

I guess I think about hires very differently.  I want the best coach.  I don't really care who has "earned" it or "deserves" it but who is the best person to achieve success moving forward.  After all, Jim arguably "deserved" to be fired in 2020, but no other coach gave us a better chance for success in 2021, 2022, etc.  So it's irrelevant.

Michigan has a history of being sentimental in their coaching hires -- see Juwan, Hoke, etc -- but I accepted the argument that Sherrone was the best person moving forward primarily to preserve continuity of a uniquely magnificent culture, and many argued the same.  I'm pretty far from panicking but I think it's reasonable to have concerns that if we continue to lose existing staff we might not get the continuity we were promised.

Blake Forum

January 29th, 2024 at 5:48 PM ^

"Right" isn't quite the right word; I should have said he's earned the "opportunity"

And I believe he has. That's not something that happens in a vacuum. If there were an obvious candidate I believed was better and would take the job, I would have said so. In my opinion, Sherrone Moore made the most sense. So for the time being, I'm going to remain optimistic and excited to see what he does with the job

bdneely4

January 29th, 2024 at 2:56 PM ^

If you are feeling in the dumps, I urge everyone to watch this video of Coach Moore and the next group of leaders at the basketball game the other night.  This does not look like a coach that is out of place nor players who are on the verge of leaving.

https://youtu.be/gSmKN4On31M?si=IZffXfuCmXYC_GtZ

 

NonAlumFan

January 29th, 2024 at 1:17 PM ^

It's different with a HC change. Also, the culture has been stay and help the team win. Well, the team won. Harbaugh is pursuing a dream he's always had an has a great shot at because of his abilities. It sucks that he's taking Minter and Herbert, but it's hard to blame them, especially with how close Harbaugh and Herbert are. Early realistic expectations for UM are probably to finish in the top 15 or 20, this is the year they build the new foundation for the future.

WestQuad

January 29th, 2024 at 1:48 PM ^

Yeah.  Sort of.   I'm a capitalist, but our world is somewhat broken by capitalism. Everyone and everything is a commodity to be bought and sold.  Your value is your market value.  Religion, public service, community provide alternative values in our society where your value is based on your dedication to a belief or cause.  Those institutions are in decline. The whole Michigan Man thing with Bo turning down Texas A&M and replacing Freider with Fisher flirted with the idea that Michigan is a purpose above money; that Michigan is a destination and not a stop.  Harbaugh leaving and taking key pieces of the infrastructure, hurting Michigan, flies in the face of all of that. 

I'm going to look at Harbaugh as a Bodhisattva.  He made it to nirvana (the NFL) and chose to come back to Michigan temporarily because he believes in Michigan.   Eventually he had to go back.  It was great to borrow him for the last 9 years. 

goblu330

January 29th, 2024 at 1:57 PM ^

Oh.  Ok.  I am starting to get this a little bit now.

A lot of people thought Harbaugh did all that he did out of an intense unwavering love for the University of Michigan.  This is starting to make sense.  It is more existential than I realized.

I never thought of Harbaugh that way.  I think he is an incredible football coach who cares about his people very much as people, but I did not ever really feel like his connection was really strong to the University.  To Bo?  For sure, but not to Michigan.  Even in his introductory press conference, he did not really even indicate a feeling of a deep seeded connection that went below a layer or two under the surface.  I honestly felt that Brady Hoke felt a stronger connection to the school and the program than Harbaugh did.

I think Michigan was important to him, but I never did I get any sense from Harbaugh that he valued Michigan over Harbaugh.

 

goblu330

January 29th, 2024 at 2:28 PM ^

Yeah.  I always expected Harbaugh to leave at some point(much sooner than this, frankly) and to do so exactly in the manner he is doing it.  I have always been VERY emotionally connected to Michigan football but I never allowed any such connection to Harbaugh.  The two always remained separate entities for me. 

After the Washington game, I felt very happy for both, but separately.  I felt the incredible joy of watching Michigan win the national championship, and I also felt very happy for Harbaugh individually, but they really were separate and distinct feelings.

Frankly, Harbaugh and Michigan could have ended a hell of lot worse than it did and a big part of me expected it to.  To me, this is pretty story-book.

WestQuad

January 29th, 2024 at 4:17 PM ^

Bo would have made more money at Texas A&M, but he was more successful staying at Michigan (lasting legacy).    That's sort of my point.  Harbaugh was a ball boy for Michigan.  His dad coached for Michigan.  He played for Bo.  If anyone drank the Michigan Kool-aid it was Jim Harbaugh.  Michigan is the pinnacle, or it should be.  He could have made it that.  ...but his dream is the Superbowl.  I'm glad he gave us an NC.  

goblu330

January 29th, 2024 at 1:19 PM ^

Seriously, why are people responding to this in this way?  Speed in Space I am not targeting you, but I seriously don't understand what is happening on here.  Two months ago we were ecstatic about a coach-in-waiting Sherone Moore and scared to lose him.  

Who did not think there was a huge chance Harbaugh was leaving?  What has happened that we didn't expect to happen when he left?

Coaching changes happen.  We are in a remarkably good spot to handle one right now.  We have continuity with the Moore hire.  We have a ton of talent coming back.  None of those players have given any indication that they are leaving, and they all know and love Moore.  We have a pretty damn good class coming in that fills a lot of positions of need with talent and none of them have even publicly breathed in the direction of reconsidering so far.

What is happening that is so bad?

91wolverine

January 29th, 2024 at 1:27 PM ^

You’re delusional if you don’t think there is going to be a ripple effect with all these coaches leaving. Rumors of Jim taking Elston, Jay, and Clink and whoever else. Already rumors of Grant and some star players possibly transferring. Come on. “What is happening that is so bad”. I guess just wait a little longer and you’ll see. Since it’s not clear to you right now.. folks who wanted Moore to be hired was for culture and continuity purposes. That ain’t happening right now 

goblu330

January 29th, 2024 at 1:31 PM ^

Wait,... what?

He is that. 

You thought that the head coach was going to leave and not take any assistants with him?  Need a link to anything about Grant or other players transferring or it just is not a thing.  This particular post looks like a flat out troll. 

Why would Grant possibly transfer?  Why would anybody on the defensive line transfer?  It is almost impossible for them not to be a top 3 line next year if they stay together and they all make each other better.

blueheron

January 29th, 2024 at 1:50 PM ^

Right, because that (https://www.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=thevictors) place is 100% correct at all times.

I'm reminded of the ridiculous supposed demand that no one ever link to that site. Look here:

https://www.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?action=read&id=1706553830.01205&user=thevictors

Did I cite the correct "edge?" :)

- - -

For the record, I'd expect other schools to be dangling money in front of future first-round draft picks. That's not the point here.

wetnoodle

January 29th, 2024 at 1:59 PM ^

No site or insider is 100% correct (especially the insiders that have been cited on here over the last 4-5 months)

But, it is someone involved with the NIL/Collective who mentioned it

I think the point is moreso to many are burying their head in the sand (not you, but others) that things are all great and rosy cause we won a NC..awesome..but lets not let our team be tanked because of lack of action 

And, yes those 2 links you posted are to awful and stupid topics which we all know happens on here alot as well.

bdneely4

January 29th, 2024 at 2:41 PM ^

Just because people don't fall victim to the doom and gloom mentality doesn't mean that they are automatically in the everything is great and rosy category.  I think we all want action, but it is hard to get too caught up in rumors after watching our team win a National Championship after 26 years.

The Mad Hatter

January 29th, 2024 at 1:30 PM ^

We just lost a HC who is probably a top 5 coach at either level, then he took our excellent DC and strength coach with him.

Moore might be a good, or even great, HC, but does anyone really think he's on the same level as Harbaugh?

Those losses by themselves are enough to be angry and/or worried about.  Add in the fact that it's entirely possible we could have kept Harbaugh, and people are pissed.

rice4114

January 29th, 2024 at 1:37 PM ^

Webb is talking about losing Elston, Hart, Clink, Campbell, and Newsome with Elston, Campbell, and Newsome all potentially being taken by Jim.

Losing Elston, Campbell and Newsome twice sounds terrible. If he takes the entire program then that is on Jim. You arent taking some talent with you, you are gutting the program. If he was to do that it would be scorched earth on the way out. I dont think that will happen but we will see.