Perception won't change until Jim Harbaugh beats MSU, OSU

Michigan will play its annual spring game Saturday (April 4), but the Jim Harbaugh era seriously begins at Utah, Thursday (Sept. 3).

Harbaugh is out to erase the memories of several seasons of unacceptable Michigan football.

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Other than previous coach Brady Hoke’s 2011 season, Michigan has been one embarrassment after another. Things got so bad even the students were showing up late, if not at all.

After Hoke and athletic director Dave Brandon were sent packing last fall, things in Ann Arbor began to go right.

Hackett brought aboard

University President Mark Schlissel saw that the prompt hiring of an AD and football coach was necessary. So Schlissel gambled, hiring Jim Hackett as Michigan interim athletic director.

Hackett took over the coaching search and snagged his man, Jim Harbaugh, who was in the process of leaving the NFL San Francisco 49ers. With the job Hackett’s done so far, he could probably become permanent any time he wants.

With one look at the Harbaugh resume, you can see he was a great quarterback at Michigan, had a productive playing career in the NFL, and succeeded as a head coach in major college football (Stanford) and the NFL (49ers).

Having been a quarterback for Bo Schembechler (and a former contender for the U-M head coaching job), Harbaugh can relate to the artificial problems like blaring loudspeakers and student unrest over ticket policies . Not that these issues are totally irrelevant, but Harbaugh’s major assignment is addressing the pitiful records with Michigan State and the school down south.

Loss to Appalachian State

Michigan fans are patient, but the continuing losses to the Spartans and Buckeyes obviously won’t cut it.

Nobody can accurately say when Michigan’s decline began, but it might have been on opening day, 2007. The opponent was one of those cupcakes, who traveled to a major school to get a beating and a nice check.

The entire football nation knows the final score: Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32. It might have been the upset of the century, but the next week would be similar as Oregon crushed the Wolverines 39-7. Coach Lloyd Carr survived those two weeks, but it was believed he was on his way out.

When Carr retired at end of the season, Michigan’s target was LSU’s Les Miles, but a communication snafu caused the Wolverines to settle for Rich Rodriguez, a great offensive mind but a lousy manager.

Abysmal record with MSU, OSU

Like was said before, Rodriguez’ on-field demise came at the hand of both the Spartans and Buckeyes. Against MSU, RichRod was 0-3, and against OSU he was also winless. That’s 0-6 and that’s goodbye.

Hoke arrived in Ann Arbor raving it was his dream job. After compiling 1-3 records against both rivals, his days were numbered.

Harbaugh appears to be taking over a team that’s not quite ready to compete for the Big Ten crown.

But hold on. Hoke actually accumulated good recruiting classes, and the 2015 squad will have plenty of depth at several positions.

Since Harbaugh conducted a draft to stock the two sides at the spring game (Apr. 4, noon, Michigan Stadium) you’ll see plenty of players in action. I would pay attention to the three quarterbacks (No. 7 Shane Morris, No. 19 Wilton Speight and No. 12 Alex Malzone), running back No. 32 Ty Isaac, nose tackle No. 90 Brian Mone and safety No. 5 Jabrill Peppers.

Complete Michigan roster is available at mgoblue.com.

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Michigan spring football: Perception won’t change until Jim Harbaugh beats MSU. OSU

By Joel Greer | Mar 30, 2015