Saturday, January 8, 2011

Brandon's Process = FAIL

I have been a big supporter of David Brandon since he got the AD job at Michigan.  How many people do you know would take millions in a pay cut to come lead an athletic department?  As much as I love Michigan, I would stick with the big green and the free pizza. 

I thought David was smooth in handling the NCAA investigation and findings.  I thought he was really the perfect candidate to lead the Wolverines through this rebuilding period.  Now, I'm questioning everything. 

His "process" in evaluating Rich Rodriguez and his firing has been a complete failure.  Today was just another example of that fact as Michigan went 0-3 in the Army All American commitment battle.  Frost, Lyons, and Hart all picked other schools.  Hell, Lyons picked a school without a head coach as he committed to Stanford.

Let me ask you this.  If Brandon made a coaching change on 12/1 do you think Harbaugh would have accepted his $5M offer?  That 2 of the 3 Army All American above would have picked the Wolverines?

The reason he waited was because he felt the current Wolverines deserved to play and be coached by the current coaching staff in the bowl game.  How did that work out?  I'm not sure if the current players played or were coached in the Gator Bowl.

We are now sitting a couple of weeks from signing day and Michigan's 2011 class is getting smaller by the minute.  All available candidates are not Jim Harbaugh.   RR is investing his $2.5M and David is probably flying around the country talking to candidates about this Michigan job.   Will this end well?  It doesn't look like it right now.

Get the pitchforks and torches ready.

Current rumor mill seems to be saying that Les is More.  I disagree but we will see what happens.  Joe Schad from ESPN is reporting that as of this afternoon Michigan has not contacted LSU and that LSU will do whatever it takes to keep him. 

6 comments:

uncle ron said...

Ahhh... Rich is still available, I'd bet that would cure the problems you mentioned.
Now that everbody is getting back to reality checks, and the big money bosses are sitting around thinking they WON the fight to get rid of Rich.
Now they are sitting around going what the hell do we do now. I guess go down to the 7th or 8th or 9th recommended coaching resume, I sure hope they are part of the underground establishment otherwise it's
3 Out for them too.
So I guess we the fragments of the lower classes of Wolverine fans, can just take what has already been dealt out and live with it.
We were so close, but the dangling ends of the "Instant Gratification" generation took over and left us with nothing, and when I say nothing that includes Mr. Grass eater as well.

Voice of Reason said...

I think no matter what, because of what's at stake here David Brandon is going to make what he believes to be a "safe" choice. It may not be a popular choice, but someone who he can point to with a winning record at this level, and if the coach needs a year or two to get the program turned around he can say, "Look, he was a solid hire, look at his record at..." because Brandon's hide is on the line here. If he screws this up, he will be out the door himself.

So you know what, let's relax and place our trust in the self proclaimed genius and see what he does.

Bob said...

If he waits too much longer, the 2011 recruiting class will be mostly walk on's. He has about a day maybe two to make a hire IMO.

The new guy will have to hire a staff and try to recruit for the next couple of weeks.

Bart said...

Wow...so many with no faith. Mr. Brandon is in the mold of Bo S. He played for him and remained very close to him. Jim Harbaugh seemed to have had his sites on the NFL all along and Mr. Brandon made reference to that at his news conf. He also said money would not be an issue, so there is no reason to think he will make a "safe pick". With Harbaugh never really in the picture it only makes sense that he had to wait until after the Cotton Bowl. His list probably was 1) Miles 2) Everyone else including Hoke and the Miss. St. coach who just beat us badly in a bowl game. Look at his record the last 6 years, second to nobody. And sure he has a great team back next year, but he already won a championship there...and he is a Michigan Man who knows how to recruit and win. So go get him Mr. Brandon or as we say here in Missouri.....get rr done !

Unknown said...

Jumping Jimmie thinks Dave Brandon is following a script that includes influence from the University to pick a coach with Michigan Ties rather than the best coach possible. The fact the search is focusing on Miles and Hoke may lend some credence to University influence above Brandon. Timing is important because of the loss of key recruits to other schools with only two weeks before signing day. Of course there is an extended time frame which could lead Michigan to ask certain recruits not to sign on Signing Day but delay their choice until the new Michigan coach is in place. The delays in hiring sure make for good reading.

Go Blue!

Jumping Jimming

Voice of Reason said...

Les Miles because of his record would be considered a "safe pick." There are also a few others. I ain't saying, I'm just saying...