FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

At this point I am more concerned about transition.

Michigan always hired within the family so everything is new, I think to some extent that is a good thing.

Perhaps ignorance on my part, but curious as to Bo's previous links to UM when he replaced Elliot?  My recollections were Barberton High, "Mother Miami," Grad Asst at OSU under Hayes (Moeller was a captain of that championship team), Presbyterian College, back to Miami as HC, and then UM.  Am I missing something in between?   Thanks!

1952 Ohio State assistant
1954 Presbyterian assistant
1955 Bowling Green assistant
1956-1957 Northwestern assistant
1958-1962 Ohio State assistant
1963-1968 Miami University
1969-1989 Michigan

He made Michigan his own.  If he's like any other person from Ohio who played and coached for Woody I doubt he had much affection for Michigan untill he got there.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

HOF:

Word is that Klotz has decided to take his name out of the running for the Bluffton job, seems to still be a lack of commitment to the program for a coach to go in and make it a winner.  Had not heard the rumors of rickett, but that would be odd to see a new face on the Hope staff.

[formerd3db]

DAWG:

Please clarify re: Bluffton atmosphere.  I must be dumb or something ( ) as I missed that Bluffton was in the search for a new head coach.  I assume that Brooks was fired after this 1-9 season for them or did he just resign.  I couldn't find anything on their website about this.  As I recall, he had been there for many years as an assistant before taking over the head job when their longtime former coach "retired" 4-5 years ago or so.

It will be interesting to see who takes that job. 

[formerd3db]

Despite the glutance of DI bowl games. some of which are rather boring (although I'm sure not to those players involved), last night's Hawaii Bowl game between Boise State and East Carolina was actually a very exciting game.  It came down to the wire.  Certainly, Boise State is a good team and it is good to see their new coach continue the great improvement and success their program has had the past 3-4 years.  However, it was also good to see the East Carolina program get a win like that.  East Carolina historically, IMO, has kind of been like a Central Michigan, but has made great strides in recent years to become much more competitive at DI.  While they'll perhaps not ever be perennially as strong as even as "newcomer" Boise State to that category, it was exciting to see that kind of game.  There is always a good contest or two each year that emerges out of this crazy, over-expanded bowl lineup.  

[formerd3db]

Merry Christmas to everyone.  May you have a wonderful time with your family and friends.  Safe travel to all those who have to do so.

[ACRULZ]

I would also like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all and a blessed New Year!!!

[ACRULZ]

What do you guys think?  Good move for Jim Collins going to D II Saginaw?

[formerd3db]

ACRULZ:

As I mentioned in my post regarding this over on the OAC board, I do not doubt that this was a difficult situation for Collins to decide.  While he obviously felt very passionate about his time at Capital and his commitment to the student-athletes there in DIII, sometimes opportunities present in life that you make a decision to change.  I'm sure his decision was similar to Creighton's from Wabash in that you get a direction that "this is where you are meant to be" - that can only come from one source.  Of course, I'm sure the financial considerations come in to play for he and his family, and while I don't know the details, I would not be surprised if his package was better than what he was getting at Capital.  He also had some previous ties in the mid-Michigan area per history (see the announcement/bio that is posted on Capital and SVSU's webs).

So while Capital's program is left in great shape from Collin's hard work, dedicaton and direction, obviously it is a loss for them, but a gain for SVSU.  For sure, going to DII presents somewhat of a slightly different approach as far as recruiting student-athletes, however, I would have to believe that Collins has his players' longterm life and educational interests at least on equal basis with their football aspects, if not slightly above, the latter for the time they are players for him.  I think people can expect to see him do well in leading the SVSU program and building on their recent better success.  As has been mentioned by many on these boards, SVSU has been closely chasing GVSU, and although having some good success, not quite able to get to that next tier in advancing in the DII playoffs when they've made it.  SVSU has a great stadium and facilities, good following, good recruiting base and has many alums in the NFL (one who was not mentioned on their website is Eguene Maurve, from Flint, who played for them back in the last '70's-early 80's and is a NFL player agent).

Finally, not much was mentioned in the press up this way about Awrey's dismissal, although I think SVSU handled it with class.  In today's paper, it mentioned that one of the NCAA infractions was his paying apartment rent for his two sons, who were players for him on SVSU's teams.  I obviously do not know the details of that situation, and while perhaps he thought that since he was a parent and coach of the program that somehow there might be an exemption for that; at least that's how I took it from what his attorney seemed to be "implying", or perhaps I was reading into it.  Nonetheless, all of us knowing basically what is allowed and not allowed by the NCAA in such aspects, I can't for the life of me understand how he could think that and/or if so, at least inquired about it from appropriate sources before doing it.  Sounds kind of "fishy" to me .  In view of the implications and investigations, it appears that SVSU had no other choice but to not renew his contract.

Anyway, I wish he and his family the best in their new situation, and also the same to whoever Capital chooses as their next head coach to lead their fine program.  One of their longtime assistants might be at the top of their "short list" some are saying.  It is tough for a DIII college to play in the "backyard" of a big school like Ohio State, but Capital has done quite well in recent years in upgrading their program in many respects, including some nice facilities. 

Sorry about the long posting in response to your question, but "that is my take" on the situation.

[K-Mack]

That about sums it up.

I usually think people are ganging up on the NCAA before they know the facts, but if that's true about a parent, in any capacity, not being able to pay his sons' rent, something is wrong with the rules.

Maybe they could have said it was from the Mom? 

[formerd3db]

What's the latest on Jones possibly going to WVa?  I wouldn't be surprised if he did go, although, tough on CMU in then having to get a new coach, the 3rd in recent years.  They do have their problems trying to get someone to stay.

Also, interesting discussions on the other boards about the DIII coaching searches going on for Wabash and Capital, the latter of which we have discussed a bit.

Anyway, Happy New Year's Eve and Day to all of you and may I reiterate what some of our colleagues around here have already done: be safe tonight everyone and don't do anything stupid.  Remember, the Designated Driver rule!  That being said, I hope everyone has an enjoyable evening and day.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Oh, what might have been if Henne and Hart had stayed healthy!

The game would have been over a lot sooner if not for 'Butterfingers' Hart!   Geez, the guy already had a fumble in September of his freshman year; did he have to do it again (and again)?  I wonder if anyone tracks that stat: 1002 touches between fumbles has got to be the all time record.

[joepieters]

Tremendous effort by the Wolverines.

Great way to send Lloyd Carr out.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Despite not being a Michigan fan in any sense of the word I was happy to see Lloyd go out with a win as he has been given a great deal of negative press, and reaction from the fans that I feel is unwarranted for the job he did at U of M.  That being said, if I was a U of M fan I would certainly be upset after watching that game.  Why on earth did lloyd and his staff wait until their last game to open up with a spread offense, they looked great and were able to outpace a fast SEC team and still assert their dominance up front.  As for the defense, maybe if English had used such an aggressive attacking scheme in some of their earlier games they wouldve had a better record for the year.  It was two different teams from the first twelve games to that bowl game and a breath of fresh air.

[sac]

I didn't really think UM's play calling was any more agressive than usual, it was just executed for a change..........passes were caught that had been dropped.....blocks that had been missed were executed.........passes were accurate that had been inaccurate........all year.

There were some nice twists, and things Michigan hadn't done much of all year, but mostly they executed.


As for the mighty SEC speed, somewhat of a myth to me really.  Michigan's debunked that 7 times in 10 bowl games and were only overmatched in that department by Tennessee (who probably should have been in the BCS title game that year).  Whenever an SEC beats a big 10 its because they were so fast, but when a big 10 beats an SEC.......speed is not the reason? ?, and thats just wrong.  Michigan is plenty fast, they just don't use it as well as they need to, and thankfully that is changing my friend.

Nothing sums it up better than this.......


and this........

[formerd3db]

DAWG and sac:  I think it was a little bit of both.  Michigan did seem to have a few "razzle dazzle" plays they normally don't do in games, yet at the same time, they did finally execute plays better and especially when they needed to (and for once, they covered the tight end and those little or semi "dink" passes out in the flats, etc.).  Their pass rush was great finally, although they did miss nabbing Tebow several times, yet that is not unexpected since he is indeed a great player.  Save for Hart's two fumbles at the goal line/in the endzone, Michigan would have been up more and it not been so much of a "nail biter" near the end. 

While I like Urban Meyer, I am disturbed that he doesn't rein in some of the "shennaigan showboating" that his players tend to do (I'd like to see some of the other coaches start doing this).  I realize one can't totally control that emotion in some of these kids and I'm all for expressing emotion and happiness when scoring a TD or making a great player, whatever.  However, do it with class with regard to this showboating stuff, I have to agree with Herbstreit on ESPN when he said the same thing about USC's player who did the "flip into the endzone" - i.e. "if he were the coach, that kid would have been benched for the remainder of at least the half".  That is similar to what Schembechler and other used to do when even their star players performed some good old fashiioned football "fumbles" , showboating notwithstanding.  Anyway, it was a great game to watch regardless of who one was rooting for, although as a Michigan fan, I'm glad they won a game like that for once - and especially for Carr and the outgoing coaches as you guys have mentioned.  It was also nice to see many of the fans holding up cards saying "thank you, Coach Carr" - a nice touch of class by fans for once.