Wisconsin 49, Michigan 11

[JRB]

It might also be better, since this is a lost season, to get the biggest head start possible on hiring a new coach. Being first in line doesn't guarantee you a successful hire, but it does give you options.

I don't know-- I hate that I'm discussing this. I have no idea which head coach would succeed in this job now that Jim Harbaugh has spit the bit. But what we've seen the last three weeks cannot continue. Well, it can, I suppose, and it probably will this year, no matter what Michigan decides to do.

[lineygoblue]

I really can't disagree with that at all. Maybe it would be good to cut Harbaugh loose now, so that an in depth search can begin to find the next guy. Manuel really needs to make a Canham/Schembechler hire this time. He's got to find "that guy" who is ready to take that next step into a major HC role. It may be someone who is not really well known yet, but that's why Manuel needs to beat the bushes and find that guy. We don't need some retread who is just looking to grab a big paycheck and some prestige. Its not going to be easy to find. There are no slam-dunk choices out there. Manuel has a tough job ahead of him.

If I could write the final chapter of Harbaugh at Michigan, I'd have him resign tomorrow, but let him walk away with his head high. He's still a good person, and I appreciate what he's done for Michigan both as a player, and as a coach. He just doesn't have any answers for this current situation.

[iam416]

John Cooper had more wins in The Game than the last 3 M coaches. Combined.

[Mike]

Holy shit. I wonder if we can coax him out of retirement.

[lineygoblue]

Today, Michigan looks like one of the teams from the old ACC. They resemble the old Maryland, Virginia and Boston College teams of the 80's and 90's. They win some, but mostly lose, and have no impact on the national scene. Its no wonder they look that way, considering where their coaches come from, and where the majority of the players on the roster come from. Its as though Michigan has forsaken its Midwest roots, and are on the path to somehow dominate eastern football. Problem is, the Big Ten has become more "BIG TEN" than ever before. The better teams in the league are big, tough, strong, and highly skilled. Michigan is none of those.

I'll reiterate some things I've said before. For me, I don't need Michigan to constantly be in the NC picture. A team that challenges for playoff contention once every 5-6 years would be fine with me. We haven't had that since the playoffs began. All I want is for Michigan teams to come ready to play. Good preparation, strong fundamentals, mentally and physically tough, and well coached. I think that when opponents are flying into Willow Run on a glide path that takes them over Michigan Stadium, there should be a sense of dread in their gut, knowing they've got to go there and play a Michigan team that is about to unleash a whupping on them. Win or lose, just don't embarrass yourselves. Michigan takes a lot of bad press for the losses at the Rose Bowl back in the Schembechler years, but those teams were tough. They played against some excellent football teams, and some great players. Yet Michigan was never blown out or embarrassed. John Robinson, former USC coach said on several occasions that Michigan hit them harder than any team on their schedule. I want Michigan to return to that type of toughness.

I have no idea who could come in and make those kind of changes. That's going to be the job for Warde Manuel, and hopefully a group of knowledgeable people that he will surround himself with as he begins a coaching search. They've got to look everywhere and shake the trees hard. Michigan is at a point now where if they don't make the right choice this time, they're headed for Vanderbilt/U-Mass territory. That big old stadium, at about 75% capacity, if that.

[iam416]

This was actually the first time I watched a lot of M. I know they're missing Hutchinson and Paye and Mayfield. But, nonetheless, I was stunned at how awful they are. In every meaningful regard they are a really bad team.

[lineygoblue]

John Bacon said this morning that he still believes that Manuel will not fire Harbaugh. He's confident Harbaugh will be back in 2021 unless he resigns.

[Cody_Russell]

Then they better extend Harbaugh’s contract. It’s all in on Harbaugh now or let him go after 2020.

I think Pat Fitzgerald is the best/ most realistic option to be the next coach at M. Convinced of that now more than ever after yesterday’s Purdue vs NW game.
It won’t be a home run hire like Harbaugh was (and how did the home run hire turn out?). Just a solid/ good choice that has proven to build a strong culture + well coached + TOUGH minded college football team. This, despite having lower rated recruits, higher academic standards than M, and less resources spent on the coaching staff. 2019 was a letdown for NW, but they have been pretty consistent outside of that.

Don’t know and somewhat doubt that Fitzgerald would want to leave his alma mater (Rich Rod did!!). Especially considering the stunning football facility they just built ... much better when compared to Schembechler Hall.

Pat Fitzgerald... that’s my choice if possible.
- I don’t see good options from the NFL.
- Urban idea is a funny joke. 0% chance.
- Fickell, he would be hired and purposely destroy this program. I don’t trust Fickell.
- Rest of the options around college football range from ok (like Tom Allen) to meh.

[lineygoblue]

No Fitzgerald. No. No. No.

Never.

No.

No way.

Please lord, no way. Ever.

Never.

Never never.

Fitzgerald is firmly locked in to NW.

In fact, lets include any other current Big Ten coach. No, I don't want Tom Allen. I don't want Purdue's coach. I don't want Fitz. No to Fickell.

No. no. no ...

Just find a guy who is passionate about being at Michigan, and doesn't have to be bribed to be here. No, I'm not talking about a Brady Hoke clone. I'd settle for the next Gary Moeller.

No to Fitzgerald. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

No.

Coaches I'd rather see at Michigan before Fitzgerald:

John Cooper
Jeff Buchanan .. hey, at least I put you above Brady Hoke....
Brady Hoke
Jim McElwain
Rich Rodriguez
Scot Loeffler
Mike Hart
Chris Ash
Terry Bradshaw
Paul Finebaum or his brother Howard
Maxine Waters
Al Sharpton
Joe Biden
Brian Ellerbe
The Wizard
AlabamAlum
Lou Holtz
Mark May
Marty
NKOT

Did I mention that I really don't want Pat Fitzgerald at Michigan?

[iam416]

I'm a little disappointed I didn't make that list. I presume that's just an inadvertent whistle of sorts.

[Cody_Russell]

Nice list.

In hindsight, we might have given up on Rich Rod (the guy M “bribed” to coach at M) too early. At least Rich Rod’s teams improved every season. 2011 was probably going to be another step forward.
I don’t care about the “Michigan man” shit. Jim Harbaugh is passionate about this program. Harbaugh perhaps has lost some of it (due to medical reasons or age?), but you saw Harbaugh’s passion on the sidelines in 2015 and 2016. ...

Hypothetically, if it’s possible for M to lure Pat Fitzgerald to coach here, I’m in favor of it. The other options aren’t that good.
It might be better to give Harbaugh a mulligan for this season if you consider what’s out there as a replacement.

[Mike]

I’d be OK with Fitz.

[Mike]

It’s also worth mentioning that Milton flat out sucks. Like, he’s terrible and should not start anymore. He might be worse than John O’Korn and I’m not exaggerating. His mind works at the speed of molasses and he still usually chooses the worst option. That play that Talent mentioned when he rolled out and took a sack instead of just tossing the ball out of bounds demonstrated a fundamental lack of understanding of the rules and strategy of football. Simply one of the most breathlessly stupid plays I’ve ever seen. He’s awful.

[Cody_Russell]

I think M has no other choice but to let McNamara start the next game. Milton last night... oof.

Denard Robinson was a backup QB for Tate Forcier to start the 2009 season. Going to the backup QB worked out!
or even a recent example. Florida in 2019 went to backup QB Kyle Trask over Felipe Franks. That worked out!

[Hannibal]

I hope that Bacon is wrong. Harbaugh needs to go right now. It's ridiculous to let the team just twist in the wind and embarrass the university more intensely every weekend. I posted this on mgoblog, but there are three winnable games left -- PSU, Maryland, and Rutgers, plus our crossover. Plus maybe a shitty bowl game if we sweep the bad teams in the B1G. Firing Harbaugh now lifts a weight off of the team and maybe lights a fire under them. Or maybe it doesn't. Either way, it can't get worse. We're going to go 1-7 with Harbaugh. Maybe Josh Gattis as the interim can get us to 4-4. We've got two really bad teams left and one mediocre one with way less talent. If the season is not an embarrassment and we get a new guy in place before January, then the recruiting class can be salvaged too.

But for all of that to happen, Harbaugh has to go now. Right now. There's absolutely nothing to wait for. There's no more information to gather.