Ok. It’s time to discuss/confirm some rumors
Ok. So I have some good sources inside of the AD and I get some good tidbits of info when I can. For example, these sources were way ahead of everyone else when they told me that Jim Harbaugh was going to be out next football coach many years ago. They also told me that Daxton Hill was going to recommit to Michigan after committing to Alabama. They are good and reliable when I can get information from them.
So I just text them “so?” The reply “wheels are in motion already. He’s not expected to last past this season. Only issue is several influential people like Harbaugh and want him to stay”
I’m not trying to spread rumors, just thought that this would give piece of mind really. I’m still trading some texts so I’ll let you know if anything else.
Anybody else hearing anything credible in the inside?
November 28th, 2020 at 9:50 PM ^
Lol no. I can’t verify Windys info because I don’t know the source, but it jibes with what I’m hearing. It sounds accurate. Now if his source is a Regent than they very well could act on this, but the big money donors from Michigan have really been kept at an arms length with Harbaugh regime.
I’ve heard info from people on the periphery (other coaches, support staff, agents, etc). Information is currency in this sport. If you’re on the inside you’d be shocked on some of the stories that people are willing to tell you.
November 28th, 2020 at 11:33 PM ^
What does that mean that big money donors are kept at arms length with Harbaugh regime...does that imply Harbaugh doesn’t like these donors? Or he’s shut them out of the access they are accustomed to?
November 28th, 2020 at 6:13 PM ^
Windy, at leas IMHO, is one of the better posters here. What he posts is pretty on point-- and I for one appreciate what he lends to the board.
November 28th, 2020 at 6:21 PM ^
The texts would not be public record if sent from a personal phone.
November 29th, 2020 at 7:11 AM ^
Search mgoposts from the last coaching search. Seems there was plenty of intel flowing out of the AD.
November 28th, 2020 at 5:36 PM ^
I have also heard many rumors: Harbaugh dialed back on sideline antics and passion per his father’s request (he adores his father, I suspect this is true and hurts the team - Bo was passionate too); Harbaugh is somewhere on the “spectrum” and is over his head (he is focused - but I don’t subscribe to this theory, see other football successes); Harbaugh has NFL contact related cognitive decline (I reject this also).
I am quite distressed at the performance of the team. It is shocking how much better McNamara looks than Milton - starting and sticking with Milton is on the coaches. I also fail to understand why a clearly injured McNamara was playing over Milton - also on the coaches. Nevertheless, I support Harbaugh and would like him to continue as head coach - a new D coordinator and better S&C, But this is Ward’s call. We shall see.
Go Blue.
November 28th, 2020 at 5:40 PM ^
jack acts like the sage elder but couldn't hack it here and Bo fired him. This has to be remembered.
Can you imagine if Bo had his father looming over him in AA and made him tone it down ? Bo was so effective because of fear of peer humiliation. He was the master at manipulating players this way. Petrified of him. Harbaugh players responded to him being him. It the guy under jacks thumb, who, by the way, was caught reading fans sites like this one. That's a poor feedback loop, because as Bo said you have to shun out everything.
November 28th, 2020 at 5:49 PM ^
I don’t think S&C are an issue at all. I think S&C is actually pretty good. The issue is with coaching techniqu, scheme, and play calling.
November 29th, 2020 at 6:41 PM ^
Except for the four guys the Wisconsin QB drug into the end zone.
November 28th, 2020 at 6:05 PM ^
Harbaugh is undoubtedly a little out there on the spectrum. And it's been a lot of people's take that he was on some kind of anxiety med, which--more power to him. In getting his life together, however, he may have lost that edge that made him a driven, somewhat wild-eyed, HC. Wasn't sustainable anyway.
November 28th, 2020 at 9:43 PM ^
You've been a member for 4 hours. Fuck off.
November 28th, 2020 at 5:37 PM ^
Michigan Football = Fucking Pathetic
November 28th, 2020 at 5:49 PM ^
I've lost all faith in JH much like everyone else. I have one main concern. The loss of JH may also mean the loss of JJ McCarthy and he may be the only one we can't do without. Maybe I'm wrong, but we desperately need a quality QB and he seems like one. So, if that means JH sticks around until after JJ signs, I'm fine with that.
November 28th, 2020 at 6:09 PM ^
So, if that means JH sticks around until after JJ signs, I'm fine with that.
While I agree with the sentiment, Strength, there are several issues with this course of action, IMO. The primary issue is disclosure. Do you ask JJ if he’ll stay if Harbaugh leaves? What if he said yes, and Harbaugh leaves, but then goes elsewhere anyway? He’s not under contract, they cannot force him to stay. What if he says no, that he’ll go elsewhere if Harbaugh leaves, so they keep keep Harbaugh to keep JJ, and he then decides to go elsewhere anyway Again, that’s a really awkward and weak bargaining position to put your program into intentionally.
Then, If you don’t say anything to JJ, he’s absolutely going to hear all the rumors, both directly from other suitors and indirectly, what’s he going to do? Further, are we really going to make a multimillion dollar decision based on the whims, and potential, of an 18 year of QB recruit whose not played a down of CFB? I agree it’s important, vital even, to keep the elite talent in the fold. But, the best way (IMO) to do this is to be transparent with them, and make a great hire and re-recruit them with the new staff. This then, like we say OSU be allowed to do before Urban took over, requires immediate and decisive action.
For all we know, there might be recruits that loved Michigan and wanted to commit, but Harbaugh drove them away, who might come back into the class. Michigan’s biggest issue right now is hiring a candidate that will excite the current team, recruits, and most importantly, identify the issues that have been plaguing Michigan football for going a decade and a half and solve them.
November 28th, 2020 at 6:48 PM ^
The primary issue is disclosure.
I don't like manipulating a young athlete either. It's not unheard of. See Mike Weber. Ultimately if the team improves the kid will be happy. And, hopefully they are selling him on the school and opportunities it presents rather than the coaches, which are never guaranteed.
What if he says no, that he’ll go elsewhere if Harbaugh leaves, so they keep keep Harbaugh to keep JJ, and he then decides to go elsewhere anyway
I think you're illuminating something I didn't consider, which is the transfer portal is a different animal than the past. We are on track to a one-time freebie, so you have to consider that. But, ultimately the kid will forgive the team if they wait until after the signing period to fire JH and UM improves under the next guy.
Further, are we really going to make a multimillion dollar decision based on the whims, and potential, of an 18 year of QB recruit whose not played a down of CFB?
That's a difficult question. On the one hand, UM has quite a few issues on both sides of the ball at the lines, the DBs, etc. But, if you had to point to one thing that has held UM back from getting over the good but not great hump many would point to the QB play. Getting one good one can overcome a lot of deficiencies. See DeShaun Watson, Dwayne Haskins, Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Johnny Manziel, Lamar Jackson, Cam Newton, etc.
Michigan’s biggest issue right now is hiring a candidate that will excite the current team, recruits, and most importantly, identify the issues that have been plaguing Michigan football for going a decade and a half and solve them.
I agree that the HC is probably more important than a HS recruit even if it's the QB. I'm just hopeful the transition won't cost us a key cog UM has been missing for quite some time. There's no guarantee JJ is that guy, but he certainly has the potential in the right situation.
November 28th, 2020 at 8:09 PM ^
Uhh nobody is officially going to ask any recruits about who they think the next coach should be. Hell, it won’t happen unofficially either. That’s just silly. A good new coach may actually make JJ want to come more. And if it doesn’t then it’s not the right fit anyway. Michigan has a ton of stuff to use to pull recruits, and as they say, commit to the school not the coach. We need the right coach based on so many things other than keeping a single recruiting class intact.
November 28th, 2020 at 6:08 PM ^
We won’t fire Harbaugh. I just don’t see it happening. It’s just our luck. COVID was the reason to not extend his contract. I think it will be the reason to not shell out millions of dollars to fire him and millions more to buy out another coach’s contract.
November 28th, 2020 at 6:10 PM ^
Michigan Football = Fucking Pathetic
November 28th, 2020 at 6:29 PM ^
I get inside info out of AA occasionally. As of yesterday he said nothing had changed and the wheels were not turning yesterday at least. I don’t like bothering him (my boss and I’m a buckeye) about it because It may come off the wrong way. He seemed to think McNamara had beat out Milton in fall practice and assumed he would start. Many in the AD did not have great expectations for this season before the pandemic and recruiting has improved so Harbaugh more than likely gets another year. If I get a good opportunity mid week I’ll ask him again, timing has to be right. A former rose bowl captain is a very close family friend of his as well as Double D as he calls him.
November 28th, 2020 at 6:40 PM ^
I have no inside information.
In the best interests of Michigan football, Harbaugh needs to go. The sooner, the better. Nothing more need be said.
November 28th, 2020 at 7:16 PM ^
Ok coming out of hibernation to post this. Warde and Harbaugh's circle is extremely small. Based on what I'm hearing it's 100% going to be Harbaugh and Warde sitting down and figuring something out and that won't happen till the end of the year. So while I don't doubt there are some boosters who want action, those folks won't have an impact on this decision.
My prediction is that Harbaugh steps down similar to Urban and takes a job as a special assistant to the AD. Harbaugh loves U of M too much and he sees the writing on the wall. It's really sad because he really had us on the precipice in 2016-- he had a good infrastructure and support staff and that has completely evaporated. That's probably a topic for another day, but man this is sad to see what had such great potential to end like this. Maybe I'll write that postmortem someday, but in Covid world, this stuff doesn't seem as important anymore.
If I'm Warde Manuel based on what I'm hearing from people in the industry call the first person I'm calling is Jeff Hafley. He's a flat out stud--he's young, recruits well, players love him, and would put the infrastructure back in place to right the ship quickly.
I know a lot want Campbell and I think we'd be interested, but I'm getting nervous that the pros are going to be calling. Don't think we can afford to put ourselves in a Harbaugh in 2012 situation in that he may want to see if he can scratch the itch if the right opportunity presented itself. There are other names that I see bandied around that will not be considered.
November 28th, 2020 at 8:14 PM ^
Thanks. Always like your posts. So informative.
Id be curious to hear what happened to our infrastructure and how it happened (when the time is right of course)
November 28th, 2020 at 9:38 PM ^
I’m an emo Michigan fan like everyone else right now, but I’ll give you the TL;Dr version. Harbaugh has completely turned over his staff on and off the field. Harbaugh had a huge support staff at first but then changed course and made his circle smaller. Lots of great talent walked out the door and we either didn’t replace or had downgrades. Mistakes from 3 years ago are finally coming home to roost.
November 28th, 2020 at 11:34 PM ^
Doesn't that make the demise here mostly his fault? I think a lot of people speculate it was something/some people in the administration that started handicapping things. But, if he chose to shrink and let good people go...well...that's just unfortunate.
November 28th, 2020 at 11:48 PM ^
This shows my naivety on the topic, but what's an example of how shrinking the support staff could have this much of an impact? If it isn't really coaching related, how much is going on behind the scenes that got downgraded that really made the program deteriorate this rapidly?
November 29th, 2020 at 12:04 AM ^
Look at the top program's and you'll see several guys who have been there for a long time with the coach that help keep the train on the tracks. OSU and Mark Pantoni is a great example of having a staffer that keeps the vision of the team moving forward. We don't have that person looking out for the long-term because they keep leaving after a year or two. Look at the longevity of the staffers that have been there for Clemson, OSU, and Alabama.
We have gone through so many personnel, recruiting, and general ops staff. The turnover means that you are constantly having to learn on the go, and coupled with a ton of coaching turnover can cause what I believe is happening right now--a disconnect of the entire football program. Michigan is having a former analyst coaching the secondary, which is getting carved up.
Recruiting is going well all things considered, but what would you say our vision is? What kind of players are we targeting? Don Brown has his "guys", but you need someone driving the vision to say hey we have a massive gap here, what are we going to do to fix it? Harbaugh needs someone to help him there and I think it's too little too late.
November 29th, 2020 at 12:27 AM ^
Speed in space receiver types on offense...and on defense, smaller, speedier guys that are getting mostly run over? I guess I don't appreciate why that isn't obvious or how it is so hard to fix. If we keep the current scheme on D, we need guys to get pressure up the middle and DBs with speed that can cover. Our opponents, and much of college football, are all going spread offenses with fast receivers. It seems to me that you need to be able to score a lot of points and generate a lot of pressure with your front four. If you can't do that you're dead. Isn't the fix just identifying those players that fill all of our university criteria and selling them on the ability to play immediately because we are desperately in need of big physical players on both lines? And then finally, I think we need to target guys that aren't afraid of a fight. We have been losing to OSU for about two decades...it'd be nice to recruit some players that aren't afraid to go toe to toe and change that paradigm. It certainly feels like we are mostly getting recruits that think this can be a 3 year gig to the NFL and maybe care a little less than I would have hoped about winning championships. I'm sure I'm wrong there because who likes losing? But that's how it has seemed at times.
November 28th, 2020 at 8:26 PM ^
Welcome back and thank you for the insights, umgoblue11!
November 29th, 2020 at 3:53 AM ^
I’d be worried if Jim stuck around in the AD. Nothing good ever comes from the old guy still being in town. I worry that would turn off potential new coaching candidates.
November 29th, 2020 at 11:49 AM ^
Okay, Campbell to the Lions!
November 28th, 2020 at 7:27 PM ^
Harbaugh isn’t getting fired. He either walks away to nfl or they extend.
November 28th, 2020 at 7:46 PM ^
Time to let Harbaugh go the way for Bump Elliott. Thank him for all the good but the time Is over.
November 29th, 2020 at 2:29 PM ^
Bump got kicked upstairs. Do you really want Harbaugh as an Asst AD? Not me.
November 28th, 2020 at 9:01 PM ^
Based on information in this thread about JH's health problems, what could be the implications concerning Sarah's role in Jim's future decision. She's the closest person to Jim and can see first hand the toll that this season is taking on his health. Another year like this could push him over the edge and it may be time to take a break to get out from under the heavy pressure that comes with the job. As was suggested, maybe taking on an administrative role would be the most realistic solutions for all concerned.
Your thoughts.
November 29th, 2020 at 12:12 AM ^
If Harbaugh does step down. Quick thoughts on HC's I've seen mentioned on here and on social media.
- Venables: Nope. He is too entrenched at Clemson.
- Cristobal: Michigan isn't bringing the Alabama model here. Sorry folks.
- Urban: As likely as Jim Tressel becoming UM's President. No chance on either side.
- Fickell: Content at Cincy and isn't leaving for Michigan. It's ND or OSU for him.
- Hafley: He would be my pick.
- Campbell: Michigan would want some assurances he wouldn't leave for the pros. People worried about recruiting on him are wrong. ISU has ID'd top recruits earlier than any school in nation. Just hard to get them to Ames.
Anyone else that I'm missing?
November 29th, 2020 at 1:29 AM ^
What about... Lance Leipold? Kevin Wilson? Joe Moorehead?
November 29th, 2020 at 8:07 AM ^
What about
Tom Allen
or any of the retired guys. Stoops, Peterson?
November 29th, 2020 at 3:35 PM ^
possible riskier moves (ie no HC exp)
Tony Elliot, Jim Leonhard, Clarke Lea
November 29th, 2020 at 4:07 PM ^
Bryan Harsins is worth a look
November 29th, 2020 at 2:27 PM ^
"I'm not trying to spread rumors"
Apparently you don't know what a rumor is
November 29th, 2020 at 2:47 PM ^
If the powers that be are thinking creatively and looking for the best coach capable or winning big and disruptive change to the Big 10, there is one name.
Lane Kiffin. Before anyone retorts with Rich Rod, they are totally different coaches. Kiffin has coached at the P5 level at elite programs under elite coaches. Rich Rod coached in a state that would be a third world country if it were not in the US. Kiffin is without question one of the top minds in the game offensively, is a relentless recruiter, has been through up and downs in his career and matured into a better coach, has Saban experience, and would not cower from OSU for a second.
November 29th, 2020 at 3:36 PM ^
I don't really understand the Hafley love. He's 6-4 in one season as a head coach. In his one season as DC at OSU he had 7 NFL draft picks, including possibly the greatest D-lineman in the history of the conference. Not enough data there.