The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
from our readers The Rodriguez years brought the reality of how good those Schembechler and post-Schembechler years were. I have come to accept that Rodriguez was not a satisfactory fit for the University of Michigan. In my opinion, he will have to rebuild his reputation as a good coach elsewhere, before he will be considered among the better coaches. He may be on his way at Arizona, and time will tell. At Michigan the coach has to fit the University. Schembechler established that, and Moeller and Carr fit that mold, although at the time, both of those coaches had their detractors when they were hired. The mold is hard to define, but Brady Hoke has nurtured the concept of being a "Michigan Man" as being the yarn that makes the fabric. It is interesting that it does not require that one has had a tie to the University to be a "Michigan Man." Somehow there is a standard that qualifies one to be a Michigan Man, and the alumni and fans that support the athletic teams have bought into that standard. This opinion does not mean that Rodriguez did not have a standard, but it was a standard that Michigan supporters, for whatever reason, could not relate to. The standard that I am talking about is not just his won-loss record, but the intangibles that form the standard. It sure feels like Michigan football is getting back on track to respectability. The coming season is one of anticipation for continuing improve- ment. I have considerable anxiety about the coming season. Nothing new, I suppose. My concerns are for depth at quarterback, the experience of certain positions in the offensive and defensive lines, and consistency of the running backs. Jake Ryan will be missed on defense, at least for part of the season. The coaches are better qualified to address the solutions to the issues that I raise, whether my analysis is accurate or not. As I speculate about standards of previous coaches, and the validity of being a Michigan Man in running a successful program, the season gets closer. Brady Hoke has resurrected confidence in the expectation of a successful season. Winter and summer are for speculation, but fall is for execution. Bring on Team 134! J. Richard Jaconette, M.D. Battle Creek, Mich. Regardless of all else, the expectation going into this season and in those for the foreseeable future involves competing for a Big Ten title and beyond, Dr. J. That's a comfortable old feeling that went away for a while. Hail To Hutchins' Crew Dear The Wolverine: I want to extend belated-butheartfelt congratulations to the Wolverines' softball team on yet another season of excellence. Year in and year out these women do the University proud with their performances.