Sunday, January 2, 2011

What Now for Michigan Football?

In my previous post I recommended that Rich Rodriguez be let go as head coach at Michigan.  He's a good man, and a good coach, but it just isn't working out. Dave Brandon, the athletic director, has yet to say what he's going to do. It seems very unlikely that he hasn't made up his mind yet.  One way or another, all the evidence is in.  If he was going to keep Coach Rodriguez, he could just say as much publicly so that the uncertainty would be over. This would certainly help recruiting.  So, I have to believe he knows he's going to fire RichRod, and doesn't want to make an announcement until he has a solid verbal agreement from a new coach.

Most of the speculation is surrounding former Michigan QB and current Stanford head coach, Jim Harbaugh.  He's done a great job at Stanford, turning it around in four years and posting an 11-1 record this season. Despite his success, the seats are still empty at Stanford's games.  That has to be frustrating. Stanford has offered him a cushy extension, and Harbaugh says he hasn't even looked at it yet. Hard to believe, but the fact that he hasn't signed it yet tells me he's looking for something better. I read today that the San Francisco 49ers made an overture to him, and that has to be attractive. Jumping to the NFL, and being able to stay in the same metro area.  But he may not like the chemistry with the 49ers' head office.  Plenty of other colleges are looking at him too.  I can't see him picking another school over his alma mater, however. The next most prestigious vacancy -- the University of Florida job vacated by Urban Meyer -- has already been filled.  So it's the NFL or Michigan.  I betcha a dollar he's been talking to Brandon. 

Other names are floating around, too, including former Michigan player Brady Hoke.  He's been head coach at San Diego State for the past two years, with a 13-12 record. Prior to that, six years at Ball State with a 34-38 record. It's not as impressive as what Harbaugh has done, but if Harbaugh isn't available and the school demands a Michigan alum, Hoke might be it.

I don't really care one way or another if the next coach is a Michigan alum.  All this stuff about the coach having to be a "Michigan Man" is nonsense, based on a misinterpretation of what Bo Schembechler meant several years ago.  For me, a Michigan Man is a talented head coach that can win games, maintain the integrity of the program, and represent the school to the highest standards. If that guy happens to come from Toledo, or Oklahoma City, or whatever, fine by me.

But here's my advice to the next head coach.  The first phone call you make after accepting the job should be to Denard Robinson.  You need to reach out to him and assure him that he's still the starting QB at Michigan.  I'm not sure that RichRod did this with Ryan Mallett, and since transferring to Arkansas Mallett has excelled. Any head coach, and especially Jim Harbaugh, a former QB, should recognize the unique skills that Denard Robinson has. Robinson broke all kinds of records this year, and he still has room for growth. He can excel even in a pro-style offense.  Even drop-back QB's have to run draw plays, and they get flushed from the pocket too.  The difference is, Robinson can score TDs every time he does it. Maybe he should be playing in an offense that protects him better from crushing tackles on every play. It would be a real crime if a new head coach failed to capitalize on the gifted playmaking of Robinson as a quarterback.  Indeed, that should be a question Brandon should ask of his candidates. Anyone who says he doesn't think Robinson should be Michigan's QB should get a polite "thank you, don't call us, we'll call you."

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