Michigan Friday: Summer News and Notes

• Northwestern's coach Pat Fitzgerald's seat just went from hot to burning today, as the Wildcats coach since 2006 got suspended for two weeks for hazing in his program.  Northwestern has been terrible on the football field lately as the university plans to construct a new football stadium.  Fitzgerald, who has been a candidate in the past at Michigan, might be looking for a new gig next season after this latest suspension and if his team doesn't approve on the field.  Pat's suspension starts today and lasts two weeks.  He will not miss any time at fall camp and the only thing he will miss is a paycheck in his bank account. 

• July is the quiet before the storm of college football.  Recruiting takes a break, so families on both sides of recruiting (coaches and high school prospects) can have a summer and get away from football for a few weeks.  Current Michigan players will work out and hold players only practices to keep the steel sharp.  It's quiet before the August camp at Schembechler Hall. 

• Did you know DJ Wilson is on the Michigan Magic Summer League Team? They love those Wolverines in Orlando!

• Good Sh#t Jedd!  Arizona gets its highest ranked recruit ever, as 5-star DE Ellijah Rushing commits to the Wildcats.  Can you have a better last name for an Edge than Rushing?  (if you don't know, Harbaugh said those words on his headset after Jedd called a successful goal line play while he was the OC at Michigan)

• Michigan's DT Kris Jenkins is projected to go in the first round an early ESPN mock draft.  PFF stats had Kris (last season) with 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, 20 quarterback pressures and 31 run stops. 

• Livers got his $1.8M club option picked up by the Pistons. Average NBA salary is over $12M, so that is a steal for the former Wolverine sharp shooter. 

• Michigan got a CB for 2025 instate athlete Elijah Dotson from Detroit Jesuit.   With only a few spots remaining in the 2024 class, is it time to start focusing on 2025 recruiting?  Seems a bit early! 

Wolverine Wednesday: Michigan Basketball Tips Off Tonight

Juwan Howard has taken Michigan Basketball to new heights through great coaching and even better recruiting.   The latest version of his squad takes the floor for the first time officially tonight at Crisler against Buffalo. 

This squad will include a number of names you already recognize including:  Super Senior Eli Brooks, Sophomore Hunter Dickinson, and senior Brandon Johns.  

The new names include: 5 star Caleb Houstan, 5 star Moussa Diabate, grad transfer Devante Jones, and true freshman Frankie Collins and Kobe Bufkin.    You will see a ton of Houstan who is expected to start, and Diabate who will be first off the bench for Hunter.   Devante was brought here to start and run the offense, to me he looks like a 5 year NBA vet already.  

This team is loaded with a great mix of new young talent and experienced players.   This is a team that has very high goals and the talent to match that dream.   It's going to be a fun ride!  Tune in for it. 

Early tip tonight at 6:30, TV is BTN. 

• I could care less about the CFP ranking right now, Michigan has a job to do and this week Penn State is standing in the way.  My goal like it is every year is to win the Big Ten Championship and then let everything else play out.   You give me a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl win (not in the CFP) and I'm 100% happy with the entire season.  With that said, its amazing to me 2 things about Sparty.  #1 everyone knew Purdue was going to beat them last week #2 everyone knows the officials messed up the UM - State game and that result should of turned out differently. 

• Denver Broncos Graham Glasgow has a broken leg

• I just learned that Jedd and Don Brown got their first win on Saturday as 24 players tested positive for Cal the night before the game against Wildcats.   Arizona won 10-3.  Cal vs. USC this week has been moved to December.  

• MACtion is the best thing going if your not watching.   It's all offense all the time.  EMU took a tough L last night.  3 games last night, 3 more games tonight!  

• Nick Eubanks has been signed to the Lions practice squad 

Michigan Thursday: Welcome to Masters Thursday

One of my favorite times of the year, watching the Masters this weekend.  If you haven't been, its a special place and a bucket list for every golfer. 

My two picks this week are Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm. 

• Mike Smith turns pro.  Good for him and good luck.  My guess is he will line up something overseas.  

• Tough month for the Miller's as both brothers lost their jobs at IU and now Arizona.  Coach B is a name that has been tied to Arizona's opening and a great pick to clean up a dirty program.  

• Illinois Ayo has decided to also go pro and of course is an NBA prospect. 

• Michigan Football has added CMU and New Mexico to the 2025 schedule.

• Tiger Woods crash was due to excessive speed.  Tell us something we didn't know. 

Michigan Tuesday: Arizona Loves Former Michigan Coaches

For all the places you can coach college football, Arizona has to be pretty nice option.   You have that dry heat in the desert and U of A is a basketball school.  If you compete each year, your probably going to be employed for a long time.  Arizona decided to go on the wild Rich Rod ride and got burned by the loose cannon that is RR.  

Arizona has now gotten another former Michigan coach with the hiring of Jedd Fisch.   This was a great decision, Jedd has interim head coaching experience at UCLA and a ton of pro experience in Jacksonville and with the Rams.   He of course led Jimmy's offense the first year he was in A2.    Hiring Jedd was long overdue.  

Jedd now reportedly has his sights on other ex-Michigan coach, this time its defensive coordinator Don Brown.   This also makes some sense.  Defense in the PAC 12 is optional and Don could bring some real pressure to the desert.  It's not a terrible decision but as you know, the book is out on how to beat his defense.  

Jedd is also expected to hire former Wolverine analyst Jimmie Dougherty who is currently the Passing Coordinator at UCLA.  I would expect Jimmie to be the new OC.   I can't argue with any of these decisions, but if I was the leadership team at Arizona, I would be a bit leery of hiring former Wolverine coaches.   At least Jedd and Jimmie left on their own accord. 

On a side note, it would be interesting to see how the hiring of Don Brown would impact the $1.7M that U of M owes him.  

• The biggest news of the day was that Aidan Hutchinson decided to stay another year and play DE for the Wolverines.   This is great news as Michigan will have a ton of holes to fill on defense next year.    Having an All Big Ten quality DE is very important to next years success.   Aidan broke his ankle against IU and should be ready for Spring Ball.  If McGregor is fully healed from his ACL during his senior year of HS, that could make 2 very good DE's.  

• MSU got blown out by Minnesota last night and Michigan's next opponent Maryland beat #6 Wisconsin.  

• 5 years ago Jimmy "processed" a low rated DE named Rashad Weaver.  He went to Pitt and was just named an All American.   Before you go bashing that decision, this was Gary's class and he probably had to trade his spot for him.   Speaking of Gary, he is having a very good year for the Packers and it seems the light has gone on for him.  

• Seems that spring football league is getting another Big Ten QB to join JT and Shea.  As Dwayne Haskins was released by Washington.  Maybe the XFL when the Rock re-opens that league?  I know Justin Fields is a good NFL prospect, but prior (no pun intended) to that, OSU has had a long line of failed QB's in the league.

Michigan Monday: McElwain Talks Trash and Some Camp Notes

The reason Florida is a scary team is because they have athletes at every position.  It was a little like Michigan playing FSU in the Orange Bowl last year.   FSU won by one point and the reason was the athletes on the field.


I can tell you one thing, Michigan has a better coaching staff then Florida's.  Jimmy proved that in the Citrus Bowl a couple years ago.   Florida might have had the better team that day but those players weren't interested in being there and got beat 41-7.  Jim McElwain is no Jim Harbaugh and we know too well about Florida's OC in Doug Nussmeier.   With that said, McElwain gave the Wolverines some mid-August motivation this weekend when he was addressing a group of students:  “And you know what, we’re heading to Dallas here in a couple weeks to go beat the heck out of Michigan and then come back to you guys.”   Sounds like McElwain will have his team ready to play in two weeks.


Camp Notes from Sam Webb's free update: Highlights below:


-Khaleke Hudson and Josh Metellus practice hype.
-Brandon Watson is making a move at CB.  He has the most game experience.  (some of it pretty bad)
-Nolan Ulizio has been getting some 1st team reps on the OL.
-More buzz about Ty Isaac (I'm ready for Ty to have a break out year)
-Michigan is working on both Wilton Speight and John O’Korn working outside the pocket.

• RR is taking MSU transfer Thiyo Lukusa.

• Mike Riley (Nebraska head coach) sent his entire team to a Kendrick Lamar concert this weekend.

• The Rise of Coach James Franklin at Penn State.   After Penn State left Ann Arbor last year there was talk Franklin might be fired that week.   His in game coaching for many was not poor it was terrible.   Then they go on a win streak, beat Ohio State on a blocked field goal, win the Big Ten, and end up in the Rose Bowl.   This weekend he signed a new 6 year contract.   I will just list these here for reference from last year:

Lost 39-42 to Pitt
Win 34-27 to Temple
Lost 10-49 to Michigan
Win  29-26 to Minnesota in OT


I tip my hat to Penn State last year, they got very hot, got into the Big Championship game and ended up losing a close game in the Rose Bowl.   If I'm on the Penn State leadership team, I would wait at least one more season before signing up a guy you were close to firing last season.   On a side note, ND just stopped paying Charlie Weis. 

Michigan Thursday: Loves Wierd News

Come on Sabrina Parr?  This ESPN Cleveland Radio hosts thinks Peppers does everything except snorting pepper.  


"He's on the lean and the molly," Parr said on "The Really Big Show" on ESPN 850. "The guy's not going to make it. He's not going to make it through the season.


"He's another Josh Gordon ... I've seen it first-hand from a different vantage point, and it's the same thing all over again. How are you already high out of your mind, and you've only been here for a week."


Sabrina has been let go and now looking for another position.   On a side note, I hope Peppers is making the right decisions.

Here is another weird one:

Anyone remember Donovan Tate?  He was a QB that RR and Michigan recruited in the 2009 class.   He was a top baseball prospect and decided to enter the draft instead of playing college football and was picked in the third round.    He flamed out in baseball due to alcohol and drugs (and he wasn't able to hit either) and now wants to get back to football.  He is 26 years old. 

Guess who has accepted him on the team?   You got it! Rich Rod.   Donovan will be a walk-on as the Padres (who drafted him) have to pay his tuition per his baseball contract.  

RR is on the hot seat in Arizona and probably has one more year to get it turned around before they let him go.   So he is willing to take a chance on a 26 year old under center like Chris Weinke.

• Michigan has offered 2018 four-star defensive tackle Bobby Brown.  Is it his prerogative to take it?

Wolverine Wednesday: Gardner Gets Picked Up

After his very short stay with the Patriots the Pittsburg Steelers have picked up Devin Gardner.   Both organizations have a nice history of developing former college QB's and turning them into NFL wide receivers.  I wish nothing but success for Devin!

• Nike spokesman Greg Rossiter responded via an email about the Michigan decision to bid: "we did host the University of Michigan on campus last week, as we do many athletes, teams and leagues on a regular basis." A university spokesman said, "we are doing our due diligence by holding conversations with several potential partners. We have no timetable for our decision."

• I hadn't seen this photo from the Adidas visit yet.

Allan Brettman photo

• Former Michigan CB Blake Countess will visit Arizona and Rich Rodriguez in an attempt to find a school to play his 5th and final graduate year.   RR recruited Blake to Michigan and it seems Arizona has a big need for some cornerbacks with game experience.   Blake excelled at Michigan in more of a zone coverage model, he struggled last year when Michigan moved to more bump and run.    RR's 3-3-5 defense might be a perfect fit for Blake. 

Michigan Friday: 2014 RB Recruiting Heating Up

We all know about Lenoard Fournette's potential quick stop to Ann Arbor this weekend and probably an official visit during the year.  

Now comes word that NJ RB Jonathan Hilliman is planning to make it to BBQ later this month.  Jonathan is a 3 star prospect with a 5 star offer list which includes:  Alabama, OSU, Florida, Oregon, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arkansas, Michigan, Stanford and many others.   He is been pretty open that Ohio State leads but anything can happen when you get a kid on campus.  Since he is paying for this trip "out of his pocket" I assume he is somewhat serious in U of M.

Colorado RB Kalen Ballage is also going to try to make it up for the BBQ. 

Michigan has room for maybe 1 RB spot in this class.  With 3 guys in the 2013 class (Green, Smith, & Shallman) and many strong prospects in the 2015, RB in 2014 is not a huge need but a position that the coaches like to have at least one every year.

- Thanks to a reader of Mgoblog, here is a photo of Devin getting in some work at Payton Manning's passing camp this weekend.  You have to love all the work and coaching Devin is getting this summer.




-One of things I like to keep an eye on, is how RR is doing at Arizona a clear "Basketball School".  This is a perfect place for RR and his offensive system (pun intended).   In Arizona, they will build him a statue if they make the New Mexico Bowl every year and upset a top PAC 12 team every 3 or 4 years.

This article from Grantland, had a few quotes that really sum up RR and his coaching style.   Brian from Mgoblog loved this quote:

"Well, I hear a lot of times people say 'Oh, we gotta have a guy that's a game manager,' and I don't know what that is."   Yea, RR we know you don't. 

This is the quote, I like better.  It sounds familiar for some reason:  "We knew we were going to have challenges defensively," said Rodriguez. "There were times we were just literally holding our breath; we were starting four or five walk-ons and a lot of young guys were playing before they were truly ready."

If you read the article, there is the mandatory paragraph on Michigan and everyone not rooting for him. 


 

Michigan Monday: Sometimes Doesn't Have The Words

I wonder why he didn't work out at Michigan?

• Seems PeeWee is going to be OK:  He was back at practice on Friday and watched from the sideline without a neck brace.  Ondre tweeted later on Friday:  "I want to thank everyone for the get well wishes, thoughts and prayers,"---"i love you guys and will be back in no time thanks and #GoBlue  "You must have forgot I'm a Transformer #FerGodSakes #PeeWeePrime #GoBlue"

• Michigan is #8 in the AP Poll.

Other Big Ten News:

• Mama Don't Let You Babies Grow Up to Be Running Backs at Iowa.   Another RB went down this weekend during a scrimmage.  This time it was true freshman Barkley Hill.

• Kenny Hayes a former OSU defensive end/lineman will transfer to MSU.  Kenny missed most of Spring practice with migraines.  Seems like a playing time thing. 

• Wisconsin Loves Free Agent QB's:  Danny O'Brien their second free agent QB in two years has been named the starter.    Wisconsin opens against University of Northern Iowa.

Michigan Friday: RR Love Fest in AZ

As we get closer to 9/1 there is a lot of excitement building around the country for a fresh new start with each college football program.  In the SEC, they are talking about Alabama and LSU re-loading for another title run.   There is also excitement about how good both South Carolina and Arkansas can be. 

In the ACC, they are all about FSU and getting them back on top of college football while Clemson continues to have a solid team.   Virgina Tech seems to be a bit under-rated after a strong performance against the Wolverines in the Sugar Bowl. 

The Big 12 welcomes West Virgina to the league and they will get to fight it out with the regular powers Oklahoma and Texas.   Oklahoma State continues to be a top 20 team and they hope to continue their momentum from a strong 2011 campaign.

The Big East is just happy to be here and looking to sign a new TV contract with NBC's new sports channel. 

The new PAC 12 seems to be a two horse race between USC and Oregon.   Either could play for the BCS Championship at the end of the year.  In fact, USC gets Stanford in just week 3 so we will see early how good USC really is.    Some Michigan fans will be interested to see how Rich Rod does in year 1 at Arizona.   Michigan football fans expect their head coaches to retire vs. getting fired.   Gary Moeller and Rich Rod are exception to that rule.  Gary had a short interim head coaching gig for the Lions and now you can find him most Saturday afternoons walking around the press box at the Big House.  Rich Rod on the other hand is still young and now takes over his 3rd BCS program.   He is 1-1 with his overhauls and this time has the band back together in Tucson.

I took a look at Arizona's schedule and found two games that are pretty ironic.   During RR's first year at Michigan he played both Utah and Toledo.  Michigan lost both games.  The Rockets might have been one of his most embarrassing losses he ever.  It also happened to be the only time Michigan has lost to a MAC team.   Well, RR gets them again and this time it's his first game of the year.  They will also travel to Utah in November.    If RR gets by Toledo in week 1 they will host #19 ranked Oklahoma State in week 2.  Should be fun to keep an eye on Tucson this year. 

Fun Fact:  RR won 15 games in 3 years at Michigan.  Brady Hoke won 11 in 1 year.

• Here is the transcript from another "not much information" Hoke press conference.   Highlights:  Team nowhere near ready for 9/1 yet, no word if Fitz will play in Dallas, Wormley hasn't had surgery yet, but will.  

Update:  Freshman Ondre Pipkins was taken to the hospital this morning via ambulance with a potential neck injury.  He has movement in all extremities and was taken to the the hospital as a precaution.   Let's hope this is nothing serious.

Michigan Friday: Thinks about the BIG 10 Tournament and Former Wolverines

Michigan doesn't have to play a Northwestern team today that took the Wolverines to two over times this year.  Northwestern's 3 point shooting and 1/3/1 defense had been giving John Beilein's club trouble over the last few years.   That seems strange doesn't it?  Those two things are Beilein staples.   Michigan now plays Minnesota at 6:30.   The Golden Gophers are a "long" team and could give the Wolverines match up problems in the lane.   Ralph Sampson's kid hurt his knee on Monday and didn't play on Thursday.   That could help the Wolverines if that 7 footer doesn't play.  If they shoot well and get a few boards the Wolverines should have this one.   

Good luck and Go Blue! 

• There is a very good ESPN article on RR's first spring practice at Arizona.   It's very well written and talks about how the band is back together  to coach the Wildcats.  I also points out how these guys weren't all together at Michigan. On seeing Michigan do well last year:   "I thought our time was coming and we didn't get to finish the job," Rodriguez said. "It's like you made a cake from scratch and put it in the oven. Someone else is putting the icing on and eating it."  To furher clarify that statement:  RR was more icing then cake and Hoke is more cake then icing.   --- It seems AZ is having trouble with the high energy practices and working out on a regular basis.   The story leaves out maybe the most important part of the RR's coaching legacy that is not with him in Mike Barwis who is doing very well for himself with Barwis Methods.   If you were drafting coaches to fill out your program are you more concerned with Tony Dews or Mike Barwis? 

• Remember Kellen Jones a 2011 LB recruit from Texas that Michigan fans were excited about?  He was let out of his LOI and went to Oklahoma and got some special teams action as a true freshman.  He has decided to transfer from Oklahoma.   He has had a very tough 12 months and I wish him luck on his next school.

• Keep an eye on the blog this weekend, if some commitment news breaks, I will have it up ASAP!

Michigan Thursday: Brady "Big Ten" Hoke

Some people (including me) questioned the Brady Hoke hire when it happened.  We were wrong and it wasn't because he went 10-2.  It was because Brady Hoke is a smart leader and knows that a good leader is only as good as the people around him.  Brady brought Al Borges from San Diego and pulled Greg Mattison from the Baltimore Ravens.  Both guys either have some gray or no hair at all, they understand football and how to teach it to young men.   Desmond Howard last week on ESPN said, the two best hires in college football last year were: Brady Hoke to Michigan and Greg Mattison to Michigan.  I have to agree.

Brady yesterday won the Big 10 Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year Award he also won the media's version of the award as well.   This is a real honor for Brady and really points to the great job he and his staff has done this year to turn Michigan into a BCS caliber Bowl team.

Brady in the last 4 years has won coach of the year awards in the MAC, Mt. West and now the Big Ten conferences.   That is a pretty good streak and huge sign we have a good coach here.  I have never been so happy to have been wrong in my life. 

• Ron English won the MAC coach of the year and is being considered for some BCS schools head coach openings.

• RR let SI follow him on his first 48 hours on the job with Arizona.  It is clear he learned from his Michigan first press conference mess up and got the proper "schooling" from school officials and coaching.  What I think is strange is, I haven't heard that RR has hired any assistant coaches yet.  By the time hea lot hit Ann Arbor he had  of his staff already with him.  The story talks about Barwis joining him in AZ, but I am also hearing he might not go and loves Michigan and his new venture.

• The BIG Championship game is on Fox this weekend (because Fox owns 50% of the BTN) but ESPN now has the BCS games.  Here are the announcing crews for Sugar and Citrus:  Sugar Bowl :Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe. The Citrus is Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore and Quint Kessenich.

Michigan Tuesday: Ohio State Visitor Update

As expected, this is one of the most anticipated weekend's for potential recruits to make it to Ann Arbor.  We all know it's the best Rivalry in college sports and so do the recruits.  They want to be there to see what this game is really about.  

Top 2012 Guys Visiting

• Brionte Dunn, RB
• Josh Garnett, OL
• Amara Darboh, WR
• Jehu Chesson, WR
• Dan Gibbs, OL (In state 6'7 320 pound OL with only a couple of MAC offers - guessing he is a walk on candidate.  Talk about upside!)

There should be 14-15 commits there as well (including Pipkins, Houma, Magnuson and Standifer).  Kyle Kalis is not expected to make it due to a trip with his family. The Cass Tech kids have a playoff game.   There should be over 20 2013 recruits at the game as well. 

• RR to AZ:  By know this is old news, so I wanted to give you my take on hire of RR.  I think this is a good fit for Rich Rod.  Arizona is a basketball school and football is an after thought.  Their last coach was Bob Stoops brother (friend of RR btw) who was defensive minded.   Of course they now go in the complete opposite direction and hire an offense minded coach.  My random thoughts on the hire:

- I wonder is the AZ AD read 3 and Out.  If he didn't he should have.  It gets you into the mind of RR and his style of coaching.  Even though many of readers felt the book came off in support of RR, I thought it showed some lack of overall communication and leadership skills.  I would have read the book before signing him to a multi-million dollar contract.

- I hope he does well in AZ, he will have a lot of rope to succeeded.  Much more then in did in A2.

- Hire a good defense coordinator, no matter the cost.   RR clearly doesn't want to coach defense or can't coach defense.  If Casteel is the answer, pay him the extra $10K a year and bring him as well.

- Mike Barwis in the desert is a no brainer.  That is one big Barwis Beach. 

- Recruiting could be an issue.  Right now they have the 57th rated 2012 class by Scouts.   AZ is known for poor facilities and RR doesn't recruit out West very well.   He is more of a Florida guy. 

-The PAC 12 is known for explosives offenses and not very good defenses.  How about an Oregon - AZ match up in a couple of years?  It will be like those WAC games back in the day when each team was scoring in the 80's. 

-RR to AZ was like the 10+ story on Sportscenter last night.  Every miss step at Michigan was like story #2.  Welcome to the coaching witness protection program at a basketball school.

- Good Luck RR!

•  I hope you got to see the Michigan - Memphis game on TV yesterday afternoon.  John Beilein took that young Memphis coach to school.   I had always heard stories about John coaching the other coach out of the gym.   This game was a clear example of that.   Michigan won't have that advantage when they play Duke tonight. 

• Michigan is a -7.5 favorite on Saturday.

• Seems Urban Meyer to OSU is now a forgone conclusion.  My take is, so what?  If he wants to sign up up for a couple years of probation, loss of scholarships and other NCAA penalties, be my guest.  I want OSU to be strong when Michigan is strong.  It's good for the rivalry and the Big Ten.   Michigan will still be able to get kids out of Ohio and will continue to play good football.   I sure wouldn't have left Florida for OSU and their problems that is for sure.  I guess that's what happens when you have Earl Bruce as one of your mentors.   It couldn't be any different that facing Tressel.  Let's hope Meyer plays by the rules and doesn't have similar "loose" policies that Tressel did.    Don't be fooled that this is leaking out during Michigan week.  It reminds me when they fired Earl Bruce the week before the Michigan game.  That is ironic isn't it?   Nice try on the PR move. 

This Could Be the Best Week Ever!

Example #1:  Ann Arbor in the rear view mirror

Example #2:  Michigan 73 Memphis 61

Example #3: Cy Young and MVP

Example #4: Short work week, good food and nothing but football

Example #5 on Saturday

Arizona Basketball = Michigan Football

What happens when your a major program in your sport and your head man retires? You have to go out and find a replacement that will make a big splash with alumni, boosters, and fans.

Michigan Football had that same situation 2 years ago. The "man" that wanted the job and was a "Michigan Man" was in the middle of a National Championship run with another team. He couldn't leave his golden egg for his dream job. That left Michigan with a National Coaching Search that took many twist and turns before Rich Rodriguez surfaced as Michigan's next coach.

Arizona Basketball is experiencing something similar. Now I'm not comparing The Arizona Basketball Program to the most winnest program in College Football history, what I am comparing is the coaching search and need to find the right fit with the right name.

Arizona has known for about 5 months that Lute Olson was hanging it up for good. They went through an embarrassing situation with their "interim" coaches and now are having trouble finding the right fit to lead the program. This from a team that "most" thought shouldn't make it to the NCAA Tournament but ended up playing very well and making it to the Sweet 16. This is a good basketball team at a basketball school!

Arizona first offered the job to Tim Floyd, who turned it down to stay at USC. Now, just this morning, Xavier's head coach Sean Miller has turned down Arizona's latest offer. These jobs are not just about the "program" any longer.

Remember the painful searches, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Kentucky Basketball (2 years ago) had. Coaches can stay in the Atlantic 10, Big East for Football, or USA Conference and win a ton of games, get paid and have job security for years to come. Kentucky understood that when they let Billy Gillispie go and broke the bank to get John Calipari to come on board and he still had to think about it for two days. If UK offered a 10% raise to Calipari he would still be at Memphis recruiting the top class in the nation.

The lesson here is the pressure of the big programs better come with huge dollars or it's not worth it. Who wants to be Charlie Weis right now? Nobody. The only thing that gets him to sleep at night is the stack of $100 in his mattress.

If your a big time program in your sport and you need a "named" head coach, you better think about doubling someones salary, because the risk of running a big time program isn't worth the reward anymore. Or you could always look at the D1a or D2 schools and find a diamond in the rough like Jim Tressel. Could you imagine Ohio State Football hiring a D1a coach these days? It would never happen.

As Michigan fans, we could never fathom the head coach of Rutgers turning down the chance to lead the Maize and Blue. I'm sure Arizona fans are thinking today, "How could the Xavier coach turn down a chance to coach the Wildcats?"

Everyone has a price and if you don't bring your check book don't bother calling these named coaches.

NEVERMIND: It seems Miller has changed his mind when Arizona added a few zero's to his offer. They can send the 10% consulting fee to the Big House Blog! :-)