Tuesday edition: Wha’ happened?
Posted on January 16th, 2007 – 8:15 AMBy Michael Rand
A pretty quiet holiday Monday until: Tim Brewster is your new U of M football coach. Just like any move, this one will have to be judged over time, but our immediate reaction is that it really underscores how much the U wanted Glen Mason out. Webster might be a great coach, but we don’t know. They knew what they were getting in Mason, and they’ve essentially said they’d prefer to roll the dice. It’s fairly bold. Now we’ll see if it works. Oh, and there were no contract terms announced, but we feel fairly safe linking to this.
KG now making $375K per game? Seriously, he’s making $21 million this year, which is roughly $250K per game. But with all this time-and-a-half he’s racking up for all this overtime, his salary will really take off. Not to mention that Monday should have been holiday pay, too. OK, we stretched that as far as it could go, and some would say further than it needed to be taken considering its flimsy nature. Wolves win, in overtime, 94-90, over the Pistons, and are now just three games behind Utah for first in their division. That was fast.
Oh, and that little thing we wrote about “I” yesterday. Forget it. We’ve changed our minds, thus giving Nick Saban ample opportunity to rip us on his blog. Let the greater RandBall community never speak of it again.
52 Responses to "Tuesday edition: Wha’ happened?"
If Brewster can recruit another Vince Young, but this time to Minneapolis and the lovely weather we have been getting I am stoked I got my season tickets already.
If he turns out like a Wacker than I will be a little disappointed.
Isn’t it depressing that the first reaction(well…maybe not the first reaction….but certainly a close second to….”Who?”) to the U hiring a new football coach is…”Wow….they really must have wanted to dump Mason.”
I’m glad Punky is supposedly an Ace recruiter but my feeling is we needed a “big name” hire…..This strikes me as a Joe Salem/Jim Wacker hire…as a opposed to a Lou Holtz…or…well….Glen Mason hire….I dont imagine that there are spontaneous Ski-U-Mah chants erupting throughout Dinkytown this morning…..but maybe Punky is the man…as Randball points out only time will tell….Go Punky….
we here at the the real enzy feel it necessary to state that the wolves are a for real middle playoff seed that will lose in the first or (MIRACLE) second round. But we love that KG/Randy Foye/McCants potential. And we actually like the hire of a Mack Brown guy, since we went to college in Austin, TX, and saw Mr. Young wallop Baylor in person a couple of times. (Baylor home games are the only cheap tickets… at least you know you’re going to win by 60)
As a graduate of the U of MN, I couldn’t be happier with the hiring of Mr. Brewster. Its about time the U takes a risk and goes without the “safe pick”, i.e. Mason or Monson. Sure, they could produce .500 and below seasons, but were stiffs on the local scene. Let’s see what someone with a personality, and some heart might do!
Regarding the Brewster hire, once again the U settles. But, then again, if you are a “big name” college or NFL coach or coordinator, would you really want to work for Joel Maturi?
As hard as I have been on Joel Maturi, I’m giving him his props on this move. Everything I’ve read up on Brewster is very positive. And I’ve talked to some to close Texas people who extol his credentials. Yes, he doesn’t have head coaching experience, but he’s been in enough big-time atmospheres at Texas and in the NFL to understand what it means. If he surrounds himself with a good staff and should his recruiting create the talent base we hope it will, there’s no reason to think he can’t succeed.
But this is the KEY: The U BETTER be committed to him by paying his assistants well and giving enough internal support to make this work. If that area struggles, then Brewster will struggle.
It’s not about just hiring a coach to fix your problems. It’s about the coach and the athletic department pulling in the same direction.
And who knows, maybe Brewster can be that salesman to get more people to donate to the U and the stadium and so on. Don’t think that didn’s play a part in this.
You need someone who can sell the program to the alumni.
It would be nice if some people who are acting like female dogs in heat for a “name” coach, pull their heads out and look at the names coaching in the big 10.
Lloyd Carr (Michigan)– NO head coaching experience. Defensive assistant.
Jim Tressell (Ohio State) — I-AA Youngstown State. Beat out Glen Mason.
Kirk Ferentz (Iowa) — No head coaching experience. Iowa assistant, NFL assisstant.
Bret Bieliema (Wisconson) — No head coaching experience. DC under Barry Alvarez.
Mark Dantonio (Michigan State) — HC at Cincinnati for 2-3 years but an assistant at Ohio State.
Joe Paterno (Penn State) — Was promoted to head coach before Randball was born. But close.
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) — Promoted from LB coach after Randy Walker died.
Ron Zook (Illnois) — A “name” coach from Florida, who has struggled his first couple of years. Jury still out.
Terry Hoeppner (Indiana) — Came from Miami (Ohio) and is slowly getting them on the right track.
Joe Tiller (Purdue) — Came from Wyoming and has had a solid run. But in the years Tiller was supposed to get the Boilermakers to the top of the Big 10, they disappointed.
The point is this: The name isn’t everything. It’s about a coach’s philosophy, approach, his connections and why he thinks his plan will work.
Sorry to the naysayers that we were late on the Nick Saban sweepstakes.
Typical Minnesota. I do not know how else to say it. I have lived in this state since 1996 and can attest to being around the most ignorant, but arrogant fans perhaps in the country. Now, I have not spent much time in Texas (thank you Lord) and I would guess it is fairly similar, but my point is as follows.
The poll on the front page of the Strib says that approximately 24% of us like the hire, 34% do not like the hire and 41% do not know even about Mr. Brewster.
Well, sleuths, in approximately 3.6 seconds (or the time it takes Gilbert Arenas to end a game) you can get all the info you want on Mr. Brewster.
According to my google search and reading an Illinois scounting review, I could not be happier with this choice as the next coach of the Gophers even if we hired Sean Payton away from the New Orlean Saints.
Brewster is the real deal. He will keep the highschool talent here in Minnesota (and contrary to public opinion this is a great state for recruits) while also building a program ala Kirk Ferentz or Barry Alvarez. We may not win National Titles, but we can count on being a Top 10 team year in year out. (Iowa had a down year…do not jump on that statement because we would take their program any day.)
My only hesitation in hiring Brewster is that I feel we are letting him cut his teeth in the Big Ten with our school before he heads down to the University of Illinois in five years, or like Glen Mason tried doing at Ohio St. during his entire tenure with the Gophers.
Lucky for us, before Brewster leaves, we will actually be a program that people want to come to…hint hint Tony Dungy.
Your thoughts?
Bill Simmons Said “but we can count on being a Top 10 team year in year out”
I hope that you’re refering to the Big Ten and not the nation.
Mr. Simmons, Lenscrafters called, your special order glasses with the dark-rose tint are ready for pickup. Anyway, I’m glad someone has enough enthusiasm for the both of us. I agree more with the West ND Cowboy; I can’t fault Maturi for taking a gamble instead of finding a retread. We’re gonna have the facility, the real need now is players. Sounds like he can cover that angle. Now, we need some coordinators…
His kid is like a 3 star rated QB which puts him 15 overall in the country….will he follow his dad and reneg on his Illinois commitment? The other big question is….can he get some defensive players? If he can then I do not see how this hire hurts.
Once again, nice job Maturi. How you continue to be employed baffles me. This is the kind of hire that will ensure sellouts. Did you know Punky Brewster has never been a head coach at any level. Brilliant. Forget about any future contributions from me. Idiot.
Kevin,
Good point, however, what you fail to mention, is that about 80% of the so called Gopher fans despised Glen Mason, which has resulted in a steady decline in attendence and popularity of the program. This was an opportunity to show the fans that the U and Maturi were serious about wanting to win. I hope that Brewster is successful, but don’t expect a spike in attendence or media exposure. This university is run by a bunch of fools, which is difficult for me to admit considering I was attending the U from 86 through 89. I will not contribute a dime to this institution until Bruinicks and Maturi are no longer employed by the U.
I call dibs on being the official “Brewster Bandwaggon Driver” here on Randball. He is going to save the program and you all can buy me a bunch of beer at Stub and Herb’s when you can’t get into the new stadium because of your lack of hope.
…
Maturi has some balls for this pick. I think that is very admirable and most of all we got someone that is going to win here.
I don’t know who wrote it(I think it was Ruesse) but the best comment I have read about winning games at Minnesota is this; “If you can win on a blue field in Idaho, or with 250lb linebackers at Navy. You can win at Minnesota.”
Let the hating commense.
I bet he can recruite a good kicker.
The Gophers had a swell outside facility for the 1960s and 1970s and spent most of those decades parked in the bottom half of the conference. Blaming the stadium is an excuse. The problem has been the coach. Is this guy the right guy? I have no idea, but we know it wasn’t Mason.
I don’t really have an opinion either way about Tim Brewster’s coaching abilities, but I’m not happy that Maturi hired a guy with a name that lends itself to an easy degrading nickname. I can’t wait for all the columns (Souhan has to be estatic) and blog posts/comments calling him Punky like it’s actually original and funny.
Once again, the wonderful “fanbase” of the Gopher Football team has come out in full negative glory. Can anything make you happy? I mean, even if we got Dungy, I bet you would have had something that you would have complained about. I’m tired of all of this bile-filled writing about how every next step they take is the wrong one.
The reason why this program fails is not only the fault of Maturi, Mason, or the “fools” that run the University, it is the fault of a lukewarm fan base that cares more about the Vikings than they ever have about the Gophers. The Vikings play in the same stadium as the Gophers, and don’t really turn out a superior product. The least you could do as a fan is focus a little more on the athletes who play the game because they love it, and a little less on the ones who are playing for a paycheck and really couldn’t give less of a damn about you as fans. But seriously, why all of the hate for the Gophers? I mean, I know it’s entertaining seeing who on the Vikings broke the law in their day off, but do you really need to give your hard earned dollars to a pathetic/overpaid team?
If you really enjoy football as much as you say you do, maybe you should get behind the team that actually gives an effort every week.
I hope you naysayers about the coaching hire choke on your toenails after things turn around up here. To agree with Reusse, there is no reason why we can’t win up here. Well, no reason, except for a bunch of pessimistic “fans” who can’t wait to tear the team down. Just shut up for a minute, give Brewster some time to work, and see what happens.
David,
You’re living in the right city also, you puss.
Who was hired at the University of Minnesota really doesn’t matter much. Until the University administration fully backs the athletic program, it will continue to be second rate.
Lucky get’s it. David and the rest of you passive idiots, when you have donated as much money to the program as I have, you’ll get your turn to complain. If you are happy with a 6-5 record against a candy-ass schedule, you keep on watching/going to the games. A blocked kick to beat NDSU? Are you serious? You and Sid need to spoon. Cowards. At least, hold someone responsible.
Brewster is the real deal. He will not disappoint. The Gophers have never had a guy that could actually recruit talent. Well, I guess Glen accidentally landed a couple, but that was all luck. Give ‘ol Timmy a chance, you will not be disappointed.
Glen Mason-
I am happy that your education at the University of Minnesota made you such an eloquent speaker.
When you can stand up like a man and stop with the degrading comments we will care what you have to say.
But for now shove it.
Rookieboy,
Get serious. It’s all about money. Do you think this was a wise fiscal decision? People like you are the reason markets like our’s have to put up with the Denny Green/Glen Mason type’s of classless individuals. How long will this new regime take to rebound? Was the 10 years of mediocrity worth it? You’re an idiot.
I don’t care in the least if you give a rat’s ass what I have to say. I’m the kind of person that would not have let this situation arise. Go and give some more money away.
I like the move. He’s young with a lot of energy and a good track record of getting recruits. GIVE HIM A CHANCE. I, of course, also like the Illini connection.
It will be fun to watch Illinois and the Gophs lift their football programs over the next few years.
Now, this is the kind of writing that get’s you a job with the strib. It may also get you on the road to treatment. Put down the pipe La Velle.
I just realized that Tim Brewster’s hiring may lead to his son, Clint, backing out of his verbal to Illinois. Clint Brewster is one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2007 class. It would make sense for son to go play with father.
But that’s O.K., the Illini still have a top 15 recruiting class coming in. And Juice Williams will be just a sophomore next year….
To Glen Mason and Lucky,
How can you both say that the administration does not support athletics. How many contract buyouts are they paying out right now?
To Glen Mason,
The great part about a message board is being able to share your opinions about issues brought up by our fearless leader. Consistently degrading individuals while hiding behind a screen name doesn’t serve any purpose and only gets us closer to having these rights taken away.
Hey Glen, thanks for the cash. Go crawl up your own arse and sniff it for a while longer. Get over yourself. Were you up for the vacancy and didn’t get it? Seriously, the only place for loudmouths like you is Republican radio where you only have listeners who agree with you.
By the way, I’m calling you Nancy from now on…it seems fitting with all of the negativity.
No one likes what’s been happening over the past few years (except for the entertaining runs of Barber and Maroney through the ranks). But the endless moaning doesn’t really accomplish much. Particularly when you start complaining about a coach who hasn’t even had a chance yet.
Nancy, hold your tongue for at least a season or two, and see what the guy can do.
And my apologies to sinking down to Glen Mason’s level. I suppose that’s what he wanted all along, eh?
I’ll try to keep it civil from here on out
I don’t have any idea how this blog turned into a political issue. You have no idea how surprised I was to discover David may have negative view’s of Republicans. I never would have suspected from his comments. Dave, can’t we all get along? I guess your right. I’ll continue to pay the way for lazy loser’s like you.
Am I the only one that is stoked the Soccer Ace commented on this blog?
It seems like a lot of people are getting fired about Brewster because they have never heard of him. So what!?!?!?! Who cares if the general public and media have never heard of the guy. He has cut his teeth at some pretty successful schools (Purdue, North Carolina, Texas). So what that he has never been a head coach before. Mason was and look what happened to him. Being a head coach previously really has no bearing. I would rather have someone who has been an assistant at some top notch programs, than someone else who has been a head coach at a lesser program.
By the way Kevin Lonnquist, Kirk Ferentz was a head coach at the University of Maine for 3 years.
Glen,
It still isn’t a political issue. I was simply comparing their single-audience focused yammering to yours, that’s all. I mean, if you want to call me lazy, that’s your right. I mean, you absolutely have a right to be totally incorrect about something.
David and Glen will be taking separate vacations this year.
The thing about these boards is that everybody takes themselves so seriously, and thinks if anyone disagrees then a pox should be put on their house.
I could care less if Kirk Ferentz was the head coach at Maine. The point is few knew this unless you looked it up in their bio.
As I said, it has to be about the candidate’s plan, what he can accomplish and what will the U do to internally support him.
Glen Mason and others have seen me take Maturi and Bruninks to task and rip them.
But since I’m down here in Texas and have several UT fans who know a lot about Brewster and spoke highly of him, I’ll go with that.
Let’s see who makes up the staff, what the philsophy will be and so forth.
We’re all crossing swords and the press conference hasn’t even taken place.
Go Gophers!!
So,
Dave,
Only loudmouths listen to Republican radio. You need to clarify your statement, because I seem to hear a lot from people like M. Moore and A. Franken, both of whom I would consider, “loudmouths” but doubt that they would agree with you reference.
T’wolves this, Punky Brewster that, David and Glen can’t get along, and La Velle (for real?) gracing us with his presence only to act like we care about the Illini, and no one comments on the single most important part of RandBall’s post–that he’s renegging on switching to ‘I’?
Did you even consider the possibility of going to the third person?
Toonces didn’t think so.
Not taking the bait.
I was taking a roundabout route to call you a loudmouth, Glen. If you want to get into politics you can get into it on another blog…there are plenty.
And to Kevin, I agree, we already have the swords at each others throats before the announcement is made.
All I ask, is that people quit their whining and moaning until they actually have something to whine and moan about. A new hire that you don’t know anything about (except for all the good things that people are saying in the media, including ESPN…a Minnesota hating institution if I’ve ever seen one), is not a reason to start complaining. So save it. “Fire Brewster” has the right number of syllables for a chant, I know, but I think it’s a little early, don’t you?
Wow, ESPN is a “Minnesota hating institution”? You can’t be serious. Just add it to the list.
-officials/referee’s
-Big Ten
-recruits
-God
-etc.
If this opinion comes from the coverage Wisconsin gets opposed to Minnesota, which I have a bad feeling it does, please think about it for a while.
Minnesota hats off to thee
To our colors true we shall ever be
Firm and strong United are we
With a rah, rah, rah,
For sky-u-mah
Rah, rah, rah, rah
Rah for the U of M!
M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A!!
I want the Axe back next year. I want the Little Brown Jug back. I want to keep that Pig.
Coyote,
I like your list. However, I don’t really think that about everything on it. The reason why I call ESPN a “Minnesota hating institution” is due to:
1) Their commentators predisposition to cheer against any Minnesota-based team, no matter who they’re playing (in the rare instance that a Minnesota team is shown on ESPN)
2)Their decision to write and report about how Morneau’s AL MVP award was a travesty and a robbery from their golden boy
3) How they can’t refer to the Vikings without a boat joke (not that the Vikings deserve much leniency from that incident), but seriously, can’t they come up with anything better?
and 4) How they’re just dying for Garnett to be traded so that they can talk about him. So long as Garnett is on a Minnesota based team ESPN has to pretend he doesn’t exist except for their often far-fetched trade rumors.
Please note that there is nothing in my list that relates to Wisconsin. I’ve come to the point where I refuse to watch games of Minnesota teams that are broadcast on ESPN if I have the option of watching them on a local broadcast. If I don’t have that option, then I turn down the sound and turn up the radio.
One final note: Joe Morgan drives me crazy! I’m so disappointed that, after the Twins make the playoffs, I have to be subjected to him for as many games as they play. At least, this year, ESPN spared all of us and put him on the team covering Detroit/New York.
All this business about “he’s a great recruiter”. While I agree that was priority #2, behind beating the filthy Badgers, the guy hasn’t recruited ANYONE to ANY team in 5 years. What’s he been doing? Oh yeah, failing to climb from TE coach to ANY OTHER position in the NFL ranks. Lane Kiffin, a well respected coach with REAL college experience and top-notch recruiting talent was the man for the job, folks. Bruininks and Maturi blew it.
I agree with you that Lane Kiffin was the man for the job, which leads me to believe, he turned it down.
Only “loudmouths” listen to republican radio?? Hmmm…
Hannity and Rush continue to dominate the ratings, and pick up new stations nationwide and Air America can’t stay in the black…. Must alot of loudmouths out there.
Get a clue…
Ak…I don’t know what it is about republicanned radio. Maybe it’s because it’s easier to be a good Nazi listening to drive time radio when protected by glass and steel in a SUV than it is to voice those same idiotic opinions to real people in real conversations where one’s teeth might get in the way.
Personally, I feel people listening to Hannity and equivalent white barbarians were probably those same people who had the living crap kicked out of them by the groups they so much hate now. In any event, I did an informal survey recently concerning who is listening to those stations, and the most common response as to why the sought after 25 -35 yr. group was listening was “can you repeat the question ?”..not real bright are these folks. Rich, white maybe, but a businessman too often is still a chimp with a suit on his back…..
Paul,
I’m giving you a standing ovation, as I typing, for your little survey. I’m sure it wasn’t biased at all. You prove your ignorance by responding with only insults instead of saying anything with any substance. I simply stated facts, sorry the truth offends you, as it usually does to your type.
Anyway I doubt these folks want to hear us debate, so I’ll simply say this to you… Ingnorance is Bliss.
FYI… Nazi’s were Socialist, I’m a capitalist and a conservative…
GET A CLUE
I made a call for the job, but was quickly rebuffed. I wonder if it had anything to do with my “military boot camp” style training camps I love to implement???? Steve Dils was going to be my O-Coordinator. How could you turn that down?
I’ll go out on a limb and say the dude will make it work…the recruiting drives that is necessary to pay off the mils for the new stadium, not necessarily work out for the team, but then again that might just be the OxyContin talking I got from the Puffy Old Guy.
Ak…Ignorance may be bliss, but it put this lil Texan mass murderer (hint, hint. He’s a Capitalist and Conservative too 
) into office …Twice ! …OK, once..his Conservative Supreme Court did the first time …
As for hannity and rush, c’mon. A billion, billion flies luv excrement to eat. Does that make it tasty ?
How much does it cost links on your blog (Blogroll)?
Thanks for sharing
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