Not much to recap in that beat down on Saturday. Michigan started fast on offense in the first quarter and then didn't score again. Michigan got a punt blocked and RR tried a field goal for some reason. The defense couldn't have stopped MSU if they played with 12 players all day. It was a complete disaster, in every aspect of the game. Hey, at least Devin didn't blow his medical redshirt!!
Denard and RR both spoke after the game. Denard is a humble young man that was clearly upset on how he and his team played in his home state. Rich looked like a dead man walking. The press who usually doesn't hold back in press conferences, had a hard time even asking him questions. He looked like a defeated man with out answers.
So now what? I have been a long time supporter of Rich on this blog. My takes have been that he is a good coach who has had some bad luck and 2 poor hiring decisions at defensive coordinator. I still think he is a good coach but now I'm resigned to the fact that he is not going to be successful at Michigan. This week I got to spend some time with parents of the kids on the team and most talk very highly of the Michigan coaching staff. That they truly are a family and that Rich and staff are the perfect mix of knowing when to break a kid down and then build him back up. I think Rich could be very successful at Pitt , Clemson or Maryland or some other place that doesn't have the expectations that Michigan does.
The reason, I have left the RR Express is due to a couple of things. #1 This team is not getting better, they are getting worse as time goes by. Michigan had 6 weeks to prepare for a 1 dimensional offense and couldn't stop the run when everyone knew they were going to run. #2 The offensive game plan was terrible and this high flying offense didn't execute outside the 1st quarter. Every team that plays Denard is going to stop the run, if you can't have an effective passing game to counter that, you are not going to score too many points. There is no excuse for the state of Michigan's special teams, none.
Yesterday was a complete embarrassment for the entire University and I think most of us are tired of being embarrassed. It started with App. State and continues with 0-3 records to MSU and OSU and now the Gator Bowl.
I still think RR is has a great offensive mind but his downfall at Michigan will be his decisions at defensive coordinator. He has always looked for a defensive "head coach" so he could focus on developing his young offensive players. He is 0-2 in that strategy and I believe it will now cost him his job.
If RR is out, who is in? That is the big question. It's either Jim or RR stays another year with a complete overall of the defensive coaching staff. I would buy an RR and say a Marvin Lewis or Randy Shannon at DC. Both of those guys would come with a decent pay check but I think we are that point if we don't land Harbaugh. Illinois had some success doing a 100% overall of their assistant coaching staff this year.
Is Brady Hoke an option? I think he might be more of an option then at this time on Friday. I still think Brady is a bit of a stretch for this job. I know Bo was from Miami of Ohio and Miami of Florida just hired a guy from Temple, but does a couple good seasons at Ball State and San Diego State make you ready for the Michigan job? I'm leaning towards, probably not.
What about Denard? During the press conference Denard gave the "no comment" to whether he would stay at Michigan if Rich was no longer the coach. That isn't a ringing endorsement for a new coach. If I'm Harbaugh and I come to Michigan, I run an offense that caters to Denard's skill set.
My biggest concern at Michigan right now are the kids on the team and this recruiting class. RR will be fine with a $2.5M check and probably a new job within a week. Denard is a special young man that has time to sign every autograph and takes blame for every loss. He is a hard worker and kid you want representing Michigan. I worry about him and others like him on the team.
I'm less concerned about former backup QB's who think they are the big man on campus and don't even need to show up for class. I don't have anything official but I'm expecting that he has flunked out of Michigan by not going to class.
The man with the plan and the answers seems to be David Brandon. I'm guessing he won't be going on any sailboat trips this week.
Side Note: Herbie if you have a "scoop" on Michigan's next head coach. Please keep it to yourself or give it to Joe Schad
*** Dee Hart has de-committed from Michigan again and has committed to Alabama. Too bad he was at Alabama's practice all week which is a violation and could make him ineligible to play for the Crimson Tide. The hits just keep coming!
Below looks like a goodbye hug between Barwis and Lewan.
4 comments:
I'll take a guess that since Forcier's dad was so emphatic that his son was not going to transfer, Tate decided to make sure that he got out of A2, no matter what. Too bad that these kids go to college only for the football and with no other ambitions.
Great take.
Bummer bout that basement.
RR is gone. He has to be gone. If Brandon didn't give Rich the all-ok sign before the bowl, he certainly can't after. This was no first game of the season not focused. This was we give you everything you need to do your best and you embarrass the university and the program.
Man is done.
While RR has made two awful DC decisions (getting rid of Walker, then hiring GR), I think it's deeper. Maybe he has some personal problems. Maybe there are rich alumni sabotaging his efforts. But, he is a man who is making it obvious that even he doesn't believe he is the right fit. Sometimes that happens. In any organization or business. I'm sure he will go on to continued success elsewhere. It won't happen at Michigan. The longer he stays here, the deeper that hole gets.
M desperately needs a coach that can unite our nation. there's only one name at this point that WILL do that....through first his words and representation if he comes, AND then his performance at a later time. People get behind visionaries when they trust that the vision will eventually deliver results. Hate to say it, but Dantonio's tenure and path at MSU is testimony to this. That name is Jim Harbaugh. I dont see an option or a solution that comes close at this point. Im guessing Dave Brandon knows this, and delivers this week.
I'm all almost ready to say that Saban real last name is Satan, only reason i say this is because he will go at any length to recruit a player or keep what he has at alabama(no need to do all caps or say bama, cause i have no respect for this man) if he fears he will struggle, also he is the same with his coaches.
You mean to tell alabama could not have chose another high school to practice at or upgrade the schools facilities besides, Dr. Phillips, the one he's trying to take half the team with him. The man is a sad case in my opinion. As for his coaches he talked DC kirby smart into staying instead of going to his old school Georgia. Saban is scared of losing players or coaches. Coaches cause he don't want to face them in the same confrence. Bottom line: i have no respect for nick saban at all.
dee hart says he wants to be in the spread, but bama is pro-style. Hey dee stick to your guns, i'm not say'n stay with us but at least find you a team that runs what you like. I guess saban go to you like the rest, by fear.
Sugar Bowl tells Suckeye AD to let the 5 suckeye players play; BCS and NCAA didn't rule Newton ineligible, cause they wanted Auburn vs. Oregon in the NCG instead of TCU; saban upgrades a high school team facilities where he is recruiting their players. All these violations and there are NO REPERCUSSIONS at all
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