The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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called "a hero," for the high-minded values the former Michigan assistant instilled in his program. In the end, values and a young-roster argument that insisted the Wolverines might be on the verge of a turnaround weren't enough. "It has to do, then, with making sure that Brady has had adequate time to exhibit that arc of improve- ment that would come from his ef- fort," Hackett explained in a Dec. 2 press conference. "I believe Brady had enough time to produce results, and they're just not there today. Therefore, I believe it's time to make this transition." For those thinking ahead already, the transition question demanded details. Hackett delivered few, but vowed unflinchingly to install a head coach that would once again put the Wolverines on the rise. "My objective is to find the right coach for the University of Michi- gan, an individual who will recruit the best student-athletes and put them into a position to win in the classroom, on the field and in the community," Hackett said. "This is what makes Michigan world-class, and we're going to support that with great enthusiasm." Both he, and the yet-to-be-named head coach, will get there without any shortcuts, Hackett insisted. "We want to continue the legacy DIGITAL BONUS: CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE PODCAST Jim Hackett By The Numbers 3 The number of times since 1968 Michigan has won only five games or fewer, like it did this year. 5 Passes picked off by the Michi- gan defense this year. That's the lowest total since complete re- cords began to be kept in 1936. 7 The gap in Big Ten champion- ships in football between Mich- igan and Ohio State. U-M's edge has dwindled from 13 since 2004. 8 Seasons that have gone by since U-M last appeared in the Rose Bowl. 10 The number of seasons which have passed since the Wolverines captured a Big Ten championship. 18 Th e to t a l i nte rce p t i o n s thrown by Michigan quar- terbacks in 2014. Only six programs in the nation (Fresno State, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Idaho, UNLV and New Mexico State) threw more. 333.0 M i c h i g a n's ave r- age yards of total offense in games this season. That ranked No. 111 in the nation. 519 Yards gained by Michi- gan's leading rusher, sophomore running back De'Veon Smith, this season.