Michigan Monday: Wealthy Warde

After a $12M investigation, Michigan is removing Warde in the most gentle way possible.   They are giving him a 4 month vacation, allowing him to retire/quit, giving him $7M as a walking away bonus, plus retiree health benefits, with tickets and golf benefits.  He also can't be an AD at a Big Ten school for the next 2 years.  I don't think they have to worry about that! 

Michigan spending nearly $20M to remove Warde from his position, is a crazy example of cost mismanagement.  I really hope that Open AI IPO goes well.   I also hope this closes the book on the roller coaster ride this department has had since he took over.     I still can't believe he said he planned to stay at Michigan long term and then days later signed his separation agreement.  

Write the check and let's move on.  

• Speaking of moving on, Sherrone's house is for sale.  The quicker he can get out of Ann Arbor the better.  Not sure where he can go, due to his legal issues, but best to be out of Washtenaw County as least. 

• Sounds like the concerts went well this weekend, I now wonder if they should of installed the new turf after this weekend, instead of prior.  

• When I heard the Duke - Michigan game was getting moved to a baseball stadium, I thought that could be a disaster for fans buying tickets.  Glad they killed the game, if it couldn't be played in a real basketball arena. 

Michigan Friday: What Lane Said

There are plenty of good stories in college football as we are just a few weeks away from Fall Camp starting.  One is our Wolverines under Coach Whitt another is Lane Kiffin at LSU after jumping from the CFP Ole Miss program.  

SEC gets out early on their media days and since ESPN owns the contract and should rename their network to ESECPN covered the event like its the Super Bowl.  Lane said as a child he thought there were two people that would never die, his father and Hulk Hogan.  Both legends recently passed away.  

As a kid in the 80's, I have to agree with that statement.  

With Camp right around the corner.  Here are some things I'm excited for next season.  

• A more disciplined better fundamental football team under Coach Whitt. 
• A 19 year-old QB with a year of experience and an off season of working to get better. 
• A new defense with talented transfers and returning players. 
• A new offensive scheme that other Big 10 teams have not seen. 
• A very talented room of RB's
• A very deep true freshmen class

-Duke Michigan Game originally supposed to air on Prime at MSG and then moved to Miami due to Fox saying they own the game, will not be played next season. 

-Enjoy Morgan Wallen at the Big House this weekend.

Michigan Thursday: Big House Gets New Turf!

 That is all! 

Wolverine Wednesday: LJ Takes His Talents to Miami

LJ Cason is from Florida and a very loyal player to Dusty.  He originally committed to Dusty at FAU and moved with him to Ann Arbor.  2 Years later, he has a National Championship ring, a repaired ACL, and Dusty is in Dallas.   Mike Boynton is on a prove it deal and saved most of the roster.   LJ was expected to redshirt next season, even though reports were he could play sometime mid-season.  If you remember, he delayed his ACL surgery a couple months for the Michigan title run.  

Why is LJ the only player to transfer?  This is just me guessing but I feel like it's probably close to the truth.  With LJ expected to just to rehab next season, the NIL money might not be as big as he expected in Ann Arbor.  Miami tampered, offered a big bag for not playing or just 1/2 a season and he jumped back home.  Dusty is gone, he is looking at sitting the bench for most of the year, and he is not getting paid what he thinks he is worth.   If you follow football recruiting, you can see the Miami has a healthy NIL budget.  Basketball was very strong a few years ago and dropped off a cliff.  They played better last season with a new young coach and need playmakers.  With all those factors, it become and easy decision for LJ to go to South Beach.  

The loss to Michigan is a very good player on the rise, but one that wasn't expected to contribute to next season (or very little).   Which means this is not a net loss for Coach Boynton because of his prove it deal.  College Basketball is just a 1 year window anyway right now.  

This does mean Michigan needs another ball handler and I know the coaching staff is open to adding one in the portal still this summer.  Getting a solid backup point that can contribute to next season, would be a net add for sure.

Good Luck LJ and we wish all the best on the beach! 

• Dusty just signed Jett to a 2 way deal.  Class move.