Signed. Sealed. Delivered. He's ours.

A while back I wrote about the day Michigan football changed. Today, I'm going to write about the same topic, but with a much different tone. The previous blog covered the day Bo died and how Michigan had never been the same since that day. Things have been on a downhill slide for about the last decade. That all changed today.


Today, Michigan got it's man. In a well orchestrated coaching search conducted by Jim Hackett, an interim Athletic Director, Michigan landed the hottest coach in football.The guy that was the long shot. The guy that no one, No. One. thought they could land. The guy that had NFL dreams and would never "come back down" to college. The guy that was at the prime of his career and could have any job in the country, NFL or college. What people don't understand, is that Jim Harbaugh loves Michigan. He said in his press conference that he's dreamed of this job since he was 9 or 10 years old.


Today, a man gets to live out his life long dream. While standing at the podium delivering his press conference speech; he smiled a lot, spoke of how grateful he was for the opportunity, offered thanks for the faith and trust Jim Hackett has shown him, and gave a pledge that he will uphold the greatness and excellence of Michigan.


Today, Michigan fans are united. The factions that once existed that prevented Michigan from landing him 4 years ago are gone. The argument of spread versus pro-style are a thing of the past. Today everyone is just excited to see how this develops.


Today, bygones were set aside, mistakes were admitted, and forgiveness was given. No doubt things have been rocky these past few years. Things have been said and done that left many hard feelings. Those days are nothing but a memory and all the people that matter are rallying behind the new coach and offering support in anyway they can. Former coaches, players, equipment managers, businessmen, university officials, were in attendance today to show their support.


Today, a wife supported her husband. It had been widely reported that Sarah Harbaugh, Jim's wife, didn't want to move again. She loved the west coast and wasn't interested in coming to the Midwest, much less Michigan in December. But she sat in the front row with their children, attended the after party and supported her husband and his life-long dream.


Today, families were reunited in Ann Arbor. Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, Jim's parents, are reportedly moving back to Michigan. They, along with his sister and her family were in attendance. Clearly they are all supportive of Jim and excited with his new coaching position.


Today, thanks was given to the men of the past. Jim credited past coaches with building a great foundation for over a century. There was an absence in body in the crowd, but everyone knew Bo was there and smiling down on that press conference today. No doubt they could all feel it.


Today, it wasn't about money, it was about love of Michigan. Details of Jim's contract have been released and the reported 6 years for $48 million was inaccurate. His contract was the same he was making at the 49ers, $5 million for 7 years, with incentives.  He told Jim Hackett that he didn't want to be the highest paid coach in the NCAA or even the B1G, he wanted to save some money so he could hire awesome assistants and pay them accordingly.


Today, is one of the days I'll tell my kids about. I'll know exactly where I was and what I was doing. I traveled to my parents' house so I could watch the press conference with them, one of my brothers, and my girls. This was a family occasion, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.


Today, I wore my maize and blue and wasn't feeling like I needed to be prepared with a comeback for heckling that was sure to be thrown my way. I wore it with a smirk on my face and with a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation.


Today, rivalries were renewed and faith was restored.


Today, was a good day. The great days are still ahead.


My Pick 6 quotes from the press conference by Jim:
1. I'm not comfortable with being referred to as the savior of Michigan football.
2. I don't believe this is a turn-around, this is greatness.
3. I want to build one and live in it permanently.
4. Like you know your name, I know Michigan football.
5. I'm standing on a foundation that has been built for over 100 years.
6. I made a decision from the heart.


Go Blue!
~Bekki

M cubed

As I hinted at in a previous post, this week's blog will focus on The Michigan Man Mantra (M3). In preparation for this blog I Googled "Michigan Man." Much to my surprise there were several hits that offered several different explanations for the meaning of "Michigan Man."  I learned that Fielding Yost used the term in several of his speeches. However, I first remember the words being muttered by Bo Schembechler when he was Athletic Director at Michigan. He found out that Bill Frieder, the basketball coach at the time, had signed a contract to coach at Arizona the following season. Bo fired him the day before the NCAA basketball tournament was to begin. He said, "A Michigan Man will coach Michigan."

In light of the press conference yesterday to announce, to no one's surprise, that head football coach Brady Hoke was dismissed from his duties, this question was asked by a reporter. "Will the new coach be a Michigan Man, something we've all heard so much about?" Interim Athletic Director answered this question directly and with great poise and confidence. I couldn't have been more proud of they way he handled it. In fact, I had to hold back," Can I get an Amen!?!?!" when he gave his answer.

I have long held the belief that Bo's words have been misinterpreted by people with personal agendas, misinformation, and people who think they know about Michigan, but really have no clue.  So, here's my personal interpretation of what a Michigan Man is....

A Michigan Man is someone who leads their life with integrity, first and foremost.  And by this I mean, just as Merriam-Webster defines it, a person who has the quality of being honest and having strong moral principals. That quality is the most important one to me.  I don't want a coach that isn't going to play the game, and everything that goes with it, honestly and with strong moral principals.

Secondly, a Michigan Man is someone that has an undying loyalty to Michigan. Someone that will do whatever is humanly possible to represent the university the best way possible, as long as it is done with the first quality I mentioned at the forefront.  And yes, this means winning games. That's part of the job of a coach.

Next, a Michigan Man must have compassion. There are so many situations in this world, some of them right at Mott's Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, that need a hero.  This has been a long standing tradition at Michigan. Players and coaches go visit, bond, connect, and establish relationships with the patients and families at Mott's. I hope the next coach follows in this tradition. It builds character and brings the student-athletes to an understanding that life does not begin and end with football.

Additionally, a Michigan Man is one who has a bit of an edge to their personality. Someone who is firey; yet calm during adversity, honest; yet compassionate when necessary, and driven; yet focused with eyes wide open.

And lastly, a Michigan Man is one who understands, or is willing to learn, what Michigan is all about. The traditions. The beliefs. The former legendary coaches and players. The history. The winged helmet. The Leaders. The Best. The Song. The Victors.

So you see, a Michigan Man doesn't have to be a male or someone with direct ties to the university (student, player, coach, or otherwise). It just has to be someone that "get's it."

“But do let me reiterate the spirit of Michigan. It is based upon a deathless loyalty to Michigan and all her ways; an enthusiasm that makes it second nature for Michigan men to spread the gospel of their university to the world’s distant outposts; a conviction that nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours.”  

Fielding Yost, 1942

My Pick 6 interview questions if I were on the search committee:
1. What is your equation for success?
2. How will you unite the factions that exist at Michigan?
3. Why do you think our previous coach wasn't able to win?
4. How will you establish leadership on the team?
5. What will be your selling point(s) to potential recruits?
6. Do you value seniority or hard work more?

~Bekki
Go Blue!