In which I discuss the sports teams at the University of Michigan

[woot]

The players are all sad about it, but it had to be done. Meanwhile, Harbaugh is still #1 on everyone's list. A rumor had him telling M he's not interested, but that's since been refuted. Even if he's not interested, it's in his interest to keep that avenue open given the talk of his being traded to another NFL team. If he is forced into a bad situation he can always walk, and knowing that will decrease the likelihood of his being traded into a bad situation to begin with.

Miles is apparently #2, and word is he would take the job if offered, but there are some in the AD that really don't want him so that offer might not come. I'm also hearing Greg Shiano and Steve Adazzio, but I'd prefer a flyer on a hot coordinator over either of those guys. No discussion of Mullen or Graham so far, which seems fine with me unless things get dire.

It seems Florida is going after McElwain after the Freeze snub, and he might be a good hire. He's got an enormous buyout though so I'm not sure he's worth it when RichRod, who has always heavily recruited Florida, is presumably available.

[woot]

Meh, both schools just need a QB. No different than Texas and Florida. It's not impossible to win without a good quarterback in college football, but it is really difficult. Even LSU sucked this year. Les Miles better find a QB soon or even he'll be gone. Essentially, Gardner got Hoke fired, Driskel got Muschamp fired and Case/Ash got Mack Brown fired.

Yeah Miles has only produced a couple of good QBs in his time, so that's another issue with bringing him in. Gardner is the only player on offense that isn't coming back, and while there will be 3 highly-recruited guys available, the only one with any experience has looked bad so far. Harbaugh is something of a QB whisperer, so that's another reason he's wanted so badly.

I don't think you can blame Gardner for Hoke's firing. Gardner was the #1 QB out of high school and looked really good as a sophomore before getting steadily worse the last two years. It seems more appropriate to blame Hoke and his OCs for breaking Gardner. Gardner would have been awesome in a well-coached spread, but Hoke was determined from day one to pretend it's still the 90s and run I-form power.

[Blueintheface]

Meh, both schools just need a QB. No different than Texas and Florida. It's not impossible to win without a good quarterback in college football, but it is really difficult. Even LSU sucked this year. Les Miles better find a QB soon or even he'll be gone. Essentially, Gardner got Hoke fired, Driskel got Muschamp fired and Case/Ash got Mack Brown fired.

I agree, those coaches got themselves fired.

[smokymountainrain]

I agree, those coaches got themselves fired.

Right, their inability to choose a good QB got them fired.

[woot]

Right, their inability to choose a good QB got them fired.

It's about their ability to develop the amazing talent they had at QB. Jeff Driskel might have the best high school QB tape I have ever seen, and was easily the #1 QB in his class, and yet he did nothing at Florida. Gardner wasn't quite at that level but was still #1 in his class. Talent is nothing without good coaching. I'm not sure why people think QB is an exception when it comes to coaching. If anything, QB is the position most affected by the quality of coaching.

[Paperback Writer]

Meh, both schools just need a QB. No different than Texas and Florida. It's not impossible to win without a good quarterback in college football, but it is really difficult. Even LSU sucked this year. Les Miles better find a QB soon or even he'll be gone. Essentially, Gardner got Hoke fired, Driskel got Muschamp fired and Case/Ash got Mack Brown fired.

Taylor Martinez and Tommy Armstrong Jr. should not get a free pass.

I agree, those coaches got themselves fired.

Right, their inability to choose a good QB got them fired.

Probably recruit is a better term than choose.

It's about their ability to develop the amazing talent they had at QB. Jeff Driskel might have the best high school QB tape I have ever seen, and was easily the #1 QB in his class, and yet he did nothing at Florida. Gardner wasn't quite at that level but was still #1 in his class. Talent is nothing without good coaching. I'm not sure why people think QB is an exception when it comes to coaching. If anything, QB is the position most affected by the quality of coaching.

Some QBs need more development than others. In Nebraska's case, they recruited QB projects that needed a lot of development but didn't have the coaching in place to do it. Agree with SMR that having quality play at QB can go a long way. Part of the problem is with recruiting depth at QB. Once a highly ranked QB signs, it's sometimes difficult to sign another for a few years since blue chip QBs expect to play immediately. And when the initial QB doesn't pan out or gets injured there's a problem. Or some coaches are not very good at evaluating talent and/or developing it. Got to give Ohio St. it's due as I thought the Buckeyes were done this year when Braxton Miller went down.

But to turn this back to Michigan, I hope Michigan is successful in the near future. The Big Ten needs programs like Michigan and Nebraska to return to their former glory.

[smokymountainrain]

I agree, but Pelini won in spite of those guys. Granted, be never won big because of them, but he won. He should not have been fired, hence why I didn't include him.

[dabrockster]

Hopefully they hire someone from Ohio. The game against the Buckeyes would instantly become really important.

fuck off..

[Paperback Writer]

But to turn this back to Michigan, I hope Michigan is successful in the near future. The Big Ten needs programs like Michigan and Nebraska to return to their former glory.

Good article on ESPN by Adam Rittenberg about the urgent need for Michigan and Nebraksa to make "bold" coaching hires. Also gives a rundown on other Big Ten programs he views as underperforming.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/112001/b1g-needs-big-hires-from-nebraska-michigan

"The Big Ten always will have certain factors working against it, but it can control who leads its programs. The league remains very appealing to top coaches. It's time for an upgrade. Your moves, Nebraska and Michigan. Make them bold ones."

[dabrockster]

Good article on ESPN by Adam Rittenberg about the urgent need for Michigan and Nebraksa to make "bold" coaching hires. Also gives a rundown on other Big Ten programs he views as underperforming.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/112001/b1g-needs-big-hires-from-nebraska-michigan

"The Big Ten always will have certain factors working against it, but it can control who leads its programs. The league remains very appealing to top coaches. It's time for an upgrade. Your moves, Nebraska and Michigan. Make them bold ones."

I am surprised that Illini did not pull the trigger on theirs. However, I do think it was the appropriate decision. He has steadily improved each year. It may not be the quick turnaround one wants but it is still improvement, and I respect their decision..

[Jeff Lebowski]

fuck off..

[YOhio]

Ban him.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Ban him.

You ban him. Don't ask me to do all your heavy lifting.

[dabrockster]

Ban him.

Come to DDD's rescue as usual...

[RC Vikings]

I am surprised that Illini did not pull the trigger on theirs. However, I do think it was the appropriate decision. He has steadily improved each year. It may not be the quick turnaround one wants but it is still improvement, and I respect their decision..

Illinois would be at the top of my list for under preforming college football programs.