Corey asked some very good questions for Bobda at the end of the other topic. That topic got way off base so in an effort to funnel the topic to the Michigan search I've copied Corey's questions to Bob in the quote below. Let's keep this topic to the Michigan job search and not get off track like we did in the last topic. I did my part to assist getting off track, I intend to do my part to keep this topic on track.
It's a bit dicey with regards to Miles I'd think. I'll bet he still wants the job but is between a rock and hard place. I wouldn't be surprised if after his statement before the SECCG and the announcement of his extension, that if he up and said he was going to Mich that LSU would fire him on the spot. And if he waits till after the game Jan 8th at the earliest, then Mich would have to keep up the appearance of continuing the coach search and for that long it would be tough and eventually everybody would know it was going to be Miles.
Corey, hard to tell what will happen. It seems, right now, that: 1. Kelly is not a viable candidate. Baggage issues 2. the Detroit newspapers and blogs are up in arms over Miles thinking that Martin's efforts to acquire him were either incompetent or disingenuous. The conspiracy theorists suggest that Lloyd wants no part of Miles and has major influence in the AD department. The claim is that Michigan made no real effort to acquire Miles and that Miles was put into a position where signing with LSU was his only alternative. Others seem to feel that Miles will sign with M after the bowl season which, as Terry points out, will not win him any awards of credibility. It is clear that he wanted to coach here and his agents were in contact with the school saying than Miles wanted to be at Michigan. What seems to be going on here is more analogous to medieval intrigue over choosing a new pope than it does selecting a football coach. The general fear is that the AD will either offer our DC (English) or OC DeBord the job. English I could live with. If they choose Debord, the alumni ( and I) will go insane. I am still holding out hope for Ferentz but that looks to be a pipe dream.
I wonder what the issue is with Ferentz? I know a few years ago when the Irish fired Ty that he quickly took his name out and signed a new contract with Iowa. He at the time made some comments about how much he liked coaching there and living there and that expectations were reasonable, etc. I wonder if that is still the issue, that is that he's more comfortable at Iowa where expectations are different. More like Wisconsin that Michigan. In someways I don't blame him. Maybe he's quite comfortable with a Barry Alvarez type of career, some great years some avg years and a long career at the same place. Hayden Fry certainly had a long run at Iowa but was always #3 at best in the B10.
Bobda what is the stumbling block for Ferentz to Michigan? It would seem to be a slam dunk, he knows the territory, has proven he can recruit and coach in the B10. Is it a money problem, or is he reluctant to take on the expectations at UM?
I listened to an interview with Miles on ESPN Radio, right after he signed the contract with LSU. He was very clear that he nor agents for him had ever talked to Martin or any representatives from Michigan. I really think that is a falsehood and that Martin the Michigan AD, really wants him as their coach. However, it also seems that people with clout at Michigan do not want Miles. Looks like a losing situation if Martin does hire Miles after the bowl game, a house divided is not a good situation for the university. It will be interesting to see how this all develops, if at all? Don
hmm <t>Has Miles' agent ever denied that he had contact with representatives from Michigan? I wonder if he'd swear out his professional integrity on that. Miles can always claim he didn't know what his agent was out there trying to work out on his behalf... I would love to doubt Michigan here, but I think they got played by Skip Bertman here.<br/> <br/> You had the agent out shopping a deal. You had Michigan's AD saying he would get back to Miles. I think Skip Bertman threw down his pocket aces of having his coaching the SECCG and forced the issue rather than let it draw out.<br/> <br/> I've heard that Kelly has a lot of baggage. His comments about african-american players certainly will follow him around, although it does appear to be one of those things that he might not be judged as harshly if he were a black man saying those same things.</t>
Funny how something just pop up once you are under a greater public scrutiny. When Kelly went from CMU to Cincy I don't remember anything negative comming up about his time at CMU. He seemed to do a good job at Cincy this year and a lot of people think he's an up and comming coach. I wonder if those CMU gaffes will stay with him only if he is in the running for a high profile job. Sort of like Politics isn't it.
Re Kelly: In the People's Republic of Ann Arbor, Kelly's comments, if they had been issued by him while working for Michigan, probably would have gotten him sent for a year to a sensitivity re-education camp taught by a Black Muslim. Supposedly there are other "issues" but that could simply be internet poison. Ferentz: I doubt if Michigan will pay what Iowa pays him. But, he has had several down years at Iowa with more than a few players having serious infractions with the law. The general thought is that if he left Iowa, it would be for the NFL. But, Michigan's president hired him when she was the president at Iowa and supposedly Carr and he are friends. My guess is that the athletic department would perceive a transition from Carr to Ferentz as a seamless one that would not radically change the nature of the football program. The sins of the basketball program is still an open wound at Michigan and the AD department would be extremely hesitant to hire anyone that has a whiff of scandal about him. Balanced against the need for virtue is losing 5 out of the last six years to the Buckeyes.
Has Ferentz ever beat Tressel? .....Ron Zook has.....hmmmmm..... 8) Wouldn't Martin want a coach that has beaten the sweater vested one?
I'm pretty sure Ferentz has beaten both Tressel and Zook, with the wins over Zook covering both Florida and Illinois.
I remember a few years ago Bobda talking about how Michigan had for years hired from within. This always kept them from going through the emotional wringer/roller-coaster that this situation creates. It sure looks familiar to me. I can't believe that Michigan hasn't gotten someone lined up for taking over immediately after the bowl season. Only an ND would stumble around in the dark hoping to bump into an available, willing candidate. I'm still betting on Miles.
Looks like Michigan has officially contacted Miles? http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712110324 Don
well <t>I read an article yesterday in which Skip Bertman made it clear that Michigan no longer has his permission to talk with Miles.<br/> <br/> He said that, with the signing of the new contract, there is no reason for Michigan to think they still have permission to speak with Miles. Basically, he said they're going to have to ask again.<br/> <br/> I've long suspected that the ultimate poker player, Bertman, has been playing Michigan and Miles both for fools in all of this. Skip's an LSU first guy, and a world class mofo gentleman.. You don't win that many college world series title and not be able to know how to play the political game of college sports..<br/> <br/> I'll see if I can dig it up for you guys if you want.</t>
I highlighted the OUCH in that article. Skip getting his shots in http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2007/12/lsu_athletic_director_even_bo.html
Thanks, Bobda and Corey. This is getting very interesting. Good stuff during this down period. Keep the updates coming.