The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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intentional, yet one of Meyer's final statements in his release indicated just how uncertain he was that he'd be able to continue in the profession he loved. "If I have an opportunity to con- ranks when Beilein shook up the coaching staff a few years later. "I have basically given him my tinue my coaching career, I will be better prepared to mentor student- athletes and to work with a compli- ance staff as a result of the lessons I learned from this painful experi- ence," he wrote. And then he waited. A CALL FROM A FRIEND off a season in which his Wolverines finished 10-22 in his first season, a transition year from the Tommy Amaker era. He'd been well aware of Meyer's troubles, but he never doubted his friend's innocence. All he had to offer, however, was an ad- ministrative assistant position, one for which Meyer was obviously over- qualified. In Ann Arbor, Beilein was coming throws a professional lifeline," Meyer recalled. "He said, 'We've had a tough first year here. We could use your experience. I know you're a man of integrity and character and that you were in the wrong situation at the wrong time.' "If you want to stay in college He laid it out there, regardless. "Out of all that, Coach Beilein coaching, you've got to have a friend, someone that knows you, believes in you and trusts you to help you at that point in time." Beilein, however, wasn't necessar- playbook for the offense, and we try to continue to reshape it to fit the next opponent," Beilein said. "He knows inside and out what took a long time to develop, much like some of my former assistants were able to do. I let them run with it and tweak it." U-M head coach John Beilein on Meyer "Jeff's a guy that I can really talk to about a lot of things … he had a lot of different ideas that I wanted to learn, and he's an incredible recruiter. It's not all about flash and dance, but persistence and relationships." and ability to help him wherever he needed help." developing camps and scheduling, taking quite a bit off of Beilein's plate. It quickly became much more, recalled former manager Will Vergollo, who is now an assistant to Beilein's son, Pat- rick, at West Virginia Wesleyan. "He knew I really wanted to be a Those duties started in 2008 with THE MENTOR coach, and that it was what I always wanted to do," he said. "He really fos- tered that environment for me. Early on it was just giving me freedom to work. Eventually as I got older, he let me help out with the offense. "That's who Jeff Meyer is. What he has done is dedicated his whole career as a mentor, leader. He's al- ways developing people — not just players, but everyone else who no one sees — including me, who was just a manager." It's been the same with U-M as- sistants Bacari Alexander and LaVall Jordan, as well, two of the top young coaches in the country. Beilein re- cently arranged pay raises for his staff to keep them together, continu- ing to foster their relationship as a cohesive unit. "Those young guys, especially ily looking to provide a favor when he hired Meyer in 2008. He knew he was getting a quality coach. "There was a great sense of relief Bacari and LaVall, they lean on Jeff a lot," Beilein sad. "I love the way Jeff takes the GA's, the video guys, the younger coaches here under his wing. He's such a passionate coach and really wants to be the best." Meyer couldn't imagine a better that I had a great friend with me as we took on this challenge at Michi- gan," Beilein said. "Jeff's a guy that I can really talk to about a lot of things … he had a lot of different ideas that I wanted to learn, and he's an in- credible recruiter. It's not all about flash and dance, but persistence and relationships." His ties in Indiana alone were key in helping the Wolverines land talents such as incoming freshmen Mitch McGary and Glenn Robin- son III, and he was instrumental in the recruitments of sophomore Trey Burke, incoming frosh Nik Stauskas and others. He was a natural to move up the place to try. His road to Ann Arbor wasn't always smooth, but from the leadership of athletics director David Brandon and Beilein to his relation- ships with the team and the staff, he feels at home. "I couldn't work for a better coach. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN four years, Meyer insists he initially had no aspirations beyond helping Michigan basketball become the best it could be. "I just wanted to be a voice of ex- perience, maybe have some eyes and experiences for John that might help him as he began to build the program here," he said. "He was a great friend to me. "I just wanted to be a great friend and hopefully use my experience Though he's risen quickly in his We have shared values, shared vi- sion," he said. "To see the young fellas come along, Coach Jordan and Coach Alexander — these guys are rising stars, so gifted in so many areas. I feel very, very fortunate to be here at this time doing what we're doing. "I can say I feel blessed to have an opportunity to get back on the court and be on the road recruiting. Michigan is a tremendous brand. Sometimes a lot of stuff just comes together and you say, 'Wow.' For us it's a tremendous opportunity, and I'm just very, very thankful." ❑ AUGUST 2012 THE WOLVERINE 51