I think this is perfect...perfect in the sense that it summarizes what we have become. First you have another confirmation of how powerless the Michigan brand is within the Big 10. From realignment having to play MSU on road twice in a row and seeing the MSU and OSU games on same Home/Away pattern, to the the pre and post game threats and admonishing of Michigan in the 2016 game, to the BIG’s criticism of Jim’s camps and approach when the SEC rallies around its teams/coaches, to now getting muscled into playing Iowa. No way any of this this happens to OSU. But Michigan is no longer a force in the league, and the move from to Martin -Brandon- Manuel has been a consistent dilution of M’s influence (starting with Martin). At OSU, they fight hard whenever anything may become a negative for them or their competitive edge. They already have their PR firms hard at work selling their credentials to media outlets (just like they have been able to plant other stories at lazy journalists). At Michigan, it is much better to do things the Michigan way. Not come on too strong, be a good BIG partner, keep your mouth shut. A lesson Jim was forced to learn a couple of years ago.
And the other perfect summary is the hubris by Jim and Warde if they actually endorsed this. Same with Jim’s “I bet on me to fix it”. We are Michigan, so we will find a way. We won’t duck anyone. But then we go out and get pantsed on national tv..again..causing more embarrassment and brand degradation that keeps that wheel spinning. Not understanding that it may be better to have an evenly matched game to build some momentum and good will. And then looking genuinely surprised at the press conference after the game that we got pantsed...not sure why it happened again. Not sure why so many are criticizing the program. Surprised kids want to leave and the only ones we can recruit are small, slow “scheme” players.
It is sad really. Michigan ”wants“ to win in football, but has no urgency, plan or understanding how to do it, nor the desire to to make it happen. They do not approach staffing, recruiting, PR, games or scheduling the way the real teams do. And I am not talking about the cheating that we cry about every time we lose. Cheating is not why OSU, MSU and others beat us on a consistent basis. It is not why Rutgers should have beat us and a crappy Penn State team did. Cheating is not why we have become a poor man’s Wisconsin..on the way to a glorified Purdue. We are here because we deserve to be. We are here because we want to hold our heads high and keep it above reality. Jim is a competitor when it comes to the game on the field, fine. But when you dont compete off it, you end up taking a plastic fork to a gunfight. And the only one who doesnt see that is Jim (Who still, sadly, thinks he can win that fight).
And all of that can be fine if that is what expectations are. But we the fans and alums didn't get the memo. We don’t want to become Purdue. We see the big stadium, the high profile coach, the crazy salaries and big talk, and are fooled into believing the University is taking the steps to compete (consistently) again. But they are not,
A couple of weeks ago I had some inside poker and advised people to be careful in thinking that replacing Jim will make it better given the lack of a plan B. They see a good program, run the right way, with players graduating (somehow that has become a big deal not an expectation), and in normal times, a lot of revenue. They honestly were not prepared for the level of fan outrage that has surfaced and escalated over the last few weeks.
The lack of will, the lack of alignment, the lack of preparation, dedication and understanding of what it takes to be a top program is higher than Jim. Frankly it is higher than Warde (but includes him). If Jim does leave, and I doubt he will, I would temper the enthusiasm that anyone coming in will turn it around. It takes much more than a good coach. That is why Urban Meyer keeps saying look under the hood. It isn't the experienced driver, it isnt the flashy exterior. It is the engine that dates back to the 1980s and 1990s.
And the other perfect summary is the hubris by Jim and Warde if they actually endorsed this. Same with Jim’s “I bet on me to fix it”. We are Michigan, so we will find a way. We won’t duck anyone. But then we go out and get pantsed on national tv..again..causing more embarrassment and brand degradation that keeps that wheel spinning. Not understanding that it may be better to have an evenly matched game to build some momentum and good will. And then looking genuinely surprised at the press conference after the game that we got pantsed...not sure why it happened again. Not sure why so many are criticizing the program. Surprised kids want to leave and the only ones we can recruit are small, slow “scheme” players.
It is sad really. Michigan ”wants“ to win in football, but has no urgency, plan or understanding how to do it, nor the desire to to make it happen. They do not approach staffing, recruiting, PR, games or scheduling the way the real teams do. And I am not talking about the cheating that we cry about every time we lose. Cheating is not why OSU, MSU and others beat us on a consistent basis. It is not why Rutgers should have beat us and a crappy Penn State team did. Cheating is not why we have become a poor man’s Wisconsin..on the way to a glorified Purdue. We are here because we deserve to be. We are here because we want to hold our heads high and keep it above reality. Jim is a competitor when it comes to the game on the field, fine. But when you dont compete off it, you end up taking a plastic fork to a gunfight. And the only one who doesnt see that is Jim (Who still, sadly, thinks he can win that fight).
And all of that can be fine if that is what expectations are. But we the fans and alums didn't get the memo. We don’t want to become Purdue. We see the big stadium, the high profile coach, the crazy salaries and big talk, and are fooled into believing the University is taking the steps to compete (consistently) again. But they are not,
A couple of weeks ago I had some inside poker and advised people to be careful in thinking that replacing Jim will make it better given the lack of a plan B. They see a good program, run the right way, with players graduating (somehow that has become a big deal not an expectation), and in normal times, a lot of revenue. They honestly were not prepared for the level of fan outrage that has surfaced and escalated over the last few weeks.
The lack of will, the lack of alignment, the lack of preparation, dedication and understanding of what it takes to be a top program is higher than Jim. Frankly it is higher than Warde (but includes him). If Jim does leave, and I doubt he will, I would temper the enthusiasm that anyone coming in will turn it around. It takes much more than a good coach. That is why Urban Meyer keeps saying look under the hood. It isn't the experienced driver, it isnt the flashy exterior. It is the engine that dates back to the 1980s and 1990s.
