Well, I’ve been on hiatus for a few months waiting for
something that was truly world or earth shattering to get me to attack the keyboard with
my opinions and statements of fact.
This morning, the world for Michigan Basketball Fans
Shattered…
When something like this happens, I think it’s natural to have a “WTF”
moment and let your mind go over all the details as to “Why?” Some Facts: Beilein flirted with the Pistons and
Magic jobs last season, but I honestly believed that was a leverage
move to get Ward Manuel off his dead ass and do something for Beilein, the BEST
BASKETBALL COACH TO EVER COACH AT MICHIGAN and get JB and his staff
contracts that were worthy of the teams that this collection of coaches was
putting on the floor season in and season out.
I really didn’t think there was anything more to it than
that…
But, when I look at the environment surrounding NCAA
Basketball, and if I were coaching (Stop Laughing Now) and I was doing it the
Beilein way, straight up, no cheating, no money changing hands, etc., I’d
probably be pretty fed up with the entire thing too. I mean, here’s a guy that’s made two NCAA
Title games in the last 6 seasons (2013 and 2018) and runs a program as clean
as the new fallen snow. He had
to coach one title game against Louisville, a team that WAS SO DIRTY it should
have received the death penalty.
Against Nova, he was up against a
bunch of one and dones who all showed up to play for Nova in the same year. Not entirely fishy, but at the same time…Questions.
In addition to those facts, the number two guy in the front
office at Cleveland, Mike Gansey, played for Beilein at WVU. Not to mention that Gilbert has been infatuated
with both Beilein and Izzo for quite awhile. Gilbert was no doubt in full support of this
decision and probably consulted with Izzo who was probably like, “SURE!!!
BEILEIN IS A GREAT COACH!!! You should
hire him!!!” Thus, paving the
way for an easy LNU B1G Title come 2020.
Gilbert just screwed Michigan
twice…
Nice…
I’m still a little numb as I really thought I knew
this guy. I truly believed he
had bought into and become a “Michigan Man” over the 12 seasons he spent in Ann
Arbor. And he may still be a Michigan
Man. But, again, the burden of having to
beat everyone that was willing to win using any means necessary and recruiting
prima donnas (read: Poole) and selling yourself to teenagers that don’t have a
friggin’ clue probably gets tedious, regardless of how dedicated you are to the
University.
In a way, I’d really like to see Beilein succeed. However, going to the absolute WORST
NBA franchise in the league that MIGHT get Zion in the draft probably
was enough to make the gamble worth it.
And Beilein knows how to get the most out of middling talent
players. And guys like to play for
Beilein. He has a good rep in that
regard.
However, the problem is that college coaches simply don’t “get”
the attitude of the NBA and the players that can play at that level. Pitino, Calipari, Carlesimo among others all
gave the NBA a shot and couldn’t make it work and a lot of people would
argue that those coaches were and are a better coaches than Beilein. In
fact, I can’t off the top of my head, think of a college coach that’s had any
success in the NBA.
Anyone?
Yeah, Coach K managed the 2nd dream
team in the Olympics. TOTALLY DIFFERENT
discussion. Instead of 30
College games with 3-4 days to prep in between games, you have 82
NBA games with many games going back to back or with a day off in between games
that’s a travel day.
My Point: It Ain’t a
“Practice” league. You show up ready to
play. Beilein’s a practice coach. Ask anybody.
So, in the end, Beilein is gone and Michigan has 12
wonderful fun-filled seasons of memories and remarkable moments that this fan
will never forget. Which sort of begs
the next question:
Who’s
Michigan going to get?
Beilein’s
son Pat was just named the head coach at Niagra. My guess is Manuel isn’t going to stick his
neck out on a legacy and a “hunch” that the son is as good as the old man.
Yaklich
seems like the obvious choice as the brainchild of Michigan’s Vaunted Defense. However, he’d be a first-time head coach at
what has become a premier job in the NCAA.
Yes, Michigan is definitely a top 10 or 20 job in college hoops.
And hiring a College Hoops Coach in May isn’t great timing
for anyone. I texted the new out this AM
and there were many immediate suggestions with the coach from Texas Tech, Chris
Beard, being a name that popped up from several people. I have to admit that after the TT run this
season and hearing Beard interviewed several times that I would be comfortable
with that hire. I believe he comes from
the Beilein mold and has literally been EVERYWHERE on his way to the HC job for
the Red Raiders.
Another name thrown out was Underwood from Illinois. I like that guy as well and Michigan would
definitely be a step up for Underwood.
Yep – Manuel has got his hands full. I guess we’ll see what kind of AD he is
and whether or not he’s been keeping that list of coaches nearby. He should have been after last season and the
Pistons and Magic discussions. Beilein
wasn’t hiding anything. Manuel should
have prepared in kind.
Anyway, the MMQ/MMPG is alive and well.
It just took an earth shattering moment to get the keyboard
dusted off.
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