Special Report: All We Are Is Dust In The Wind

This doesn't feel like when Harbaugh jumped to the Chargers.  Jim struggled in Ann Arbor for a long time and finally broke through.  He also was showing plenty of signs he really wanted to get back to the NFL.  He completed his goal in Ann Arbor and took the first flight to LA.  

I thought Dusty was different.  He had some really big success at Michigan in a short time, found 3 aces in the portal and hung a banner in Crisler in just two seasons.  He had job offers like you and I drink Ice Tea.  Indiana, North Carolina, Orlando Magic, and probably many more we don't even know about.   Him not even considering them made us believe Dusty was in it for the long haul.  He was home and a champion headed for statue status outside of Crisler.  Hell, he was just up north playing in a fund raiser golf tournament for NIL this weekend with Coach Whitt. 

Then Monday morning, the entire program changes in a minute and Dusty leaves for the Dallas Mavs who just made one of the worst trades in the history of the NBA.  His Indiana brother Mark Cuban no longer owns the team but they do have head case Kyrie and future star Cooper Flagg.  To me the NBA is unwatchable basketball.   TV ratings continue to drop as the league transitions from LeBron to Wemby and others.  Yes, they are having a up swing with the Knicks winning the championship and the Draft tomorrow but these are blips in a league with a number of issues. 

College Basketball has its own issues.  Its become the G-League with players in the portal getting $6M a year and having to recruit your entire roster every season or even every month.   There are plenty of issues in college basketball and the calendar never stops.  Its an 18 hour 365 day job, recruiting never stops:  High School, Portal, and International.  How do we get the best team on the floor for $10M next season?

Being able to take a vacation and spending time with family, would be a good reason for leaving the college game.  Still hotels and room service non-stop in the NBA can't be that appealing.   So Dusty turned down all those other jobs and the Mavs was the one he wanted?  I don't buy it.  

What changed?  Was it the extension not being done?  I thought they had agreed to terms but it wasn't signed yet.  Was it the $10M Korn Ferry investigation on the athletics department that has been completed but not released?  Was it Dusty hiring a new agent and CAA wanting more money?  Did the Mavs throw out a stupid offer like $20M a year?

Update: Sources close to Dusty are saying that he wanted to leave the college game due to the grind and the non-stop nature of this job.  He wins a National Championship and has to be back in the office the night they get home to work on the transfer portal.  He also is now negotiating with every player agent and every players family.   This job is no longer just about coaching the team, its about fundraising, negotiation, recruiting talent, managing millions of dollars for your roster, scheduling, etc.  

Hard to know, until somebody talks and I assume we will hear from both Dusty and Warde on Tuesday.  Here is what I know and have known for a long time, Warde is way over his head and needs to resign or be fired soon.  He is not a leader and lost two head coaches just weeks/months after winning National Championships.   Name another college program in football or basketball where this happens?  I'll wait.  Exactly, it doesn't happen anywhere but at Michigan. 

After Warde gets shocked that Dusty jumps to Dallas he then goes and hires the top assistant Mike Boynton as the interim who was an average head coach at Oklahoma State with little to no success. How about make a few calls first Warde?  We already know being a good assistant does not make you a good head coach.  Save the roster! Save the roster!  F that.   Save the program and go hire a really good head coach. 

Let's get back to the AD investigation.  What the hell is going on here?  It was supposed to be completed in January and its the end of June and all we know is the investigation is over and it cost $10M.   What is in the report?  Why is it being guarded under lock and key?  Did Dusty know whats in there and took off?  I doubt it.  

The only reason Warde still has a job is because his two top programs has won National Championship the last 3 years and he hired Dusty.   Well, he lost Dusty and Coach B to the NBA and Jimmy took his Chevy to the levy.  Not to mention the long list of all the bad things that have happened on his watch.  His time has come and it needs to be done soon.  

We have all seen a ton of things happen at Michigan as long time fans.  Not sure I've ever seen one of our beloved programs reach the mountain top and as we are placing the flag on the apex, we trip and fall off the back side.  

• Enjoy the draft and I hope the Michigan 3 go high! 

Breaking News: Dusty to Dallas Mavs

What a terrible way to start the week.  This news is unbelievable.  

I will just share my random thoughts:

Michigan has won 2 National Championships in the last 3 years and Warde loses both head coaches right after.   This basketball program has gone for the top of the world to nowhere in just a couple minutes.   

The entire roster can now transfer and Michigan has to find a coach in the middle of summer.  

What a mess and Michigan Athletics Department has no leadership to fix it.   

What are we doing?

Could Coach B come in for a year?

Will Dusty draft a Wolverine now?

I'm sick. 

Dusty is leaving to coach Kyrie and Cooper?

Last college coach to jump to the NBA - Coach B 

Is College Sports that broken we can't keep a head coach from going to coach a Pro sport?

If UNC can't hire a good college coach, how will Michigan do it in June/July?

Warde is a disaster! 

Warde just hired Mike Boynton as interim head coach after going 119-109 at OK State and made the NCAA Tournament once. 

Michigan Monday: Is Kicking It!

Michigan Football had a big recruiting weekend, named Victors Weekend.  Coach Whitt rode a custom built motorcycle into the Big House.  Our new coach has some swagger and I like it!  It was also a weekend to to show commits and other recruits the special place A2 is in the summer and year round. 

Former IMG and now Milton, GA 2028 kicker Ryan Jung picked up an offer from his dream school at camp last week and immediately accepted. Ryan is ranked the #1 kicker to Kohls but we are still waiting on rankings from Macy's, Marshalls, and Target (which would be a great name for a kicking camp).  If kicking doesn't work out, maybe he can play Safety at 6'2 200 pounds. 😀

Michigan did land a commitment from Victors Weekend, but I'm only somewhat excited.  It's from a rising 6'5 TE prospect named Christian Hanshaw.  Coach Whitt played with his dad at BYU so there is a long time connection with the family.  The reason I'm more fair to Midland on this commitment is Christian will be taking a 2 year Mormon Mission starting in December/January and won't show up in A2 until 2029.   Those missions are hard core and he will only get to work out a limited time a week and of course won't touch a football for 2 years.   I don't care how athletic you are, if you stop doing something for 2 years, its hard to regain that skill.   As we know, things can also drastically change in 2 years. 

The buzz is Michigan expects more commitments this week from Victors Weekend! 

• The US Open was interesting and I guess the lockers at Shinnecock are safe!  It seems that in many majors now, guys get out to a fast start and then start leaking oil but hang on for a win because nobody can make a run because the course is too tough.  

• The NBA Draft is almost here and Michigan's Big 3 National Champions should go anywhere from 8-20.

Michigan Friday: Grabs Another DE!

Michigan had 2 important visitors last weekend and one of the two commitmented on Thursday.   Ifeanyi Emedobi is a 6'1 210 pound 4-star Edge from Ft. Wayne, IN.  Emedobi is brand new to football and has only played for one year.  Being a 4-star after one year of ball must mean your a great athlete but need some development.  That is 100% the case here.  

Reports are he is very green but has a huge upside.  Emedobi will need to work on his strength and skill in the next few years before he ever sees the field in Ann Arbor.   With the coaching available for high schools students in the private sector and the staff at Michigan, I'm sure both are up for the challenge.  Yes, he is heading for a red shirt and Yes, he could be the next great Michigan DE. 

He picked Michigan from over 24 offers and including his final list of PSU, Minnesota, and Illinois. 

Welcome big man! 

Enjoy Fathers Day Weekend and the US Open!