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:
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Maintain your Dignity
For all those who have lost their minds right now, how about giving the process a chance to play out before judging Michigan, Brandon, President Coleman, Harbaugh? How about getting an official decision and an explanation from David Brandon before killing the folks at State Street? And here’s a stretch: how about giving the coach, whomever that is this year, a fair shot over the next few seasons?
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Breaking!
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Turning Minutes to Hours
I have no gut feeling on what’s going to happen—I’ve had people tell me before the bowl that Harbaugh was pretty much a done deal, and for a while I’ve had word that discussions with Hoke were very serious. Prior to the bowl, the needle seemed to sway toward Harbaugh leaving Stanford and heading to Michigan. Now, the chatter seems to be the other way, with even a few speculating that he might stay in Palo Alto. Several folks close to the program, like Sam Webb, say all the talk at this point in nonsense. It’s not about the money, at least when talking Michigan vs. the NFL as Brandon will pay what it takes. I see Harbaugh as the type who’s going to value the better situation for himself and the people in his life ahead of the bucks. Guys who tweet out Gordon Lightfoot lyrics (and mean it) don’t chase dollars: If I’m Harbaugh I absolutely leave Stanford—you’ve got to move now and who knows what will happen in the next couple years. And I’ve always understood when college coaches head to the pros. No matter what happens at that level there always seems to be a high profile gig waiting for them back in college. I think Harbaugh’s a different kind of cat, as many of…
