Coaching search? That means the return of Death March Madness, which won’t help matters (it might actually hurt) but it’ll keep you busy while you watch your Twitter feed like a freak. The first round is over, here’s a look at the 2011 bracket and the results. Bo Region Round 2: 1. John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens) — Sources close to John say that he may be interested in the Michigan job, should it ever open. He has ties to Ann Arbor, obviously and has a very Michigan heavy staff in Cam Cameron and Greg Mattison and his salary is definitely something Michigan can compete with. It sounds like he would be a very good college coach based on his personality. vs. 6. K.C. Keeler (Delaware) — Tons of success at the FCS level. Great helmets. Won first in a romp (67%). [poll id=44] Bo Region Round 2: 2. Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) — His name consistently seems to come up with any major coaching search and well it should. Obviously he has had tremendous success at Oklahoma, can recruit and has Ohio roots. Not sure if he would ever entertain opportunities outside of Oklahoma but he was rumored to be interested in the Notre Dame opening. vs. 3. Kyle Whittingham (Utah) — Urban Meyer disciple yet again — knock on Whittingham…
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Inside The Hat – Bayou Perspective on Miles
WWBD [Special guest post by Brandon Harig. Brandon is a Michigan alumnus who has returned to the great white north after years in exile. Harig enjoys, “Michigan not sucking and people who don’t use mlive”, and you can find him on Twitter as user NewAwlins.] For more on the current Miles buzz, check out mgoblog’s post this morning.] During the 2009 season, I found myself crumpling my hat and swearing into a pitcher of beer at a bar in New Orleans called Cooter Browns. An embarrassing Indiana squad was giving Michigan fits and the tide within the bar had swung. Whereas we were merely some Yankees cheering for a crappy team, now we were the target of a variety of morning drinkers. Gator Bait and Purple Tigers united in the IU arm motions as the game slowly seemed to slip away, supporting the one, essentially quiet, Indiana fan in attendance. Michigan ended up winning the game but the prick nature of the SEC could not have been captured better. I mention this story not because it is all that emotionally scarring or, really, all that notable. Instead, I introduce a piece on The Hat with this story because it essentially captures the situation surrounding Michigan’s current coaching search. We find ourselves burrowing into our own fandom, dying a slow death…
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Death March Madness: Oosterbaan Region Round I
Coaching search? That means the return of Death March Madness, which won’t help matters (it might actually hurt) but it’ll keep you busy while you watch your Twitter feed like a freak. Here’s a look at the 2011 bracket. Oosterbaan Region Round 1: 5. Josh McDaniels (Former NFL Coach) — Huge connections in Ohio and grad-assistant to Nick Saban at Michigan State. He may have some support from Tom Brady during his time with the Patriots however, recently he has had some issues with management and the NFL. vs. 6. Mike Stoops (Arizona) — Might be a longshot candidate as he has been on some thin ice lately at Arizona — has resurrected Arizona’s program but has yet to get over the hump. [poll id=42] Oosterbaan Region Round 1: 3. Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) — Rumored to be a candidate however, he has decided to decline the opportunity with Michigan. He is young, fast-paced and successful however, he might be a "lifer" at his alma mater. Perhaps Brandon can still make him an offer he can’t refuse. vs. 4. Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State) — Could be a dark horse candidate as he has been quietly successful at OSU. He would have a hard time leaving his alma mater as well — successor of Les Miles. Plus he’s just past 40, and…
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Death March Madness: Crisler Region Round I
Coaching search? That means the return of Death March Madness, which won’t help matters (it might actually hurt) but it’ll keep you busy while you watch your Twitter feed like a freak. Here’s a look at the 2011 bracket. Crisler Region Round 1: 5. Cam Cameron (Baltimore Ravens OC) — Michigan man who currently coaches with John Harbaugh. College roots along with NFL roots but his success is mostly at a coordinator level, not a head coaching level. vs. 6. Tim Beckman (Toledo) — Could be a potential hot-name coach in the next few years. Ohio roots along with roots in the south — he has connections with many successful college coaches including Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer. [poll id=40] Crisler Region Round 1: 3. Jon Gruden (Former NFL Coach) — Another coaching candidate that seems to come up every major coaching search. Gruden hasn’t coached since 2008 but has expressed interest in coaching at the collegiate level and interviewed for the Miami (FL) opening and declined the offer. He has Ohio roots and could be a potentially outstanding recruiter. Winner of Death March Madness 2007. vs. 4. Jeff Tedford (Cal) — Was rumored to have interviewed in 2007 and has a great offensive mind along with being a great recruiter. However for whatever reason, has not been able to…
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Death March Madness: Yost Region Round I
Coaching search? That means the return of Death March Madness, which won’t help matters (it might actually hurt) but it’ll keep you busy while you watch your Twitter feed like a freak. Here’s a look at the 2011 bracket. Yost Region Round 1: 5. Tommy Tuberville (Texas Tech) — Rumored to be a candidate at Miami (FL) so he may be open to listening. He has always been successful wherever he has been however, age is something to consider. vs. 6. Gus Malzahn (Auburn OC) — Offensive mastermind but does not have any head coaching experience. He would be a gamble but could be a very good head coach down the road. Winner: Malzahn (current bracket and results) Yost Region Round 1: 3. Charlie Strong (Louisville) — Coming off his first year at Louisville, he went 6-6 and has already really improved Louisville’s recruiting class tremendously. He is a bright defensive mind with a great background in the SEC (South Carolina and Florida). 4. Kirby Smart (Alabama DC) — Defensive mind who has major roots in the SEC and south. He could be another Will Muschamp type candidate however, I doubt he would leave the south as he has a strong foundation there (UGA alum). Winner: Strong (Strong always beats Smart) (current bracket and results) More on DDM II here.…
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Big (Bigger than originally reported) Chill Attendance
Resolution to the attendance drama per Sara Wilcox at Guinness World Records PR: “Final number is: 104,073” There you have it. Now get back to flight tracking!
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Statement From Rich Rodriguez, former Coach
Via U-M Media Relations: January 6, 2011 Statement from Rich Rodriguez “I am proud of the dedication and commitment exhibited by the coaching staff and student-athletes who have represented the University of Michigan football program over the last three seasons. While I am disappointed to depart Ann Arbor before we were able to reach the level of success we had in our sights, I am confident that the players who remain have the potential to do great things and to return the Wolverines to greatness. I would like to thank our fans and our student body for their tremendous support. There is great passion for Michigan football and I have made lifelong friends through this experience.”
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Brandon/Rodriguez Firing Press Conference (video)
A fine job once again at the podium by the AD. One historical nit, naturally. About 14 minutes in Brandon mentioned this: “..our percentage win-loss record overall over the last three years is the worst in our 131 [years] season history.” Not so. I didn’t go year by year but I know Harry Kipke’s crew from 1934-1936 (including MVP Gerald Ford in ‘34) went 6-18, or .250. Rodriguez, including the bowl game, went 15-22 or .405. Here’s the video: