As always seems to be the case (transitions are always challenging)- after a (unnecessarily) panic inducing couple of weeks, the new staff seems to be coming together in an exciting way…..

Defense (barring major defections) is going to be elite. RBs= elite. OL= potential to be quite good given the turnover. TE= seemingly elite. Biggest question marks are WR and most of all QB.

Would be interested in people’s thoughtful takes on the most likely QB outcome. On the current roster it seems like Orji is the popular candidate but would require an even bigger step towards system change…. Might be best suited to run a Air Force type offense. Is that realistic (especially if only for a year or 2)?

Maintaining the current run pass mix/system it seems like it’s probably a race between Warren, Denegal and Davis…. With Orji maintaining that change up (more often) run first role. Haven’t seen much to get real excited about with Denegal/Warren and Davis is likely a season or 2 away.

Transfer portal in the Spring is an obvious possibility. Knowing that it’s all speculation is there anyone interesting out there that would be a potential import….. maybe Cade mends some fences and comes back lol…. kidding- but interested in any names, connections or speculation out there.

In a recent media roundtable, Warde Manuel shared his thoughts on Sherrone Moore's first staff at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh's efforts to take staff with him to LA, and whether Michigan was caught off guard or could have done more to retain staff.
🔗🔽

Login to view embedded media

If I understand correctly, with the expected hire of BLM and either Adegoke or Morgan for defensive secondary, those 2 hires will "fill out" the allotment of on-field coaches we are allowed. I believe this is with the assumption Mike Hart stays. But until we know for sure, MH is basically filling up a coaching and recruiting spot that we can't fill. RB's don't know who their RB coach is for sure. It also handicaps more with how he wants to shuffle staff and (I would think) the closer we get to spring ball the harder it will be to find a sutable replacement.

So all that being said, how long should we/ will we give Mike Hart? I know he appears to be going through something quite substantial personally, but this is still a billion dollar business that needs to move forward, and Sherrone needs to know, heading into spring ball, who his coaching staff is and start getting everyone on the same page under his leadership. Would it be too much to say, "Hey Mike, we want you back, but we need to know by end of next week if you intend to continue negotiations on a new deal or move on." ?

Login to view embedded media

I really thought FOX would a piece of the CFP pie with all of this conference realignment.

As we reported when news first broke of Jim Harbaugh departing, Sherrone Moore has a few things on his checklist that he would like to get done or see start to unfold, as soon as he takes on the job.

One area in particular is the recruiting department. We are told that Moore plans to at least "double" the recruiting staff. While we don't have a solid number of how many hires will be made, there is expected to be an influx of people in the department.

Included are more people to scout high school film, an (obvious) increase in the size of the department in general as well as addressing on-campus communications and making that larger and more effective. We'll see how long it should take to go into effect but it sounds like Moore will get support for his needs.

As for NIL, I am told an increased and more aggressive approach is for Moore and the coaching staff to be more visible. More engagement from Moore and the staff with booster clubs as well as NIL collectives, it's something that Harbaugh didn't do as much which Moore identified as an area of improvement.

Visibility matters and the belief is that more support from a donations standpoint will stem from it.

I have an embargoed press release in my possession so I can’t talk about it but expect some news to come out around noonish tomorrow.

Question: Coach Howard, how do you feel about your performance tonight, personally?

COACH HOWARD: Well, I'd say it was a masterclass in mediocrity. I mean, who needs coaching skills when you've got the Fab Five legacy, right? (Laughs)

Question: You've had a successful NBA career, but how do you feel about your transition to coaching?

COACH HOWARD: Oh, it's been a blast! I've learned so much from my time as a backup and assistant. Now, I'm just applying all that knowledge to making terrible decisions on the court. (Chuckles)

Question: Your team seems to struggle with in-game adjustments. Any thoughts on that?

COACH HOWARD: Oh, absolutely! I'm a firm believer in sticking to the plan, even if it's not working. After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? (Winks)

Question: And your recruiting strategy?

COACH HOWARD: Well, I've been leaning heavily on my experience as a bystander on the AAU circuit. I mean, who wouldn't want to play for a coach who's been watching from the sidelines? (Laughs)

Question: Coach Howard, thank you for your time.

COACH HOWARD: No problem! I'm just here to entertain, and if I can't do that on the court, I'll do it in the press conference. (Laughs)

I keep reading about people panicking about the portal and as usual projecting gloom and doom for Michigan.

Baffling as to the fact that these same people belive that OSU is "killing it" in the portal.

The things ignored are the actual numbers in and out of these programs.

OSU "killing it in the portal" must be tempered with one completely ignored fact: That program was gutted when the portal first opened, losing 18 players to the portal, including 4 players who started (QB, WR2, NB, CB, RB1a) and their starting punter.
michigan fans can't see the obvious: OSU had to replenish the loss of talent in the portal by signing players- This was a need (extra 5-star prep QB not withstanding) for OSU to replenish its talent.

Alabama, despite being in a similar situation as Michigan losing their HC, has lost 25 to the portal, including 4 starters, and multiple former blue chip recruits.

UGA has had zero coaching turmoil, yet lost 18 to the portal, including projected starting CBs to PSU and...Purdue.

Michigan? Even after the turmoil of JH leaving, Michigan only has 7 who have hit the portal...None starters or more than role players (Hibner, Stokes).

So for those so afraid of the portal, I would pose this question: If Michigan players were going to transfer, what would logically be the delay?

If NIL were to have an affect, it would've already happened, right?

NIL was supposed to be the reason that Donovan Edwards was going to UGA two years ago in the portal. Those who were members of on3 at the time should remember the rumor mongering regrding the UGA coaches talking to DE after the BCS loss, which was, of course encouraged by the mods.

Meanwhile Donavan Edwards signed some NIL deals with Michigan supported companies in mid January (to add to his portfolio), and announced his return for his 4th year.

Blake Corum was here for his entire college career, as was JJ, as was Colson.

All have had multiple NIL deals since 2021...Not a rumor for any of those players.

For the life of me, I fail to see why people create illogical and ridiculous scenarios in their heads, where Michigan is always being victimized by the portal, when history shows that our rivals are more apt to lose players in the portal (OSU lost two top 5 QB from it's 2021 class, plust it's starting WR to an inconference rival) than Michigan.

Don’t really have much to offer right now as I don’t think the search is close to being wrapped up.

I do get the sense that Corey Parker’s name has faded a bit and Stephen Adegoke’s name has been picking up a lot of steam. We were told that the two have spoken “off and on” for at least two weeks about the job.

Sherrone Moore has familiarity with Adegoke, as Adegoke has with Michigan’s system. I do know it would be a popular choice inside the building.

If you were to ask me to guess who it could be, I’d say Adegoke right now but I don’t think I’m ready to make an official prediction just yet.

It was at about 50% in HS. Gives me the Joe Milton scaries.

Some Michigan players were in a film session with Wink Martindale and went over film last week.

Have also confirmed that Greg Scruggs has begun calling the linemen to inform them of his arrival.

Did some digging over the last few days and I wanted to put off posting any intel on LB coach until I could get some names emerging.

After multiple discussions with multiple people, it’s clear that Tennessee LB coach Brian Jean-Mary is the leader in the clubhouse for Sherrone Moore.

Moore is an admirer of Jean-Mary and we’re told the two have had multiple discussions about the job, serious discussions.

You can say the interest is mutual.

Tennessee won’t go down without a fight, though.

Things seem to be moving quickly but we should have an answer on what Jean-Mary will do sooner rather than later.

Dug McDaniel is out once again tonight for Michigan's game against Illinois. Juwan Howard is looking to pick up his first win against the Illini.

If Michigan loses tonight, it will become increasingly more likely that the Wolverines will be playing in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday.

The game is at 7 p.m. and will air on Peacock.

Login to view embedded media

Just wondering if as were gathering our feet back under us we might have some new progress on a couple of quality recruits?

Where he signing on the dotted line

Sherrone Moore is looking for a DB coach that will coach the entire defensive back unit, safeties included.

I am working on getting names and there’s a few I’ve been told about but will work to get specifics.

Does this impact a guy like Corey Parker who has experience with corners only? Not sure but it’s not like he would shy away from the challenge.

Still working on things and will report back.

"romantic encounters".

Have a chance to break a record for most players drafted. Record is 15.

Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media