Booted Blue in PA

January 16th, 2023 at 5:00 PM ^

mGrowOld and XM have a score to settle...... 

 

will it be a crispy George Washington?  Will it be 4 shiny Michigan quarters, or will it be 100 Lincoln pennies?     Inquiring blog participants want to know.

Joined: 12/18/2018

MGoPoints: 60510

CCBlue

January 16th, 2023 at 5:01 PM ^

Ono’s Tweet—plus omission of Manuel’s name in Jim’s—says everything.  Between that and all the NIL handwringing Warde might be dead man walking.  

Joined: 03/20/2009

MGoPoints: 309

1VaBlue1

January 16th, 2023 at 5:02 PM ^

Well, thank God Santa inserted himself into the negotiations because it sure doesn't seem like Warde was getting it done.  Will be interesting to learn if the stories about a pulled deal and lack of support from Warde are true.  In any case, when the University President has to step in and get something done that is squarely in the operating purview of a minion, the minion cannot be on sure footing.

I feel Warde's time is short in Ann Arbor.  He will probably announce his retirement, or a different 'opportunity', within a year.  Even if he doesn't, I'll bet his overview of the football program has lessened quite a bit in the last couple of weeks.

Welcome back (?), Coach Harbaugh!!!

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127625

schizontastic

January 16th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^

Either Santa Ono is a poor administrator. But given his good prior reputation, that seems less likely. Is he preparing to fire Warde? Trying to light a fire under Warde? Or, less likely, protecting Warde from  friendly fire by emphasizing how it was Harbaugh who was the limiting-reagent?

This whole negotiation process (from Warde's end) was strange.   

Joined: 02/08/2015

MGoPoints: 3026

Blue Vet

January 16th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^

Wow. 

How strange is it that the president—who has LOTS of other responsibilities—not only communicates that new to the AD, but makes the communication public?

Joined: 05/08/2012

MGoPoints: 71774

FrankMurphy

January 16th, 2023 at 5:08 PM ^

Those who think there's nothing to read into the timing, wording, source, etc. of official statements should take note of this. The fact that Santa made it a point to note that Harbaugh called *him* and not Warde and that *he* told Warde of Harbaugh's decision (as opposed to vice-versa, which is what one might expect) is surely deliberate and calculated. And that's not to mention the fact that the news itself was announced by Santa and not Warde, which is unusual and eyebrow-raising in and of itself. Even if Warde was cut out of the loop, Santa could have let Warde announce the news as a way of letting him save face. The fact that he didn't speaks volumes.

I would go so far as to say the Warde's days as AD might be numbered. He botched this, and if it wasn't for Santa, Harbaugh might be on a plane to Denver right now.

Joined: 08/19/2008

MGoPoints: 32260

True Blue Grit

January 16th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^

Assuming Santa's communication here WAS deliberate and not done on some impulse, it tells me he's decided he wants Warde out of here.  This highly public way of announcing Jim's decision is a strong vote of no confidence in Manuel that will only leave him with one recourse.  Leave.  I'll predict here that it will be very soon too.  Like within the next two weeks.  Maybe sooner.  

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32447