Let's just deal with the 'truth' in regards to recruiting. Let's just cut all

[Reality Man]

the cr.. and just come out and say it.

Elliott or Harbaugh or Swenson...there is no such thing as a commitment in recruiting. Adults or kids...does it matter? It's a joke.

Oh...I am a 17 year old kid and I 'commit' to 'x' university until I change my mind. I am a coach/adult who tells kids I want you until I get a higher ranked guy. Seems like it goes on all over the place.

Here is my point. There is no such thing now as a commitment. It's only the LOI that means anything so when a kid says I am committed...it means nothing. Zippo. Maybe to a certain number of kids but again coaches disregard.

It's a big game that makes money for the recruiting gurus. It's a money making game and an ego stroking process. There is no such thing as a commitment so now going forward I don't care if UM has 'commitments' from 20 guys...means nothing.

Let me know when the LOI is signed and that is the 'commitment'.

Got it. Recruiting rankings and news is arguably the greatest con job/cottage industry....EVER. Why should I believe anything any kid says before the LOI? Why? Why would any logical and intelligent person pay for this garbage?



RM

 

[BHWolverine]

Which is why I like early enrollment

 

[michnittlion]

Early enrollment. That is the solution. It HAS to happen.

A real-life example: I have a current Miami University undergraduate student who has signed on to work for my company (he will 99% likely be on my team, the current plan is for him to be reporting to one of my direct reports) starting right after the 4th of July.

Now, if this person doesn't complete his studies this semester and fails to get a degree, the offer is rescinded. That is completely fair (and standard). The offer is not completely binding.

But if I encounter some other person tomorrow and I think "well, I want HER on my team instead of this other guy, in fact, I'm going to make that switch", well that's completely wrong. Even if I had only made him a verbal offer, I should 100% commit to that.

I do like Harbaugh, but let's be frank ---- he's going to do stuff in the recruiting game that other U-M coaches (Carr, Hoke) would have NEVER done. Some of Harbaugh's stuff is good: sleeping over at people's houses, climbing trees, recruiting camps down south. But some of Harbaugh's stuff is a lot more ambiguous, in terms of its "goodness." There were rumors of Harbaugh "ghosting" when at Stanford. This Swenson thing is not completely out of nowhere.

Headlines like today's headline: it's part of what U-M signed up for when they signed Harbaugh back in December 2014.

 

[michigangoblue999]

Here is my point. There is no such thing now as a commitment. It's only the LOI that means anything so when a kid says I am committed...it means nothing.

Well, yes, of course! If a commitment was binding then there would be no need for a letter of intent, would there?

 

[Reality Man]

Early enrollment. That is the solution. It HAS to happen.

A real-life example: I have a current Miami University undergraduate student who has signed on to work for my company (he will 99% likely be on my team, the current plan is for him to be reporting to one of my direct reports) starting right after the 4th of July.

Now, if this person doesn't complete his studies this semester and fails to get a degree, the offer is rescinded. That is completely fair (and standard). The offer is not completely binding.

But if I encounter some other person tomorrow and I think "well, I want HER on my team instead of this other guy, in fact, I'm going to make that switch", well that's completely wrong. Even if I had only made him a verbal offer, I should 100% commit to that.

I do like Harbaugh, but let's be frank ---- he's going to do stuff in the recruiting game that other U-M coaches (Carr, Hoke) would have NEVER done. Some of Harbaugh's stuff is good: sleeping over at people's houses, climbing trees, recruiting camps down south. But some of Harbaugh's stuff is a lot more ambiguous, in terms of its "goodness." There were rumors of Harbaugh "ghosting" when at Stanford. This Swenson thing is not completely out of nowhere.

Headlines like today's headline: it's part of what U-M signed up for when they signed Harbaugh back in December 2014.

I agree. What Harbaugh is doing is UNETHICAL. It is. It doesn't make it right because some kid is engaging in unethical behavior who plays schools off each other. It's a reflection of a corrupt society.

That being said...you are right. There has to be maybe even a few signing periods because coaches need to be on the hook for offering guys early. Have a semi annual or quarterly period to sign...problem solved.

Think about your coach saying to some kid...you are a commitment to the University and then saying Oh...we are going back on that commitment because we found someone better. If you were accepted to some school and then they said Oh, we somebody who is willing to pay a higher tuition or has a higher SAT score so we are going to admit him/her rather than you...wouldn't you cry foul?

What staff is doing is wrong. Plain and simple. You know it and I know it.

Now...if coaches say we will take YOUR commitment but we can replace your spot with someone else at least 90 days prior to signing day if we feel we can do better or you aren't cutting the mustard then that seems more straightforward.

I am sympathetic to coaches who have been burned by kids. It's not just a one way street but the Swenson thing is slimey at best. I don't give guys like Elliott a pass. It's hilarious to see his schtick. Both sides are at fault plus the NCAA who allows this garbage to happen.


RM



RM

 

[pistol55]

I agree. What Harbaugh is doing is UNETHICAL. It is. It doesn't make it right because some kid is engaging in unethical behavior who plays schools off each other. It's a reflection of a corrupt society.

That being said...you are right. There has to be maybe even a few signing periods because coaches need to be on the hook for offering guys early. Have a semi annual or quarterly period to sign...problem solved.

Think about your coach saying to some kid...you are a commitment to the University and then saying Oh...we are going back on that commitment because we found someone better. If you were accepted to some school and then they said Oh, we somebody who is willing to pay a higher tuition or has a higher SAT score so we are going to admit him/her rather than you...wouldn't you cry foul?

What staff is doing is wrong. Plain and simple. You know it and I know it.

Now...if coaches say we will take YOUR commitment but we can replace your spot with someone else at least 90 days prior to signing day if we feel we can do better or you aren't cutting the mustard then that seems more straightforward.

I am sympathetic to coaches who have been burned by kids. It's not just a one way street but the Swenson thing is slimey at best. I don't give guys like Elliott a pass. It's hilarious to see his schtick. Both sides are at fault plus the NCAA who allows this garbage to happen.


RM



RM

you and everybody else that shoot their mouth off all the time about what is or isnt right, are not connected enough to even have a clue about what is really going on.
i just dont get how someone can make a personal attack or judgement on somebody when you do not even know anything except what you hear or read about them.
would you consider that fair if i read about you and then recited that over and over even though i have never met you or talked to you? and dont use the old"thats my opinion" defense. having a right to an opinion doesnt mean you can just say or repeat anything you want, other wise there is no value to it.

 

[michnittlion]

I agree. What Harbaugh is doing is UNETHICAL. It is. It doesn't make it right because some kid is engaging in unethical behavior who plays schools off each other. It's a reflection of a corrupt society.

Unethical? I don't know if I'm ready to attach that word to it.

What I guess we have to accept is this: "what is considered normal in recruiting evolves."

Remember 8 Januarys ago? RichRod recruited a kid who had given a verbal commitment to Purdue. Half of the B1G ---- conference stalwarts like Joe Tiller, Bret Bielema, Jim Tressel, Joe Paterno --- they all went either BAT-SHIT BERZERK or started mumbling under their breath about "gentleman's agreements."

Now, is there any coach anywhere who does NOT recruit kids who have already verballed somewhere else?

It is what it is. "Normal" evolves. What today we are up in arms about will become SOP tomorrow.

 

[detroitjohn]

There is absolutely nothing unethical about communicating with a recruit about changes in the recruiting situation. May I repeat, in all caps for clarity, WE ONLY HAVE ONE SIDE OF THIS ISSUE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT UM SAID OR DID WITH MR. SWENSEN AND WON'T BECAUSE, WELL, THAT WOULD BE UNETHICAL TO SPEAK ABOUT IT!

I have seen no indication of unethical behavior toward student athletes by Harbaugh up to this point and have no reason to suspect funny business here.

 

[Reality Man]

I just read something from Swenson who said UM pulled the offer. Why shouldn't I believe him especially with Johnson.

Where there is smoke there is fire so to speak. Let me hear from the coaches...until that time I defer to the player.


RM

 

[Lake Tahoe Spartan]

Swenson was highly rated, does Michigan have bigger fish to pick from?

 

[Reality Man]

I guess they do. I have 'heard' that they weren't happy with his development and clearly have quality fish trying to jump in the boat.


RM

 

[maelfan]

the cr.. and just come out and say it.

Elliott or Harbaugh or Swenson...there is no such thing as a commitment in recruiting. Adults or kids...does it matter? It's a joke.

Oh...I am a 17 year old kid and I 'commit' to 'x' university until I change my mind. I am a coach/adult who tells kids I want you until I get a higher ranked guy. Seems like it goes on all over the place.

Here is my point. There is no such thing now as a commitment. It's only the LOI that means anything so when a kid says I am committed...it means nothing. Zippo. Maybe to a certain number of kids but again coaches disregard.

It's a big game that makes money for the recruiting gurus. It's a money making game and an ego stroking process. There is no such thing as a commitment so now going forward I don't care if UM has 'commitments' from 20 guys...means nothing.

Let me know when the LOI is signed and that is the 'commitment'.

Got it. Recruiting rankings and news is arguably the greatest con job/cottage industry....EVER. Why should I believe anything any kid says before the LOI? Why? Why would any logical and intelligent person pay for this garbage?



RM

Yes. Because you should do things the right way. Harbaugh the guru should have Swenson as an All American by his sophomore year, not dumping him 2 weeks before signing day and bringing awful publicity to himself and U of M.

 

[detroitjohn]

Yes. Because you should do things the right way. Harbaugh the guru should have Swenson as an All American by his sophomore year, not dumping him 2 weeks before signing day and bringing awful publicity to himself and U of M.

Stop your blathering already we've repeatedly answered your inane comments, you're boring us with your morality tales...

 

[goblue31602]

Swenson was highly rated, does Michigan have bigger fish to pick from?

The rating is more from what kind of potential he showed as a sophomore than where he was as a senior. He had 5* potential a few years back, and people are starting to see that he's not reaching that potential.