The Wolverine

February 2020*

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1202829

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 3 of 75

4 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2020 STILL HOPING FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT CONTENT Dear The Wolverine, I wanted to send you this letter be- fore you are inundated by the hoard of discontents ready to jump ship. I want to acknowledge a great foot- ball program fielded by Jim Harbaugh and his assistant coaches. Not only have they provided a clean program and quality young men, but they have offered the fan base entertainment as well as success for our football teams. Multiple 10-3 seasons are extremely satisfying. Think how many Big Ten schools would like to have the same records we have at Michigan. Of course, all of Michigan's family and fans would like national and Big Ten championships. However, the lack of them does not detract what we have experienced on the football field. So I stand up contented and want to be recognized as a grateful supporter of a great Michigan football program. Let us not be overwhelmed by those only seeing the negative side. Carry on and GO BLUE. Arnold Heyman, M.D. Thousand Oaks, Calif. COUNTERPOINT Dear The Wolverine, After reading Robert A. Murden's letter in the January 2020 issue of The Wolverine, I could not help but offer some counterpoints: 1. While recruiting has certainly been better under Jim Harbaugh than Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke, develop- ment of that recruited talent is nearly nonexistent. By "development," I am referring to making sure these young men understand what it means to play for Michigan, put on that winged hel- met, beat Ohio State and win the Big Ten championship, along with on-field development as football players. After five years, I see laziness, self- ishness, individualism and very little toughness. Players transferring and sitting out of bowl games are just two small examples. I'm reminded of the recruiting story Bo Schembechler shared about the time he had one remaining scholarship for two potential players. One player — a highly sought after wide receiver — could not decide between Michigan and Notre Dame. The other — a not so sought after linebacker — had only dreamed his whole life of putting on that winged helmet. After being strung along for too long of a time by the wide receiver, Bo made the decision for him. "Go to Notre Dame, son," Bo said. Bo wanted players who would be a fit at the Uni- versity of Michigan. The wide receiver ended up being a non-contributor for the Irish, while the linebacker be- came an All-Big Ten performer for the Maize and Blue. Well, under Coach Harbaugh, those days are dead and gone. If you have five stars next to your name, then that's enough for Jim Harbaugh. 2. To say that no coach has been bet- ter than Harbaugh since Bo because he's averaging three losses a season is one of the oddest "pros" for a coach I've heard. Has Harbaugh beaten any- one of any significance? Not really. The wins against Wisconsin and Penn State in 2018 are his only significant wins (no, beating a vastly overrated Notre Dame team this season does not count). However, ALL of his losses are huge and speak volumes. 3. Ohio State is unbeatable? Re- ally? That is the justification for get- ting skull-drug by the Buckeyes every year? Is that what Bo said in 1969 when he inherited a subpar Michigan team and beat the Ohio State team that everyone was calling the "Team of the Century?" And are we really going to com- February 2020 • Vol. 31, No. 7 ISSN 1048-9940 Editor John Borton TheWolverine.com Editor Chris Balas Football Recruiting Writer EJ Holland Staff Writers Austin Fox, Drew Hallett Bob Miller, Clayton Sayfie Managing Editor Ryan Tice Contributing Editor Steve Downey Layout And Design Jeanette Blankenship Chris Miller Contributing Photographers Lon Horwedel Per Kjeldsen Cover Photo Lon Horwedel Publisher Stu Coman Business Manager Linda Autry Marketing/Merchandise Manager Beverly Taylor Director Of Advertising Michelle Delee-Hamilton Customer Service Cathy Jones, Laura Thornton The Wolverine is published monthly. A one-year (12 issues) subscription is $56.99. The Wolverine is printed at The Papers in Milford, Ind. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. Periodical postage paid at Durham, NC 27702 and additional offices. For advertising or subscription information, call 1-800-421-7751 or write The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. The Wolverine is a publication of Coman Publishing Company, 905 W. Main St, Suite 24F, Durham, NC 27701. E-Mail Address: thewolverine@comanpub.com Subscription questions: cjones@comanpub.com Website: www.thewolverine.com   FROM OUR READERS A 9-4 campaign by Jim Harbaugh and his crew has the fan base split on the direction of the program under the coach who just completed his fifth season at the helm. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - February 2020*