MICHIGAN MEN'S BASKETBALL- '19-'20: Hello Coach Nook!

[lineygoblue]

I'm with Jeff. This whole thing slid right into place as though it had been planned. You had the 'rumored' candidates who one by one, took themselves out. You had the 'established' coach who 'loved where he was and decided to stay'. Then you have the guy they really wanted (Howard) who now has the job.

Which unfortunately, smells a lot like the process used to hire Brady Hoke.

I don't know what to expect from all this. It could be Brian Ellerbe Part Deux. I'm thinking its probably going to be closer to Tommy Amaker Part Deux. Some good, some bad. No more Final Fours for a while.

And Tom Izzo will smile with this selection. Howard will be no threat to him in Michigan, and the timing of Beilein's departure is Izzo's dream come true. It was at the worst time possible.

It probably won't matter as long as Howard can deliver a couple Sweet Sixteens every 3-4 years. That would probably be good enough for him to keep his job.

[Cody_Russell]

[Jeff Buchanan]

.......If any of the "deciders" facilitated Beilein's departure they should be fired on the spot.

Well, perhaps ...... but I think this take demonstrates a lack of understanding of how Michigan - the university - operates.

The top SEC programs are good examples of the relentless pursuit of winning. I think there is adequate evidence that programs within the SEC have resources and are willing to use them beyond those generated by the two revenue sports to win, gain access to bragging rights and all the glory for the institution that sort of thing garners.

There is also evidence over the years that M has resources of various kinds but, claims anyway, they don't use them. Michigan is not and will never be a win at all costs institution. The Ed Martin and Bill Frieder experiences left indelible marks on the culture of M sports. How many times have we seen cut off your nose to spite your face actions, a willingness to take the bullet, be open and honest at the expense of fan expectations for Michigan athletics since it became known that Chris Weber took money from Ed Martin and Martin made a plea deal to spill the beans in 1999?

So, the deciders are obsessively cautious and methodical when it comes to hires like the one that was required after Beilein left. Good chance, a very good one, that a plan was in place and had been for over a year.

As to facilitating JB's departure, Michigan views employees as family members to their credit as well as to their disadvantage in situations like this. No buy-out in JB's contract extension could point to managerial malfeasance or it could point to being nice to, helping out, family members. My first take was like yours, Froot. I was angry. Upon further consideration it occurred to me that how Beilein left and then how Howard was singed comports with my view of how Michigan operates. Still, were all just guessing how this went down and the implications.

[*JD*]

Maybe, maybe not. The other schools that were in his final 4 or 5 already have built a relationship with him. Howard returning him back to the fold would be a huge win but not turning him around wouldn't really be on him.

[*JD*]

[hack]

I think the common thread with every coaching search is that Michigan does not want to appear to be too aggressive in the pursuit of wins and a coach that facilitates that. Wins are supposed to be the fortunate byproduct of the process of forging Michigan Men.

If they really knew how this was going to go down -- which I 100% do not believe, and Brendan Quinn's morning after story illustrates the lack of preparation -- then feelers would have been put out to Nate Oats or Chris Beard or Buzz Williams or any of the other guys far more likely to be seen as college lifers, because Michigan also wants these guys to see the program as their final destination.

I also don't believe that becuase of the late-in-the-process timing. You'd hope they would not design a process that finishes after the recruiting period that has already ended. No reason to design a process that handicaps the new guy in taking visits.

[*JD*]

I seriously doubt there was any attempt to push Beilein towards the NBA.

[froot loops]

If there was, they all should be fired on the spot. I don't need to have any understanding on what goes on beyond closed doors to know that. That is stupid.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Hire Webber as an assistant in charge of timeouts...
????

[lineygoblue]

For The Wizard:

[*JD*]

I saw an article that mentioned Howard Eisley as a potential assistant. Former NBA player, current NBA assistant (Knicks), and a teammate of Jalen's at Detroit Southwestern.

[THE_WIZARD_]

For The Wizard:

You tease!

[*JD*]

Wiz: Providing valuable content since....

Never mind.

[*JD*]

Two things:

1) Juwan is now on Twitter. (@JuwanHoward)
2) He announced that he's keeping Jon (College Kander) Sanderson!

[Cody_Russell]

Sanderson will be more of a legend after we see Castleton's before and after picture. ... especially if Castleton plays at least another 2 seasons.

... Great news.