Author of THE GALES OF NOVEMBER: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a 16X NYT bestseller. Order here: https://nitter.cf/t.co/EWZFjlYrY9
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Joined April 2009
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Great thanks, @Lynn_Henning. From a reporter, columnist, and storyteller I’ve long admired, this means a great deal.
Bought it a year ago, finally got to read it this week: “The Gales of November — The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” by John U. Bacon. A surpassing work of storytelling and reporting. Thought I had been reasonably schooled in the Great Lakes’ worst modern-era tragedy. This book was revelatory and gripping on every level in explaining a shipwreck and Lake Superior storm of ungodly proportion.
John U. Bacon retweeted
BREAKING: Michigan did not run a single snap of rhino on its touchdown drive to open the third quarter, went on an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
Went 3-for-3 on third down that possession, too.
I'm confident of this: if UM's offense continues to rank near the bottom of CFB, they'll find the money somewhere. But the point is: this is not automatic.
And no, it's NOT the sunken cost fallacy, because you haven't sunk the costs until you pay the buy-out, which they haven't done yet.
For the record, the major donors I've talked to told me they're not paying for this buy-out. Someone might, or UM might, but it's not as easy as many fans think.
John U. Bacon retweeted
Winning at the level @IndianaFootball continues to win simply can’t be accidental. Winning is a learned trait and a skill. Finding a way to win, especially on your off day, is extremely impressive. It’s a chance, once again, to recognize Cignetti and his staff as the standard in CFB. So impressive.
John U. Bacon retweeted
Jim Harding probably does not get enough heat for how poorly this offensive line is playing.
John U. Bacon retweeted
"Mickey Mantle had learned the rules of the celebrity game by watching Joe DiMaggio and Rocky Marciano, not Frank Sinatra;
And neither paid any restaurateur’s rent. Both were cheap on a heroic scale, but in a head-to-head contest the ballplayer would probably have edged out the boxer.
Throughout his illustrious career DiMaggio dined regularly at Rao’s, an exclusive southern Italian restaurant on East 114th Street in New York.
For years, while the tiny place was run by Vincent and Anna Rao, there was always a table for DiMaggio and never a bill at the end of the dinner.
After they died, their relatives Ron Straci and Frank Pellegrino followed the same policy.
Even in old age, DiMaggio always ate on the house.
That is, until the day Frank Pellegrino requested a small favor.
He waited until Joe had finished his coffee and then asked him for an autograph for a young boy at another table.
"You know, Frankie, I get paid for signing autographs," DiMaggio said.
As he left the restaurant Frank Pellegrino told him:
"Joe, you are not welcome here anymore."
"Joe DiMaggio"
Art by Harvey Dinnerstein.
John U. Bacon retweeted
I have only wondered this for about 30 years
Can the insanity over these absurd buy-outs for abject failure ever end? Not if presidents are in charge. "Presidential control" has proved an oxymoron. They control nothing. But perhaps donors will get fed up, and refuse to pay for poorly negotiated buyouts. The only chance?
Likewise, for those who say Michigan should fire OC Jason Beck (and I agree), it's probably not that simple. UM would owe him $3M/yr for 3 more years - another insane buyout, unchecked by UM's vacuum of leadership - and his staff similar terms. Does UM want to pay that? Donors?
For those who say UM QB Underwood should just transfer, it's probably not that simple. If he leaves, he almost certainly will forfeit his $3M/yr NIL deal. Who else would pay him that? Better to be a starter somewhere else for a fraction of that, or a $3M back-up who might get in?
He identifies the problem: ADs and coaches are on the same side. If ADs offer no buyouts for their coaches, they shouldn't get one either. Look at the equally insane buyouts for failed ADs, and you see how this works for both parties - but not the schools, players, or fans.
Exactly... I have designed and negotiated contracts for 20 years and I keep wondering who designs these contracts. It is insanely easy to design a performance based contract that would pay a coach very little should let not meet certain standards. They have literally failed at their job and you designed a contract that requires a school to pay them to fail? What?
The problem is coaches and athletic directors, in many cases are on the same side and have similar interests. Schools do not really look out for the interests of the "school" or the students who pay a tuition to attend the school and who actually fund the school.
Easy goals they need to meet... Bowl eligibility (6+ wins). Minimum conference win percentage (e.g., .500 over a rolling two-year window). No consecutive losing seasons after Year 2. Program-specific targets: rivalry record, division/conference title appearance, or a CFP game.
Performance-triggered buyout reduction: each missed benchmark cuts the buyout by a set percentage, and missing two or more drops it to zero or a small fixed amount.
Declining buyout schedule: the buyout falls every year instead of staying at the full remaining value.
Cap: limit the buyout to 50–60% of remaining salary, never 100%.
Mitigation and offset: payments stop or shrink once the coach takes another job, and the coach must actively seek one.
Monthly payout, not a lump sum, so offset is easy to enforce.
And if a coach won't agree to the terms clearly they don't believe that they can win.
This, this, and this!
Exactly... I have designed and negotiated contracts for 20 years and I keep wondering who designs these contracts. It is insanely easy to design a performance based contract that would pay a coach very little should let not meet certain standards. They have literally failed at their job and you designed a contract that requires a school to pay them to fail? What?
The problem is coaches and athletic directors, in many cases are on the same side and have similar interests. Schools do not really look out for the interests of the "school" or the students who pay a tuition to attend the school and who actually fund the school.
Easy goals they need to meet... Bowl eligibility (6+ wins). Minimum conference win percentage (e.g., .500 over a rolling two-year window). No consecutive losing seasons after Year 2. Program-specific targets: rivalry record, division/conference title appearance, or a CFP game.
Performance-triggered buyout reduction: each missed benchmark cuts the buyout by a set percentage, and missing two or more drops it to zero or a small fixed amount.
Declining buyout schedule: the buyout falls every year instead of staying at the full remaining value.
Cap: limit the buyout to 50–60% of remaining salary, never 100%.
Mitigation and offset: payments stop or shrink once the coach takes another job, and the coach must actively seek one.
Monthly payout, not a lump sum, so offset is easy to enforce.
And if a coach won't agree to the terms clearly they don't believe that they can win.
Why athletic directors agree to these massive buy-outs is a mystery to me.
You want to leave? Leave. Who wants to keep a coach who doesn't want to be there?
You fail? You're fired. No bonuses for that.
Someone some day will figure this out, and their lives will be much simpler.
Thoughts on UM QB Bryce Underwood.
-No, he's not performed anywhere near expectations, but UM didn't have a QB coach last year, and this year's OC is one of the worst on record.
-When pulled for Carr, he's been the first to cheer him on after a touchdown. A true captain. (1/2)