Well, as an affluent alumnus, I can speak to this from my own perspective.
I have no interest in paying kids to play sports for the University of Michigan. They already get access to a great education and don't leave school with the massive amount of debt that the average student accumulates. They also get academic and other support that the average student doesn't get.
I view them as doing an apprenticeship. They are given the opportunity to excel and make big $ as a professional athlete. I also don't expect medical interns and residents, essentially graduate medical students in training, to make big $ just because staff physicians are paid handsomely.
Now, I recognize that the time commitment for an athlete likely precludes their ability to work a part time job that the typical college student may take, so I have no problem with athletes, including non-scholarship athletes, getting a modest stipend. In addition, if their likeness is being used in a for profit enterprise like a video game, then I think it fair that they get compensation.
However, if someone just wants to get paid for playing a sport, then go to a professional league, perhaps even a minor or developmental league, and get paid.
I really don't understand the hate, by some, of Warde Manuel. While no one makes every call perfect, I think he's done a fine job on the whole.
It would be nice to see Coach Belein return in some capacity. He has a great track record of spotting and developing talent and can be a great resource for our new coach.
I shall remind you, and others, that Michigan is a university with a basketball program and not a basketball program with a university.
For those that don't like the culture at Michigan and want the teams to be the highest bidder for recruits and player retention and to allow incoming transfers regardless of academic standards and requirements, I would suggest becoming a fan of another school's teams and save yourself from needless aggravation.
Frankly, I'll be damned if I'll contribute money for that. I love Michigan football and have been a season ticket holder for decades, but enough is enough.
I'll contribute towards programs where the sports are not revenue producing or towards helping walk ons even if they rarely play.
The procedure itself is not bad. I slept through it and felt incredibly refreshed upon awakening. I normally don't sleep well and I can understand how Michael Jackson abused the drug.
No soreness after the procedure. OK, so the prep is inconvenient. Not terrible. If it can save you from a cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy, it's a cost/benefit winner.
I am tired of the complaints regarding Admissions and undergrad transfers. This is the UNIVERSITY of Michigan. They are allowed to set academic standards for admission and for applicable transfer of credits from other institutions.
The coaches of various sports need to understand the standards and the process. It's not that the Admissions people need to understand the various needs of our athletic teams.
It is unfortunate that the young man has likely decided to transfer. Should he proceed with it, I hope it's a playing time issue and not a financial decision.
The latter is changing the nature of the sport and I fear that they are killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
Paying recruits and paying players to remain on a roster have nothing to do with the spirit and original intent of NIL.
Thank you for stating the obvious. All of the Warde hate has become so boring.
I'm neutral on the guy. I have no experience running an athletic department or even running a business with the type of revenue that is generated by the Michigan athletic department.
Yet, because I may not like a coach leaving or have no firm plan to make an 18 y.o. athlete an instant millionaire to fulfill my emotional need to never see the Wolverines lose a football, basketball, or hockey game doesn't mean I have to perpetuate his excoriation and demand his dismissal.
While I don't agree with the action that he took, and I was happy to see Manuel's blistering response, it's time to put it behind us and move on. We're members of the conference and we're not going anywhere.
You can argue with your spouse or your parent, but at some point you have to move on there too.
Huh? This is just nuts. Who, but the head coach, is supposed to choose the assistant coaches... the idiots who blame Warde Manuel for everything they don't like?
This is an interesting post and I agree with many of its assertions.
However ... How do you know that Warde Manuel doesn't have a succession plan in place?
How do you know if Herbert's demands for staying - assuming that he really wanted to - were reasonably?
You don't.
People leave for new jobs all of the time and for a multitude of reasons. Slavery is over. Just because a fan or an administrator wants someone to stay on board is not enough. And throwing money around is often a stupid non-productive endeavor. Just look at the federal government.
I just don't understand all of the dissatisfaction on this board when it comes to Warde Manuel.
How many of the complainers have experience running a large multi million dollar big business?
OK... So Bakich left to coach a southern school baseball team and Harbaugh left to chase a Super Bowl championship. Each is understandable and nobody's fault.
Mel? Some complain that the process took too long, but the guy was entitled to a fair process, especially as he had no history of problems in the past as a HC or here as a long time assistant.
Basketball? Who thought, at the time of the hire that Juwan would struggle? Seemed everyone looked forward to big time recruits coming in rather than JB's type of recruit.
Then there's the issue of the portal ... like Manuel has any control of the undergraduate admissions/credit transfer process...
As for NIL and player payments ... While I agree with the transformational and not transactional approach favored by WM and Harbaugh, many here seem to disagree. Regardless, it's silly to think that Manuel can change that with a magic wand should he choose to do so. That would have to come down from the Regents and President Ono.
Anyone who has the time and interest to post here to complain about Michigan's approach to NIL certainty has the time and interest to donate to the collective supporting Michigan student athletes.
So, give a link and inform us as to the amount of your contribution.
Well, I am sure that many here will be angry and disappointed to learn that, and some are likely looking to burn him in effigy, but I, for one, happen to agree.
I have loved college football for multiple decades and it's just different from professional football. That's available for those who want it.
I have no problem with the spirit of NIL, but basically bidding for and paying college players is not that.
Well, it seems that Harbaugh chose to negotiate through his attorney as opposed to having direct discussions with Manuel, Ono, or the Regents.
He was entitled to make that choice.
I don't see where one can infer a lack of effort or good faith on anyone's part to sign Harbaugh to an extension. Sometimes people just have to agree to disagree if there are problematic provisions that are proposed.
In this case, it just seems that Harbaugh really wanted to go back to the NFl ... as he seemingly did last year, as well
And that's ok. He made his choice. Fans here may not like it, but then blame the man who made the choice if one feels the need to vent anger.
Well, Moore has had the chance to work directly with Campbell, as opposed to anyone posting on this board (presumably), so if he feels like it's a good fit, so be it.
While I, for one, am tired of the annual drama and am disappointed in Harbaugh doing this again after he apparently gave assurances that he would not do so, to be fair, you/we don't know what he's doing in his capacity as Head Coach while he's simultaneously interviewing for an NFL HC position.
People interview for other jobs all the time but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are neglecting duties associated with their current job.
While seemingly encouraging, they are still employed by the University of Michigan football program and are functioning as employees until such time as/if their employed status changes. Not really big news.
To be fair, Harbaugh has a reputation of not being very easy to get along with - for whatever reason - and it apparently led to his separation from the 49ers.
I'm unaware of any other coach of any men's or women's sport at Michigan who has a strained relationship with Manuel.
If, indeed, Harbaugh's relationship with Manuel is problematic - and I am not sure that this is the case - then maybe the problem is not 100% with Warde.
I'm happy that Michigan football is winning and that they won a National Championship this year, but I am happy for THEM and their accomplishment.
I'm over it already and, frankly, don't understand the continuing jubilation for people who just sat and watched either on TV or on person, and I am a long time season ticket holder... but that's me.
Nevertheless, the ends don't justify the means if the means go outside the lines. It just cheapens and tarnishes the accomplishment
This denies the reality of Warde Manuel's scathing letter response to the Big Ten Commissioner.
Michigan is a voluntarily member of the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference. It's an athletic and an academic fit and the institutional needs far outweigh and will outlive Harbaugh's alleged annoyance and perceived insecurity, requiring loves and hugs (though personally I doubt the latter).
Manuel has publicly stated that he has supported Harbaugh and wants Harbaugh to remain has Michigan head football coach. What more do you expect him to do ... exactly?
Frankly, I am tired of the annual drama. If it's Harbaugh's dream and desire to return to the NFL and compete for a Super Bowl championship, then so be it, good luck to him, and thanks for your service to Michigan.
I think, at this point, it's more important for Michigan to plan for a future without Harbaugh be it immediate or in the next few years. That would include incentivizing the assistant and support staff to remain intact.
If returning to the NFL and chasing a Super Bowl ring is what Harbaugh really wants to do, then there's nothing Michigan can do if he's offered a position.
There was a time, before CATV and the advent of ESPN and the internet, when this publication was huge in the sports world. Sport magazine was also a big deal. Then again, so were Sears and Monkey Ward...
I doubt any of our names are on his signed contract or on his paycheck.
Furthermore, it is my understanding that the U of M Athletic Department is a financially separate entity not paid for/subsidized by Michigan taxpayers (or Federal tax money for non-resident fans).
I, for one, was happier after beating Ohio State than I was beating Alabama or Washington. I would have been fine playing Washington in the Rose Bowl and calling it a season. But I'm old school.
Other students can have part time jobs so I have no problem with the spirit of NIL. Yet, paying recruits and transfers gobs of money just doesn't sit right with me.
The NFL should have a minor league system to include those players who don't want or should not go to college in addition to college graduates who don't make an NFL team but still want to play and keep trying. And the NFL should pay for it.
I wonder if the powers that be are killing the goose that laid the golden egg...
He doesn't owe the fanbase any more than what we owe him: Nothing.
Yet, he owes his employer honesty, as does anyone else. He apparently assured his employer that an annual dalliance with the NFL would not be in the cards, yet here they sit.
While I appreciate all that Coach Harbaugh has done for the Michigan football program, I would just prefer the stability, and it's associated benefits and advantages, of having a good HC who WANTS to be the program head long term. I'm not whining; just a preference.
I didn't listen to the podcast, but read the verbage in the post. I'm not sure that any of the assistants have a stronger connection to Michigan than does Jim Harbaugh. But some have a strong connection and that's good along with some others who can bring some strengths/positive attributes from others programs.
Ultimately, the wishes of the fanbase don't matter. The University needs to determine if they want the annual coaching uncertainty with Harbaugh testing NFL waters or not. Plusses and minuses as with most things.
I'm not so sure. I think both Manuel and Ono are involved. Yet, when you start talking about long term hundred million dollar contracts that might have special negotiated provisions that might involve potential University legal liability, it would not surprise me if the University President has or feels the need to ultimately get a yay or nay from his bosses.
Recent Comments
My guess is they think he has some innate talent that can be developed and that he can contribute.
Well, as an affluent alumnus, I can speak to this from my own perspective.
I have no interest in paying kids to play sports for the University of Michigan. They already get access to a great education and don't leave school with the massive amount of debt that the average student accumulates. They also get academic and other support that the average student doesn't get.
I view them as doing an apprenticeship. They are given the opportunity to excel and make big $ as a professional athlete. I also don't expect medical interns and residents, essentially graduate medical students in training, to make big $ just because staff physicians are paid handsomely.
Now, I recognize that the time commitment for an athlete likely precludes their ability to work a part time job that the typical college student may take, so I have no problem with athletes, including non-scholarship athletes, getting a modest stipend. In addition, if their likeness is being used in a for profit enterprise like a video game, then I think it fair that they get compensation.
However, if someone just wants to get paid for playing a sport, then go to a professional league, perhaps even a minor or developmental league, and get paid.
Look ... the basketball team, as do other athletic teams, represent the UNIVERSITY of Michigan, not the STATE of Michigan Wolverines.
Of course. Thank you.
It's rude and immature.
I really don't understand the hate, by some, of Warde Manuel. While no one makes every call perfect, I think he's done a fine job on the whole.
It would be nice to see Coach Belein return in some capacity. He has a great track record of spotting and developing talent and can be a great resource for our new coach.
I shall remind you, and others, that Michigan is a university with a basketball program and not a basketball program with a university.
For those that don't like the culture at Michigan and want the teams to be the highest bidder for recruits and player retention and to allow incoming transfers regardless of academic standards and requirements, I would suggest becoming a fan of another school's teams and save yourself from needless aggravation.
Please ... Stop drinking and go to bed.
Frankly, I'll be damned if I'll contribute money for that. I love Michigan football and have been a season ticket holder for decades, but enough is enough.
I'll contribute towards programs where the sports are not revenue producing or towards helping walk ons even if they rarely play.
The procedure itself is not bad. I slept through it and felt incredibly refreshed upon awakening. I normally don't sleep well and I can understand how Michael Jackson abused the drug.
No soreness after the procedure. OK, so the prep is inconvenient. Not terrible. If it can save you from a cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy, it's a cost/benefit winner.
A bad 2 weeks as you contemplating long term implications..
... or apologies to those of us without paranoid ideations
His income and benefits are taxable. The private plane perk has monetary value that would need to be determined at fair market value.
At least Texas has no state income tax.
I am tired of the complaints regarding Admissions and undergrad transfers. This is the UNIVERSITY of Michigan. They are allowed to set academic standards for admission and for applicable transfer of credits from other institutions.
The coaches of various sports need to understand the standards and the process. It's not that the Admissions people need to understand the various needs of our athletic teams.
It is unfortunate that the young man has likely decided to transfer. Should he proceed with it, I hope it's a playing time issue and not a financial decision.
The latter is changing the nature of the sport and I fear that they are killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
Paying recruits and paying players to remain on a roster have nothing to do with the spirit and original intent of NIL.
Thank you for stating the obvious. All of the Warde hate has become so boring.
I'm neutral on the guy. I have no experience running an athletic department or even running a business with the type of revenue that is generated by the Michigan athletic department.
Yet, because I may not like a coach leaving or have no firm plan to make an 18 y.o. athlete an instant millionaire to fulfill my emotional need to never see the Wolverines lose a football, basketball, or hockey game doesn't mean I have to perpetuate his excoriation and demand his dismissal.
What?? A reasoned response??
How dare you.
While I don't agree with the action that he took, and I was happy to see Manuel's blistering response, it's time to put it behind us and move on. We're members of the conference and we're not going anywhere.
You can argue with your spouse or your parent, but at some point you have to move on there too.
For everyone who wants to watch players who get paid big bucks, there's plenty of NFL football to watch on Sundays and during the week.
Huh? This is just nuts. Who, but the head coach, is supposed to choose the assistant coaches... the idiots who blame Warde Manuel for everything they don't like?
This is an interesting post and I agree with many of its assertions.
However ... How do you know that Warde Manuel doesn't have a succession plan in place?
How do you know if Herbert's demands for staying - assuming that he really wanted to - were reasonably?
You don't.
People leave for new jobs all of the time and for a multitude of reasons. Slavery is over. Just because a fan or an administrator wants someone to stay on board is not enough. And throwing money around is often a stupid non-productive endeavor. Just look at the federal government.
Were there subs?
Michigan is not Tennessee culturally or academically and I guess it takes a Michigan staffer, student, or alumnus to get it.
I just don't understand all of the dissatisfaction on this board when it comes to Warde Manuel.
How many of the complainers have experience running a large multi million dollar big business?
OK... So Bakich left to coach a southern school baseball team and Harbaugh left to chase a Super Bowl championship. Each is understandable and nobody's fault.
Mel? Some complain that the process took too long, but the guy was entitled to a fair process, especially as he had no history of problems in the past as a HC or here as a long time assistant.
Basketball? Who thought, at the time of the hire that Juwan would struggle? Seemed everyone looked forward to big time recruits coming in rather than JB's type of recruit.
Then there's the issue of the portal ... like Manuel has any control of the undergraduate admissions/credit transfer process...
As for NIL and player payments ... While I agree with the transformational and not transactional approach favored by WM and Harbaugh, many here seem to disagree. Regardless, it's silly to think that Manuel can change that with a magic wand should he choose to do so. That would have to come down from the Regents and President Ono.
Anyone who has the time and interest to post here to complain about Michigan's approach to NIL certainty has the time and interest to donate to the collective supporting Michigan student athletes.
So, give a link and inform us as to the amount of your contribution.
Now all of a sudden, people here take what Balas reports as gospel...
I don't know if this is factual and, if so, what Herbert was looking for was reasonable.
So, I'll reserve judgement even though I have an Internet connection...
I suspect that…
Thank you!
I suspect that the win at all cost crowd and largely not alumni.
Well, I am sure that many here will be angry and disappointed to learn that, and some are likely looking to burn him in effigy, but I, for one, happen to agree.
I have loved college football for multiple decades and it's just different from professional football. That's available for those who want it.
I have no problem with the spirit of NIL, but basically bidding for and paying college players is not that.
Well, it seems that Harbaugh chose to negotiate through his attorney as opposed to having direct discussions with Manuel, Ono, or the Regents.
He was entitled to make that choice.
I don't see where one can infer a lack of effort or good faith on anyone's part to sign Harbaugh to an extension. Sometimes people just have to agree to disagree if there are problematic provisions that are proposed.
In this case, it just seems that Harbaugh really wanted to go back to the NFl ... as he seemingly did last year, as well
And that's ok. He made his choice. Fans here may not like it, but then blame the man who made the choice if one feels the need to vent anger.
Well, Moore has had the chance to work directly with Campbell, as opposed to anyone posting on this board (presumably), so if he feels like it's a good fit, so be it.
I know a lot of people who frequent this board want Michigan to throw money around and utilize the proverbial money cannon, and that's fine.
I just think that posters who advocate this also should indicate how much money they have donated to the Athletic Department to support their view.
It's always easier spending other people's money.
Too many in government throw money at problems in an often failed attempt to fix them.
I'd prefer that Michigan judiciously use it's resources where needed and indicated following a thoughtful review.
Having said that, I hope Herbert is retained. His value has been demonstrated. Just not at ANY price.
While I, for one, am tired of the annual drama and am disappointed in Harbaugh doing this again after he apparently gave assurances that he would not do so, to be fair, you/we don't know what he's doing in his capacity as Head Coach while he's simultaneously interviewing for an NFL HC position.
People interview for other jobs all the time but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are neglecting duties associated with their current job.
While seemingly encouraging, they are still employed by the University of Michigan football program and are functioning as employees until such time as/if their employed status changes. Not really big news.
So, you don't think it's fair that the Athletic Director might determine the employment status of a coach?
Where else is that the situation?
What other employed position does this apply to, regardless of the job category?
Please...
Cloudy and light rain here. Flight delayed a bit. I think I'm blame Warde...
Yes, and I am sure that some will find a way to blame that on Manuel...
To be fair, Harbaugh has a reputation of not being very easy to get along with - for whatever reason - and it apparently led to his separation from the 49ers.
I'm unaware of any other coach of any men's or women's sport at Michigan who has a strained relationship with Manuel.
If, indeed, Harbaugh's relationship with Manuel is problematic - and I am not sure that this is the case - then maybe the problem is not 100% with Warde.
I believe that you believe...
So Machiavelli, I find your take to be sad.
I'm happy that Michigan football is winning and that they won a National Championship this year, but I am happy for THEM and their accomplishment.
I'm over it already and, frankly, don't understand the continuing jubilation for people who just sat and watched either on TV or on person, and I am a long time season ticket holder... but that's me.
Nevertheless, the ends don't justify the means if the means go outside the lines. It just cheapens and tarnishes the accomplishment
Please stop with the ancient stereotype.
I have lived in Northern and Southern cities and, in my experience, the cities up north were clearly more segregated.
From everything I have heard, Oxford is a lovely college town.
This is... unrealistic, to be charitable.
This denies the reality of Warde Manuel's scathing letter response to the Big Ten Commissioner.
Michigan is a voluntarily member of the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference. It's an athletic and an academic fit and the institutional needs far outweigh and will outlive Harbaugh's alleged annoyance and perceived insecurity, requiring loves and hugs (though personally I doubt the latter).
Manuel has publicly stated that he has supported Harbaugh and wants Harbaugh to remain has Michigan head football coach. What more do you expect him to do ... exactly?
The choice of staying or leaving is Harbaugh's.
Frankly, I am tired of the annual drama. If it's Harbaugh's dream and desire to return to the NFL and compete for a Super Bowl championship, then so be it, good luck to him, and thanks for your service to Michigan.
I think, at this point, it's more important for Michigan to plan for a future without Harbaugh be it immediate or in the next few years. That would include incentivizing the assistant and support staff to remain intact.
If returning to the NFL and chasing a Super Bowl ring is what Harbaugh really wants to do, then there's nothing Michigan can do if he's offered a position.
There was a time, before CATV and the advent of ESPN and the internet, when this publication was huge in the sports world. Sport magazine was also a big deal. Then again, so were Sears and Monkey Ward...
I doubt any of our names are on his signed contract or on his paycheck.
Furthermore, it is my understanding that the U of M Athletic Department is a financially separate entity not paid for/subsidized by Michigan taxpayers (or Federal tax money for non-resident fans).
I, for one, was happier after beating Ohio State than I was beating Alabama or Washington. I would have been fine playing Washington in the Rose Bowl and calling it a season. But I'm old school.
Other students can have part time jobs so I have no problem with the spirit of NIL. Yet, paying recruits and transfers gobs of money just doesn't sit right with me.
The NFL should have a minor league system to include those players who don't want or should not go to college in addition to college graduates who don't make an NFL team but still want to play and keep trying. And the NFL should pay for it.
I wonder if the powers that be are killing the goose that laid the golden egg...
Ambiguous is charitable. Thanks!
He doesn't owe the fanbase any more than what we owe him: Nothing.
Yet, he owes his employer honesty, as does anyone else. He apparently assured his employer that an annual dalliance with the NFL would not be in the cards, yet here they sit.
While I appreciate all that Coach Harbaugh has done for the Michigan football program, I would just prefer the stability, and it's associated benefits and advantages, of having a good HC who WANTS to be the program head long term. I'm not whining; just a preference.
I didn't listen to the podcast, but read the verbage in the post. I'm not sure that any of the assistants have a stronger connection to Michigan than does Jim Harbaugh. But some have a strong connection and that's good along with some others who can bring some strengths/positive attributes from others programs.
Ultimately, the wishes of the fanbase don't matter. The University needs to determine if they want the annual coaching uncertainty with Harbaugh testing NFL waters or not. Plusses and minuses as with most things.
I'm not so sure. I think both Manuel and Ono are involved. Yet, when you start talking about long term hundred million dollar contracts that might have special negotiated provisions that might involve potential University legal liability, it would not surprise me if the University President has or feels the need to ultimately get a yay or nay from his bosses.