[Mick]

I consider myself very complimentary of Shaw in all of what he does head-coaching-wise, save one area (which happens to be one of the most visible to Joe Fan on game day).  But I guess when you're a vocal critic in one area, the Absolute Defenders are inclined to interpret comments in other areas through a different strainer.

As for the "riding the wave" comment which you term a backhanded compliment, do you not think Stanford is exceptionally hot right now?  Do you not think that Stanford got very warm (if not hot), football-wise, under Harbaugh?  Do you not think Shaw has done an admirable job recruiting in this warm/hot period to keep it so?  [As an aside, there are folks on TOS who bitch and moan about his recruiting, too . . . which I don't really get].

And to be very clear, I think Shaw is the kind of guy with the disposition and human-interaction skills that can keep the "hotness" going much longer than can the mercurial/tiring Harbaugh.  And I know which man I'd rather have coaching Stanford (hint:  it's not Harbaugh).

That about covers it.  Backhand, forehand, whateverhand.

Along those lines, I think it is a metaphysical certitude that Harbaugh will leave Michigan before Shaw leaves Stanford.

[Mick]

I consider myself very complimentary of Shaw in all of what he does head-coaching-wise, save one area (which happens to be one of the most visible to Joe Fan on game day).  But I guess when you're a vocal critic in one area, the Absolute Defenders are inclined to interpret comments in other areas through a different strainer.

As for the "riding the wave" comment which you term a backhanded compliment, do you not think Stanford is exceptionally hot right now?  Do you not think that Stanford got very warm (if not hot), football-wise, under Harbaugh?  Do you not think Shaw has done an admirable job recruiting in this warm/hot period to keep it so?  [As an aside, there are folks on TOS who bitch and moan about his recruiting, too . . . which I don't really get].

And to be very clear, I think Shaw is the kind of guy with the disposition and human-interaction skills that can keep the "hotness" going much longer than can the mercurial/tiring Harbaugh.  And I know which man I'd rather have coaching Stanford (hint:  it's not Harbaugh).

That about covers it.  Backhand, forehand, whateverhand.

Along those lines, I think it is a metaphysical certitude that Harbaugh will leave Michigan before Shaw leaves Stanford.