Jordan Strack: Sources indicate poor energy around Michigan, recommends firing Warde
https://x.com/jordanstrack/status/1754895580474622331?s=46
”After talking with some people connected to Michigan & some in the coaching profession - things are not great right now in Ann Arbor. Jim Harbaugh held things together.
President Ono is going to have to make the decision to move on from Warde Manuel & it has to happen soon.”
February 6th, 2024 at 11:47 AM ^
he's probably just been reading this board the last couple weeks
February 6th, 2024 at 11:51 AM ^
Its cold, the basketball team is not good, and we all can’t remember anything that happened more than 2 weeks ago.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:42 PM ^
Highs in the 40s all week. Definitely not cold.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
I don't need much provocation to agree that it's a good idea to move on from Warde as soon as possible, so this is more than enough for me.
Based purely on the view from outside, Harbaugh appeared and appears to have won the national championship in spite of Warde, not because of him. And then we lost Harbaugh on Warde's watch using what, again, appeared to be an all-is-lost-anyway strategy aimed at face saving and not aimed at any actual success in retaining Harbaugh.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:53 AM ^
Jordan Strack is a Toledo based journalist. Not a big name journalist and is more of a local guy from what I remember, but very much NOT a clickbait yellow journalist type. Last time we heard from him it was to refute narratives Matt Campbell would never take the Michigan job.
Don't think he has tons of Michigan connections like a Webb but he could do some digging since he's in the area and probably has at least a contact or two in Ann Arbor that knows the pulse of the program.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:55 AM ^
MGoBlog challenge --- will there be a 24-hour period where Warde is NOT posted about?
Come back tomorrow and find out the same answer.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:01 PM ^
He inherited the greatest coaches in modern Michigan history in football, basketball, and baseball and promptly let them all walk. There isn't enough bitching about him.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:22 PM ^
Warde should have tried harder to keep Bakich (since he went to another college job), but how frequently do college ADs actually stop people from taking HC jobs in the NBA or NFL when a legitimate job offer is on the table? I remember some Izzo to Cavs rumors years ago, for example, but it's not clear to me that he was ever offered the job. Similarly it was comparatively easy for Bama to retain Saban after his stint in Miami because the NFL wasn't offering anymore.
Both Beilein and Harbaugh got HC offers in the pros, and both were old enough that they probably weren't going to get another chance. Maybe Warde could have tried to throw more money at them, but at the end of the day they were probably going to take the pro opportunity while it was available. I'm not convinced a better AD than Warde would have been any more successful, at least where those 2 are concerned.
Maybe a better AD throws the bag at Herbert and keeps him, but maybe he only wants to work with Jim. Certainly a better AD doesn't say crap like "transformational not transactional" and make us look 20 years behind the times. I'm trying to think of what can a good or great AD actually accomplish, vs what are circumstances beyond their control.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:39 PM ^
It is true in every organization and industry. People don't leave jobs, they leave leaders. Harbaugh could still be here with the right AD. Warde was not the right AD. I'd say the same for Beilien, Warde was caught with his pants down (gross). Bakich may have wanted more money and a new workplace, who knows. But, Warde has shown zero capacity to get a win in this area. People who act like Saban never had interest outside of Alabama calling him are wrong. Every year, most likely. He had a workplace, fostered and supported by the leader, that kept him there.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:37 PM ^
A good boss lets people know they are wanted and communicates that in different ways. I really don't think it was a money problem as much as I don't want to work for a guy that doesn't come to my defense or back me up. Beilein seemed to be sick of the direction college basketball was going and he probably had no chance to keep him.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:31 PM ^
I didn't defend Warde.
FWIW --- Santa Ono has hired one AD previously in his career. That was Mike Bohn at Cincinnati in early 2014, after Whit Babcock left UC for Virginia Tech (unfortunately, Babcock didn't leave before hiring Tommy Tuberville, UGH).
Anyway, Bohn wasn't exactly a success at Cincinnati. Sure he hired Luke Fickell, but he also made a VERY LAZY basketball hire in John Brannen (just go for the local NKU guy who was also Bobby's cousin, as opposed to a more national search). And, of course, there were all of those inappropriate behavior allegations.
Just pointing out: even if Ono fires Warde, the next hire isn't necessarily a sure thing.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:52 PM ^
At this point we will take what is behind door #2. Bakich and Herbert leaving without a sweet counter offer is a huge issue. You dont see Duke basketball or Bama, Georgia, or OSU football ever losing any talent to another program or the pros. This is a very Michigan specific issue. I dont really have facts other than I dont see any headlines of coaches and strength and conditioning coaches? getting poached from these other programs. Along with NIL ive got a really bad feeling that Michigan is taking the cheap road in almost all these decisions. Warde needs to be axed and someone that will use that $100mil surplus needs to replace him.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:18 PM ^
Your third sentence ....... Coach K had plenty of assistants leave over the years, Ohio State may lose their current offensive coordinator literally today, the guy who built the Georgia program the last several years came direct from Alabama, and a recent Georgia DC just won a NYD6 Bowl game out at Oregon.
Yes, none of those are HCs, but it's certainly "talent." And Harbaugh leaving for the NFL IS a bit different: it's a different level of football that offers things that Michigan simply cannot.
As for Herbert ......... we've both heard the reports as regards his contract length demands. Warde isn't the only AD who isn't going to simply roll over on that one. Besides, why does everyone believe what Herbert did is induplicable? He's a S&C guy. No offense, but when I hear basically everyone saying "this guy is our secret X factor!!!" and "this guy is inreplaceable!!!", I start to wonder. Is that actually true or is that simply an echo-chamber?
Everyone says "culture this" and "culture that", which fine, it's an important thing in CFB. But even if all the coaches stay 25% of the roster turns over everyone year! Which means every team is fundamentally different than the other: coaches can try but there are no culture guarantees year-over-year simply because of player turnover.
Anyway, as I said, I'm not defending Warde. But your particular arguments, I don't find them convincing.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:20 PM ^
Those examples are college coaches whose success hinged on routinely having superior talent. That model doesn't work in pro leagues. Saban's NFL career was proof enough of that. Michigan's "problem" is that we had coaches who kicked ass on a national level with even (or possibly inferior) talent, which is what pro leagues demand.
February 6th, 2024 at 3:38 PM ^
You dont see Duke basketball or Bama, Georgia, or OSU football ever losing any talent to another program or the pros. This is a very Michigan specific issue.
Uh, what?
I apologize in advance for picking on you, but this statement is a great example of why so much of the outrage is so overblown: People are making assumptions that have no relationship whatsoever to the facts.
Bama doesn’t lose talent to other programs or the pros? The head coaches of Ole Miss and Texas and Maryland used to OC for Saban, and Georgia’s Kirby Smart was his DC. Michigan has hired two different OCs from Saban in the last ten years. Georgia? Their OC for two national titles left Georgia to go to the NFL under John Harbaugh where he is “just” an OC.
You’ve probably heard of terms like “coaching trees” before, and that’s because coaches work as assistants and then move to other programs all the time. You are claiming that a completely normal and expected activity at Michigan is somehow a unique program problem. That simply has no basis in reality.
Much of the outrage we see with this stuff comes from expectations that are unrealistic because we don’t really have a a good perspective on what happens in other, similar fields.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:58 AM ^
so we hire a lame duck AD who is stuck with a coach that again, either is hamstrung by the department, OR is perhaps overwhelmed and cannot get it done.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:59 AM ^
That's what it sounds like and just the vibe I'm getting, that's what it definitely feels like
February 6th, 2024 at 12:01 PM ^
OR we hire a highly competent and skilled AD who realizes its 2024 and not 2004 and isn't somehow hamstrung by the very department he is responsible for.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:37 PM ^
Yes! Someone that will clap back against media disinformation. Someone that realizes it’s the 21st century and isn’t afraid to make bold moves to take Michigan there, even if it hurts the feelings of a few traditionalists. Someone who is active and visible as the face of the athletic department, who calls out stuff he sees as stupid and communicates with constituents. Someone that is on the side of the players, eager to support them and provide them what they need. Someone willing to spend money and hire the assistant coaches that can execute his vision for the teams under his department.
If that sounds good to you, I have great news: There is an experienced AD available with Michigan ties who fits that exact description. His name is Dave Brandon.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:43 PM ^
LOL, thank you. Let's be careful what we wish for here. We need to lead on NIL and player's union/CBA rights, but in a way that has some gravitas and doesn't veer into clownish showmanship. That will be a very narrow path to tread.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:26 PM ^
Most ADs would have hired Moore. He was Harbaugh's own choice to be the next coach. That isn't the problem.
Lots of other hiring decisions have been problems, though, to the point that it's hard to have much confidence in Manuel to 1) hire the right people and 2) offer them the support they need.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:47 PM ^
Sorry - then i'll take the opposite side of that argument. If Moore was a competent HC (i'm not saying he isn't) and CEO of the football team, then he should have negotiated what he wanted and needed up front.
He shouldnt just be happy to be there because its the best school / football team in history. We don't need fan boys. Hoke did that already.
OSU says.. our defense wasnt #1 this year, lets go get an elite defensive coord. We want to keep players, coaches etc... so we need money. boom its there. I'm not saying we want to be them, but there's got to be a non-contentious middle ground. Jimmy did a lot the past 3 years, but the constant friction took away from some of the unbridled enthusiasm.. particularly every off-season.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:59 AM ^
someone will have to rouse Warde from his post lunch sleep coma for a comment
February 6th, 2024 at 12:03 PM ^
Given lack of actually doing anything, have to figure every once in a while the staff just throw something at Warde or put a mirror under his nose just to see if he is still breathing.
February 6th, 2024 at 11:59 AM ^
no idea who this guy is but this statement seems entirely consistent with the current vibes.
(and yes, I recall UM winning the natty and will bask in that glow for months but that doesnt mean I can't also state the obvious.)
February 6th, 2024 at 11:59 AM ^
Fire warde, hire Heather Lyke!!!!
February 6th, 2024 at 12:00 PM ^
Firing an AD after winning a championship doesn't look good. I'm not a big fan of Warde but I'm not blaming him for Harbaugh leaving.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:26 PM ^
The dissatisfaction with Warde is not limited, or even in large part, to Harbaugh leaving.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:43 PM ^
Blame and accountability are very different and often misused. Warde should be held accountable. I am also wondering to myself if Santa is anything better than a fan versus adversary to sports. NIL and the athletic department culture is a stain on him too right now.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
Warde didn't win the championship. The football coaches and players did that. If anything, they won despite Warde. Michigan should not be behind just about every other major program in NIL (football and basketball too). And Jim Harbaugh should have received a $10+ million extension A YEAR AGO!! Warde dragged his feet over buyouts and other language and let the entire year go by with no extension. And then leaked out whiney stories when Jim wouldn't suddenly sign one after he beat OSU and won the B1G for the third year in a row. He tried to make it seem like it was all Jim Harbaugh's fault. Who would want to work for a sneaky slimebag like that? Warde is an incompetent buffoon as an AD and is way overdue for being fired.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:00 PM ^
Mr. Strack meets with his deep throat source in the AD's department deep in the Stacks. This will soon be a screen play written by Lawrence Kasdan.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:01 PM ^
It's this kind of shit that is the seed that begins to crater a program.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:01 PM ^
I’m in the move on from Warde camp, but I can’t think of another big time athletic program where the AD is having such a negative effect? Is it a Michigan thing? Is it a fan perspective thing? Is changing the athletic director going to fix a lot of problems?
February 6th, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^
Better late than never if it happens, but some of us have been on this train for a loooooong time.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^
No information, just saying what people want to hear. . . if you're gonna be a clickbait whore, this is how you do it.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:09 PM ^
Imagine keeping warde around to hire a new basketball coach.
February 6th, 2024 at 3:48 PM ^
We'd somehow end up with Draymond Green.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:05 PM ^
Warde for his own good should resign. Fair or not he is almost universally reviled by the fans aka the consumers. Howard’s implosion as well as Pearson’s augur poorly for his continuance as Michigan AD. Harbaugh’s departure has ramped up the pressure 1000%.
I don’t see how Santa can not act with Manuel’s deep unpopularity. An AD should largely exist behind the scenes and be seen in a neutral light. That isn’t the case here. Manuel engenders intense animosity among a large segment of the supporters which undermines his ability to fundraise and creates a toxic departmental atmosphere.
One has to cut off the gangrenous limb so the rest of the body can survive.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:46 PM ^
Manuel is deeply unpopular on this message board, and that basically consists of a handful of people screaming into an echo chamber. Don't project your obsessions. Don't assume a dozen message board posters speak for an entire fan base. I imagine most fans are happy for the the football team and are not still whining about a baseball coach who left for a better job years ago, and a basketball coach who left for the NBA, also years ago. With regards to hockey, the program seems fine now since Manuel made the right hire though, of course, no credit will be given for that.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:05 PM ^
Source is MGoBlog
February 6th, 2024 at 12:06 PM ^
Couple things ...
Seth follows Strack, for what that's worth.
The other other report I could easily find from Strack regarding UM was when he went against the grain and said Harbaugh was looking into NFL jobs in 2021. He got heavy blowback from UM fans, but we now know he was correct.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:08 PM ^
Strack was (maybe still is) a sports reporter for WTOL.
The extent of his Michigan program access is limited (at best), yet he has often acted like he has inside access.
Non-story.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:08 PM ^
I'm just a bit confused as to what Ono is waiting for. At the beginning of the season when he had to step around Warde to get a commitment from Harbaugh and then seemingly threw shade at Warde on Twitter saying something like he (Ono) had informed Warde of the news, it seemed like Warde was on thin ice. The sentiment was Ono had to do Warde's job for him and therefore time was ticking.
And now we haven't heard a thing. What's changed? Are regents exerting influence?
February 6th, 2024 at 3:04 PM ^
Unfortunately, at this point Ono is probably going to wait unti the NCAA investigation into the Connor Stalion matter is completed and maybe even until UM has received at least a draft notice or have a negotiated settlement. It would be risky to can Warde right now. But once that happens, I think Ono will act. Warde has about 26 months left on his existing contract. I expect the NCAA thing to be resolved by the end of this year and Warde to announce his retirement shortly thereafter. I don't think Warde wants to be the guy who has to fire Juwan Howard.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^
I say this as a former Warde apologist. He needs to be gone, yesterday. He hasn't done a thing for athletics at Michigan, other than luck into Harbaugh being fired by the 49ers.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:01 PM ^
He had literally nothing to do with Harbaugh though..Hackett hired him and then Warde came on..so would he have hired JH if Warde was AD earlier? Doubt it.
February 6th, 2024 at 1:34 PM ^
He would have kept Hoke.
Or tried to hire English.
February 6th, 2024 at 12:15 PM ^
My guess, regents would want a scapegoat for their bungling -- to divert some heat away from how they knew in 2023 what it would take to keep Harbaugh (and preclude strip mining of coaching staff), then sat around until it was too late before finally saying "OK, let's do that".
February 6th, 2024 at 12:17 PM ^
Hopefully we didn’t pay Strack for this wisdom. This is super obvious