If not Harbaugh then who?
I still support Harbaugh but after yesterday I think it is just a matter of time before there is a coaching change. Most likely JH it will be worked out where he accepts a NFL job rather than being fired. Save UM money and Harbaugh the embarrassment of being fired by his alma mater.
The question becomes is who will replace him? Clearly the guy needs to be a dynamic recruiter with a good eye for assistants.
Fleck seems to be the best fit for this. He can recruit, has deep Midwest ties, and is a master motivator. Granted, Minnesota sucks this year and his persona doesn’t necessarily fit Michigan’s staid culture. But I think he fits most of what people desire in the next head coach.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^
Unfortunately, his NFL opportunities may have become a little more "dulled", but as long as the Lions are still in the league, then anything is possible.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^
If Michigan can get out of its own way, they hire the best coach available. Whether that is a white conservative Christian with a southern accent or a Hispanic atheist from Portland.
I have never seen a school put themselves in such a bad position as a football program because they refused to hire the best coach, but kept on looking for the reincarnation of Bo / Michigan Man.
I mean we aren’t where we are by accident, and that is a good thing. If we can look back and see the stupid decisions and actions that got us here we can make corrective actions to remedy the self inflicted wounds.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:40 PM ^
This is a bit of revisionist history. In 2014 Harbaugh was the guy EVERYONE wanted and was universally praised as a home run hire. For two yeas he looked like a great hire. Unfortunately he hasn't put it together since.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:54 PM ^
Oh, I agree with you that Harbaugh was considered the best hire at the time. For sure. But the damage done before Harbaugh had already been done.
Also, I believe Harbaugh’s actions at Michigan continue the idea of a Coach has to be “Bo incarnate”. From his stupid retro glasses to his old school play calling. Being a “Michigan Man Coach” implies that you are to win the “Michigan Way”, which I believe has held us back a decade or more.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:30 PM ^
Someone else said this about Fickell; I think something positive about him is that he isn't a "system guy". I don't think he is someone who will try to fit a square peg into a round hole on either side of the ball.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:37 PM ^
At first, I didn't really like the thought of him, but I read someone mention that he was passed up by OSU and that could fuel some major motivation
November 1st, 2020 at 2:17 PM ^
Just tell him if he beats Ohio State while coaching at Michigan, that Ohio State will come begging for him to go back to Columbus. That oughta motivate him to take the job
November 1st, 2020 at 2:57 PM ^
Fickell bleeds scarlet and gray. He probably doesn't want to play OSU ever. Also, he cleans up in recruiting because OSU probably pushes Ohio talent to Cincinnati rather than see them go to ND/MSU or Michigan.
He'll take another P5 job before he considers Michigan.
November 2nd, 2020 at 10:07 AM ^
As part of Fickell's deal with UC, they had to attempt to get out of their contract to play OSU (something the school fought hard for, OSU wouldn't play them for years) and when they couldn't make it work financially, he admitted to being unable to help his team prep that week because it upset him too much.
He coaches every single game with a buckeye nut in his breast pocket over his heart. There is no chance the man would even so much as take our call. I think he only leaves for ND, OSU, or MAYBE Iowa if Ferentz and his son are run out on a rail.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:31 PM ^
Matt Campbell
November 1st, 2020 at 1:31 PM ^
Fickell, Matt Campbell, guy from Kansas State. Would prefer one of the first two because we need to get back into Ohio somehow.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:57 PM ^
Please god don't poach Klieman from Kstate. I don't want to destroy our chance of being a big 12 title contender just so Michigan can have another roll of the dice. I'd much rather have Fickell.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:32 PM ^
I'd tap into Michigan's extensive coaching tree and go co-HC with Ron English And Scot Loeffler. Maybe get Andy Moeller in the mix if possible.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:45 PM ^
I really really hope this is a joke....
November 1st, 2020 at 2:18 PM ^
If it is, it's pretty awesome.
November 1st, 2020 at 3:41 PM ^
I'm pretty sure it is. But if it's not, Lewis is categorically insane.
November 1st, 2020 at 4:17 PM ^
You forgot that offensive genius Cam Cameron.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:32 PM ^
Matt Campbell
No to Fleck...
November 1st, 2020 at 1:33 PM ^
Urban Meyer. Offer him $10M per year. Don't care. The dude wins, period.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:34 PM ^
He is never coming here.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:44 PM ^
Many people said that about harbaugh too
November 1st, 2020 at 2:26 PM ^
Many people said “this is who he is” in 2017-2018 .... they were right
November 1st, 2020 at 1:33 PM ^
Mel Gibson, but only dressed as William Wallace in battle at all times.
November 1st, 2020 at 6:14 PM ^
Firing bolts of lightning from his arse
November 1st, 2020 at 1:34 PM ^
Luke Fickell. Call Brinks and pay him whatever he wants, give him the budget he wants and hope he can do what Jim Harbaugh clearly can't do, Jim has had his chance and failed.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:34 PM ^
PJ Fleck seems like the most annoying/exhausting dude in the world. Don't know if I want that here. Although Michigan's chief problem seems to be motivation, so maybe he'd be good for that.
Matt Campbell is OK but I don't think he would be very good. I live in Iowa and his teams are...fine. He also drops an embarrassing loss to a nobody every year. M fans would be calling for his head immediately.
Urban Meyer - no. Never. Never ever. Don't ever suggest it. He's a creep and he hates Michigan. If you want that here, you're weak.
Other than that, I don't really know. Stoops? The Kansas State guy? There's not a lot out there. They'll have to find an unknown diamond in the rough somewhere. I wish there was a way to help Harbaugh to turn this shit around, but who knows.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:37 PM ^
I agree re: Fleck.
Meyer is never coming here. I don’t want him here.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:40 PM ^
His daughter can come here though
November 1st, 2020 at 2:04 PM ^
Totally agree with your comments on Fleck. He's gimmicky and I just don't care for that kind of stuff. Just recruit, coach, and win. I don't need the antics.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:35 PM ^
Sark if he stops drinking; Fickel at Cincy, Crisabel at Oregon,
November 1st, 2020 at 1:35 PM ^
I’d roll the dice on Mike Hart. I still recall when Harbaugh was a young coach at San Diego and we didn’t think he was ready yet and missed our chance. This program needs some juice and a mindset adjustment. The “hot” young coaches are expensive and often don’t live up to the hype. Would you want PJ Fleck or Tom Herman now? Matt Campbell would be ok, but not sure how he is at recruiting.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:43 PM ^
Answer this question; would you consider Mike Hart if he didn't play at Michigan?
If the answer is no, get off the Michigan man shit.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:47 PM ^
Well said.
November 1st, 2020 at 4:01 PM ^
Cristobal wouldn't leave Oregon. He's built a recruiting power house in a short time and is in a weak conference
November 1st, 2020 at 1:36 PM ^
Than who? Indeed. Than who. Than.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:40 PM ^
Yes, I done fucked up.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:37 PM ^
I really think Matt Campbell is the best option not named Urban Meyer.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:37 PM ^
I've been avoiding this place....people are really rallying around Luke Fickell and the dude who lost to Louisiana-Lafayette?
We've lost it.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:43 PM ^
Why not Luke Fickell? Explain your reasoning dont just say that and shut up. Luke fickell coached one of the worst Ohio state teams ever and still almost beat us. He’s done amazing things as a coordinator and as a head coach at Cincinnati
November 1st, 2020 at 1:54 PM ^
The year he coached OSU to 6 wins was the only year they didn't win double digit games going back to 2004. It's not like that team didn't have talent - Urban had them undefeated the next year.
What he's done at Cinci is impressive but who have they beaten?
What could we count on in recruiting? Getting lower rated Michigan recruits to spurn 2018/19 MSU is not getting top-ranked national recruits to spurn 2021-2024 or whatever OSU.
November 1st, 2020 at 2:08 PM ^
He has deep connections to Ohio and the guy can coach and develop a qb. His offenses are fast and score quickly. And again it was an Ohio state team that was devastated by early departures and violations and he still won 6 games
November 1st, 2020 at 2:12 PM ^
"He still won 6 games" - they were 12-1 the year before and 12-0 the year after!
He's not getting Ohio guys from OSU and he's a defensive coach so not sure why you're giving him all this QB/offense credit. It's the AAC, just about everyone scores a ton of points.
November 1st, 2020 at 2:11 PM ^
I don't judge Fickell by the 2011 season at OSU. He took over in bad circumstances, was stuck with playing either a statue or a true freshman at QB, and he had never been a HC before. Fast forward a few years, give him time under both Tressel and Meyer, and he has completely turned around Cincinnati. Additionally, his recruiting classes are the top of the G5 and often surpassing P5 programs.
Not saying he's my top pick. But don't knock him for 2011 or recruiting.
November 1st, 2020 at 3:04 PM ^
Hard for me to throw 2011 out the window given 1) it's the only data point we have on him as a P5/B1G/powerhouse head coach, and 2) the contrast with results in 2010 and 2012.
Recruiting is an unknown to me not a knock. What he's done is good for Cinci but does not necessarily project to getting top 100 guys from across the nation. Getting Ohio guys OSU would probably prefer be out of the B1G anyway certainly does not project to getting Ohio guys OSU wants to Michigan.
November 1st, 2020 at 5:52 PM ^
Is he a good recruiter or does OSU just funnel guys to him they don't want? Because the latter wouldn't really work at a national level.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:38 PM ^
Good question. I think we should ask all applicants:
1) can you consistently lose the biggest game of the year?
2) can you win 50% of your games against an in state rival that has less resources?
3) can you get bowl eligible and then lose said bowl?
4) can you finish 3rd or lower in your own division each year?
5) can you accomplish these tasks for less than 7.5 million a year?
If the applicant can answer yes move forward with job offer.
November 1st, 2020 at 2:00 PM ^
Can I apply for that job?
November 1st, 2020 at 2:23 PM ^
Did you answer the questions above truthfully and to your best knowledge? If so then I believe so. Just know there’s probably multiple other applicants than can do that as well.
November 1st, 2020 at 1:41 PM ^
Accepts an nfl job? What nfl franchise in their right mind (other Detroit) would hire him? The past 5 years have really destroyed his reputation as an offensive genius. He may get an nfl job as a coordinator and then given an opportunity to become a head coach later. But right now not a chance. As far as Michigan there are always candidates. Find someone that can recruit the south, can put together a good staff, understands the rivalry with Ohio state and Michigan state, and is best fit for the job. If it’s a Michigan man than so be it. But don’t make that part of the hiring criteria. The Michigan man montra is why we are a laughing stock around the country. I want Michigan football to become Clemson. Do what ever it takes to reach that goal. If cheating is required than fuck it cheat. This board accuses everyone successful of cheating anyways. So if we’re not cheating we’re the real losers. I pray for the day I can watch Michigan win the national championship...