Update on '16 OT Commit Swenson
Yesterday, it was reported by Spath and Fishsaw that Swenson may not end up in this class.
It appears Wiltfong has now relayed the same information.
Apparently, this isn't Swenson waivering on his committment, this is coming from the Michigan side of things due to lack of development on the football field over the last couple seasons.
My take:
I'm on board with most of what Harbaugh does. And it's my belief that most things that are best for the Michigan football program are best for Michigan. However, this does not sit well with me at all. Swenson committed and stayed committed through everything. He was absolutely 100% loyal. Harbaugh re-affirmed his scholarship and was glad to have him on board when the class wasn't filling up.
Now it's two weeks before signing day, and suddenly he hasn't been progressing enough to be a part of the class. Maybe he knew a little while ago, but that isn't much time either. This doesn't sit well with me. This may be best for the Michigan football program for the short term, but this isn't what is best for Michigan. Loyalty, in my eyes, still means something, and while I understand some of the guys getting pushed out (either they waiver, they were told up front, etc), Swenson doesn't sit right.
And don't get me wrong, there are always reason to rescind scholarships (grades, off field issues, etc), but a guy not developing at your expectations when you had the choice to offer him a scholarship early or not (or rescind it earlier when he wasn't developing as you expected) is part of the risk/reward in recruiting.
This guy was loyal through all of that, loyal when Hoke (his coach) was fired, loyal when Michigan had no coach, and loyal once Harbaugh was hired. It was Harbaugh's choice to stick with him at the time, and he did. He still should now.
So yeah, I'm not on board with this from Harbaugh if true. It doesn't sit well to me at all. But about all that means is this post on this board, so it's whatever. Still don't like it though.
January 19th, 2016 at 1:51 PM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
As you've already stated, you'll always side with the player, positing all sorts of hypotheticals to make the staff look bad even though neither you nor anybody else has a shred of evidence to support any type of rationalization or speculation.
What surprises me is how fast ostensibly level headed rational people can so quickly dismiss the idea of waiting until all the evidence is in before jumping to hysterical conclusions.
January 19th, 2016 at 2:41 PM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^
I didn't say wait for all the evidence before making any conclusions, I said wait for all the evidence before jumping to hysterical conclusions. In this case I believe it is a hysterical conclusion to rationalize that the only simple explanation is that Harbaugh has simply decided to drop Swenson because he found a prettier date.
While that may well be the case, I can think of other simple explanations such as Swenson not keeping up with his grades. Maybe he failed a drug test. Here's my favorite alternative universe theory, maybe the current staff laid out expectations that had to be met and maintained. Maybe the staff kept him appraised and Swenson practiced and continues to practice the art of self-deception.
The problem with jumping to conclusions is that by the time actual evidence is revealed positions will have become so hardened no amount of rational talk will convince anybody that Fatty Arbuckle was indeed innocent of rape. And thus another career is ruined because of speculation, inuendo, and character assasination.
January 19th, 2016 at 3:36 PM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 4:40 PM ^
No youd rather call Harbaugh a snake.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:32 AM ^
My take.
If players are allowed to decommit from schools then schools should be able to decommit from players. Any other mindset is hypocritical.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:32 AM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^
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January 19th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^
No, it does not. I am sensing that it does not sit well with him at all.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:46 AM ^
I thought saying it four times was sufficient and borderline redundant, but just reaffirm my position:
It does not sit well with me. It does not sit well with me at all.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^
As has been noted there are lots of assumptions here, but if we just pulled his schollie offer because we no longer think he's good enough it's horseshit. Since the school can't talk about it we have no idea what's really going on.
Many of these issues would be alleviated if we eliminated the "verbal" commitment and allowed Juniors and Seniors to commit on paper anytime they wanted. That would lock both player and school in and largely prevent either party from screwing the other.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:51 PM ^
You hit it there with the last sentance of your first paragraph. "Since the school cant talk about it we have no idea whats really going on."
January 19th, 2016 at 4:22 PM ^
Bingo.
All offers should be commitable and binding on the spot. You make an offer - you're on the hook for that offer.
January 19th, 2016 at 2:32 PM ^
What doesn't sit well with me is that over the years you've proven to be pretty fair and balanced with your assessments, a voice of reason. And now here you are, a few tweets, a player that hasn't said much and a coaching staff that cannot, by rule, say anything at all about individual recruits and you've already reached a conclusion which doesn't sit well with you.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:34 AM ^
To me, it all depends on (assuming the rumors are true - a big assumption) why Swenson was not improving his game as expected. If there is strong evidence that he was just coasting along, and not working on improving his game, then I'm less troubled. Even at that, though, it seems like it's a bit late in the cycle to be cooling on a kid who, as Space Coyote notes, has to all appearances been firm in his commitment.
I'm curious to see how this shakes out.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:38 AM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^
So you want Jim Harbaugh to take a kid who is going to be dead weight? And if we dont, THAT is wrong?
I don't understand this reasoning.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^
whether or not he is going to be competitive on the football field, he was still offered a scholarship and presumably planned his future around that offer. There is still the academic side of things here. Going to Michigan is a big deal, period, so whether or not he was going to be an effective player is only part of the equation. Of course you want to be competitive but your word still needs to be your bond. This could help short term but hurt long term for recruiting, if true.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:49 AM ^
He was offered by a completely different coach.
To your second point, not when he is being accepted to that school on an athletic scholorship... he has to be an effective player. That's the deal.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:55 AM ^
but effective as of the day you offer him or effective as of the day he is set to come on campus? Put another way, say he was a Harbaugh recruit, would this still be OK to you? And yes, athletics may be the only concern to us but it probably isn't to him.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:59 AM ^
tim drevno visited with him December 5th.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^
Of course. He isn't doing anything wrong.
Swenson may very well be planning his life around coming to Michigan, but it is up to Michigan if he is coming or not. Not him.
Just like a job interview. Like it or not an athletic scholorship is a job.
I wouldn't like it if the kid commited two years ago, stopped making visits and then Harbaugh just never sent him and LOI to sign on NSD, but technically speaking that is within the rules as well. Hell Saban lets kids pack up their shit and move to campu before telling them "sorry bud."
Harbaugh isn't doing any of those things. Swenson has plenty of time to figure it out. Hell I bet schools are lining up to fly him out to have a look around. Not a bad position to be in if you ask me.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:19 PM ^
So are we arguing about what is allowed, or whether it is behavior that should be exhibited by a Michigan head football coach? Lots of things are allowed.
With your comments, you have shown in the past (and continue to show) that winning is more important than keeping things morally sound.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:24 PM ^
Morals differ by person. This is why we have rules and laws.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:57 PM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^
Harbaugh learned from Bo...
And I am not saying Harbaugh is closer to Saban than Hoke, but apparently the vast majority of alumni disagree with you about losing with Hoke.
January 19th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^
If you sell out your values to win, what's the point of winning?
Now this is NOT to say that the Swenson situation is "selling out" in any way, shape, or form. In fact, His Dudeness makes several good points - including that the offer to Swenson came from a different staff. I don't agree with his core point, and especially don't agree that if treatment of a prospect is allowed under the rules that excuses the treatment. But it's a much thornier situation than some are contemplating.
That said, if a kid has been busting his ass and relying on a years-old scholarship offer until mid-January of their senior year with nothing but positive noises from Michigan*, then I would like my alma mater to honor the scholarship offer.
*Whether any of this applies in Swenson's case is another matter.
January 19th, 2016 at 2:10 PM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
I want to help make this even thinner.
I didn't grow up on Bo, didn't have any idea what "winning the right way was", and definitely disagree with at least one part of what the "right way" is (although I have no idea of what that part is).
But I do know that if I have a girlfriend, but am only keeping her around in case this other girl that I find more attractive doesn't want to go on a date with me, I am going to feel pretty damn bad about myself when I have to tell my girlfriend that she's out.
January 19th, 2016 at 6:18 PM ^
In your example, the other possibility is forcing yourself to try and make it work with a girlfriend who you don't believe is the long term answer. How is that fair to her?
January 19th, 2016 at 7:30 PM ^
the point is, it wasn't fair to lead her on in the first place. also this is not a monogomous relationship, michigan gets lots of "girlfriends" in this scenario, promised one a bedroom, and then would be pulling the plug when she is ready to make a commitment
January 19th, 2016 at 7:53 PM ^
Maybe Michigan led her on. Or maybe Michigan thought it was in love, had a genuine interest, only to see that interest fade over time.
The question is, given that the relationship has started (regardless of the reason), what is the fairer outcome? Maintain the relationship even though your heart isn't into it just to placate the girlfriend, probably just delaying the inevitable (e.g. a transfer after it becomes evident that PT won't be available)? Or is it better in the long run for both parties to have a split, however painful, that allows both people to move forward with relationships they are truly interested in? If Harbaugh has lost faith in you as a player, do you really want the pity scholarship?
January 19th, 2016 at 8:27 PM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 9:03 PM ^
And it isn't like we're leaving the girl at the alter in some podunk backwoods holler in West Virginia where the gossip is just local. We're in Hollywood, with asshole papparazzi everywhere, even if they are temporarily infatuated with us. It's just a risky move with relatively minor immediate payoff, and a lot of potential downside (you don't want to jerk off forever).
Ooh, skinny post.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:55 PM ^
I imagine it is effective the day he signs and the university accepts his LOI
January 19th, 2016 at 11:54 AM ^
Athletics does not equal academics. If you are offered an athletic scholarship, then you are expected to be effective on the field! If you are offered an academic scholarship, then you are expected to be effective in the classroom!
January 19th, 2016 at 11:58 AM ^
a minute...... Should they be able to yank a scholarship after it becomes clear that a player can't contribute to the extent expected after they have enrolled? Should Beilein be able to yank Cam Chatman's scholarship? That seems like a slippery slope to travel on.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:02 PM ^
Happens in other sports and at other schools all the time.
I'm not saying we should do THAT and we don't as far as I know, but...
January 19th, 2016 at 12:11 PM ^
You are now talking about a player that is already on campus and has played....in that case, Beilein and the crew have to suck it up for the mistake they made in evaluating talent. It's not the same situation and should not even be represented as such. If Beilein sees him never developing, the staff should do Cam a solid, redshirt him next year, let him finish his degree, then transfer. That sounds like a reasonable solution for all parties, IMO.
January 19th, 2016 at 12:14 PM ^
don't think this is a positive, long term. You don't want the narrative, "hey, sign with Michigan if you want but, beware."
January 19th, 2016 at 12:37 PM ^
it can be pulled at any time for any reason? Only half the guys we hand scholarships to become solid contributors on the field. If Swenson stayed out of legal and academic trouble, didn't suffer a long term injury (where he should get a separate scholarship), and kept playing football at a competitive level, there's no way to justify pulling the scholarship offer.
January 19th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
"playing football at a competitive level" bit that's in question here...hence the staff telling him to look elsewhere.
January 19th, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^
ie... didn't quit the game.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^
January 19th, 2016 at 12:14 PM ^
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January 19th, 2016 at 4:23 PM ^
"He was offered by a completely different coach."
Yes... and Harbaugh re-confirmed that offer when he was hired.
January 19th, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^
You are making the assumption that the kid is dead weight, which is a pretty dickheaded move.
It's not about talent here, its about the fact that we are just now hearing about this. It's been almost 3 months since the high school football seasons ended, its not like a bunch of new information about Swenson's abilities just came out.