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Topic: RE: What’s up with Smith?

Topic: RE: What’s up with Smith?

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M.D.W.S.T
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/11/2025 11:46:15 AM

SBH wrote:

I was told that our AD personally called every recruit and his parents prior to the announcement.

And we didn't have a single defector?

Makes me think Brian is back. You've been pretty clear that you think Brian is 100% out and it's been in the works. Doesn't that seem the contrary? We're not exactly Alabama and people are clamoring to play for a specific coach (though Brian does have a strong resume), but I'm surprised. If the AD, who has been on the job for THREE MONTHS, called my mom and said we're putting the guy you committed to on leave TODAY, and he did (what we've heard through the grapevine), she sure as shit is not signing that paperwork no matter how much you promise in-house continuity (outside of Brian).

I'll be so damn happy when we can put this behind us. Be it with Hauser, interim-Scott or Brian.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/11/2025 11:59:06 AM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

SBH wrote:

I was told that our AD personally called every recruit and his parents prior to the announcement.

Feels pretty wishful to me, man.

"You're on paid leave, we're not telling you why, but we're gonna call every recruit and tell them you're coming back" just doesn't seem like a logical string of events.

More logical would be that Smith wasn't the draw for a lot of the recruits to begin with.

But who knows.

M.D.W.S.T
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/11/2025 12:45:11 PM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

SBH wrote:

I was told that our AD personally called every recruit and his parents prior to the announcement.

More wishful to put it behind us.

Like I said, most kids at this level are taking their best offer, but we don't think a single recruit was coming for Brian now? Not one?

"You're on paid leave, we're not telling you why, but we're gonna call every recruit and tell them you're fired", and that info doesn't leak - and not one recruit decommits. To me, THAT is the illogical piece.

We've all heard the same noise. It's all bad. If even a portion is true, I would've fired him from the jump. But I don't see the same smoke you do. My opinion has softened. Certainly, I don't think you do this with the idea you're bringing him back - but did they make all the kids and parents sign an NDA also? And then no one decommits based on the level of secrecy they're attempting? 'Please wait until we win the bowl game so we can announce we're hiring a guy you've probably never met.' We're taking a lot of leaps here.

If any of this is remotely true, they should go work with the department of defense, because these dudes can't even fire a missile without telling 10 friends.

ohiocatfan1
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/11/2025 1:48:08 PM

The situation with Ohio Bobcat football? Hold my beer - University of Michigan.

L.C.
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/11/2025 1:48:45 PM

I would be extremely surprised if the parents were told in detail what is happening. That would leak out, and would be as much grounds for a lawsuit as telling anyone else. I would guess the parents were reassured that, regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the program was in good hands, and that the position coaches that they worked with in committing to Ohio would remain.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/11/2025 2:12:13 PM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

Like I said, most kids at this level are taking their best offer, but we don't think a single recruit was coming for Brian now? Not one?

That's not a critique of Smith; I'm just looking at the fact pattern. We didn't lose recruits, and it is hard to see many logic at all in an approach where it's known Smith is coming back, but nothing is communicated to him about it, and the University isn't downplaying the situation and supporting Smith publicly.

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

"You're on paid leave, we're not telling you why, but we're gonna call every recruit and tell them you're fired", and that info doesn't leak - and not one recruit decommits. To me, THAT is the illogical piece.

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

But I don't see the same smoke you do.

Aren't we way past smoke and to fire already? You don't suspend somebody without detail because there's a little bit of smoke.

I don't think they told anybody he was going to be fired. I suspect it was basically "we had to do this in the best interest of the program and university, and I assure you you have a place here, and that we'll make sure the right person is leading this program, whether it's Smith or Hauser."

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

We've all heard the same noise. It's all bad. If even a portion is true, I would've fired him from the jump.

If you have the documentation to do so. It's a $2.5m mistake if you handle this wrong. Paid leave is much safer than firing somebody too quickly.

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

But I don't see the same smoke you do. My opinion has softened. Certainly, I don't think you do this with the idea you're bringing him back - but did they make all the kids and parents sign an NDA also? And then no one decommits based on the level of secrecy they're attempting? 'Please wait until we win the bowl game so we can announce we're hiring a guy you've probably never met.' We're taking a lot of leaps here.

A big leap is that you think the AD told every commit Smith is being fired. Doing so would go against the advice of every lawyer at the University, certainly.

Last Edited: 12/11/2025 2:39:24 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

OhioCatFan
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/11/2025 3:32:36 PM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

Like I said, most kids at this level are taking their best offer, but we don't think a single recruit was coming for Brian now? Not one?

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

But I don't see the same smoke you do.

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

We've all heard the same noise. It's all bad. If even a portion is true, I would've fired him from the jump.

If you have the documentation to do so. It's a $2.5m mistake if you handle this wrong. Paid leave is much safer than firing somebody too quickly.

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

A big leap is that you think the AD told every commit Smith is being fired. Doing so would go against the advice of every lawyer at the University, certainly.

A voice of reason. Sometimes you surprise me, BLSS!

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KC Bobcat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 7:41:33 AM

I hate to say it, but if I were a recruit who chose Ohio over University B in a tough decision, I’d be in contact now with University B and the moment the transfer portal opens, I’d be pulling the trigger.

M.D.W.S.T
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 9:36:55 AM

KC Bobcat wrote:

According to the BA Lawyer Association, they weren't coming here to play for the coach anyway.

I thought maybe they'd use Michigan for cover and fire him if that's what they plan to do, according to the BA Lawyer Association, they no longer owe him his total salary so maybe they're just waiting for some of the Moore fallout to dissipate so they don't get dragged into a giant pile of think pieces on institutional failures run amok - which is certainly going to be the narrative.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 10:02:34 AM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

According to the BA Lawyer Association, they weren't coming here to play for the coach anyway.

Which recruits did we lose because of Smith's suspension?

BillyTheCat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 11:19:47 AM

SBH wrote:

I was told that our AD personally called every recruit and his parents prior to the announcement.

I am not disputing your account, but I find it very odd you would tell the recruits and the coach and/or coaches had NO clue yet. Because the natural reaction would be to reach out to your recuriting coach, position coach the person you’ve got a relationship with, guys you’ve been talking to on the team and yet, no one on the staff, coaches or support had no clue what was about to happen. IMO, it just sounds like a good story, way to handle things.

BillyTheCat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 11:26:52 AM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:

M.D.W.S.T wrote:

According to the BA Lawyer Association, they weren't coming here to play for the coach anyway.

Which recruits did we lose because of Smith's suspension?

None yet, but it’s also very early. Everyone last year was so impressed we didn’t lose any recruits after Albin left and loved that all these guys were coming back and committed to Smith, etc. they were committed to their teammates and the culture they’ve helped build. Because soon as the season was over, we got that mass exodus.

Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

SBH
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 1:58:03 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

SBH wrote:

I was told that our AD personally called every recruit and his parents prior to the announcement.

You don't think it was known internally before the press release went out? Come on.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 2:17:17 PM

SBH wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

SBH wrote:

I was told that our AD personally called every recruit and his parents prior to the announcement.

You don't think it was known internally before the press release went out? Come on.

Exactly. And the other coaches were undoubtedly briefed on how to handle recruiting conversations and given talking points. Just because the AD called recruits doesn't mean nobody else did, too.

OhioCatFan
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 3:15:37 PM

bobcatblitz posted a few details, which he then deleted, quite awhile before the news broke. It had to be general knowledge in the AD's office and the football program for awhile. Maybe not a Michigan-level coverup, but it's not that all off a sudden everyone in the Roundhouse on Richland suddenly became aware of this in early December.

L.C.
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/12/2025 7:15:29 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

Portal will be different this year. This is the double attrition year. Players who entered in 2020 got a Covid year, and used up their eligibility this year. Players who entered in 2021 did not get a Covid year, and also used up their eligibility this year. A lot less people will end up with no home this year.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

Alan Swank
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 9:55:25 AM

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

And additionally, schools can offer 105 scholarships rather than the previous 85.

BillyTheCat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 2:31:39 PM

SBH wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

SBH wrote:

I was told that our AD personally called every recruit and his parents prior to the announcement.

You don't think it was known internally before the press release went out? Come on.

To some yes. To several, they found out when I asked them. With your super special Board sources, you could probably tell everyone here what’s up.

BillyTheCat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 2:32:23 PM

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

You’d think, you also only get one portal window too.

BillyTheCat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 2:34:36 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

And additionally, schools can offer 105 scholarships rather than the previous 85.

Can, but do you know how many schools actually are? We are not.

cbarber357
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 3:28:29 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

And additionally, schools can offer 105 scholarships rather than the previous 85.

Can, but do you know how many schools actually are? We are not.

I think this will actually play to our advantage soon. More talented kids going to the top schools then getting bored of never playing. Many will be transferring down a year or two in.

Last Edited: 12/13/2025 3:28:52 PM by cbarber357

BillyTheCat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 6:27:07 PM

cbarber357 wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

And additionally, schools can offer 105 scholarships rather than the previous 85.

Can, but do you know how many schools actually are? We are not.

I think this will actually play to our advantage soon. More talented kids going to the top schools then getting bored of never playing. Many will be transferring down a year or two in.

We are CFP bound! Our NIL money will lure them in with our extra scholarships.

TWT
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 9:01:33 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

And additionally, schools can offer 105 scholarships rather than the previous 85.

Can, but do you know how many schools actually are? We are not.

Its 85 scholarships and a roster limit of 105. Ohio can offer partial scholarships across 105 players if it chose to do so. The bigger difference is programs are no longer allowed to bloat the walk-on roster to 120, 130 or 140. 105 is the roster max so former P4 walk-on material guys will have to find roster spots at smaller programs.

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BillyTheCat
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 10:05:53 PM

TWT wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

And additionally, schools can offer 105 scholarships rather than the previous 85.

Can, but do you know how many schools actually are? We are not.

Again, my question is do you know how many we are using? And if you missed the memo, we always bloated our roster over the 105 limit. So to some extent that limit has hurt us.

Last Edited: 12/13/2025 10:06:48 PM by BillyTheCat

TWT
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RE: What’s up with Smith?

Posted: 12/13/2025 10:42:06 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

TWT wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

L.C. wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

...
Maybe we didn’t lose anyone because at that point and at this time there is no where to go right now. Portal will be about balancing your roster and finding experience, not adding freshmen.

And additionally, schools can offer 105 scholarships rather than the previous 85.

Can, but do you know how many schools actually are? We are not.

Again, my question is do you know how many we are using? And if you missed the memo, we always bloated our roster over the 105 limit. So to some extent that limit has hurt us.

I didn't say I know how Ohio is distributing the 85 full scholarships. Yes I know we bloated over the 105 limit and those kids will have to go FCS or Akron or something.

https://sportssurge.alibaba.com/football/how-many-scholar...

Last Edited: 12/13/2025 10:45:26 PM by TWT

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