This reminds of 2005
we ended up that year at 7-5. The problem back then seemed to be the defense. The criticism was harsh just like it is now. Everyone was calling for Jim Hermann's head. There was the bad loss against Ohio State at home when we were up 2 scores in the 4th quarter. They had back to back scoring drives where they only had to convert one third down. And then the loss in the Alamo bowl to Nebraska.
Then in 2006, Ron English takes over on defense. Chad Henne and the offense matured even more and we were playing Ohio State for the National Championship.
This time around it's the offense. We have a ton of young talent that just needs to follow through. Don Brown's defense are typically unstoppable in his third year. And with 9 all big ten players on defense coming back. That's not going to be a problem.
So perhaps changes do need to be made. But the bottom line is that it's foolish to think this program is on the wrong path or will not get better because we had a dismal ending to a tough season.
January 2nd, 2018 at 12:26 AM ^
January 2nd, 2018 at 1:34 AM ^
look like Rich Rod's at the end of the season.. Beaten down defeated, losing faith in what they're doing. I hate saying that but that's the vibe I'm getting from the team.
January 2nd, 2018 at 8:37 AM ^
If this year is 2005, next season is an undefeated run until we lose to Ohio State and in the Rose Bowl (not a College Football Playoff game next season).
Way to reach for the stars there!
This was 2017. A year where our program savior had possibly his worst year as a head coach. His track record is strong enough to make you think this is a blip in the wrong direction. His record here at Michigan tells you we won't turn it around enough next season. Hell, what is enough? People crowned us Playoff Contenders because a transfer QB from Ole Miss who may/may not even play in 2018. Anything less than a National Championship? Anything less than a Playoff Appearance? Just a B1G Championship? And what? What happens when we go 9-3 with losses to Notre Dame, Wisc/MSU/PSU, and Ohio State? Cause Harbaugh isn't getting fired for that.
January 2nd, 2018 at 8:56 AM ^
Doesn't the university have any anti-nepotism rules? I mean, who wouldn't want to give their inexperienced 25 year old son a $250,000/year job?
January 2nd, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^
Even worse his previous job was at the Baltimore Ravens where he worked for his uncle. And before that he was a grad assistant at Oregon St where he worked for his father's former NFL coach Mike Riley.
The guy is 28 and hasn't had to earn a job outside his family's sphere of influence. The fact that he makes 200k and Carol Hutchins only makes 237k is atrocious.
January 2nd, 2018 at 9:53 AM ^
John followed Jack around until he was 26/27. Coaches get started in different ways, just because it didn't work out as a RB coach doesn't mean he is shit and deserves to be fired.
Jay was a good TE coach in my opinion. While Butt's Mackey was more on Butt than anyone, he was his TE coach for 2 seasons. Asiasi/Wheatley were good freshman TEs. He played a big role in the development of McKeon and Gentry as TEs. And he is a plus recruiter. On 247, he gets primary credit on Asiasi, Black, Mustapha Muhammad, Wheatley Jr. , Eubanks, and McKeon. Secondary role in McCaffery, Samuels, Turner, and Honigford.
January 2nd, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^
John Harbaugh also played college football at Miami OH. Jay Harbaugh didn't. John also worked for his dad for 4 years and then began his own career. Jay has worked for family connected people for the last 10 years.
That said he is going to be 29 at the start of next season. It is time to branch out and get a job on his own. Heck he can go be the TE coach for Willie Taggert at FSU if he can't get a job on his own for all I care.
Nepotism is not way to run a top program. Just look at Iowa who has Ferentz's son as the OC.
January 2nd, 2018 at 11:04 AM ^
And a majority of people used to move out of their house at 18! Times change man. And since when has careers been about what you know > who you know? You think Jim went to Michigan or John went to Miami (OH) for any other reason than Jack Harbaugh coaching under Bo? I got my job cause my uncle used to work here, cause my family had worked in this company for 60+ years. I'm the only one left, and have made a good career for myself. Should I leave because of how I got the job?
Being Jay Harbaugh and breaking into coaching without using ties to family is like a Michigan Graduate getting a job without disclosing that they went to Michigan. It's not nepotism to keep him around after one bad year as a coach, after two promising ones. You are just looking to put blame on somebody.
January 2nd, 2018 at 12:51 PM ^
Fair enough, and lucky you for having family get you started. As someone who didn't have family able to get them a job I can assure you that it would have been a great help. Especially in the 2008-2010 timeframe.
I find it strange that Jay's coaching trajectory goes closer and closer to his father. It would be one thing if his first job was for his dad, then he went to his uncle, then we went to a family friend. But to trend closer to your dad whil having 10 years under his belt seems like he is failing up. If he is such a great coach why aren't other programs clammoring to hire him? Why didn't Mike Riley promote him to an assistant job? Why didn't Uncle John promote him to an assistant job? Why is his dad the only one willing to give him an assistant job?
January 2nd, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^
Which is hard after watching yesterday. The 2 biggest problems that I thought Harbaugh would solve and hasn't yet are:
1. QB. With his reputation thought the top PRO type QB's would be lining up. To see the quality of the QB play and players this year was horrible. Speight at his best is a JAG. O'Korn was a huge disapointment and over his head. Peters did nothing yesterday to say "I'm the guy!" Actually think he took a major step back and could be looking up the depth chart next spring / fall. We better hope DCaf or Patterson show up and be D1 QB's to win at this level.
2. OL. Looked at all the Stanford guys in NFL and thought Drevno would start a pipeline like at here. Maybe it's in progress with some of the young guys, but so far a major disapointment. He is definitely not an OC! Ruiz looks like he has potential.
These must be solved ASAP.
Other issues.
1. Maybe it's the young D being asked to go to the well too often, but seems like play well for 2.5 to 3 quarters then the wheels come off with some big plays.
2. Recruiting. We have no explosive athletes at RB or WR. Maybe they are young, but nobody out there that must be accounted for on every play. Whiffing on the big names.
Most likely, it's all inter connected. Yesterday just felt bad and boring.
January 2nd, 2018 at 10:28 AM ^
"But the bottom line is that it's foolish to think this program is on the wrong path or will not get better because we had a dismal ending to a tough season."
I understand you have your opinion OP, which is based on some very loose and questionable connections to a previous season, but to call legitimate opinions that dont align with your own "foolish" is, well, foolish. Your maturbatory post is really, really bad.
January 2nd, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
I believe Terry Malone also left after 2005. Jim Herrmann was awarded about 5 years of paychecks for his one good season (1997).
I thought Malone deserved to stay based on 2003-04, especially with Henne as a True FR.
The biggest difference between 2005 and 2017 is at least we beat unbeaten PSU on the Henne to Manningham TD. This season had no good moments.
January 2nd, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
1987 we played give-away with rotating QBs. Had a boatload of turnovers in losses to ND, MSU, OSU. The only saving grace was the win over Bama in the bowl.
This team (2018) needs some leaders - like Lamarr Woodley and David Harris were for the 2006 team. I hope guys like Gary, Bush, etc. just take charge of the team and drive them hard every day in the offseason.
On offense, I don't see any leadership from the players. Maybe Zach will step up. Perhaps Ruiz as well.
We can talk coaching changes but attitudes have to change on the field too.
January 2nd, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^