Terrin

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:51 p.m.

Go with Hoke. First, he wants to be here. Second, Les Miles obviously doesn't. Both know U of M. Hoke will have far more passion, and will bring back the right traditions. Further, Hoke will never want to leave.

Terrin

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.

Inside the Hall: I suspect Les Miles could retire today.

1st Down

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 9 p.m.

BlueSince...unlikely that Les did that...his players reportedly love him from all sources... Les doesnt make excuses and point fingers.

BlueSince62

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.

I seem to remember Les Miles throwing his kids under the bus during a press conference for their one loss the year RR was hired. And for that reason, being relieved that LM was not hired. Past coaches have all lost games, and so will future ones. The coaches dont play the games, the kids do, and stuff will happen. And the kids need a man who knows how to handle the stuff. On the field, at the podium, and all week long. A man with character, poise and integrity. A professor from whom parents will want their kids to learn, and the kids will want to play for. With about 50,000 men in America for DB to choose from, I hope he looks beyond the default choices and choses a bit better this time.

1st Down

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.

Pretty cool of Troy to post that...Butch played when Les was a coach here.

I love Michigan Football

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.

players meeting at 4 tomorrow and they want Miles. Troy Woolfolk tweet: http://plixi.com/p/69184024

RWBill

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 6:28 p.m.

whether Les or not, we all need to get behind him and his staff and stfu about little stuff until they've had a chance to overcome and rebuild from the substantial lack of physicality and talent that characterizes Michigan football right now.

David Vande Bunte

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:52 p.m.

"Les Miles using the situation to retool his contract with LSU....Look for Brady Hoke to be the next HC....I would've been happy with either one of these guys." He used that trick 3 years ago. What makes anyone think that LSU is going to fall for it a second time? They may be at the point where if Les tries to hold them up for more money, they simply say "you want more money or you are leaving? Don't let the door hit ya!" Basically, that line of thought assumes that LSU would do anything it took to retain Les Miles, and that may not be the case. He already bluffed his way to one payday, and I am reminded of one of my all time favorite quotes: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. That is pretty much the situation LSU finds itself in, if they allow Les Miles to try to bargain for more money to keep him from going to the same team he threatened to go to 3 years ago.

NoBowl4Blue

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.

LSU willing to reduce Miles buy out. He's coming to Michigan, bank on it!

D21

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.

The only reason Les is taking the time to talk with Brandon is to drive up his net worth with LSU and LSU will either match UM's asking price or call Les bluff.

Joe

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.

Joe G...get what done in three years?

ecmichman

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.

Joe G - Firing someone just because they are not "getting it done" in three years is downright silly. It is so nebulous. How do you define that? The sad thing for your boy RR was that the program went BACKWARD. That is very easy to define. Went from 9-4 to 7-6 over three years with defensive players that even in a new year's day bowl game did not know where to line up! Now THAT is defined as "not getting it done"!

PortageLkBlu

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 5:06 p.m.

I just don't know about Les Miles. Something about him is iffy to me. I will concede that Les knows the type of player it takes to win in that division and that says something.

ss

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.

The answer is there if you... Read the "body language".....not the words!

joe golder

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.

missionbrazil everyone wanted a change and BM gave it to them. Carr was getting it as bad as RR got it. Turning it around was not going to happen in 3 years. RR should have been given more time. The real problem was the same people who ran LC off were more afraid RR was going to succeed than fail. If DB gets it done great I like my crow well done and spicy. I'll eat crow and I hope you call for the next guy to get fired if he doesn't get it done in three years. I'll be Watching.

heartbreakM

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.

@Joe Golder (misspelled before, sorry): Like I said, I disliked RR before he lost a game. I thought it was a bad fit from day one. Didn't like the way he came here, didn't like that he called Pryor before telling his own team, didn't like his lack of knowledge of our program, all of that. Now, given what he came into--a 40 year track record of continuous marked success, longest bowl streak in DivI football, never lost to a MAC school--well, I think he had a shorter string than what he leaves to his successor. But I did not think he should have been our coach anyway. Now, if whoever comes in as coach does as woeful of a job as RR while publicly making a spectacle of himself (read: Josh Groban reference), then yes, I would be unhappy and likely vocal. But if we were to see competitiveness, true improvement, and good coaching on all sides of the ball, then no, I would not support a quick change. it's all relative. Take the Harbaugh comparison which has been discussed ad nauseum for months. Even though JH had similar records in terms of numbers as RR, his starting point was much worse. And he managed to beat USC in his first year and had other wins which were significant. So even though JH's and RR's records were nearly identical, their trajectories and starting points were way different. Relative, like I said. But I do think with the right coach, these players will way outperform what we had for last 3 years so I think it's a moot point (hopefully).

Joe

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.

WOW league...you sound like RR..."it wasn't my fault. Martin did it"!

rreidannarbor

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.

Interview process may be window dressing for LSU contract leverage. If Ms. Miles is happy there in Baton Rouge instead of Barton Hills, then as they say, "Happy wife, Happy Life". "Mr. Hoke, The AD will see you now".

leaguebus

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.

RR did not toast the program, Martin did by hiring him.

Joe

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.

1st Down...I told you it was interesting. I especially like the part where DB wrote "Those that are not trying to be helpful quickly end up in the delete/block sender file!"

ecmichman

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.

1st Down - Spot on. RR has really torched this program and now U-M is seen as a massive rebuilding effort, hence the lack of interest from other coaches in relatively stable situations. Hate to lose DR, but if he goes with RR so be it. This program can only be rebuilt with those who want to stay. If it takes a new coach 3 or 4 years, I'm fine with that as long as we can see tangible progress every year. Unlike the recently ousted "offensive genius".

Wolvdoug

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.

ooops...Les Miles using the situation to retool his contract with LSU....Look for Brady Hoke to be the next HC....I would've been happy with either one of these guys. lol...always preview

missionbrazil

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:06 p.m.

joe golder "My gut tells me you just made the biggest blunder ever committed by a UM AD by firing RR. And no RR haters it wasn't BM. Only time will tell if I am wrong or right. This doesn't make you a bad or good person DB. It just makes you appear very wrong for the AD position at u of mich. If you pull this of I will be the first to eat crow." Are you willing to eat crow two times, because you are wrong two times? 1. DB got it exactly right in firing the HC with the worst record in UM history, and who gave us the first NCAA violations in our history. 2. DB will get the 2nd part right also... this is exactly why he was hired, and he is up to the task. How do you like your crow by the way? Fried? Broiled? Grilled?

1st Down

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.

Yeah Joe...especially the part where Brandon describes "this guy who calls himself Theo who accosted me at the Big Chill and also at the Bust begging me not to fire his "King".

Wolvdoug

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.

Les Milis using the situation to retool his contract with LSU....Look for Brady Hoke to be the next HC....I would be happy with either one of these.

Joe

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.

Go read the story on here about Brandon and the search. Really interesting, and he, in a roundabout way, mentions Theo, tater, et al.

Buster W.

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.

Next coach will be Miles. Announcement no later than Wednesday.

1st Down

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:54 p.m.

what is "get it done"? Beat a rival in 3 years? Not get blown out in a bowl game in 3 years? Build up the talent on Defense that RR completely decimated with poor recruiting and recruiting players that could not qualify academically? I have no doubt that Les would "get all of that done" and much more. The thinly veiled reference that RR was not given enough time is bogus, he did basically nothing to help his own cause...except to fall in to Denard Robinson when 2 other QBs decommitted. That was RR's highmark as UM coach. and now, he is gone.

joe golder

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.

@ heartbreakm If LH or bh doesn't get it done in three years are you going to call for their firing too.

Joe

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.

Everyone needs to take a minute or two and read this. http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/brandon/spec-rel/011011aaa.html

1st Down

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.

I do not believe that Les being 57 is any big deal. Look at the guy, he is an energetic and young 57... if he were hired and gave Michigan 5 good years, righted the ship and loaded us up with NFL type talent as he is a good recruiter....that would be just fine. If you look back through UM history...most head coaches last 10 years tops....Bo was certainly the exception, but 5 years as a head coach...perhaps more would certainly be fine

treetowncartel

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.

Jimmy Johnson or bust!

mcflies

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.

I'm tired of waiting. Call up Hoke offer him the job and let's move on already. I can't stand Miles almost as much as I couldn't stand Rich Rod. Miles lives by the trick play, can't manage the clock, and can't develop a quarterback. LSU has gotten so lucky over the years with some of their wins it's absurd.

Joe

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.

JM...is that the same Freep that reported that RR was fired on Tuesday?

heartbreakM

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.

@Joe Golden: I have been a critic of RR since he was hired--never felt that he was the right person. Notwithstanding that, RR's coaching was so woeful that I don't know how you could question the decision to release him. He was 0-6 just this year when trailing at halftime. Randomness alone would suggest that one of those would be a win. He was not competitive in his third year with the upper half of the Big Ten, which is mandatory at Michigan. Frankly, in any other discipline, that is not cutting the mustard at Michigan (though it is tolerated in basketball). His players simply deserve better coaching and a better chance at winning. We alumni and fans want better, but really, it's about the players. The trick will be getting a good replacement at this time. Not an easy task, and reiterates the need for developing good succession plans in successful programs. Unfortunately, there was not one when LC was coach, and the program has crashed and burned since his leaving under RR's coaching. Now, we really have to rebuild but in my opinion, the talent is partly there and it just needs to be coached well. If not Miles, then maybe Hoke or somebody we don't know. Stoops anybody? Bellotti? Coach at Pioneer?

InsideTheHall

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.

Miles will be hired to a 10 year contract allowing him to retire from UM. The price tag is high and Brandon can gin up money with the best of them.

JW

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.

Free Press reports that Les' wife does not want to return to Ann Arbor. So I bet he is not coming, just as when Harbaugh's wife did not want to leave the West Coast.

Ignatz

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.

It's sad. I already see rifts developing here. There's the "I can't stand Les because of X, Y and Z" folk. The Hoke is a joke crowd. Even the vaunted Jim Harbaugh would have had his Crowd O' Detractors if he didn't kiss up in the right way or shut out every opponent forever.. Isn't there just one AD? They seem to be legion on this site. Michigan is a team. Fans support the team. Michigan is a family, you don't throw a drunken fit if you don't like the head of that family.

joe golder

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.

He's giving DB an interview to help DB look better and help pacify the fan base. Good luck DB finding a replacement. As much as I would like you to take a hike I will be patient. LM pulling out of LSU at this point of his career is highly unlikely. If you do bring him in its still a crap shoot he will pull it off. My gut tells me you just made the biggest blunder ever committed by a UM AD by firing RR. And no RR haters it wasn't BM. Only time will tell if I am wrong or right. This doesn't make you a bad or good person DB. It just makes you appear very wrong for the AD position at u of mich. If you pull this of I will be the first to eat crow. LM has the best chance to turn it around at this point.

The OSU

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 3 p.m.

Q: What's the difference between making sausage and UM hiring a new coach? A: Both are disgusting processes to witness but sausage tastes good when it's finished. Go Bucks! Beat Michigan (again)!

I love Michigan Football

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.

rwbill: This is the type of statement that makes me believe he has chosen to stay somewhere, not the video above.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDKVvILygXY&feature=related

NoBowl4Blue

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.

ECMichman Rich Rod aka cry baby aka as Theo's and Taters king did indeed ruin football at Michigan. He was the wrong hire from the start.

Blu-dogg97

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.

iloveMich: I hope your right!! I'm with ya on that one brother.. nobowl4blue: I also agree with you! This is a heavy weight bout,and DB could have 2 black eye's before the bell rings for the final round!! Don't know why LM would have a meeting! If he's not going to take the Mich HC job?, he got a pay raise in 2007,for staying,are the bayou ppl,that slow??

missionbrazil

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.

If he wasn't interested at all in the UM job he would come out and say it and get it over with. He hasn't done that yet, and right there would have been the perfect time to do it. He also is talking in a way so that if things do not work out in negotiations with DB he is covering himself to stay in Baton Rouge and not offend anyone, by saying "I am extremely happy here" and "my family is comfortable here." Time will tell.

timeatwork

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:39 p.m.

all a show so that DB looks like a competant AD. no one wants the job. it'll be hoke when all is said and done. if DB went right out and hired hoke, than everyone would curse him for not trying to get anyone else. however, he saves his job if he goes around in an attempt to make it look like he knows what he is doing. les miles will listen to the pitch and turn it down. we'll hear of a couple other possible interviews, and then hoke will be announced this friday. are uofm alumni really going to allow DB to waste an entire week of recruiting to make himself look good?

ecmichman

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.

NoBowl - This would just be another in a recent series of black eyes. Three years ago U-M was turned down by the HC of Rutgers. This year they were rebuffed by the HC of Northwestern. Those are hardly football powerhouses. It makes you wonder how the coach at LSU would view the program. The U-M program is not even close to being regarded as it once was. This next hire is crucial to getting the tradition and high expectations restored. RR decimated the program.

chiro19

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.

Very ambiguous comments that have no real depth in what they mean except that he has not told michigan he will take the job or LSU he will not take the job. Brandon sounds like he is busy all over the place in the south finalizing a deal for a new coach!

XTR

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.

I am extremely happy here, - Les Miles If Les is happy there, then there is no need to waste the time of DB. C'mon we know Les is accomplished there and would be an asset in AA but if his heart is with LSU then we are just wasting our time. Good luck to him in LSU and good luck to Jimmy in SF. Turn to others who would want to make a life in AA.

David Vande Bunte

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.

I am extremely happy here, I call total BS on Les. If he was extremely happy in Baton Rouge, he would have told Dave Brandon, thanks but no thanks, and that would have been the end of that. If they are meeting to discuss the head coaching job at Michigan, doesn't that indicate that he is willing to leave LSU for Michigan, for the right price? That doesn't mean he is going to take the job. I am not predicting that Les Miles is 100% guaranteed to be Michigan's next head coach. But, for him to say that he is extremely happy at LSU, while a Michigan jet sits on the runway ready to take him to an interview for the Michigan job is complete baloney. An extremely happy coach tells Michigan to not waste their time.

Brian Nylaan

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:30 p.m.

Why not just hire the guy who wants to be here? He was good enough to just about beat one of Lloyds best teams so why isn't he good enough now? Miles is old enough that he will retire in 5 years and we have to go through this all over again! Hopefully Hoke wins out!!

NoBowl4Blue

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.

I've said it before and will again, if they interview him they have to hire him or otherwise it's another black eye.

ecmichman

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.

Two things that may deter Miles from coming: 1. Uprooting the family 2. Cleaning up the mess led by RR. He will either be itching for the challenge or he may say that he wants to keep LSU humming along. Make no mistake, RR left the cupboard bare.

RWBill

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.

ilove - suggest you watch and listen carefully again. "extreme comfort level and family very happy here". You cannot overemphasize those to a mature man who has already moved his family too many times in his life and witnessed that the "grass is greener" is an illusion.

bluenuts

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.

@i luv mich People were saying the same thing about Jim. I'm not buying anything until I see the coach/DB announce it. Until then, I'm expecting the worst.

I love Michigan Football

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.

I've been saying it for over a week now. Les Miles will be our new head coach. If you watch his 2007 antics you can see he wanted to take the job, but couldn't. He had a National Championship to contend for and wouldn't have done anything to mess that up. Today on the other is a different story. If you watched the clip after the Cotton Bowl and the one shown above, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that he is coming. He is full of joy to know that his boys back in Ann Arbor want him there. David Brandon, Rick Leach, and Jerry Hanlon along with alot of alumni that you see still surronded around the program are gonna do whatever means neccessary to get Les Miles back into Ann Arbor. Book it.

1st Down

Mon, Jan 10, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.

Wonder if he dies that hair... anyway, basically he says that he will talk but it really doesnt mean anything other than that so I dont read in to it too much. They could talk about the job, money etc, and/or could chat about the 'old days' and shoot Bo stories while discussing the future and Les give advice on who he thinks would be a good candidate for the job, other than himself.... stay tuned my friends...same bat time, same bat channel.