John U Bacon: Harbaugh called Ono, did not call Warde

Submitted by MaizenBlue93 on January 16th, 2023 at 6:29 PM

https://mobile.twitter.com/Johnubacon/status/1615113023022338048

 

I'm gonna be honest I've never had a positive opinion of Warde ever since the 2016 Ohio State gaffe. He hasn't exactly helped his case in the years since. 

 

Someone on 247 proposed Beilein as the next AD and that sounds like a grand slam hire from a PR standpoint - I don't know enough about the ins and outs of the job + John's qualifications for those, but I wouldn't mind bringing him home. 

Robbie Moore

January 16th, 2023 at 6:44 PM ^

Ono says Harbaugh notified him and he notified Manuel. Uh...not sure if that is Harbaugh disrespecting Manuel or Ono disrespecting Manuel. Or both. So basically, Warde could not get a deal done with Harbaugh and Ono had to intervene to get it accomplished. Not a good look. Me thinks Warde is now officially short time.

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Romeo50

January 16th, 2023 at 6:41 PM ^

We already had that down I think.

Devil's Advocate- I think Warde prudishly and protectively approachs these issues and needed prodding given the sea changes that have a deadline. Jim sees where the rubber meets the road and the competitiveness in him won't let it rest.

One knows he is playing a hurry-up offense and the other is still deciding what defense would be best.

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1VaBlue1

January 16th, 2023 at 8:06 PM ^

I don't think Warde is a "talentless bureaucrat", the AD is humming along with really good financials, competitive teams, good coaches, and great facilities.  Its a very complex business to run, and he's been running it very well. 

The problem is that he doesn't back his coaches and, apparently, wants to stand in the way of modern progress.  

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chuck bass

January 16th, 2023 at 9:26 PM ^

with really good financials, competitive teams, good coaches, and great facilities.  Its a very complex business to run, and he's been running it very well. 

Michigan has had one of the most profitable university athletic departments in the nation for decades, plus a record-breaking Big Ten TV deal. And of course Harbaugh’s success. Harbaugh was lured here by Hackett. Giving low watt Warde credit for things he has nothing to do with is dishonest.

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grumbler

January 17th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^

Michigan has not always had one of the  most profitable university athletic departments in recent decades (free tickets for buying a Coke) but has returned to that status under Warde.  It hasn't always had outstanding basketball and football programs in recent decades, but has returned to that status under Warde.

I think that Warde is unduly concerned about the diversion of athletic donations from the athletic department to NIL funds, but the NIL situation is changing constantly and its not shameful that he's been caught wrong footed in this case.  He does need to change or go.

Warde being imperfect doesn't justify any claims that he is a "low watt" character.  The only thing that justifies that claim is that the claimant loves being judgmental.

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massblue

January 16th, 2023 at 6:48 PM ^

Regardless of your opinion of Warde, Beilein is likely to be a disaster. This is a multi million dollar business as complex as a Fortune 500 company. Sports background helps, but business and management skills are more important. 

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VectorVictor05

January 16th, 2023 at 7:09 PM ^

I agree with you Beilein, albeit a great, principled, and intelligent individual, would be out of his depth as the AD at a school the size of Michigan.  That said, let's not make the AD role out to be more than it actually is.  UofM's AD revenue/budget is $200M or thereabouts.  F500 companies have revenue in the multiple $billions, operate all over the world, have tens of thousands of employees, etc.  It's apples and oranges.  I feel like Dave Brandon and Jim Hacket taking the job for a few years skewed people's expectations.

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Team 101

January 16th, 2023 at 6:48 PM ^

I would think Harbaugh could get Warde replaced if he wanted to.  I don't know if Warde has done a bad job or who would be better at it than Warde.  The Athletic Department is far from transparent and most of the information either comes from gossip or PR people.

It requires a unique skill set to be good at this.  I am quite confident that Beilein is not a grand slam and if he made it to third base it wouldn't be because he hit a triple.

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jmblue

January 16th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^

Up until the Mel Pearson situation, I thought Manuel was getting a raw deal from some of our fanbase.  Michigan athletics seemed to be doing fine and the criticisms of Manuel mostly seemed to be about PR.  

But his non-handling of the Pearson situation looked awful.  And this looks like he's managed to alienate Harbaugh, when getting along with a successful football coach is really Job 1 for a Michigan AD.  From the Anson tweets, it sounds like Manuel might have been the biggest obstacle to Harbaugh coming back.  If so, good on Ono for stepping in.

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myislanduniverse

January 16th, 2023 at 8:41 PM ^

For sure. The athletic department is objectively in a very good place. From director's cup to revenue and fan experience, I think he's managed Michigan athletics really well. It seems like there may be some soft skills he doesn't command and might not exactly be beloved by the athletic staff themselves.

On  the balance sheet, Michigan athletics can perfectly survive from having to replace a great coach, but it does speak to the culture a bit. And President Ono also understands the halo effect that the big money sports can have on the rest of the enterprise.

I'm as confused by Warde's inertia regarding Pearson as I am with how he let Bakich, Beilein, and almost Harbaugh all go. I think maybe I just answered my own question. I think maybe Warde just thinks coaches are a number.

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Bacon Bread

January 16th, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^

Ono comes into office very soon after Mary Sue Coleman and the regents had to intervene to resolve the Pearson situation. Now, apparently, Ono has to intervene to resolve the Harbaugh situation.

Even with the state of Michigan athletics objectively being very good, you can't be in that job and lose the trust/confidence of the university leadership. Seems like that's what Warde's done.

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NeverPunt

January 16th, 2023 at 6:54 PM ^

To the Warde defenders out there, I’m not saying he’s the worst or anything, but look at Ono. Do you know how you never really had much against the university president but then we got this dude and you are like “thhhiiiis dude gets it.”? That’s how I wanna feel about our AD.

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snarling wolverine

January 16th, 2023 at 7:21 PM ^

-Beilein decided he wanted to leave for the NBA.

-Bakich decided he wanted to leave for another school.

-Hutch decided she wanted to retire.

-Harbaugh was about to leave last year for the Vikings.

Each of these could be explained away by various factors.  But when you are talking about four of your very best coaches all making the decision that staying at Michigan was not in their best interests … there is probably something you’re not doing right as AD.  Maybe the next AD can get that figured out.

(And of course the one guy who should have been shown the door - Pearson - wasn’t, until outside pressure ramped up.)

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Yostal

January 17th, 2023 at 8:48 AM ^

At some point, people decide they would rather just enjoy being retired than continue to grind things out, especially as transfers ramped up.  I do not think Hutch's retirement was Warde-specific as much as it was "You know what, I can enjoy some actual retirement years, sit back and do some things I want to do."

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