Posted on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
Dave Brandon: Michigan coaching search interesting, intense and time consuming
By Pete Bigelow
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon offered an update on the search for the next Michigan football coach on his blog this afternoon.
As the search for Rich Rodriguez's replacement enters its second week, Brandon said, "Some would suggest we should complete this national search in a matter of hours, but this is a critical decision for Michigan athletics and it cannot and will not be made in haste."
Here's a link to his complete report on the status of the coaching search.
Comments
1st Down
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 5:39 a.m.
D21, I usually agree with you but in this case I dont....Hoke may be a good coach, and eventually may be a Michigan head coach...however at this time he does not have the recruiting power / in roads to make the necessary upgrades to recruiting to stock the baren cupboard that RR left. Les Miles has the sexy name and NC ring to flash at those recruits houses...Les also knows how to put a solid staff together...he is the safest bet for Michigan football to get past this era of true mediocrity and back to excellence. PS reports of Les being dirty are false...the man has tons of character and his players love playing for him. Bo and Les were close to the end... Bo stood by Les and vice versa... that is the biggest endorsement of all.
D21
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 11:17 p.m.
Hoke = Integrity Les = A more refined and slicker version of RR who will have his own version of Theo212. Hoke Is It.
D21
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
Les strikes us as a more refined and slicker version of RR. Hoke Is It.
Mo the Educator
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 10:49 p.m.
My sincere hope is that the plane's next stop was in Boise, ID. Michigan doesn't have the talent on the roster to overcome Les Miles' consistently ridiculous coaching decisions.
mookienation
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
Les Miles will be the coach at Michigan until 2030.
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
Correction: The website is http://www.wafl.com Sorry for the fatfingers!
heartbreakM
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 10:06 p.m.
@bighouse: Reading the tea leaves from DB: I don't think he cares what I say, what you say, what any of the 110,000 say. He cares about what he himself says. He doesn't even care what President Mary Sue Coleman says (though she has a way of deferring all decisions to her AD). Therefore, if he messes up, I don't think he'll care about the fans, just about the results.
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
News station in Louisiana is reporting that David Brandon and 2 representatives met with Les Miles this evening in Baton Rouge. The Website is www.wabl.com. They met at his field house condo. After the meeting Brandon and the two representatives were seen boarding the dominos plane in BR at 7:40pm.
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
For the sake of arguments, lets say Brandon takes Miles and it doesn't work out. It is understandable why Miles was the choice, because he has the track record, Brandon will not be crucified for the choice. Conversely, if he chooses Hoke who hasn't proven himself on the big stage and he fails why Miles takes a loaded LSU team to a NC, the fanbase will become more fractured than ever. He will also lose the confidence and good will he was afforded when he was hired as AD.
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
If Brandon passes over Miles for Hoke, I believe there is a contingent of UM fans that will not get over it. We will all watch Miles playing for the NC next year with an absolutely loaded team, while Hoke takes over with players that he didn't recruit. It is at that point that Brandon will be constantly second guessed. If they go with Miles the reverse will not be true.
rico2458
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
Give the job to Greg Robinson coach in michigan NFL experience defensive minded i vote for him
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
It seem clear to me that Miles loves UM and LSU knows it. That is why there is a penalty in his contract if he leaves for only one team and that team is Michigan.
riverraisin
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
We will have our new head coach tomorrow. A new era in Michigan football history. I am looking forward to quality recruits, quality coaching, and quality football. Things are looking up.
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
During the NC game they just reported that a source close to Miles indicated that if offered the job, he would likely take it. That sounds like someone that wants it to me. Why leave LSU or UM unless you really want it. He could retire well paid at LSU. They need to make it happen. Miles has the track record that will afford him more time. Hoke does not have a track record on the big stage and the fans will not afford him much time to show something. This is to big of a hire to gamble that Hoke is the right guy when you have a shot at one of the top coaches in college football. I really hope Brandon gets this right fixes the mistake made by Martin.
azwolverine
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
Macabre, WWBoDo, I agree that the NC is not the primary goal, it is simply a popularity vote. In '06, UM had every right that Fla had to play for the NC, it's just that voters didn't want to see a rematch. Besides, when 'winning' the NC becomes the only goal, the only possible outcome is that all coaches, no matter how good, end up on the hotseat. NO ONE wins NCs on a regular basis. NO ONE. Les is a great coach at LSU, and he's been on the hotseat for three years now despite two 11 win seasons during that span. Why? Because he hasn't won another NC. Those expectations are unrealistic. RR was set up to fail with that being the ONLY goal I ever saw mentioned by his supporters. His own supporters, unknowingly I would guess, were setting him up for failure even if he had been successful. There was no way to meet the banter about yearly BCS games that was thrown out in his support. If our new coach, whoever it may be, has UM beating MSU regularly, OSU semi-regularly, and competing for B10 championships, the rest will fall into place. Bighouse22, I agree with you to a degree on your assessment of Miles and Hoke. It's my feeling that if Miles wants the job and is fired up about it, he should be offerred the job. However, if he seems luke-warm or flat out turns down the job, then Brandon has no choice but to go with another candidate. If that candidate turns out to be Hoke, who LOVES UM and will do everything in his power to bring the program back to prominence, we should not view that as settling, but as being fortunate to get a coach with so much passion and desire to do exactly the same things that we want him to do, which is beat OSU and win the B10. He gets it. For that, we should throw him our support and pull for him to bring UM back to the top. He will want it every bit as badly as we fans do.
WWBoDo
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.
AnnArborBlue--no one wins the National Championship, National Champs are chosen on the basis of a popular vote! Big Ten Champs are decided on the football field (although, $$$$ is trying to ruin that too!)--and the Conference Championship is really all the matters. Forget not that these kids are 'student' athletes--get off of the National Championship Kool-Aid. Play for the Conference championship, go to a bowl game as a reward to the players that sacrifice so much and bring this nonsense back into some semblance of reasonableness. By the way, having a Bo-Mo-Lloyd heritage is something any aspiring coach would love to have on their resume!
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
I hope Mr. Brandon understands that there will not be the patience to allow Brady Hoke 5 or 6 years to build the program like Ball State. He needs to show me something within 2 years. The entire Michigan program is on the brink and hiring Hoke will be subject to widespread criticism right out of the gate. You can at least rationalize hiring Miles based on his winning background at to different major programs.
1st Down
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.
The 1980 US Olympic hockey team just defriended Theo on Facebook.
bighouse22
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 7:49 p.m.
The word on espn.com is that a source close to Miles indicated that if offered the job, he would accept it. If they bypass him for Brady Hoke, I will be extremely disappointed. I am not sure I will get over passing up a coach that has 62 over the last 6 years (ave. 10+/year) and a national championship for a coach with a 47-50 record. Settling for Hoke is ridiculous!
The OSU
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
Q: Why would Les Miles leave a top-10 school in a southern climate where he won a national championship and is already making a pile of money? A: EGO!!! Let's look at Les' resume; where it is strong and where it is lacking. * Attained a head coaching position at a major football powerhouse. Check. * Won a national championship. Check. * Beat Tressel and tOSU. Check. check. * Returns to his alma mater to rebuild a "down-and-out" program into national prominence thereby succeeding his mentor, Bo, as the school's preeminent coaching legacy. No check. You gotta give Les credit. He's betting it all that he can check-off the last one. Of course, even though Les would love a shot at Michigan immortality, Blue is still going to need to throw a pile of money at him. After all, he figures, if he misses out on the fame, he will still have the cash.
RudeJude
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
Theo: "It's the making of the best sports story in the history of history." I take it you never saw Mighty Ducks 1, 2 or 3. And on that note, I think Emilio Estevez is available, Dave Brandon. Go Blue
ethanblue
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
Perhaps Brandon wants to interview Gus Malzahn? Or Oregon's Nick Aliotti? I'm putting on earmuffs to any "Michigan Man" comments. Unless you have something of substance, you cannot argue the viability of their candidacy. Both coordinators have done superb jobs over the last couple of years.
superbuck
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 6:08 p.m.
Theo WHAT ARE YOU SMOKIN?
superbuck
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
Well I was kicked off with all my comments TRUTH HURT
Joe
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Shane..."Thats why he was SO GLAD TO GET OUT OF ANN-ARBOR.What he did at the Football event at the end of the year,he did on purpose.He was trying to get fired,and it worked." You know both of those accusations to be fact, how? If you do in fact know them to be true, then you need to become a sports writer as you have just scooped every sports writer in America, AND Theo!!!!
elahaie
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
Speaking of "Michigan Men", i'd be happy with: Head coach: Miles or Hoke Defensive coord: Mike Trgovac Granted they're all getting up there in years, but i'm confident they could get the program back on its feet in a relatively short time.
NoBowl4Blue
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:42 p.m.
I'm betting on Les Miles as it is being reported that LSU will decrease the amount needed to buy out his contract. That tells me they don't want to keep him which has been the talk behind the scenes. 90% chane it will be Les Miles. Like it or not he's the next coach. You all heard it here on As the bowl turns.
1st Down
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:40 p.m.
In the immortal words of Jim Harbaugh..."please respect the game...please respect the process"
obama from kenya
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
I'm pretty sure there are numerous pizza delivery guys that would take the job if DB offered it to them.
obama from kenya
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
"Uniting again behind one singular purpose -- to win Big Ten championships -- is what we need, and now is the time to get on board." from David Brandon's blog. Looks to me like the bar is no longer National Championships.
Blu-n-Tpa
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
heartbreak don't do it! At least wait until he hires someone before you get zapped to the delete/don't bother me again, ever file.
NoBowl4Blue
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:07 p.m.
Besides Hoke and Miles who else is interested? Maybe some unknowns in D2 or D3
PortageLkBlu
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:59 p.m.
Regardless of how DB has handled this so far he knows he needs to get this right, Dave does not want to screw this up. DB got a pass on RR because he did not hire RR. I hope we all like the new coach cause unless whoever it is screws up big time I think we're going to have the new coach at least 5 years regardless of the win loss record.
heartbreakM
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:57 p.m.
How do you even reach David Brandon? Anyone have an email address?
Blu-n-Tpa
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.
"As the search... enters the second week" How about a little accuracy? Around noon last Wednesday to early afternoon Monday is NOT close to the second week. No wonder people think DB is messing up. First one news outlet jumps the gun by 24 hours on RR's firing and someone else didn't get a new calendar for 2011. This will be over within the next 72 hours or my names is Theo 212. Please correct the time line in the story. Thank you.
michboy40
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.
It would be great if our ex players, who are now successful college coaches, would just line up in the hopes of landing this job. Harbaugh did not even sniff us, and Miles seems to be luke warm at best. I think the whole "Michigan Man" thing is a hoax! Get a coach that wins and we don't care where he came from or which "traditions" he carries on! Very easy, win and your in!
Joe
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
You are probably right Stephen...just like your hypothesis being the gospel.
XTR
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Les said in a press conference earlier that he was "very happy at LSU". If Les is not interested in coming back or is just looking for a raise at his contract at LSU, DB should not waste time on that guy. UM needs a coach ASAP and move on.
missionbrazil
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
Sunset "I have no idea what the people are smoking who believe our last coach could get us into the BCS, let alone within a whiff of that mythical championship. The results speak for themselves." In Kool-Aid tainted thinking 6-18 BT = on the road to the NC
Stephen
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
Drinking the Kool-aid? I think you may not understand entirely what "Drinking the kool-aid" means.
XTR
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
AABlue - C'mon, if Les Miles and Brady Hoke are not good enough, then name some names that are good enough for Michigan?
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
Since the Rose Bowl is a road game for Big Ten teams, I'm perfectly happy with only one national title in 39 straight winning Big Ten seasons. National championships are a myth in college football since there is no playoff system. It's the only major sport in America without one. Win the Big Ten, and the rest takes care of itself. I have no idea what the people are smoking who believe our last coach could get us into the BCS, let alone within a whiff of that mythical championship. The results speak for themselves.
AnnArborBlue
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
Sure, Mr. Brandon, we'd love to support the new coach, as long as he's not chosen on the basis of some relationship to the Schembechler coaching tree. That tree (Bo, Mo and Lloyd) were all great guys who had a lot of success in the Big Ten. Unfortunately, they produced only one national championship during their 39 years at the helm. Michigan deserves better. Miles is inappropriate because of his NCAA problems, recruiting issues, history of bizarre coaching decisions and embarrassing clock management issues. As for Hoke, Rodriguez was fired because he didn't complete the overhaul of our program in only three years. Now, we're considering a guy who went 22-37 in his first FIVE years at Ball State before finally turning the corner? Not to mention his mediocre 13-12 record at San Diego State. Who cares whether or not a coach has a secret handshake and two degrees of separation from Bo? We need a guy that can take us to a national championship. This is not about being happy with Big Ten titles. We need to aim higher for Michigan to become, once again, the Leaders and Best.
Joe
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
I see. Interesting hypothisis that, IMO, has no foundation based on the information provided....unless you are still drinking the kool-aid.
Stephen
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:59 p.m.
Joe-Just forming a hypothesis off of relevant and provided information.
Joe
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
So Stephen - you ended up in the delete/block sender file, huh?
Stephen
Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
Translation: I was woefully unprepared going into this search and it is clearly showing to my educated and informed fan base. I now realize that I am in over my head, but at least we have Brady Hoke as a fall back option.