Southpaw jinx?

On signing day Wednesday, the highly touted signal-caller Shane Morris (Warren DeLasalle) was the first recruit to get his signed LOI into the Wolverines. "Sugar" Shane is left-handed which is a rarity for a Michigan QB. In the past 35 seasons, Michigan has only had two left-handed quarterbacks start games (Rick Leach, 1975-78; Demetrius Brown, 1987-88). Go Blue!

Five-Year Anniversary

Today is Michigan Football Saturday's Five-Year Anniversary so I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all the people that have stopped by and read the site during the last 1/2 decade. Although the number of posts has dwindled with each succeeding year, I hope to use this anniversary as a launching point to reinvigorate the site. I anticipate reviewing and revising the blogroll as well as blogging on a more regular basis in anticipation of Coach Hoke's first season at the helm. That, however, is for the upcoming year. Again, for those of you who have followed my so called analysis for the past five years, thank you for reading and GO BLUE!!!

A return to greatness: Introducing Coach Hoke

1-12-11 Press Conference introducing Brady Hoke as the 19th Head Football Coach in Michigan Football history.

Progress?

If this is what progress looks like, I sure would hate to see what regression looks like. Michigan capped off its 2010 regular season by suffering a 30-point drubbing at the hands of the rival OSU Buckeyes. The loss means the Wolverines lost five (5) of their final seven games of the 2010 regular season and relegated the team to a losing Big Ten Conference record for the third consecutive season. The defense is one of the worst in the nation as are the Special Teams Units. The fact that the Wolverines qualified for a third-tier bowl game should not be enough to keep Coach Rod as the Head Coach for another season.

After the OSU loss, Athletic Director David Brandon tersely maintained that there were no changes to announce and that he would do his evaluation after the season ended which presumably means after the bowl game. Coach Rod's contract may have something to do with the timing of A.D. Brandon's decision if he in fact decides to terminate Coach Rodriguez. The contract (.pdf) is a six-year deal. Coach Rod is currently in year 3. (See sec. 3.01: Term of Agreement and Employment). Section 3.01 (b) provides that year 3 of the contract runs from Jan. 1., 2010- Dec. 31., 2010 and year 4 commences Jan. 1. 2011. This is potentially very important because of the contract's termination provisions (Article IV). Section 4.01 (a) provides that if the University terminates the contract in year 3 (i.e., in 2010) the severance pay-out to Coach Rod is $4 Million. However, if the University does not terminate the contract until year 4 (i.e., after 1-1-11) then the severance pay-out drops to $2.5 Million. A savings of a cool $1.5 Million to the University. It is also interesting to note that section 4.01 (a) provides that the parties agree that the University may terminate Rodriguez' employment without cause "...by giving to Rodriguez thirty (30) days' advance written notice of the termination of his employment."

A.D. Brandon's stated desire to do his employment review of Coach Rod after the season makes sense when you consider that within a week or so of Michigan's bowl game that the severance pay-out will drop by $1.5 Million. Thus, after the bowl, A.D. Brandon can give the proper notice, save the University over a million dollars, and get the Football program back on track by hiring the right coach. Go Blue!!!

Video by Ace at The Wolverine Blog. It is a montage of photos of Bo Schembechler extracted from team photos over the years. Go Blue!

Spring Game- Top 10 Plays of the Day

Coach Rod Spring Game Press Conf.-part 1

Coach Rod's Spring Game Press Conf.-part 2

2010 Spring Football Media Guide

• Table of Contents / Pages 1-2 / 1.08 MB

• Part 1 / Pages 3-100: Quick Facts, Rosters, Meet the Wolverines / 8.12 MB

• Part 2 / Pages 101-136: Football Staff / 6.18 MB

• Part 3 / Pages 137-188: Season in Review / 6.16 MB

• Part 4 / Pages 189-280: Records / 9.25 MB

• Part 5 / Pages 281-312: Player History / 10.5 MB

• Part 6 / Pages 313-357: All-time Letterwinners / 3.23 MB

• Part 7 / Pages 358-404: All-time Scores / 3.12 MB

• Part 8 / Pages 405-422: Michigan Stadium History / 6.11 MB

• Part 9 / Pages 423-452: Wolverines in the NFL / 4.16 MB

Spring Game Highlights