Michigan Friday: A Big Day For Wolverine Sneakerheads

Nike and the Jordan Brand are dropping two new Michigan basketball shoes today at 10:00.   They will be available at MDen and probably online at Nike.com.  


It's rare for Jordan to drop two Michigan shoes on the same day, but they are hoping that March Madness will open your wallet.  It's a little taste of the new and a little taste of the old.    We will take a look at both shoes in todays post. 





These shoes are the newest in the Jordan line.  It's Russell Westbrook's first signature basketball shoes (he has done a few lifestyle shoes for Jordan) called the Why Not Zer0.1.  The first Why Not's sold out quickly, but the second and the third releases around the All Star Game are still available.  


I believe I saw Charles Matthews wearing these this past weekend in NYC as the Wolverines ran the table.   As you can see there are no laces on these and very lightweight.  Retail is $125







These are the Michigan edition Jordan 32's low.  If you ask regular sneakerhead's they would've preferred a release in a much lower Jordan version number.  We didn't get that and today we have the 32's.  Which seems to be a trend as the last Michigan Shoe was the Jordan 31's.  This isn't your fathers Jordan's and crafted for today's marketplace with the flyknit uppers and leather heel panel.   Retail is $160. Update: Sold out at MDen - still available at Nike.com

• Looks like David Brandon will be looking for another gig as Toys-R-Us isn't going to make it out of bankruptcy and are starting the liquidation process.   Another major retailer dying as our shopping habits continue to change. 

• Coach B will being running a full game inter squad scrimmage today with officials to keep his team sharp during the break.

• ESPN recently removed Jemele Hill from Sports Center and this morning it was announced today will be Michael Smith's last day on the show as well.  Both still remain under contract with ESPN.

Breaking News: Brandon to Resign at 1:30 Today

New job?

Well folks, there could be some news on the horizon.   The rumor mill and now the media is starting to confirm there is an expected 1:30 press conference regarding Michigan's Athletic Director.

Angelique is saying it's at 1:30.  Message boards are buzzing, I will update when I get more.

The latest is David Brandon is expected to resign in a matter of hours.   That he wasn't making it past the bye week anyway.  The nasty response via email was the final straw. 

ESPN is reporting he is resigning this afternoon.

Mgoblue.com has not announced a Press Conference or link yet.  Will share when I find it. 

Fox 2 Detroit is covering it:  http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/27175341/espn-michigan-athletic-director-dave-brandon-to-resign


New Update:  James Hackett, who played for Bo and was CEO at Steelcase, will be the interim AD. 

Everything reported is correct!  Brandon is out on Halloween.  He spoke President Mark Schlissel about it on Wednesday.  The search for the new AD will start immediately.

Michigan Thursday: Brandon Losing Support From Everyone

The lack of support is now astonishing for David Brandon.  We know about the students and big donors demanding change.   Now DB has lost the alumni association:

"The athletic department procedures have emptied the cupboard of alumni support over the last several years and it will take a significant change within the department to bolster the level of support and fervor that existed then."

We have known for awhile that the former players were not happy on how they have been treated at games, etc.  Here is another example from Homecoming this weekend from Steve Strinko, the starting LB on the 1974 team that is being honored this weekend:

Our 1974 Football team is being honored at Homecoming and we did get 1 complimentary ticket, however, I am bringing the allotted three guests at a cost of $75 per ticket. Seem crazy to pay $225 for my family to join me at this event. Oh well, the state of Michigan Athletics, or at least football.

• Brandon's email responses have made ESPN and now the Detroit News.
• 2000 Fire David Brandon T-Shirts will be worn by students on Saturday.

If there is anyone still in Brandon's corner, please stand up.  David sit down. 

He is not reading blogs but getting major awards.  He also better starting listening to advice, because if he doesn't resign soon, it will not end well for him.  

The WOTS is this is going to happen and it's only a matter of time.  Tell that to recruits. 

The last time I wished the season would just end was Year 1 of RR.  This is much worse. 

On a side note:  Tom Brady is still an elite QB in the NFL!

Wolverine Wednesday: More like Canham Less Like Jerry Jones

I think everyone agrees that David Brandon is going to get his walking papers.  The only person that probably doesn't understand that is David himself.   If he did, he would man up and resign.   The rumor is, he thinks this is just a political thing that will die down after the elections.   If this is truly the case, then he is one confused AD.  Per Sam Webb:

“(Schlissel) has been told that not another penny will be given until this is resolved,” a source told GoBlueWolverine on the condition of anonymity.

Exactly how many donors have delivered that message is unclear, but any impact outside of athletics will clearly be magnified.  Especially since Michigan is in the midst of its “Victors for Michigan campaign” to raise 4 billion dollars to finance "student support, engaged learning, and bold ideas.”

You add the recent WSJ article that Ross will stand down on Brandon's firing, means there is only one decision to be made.   Most are expecting something in November.

Michigan needs a AD more like Don Canham and less like Jerry Jones. 

More of this:



Don had some swag back in the day!  My grandfather always said he was a good man and even owned his own island.  Wikipedia could not confirm the island part.   But did have this interesting fact:

One of Canham's first priorities upon being named athletic director was to address the dwindling attendance at Michigan home football games, which by 1967 had declined to an average of 67,000 fans per game. Canham's good friend, Notre Dame athletic director Moose Krause, knew a sure-fire way to fill Michigan Stadium — by playing Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish and the Wolverines had not met on the gridiron since 1943 when Fritz Crisler, Michigan's then football coach and athletic director until 1968 when Canham succeeded him, became so incensed at the intensity of Notre Dame's Frank Leahy that he never scheduled Notre Dame again. Canham and Krause worked out an agreement to renew the series, which resumed in 1978 and ended in 2014.

Interesting to see how history has repeated itself.  Don also had a PR theory of never making a one day story a two day story.  Michigan has broken this rule like 5 times this year alone.  Canham was also known as an aggressive marketer but had Bo and a winning football program.  

Many think BC's Brad Bates will be offered the job, when Brandon is removed.   I am a fan of all the candidates that were mentioned.  They all understand how to run an athletic department and not a real estate firm or pizza delivery franchise.    Jeff Long was on TV last night as the playoff committed announced it's first standings. 

Last point:  DB was called out by Mgoblog on his treatment of fans over email, here is his response:

"I don't read blogs so I think it's nonsense," Brandon told MLive, while exiting the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Recognition Dinner at Zingerman's Cornman Farms on Tuesday night.
 
"I'm here to get an award tonight, so I appreciate you showing up, but that's not why I'm here," added Brandon, who alongside a handful of staff members represented the U-M athletic department as recipients of an award recognizing the department for its key roles in tourism and its impact on Ann Arbor's economy.

He probably should read blogs, since he writes a blog on Mgoblue.com.

It's time for history to repeat itself and the first step is removing the pizza guy.

• Side note:  Tennessee's boards blew up yesterday as a rumor that Michigan contacted Butch Jones.  My thought, ok but after the brothers and Les have turned down the job.  Butch being from the RR coaching tree probably won't help even though he was born in Michigan.

Butch Jones via @GoVols247: "I may have been born in Michigan, but I am from Tennessee. When you're a Vol you're a Vol For Life"

Michigan Tuesday: The Road To Getting Brandon Removed Seems To Be Clear

As I wrote a couple weeks ago, Stephen Ross seemed to be David Brandon's most important supporter.  Ross is Michigan's top donor with hundred of millions donated to the University and Athletic Department.   Ross has gone on record as saying: "He's probably the most qualified athletic director in the country,” Ross told Crain’s Detroit Business.  “I think he's terrific.”  just a few weeks ago.

Now Ross has spoken to Michigan's President and The Wall Street Journal and will stand down:

On Monday, Ross said that he still thinks Brandon can do the job. But he also has promised school president Mark Schlissel that he won’t interfere or oppose a decision to fire Brandon.

“I don’t think alumni should control universities,” Ross said. “We have a great president and he is running the university and not me.”

Ross said Schlissel has “been talking to a lot of people” about Brandon and “has not come to a hasty conclusion.” If he has made a decision, Ross said, “he has not told anyone.”


Here is what I take from that discussion.

1) Schlissel doesn't have to convince Ross to keep Brandon.
2) Schlissel is making sure he does he due diligence before he lets Brandon go.

These are good things as long as he fires Brandon in the next 6 weeks or so. 

• Garrett Taylor de-committed yesterday, that wasn't a surprise.
• Wojo is now fed up with Brady Hoke, welcome aboard! 
• Alabama boosters pay off Saban's home.  It really is hard to get financing now, as Nick pulls in about $7M a year.

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.

Michigan Tuesday: Coach Speak

Hoke spoke yesterday and didn't say anything:

Yesterday you said you practice in pads with contact? Did Jabrill participate in that full-speed?
“You know, we had a good practice.”

So yes? No? Nothing?

“We had a good practice.”

What about-

“Good practice. He practiced well, too.”

 

Coach Nuss:

 

When you were at Michigan State what was it like?

“Any time you play in a game, whether it be an in-state rivalry game or a conference rivalry game and some of them are out-of-conference rivalry games, the important thing is the focus on the game itself and you can get caught up and lost in the things that surround the game. Any time you’re on either side it’s about the players preparing. It’s about preparing them the best you possibly can and giving them the opportunity to be in the right situations to play well.”

 

Can you talk a little about what it’s like working with Devin Gardner in preparation? Not just how he plays football, but what kind of kid he is and the work ethic you feel you get from him week in and week out.

“I’ve said it all year long, Devin’s preparation has been outstanding and week in and week out he’s done the extra things to prepare himself to play well. Very, very intelligent guy. Really has spent extra time studying the game, and I think it’s important to him not only to understand what we’re trying to do but to understand what the defense is trying to do to take it away. Like I said all year, been very, very pleased with the way he’s prepared week in and week out.”

• These are the points Michigan has scored against MSU the past 10 years: 45-34-31-28-21-20-17-14-12-6.    At least we did well against MSU when Saban was their head coach

I wish Michigan would solve their AD situation because Michigan will be competing with Florida for a head coach starting in December.   Florida's AD Foley just released this familiar statement:

"At the beginning of the season we said we would evaluate the season as it plays out," Foley said. "We will continue to do so. Our sole focus right now is supporting our coaching staff and players as they prepare for Georgia".

The difference between Florida and Michigan's situation?  Florida has an AD that is not on thin ice and can make a quick decision after the year.  I am going to tell you right now, the longer the Brandon situation plays out, the worse it is for Michigan.   I wonder if Foley will try to re-hire Urban Meyer?  I'm sure he is well rested from his health related retirement and ready to get back to coaching again.

It would sort of be funny/ironic if both programs can find a way to 6 wins and play each other in the Gator Bowl.

Michigan Monday: It's State Week and I Wonder Out Loud Again

It's Michigan State week and I still have a hard time that Michigan continues to look up at both of it's biggest rivals MSU and OSU.  It's a terrible feeling isn't it? 

One of my strongest indicators on how good a coach is doing, is if their team gets better during the year.  It really applies to all types of coaches.  How many of you have taken a little league baseball team with a bunch of kids that didn't know how to throw, catch or hit and win baseball games by the end of the year?   That is what I'm talking about, kids getting better each practice and each game. 

We have seen it this year with Ohio State and Michigan State after early losses.   We saw it last year with Michigan State with a poor offense and an early season loss to ND.  They got better game by game, won the Big 10 and a Rose Bowl. 

Brady Hoke took it's inherited team to a Sugar Bowl and it's been down hill after that.   His teams the last two years have been getting worse during the year and not better.   OSU lost their best player on their team in the pre-season, took a early bad loss to VT and now is blowing out Rutgers.    Dantonio and Meyer are not perfect coaches and I feel the same way you do about them both.   The bottom line is they can coach football and their teams get better during the year, our Wolverines don't.   MSU and OSU will be playing for who might have a chance to represent the Big Ten in the playoffs, Michigan hopes to be bowl eligible.  

That is why Hoke will need a relator in about 6 weeks.   He is a good guy, but the only thing he is developing is a bunch of bad seasons.   I think they should keep him on staff as the defensive line coach, until a MAC team has an opening.

If you want inspiration on how a team can go from terrible to good in one year, look at Auburn.  We just need a "Gus Malzahn" type of hire.   I have confidence that a Harbaugh could take this team to 10+ wins next year.   After "the brothers" it seems like slim pickings.   Maybe Texas AM will want to get rid of Kevin Sumlin after that performance this weekend against Bama?  :)

This week also makes me angry that Michigan has to make two consecutives trips to East Lansing.  That would have never happened against OSU and it should never happen against MSU either.   This is on Brandon and allowing the Big Ten to do that.   A compromise would have been playing at Ford Field and letting Sparty get most of the revenue.   Just another log on the Brandon Fire.   

• Sparty is favored by more then two touchdowns this weekend 15.5 points.

• Denard Robinson everybody:  127 yards on 22 attempts and a TD against a team from Ohio!

Michigan Friday: Regents Talk - A Brandon Removal Not Immediate

So the Regents got together for their regular meeting in Flint yesterday afternoon and a lot of talking happened:

Schlissel opened the meeting with a six-minute address outlining the department's struggles in recent weeks, his disappointment with the way the Shane Morris injury situation was handled from a communication standpoint and the general appearance of a disconnect between the department and the school's athletic community.

Regent Mark Bernstein:  “The Shane Morris incident, the poor performance of the football team, that’s like a spark in a very, very dry forest. And there’s not a lot of water around right now," Bernstein said. "I think the actions of the athletic department, I believe (some) generally agree, have drained whatever reservoir of goodwill there is with Michigan football in particular. So it makes navigating this issue far more difficult. He would not comment if he supported DB or not.

Regent Andrea Newman: “He has my support,” Newman said. “(But) I would like better communication. I would’ve like to have seen statements come out earlier. But there are reasons for all of those things, why they’re delayed, what happened, how the conversations take place.
“And that was a general fault for the university. We’re the board, it’s our job to review these things with the president, work with the administrators and work with the university.”

Student Body President Bobby Dishell:  Dishell explained that, per the survey, only 10 percent of students currently holding football season tickets would renew them next season unless the price is dropped. He also explained that he and Brandon have an agreement that the price of a student season ticket will come down next season.

So it seems removing Brandon is not going to happen quickly and he is clearly on the offense:  He has met with Dishell and has lowered student season tickets next year.  There was also a letter support that had been floating around that was signed by all the varsity coaches.   The word on the street is he will not resign, which actually surprises me.   With the entire fire storm, I'm not sure how he see's himself coming out of this still in his job or with a any reputation at all. 

You cannot make decisions like this in a rash way. And it can be frustrating, when people are pounding for something immediate," Bernstein said. "But the qualities of our president, that’s not in his constitution. He’s a methodical, thoughtful person. His decision-making process will be like that and we’ll honor that.

“And so, for that reason, I think that this is a circumstance that requires some patience, but also a degree of urgency. John Wooden used to say that you should play quickly but don’t rush, right? Clearly this is the kind of thing that needs resolution, but it’s not the type of thing that serves anybody well to just come out immediately with a decision that may not be supportable.”

Welcome to Ann Arbor President Schlissel, the ball is in your court sir.




Enjoy the bye weekend everyone!

Michigan Thursday: Is Ross Support Enough?

The Regents are meeting today in Flint to discuss U of M issues including David Brandon as the AD.  

“The reaction has been very very strong,”Illitch said. “I’ve received hundreds of letters and I know my fellow regents have as well.”

Some insiders expect this to be a political issues and when I say political I don't mean internal U of M politics, I mean Republican vs. Democrats.  There are 8 total regents, I believe the way the parties breakdown are 2 Republicans and 6 Democrats.   It sounds like the Democrats want him out and would win that vote 6-2. 

President Schlissel has also been meeting with the big Michigan donors including Billionaire Stephen Ross, who you might remember as the guy with his name on the business school and a donor that has given the University of $300 Million.   He is also the owner of the Miami Dolphins.

Ross has supported Brandon during this: 

"He's probably the most qualified athletic director in the country,” Ross told Crain’s Detroit Business.  “I think he's terrific.”

“I wouldn't have given my gift to the athletic department if I didn't believe in Dave.”
"You don't go around giving $100 million if you don't feel there is going to be bang for the buck."

Later he spoke to the WSJ:

"If they were winning football games, this wouldn't be a problem," Ross told the Journal. "He is as qualified to be an athletic director as anyone could be."

President Schlissel has been very careful about this words when meeting with the donors, he has not backed Brandon nor has he said a change has to be made.  The meeting today should go a long way of understanding what the next steps should be.

First off, firing Brandon is not just about "concussion-gate"  its about everything he has done as the AD of Michigan.   I don't have to give you a list of failures or how he has disrespected fans, students and staff, we know it all to well.    If David Brandon is fired in the next weeks or months, he has earned that firing.   A monkey could have been in his role and grew revenue for the athletic department.   That BTN check can hide a lot of dysfunction and poor decisions. 

Can Ross support save him?  $300 Million gives you a voice, it sure as hell does.   I just don't think he has enough support in other areas like former players, staff, students, season ticket holders and high profile alumni.   I expect Brandon to receive a "No support" from the Regents today and that he could be removed from role in the next few weeks.   I don't believe he will be fired today or even this weekend. 

If Michigan has really reached out to other candidates (as they should be doing) there is enough smoke here for a Brandon fire.


Update:  Heard DaveBrandon won't resign but there'll be some push when #Michigan board meets today to make recommendation to UM prez that he be fired
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) October 16, 2014
---------

• Did anyone notice how Hoke spoke about Gardner's broken foot/toe earlier in the week from last years OSU game.  So coach, you lied about the turf toe?  I'm shocked.

• Hoke expects Gardner and Willie Henry to play against MSU.

• Good News:  Kyle Bosch will re-join the team in January after taking some time off from the team to deal with some personal issues.   He played one snap in App. State game but I expect he will receive a full redshirt this season.

• George Clinton tweeted Dennis Norfleet on his Atomic Dog dance!  Nicely done Fleet!

Breaking News: Regents To Meet - Will Discuss Brandon

ESPN is reporting that the Regents will meet on Thursday and will discuss David Brandon:

"The systems failed, and there are a lot of issues we have to review," Ilitch told WWJ CBS-TV in Detroit.

The Regents don't have the power to fire Brandon but a "remove from role" recommendation will go a long way in Michigan president Mark S. Schlissel final decision.

ESPN is also reporting this from the story:

Sources told ESPN's Brett McMurphy that someone on Michigan's behalf has contacted three possible candidates to replace Brandon to gauge their interest in the job.

Best guess on who was contacted: UConn AD Warde Manuel, Boston College AD Brad Bates and Arkansas AD Jeff Long.  All have ties to Michigan's program and all have experience running an athletic department.

New Job?

Michigan Friday: Does Rutgers Preview and a Lot of Other Stuff

Let's address the "other stuff" first:

• If you want to understand what Jim Harbaugh is about read this detailed article on ESPN.com about him.  Very interesting and really the reason why he is a much better fit in college then with "grown men" who are millionaires in the NFL.   In college, you can live with this for 4 years and it probably will make you a better person, in the NFL it will grow old very fast.   It seems Jim has a ton of Bo in him and another reason why he is a good fit in Ann Arbor.   There are plenty of good coaches that are not a good fit in the NFL.  Good examples are Bo, Saban, Spurrier, and so on.  Jim is known for turning around programs and were in the need of his services.    Michigan should follow Alabama's example when they plucked Saban from the Dolphins. 

• David Brandon did a bunch of interviews yesterday and said what I pretty much thought he would.  He is learning from what happened last weekend, he never thought about resigning, he prefers to evaluate coaches after the season, he learned from the mistakes he has made with the student tickets, and so on.  He is clearly not worried about this job and was "sad" that so many people want him out.   I'm sad that this program continues to decline under his leadership.   Quick memo to him: stop being so cocky and blind and fix things or get the hell out.   If your a true leader, you have a plan for this.  If you don't have a plan (because it sure has hell doesn't look like it) just resign and save us all the trouble of having to get you fired.   His interviews came off like pretty much everything he does, insulting the intelligence of his fan base.

• The logistics problem:  Michigan has a new president in Mark Schlissel and he is 100% all academics and zero athletics.   He was hired from Brown, which obviously doesn't have major college athletics.   I'm willing to bet dollar to donuts, he doesn't understand things like recruiting timelines, NFL hiring windows, why Hoke and Bradon should be fired, who Jim Harbaugh is, and so on.   It's very important to have the proper timing in all of this and I'm pretty sure he doesn't understand any of it.  He is a really smart guy, so lets hope he figures it out fast.   Desmond needs to get on the horn with him ASAP. 

• Anyone see that RR beat #2 Oregon again last night?  Salt find wound.

--------------------------------------

Preview Rutgers

Time: 7:00 EST
Location: High Point Solutions Stadium
Weather:  70/42 80% rain
TV: BTN
Line: Rutgers -2

My previews are going to very short for the rest of the year unless we see an un-precedented turn around.

Remember when we thought Michigan had a pretty easy schedule?   Right.

Devin Gardner will play and is obviously the choice since the other candidates are ripping a redshirt off a true freshman or the "where the hell is my helmet?" Bellomy.   I would assume the Michigan coaches are smart enough not to play a mildly concussed, high ankled sprained sophomore QB.   The only time Michigan can score on offense is if the other team lets them run for like 7 yards per carry.   Any DC worth it's salt will keep everyone in the box to stop the run.  

DG does bring the scramble which alone got Michigan into a bowl game last year.   My advice at this point is to go "Denard" offense and try to run Rutgers out of the building.    This game will be another indication if "operation shutdown" is in effect.   There is a high probability it is.  
It's hard to sell this team is still together and buying the vision.  

The OL line has to be much better, DG has to play with confidence, and our RB's have to run pissed off.   If that happens, Michigan has a chance. Michigan's D will keep the team in the game for 3 quarters, if Michigan can score a couple points.    Of course, Michigan has yet to play well on the road in what seems like years.

Anyone else feel sick that it's week 6 and were already talking about next year with a new head coach?  

Watch at your own discretion.

Rutgers 28 Michigan 9

Wolverine Wednesday: The 10 Ten Reasons Both Should Go

Non-Michigan fans are saying Fire Brady Hoke because of "concussion-gate".   What they don't realize is there is plenty of reasons to fire him and concussion-gate is just another example.  

Top 10 reasons to fire Brady Hoke

10. Looks like he doesn't do anything on the sideline during a game
9. Darryl Funk
8. Concussion gate
7. Al Borges
6. He lies, examples include Gardner's turf toe and Gibbons "family matter"
5. Prior head coaching experience only at Ball State and SDSU
4. Failure to develop a  talented roster full of 4 & 5 star players
3. His football philosophy is 1970 not 2014
2. Handling of Brandon Gibbons situation
1. Outside of year 1 his Michigan teams have been terrible

Top 10 reasons to fire David Brandon

10.Selling home games to Dallas
9. App State reschedule
8. Only considering "Michigan Men" when hiring Brady Hoke (he coached the defensive line here)
7. Selling coaches titles to donors
6. Waiting until January to fire RR - which lost out on Harbaugh
5. Alienating former players and alumni
4. Alienating season ticket holders
3. Alienating Students
2. Brandon Gibbons situation
1. He thinks he is bigger then the program

When I thought about writing this post, I thought it would be difficult finding 10 reasons for each individual to be fired.   I actually had to cut some.  

Michigan needs to find a way to get out of the headlines.  It just keeps getting worse and worse.  With every loss this story will continue to live.  Remember Texas last year?, it never stopped until they fired Mac Brown.   The media really isn't that interested in a coaching search but they will continue to beat a dead horse until that person is fired. 

I keep waiting for a shoe to drop and there probably isn't anything that will happen until late November.

Michigan Tuesday: Michigan Can't Stop Making News

Brandon finally released a statement at 1:00 AM Tuesday morning.   It's long but here is the most important paragraph:


In my judgment, there was a serious lack of communication that led to confusion on the sideline. Unfortunately, this confusion created a circumstance that was not in the best interest of one of our student-athletes. I sincerely apologize for the mistakes that were made. We have to learn from this situation, and moving forward, we will make important changes so we can fully live up to our shared goal of putting student-athlete safety first.


Brady Hoke also was not informed of the concussion before his press conference on Monday.    Nice work guys.   Are you both trying to get fired?  Why release this at 1:00AM?


All that's left here is if David Brandon fires Brady Hoke now or at the end of the season.  If he waits, he might not get to fire Brady because he will probably be on the street as well.


When Michigan continues to show up on ABC News for bad things, somebody has to pay with their job.


Buckle up, because recruiting is going to get bad as the season moves forward.  Michigan will probably lose about 50% of it's recruiting class. 

• Four-star NC DE Darian Roseboro is already gone.  He just committed a couple weeks ago.
• TE Chris Clark and CB Garrett Taylor have one foot out the door.  You might remember that Taylor just tore his ACL a few weeks ago.

The upside is this is a small class and the new coach if hired quickly (after the season), will be able to rebuild it.   It's not like there is going to be all bowl game practices. 


Also this hit the internet yesterday as well:

A source has informed CoachingSearch.com that Michigan has gauged the interest of UConn director of athletics Warde Manuel and Boston College athletic director Brad Bates about their interest in the same position at Michigan.   - Pete Roussel, Senior Coaching Insider


These are expected to be the two top candidates to replace David Brandon.  John U Bacon responded quickly that his sources say this isn't true.   Here is my take.  I think there might be some truth to this report.   Pete is well known and would not report a lie or make up a report.  Michigan has a new president in Mark S. Schlissel and I'm pretty sure that most people don't know what he thinks of this situation.  I would also argue that John U's sources might not be that tied into Mark's team.


If your wondering what Hoke's buyout is:  $2M after the season.  He is making 2.3M in salary this season.   I would assume if they pulled the trigger right away it would cost the $2M and the rest of this 2014 salary, which should equal about $3M.   Hoke's contract runs through the end of 2016.


As a point of reference, Charlie Weiss will be owed $7M from Kansas and ND is still paying him which will equal $20M when it's said and done.  So Michigan should feel lucky with the 2 or 3M.

• The famous Michigan "Brady" Tom Brady and his Patriots played poorly on MNF last night as they got blown out by KC.    Not a good week for Michigan Brady's. 

Michigan Friday: Are Former Players Targeting Brandon?

Greg Henson from WDFN is reporting that 450 former players are asking the regents to remove David Brandon as Michigan athletic director.   He said he has sources who are former Michigan Football Players that are leading this effort. 


They have a list of how Brandon has failed in his job.   Maybe the most damning thing is that both Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles wanted the Michigan job and Brandon didn't offer the job to either coach.  That he was worried about both being too high profile.  I can see why he didn't offer Les Miles (age and A2 baggage) and picked Brady Hoke over him.   Not sure I agree with it but I do understand. 


If Jim Harbaugh wanted to come to Michigan and he either low balled him or didn't offer him the job, he shouldn't be removed right now.  That is complete incompetence. 


I don't know if this report is true or not, but it's really time to clean house at Michigan.   David Brandon is a complete disaster and has alienated everyone (former players, alumni, and season ticket holders).   Many people are reporting that a top tier head coach will not come here unless David is removed as AD.  Other coaches can't believe he watches tape with the Michigan coaches.  


Here is John U. Bacon's take of Brandon marketing tactics, ticket give-a-ways and gouging of season ticket holders.


When will all this stuff start affecting recruiting?  Now, Darian Roseboro a Michigan commit is on an official visit to NC State.  Can't blame the kid.


Wojo copes with humor..............


I have no idea when this nightmare is going to end.

Michigan Tuesday: Please Stop

This must what football hell feels like.   Michigan can't execute on the field or off.    Please see below: 





This photo was taken at the Michigan Student Union by a student and posted on the Mgoblog message board.   That's right folks it has gotten so bad that you can buy two cokes and get two Michigan football tickets for free. 


This story is all over ESPN and ESPN radio.  Michigan Football and Coke are saying there was some miss-communication in the promotion.    Which means nobody thought this "little promotion" would ever make it so public. 


So in a matter of days, Brady Hoke has managed to end his Michigan Football career and now David Brandon has joined him on the sinking ship.   The incompetence is running at epic levels right now. 

• Greg Henson from WTKA has sources that Brandon will be removed before a head coach is hired.  That Brandon has lost all support from the Regents, Alumni and former players and that the top coaches will not work for him.

Hoke Speak:

• Big Ten Championship has always been the goal.  
• The starting QB could be announced on Wednesday

Please Stop

Michigan Monday: How To Bring Down A Major College Football Program

One of the thoughts that keeps going through my mind is:  How in the hell did we get here?  I had a discussion with a friend of mine this weekend on how many teams in the Big Ten are worse then Michigan?  Indiana just beat a ranked SEC team on the road and Purdue scored two touchdowns against ND.   How the hell did we get here guys?  


Let's take a look at the steps of failure:


Step 1:  As the #5 ranked team in the nation, Michigan loses to D1A Appalachian State.   Lloyd Carr tried to retire the year before and "Sailboat" Bill talks him out of it.   Lloyd knows he had a talented team and stayed one more year.  The team wasn't prepared and lost the game. 


Step 2: Lloyd retires after the loss to Ohio State.  Sailboat Bill has no plan in place to replace Lloyd who he knew for at least a year was close to retirement.  If you want to point to the largest mistake made, this might be it right here.


Step 3: ESPN reports the Les Miles will be the next Michigan coach.   Instead of making the most important decision for the future of the program.  Sailboat Bill takes a long vacation in Florida and turns his cell phone off.   Another terrible decision and clearly a lack of leadership.


Step 4:  Sailboat Bill thinks he has turned "lemons into lemonade" when he hires a 'hot" coach in Rich Rodriguez from WVU.  RR had recently turned down Alabama and now is Michigan's new head coach.


Step 5:  Instead of fitting into to Michigan, RR tries to fit Michigan into his system.   That didn't work.   He is known for taking 3 star guys and making them D1 players.   That didn't work.   He wasn't ready for a job like Michigan and that was clear after his third year. 


Step 6:  Sailboat Bill has already done enough damage to the program and sails away.   Michigan hires Domino's Pizza CEO David Brandon to become the next Michigan AD.   I question why a guy making millions would want to take a job making $250K but he is a former Michigan football player and might want to do the right thing.  He walks into a NCAA Infractions penalty for stretching before practice.  Michigan gets a slap on the wrist and a lot of noise really becomes not much of anything. 


Step 7:  After year 3 of the RR experiment, it becomes very clear that RR is going to be fired after the Ohio State game.  Instead of firing him in November, Brandon decides that the team deserves to go to the Gator Bowl as a team.   Jim Harbaugh is considered one of the top coaches in the country and could be ready to jump at a new job.   Stanford plays great in a bowl game and Jim blows up.  Michigan gets embarrassed in it's bowl game and RR is clearly fired.   Another Michigan AD misses another window to get a high profile coach.   Jim goes to the 49'ers.


Step 8:  Brandon is not going to make the same mistake Sailboat Bill did and makes being a Michigan man a real important requirement of the job.   He hires Brady Hoke who has MAC and Mountain West experience.   Brady has a nice first year with a win over an OSU team coming off of a major NCAA investigation and a win in the Sugar Bowl.  Brandon points to winning red letter games on the schedule against the likes of OSU, MSU and ND.


Step 9: Hoke struggles after his second year, mostly due to an offensive coordinator that really doesn't understand how to leverage the skills of Denard Robinson or the next QB Devin Gardner. 


Step 10:  Hoke fires his OC and brings in a highly regarded one from Alabama.   This seems like a positive move, but the concern for the running game and offensive line still remain.  


Step 11:  Hoke's team gets embarrassed on national TV at Notre Dame and in a home game to Utah.  He sits here a 2-2 and his offense can't score even against fair defensive units.   Has a terrible red letter game record.


Step 12:  Hoke's seat isn't hot - its on fire.  The next move sits with Brandon if he still has a job.




This is ugly folks, there isn't anyway to sugarcoat it.   Our beloved program has hit bottom and needs strong leadership to get it back where it needs to be.   Brady Hoke is not John Beilien, and I don't believe he is the right coach to turn around this program. 


You want advice on who or what to root for this season?  Root for any team playing the San Francisco 49'ers.   The only way Jim comes here is if he gets fired from the 49'ers.     At this point, I will take any coach with the last name Harbaugh, even Jack. 

Michigan Tuesday: Coaching Scared

When Brady Hoke took the Michigan job he spoke about injuries as boo boos and went for it on 4th down.  He coached aggressively (mostly on 4th down) to move the sticks and give his offense a chance to score.   He was the Michigan head coach in year 1 and heading to a BCS Bowl.   Things were going well.

Coming off the blow out against ND and his team un-preforming against Miami of Ohio he makes this decision:

• Michigan has a 4th and one from the Miami 32 with a minute left - time out
• Team somehow gets a delay of game penalty which seemed odd as they lined up to go for it. 
• Now its 4th and 6 from the 37 with still a minute left.    Miami had scored 10 points and Michigan has turned the ball over 3 times in the quarter.  Michigan has a 7 point lead when it probably should be 21 points.   
• Michigan takes another 5 yard delay penalty on purpose
• Punts the ball out of the end zone
• Miami runs the clock out - halftime
• The Big House fans boo as both teams leave the field

After the game, Coach Hoke was asked the following:

You talked about being able to use the crowd to bounce back from last weekend. It helped early, you said, but I’m sure you heard some of the boos at halftime. What’s your level of concern with your team having to deal with that and kind of some outside…

“Well, you know what, we’ve got great fans. They’ve got high expectations like we do. As far as the players, they know that they can only control what they can control and that’s playing the best Michigan football we can.”

Coach Hoke said this earlier in the week:

"If they’re truly fans they'll believe in these kids and what they've done and the hard work that they've put in. If they’re not, they won't."

Back to the 4th down complete cluster:

Michigan needs to score here, because they have played poorly in the 2nd quarter.  They are beating one of the worst teams in D1 by 7 points.   This is not the statement they wanted to make after the ND blowout.   Miami offense has only scored off of Michigan turnovers and have no shot going 60 yards for a halftime TD.   Michigan is kicking off to start the second half and need to increase their lead to two scores.  The only decision is go for it and Brady Hoke punted.

Back to the fans booing:

Coach took a shot at the fans for booing the kids and then backed off it a little bit after the game.   I'm sure the coach realizes who the fans are booing and it's not the kids.   It's the guy that took two delay of game penalties and took at least 3 points off the board.

Bottom line:

I have a few emails from folks that Brandon has been leaning hard on Hoke lately.   I'm sure the post-ND discussion was not a positive one.   Coach Hoke is very much starting to feel the pressure of being the Michigan head coach and it's starting to wear on him physically.   It's also starting to wear on him mentally and he is starting to make poor in game decisions.    His press conferences have become a waste of time as the most new worthy items is that Wile will do more short yardage punting because Hagerup can't control his bionic leg.   What is the issue on saying Desmond Morgan is out 4-6 weeks?  He is not playing and nobody expects him on the field this Saturday. 

Coach is starting to feel the heat and he is coaching like a scared turtle that is more comfortable in his shell then out.   This is a really alarming sign for the rest of the year.   He is in some serious need of advice from a coach that has been there and done that.  If he doesn't shake this off and start playing to win, there is one sure thing that will happen - he won't. 

BTW:  The fans that were booing on Saturday were part of the smallest crowd since 1995. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Is Deep in the Heart of Texas

PT Brandon has scheduled two Michigan home games in Dallas as the AD in Michigan.   Neither games were against a team from Texas.   Now the rumor mill is spinning that Michigan and Texas are in negotiations to play a home and home.   This is what were talking about!  Two historic programs playing each other in the home stadiums.    This type of game moves the needle, I'm sure it will be a great match-up in 2042 or whenever they schedule it.   BTW it wouldn't be a great match up this year as Texas has a similar weekend as the Wolverines did when they lost 41-7 to BYU at home.   Misery loves company. 

• I thought a little ray of light out of the terrible Ray Rice situation was that Fitz might be called up from the practice squad to the regular roster.  Instead he got released by the Ravens yesterday.  

• It will be interesting to see what the Big House will look like this weekend.  Plenty of seats are available through the athletic department or ticket brokers. 

There is probably a full post here, but with all the chatter about letting Hoke go after the season, the next reasonable question is:  Who would be next?    There doesn't seem like there are ton of hires that could make the Michigan faithful happy.   It probably isn't a coordinator and the Sumlin's of the world are not going anywhere.   So who?


#1: Jim Harbaugh:  If he was hired instead of Hoke, would Michigan be in this position right now?   Don't we all agree, there is no way we would.  We might be losing games like Stanford lost to USC last weekend, but the norm would be probably 9-10 wins a year.   The time could be right time as reports are his relationships with the 49'ers seem to be strained.   He would need to be sold on turning around his alum mater and filling the shoes of his coaching idol Bo Schembechler.   If you pay him, there might be a shot.   Probably Sabin type of money, but it seems he is worth it.  Adidas would provide him pants. 


#2: Les Miles:  I know he is a grass eating, high hat wearing, strange clapping, head coach but he was down 17 points to Wisconsin and getting out played everywhere and came away with a win.    I know there are people in A2 that just don't like him but probably hate him.   With that, I ask you the same question:  If Sailboat Bill and Mary Sue had waited to hire him instead of RR, would we be in the same position we are right now?  I doubt it.    Les isn't getting any younger and this might be his last shot at his dream job.  


#3 Whoever it is, it won't be good enough.   Jon Gruden isn't coming here, so everyone else would be a poor choice.   John Harbaugh is welcomed and maybe even thought about it for a minute the last time, but that would be a long shot.   Jake Spavital, Texas AM OC is probably the hottest coordinator in the country but there is a ton of risk hiring a guy that hasn't been a head coach and trying to run the battleship that is Michigan Football.   Head coaches from WVU and San Diego State have had issues trying to run that ship.   Another name might be Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, but would Michigan really hire the former Wisconsin QB? 


If Hoke can't turn it around this year, then the next hire has to have little to no risk or Michigan will be replacing their head coach and their athletic director.   Which probably wouldn't be a bad move.

Michigan Thursday: PT Brandon is at it Again

When is this going to stop?  Is PT Brandon trying to anger every fan base that supports the Wolverines?  Now you can go to the drive in at the Big House.



I wonder which movie they are going to show?  Bad News Bears?  Barbarian at the Gate?  Silence of the Lambs?  Do you still hear the lambs screaming, Clarice?

I think PT will just put a "Big Top" on the Big House and call it a day.

•  A football related bullet!!! The kick off times for App. State - Noon and Miami of Ohio are now set - 3:30.   Tickets still available. 

• ESPN's Chad Ford has LeVert #27 and Irvin # 41 in his top 100 college players.

• Mike Martin was on Mike Barwis show:  American Muscle last night.   I still haven't seen the show yet.