The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/144506
Stops at Ohio and Western Michigan preceded the move to Ann Arbor, but U-M felt like home to both Alexander and his wife, Kesha, even though he and UDM went 0-3 against the Wolverines during his playing days (compared to 3-0 versus MSU). "My wife said, 'Maybe it's a matter of if you can't beat 'em, join 'em someday,'" Alexander recalled of getting the call from Beilein in 2010. "It's a match made in heaven. "I think back to the time when Coach Beilein called, I was a candidate to interview for the head coaching position at Northwood at the Division II level. I got off the phone with the athletic director at Northwood, Coach called and I said, 'No, we're not interested in scheduling you guys. Best of luck.'" Beilein assured him he was serious about interviewing him for an assistant coaching position. Kesha, a longtime Michigan fan, told her husband to get on his horse. "She said, 'Start sprinting,'" Alexander recalled. "Get on your bike, get in the car, just get there.' Lo and behold, it came to fruition. When you're from the city of Detroit, it's particularly special when the University of Michigan comes calling. We live in the Wolverine State. As far as I can remember, the Wolverines have been at the forefront. Unfortunately we had some down years, but we're working hard to restore things to what our fans are accustomed to." Kesha didn't need a change of wardrobe after the move — she simply unpacked the boxes of Michigan gear that had been in storage. Nor did Alexander, he admitted in sharing a secret about his reign as CollegeInsider.com's best-dressed assistant, an honor he's received four of the last five years. "Dressing for me is a byproduct of marrying well," he said. "My wife is in charge of that stuff. The funny thing is, I can't remember the last time I shopped at a mall. The last time I had a wardrobe upgrade was 2005. "I've been rotating outfits, but I figure if I change jobs enough, those clothes are new everywhere I go," he said with a laugh, because it's clear Alexander wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The Master Motivator The mutual respect between the head coach and his assistants is evident in all of their interactions, the camaraderie real. The three assistants all got together in Alexander 's basement to watch each game of the NBA Finals. When the Alexanders recently celebrated their eighth anniversary, Meyer 's wife, Karen, sent a happy anniversary text to both. "I can't say that's something that's happened everywhere I've been," he said. "It's truly a family here." Meyer said the same not long ago in praising Beilein and the young assistants "I couldn't work for a better coach. We have shared values, shared vision," he said. "To see the young fellas come along, Coach Alexander