so DB lied to us
January 16th, 2011 at 12:32 PM ^
i think DB has actually been 100% honest, despite most of you not wanting to believe that.
When he said "he thought the players deserved to have a coach in the bowl", most of you thought he couldn't possibly believe that, and that it was part of some master plan... i'm pretty sure he was being 100% honest
January 16th, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^
or Hoke is going to get paid well more than what he's currently worth.
January 16th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 1:06 PM ^
Thankfully, Hoke appears to have more class than that. It's one of the attibutes of a "Michigan Man."
What the article may not uncover is whether or not Miles was one of those coaches Brandon mentioned that was "in it for themselves." Perhaps Brandon DID offer more money but wouldn't give Miles cart blanche on the length of the contract just so Miles wouldn't have to worry about finding another job before he retired.
The point is, who know? Who cares? Does this article and your subesequent posting of it change what's what? Move on man. Hoke's our coach.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:38 PM ^
I think Miles showed some class for turning down a raise to come to Michigan, and for not using the opportunity to demand more money from LSU. I mean, none of us can know what went on in that interaction, but Miles also comes across, ironically, as a Michigan Man, one who is not motivated by money alone.
January 16th, 2011 at 3:40 PM ^
Brandon said we would pay what it took to get the right coach. He didn't guarantee that the next guy would make top-5 money or anything like that.
January 16th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
In the official RR-is-fired press conference, Brandon said Michigan had previously been "in the middle of the pack" in paying its coaches and that he didn't "necessarily believe that's appropriate."
The implication was that Michigan wasn't paying enough to attract top level coaching talent and that was going to change.
My point was that Hoke's resume doesn't even demand as much as RR's did, much less more.
January 16th, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^
Again, I don't see that as a guarantee that the next coach would break the bank. I see that as a statement that money would not be an issue in the hiring of the next coach.
Incidentally, we haven't skimped on head coaches. Both Carr and RR received pretty much market-level salaries. It's been more the assistants (especially coordinators) that have been underpaid.
January 16th, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^
I'm not seeing us bringing in coordinators and positions coaches with the credentials to warrant a pay higher than their predecessors either.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^
I want some of what you're on...
January 16th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
MGoMatt is clearly a plant from the AD designed to re-shape opinion on MGoBlog and make everyone happy and contented with the new hire.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 5:16 PM ^
Hard to tell from the pic but he's a siberian husky.
EDIT: Put up a better pic.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
Check the post out below this one.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
Check one post below.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
Already being discussed. Read Impromptu Poll: Was Miles Offered the Job? thread
January 16th, 2011 at 12:34 PM ^
Not necessarily. It could have been phrased like:
"If I were to offer you a job with x dollars, would you take it?"
Creative language.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
But it's pretty obvious to many that DB's first lie was after the OSU game, or possibly a lot earlier, when he said he would "make his decision" after the bowl game. I find it to be sad that lying to the public so blatantly about such an important issue while representing the University of Michigan isn't a fireable offense, but I guess some employees are on a longer "leash" than others.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
DB has to do what he has to do. If true, and who really cares, why would he say I am proud to announce my third choice to be the next Michigan football coach.
The one thing that bothered me is if he was going to fire RR he should have done it before the bowl. Are recruiting seems like its collapsing.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^
I don't undertand how the OP assumes that DB is the one lying. Isn't it interesting the article says that the person heard Les Miles turned down that type of money. There is just as much speculation that DB lowballled him. Who cares at this point.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^
Well Brando did consider a career in politics correct? Why are we surprised...
When it rains, it pours.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
......that some people's egos are so large that football is about them and not the team, or something to that effect.
I dont think DB lied. I think DB (who may well have been a teamate of Miles at Michigan) went to see him with an open mind. .......which should tell you a lot........teamates and the hire is not a slam diunk. Have you ever met Miles? I have, a few times. There is no doubt in my mind that his meeting reminded DB what a horse's ass Miles is.
this latest local story about Miles turning Michigan down is probably as honest as Miles' behavior in the "oversigning" story. Its what Les wants to believe.
Even if he came to Michigan and won, Miles would be an embarrassment.
January 16th, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^
this latest local story about Miles turning Michigan down is probably as honest as Miles' behavior in the "oversigning" story. Its what Les wants to believe.
Yep. For some the truth is a matter of black and white, for others it's a matter of the shades that cast them in the most favorable light or put them in the most favorable postion.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:47 PM ^
Well, if he turned down the first money offer, and then DB offered him more and he turned it down again, that seems to me he was offered the job, correct?
January 16th, 2011 at 12:50 PM ^
Brandon is a master of truthiness.
January 16th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
DB: "so in theory, if i paid you 5 million a year would you want to be the coach at Michigan"
Les: "I've got a damn fine football team"
DB: "oh well good because we uh..we don't want you anyway....jerk. BRADY!"
January 16th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^
The fact that he's come out and said this probably means that he want to make himself feel good that he got a coach that told UM no. The main reason I don't think Les got a serious offer is that, reading between the lines, one of the criteria for DB and MSC, given that UM is on probation, is who will not get UM in trouble with the ncaas.
January 16th, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
We have a GREAT coach in Brady Hoke!
I think it's a blessing in disguise that we landed Hoke instead of Miles.
This is a new chapter in Michigan Football and anything is better than the last 3 years.
Embrace it!
January 16th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^
who may turn out to be great (hopefully) is defined by you as great, beyond his obvious ability to say the right things. Let's not define the term great downwards. Urban Meyer, despite his issues, is a great coach. Brady Hoke is not (yet anyway).
January 16th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
Great is certainly not a term I would use to describe Hoke at this point - he hasn't coached one single down of football at the university.
So far the best thing he has done is secured the commitment of Denard.
Short term I have seen nothing in the way of recruiting and we lost a kicker today to the University of Miami. I am hoping that the so-called recruiting prowess is shown REAL fast.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
...a kicker who had already switched his verbal commit is always going to be real secure regardless of the coach...
If you wanted to make a case for Dallas leaving (which isn't completely done yet) I'd listen but Goudis leaving is not on anything resembling the coaching change.
January 16th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
or David Brandon is.
Which guy has the stronger motive to lie?
Until we get more inside info to indicate otherwise, I think it's Brandon, since he's wanted to present the idea that Hoke was his only choice. I wonder if Brandon's pushing that notion because his ego is so colossal that he simply can't admit to the outside world that anybody would have the gall to turn him down.
January 16th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
Stanley Jacobs also has a strong incentive to lie.
The reason a good portion of the LSU fanbase disliked Miles is because they believe he would ultimately like to be at Michigan. Now, the fanbase is under the impression that Miles turned down Michigan, therefore Miles gains wider support in the LSU community.
The impact of this cannot be understated.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:06 PM ^
Some fans don't like him because of questionable game management, and lots of controversy over his loyalty to Gary Crowton and a sketchy offense, plus two years of 8 and 9 wins. Desire to maybe coach at Michigan is further down the list.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:39 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 2:42 PM ^
See my post below. Also, that first discussion of terms was probably not directly between Harbaugh / Miles & DB. They have people for that. DB engaged once it was clear that the candidate would, generally, agree to the terms Michigan was putting forward.
When we read in the news that Pinkel or Fitz turned Michigan down, I doubt they did that after a 5 hour interview with DB. It was done by their agents after the initial inquiry or set of inquiries from Michigan.
January 16th, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
It's like Lenin says, man. You look for the person who benefits and um... and um.... and uh you know...
"I am the Walrus"
January 16th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
If anyone believes that a guy with a 47-50 career record would be the #1 choice over a guy who just went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl (Harbaugh) and a guy who won a national championship a few years ago and has 11+ wins in 4 of 6 years at LSU (Miles), then there's a great deal on a bridge I'd like to offer you.
Hoke might be a good coach at Michigan, but I doubt he was option #1. That doesn't necessarily mean that Harbaugh and Miles were formally offered the job, though.
January 16th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
NCAA record under Miles I can believe that Hoke might have been a choice ahead of Miles. I do believe that Harbaugh was approached in some manner first though that is just my thoughts based on nothing concrete though.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:09 PM ^
something would be seriously wrong with Brandon's judgement. There is no way a qualified football mind could at the beginning establish Brady Hoke as a number one choice. He may turn out great, but based on track record there is no possible way to prioritize him ahead of several other coaches mentioned in the CC process.
January 16th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^
If you hire someone considering resume as more important than character, frankly, you're a fool.
You hire someone with a great resume but no integrity, you've just hired someone who is liable to steal from your organization. And if they're clever, competent, and well-polished (as a good resume might indicate), they're more likely to get away with it. How is that worthwhile?
Maybe Hoke wasn't the first and only person pursued. This is quite likely. in fact. But I do not find it implausible that Hoke was the best choice available on DB's short list.
See, the thing about egomaniacs is that they're always just one step away from being a crook. There is nothing worse than a liar, cheater, or thief. Especially when they're on your payroll.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^
Are you saying RR didn't have character and Hoke does? Or that resume is over-rated? and who is the egomaniac? Who steals from the organization? Is it just me or this cryptic, confusing and not clear at all.
January 17th, 2011 at 10:02 PM ^
Not sure where RR comes into the picture, as he was not mentioned in your previous post, or Magnus's post to which you replied. I was working under the framework of comparing candidates in this search -- did not consider someone bringing RR into the picture, so sorry for any confusion.
A logical inference would be that I was referring to Miles and Harbaugh, the presumed top candidates in the search, as egomaniacs. It seems to be the case. Perhaps it is unfair to Harbaugh, though he has earned that label in my mind by choosing money and fame over loyalty. But perhaps this is unfair, as we do not know the real motives behind his choice -- they may have been noble, indeed.
But we do know that Miles is a crook. He's a liar and a swindler, and surely an egomaniac. Harbaugh might seem angelic in comparison. My point was simply to point out the danger in hiring someone who puts their own interests first. No matter how talented they may be, they are strictly a liability; the longer you have them around, the more likely they are to burn you. So, your second guess was right: Resume is over-rated
January 16th, 2011 at 2:44 PM ^
Hoke was probably not the first "choice" or the first person terms were thrown at. He was the first person who met the hiring criteria and was agreeable to the terms. DB wasn't going to make the final offer until it was clear it would be accepted and only one offer was made.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^
Didn't Brandon say he based his decision on who to hire on twelve different criteria? The prior records of the various candidates was only one of many things he considered.
Why is so hard for people to believe that Miles simply wasn't a serious candidate given that his LSU program has gotten into trouble with the NCAA and has a reputation for oversigning players? Why would Michigan, having just been put on probation, take a chance with that sort of candidate--regardless of his previous ties to the program and regardless of his won-loss record?
January 16th, 2011 at 1:40 PM ^
I'm done with this crap.