I think Santa is going to prove out to be a fantastic university president who provided unmatched support to athletics compared to his predecessors. However, when his tenure at Michigan is over, I think he will likely regret the way this entire incident was and continues to be handled.
The only additional reason for the NCAA’s obsessive persecution of Michigan is because there is ample evidence that Michigan has poor leadership from the Regents to the AD. They are the only institution standing that will bend over to the NCAA without a fight. Warde is a feckless leader who any coach in the AD should hate to report to.
I am bracing for a rocky big ten road. They continue to struggle to hit and the pitching seems a little up and down this year. I hope to be pleasantly surprised with the big ten record.
If Warde helped make up ground and fix DB’s damage so that it wasn’t just OSU and Gene Smith running the conference, props to him. That said, it is abundantly clear now that OSU still runs the conference. They get what they want out of schedule and other favorable treatment. Feels like Michigan is just another mouth at the table. I can’t remember the last time it seemed like Michigan was leading on any issue.
Excellent piece. Thank you for sharing the deeper insights you possess after working with Coach. It is good to see less public sides of him that confirm he is who we have thought him to be. He will be missed in Ann Arbor. Hopefully we see him around again someday. What a 9 years it was. It will be difficult to top.
Yeah, I was in the market for a decent winter/cold weather Michigan jacket. The selection right now isn’t great. I messaged the M Den and they said Nike/Jordan didn’t have any plans to release anything new jacket-wise for this year (this was back in October). I finally just found a nice team-issued Nike jacket from pre-2007 on eBay for a decent price.
It was the way they won these games too. Watching them jump around for Jump Around at Wisconsin and the same for Nebraska’s Thunderstruck…Michigan finally wasn’t scared to play a team on the road. They embraced it. They were having fun again.
I’ll always wonder what could have been had Gutierrez never gotten hurt. He always looked so solid in relief of Navarre. Granted, it was at the end of blowouts…
Man I would’ve loved to see a Mallet/Arrington combination in an alternate 2008 universe (no Rich Rod). Arrington had a great bowl game and would have been dominant as a senior. Manningham could have stayed too. Phew.
I’m happy for Storako finding a greener pasture and getting a ring. I can’t blame her for looking elsewhere that might provide a little run support or for ring chasing to fulfill a dream.
Though you can’t deny their on field excellence, which is an incredible thing, I struggle to really enjoy a juggernaut like Oklahoma softball. You have a disgustingly loaded team that is a few standard deviations about the norm. Certainly they have a lot of pressure to NEVER lose because of it. It does take the enjoyment out of it when deck is so stacked on one side. In college sports, when it’s that stark, I tend to wonder if this is all above board. It’s one thing to be great program, but to basically be untouchable tells me there’s more than meets the eye.
Georgia football right now is the same way. Kirby Smart can coach ball, but they’ve obviously cheated over years and stacked the deck. It’s hard for me to look at his accomplishments with the same respect and reverence as a relatively clean program winning it. How good of a coach are you really if you always have an incredibly stacked deck? Sad thing is ESPN and the media reveres them anyway when a little digging and research might tell some other stories.
100%. There are subtle levels of ability and how good a player or coach might be. In today’s world, especially out here on the boards or Twitter, everyone is really good or awful with no nuance or shades of gray. Don was a great coach here for a period of time. Day and his thin DL recruiting were his kryptonite. We also need to remember the lean years offensively where his D got little support. I am thinking of 2019 vs Iowa for example. I think that was. 10-3 win at home where the O was fairly putrid. In many games the offense would leave the D with little room for error.
The other thing this program needs to do is to stop the bleeding with transfers - Widra, Jimenez, and others. Some of their touted recruiting classes aren’t even making it through. I am quite surprised that Fantucci never got a shot this year, especially once Lexie Blair went down and they moved LeClair to the outfield. Feels like a missed opportunity. Then again, I don’t know much when it comes to softball other than the enjoyment (usually) of watching the Wolverines.
He campaigned for Jim in the papers before he was hired in 2014. He attended his press conference. Jim’s had him back as honorary captain, spoke to the team last year. I am guessing things in his personal life, like his late wife’s illness, took precedence over publicly speaking up for Jim.
Those second seasons for starting QBs were certainly strange in their regression. Not coincidentally, they both featured new OCs, Pep and Gattis. I seem to remember Wilton was vibes very well with Jedd Fisch and less so with Pep.
I personally did not like the offense under Pep. The route combinations seemed to take a while to develop and the receivers didn’t seem to get open. 2017 also featured super young receivers. The run game seemed to be less diverse too.
The initial issues with Gattis were well documented around these parts.
Feels like Cornelius is right there, but just too inconsistent. He will make a nice play, run a great route, and the next play have a bad drop. Need to see more consistently from him.
I think an overlooked facet of this is that Blake O’Neill was an Aussie rules baller. I often wonder what role natural instincts to try to still kick the ball played into that disaster. I feel, a lot. I am sure he was coached to fall on it.
Your point stands as far as not going max protect.
I wouldn’t say pretty much everything has gone right for Harbaugh this year. Lost his top WR for the year in game one. Roman Wilson breaks out a bit at Wisconsin and promptly has been hurt for the past three games. That’s just a few major things not including the State game.
All that aside, I appreciate your post and your point still remains regarding looking for the bad and missing the good.
Bingo. I totally agree with you here. Things started to go off the rails a bit with the changeover to Pep. They fixed a few things the following year and the QB, Shea, improved throughout the year. In 2019, the beginning of the Gattis experience, another brand new system for the offense and Shea. There have also been some growing pains for a first time OC.
2020 was a turd sandwhich from the jump and I struggle, as frustrating as it was, to really take too much from the season. We have at least seen a culture shift which was probably necessary. If this season progresses well, 2020 would be a distant memory, except for the msu loss. It’s also clear Joe Milton isn’t Michigan-specific. Heupel started him too and the same results occurred, and in a, presumably, more QB friendly system.
Bottom line, philosophical consistency is a big deal. Hopefully, they have it now.
I also go back to a comment Jim made shortly after he was hired. Something to the extent of Michigan being an additional NFL team. I wonder if he has realized that part of his culture shift was not running this quite like a business-like NFL team.
Before I began reading this piece, my initial thoughts were, “Are we really gonna have front page articles regarding hot seat vibes throughout the year?”
Luckily, the article was a bit different in nature than the title indicates. I do now understand it is a call out to the author’s upcoming book.
Anyhow, I found the article to be an interesting read and worth the time.
In general, I would just like to try to enjoy the season and not be smacked in the face on the front page regarding Jim’s perceived hot seat and/or the statue. If the season begins to go south, it’s inevitable. I’d like to just wait ‘til we’re there before we continue the incessant drumbeat of negativity from the off-season…especially off a 47-14 victory.
I did. A few times. It doesn’t stand out as that odd to me. I just want to see him have life again out there.
To be clear, he’s definitely an odd duck and your point is not groundless. It just seems to me to be a bit overblown these days. Then again, it’s that time of the year when we all hyper-analyze as we await fall practice.
Do you actually think Harbaugh addresses the team or individual players the same way he would an interview with the media? His media interviews have always been awkward, even when he took the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
My point is, that is likely an overblown issue. Someone else made the point his time in the NFL may have made him shift his mentality even when back in the college game at Michigan. The expectation is everyone coming to do their job and being ready. College athletes might need more direction and prodding.
Whatever it is, I hope he addresses it. I, too, want the more animated, tour de force that was hired in 2014/15.
I, too, agree that some of these changes with the coaching staff and the recruiting staff indicate this gives Jim more than only this season assuming they have reasonably good results.
All true. I would also add-in a pattern of horrible road outings and occasional listless play also play into the current perception of Harbaugh’s tenure. I’m a fairly consistent Harbaugh apologist but I find it hard to get past some of the aforementioned problems. MSU last year was the pinnacle of that. I thought stuff like that would cease with Jim here.
I do think he’s shown a willingness to change which is underscored by Gattis and now this off-season staff overhaul. Perhaps it’s not quick enough. Should he have made a DC change after 2018 OSU? Hard to argue with Brown’s stats at that point. OC after last year? After 2017? You can make the argument. For Gattis, there is also an argument for consistency in approach for a few years. Same for Jim himself and the program.
We’ll never know what caused such a drastic change in recruiting approach after the 2017 class. We’ll similarly never know what changed with the program as a whole around that time. Jim had such an upward trajectory until then.
I feel in this case, it being in the weight room, an emphasis on the individual is fine.
If I remember correctly, Winovich’s comments about the emphasis on the individual had to do with all of those mini competitions they did and the fact that it lead to guys putting more emphasis on that than other things.
Overall, beyond the obvious with needed scheme changes, ineffective coaching, etc., there such a psychological malaise over this particular game. A “here we go again” mentality. I don’t get the impression this team actually believes they can and will win against Ohio State. Just getting that first win would be a huge monkey off the program’s back. And ours.
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I think Santa is going to prove out to be a fantastic university president who provided unmatched support to athletics compared to his predecessors. However, when his tenure at Michigan is over, I think he will likely regret the way this entire incident was and continues to be handled.
The only additional reason for the NCAA’s obsessive persecution of Michigan is because there is ample evidence that Michigan has poor leadership from the Regents to the AD. They are the only institution standing that will bend over to the NCAA without a fight. Warde is a feckless leader who any coach in the AD should hate to report to.
I am bracing for a rocky big ten road. They continue to struggle to hit and the pitching seems a little up and down this year. I hope to be pleasantly surprised with the big ten record.
Alford has been mediocre multiple times at the high major level.
Shaka's teams crap the bed in March, failed at Texas, but other than that, he seems like a decent fit.
I wouldn’t mind giving Fred Hoiberg a look thought, though his Iowa State teams didn’t fare well in the tournament either.
As Mike Barrett kept saying, be careful who you make the villain.
If Warde helped make up ground and fix DB’s damage so that it wasn’t just OSU and Gene Smith running the conference, props to him. That said, it is abundantly clear now that OSU still runs the conference. They get what they want out of schedule and other favorable treatment. Feels like Michigan is just another mouth at the table. I can’t remember the last time it seemed like Michigan was leading on any issue.
Excellent piece. Thank you for sharing the deeper insights you possess after working with Coach. It is good to see less public sides of him that confirm he is who we have thought him to be. He will be missed in Ann Arbor. Hopefully we see him around again someday. What a 9 years it was. It will be difficult to top.
Yeah, I was in the market for a decent winter/cold weather Michigan jacket. The selection right now isn’t great. I messaged the M Den and they said Nike/Jordan didn’t have any plans to release anything new jacket-wise for this year (this was back in October). I finally just found a nice team-issued Nike jacket from pre-2007 on eBay for a decent price.
The price point is totally worth it for what you are talking about putting together. This would be all kinds of awesome. I can’t wait for this!
It was the way they won these games too. Watching them jump around for Jump Around at Wisconsin and the same for Nebraska’s Thunderstruck…Michigan finally wasn’t scared to play a team on the road. They embraced it. They were having fun again.
I am in for any commemorative MGoBlog book/magazine/whatever. Brian’s hundred dollar book sounds amazing to me.
Logged in to up vote this. Excellent write up.
I’ll always wonder what could have been had Gutierrez never gotten hurt. He always looked so solid in relief of Navarre. Granted, it was at the end of blowouts…
Man I would’ve loved to see a Mallet/Arrington combination in an alternate 2008 universe (no Rich Rod). Arrington had a great bowl game and would have been dominant as a senior. Manningham could have stayed too. Phew.
I’m happy for Storako finding a greener pasture and getting a ring. I can’t blame her for looking elsewhere that might provide a little run support or for ring chasing to fulfill a dream.
Though you can’t deny their on field excellence, which is an incredible thing, I struggle to really enjoy a juggernaut like Oklahoma softball. You have a disgustingly loaded team that is a few standard deviations about the norm. Certainly they have a lot of pressure to NEVER lose because of it. It does take the enjoyment out of it when deck is so stacked on one side. In college sports, when it’s that stark, I tend to wonder if this is all above board. It’s one thing to be great program, but to basically be untouchable tells me there’s more than meets the eye.
Georgia football right now is the same way. Kirby Smart can coach ball, but they’ve obviously cheated over years and stacked the deck. It’s hard for me to look at his accomplishments with the same respect and reverence as a relatively clean program winning it. How good of a coach are you really if you always have an incredibly stacked deck? Sad thing is ESPN and the media reveres them anyway when a little digging and research might tell some other stories.
100%. There are subtle levels of ability and how good a player or coach might be. In today’s world, especially out here on the boards or Twitter, everyone is really good or awful with no nuance or shades of gray. Don was a great coach here for a period of time. Day and his thin DL recruiting were his kryptonite. We also need to remember the lean years offensively where his D got little support. I am thinking of 2019 vs Iowa for example. I think that was. 10-3 win at home where the O was fairly putrid. In many games the offense would leave the D with little room for error.
The other thing this program needs to do is to stop the bleeding with transfers - Widra, Jimenez, and others. Some of their touted recruiting classes aren’t even making it through. I am quite surprised that Fantucci never got a shot this year, especially once Lexie Blair went down and they moved LeClair to the outfield. Feels like a missed opportunity. Then again, I don’t know much when it comes to softball other than the enjoyment (usually) of watching the Wolverines.
He campaigned for Jim in the papers before he was hired in 2014. He attended his press conference. Jim’s had him back as honorary captain, spoke to the team last year. I am guessing things in his personal life, like his late wife’s illness, took precedence over publicly speaking up for Jim.
I chuckled at that too. Perfect placement. Wasn’t sure how many others would get it.
I chuckled at that too. Perfect placement. Wasn’t sure how many others would get it.
Those second seasons for starting QBs were certainly strange in their regression. Not coincidentally, they both featured new OCs, Pep and Gattis. I seem to remember Wilton was vibes very well with Jedd Fisch and less so with Pep.
I personally did not like the offense under Pep. The route combinations seemed to take a while to develop and the receivers didn’t seem to get open. 2017 also featured super young receivers. The run game seemed to be less diverse too.
The initial issues with Gattis were well documented around these parts.
Feels like Cornelius is right there, but just too inconsistent. He will make a nice play, run a great route, and the next play have a bad drop. Need to see more consistently from him.
Always wish we could’ve seen another year of Adrian Arrington. He could’ve been big time. Heck, he was starting to be with that dominant Citrus Bowl.
I think an overlooked facet of this is that Blake O’Neill was an Aussie rules baller. I often wonder what role natural instincts to try to still kick the ball played into that disaster. I feel, a lot. I am sure he was coached to fall on it.
Your point stands as far as not going max protect.
I wouldn’t say pretty much everything has gone right for Harbaugh this year. Lost his top WR for the year in game one. Roman Wilson breaks out a bit at Wisconsin and promptly has been hurt for the past three games. That’s just a few major things not including the State game.
All that aside, I appreciate your post and your point still remains regarding looking for the bad and missing the good.
Thanks for your uplifting post. It’s going to be crazy town in here this week so this was a good way to start.
Glad to hear life has come together for you. All the best to you and your family moving forward.
Go Blue. Fuck State.
I guess we know whose Cheerios were pissed in this morning.
Bingo. I totally agree with you here. Things started to go off the rails a bit with the changeover to Pep. They fixed a few things the following year and the QB, Shea, improved throughout the year. In 2019, the beginning of the Gattis experience, another brand new system for the offense and Shea. There have also been some growing pains for a first time OC.
2020 was a turd sandwhich from the jump and I struggle, as frustrating as it was, to really take too much from the season. We have at least seen a culture shift which was probably necessary. If this season progresses well, 2020 would be a distant memory, except for the msu loss. It’s also clear Joe Milton isn’t Michigan-specific. Heupel started him too and the same results occurred, and in a, presumably, more QB friendly system.
Bottom line, philosophical consistency is a big deal. Hopefully, they have it now.
I also go back to a comment Jim made shortly after he was hired. Something to the extent of Michigan being an additional NFL team. I wonder if he has realized that part of his culture shift was not running this quite like a business-like NFL team.
Before I began reading this piece, my initial thoughts were, “Are we really gonna have front page articles regarding hot seat vibes throughout the year?”
Luckily, the article was a bit different in nature than the title indicates. I do now understand it is a call out to the author’s upcoming book.
Anyhow, I found the article to be an interesting read and worth the time.
In general, I would just like to try to enjoy the season and not be smacked in the face on the front page regarding Jim’s perceived hot seat and/or the statue. If the season begins to go south, it’s inevitable. I’d like to just wait ‘til we’re there before we continue the incessant drumbeat of negativity from the off-season…especially off a 47-14 victory.
The preview podcast and Brian is back? And I thought this game week couldn’t get any better. Stoked to listen!
Here here!
This x 1000.
I did. A few times. It doesn’t stand out as that odd to me. I just want to see him have life again out there.
To be clear, he’s definitely an odd duck and your point is not groundless. It just seems to me to be a bit overblown these days. Then again, it’s that time of the year when we all hyper-analyze as we await fall practice.
Do you actually think Harbaugh addresses the team or individual players the same way he would an interview with the media? His media interviews have always been awkward, even when he took the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
My point is, that is likely an overblown issue. Someone else made the point his time in the NFL may have made him shift his mentality even when back in the college game at Michigan. The expectation is everyone coming to do their job and being ready. College athletes might need more direction and prodding.
Whatever it is, I hope he addresses it. I, too, want the more animated, tour de force that was hired in 2014/15.
Excellent article and welcome!
I, too, agree that some of these changes with the coaching staff and the recruiting staff indicate this gives Jim more than only this season assuming they have reasonably good results.
All true. I would also add-in a pattern of horrible road outings and occasional listless play also play into the current perception of Harbaugh’s tenure. I’m a fairly consistent Harbaugh apologist but I find it hard to get past some of the aforementioned problems. MSU last year was the pinnacle of that. I thought stuff like that would cease with Jim here.
I do think he’s shown a willingness to change which is underscored by Gattis and now this off-season staff overhaul. Perhaps it’s not quick enough. Should he have made a DC change after 2018 OSU? Hard to argue with Brown’s stats at that point. OC after last year? After 2017? You can make the argument. For Gattis, there is also an argument for consistency in approach for a few years. Same for Jim himself and the program.
We’ll never know what caused such a drastic change in recruiting approach after the 2017 class. We’ll similarly never know what changed with the program as a whole around that time. Jim had such an upward trajectory until then.
I feel in this case, it being in the weight room, an emphasis on the individual is fine.
If I remember correctly, Winovich’s comments about the emphasis on the individual had to do with all of those mini competitions they did and the fact that it lead to guys putting more emphasis on that than other things.
Overall, beyond the obvious with needed scheme changes, ineffective coaching, etc., there such a psychological malaise over this particular game. A “here we go again” mentality. I don’t get the impression this team actually believes they can and will win against Ohio State. Just getting that first win would be a huge monkey off the program’s back. And ours.