The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SWINGING FOR THE FENCES In Michigan's last seven seasons, only one — 2011 — involved a major bowl game. The Wolverines are sit- ting at home this bowl season, for the third time in those seven years, following 33 consecutive bowl cam- paigns. Hackett's Job No. 1 is straightfor- ward: go out and make the hire that puts an end to the misery. According to a source close to the conversation, University of Michi- gan president Mark Schlissel was getting an earful about the need for a home-run replacement hire for foot- ball as early as the Penn State game in mid-October. The new president has been receiving a crash course in big-time athletics, including their power to impact giving and the im- age of the University. When Brandon stepped down, Schlissel turned to Hackett, who un- derstands intimately the situation. Michigan pays for its $150 million athletic budget largely on the back of the football program. The unyielding support for it — in an era of bracing prices and big-screen televisions in dens at home — may not be so un- yielding anymore. In short, Michigan cannot afford to have another head football coach go 15-22, like Rich Rodriguez did in three seasons, or even 31-20, like Hoke did. Hackett went out seek- ing someone who could upgrade quickly, with staying power. Well-placed sources confirmed the fact that Hackett is indeed seeking the sure-fire, can't-miss hire. The place with more wins than any other school in the sport's history. "The program's at an absolutely critical moment historically. Michi- gan football still is an elite brand, and it can still be an elite place. But screw up another hire, and that all fades pretty darn quick. Just ask Tennessee. "Hackett's task, at this point, is to find a winner. Above anything else. To find a forward-thinking, tena- cious football coach who instills an identity of toughness without ex- cuses from the second he walks in the door. "The hot name on the tip of ev- ery Michigan supporter's tongue at the moment is San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Some believe Harbaugh's interested, many oth- ers believe he's not. Right now, it's Hackett's job to find out the answer to that question, completely and totally. If Michigan believes it has a shot at Harbaugh if it extends this search into January, then Hackett has to do just that." Adam Rittenberg, ESPN.com: "Nebraska and now Michigan have the opportunity to reshape the quality of coaching in this confer- ence. Both programs are viewed as great, if not elite, jobs. Both pro- grams are dripping with tradition, fan support, facilities, and, well, just about everything else a coach could want. Both have gone far too long without competing for conference championships, much less national championships.