Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Wolverine Wednesday: Tries to Decode Insider News

With Michigan Football in it's current "state", everybody has a source of what might happen.   I will try to break down some of the insider stuff reported recently:

John U. Bacon:  Believes Brandon will be fired after the season and none of the Michigan top candidates (H Brothers or Miles) will work for him.   The rumor that Brandon watches tape with the coaches, seems to be a on-going joke with coaches outside the program.  

Brian at Mgoblog:  Believes Brandon will be fired and that the Big Michigan Money guys are now content with that happening.  He also says that the 49'ers and Jim H. are now understanding his coaching style will not work in the NFL and he should be a college guy.    His info is Jimmy won't work for David B. 

Sam Webb, GBW:  Believes Michigan has a shot of getting Jimmy, only if Brandon stays.   Which pretty much contradicts the above information.

Greg Henson, WDFN:  Is hearing that Brandon's removal is near and they are already working on an exit strategy.  He also believes that Jimmy H is the one and only candidate for the head coaching job.  The candidates for the AD job includes:  Brad Bates at BC, Jeff Long at Arkansas and Ward Manuel at UConn.


My Take: 

I get some info on email about Brandon and Hoke but it's hard to say what is accurate and what isn't.  (if you have inside info, send it my way).  This is just my opinion on the matter after reading a ton of this stuff everyday. 

I think Brandon is out and it's only a matter of time.  His only hope was Stephen Ross and now he might have even backed off his vocal support for DB.   Timing is still up in the air and it needs to happen sooner rather then later. 

Brady Hoke is on very thin ice but could save his job if he pulled a big upset against MSU or OSU.   I think a blowout this weekend will pretty much sink his ship.   I think the Michigan administrators (and maybe even DB) has more faith in Coach Nuss and Coach Mattson then they do in Coach Hoke.

Brandon and Harbaugh issue:

Will Jim or John work for David?  I tend to believe the information that they won't.  John has won a Super Bowl and is probably not going anywhere.  I think Jim and the 49'ers are a toxic relationship even if he makes the playoffs.  I think Jim will be available and will have to pick between the Michigan job or maybe a job like the Stephen Ross's Dolphins. 

The Harbaugh's know David Brandon.  He at least talked to both of them about the Michigan job the last time it was opened.   John also didn't put up a fight when Hoke came for Greg Mattison.    They know David Brandon and that is why I believe they are not very interested in working for him.   The Michigan circles at that level are very tight and I'm pretty sure the Harbaugh brothers have enough information to make a decision to not work for him.   Sam is a great Michigan insider and has ties to the coaching staff and is really good with recruiting information, but I tend to lean the other way on his recent information.

I also think both of the brothers would like to be known as the coach that turned around Michigan and got it back to it's glory days.   With that said, it still has to be the perfect conditions for either one to jump at it. 

Next AD?

My money is on Arkansas AD Jeff Long.  He has shown he can handle a scandal with his football program and hired Brett B out of Wisconsin which pretty much shocked everyone.  He has Michigan ties and his wife is from Ann Arbor.   He is also the chairman of the new College Playoff Selection Committee.    This would be a AD hire homerun. 


Let's get Jeff Long and then let him get to work on a new head coach.  As you know, I am very worried about the timing of all these decision effecting getting the best candidate.   Losing the recruiting class in secondary but an issue as well.

10 comments:

Brad said...

Does Michigan play this weekend?

Unknown said...

Please elaborate on the information that leads you to believe that Nussmeier has somehow earned the administrations trust? It can't be football related...and Hoke has been great at all things not related to football (recruiting and academics).

Scott K said...

Nuss wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen. If an A-list coach isn't going to happen, he would be a 'soft-hire' on an interim basis. He interviewed at So. Miss and Wash. for HC positions, so it isn't like he's not been considered for the HC spot in real programs.
He would be the most likely to hold the recruiting class together with a coaching change, and if a top pick replacement isn't available this year.... well, it wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen.
Brady has to go, there isn't an excuse for the decline in performance, production and the 'Red Letter' games.
If you ask me....

Scott K said...

Brad,

We sure hope so.... if we score more than 6 pts we'll break a 10 year trend against sparty (as Bob pointed out).
I sure hope we can claim the status of 'Big Brother' back soon... cuz we're little brother right now.

Squashman said...

Well there you go. Score 7 points and hire Nuff immediately cause clearly that would warrant a promotion!

Scott K said...

Squash...... U may want to read that again. My point is Brady needs to go. If there isn't a chance to land the #1 prospect for the head coach vacancy, giving Nuss a shot wouldn't be the worst thing. In other words, I'd rather have a season with Nuss at the helm rather than another season with Hike leading the team to a 4-8 season.

Bob said...

It will be interesting to see if Michigan does "play" this weekend. The line is up to 17 points now.

Scott K said...

I'm afraid it will be a very good weekend for Art Van and Sofa Mart, in East Lansing.... I hope I'm wrong and Michigan has their '2013 ohio game' for the season, just haven't seen enough to believe that's possible.

dude1984 said...

Ross was probably backing Brandon so he could snag Jimmy H. His aides probably informed him about the concussion, so he had to back off. How is that for a conspiracy theory? I trust JUB the most when it comes to the AD and coaching situation. He seems to be the most informed of all of the guys you listed with multiple contacts at all levels of the athletic department and in the President’s Office.

I agree with Jeff Long for AD. They need somebody with experience running a big time athletic department. I also agree both things written about the H bros.

I think within a week after the Ohio State game Brandon and Hoke will be out. Within a week after that the new AD will be hired. I am sure they are very tight lipped because they are in the middle of a search.

I found this interesting article: http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/road-saturday/201410/michigan-wolverines-football-dave-brandon-brady-hoke-mark-schlissel-regent

Squashman said...

If Hoke was fired early which will not happen unless there is another concussion gate, then Mattison will fill in until the rest of the year. What is so special about Nuss? His offense is ranked 113 in the Nation. He hasn't fixed a thing. Mattison has been around the players longer. He is the best choice to fill in until the next coach is hired. Mattison is loyal to Hoke but he would do it for the players.