Michigan Friday: X Goes Off in a Loss

Zavier Simpson exploded for 32 points in a home loss to Wisconsin last night 81-74.  Michigan was without Brooks with a broken nose and Livers struggled with only 9 points.   Wager played well in the 2nd half and finished with 17.  The issue is no other Wolverine had more then 7 points.

Wisconsin beat the Wolverines by contesting the 3 and shooting the lights out of Crisler.  Wisconsin shot 63% in the first half and 44 % in the second.   The Badgers also shot 58% from 3, while Michigan shot only 30% from deep.

Michigan will learn from this game but it will hurt their Big Ten Tournament standing.   If Michigan had played well at home in the Big Ten season, they would be getting a double bye in Indy.

• Shea ran a 4.67 in the 40 at the Combine.  That is faster then I expected.  

• DPJ's fastest time was a 4.48 and did 44.5 in the vertical jump. Which was pretty fast for WR's at the Combine.  Bama's Ruggs ran a 4.27.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-friday-x-goes-off-in-loss.html

Global engineering company grows its Mid Atlantic presence

Oceaneering International is expanding its operations in Anne Arundel County and adding more than 135 new jobs in Maryland. 

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/global-engineering-company-grows-its-mid-atlantic-presence/

Secretary Kelly Schulz: We’re fighting for our business community

We’re now more than halfway through this year’s General Assembly session, and the stakes are high. We need the help of Maryland’s business community more than ever. Now is the time to step up and make your voice heard so lawmakers in Annapolis fully understand how the proposals they are considering will impact Maryland businesses.

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/secretary-kelly-schulz-were-fighting-our-business-community/

Wolverine Wednesday: Mid-Week News and Notes

• Michigan Football has cancelled its overseas trip this spring due to the Coronavirus.  Which seems like a smart decision.  Better be safe then sorry. 

• Josh Uche has a minor injury and won't do on-field drills during the NFL Combine this week. 

• Ruiz expects to be drafted in the first round. 

• Ben Bredeson has tweaked a hammy and won't participate at the combine. Planning to show his skills during U of M's Pro Day. 

• Shea is starting to realize he probably needed another year in Ann Arbor and didn't want to risk a long decision from the NCAA on his 5th year.  He is projected as a late rounder or a free agent.  This is a big week for him after a tough Senior Bowl.   

• MSU beat Iowa last night. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/wolverine-wednesday-mid-week-news-and.html

Maryland defense diversification initiatives paying off

Two years after the Maryland Defense Diversification Assistance Program (MDDA) launched, the Office of Federal and Military Affairs has reviewed the success of the pilot program, which recently concluded. Funded by a $1.76 million Industry Resilience grant from the DoD’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), MDDA’s intent was to diversity Maryland’s defense supply chain against possible negative impacts from DoD program or budgetary changes. MDDA was one of many initiatives led by the Department of Commerce to help Maryland’s defense-dependent companies find additional ways to generate revenue. 

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-defense-diversification-initiatives-paying/

Michgian Monday: Moving on Up

Michigan Basketball had another impressive road win on Saturday over Purdue.  As all road wins in the Big Ten are good wins.  The Wolverines are really finding their late season footing after playing really well early in the year, having a mid-season swoon, and now getting healthy and playing better.

The defense has notably improved and if they can continue shooting the 3, they will be in good shape finishing the year, in the Big Ten tournament, and the NCAA.  I would love for Big Sleep to find more offense and Franz continue his 5 star type of performances we have seen lately.

If they continue to play well, they could be looking at a Big Ten Tournament double bye, a few weeks ago they were looking at the Big Ten basement.

• Michigan is currently #5 seed in the latest ESPN Projections

• Michigan is again rated #19 in the latest AP Poll

• Joey Velazquez who is playing both baseball and football at Michigan got his first hit during his first at bat this weekend.  Joey was committed to playing baseball at OSU before flipping to Michigan to be a 2 sport star. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michgian-monday-moving-on-up.html

Maryland travels to RSA 2020

This week, the Maryland Department of Commerce is joining a delegation of Maryland cybersecurity companies, federal agencies, and economic development partners at RSA™ 2020, an annual cybersecurity conference in San Francisco.

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-travels-rsa-2020/

After crucial Census work, Greenbelt-based T-Rex Solutions poised to bring more federal agencies to the cloud

Many companies and organizations are seeing the value of moving their IT systems from their own, physical servers into the cloud. But federal agencies, by and large, have been hesitant to make that transition with their mission-critical applications. It’s not hard to see why: these agencies often deal with very sensitive data, so they want to be sure that information is secure and protected.

But Greenbelt-based T-Rex Solutions is poised to guide federal agencies to a secure cloud thanks to the company’s work on the 2020 United States Census.

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/after-crucial-census-work-greenbelt-based-t-rex-solutions-poised-bring-more-federal-agencies-cloud/

Maryland Commerce releases FY19 annual report

Over the past year, the Maryland Department of Commerce has continued to foster business growth throughout the state, by simplifying the process of starting a business, prioritizing customer service, and investing in our innovative companies.
 

from http://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-commerce-releases-fy19-annual-report/

Michigan Friday: News and Notes

• Spring Game has been moved to 12:00 and will be an open practice like we have seen before from Jimmy and staff.  April 18th is your date.  

• Derrick Walton Jr. has signed a 10 day contract with your Detroit Pistons.   I hope he sticks on this roster.  

• Eric Bieniemy and Steve Sarkisian both have removed their name from the Colorado opening.   Colorado must not be using that MSU buyout money on a new coach.  Eric would have been a perfect fit IMO. 

• Former Michigan assistant Anthony Campanile has finally been named as an assistant coach for the Dolphins. 

• Mo Wagner on Coach B: "If you commit to what he does, it’s going to make you rich. It made me rich." Enough said.

• Harlon Barnett who many former Spartans wanted as the head coach, is back on MSU's staff as the DB coach.  Harlon had left Sparty to be the FSU DC where he took an 18th ranked defense to #80 in his first year and then #90 in his second and final year.  Jay Johnson from Colorado will try to fix the offense as the new OC.   Buffs fans seem quite pleased on Jay's new role.  

• Marshall at East Carolina has been moved from Sept. 5 to Aug. 29 in collaborative effort by both schools to honor 50th anniversary of Marshall plane crash - per Brett McMurphy. 

• Butch Jones didn't get the Rutgers or MSU jobs but he does have a new role as the special assistant to the head coach under Nick Saban.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-friday-news-and-notes.html

Michigan Thursday: 17-1

I'm not sure I have ever written the follow sentence before.  Michigan had a good win over Rutgers last night.  The Scarlet Knight hadn't lost at home all season prior to Liver-less Wolverines leaving the RAC last night.  Michigan has never lost to Rutgers in basketball.

The Simpson show continued as X scored his 1000th career point at Michigan and was the teams high scorer at 16 points, 5 assists and was 2-3 from 3pt range.  Michigan found itself in a pretty big 9 point hole before CC entered the game and even though only scored 5 points, he was +9 while he was on the floor.   The length of Michigan gave Rutgers issues and Michigan left with an 8 point win.

Even though playing big was the difference, Michigan's big men struggled scoring the ball all night.  Teske had 5, CC 5, Davis 2, and Johns 1.   Franz had a solid night with 12 (and was +10) and so did DD with 10 (and also +10).   Brooks added 9 points and a game sealing 3 and a dunk.

If the 3 ball goes down, Livers gets/stays healthy, and Big Sleep wakes up, this team could be a tough out in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament.  

• Mel Kiper previewed the Wolverines in the draft:  He feels Ruiz could sneak into the 1st round, Bredeson is a great guard prospect in the 3rd, Uche is a fast riser that could even go late in the 1st round or early in the 2nd.  Patterson is expected to be a priority free agent and has a 4th-5th round grade on DPJ.  If DPJ goes that late, then it was a mistake heading to the league a year early.   The NFL combine in a week is a big deal for DPJ and Hill who projects with a 3rd-5th round. 11 Wolverines are invited to the Combine, that number does not include Mike Danna.   

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-thursday-17-1.html

Wolverines Wednesday: Coach B Leaves and Mel Should Run from EL

Coach Beilein finally agrees with Cavs management to step away.  It's still unknown what the financial agreement was, but Coach will say good-bye to the players today and start his next chapter.  He will have options next season in college basketball but I hope he ends up in Michigan's athletics department, as he is great ambassador for Michigan Basketball and all of athletics.

Good luck coach and please don't end up in the Big Ten! :)
-----

Mel, congratulations on the new big contract at Michigan State.  Are you starting to see what has been going around here for the last few years?

If your wondering that is Curtis Blackwell on the far left.  With Daelin Hayes a 5 star recruit from Ann Arbor ironically.  The photo is from Hayes mother La Keshia Neal during a recruiting visit and breakfast.   Hayes is now at Notre Dame, if you remember U of M didn't recruit Hayes very hard and it seemed the sentiment was mutual.  Hayes had transferred high schools and ended up in Ann Arbor during his senior season at Skyline.  Mike Tressel is also in the photo, as he was just retained by Mel at MSU.

The issue with that photo is that Mark Dantonio said this during a deposition: (DetNews)

The photo and affidavit call into question the credibility of Dantonio, who in a January deposition denied under oath that Blackwell ever recruited off campus, as well as that of athletic director Bill Beekman, who called the assertion "patently false" in comments to the press this month. More significantly, the allegations could prompt an investigation and sanctions from the NCAA days after MSU's hiring of a new football coach.  

During his deposition, Dantonio was asked if Blackwell ever went with him to visit recruits in their homes. Dantonio responded, "No."Dantonio also was asked if that would've been a violation of NCAA rules, and Dantonio responded, "Yes."

Dantonio acknowledged in his deposition that Blackwell may have accompanied him or driven him to recruiting visits, but waited in the car.

So did Mark commit perjury?  Did he commit NCAA violations and then lie about it? 

This clearly was the reason Mark stepped down so quickly a few weeks ago.   Another case where the cover up is greater then the crime.  Having a recruiting coordinator attend a recruiting visit, is probably a slap on the wrist from the NCAA, its when you lie about it, more trouble seems to find you. 

That is just from the NCAA, what about the legal aspects of lieing under oath? This can't be good for Dantonio in this case as he has alreadyproven to not be truthful.    If he and his lawyers had just settled the case with Blackwell:

• Mark is still the head coach at MSU
• There wouldn't have been the dumpster fire coaching search 
• MSU wouldn't be looking at NCAA Probation

Blackwell's lawyers are also asserting that Dantonio also got jobs for recruits family with a prominent booster.  

How MSU let Dantonio do that deposition is beyond me.  Its just another example of the lack of leadership at that institution.

Run Mel! Run Fast! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/wolverines-wednesday-coach-b-leaves-and.html

Michigan Tuesday: Football News and Notes

Here is the Spring Game and Practice Schedule:

Another late day Spring Game, I also think its interesting that the team has one more practice after the game.  It's to early to give Spring Practice thoughts and goals like: a starting QB, welcoming Chris Evans back, who starts on the OL? and DL depth.   Way too early to even mention.

• Seems Michigan and ASU are in talks to do a home and home and the ASU President is talking a bit of trash how ASU beat Harbaugh in the Rose Bowl, that he can't beat Ohio State, and he can't wait to beat Harbaugh as a coach.   I wonder sometimes how smart successful people can be so dumb.   Herm better have that jackass, watch the "don't press send" video.  

• Reports are that Jimmy has hired Chris Dudzinski Albany's DC to his staff.  Chris was the DC at Maryland and worked with Don Brown at UMass.   I don't know Chris but I wish Michigan would hire guys that could bring new ideas to the table on defense, rather that a Don Brown coaching tree product. 

• MSU has hired Colorado OC Jay Johnson.  Colorado is also considering Brett Beilema as its next head coach.  Brenden Rice seems to be staying with Colorado at this point.  

• Michigan is ranked #1 in Baseball

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-tuesday-football-news-and-notes.html

Western Maryland partners with surrounding states to elevate the economy

Allegany and Garrett counties are teaming up with their regional neighbors to promote the benefits of doing business along the I-68 highway.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/western-maryland-partners-surrounding-states-elevate-economy/

Michigan Monday: Crazy Like A Fox

All of us were shocked when John Beilein gave up his job at Michigan to take a job at one with one of the worst teams in the NBA.  In fact, most free agents look to avoid Cleveland rather then trying to build a winner by the lake.  Yes, I know they recently won the NBA Championship but even the guy that delivered that Championship headed out of town quickly after.  

So if your Coach B:

• You have a good job at Michigan 
• FBI is busting cheaters and nobody cares
• Recruiting is not your favorite thing 
• You have always wondered if your offense would be successful in the NBA
• Your thinking about a retirement path 
• Your coming off a recent heart procedure 
• You have an offer that will Rocket your bank account balance

Not for one minute, I'm I going to assume that John didn't think this move to the NBA through.  In fact, I believe he considered it a win-win.   There were reports John wanted to bring Juwan to Michigan to be coach-in-waiting (prior to leaving), he was looking for a retirement path, thought he could leave a nice coaching legacy if his offense could be successful in the NBA and if it didn't he had a huge 5 year contract as a back-up plan.  

I'm pretty sure Coach B understood that his approach with NBA Millionaires had a higher fail percentage then a successful one.  It was a risk he was willing to take as he winded down his coaching career.  

Coach B and the Cavs leadership are discussing a parting ways during the All Star Break.  An announcement either way could come as early as today or during the break.    Coach B and the Cavs haven't gotten along and the road forward is muddy at best.  You know the old saying; if your thinking about leaving, you already have.   It was never a good fit and I'm pretty sure everyone knew it outside the Rocket Man.  

Now my theory could be out the window if Coach B leaves the Cavs and takes a job a high level D1 program next season.   I would love if Michigan gave him a job in the AD office.  How about Basketball Director?

• Speaking of Michigan Basketball they played one of their best games in the new year with a blowout win against IU on Sunday.  Michigan had balanced scoring with Wagner 16, Johns 14, Brooks 13, and Livers 12.  The only issue is that Livers turned an ankle and even though he went back in the game, he didn't stay in for long.   Michigan has two difficult road games this week against Rutgers and Purdue.  Splitting the pair would be a successful week. 

• Did you know Michigan is a Baseball school? To start the new season in Arizona, Michigan beat National Champions Vanderbilt on Friday, Cal Poly and ASU on Saturday! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-monday-crazy-like-fox.html

Michigan Friday: Damn Duncan

Raise your hand if you thought Duncan Robinson was going to be solid NBA player/starter?  My hand isn't raised and I would have been surprised anyone outside of Duncan's family would have their arm in the air.  

Now he has set an NBA record.  He is the quickest player in NBA history to hit 200 three pointers.  He has done it in 69 games, Luka and Donovan Mitchell were the fastest with 84 games.   Duncan will also be participating in this weekend All Star Game 3 point contest.

Well done Duncan!

• Tom Mars the lawyer from Patterson's eligibility case, has quickly removed himself from the Curtis Blackwell legal team. 

• Michigan Basketball takes on IU on Sunday. 

• Pat Forde takes a blow torch to MSU and Beeker-man the AD for everything Sparty. 

• If you're a fan of TomVH who used to be a Michigan recuiting insider, he is now doing some golf articles for ESPN and they are pretty good. Here is one about Tiger Woods and his new Bridgestone golf balls. 

Happy Valentines Day to all the Big House Blog Inmates!  🌹

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-friday-damn-duncan.html

Michigan Thursday: How Much Are You Paying Mel?

Reports are that Mel Tucker with his 14 jobs and 5 head coaching wins got $5.5M a year or $33M over 6 years.  I guess they really didn't like Mike Tressel!  As he would have probably taken the job for $1M a year and a warm ham sandwich.

Beggars can't be choosers

Welcome coach!  Your predecessor didn't really recruit the last two years and many of your current players are in the transfer portal.  Spring Practice is in a month and you don't have a staff.   Welcome to East Lansing glad you signed a 6 year contract.

• Speaking of staff it seems Mel has already reached out to assistants on Kentucky's staff.  That staff has been working hard in Ohio to pick up OSU's left overs.  Which would be an improvement in East Lansing. 

• Michigan Basketball cruised to an easy win after a slow start outside of Chicago last night against the worst team in the Big 10 Northwestern.  Brooks had 18, Livers is back with 17, and Austin Davis is making a play for starting minutes with 9 points over the struggling Teske. 

• Mitch McGary is starting a marijuana business in Michigan.  Do something you love. 

• If you remember, Michigan was recruiting Brendan Rice a WR that picked Colorado and of course is Jerry's son.  He went on social media, saying MSU Football just followed him on twitter then this:  why would I want to go to the lil bro school.  Former Dallas Cowboys great Drew Pearson is also very mad at Mel Tucker, who recruited his grandson to Colorado.  No word if either NFL legend's family members are asking out of thier LOI's or entering the transfer portal.   

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-thursday-how-much-are-you.html

SBR program offers $400M in prime contracting opportunities

Small businesses have access to over $400 million in prime contracts through Maryland's Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program. If you have not yet registered in eMMA or updated your SBR certification, you’re missing great opportunities in the state contracting arena. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/sbr-program-offers-400m-prime-contracting-opportunities/

Wolverine Wednesday: MSU's Coaching Search Just Got Tucker'ed Out

Michigan State's dumpster fire of losing its head coach in February and subsequent coaching search, got worse and better all in one day.

First, the news broke that Dantonio actually retired because MSU had hired a search firm for his replacement (while he was still in role) and that he had planned to coach in 2020 and then retire while naming his successor.   So with one last screw you, he retired immediately.  Real classy Mark.

Secondly, a member of the MSU BOT went on the radio and inferred that Luke Fickell was a "Waffling Flake".

Then the next candidate on the list Pat Shurmer who just took a new job with the Denver Broncos said he was tied up in meetings to even turn down the MSU job.

While all day people in the media continued to pile on a choice that would include former Wisconsin and Arkansas head coach Brett Bielema, it seemed inevitable that they would just name Tressel the interim coach.  Which would kill the 2021 recruiting class and put the program back another couple years.  With whiffing on the last two classes, MSU is arguably already in a 3-4 year hole.

The search had hit rock bottom and couldn't get any worse.  Which it didn't.

Then late night after Mel Tucker met with a bunch of Colorado boosters, he accepted the Michigan State job after the Spartans doubled his salary and the assistant coaching pool salary.   If you remember, just last week Mel had committed to staying in Colorado and his team.  Sounds familiar doesn't it? Is he a waffling flake?

Here is a little bit about Mel:

• Played DB at Wisconsin
• GA at MSU
• OSU DC in 1994
• Browns DC in 2008
• Jaguars DC 2009-2012
• Chicago Bears DC 2013-2014
• Bama DB coach 
• Georgia DC 2016-2018
• Colorado Head Coach 2019 

How did Mel do his first year at UC?  5-7 with a 5 game losing streak in the middle of the season. 

Which means it's still unknown if Mel is a good coach or not, but beggars can't be choosers and MSU had very few options.   Mel is known as a very strong recruiter and that should help Sparty in the coming years.  

If I was an MSU fan, my only concern would be: Is Mel a good head coach and is he worth $5M a year?  On the other hand, MSU had to over pay  anyone coming from outside the dumpster fire.  Which brings me to the leading candidate to replace Mel at Colorado in KC Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy.  To me Eric was a home run hire for Sparty and a person I would have risked that type of money on.  

Mel has had a ton of high profile coordinator jobs in college and pro and flamed out at many spots.  I don't know, maybe Bill Beekman really wanted to hire a guy from school that could be abbreviated with letters UC. 

HT to Mgoblog and the picture of 3 Muppets:

Bill Beeker-Man

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/wolverine-wednesday-msu-coaching-search.html

Maryland leads delegation to California's Startup Grind

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-leads-delegation-californias-startup-grind/

Michigan Tuesday: That One Cuts Like A Knife

Its one thing for UC's Luke Fickell to turn down Michigan State, its another for the reasons mentioned.  It seems one of the main reasons the Fickell didn't want to go to East Lansing was due to Campus Culture:

The last several years of controversy swirling around Michigan State University helped convince the school's first choice for head football coach to turn down the job, multiple sources told the Free Press on Monday.  

And it wasn't just Luke Fickell, the current University of Cincinnati coach, who had the concerns. His wife, Amy, and Luke to some extent, had concerns about campus culture at MSU, including lawsuits roiling the football department. Those concerns were part of the reason the Fickells turned down the Michigan State football job on Monday, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told the Free Press.

Dantonio said that top coaching candidates are going to craw to East Lansing
to be the head coach of the Spartans.  Seems they are running away, the runners list now includes:

1. Matt Campbell, Iowa State 
2. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt 
3. Mel Tucker, Colorado 
4. Brent Pry, Penn State DC 
5. Robert Saleh, 49'ers DC
6. Luke Fickell, UC 

The MSU regents had a meeting on Monday on a coaching search update.  I assume it was a short meeting.   The new list could include a number of coaches that haven't been in the head chair in a number of years.  Including:

• Bret Bielema who has been bouncing around NFL Staffs after flaming out at Arkansas.  
• Butch Jones, who is on Saban's non-coaching staff.  As there seems to be some stupid requirement to hire a guy that once coached at the University of Cincinnati.  
• Jim McElwain at CMU who was just on staff in Ann Arbor a year ago and Sparty will never let a person with a recent Michigan ID badge in the building.  
• Harlon Barnett, is a favorite for former Spartan players as he was just the DC at FSU and currently doesn't have a coaching gig.  Harlon was the DC in EL from 2015-2017. 

I really don't see a major program's head coach going to East Lansing with 2020 recruiting just wrapping up and Spring Practice a month or so away.  Not to mention the reasons the Fickell's ran away from East Lansing.   Mark also whiffed on his last 2 recruiting classes and that puts any coach behind the 8 ball for probably 4 years.  If your a good coach, would you sign up for killing your career for extra money?  Not with what coaches are making now.  

They might just have to make Mark Tressel the interim head coach and kill another recruiting class. Which puts them back, what 5-6 years? 

Don't forget guys like RR and Al Golden are also available.  :)

• Michigan got another PWO RB Isaiah Gash from Wisconsin.  He is 5'10 and 185.   He has a really good name for a RB. 

• I think I forgot to mention that Devin Bush, Sr. took a job at Ole Miss as their Recruiting Coordinator. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-tuesday-that-one-cuts-like.html

Women in beer celebrate FeBREWary throughout Maryland

A new collaboration featuring women in Maryland’s brewing industry has launched just in time for FeBREWary, the month-long celebration of craft beer across the state.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/women-beer-celebrate-febrewary-throughout-maryland/

Michigan Monday: State's Search Continues

Imagine if you have had the best head coach in college football history and he couldn't win at your program and was looking to leave as quickly as possible?

Now here we are again, Dantonio has stepped down after a pretty good run but a difficult last few years on and off the field.

Here is the latest in the search:

• Iowa State Head Coach Matt Campbell, quickly turned down an interview request. 
• So did 49'ers and former MSU assistant coach Robert Saleh (which would of been a home run hire). 
• This weekend reports were that Colorado head coach Mel Tucker had agreed to an interview but quickly took his name out of consideration on Saturday.  Not sure if he interviewed or not.  
• Which leaves UC head coach and former OSU interim head coach Luke Fickell.  

Luke interviewed with MSU on Sunday but did not get on the plane with the MSU AD Bill Beeckman and others.   Message boards are saying its a done deal and that Fickell will be State's next head coach after the Regents meet.  The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, but it's expected that they will have an "emergency meeting" to approve the hire earlier this week.  

This seems a little strange, as most AD's have the power to hire a new coach and that approval from the Regents is just a formality before the contract can be signed.  

Cincinnati newspapers are not so sure Fickell would leave for State if his goal is coaching ND or OSU.  That State most likely is not his "dream" destination and that it could be very difficult going from East Lansing to South Bend or Columbus.  

This is strange timing to hire a head football coach.  Recruiting for 2020 is basically over, the coaching carousel has been stopped for months, and spring practice is right around the corner.  Which means this is pretty much a two horse race between Fickell and current assistant Mike Tressel.  I wonder if they even considered a guy like Eric Bieniemy who would be another home run hire.

I'm assuming one issue in hiring Coach Fickell would be his staff.  I assume someone from his current staff would be the head job (or interim at UC) and others would follow him to East Lansing.   I also expect that the MSU Athletics office would like to keep a few of the current assistants for a easier transition and not having to pay out contracts.  UC's RB coach Doug Phillips just took the head coaching job at Youngstown State two days ago. 

My money is on Fickell and an announcement early this week.

Update:  Well this post didn't age well, Luke Fickell reportedly has turned down MSU this morning.  MSU continues to be in a tough spot now and might have to look to Tressel.  

• Michigan Basketball finally got a signature win in the Big Ten on Saturday.   That was a nice effort against MSU and it really does help when you have your best scorer healthy!  There is still work to do to get in the tournament but the team does have a good resume and they just need more W's.  

• Seems Jimmy is adding another former Penn State coach to his staff in Matt Limegrover.  Who used to be Penn State's OL Coach and Run Game Coordinator.   This sounds like a great hire and two areas Michigan could use another set of eyes.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-monday-states-search-continues.html

4 places to find STEM jobs in Maryland

Whether you’re trying to land your first job or looking to make a career shift, Maryland is the place to be for STEM professionals. In fact, a Maryland town (California-Lexington Park, home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River) took the number one spot in a 2019 Forbes list of the “U.S. Cities With The Highest Concentrations Of STEM Jobs.” If you work in STEM, keep reading, and you might find an opportunity that’s a perfect fit. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/4-places-find-stem-jobs-maryland/

Michigan Friday: X Marks The Spot Of The Crash

It was only a matter of time before the reasons behind Zavier Simpsons suspension came out.   It seems Simpson after a home loss to Illinois, drove a car owned by Michigan AD Warde Manuel into a pole.  The RAV4 is Warde's son who is a basketball manager.     

The crash happened at 3:00AM and X wasn't ticketed for DUI.  The reason Zavier was suspended is because he lied to the police at first and said he wasn't driving.  This has been a unique year for Simpson who could have been a candidate for player of the year.  The Wolverines host the Spartans on Saturday to try to stop a 3 game losing streak at Crisler. 

• GR3 gets traded to the 76'ers and then they cut Trey Burke.  That is some bad Michigan roster management right there.  

• Michigan added another PWO in KZoo's Christian Bartholomew who played QB/WR in high school but will focus on WR in Ann Arbor.  CB is 6'1 185.

• Happy Birthday Juwan Howard! 

• The Pistons sent Andre Drummond to Coach B and the Cavs for a few boxes of Jordan's, 10 pairs of basketball socks, and a dozen donuts.  It was also the right decision. 

• Coach Warinner spoke to Jon Jansen on his podcast and suggested a starting OL that could look like this (HT to Mgoblog board)

LT- Hayes / Keegan

LG- Barnhart / Rumler

C- Carpenter / Vastardis

RG- Filiaga / Stueber

RT- Mayfield / Stueber

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-friday-x-marks-spot-of-crash.html

Two female entrepreneurs recognized for small business contributions

The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs recently hosted its signature Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop, where it honored two female entrepreneurs in conjunction with Governor Hogan's proclamation of 2020 being Year of the Woman in Maryland.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/two-female-entrepreneurs-recognized-small-business-contributions/

Michigan Thursday: No New Players on NSD

National Signing Day in February has now become the NIT of college football recruiting.  All programs are trying to get their recruits to sign in December so they can lock up their class and start prioritizing the next year.

Michigan didn't add any scholarship athlethes yesterday.  It did get clarity from one commit that Michigan had offered but didn't send an LOI to in Shea Patterson's brother, Nick.  Nick had committed to Michigan a long time ago but didn't develop as the coaches had hoped and is now going to Princeton to hit the books and play football.   Good luck to him!

• Michigan did add another PWO in Lake Orion WR Sam Staruch who is 6'2 and 180 pounds.  If you didn't notice, Sam is not a DT.  

• Nick Patterson's brother got invited to the NFL Combine.   He is going to need a great performance after a poor week at the senior bowl.  

• GR3 got traded from Golden State to Philly. 

• Matt Campbell and Pat Narduzzi have already turned down interest in the MSU head coaching job.  Seems it's down to Tressel's son or Cincinnati's Luke Fickell.   No word if Harbaugh isn't supporting Fickell's proposed move from Cincinnati to East Lansing with the NCAA.  It would really be tough if Luke took the MSU job and had to sit out a year. 

• Is it fair to say that Harbaugh has run both of Michigan's top rivals head coaches out of their jobs? :) 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-thursday-no-new-players-on-nsd.html

Wolverine Wednesday: There Are No Coincidences

If you run into a college buddy at the Dallas Airport that is a coincidence.   If you stalk your old girlfriend on social media and end up running into her at Whole Foods, that isn't.

Which leads me to Mark Dantonio's retirement last night.  If you listen to him, he has been considering this for a long time.   He even wrote his goodbye on a plane last week.   The work load was too much for his 80 hour week job.  Makes sense, but it doesn't.

Mark picked up a cool $4.3M bonus a couple weeks ago, is being sued for wrongful termination from an old employee, and just a day ago there was new allegations of NCAA violations.   This was all after saying he was completing the circle and staying on to coach his team.

The new allegations are the ones that broke the camel's back and Mark hit the exit button as soon as he could.

This is a cut and paste from Mgoblog last night:

Blackwell's lawyers allege:

Dantonio orchestrated employment for the parents of two MSU football players, with mega-donor Bob Skandalaris, whose name is on the football facility.

Dantonio had Blackwell accompany him on a Metro Detroit home visit of an unnamed five-star recruit, when Blackwell, in his role as director of college advancement and performance, wasn't authorized to conduct off-campus visits.

Dantonio said in his Jan. 10 deposition that Blackwell never did any home visits because it would've been an NCAA violation. He did recall Blackwell once traveling with him to see a recruit, but that Blackwell remained in the car.

In his filing, Paterson said Blackwell "is prepared to provide the court with an affidavit attesting" to the visit of the five-star recruit, which can be "verified by the former five-star recruit and his parents, who were also present during the recruiting visit."

This was no coincidence.

• I have no comment on that game Michigan Basketball played last night. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/wolverine-wednesday-there-are-no.html

Sonavi Labs wins global pitch competition

Local medical device company Sonavi Labs, Inc., recently put Maryland on the map during a start-up contest overseas.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/sonavi-labs-wins-global-pitch-competition/

Michigan Tuesday: Another Walk-on and Duke Loading Up

Michigan isn't expected to sign anyone new on NSD tomorrow but they are loading up on PWO's.  The next guy to drop is Jake Thaw who is an athlete from CT.  In high school Jake played QB, WR and DB.  Probably will end up at slot WR/special teams player at Michigan.  Welcome Jake "Spring" Thaw.

Duke is loading up from players from the transfer portal.  Yesterday they confirmed Clemson QB Chase Brice was transferring in.  Chase a former 4 star QB and a grad transfer with two years to play.  Then former Michigan commit Devery Hamilton announced he was grad transferring to Duke as well. Hamilton played at Stanford and struggled last year on the offensive line.   On a side note, Greg Frey is Duke's new offensive line coach.

• Duncan Robinson got invited to the All Star Game 3 point contest 

• Michigan Basketball hosts OSU tonight at Crisler 7:00 ESPN2

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-tuesday-another-walk-on-and.html

How the 2020 Census affects Maryland businesses

From easing work commutes to natural disaster responses, your community counts in the 2020 Census. Here in Maryland, we are asking businesses to encourage employees, customers, and surrounding communities to fill out their census forms. An accurate count of all Marylanders will help the state receive necessary federal funding for programs and resources – from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore – and everywhere in between.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/how-2020-census-affects-maryland-businesses/

Michigan Monday: Super Bowl Steals A Play From Fritz Crisler

U of M had plenty of influence on the Super Bowl Champions KC Chiefs, with Chad Henne as a back-up QB and Frank Clark as the starting DE.   (Yes, I understand how Frank's time in Ann Arbor ended).  

What was more interesting to me was the play that KC OC Eric Bieniemy stole from the 1948 Rose Bowl and Fritz Crisler.   The play was the 4th and 1 full house backfield, 3 spin move and direct snap to the RB.   The play worked for a first down and ended up on the 1 yard line.   Here are both plays if your interested.  

I tip my hat to the Super Bowl champs and to Eric going old school and plucking a heck of a good play from the Mad Magicians.  I remember when Michigan's head coach would run old school unique plays in his first year at Michigan.  

• X came back and Brandon Johns went for 20 as Michigan got a nice home win in NYC on Saturday over a ranked Rutgers team.  I agree there are a lot of confusing statements in that sentence.  Michigan did play a home game at MSG and Rutgers is ranked 25th in the country.   This was a brilliant move for Coach B who scheduled this game as Michigan plays it best basketball at neutral sites.   The Wolverines get to play Ohio State and Michigan State this week.  

• Cade McNamara's brother Kyle has committed to Michigan.  Kyle is a 5'8 170 pound WR.  I assume this is a PWO offer as Kyle is ranked as a 2 star to 24/7.   Kyle reports two offers to CMU and Ohio State.   I'm guessing the OSU offer wasn't committable.  Welcome Kyle!  

• Michigan did get a confirmed PWO commit from Traverse City QB Peyton Smith. Peyton is a 2 star QB and the 153rd Pro Style QB in the 2020 class. 

• Former Wolverine Stephen Spanellis is transferring to Vandy.  Congrats Stephen and get that Vanderbilt graduate degree with your Michigan degree.

• Former Wolverine offense lineman Steve Hutchinson was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Congrats Hutch! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/02/michigan-monday-super-bowl-steals-play.html

Choptank Transport plans major expansion on Eastern Shore

Local logistics provider Choptank Transport is expanding its footprint in Maryland and adding more than a hundred new jobs on the Eastern Shore.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/choptank-transport-plans-major-expansion-eastern-shore/