The athletic department hits are probably secretaries and ball boys who are doing Google searches in light of the media blitz.
I would be happy with either Les Miles or Brian Kelly, all other candidates just seem a little to meh! for me. I lean slightly towards Kelly.
Why so little talk of Schiano? Is there some not so secret deal with Penn State already in place? He'd seem to be a good fit in terms of football philosophy, he's a top recruiter, and he knows how to deal with the academic politics of a research I institution. He can't be wedded to Rutgers, can he?
Plus, it would really annoy Penn State fans.
is this old news re: stadium and ADA lawsuit? same thing being re-hashed or new development?
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bi...+2007,+07:
00+PM
I think Kelly is brilliant, but could be dangerous. I am now convinced we need a Michigan man. Developed here:
http://www.logictimes.com/Blue/W...y-Les-
Miles.htm
If Sam McGuffie decommits I will dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I could really care less about McGuffie at this point. I don't think his HS style will translate well to Michigan or the college game in general.
The most important thing is for Michigan to hire the right head coach. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.
Kelly's supposed to have some skeletons in his closet that make him a longshot. I'm not exactly sure what they are, but I know he had a couple of players arrested on murder charges at CMU. That may be part of it.
brian - re: mcguffie, there are some quotes from him on some $ boards about him being solid. re: fred jackson - quotes from the same places basically saying he's pretty close to a lock to stay.
I don't want Kelly any where near Ann Arbor. He would never understand a role where the tradition of the program is bigger than the coach.
I have to say (unfortunately) that keeping up with all the coaching speculation is more exciting than the season was. The accumulation of information on this post is fantastic, even if it is speculation.
Re: Schiano
I don't think he'd be the worst candidate, but I also don't think he's a guy with the sustained success one would pick to lead Big Blue. Just my perspective.
Stop it with the "Big Blue," guys. Please. That's a Musberger-created nickname with precisely zero traditional use by the university.
The entire DeBord situation is ridiculous. From the CMU AD interview we learn that in his opinion DeBord quit because he was more suited to an assistant position and didn’t like all the non-football stuff (which will only be greater UM.) What in that makes anyone think he’d like it better or be better suited as a head man at Michigan? Either he quit because he learned something about himself or he quit because he couldn’t hack it. Either option makes him a non-candidate.
His defense of the record at OSU is horrible and makes me wonder about his interviewing skills.
"Our last game last season (against Ohio State), we were playing for the national championship game, and the last game this year, we were playing for the Big Ten title," DeBord said. "I know we came up short, and even though people are disappointed, and we were disappointed, let's look at what we were playing for."
Dude, go with we put up 39 on a great defense or our QB was hurt and the rain didn’t help. Because, yeah, if you lose to OSU over and over I don’t give a shit ‘what you were playing for.’ You must win the damn game for me to care about that. I’m disappointed but golly gee were second (or third) and that’s pretty good. That’s the best you got? We got 91 yards on offense but we were playing for the conference title!
I’ve spent some time at UC and I can say there’s nothing there to fall in love with—especially from a football sense. Cinci’s a fine city but the campus is in the middle of a terrible neighborhood, mixed with the city itself, and lacking totally in tradition or history (when compared to larger programs.)
The Lakers got robbed. They should have gotten more for you. On the birght side, you don't have to listen to Kobe bitch anymore.
ChicaGoBlue, well said. "Big Blue" is Kentucky (and IBM), not Michigan.
Besides, how can a color be "big?" I never understood that.
Trevor Ariza is garbahj.
I'm sorry but who wouldn't believe in Sam McGuffie. The kid is amazing. I want to see him in Maize and Blue.
What happened to Cam Cameron... is he that far off the list. He's got to be higher than Kirk Ferentz. I will disown Michigan if we go after Kirk Ferentz. We do better to go after Tedford.
I almost feel bad for Debord. Doesn't he know that statements made to former employers don't automatically go down some black hole disposal unit? The single worst decision Lloyd made in his Michigan career was to make this guy OC.
While Miles seems to be the best fit, I think that Kelly has a higher ceiling and will be coaching a top bcs program sooner rather than later, if he doesnt get the job.
A&M, Ga Tech, Nebraska, Tennessee, etc...I think he'd win a national title at Tennessee.
OK, making MD OC was the second worst decision. The worst was giving William Carr the ball at the goal line against Purdue in '96. That was one of the all-time brain farts in UM coaching history.
Anyone else think that with a better OC, Lloyd could have extended his career a couple of year?
It upsets me, because I'm very sad to see Lloyd go. I sense that he still has the fire to coach, but that ultimately the pressure from the USC loss, the ASU loss and the Oregon asswhopping broke him.
Martin mentioned something about pulling together a search committee. Any idea who might be on it? Is it crazy to think they might include an alum or a booster? I have no idea how these things work.
I think Brian Kelly would be like magic at Michigan, but I just don't think they're gonna be all that excited about an up & comer. I think Miles, it is. As far as McGuffie's concerned, Watching him run, I just feel like he's fragile like a little baby bird. I wonder how effective he'll be in an every down scenario. All that aside, I still want him to come because, for crap's sake, I wanna see some speed in a winged helmet for once.
Damn, it'd be hard for DeBord to look worse after this season's offensive performance and now this interview.
Scary thing is I think Ferentz would likely keep DeBord around in some capacity, making a KF hire move from laughable to downright horrible.
Here's how Martin went about the basketball search:
http://media.www.michigandaily.c...n-
2827636.shtml
Football would probably follow a similar pattern.
Here's an interesting anecdote from that article:
"Martin said he did not directly contact Beilein until West Virginia's season was complete. He did acknowledge that he received word through another party that Beilein would be willing to interview for the job at the conclusion of his season."
MRG- here's an interesting line from your article:
"Martin said he did not directly contact Beilein until West Virginia's season was complete. He did acknowledge that he received word through another party that Beilein would be willing to interview for the job at the conclusion of his season."
mgobleu:
I feel exactly the same way about McGuffie. I don't think he's the type of guy that can be an all-purpose Big 10 back. I don't think he will hold up running between the tackles.
24kt:
I feel like if Lloyd had bothered to pick up a book about modern Strength & Conditioning and done something about Gittleson his career winning percentage would be pretty close to 0.800, the VY legend wouldn't have started in the '05 Rose Bowl, we go 9-3 in 2005, at worst he'd be 3-4 vs. sweater vest, we blow out Appy St. 40-10, and keep it close vs. Oregon and we probably aren't even looking for a new coach right now.
Everyone thought Mike Hart was too small as well.
That said, I think Sam gets his neck broken sooner rather than later in college, probably the first time he forgets who he is playing against and attempts one of those hurdles.
Heady times Michigan fans, when hopes for a new coach can put an entire different perspective on your future.
Having fairly recently gone through this at Florida I can well remember the feelings. Especially because we were in direct competition with ND for Meyer.
It worked out well in our case. So far, not so well in Alabama's case. And, if you want to take Ol' Les Miles out of the SEC, I won't complain one bit.
Good luck in your search.
Mergz, have ever heard that Meyer has a clause in his contract that allows him to get out without penalty to coach two teams: ND and, surprisingly, Michigan? I have this from a good source.
With his speed and moves, who cares if McGuffie can't be an all-purpose back? You just use him as a scatback with Minor/Grady. When they're gone I'm sure Edwin Baker or Larry Caper will be adequate complements to McGuffie. Coach Carr might've been married to a single back system, but it's very unlikely our next coach will be.
I will tear out my hair if Coach Stripling is fired. Before him the DL was a weakness, since him we've had Watson, Branch, Woodley, and Taylor.
McGuffie is also excellent at catching screens and jailbreaks, which used to be a huge part of UM's offense and hopefully will be in the future.
TheMile, I like Stripling, too, but I wouldn't use Watson on the resume!
As for McGuffie, I think anyone who thinks he's "fragile" has no basis for that. His junior workload against top Texas talent says a lot. His senior injury was the same as Mike Hart's - those high ankle sprains are what they are and not indicative of a back's constitution.
Think how Urban Meyer would use a McGuffie! He could be lightning in a bottle for the right OC.
Meeechigan Dan,
I thought the clause in Meyer's contract was when he was with Utah and it included UM, ND, and OSU. My understanding was when he signed with Florida that was not part of his new contract.
Sorry for the egregious "Big Blue" comment. Also, lighten up.
This is soooooo not going to happen, but it's fun to dream. Darrell Scott had UM pretty high on his list at one point and still has LSU in his top 4. Would he consider UM strongly if Porter and Miles end up in Ann Arbor?
somebody above asked about cam cameron? isn't he coaching the Miami Dolphins to the worst record in the NFL?
My 2 Cents:
Big Blue is for the New York Giants- keep it there.
Sam Mcguffie is good, and I want him at Michigan. The dude is a ridiculous athlete. Don't base your judgement on one game that was on TV when he was hurt, the kid can play. Who would have thought some tiny little runt from New York (who is smaller than McGuffie) could hold up in the Big 10. The runt being Mike Hart
TX, thanks.
MRG, there might very well be an interesting dividend in the recruiting class when Miles comes to AA and Scott is a man among boys.
As a Central Michigan alum and Michigan fan,a couple of comments:
1) DeBord was nothing but a disaster at Central Michigan, on and off the field. For 35 years, Central was the Michigan of the MAC (no losing seasons in three decades, consistent if not dominant, etc.) and DeBord basically blew up that and provided CMU fans with the most dismal four-year period since the Depression. So, yeah Mike -- please GFY. Like Brian said, I will be happy when he is far, far away from haunting the two football programs I love.
2) The "skeletons" in Kelly's closet are the some possibly insensitive racial remarks made after a few Central football players killed a guy outside a bar in Mount Pleasant. Paraphrasing, basically he said that it's not surprising for black persons to not trust or want to talk to the police after his players wouldn't give any information to the cops (a couple were subsequently convinced of perjury). He said it a little more insensitively, but you get the jist. Some articles I've read say there's no way Michigan would hire him because of that incident, but I don't see it. Kelly will win a national championship somewhere. I would obviously rather it were at Michigan. (This is not to say that Miles might not at Michigan. I just think that much of Kelly even if I'd be happy with either.)
McGuffie had over 3,100 yards in a single season playing in the biggest, toughest division on Hosutin HS football. He's like a white Reggie Bush. Trust me, he'd be a huge loss.
Well I have a pretty genius theory on why Miles will take McGuff. Considering the numbers of white running backs is severely lacking it IS interesting to note that Jacob Hester, a white dude, is LSU's starting RB.
Yea. Pure genius.
McGuffie is true blue, all the speculation about him is just that. And we have virtually no shot at Scott, in all likelihood he's headed to Colorado.
Also, mcguffie is going to get a lot bigger. Everyone gains weight naturally in college b/c of metabolism so that will help
Anyone else think that with a better OC, Lloyd could have extended his career a couple of year?
It upsets me, because I'm very sad to see Lloyd go.
Hey, it's not like someone put a gun to Lloyd's gun and made him take DeBord. That was his choice. Carr has always been guilty of cronyism. That's harsh but it's true. His buddies (DeBord, Herrmann, Gittleson) always got way more rope to hang themselves than the guys he wasn't friends with (Parrish, Malone, Lee). Why was Andy Moeller coaching the offensive line, when he played linebacker in college? Because that was the only spot Carr could find for his friend's son. This was the aspect of Carr's tenure that drove me a nuts. A good CEO doesn't just install his friends (and friends' kids) in high places.
Hosutin? jeez, I really need to proof before I hit send.
ahem..."Houston"
Is the "Profiles in Heroism" finished? Or will it officially be ramping up what with, you know, the vacancy we have as our Head Coach? I've love to see a Schiano profile put together and passed along to Bill Martin.
Hosutin = Houston = Screwston.
I think the chances of Scott coming here are less than 1%, but Colorado? Really? I know he took and official there, but I just don't see that happening.
Also, MDan's latest is a good read that I primarily agree with:
http://www.logictimes.com/Blue/Blue.htm
agree with Hat. One of Lloyd Carr's most admirable personal traits is his intense loyalty to his players, to Michigan football, and to the University. Unfortunately, this same loyalty got in the way of making sound staffing decisions.
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if one of the reasons he decided to go was an immense internal conflict between his loyalty to certain assistants and his knowledge that they weren't up to the job. Nobody wants to fire friends, but the top-notch coaches and CEOs have to be able to bypass their personal loyalties when basic competence is the issue.
If nothing else, wouldn't it be nice to have a good kick returner?
LSU was a school that recruited Sam McGuffie though...I remember him saying early on when he took a visit there that he thought he could come in there and contribute immediately because he was very surprised how slow LSU's running backs were.
Dave110,
Why the bold confidence? You got some inside info on the Guffster?
Also, not to be inflammatory, but I'm really hoping McGuffie comes to M and breaks Hart's career rushing mark and Threet wrests the job away from Mallett and breaks Chad's career passing record.
And they do this while beating OSU 4 straight years.
Having our career record holders at 0-4 is a black mark that must get erased.
I agree that Meyer is a great coach and once upon a time had us on his wish list. But he now sits as the head coach of THE school in the greatest recruiting area in the world. Plus the Gator Nation would give him the Florida Panhandle to keep him there if someone were to make a serious offer. Ain't happening.
Why did Les Miles pronounce "Arkansas" as "R-Kansas" at his Monday press conference on more than one occasion?
Ona nother note: In a Detroit News article (below)the writer stated that she once ridiculed Carr for overusing the word "tremendous." Harbaugh used that word 3 times in reference to Carr yesterday. Veiled shot perhaps?
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.../711180363/
1131
Seriously, "R-Kansas"? Ooof. If he gets the job, be prepared for lots of talk about Illinoise.
So later in the Harbaugh interview we get this:
"“In 13 years at Michigan he did a tremendous job, really perpetuated the Michigan tradition,” Harbaugh said. “I’m happy for him and the decision he made because I say he’s a tremendous man and a tremendous person.”
Note the multiple "tremendi" a la Lloyd--is this on purpose, and if so, a form of petty snark that makes him look even more pathetic? Ugh.
Miles RB coach wasn't good enough to snag the real prize Joe McKnight.
"R-Kansas" is a slam at (and a bastardization of) Arkansas. A former g/f went to KU and they used to say; "you're in 'r (our) Kansas' now!" at basketball games.
profiles in heroism: brian kelly? he's my horse
I saw McGuffie on ESPN earlier this year and he didn't impress me. The kid from the other team was awesome. McGuffie had a sensational junior year, his senior year he has been slowed by a bad ankle but I wasn't impressed.
As for Debord, goodbye and good ridance.
I saw the same game on ESPN and wouldn't go judging McGuffie off that one performance. He's been putting up a string a pretty good games this season and he should be 100% healthy by next year -- wherever he plays.
Everyone will see a much improved team next year no matter who the coach is and wonder why? the reason for this is: NO GITTELSON. I cannot understate the detriment he has had on this program.
Miles RB coach wasn't good enough to snag the real prize Joe McKnight.
Pete Carroll lost out on Donovan Warren.
Mack Brown lost out on Mallett.
Ron English lost out on RoJo.
Urban Meyer lost out on C.J. Spiller.
Tressel lost out on Ben Martin.
Great recruiters don't get everyone, even when they're in state. However, all of those guys get way more in state than they lose (this includes UM).
I think it is ridiculous that Martin would even consider Debord. He was a horrible coach at CMU and an even worse offensive coordinator -- 90 yards vs. OSU, and remember the Rose Bowl when USC said that Michigan's offense was so predictable they new every play. I understand trying to protect his dignity, but if he hired Debord, I would quit going to the games.
Let's start a recruit Les Miles campaign. He or Kelly are clearly the best candidates. Miles has his faults, but he has what lc lacked - passion and an ability to motivate his team. How many times did we see Michigan show up the last few years with no emotion, just like their coach. He could never get the best out of the team because he could not motivate them.
I would contribute $50 to help Les with his $1.25M buyout. Anyone else???
MIFW, don't sweat it. Miles is the man. Bet the farm.
If Les Miles would stoop to the level of deliberately mispronouncing the opponent's name and give them bulletin board material, do we really want him as our coach?
Hopefully it was just a verbal gaffe given all the pressure he's under. Otherwise, he is pretty ignorant.
See below for articles. Miles' Monday press conference was my first exposure to the guy and correct me if I'm wrong but he seemed a bit unstable and not the most articulate.
http://www.todaysthv.com/sports/...x?
storyid=56471
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/
...19.22068.113239
The Arkansas River's name is actually pronounced "Ar-Kansas" in the Plains States. Miles lived in Oklahoma for awhile, so he probably picked up that pronounciation. I think the state itself is pronounced the same way ("Ar-kan-saw") everywhere, but I could see where someone might slip up and misprounounce it if he was familiar with the other pronounciation.
Interesting McGuffie youtube vid: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0OtFr9EiP0o
@ Wolvareen
Players gain weight in college, but not because of their metabolism. It's because they have training tables and they work out - the right way - all the time.
I wouldn't blame Terry Porter at all for not getting Joe McKnight to go to LSU. The main reason Mcknight left the state was because he didn't want to deal with all the pressure down south with playing football. He said that LSU fans always told him to go to school there and really pressured him which he didn't like. He went to USC because he felt the atmosphere in LA was a lot more laid back then LSU and because he wanted to get away from the football pressure packed atmosphere down South. This was all documented in Bruce Feldman's book Meat Market which was about what its like to recruit in the SEC. Feldman got an insiders view on recruiting from the Ole Miss recruiting staff.
RE: Meyer's contract.
In Florida, as a state employee, Meyer's contract is publicly available for anyone to read.
There are no “out” clauses at all. In fact, the contract is pretty simple.
I think that the last time Michigan went looking for a coach, it was a man from Ohio. We all know what a winning tradition that started and also a rivalry. I am here to tell you that Michigan is once again going to the state of Ohio for a coach. The next coach at Michigan will be Coach Kelley from Cincinatti. He knows the spread, he wins, he has done a lot with a little. Les Miles has proven he can't win the big game. Do we want that again? I don't think so. Mark my words and don't be surprised when the man from Cincinatti is coaching Big Blue.
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