Michigan Man

Lots of University of Michigan news today with the firing of Rich Rodriguez. A coach that came to the school with much success never found the formula with the maize and blue. It has not been a easy slide. There has been painful seasons, and more distressingly losses, where the team was unprepared. Cannot blame the kids preparation is all coaching.

RichRod had my support until the MSU loss last year. It was clear at that point, he just did not get what it means to be a Michigan Man. The most recent public weeping confirmed this.

What is a Michigan Man? I learned unexpectedly from the man himself, Bo Schembechler. I was in my sophomore year and in need of a hair cut. My barber at the time was Jerry Erickson at the Coach and 4 Barber Shop. I first went there because it was close to my freshman dorm, I later learned that Jerry was the barber of Michigan’s best. I was waiting for awhile and longer than usual. But the conversation was good. Bo, president of the Detroit Tigers at that point, had just fired broadcasting legend Ernie Harwell. Bo’s house was egged. It was on ESPN. Pure sacrilege. I was about to be next when an old man in a suit bounced in and literally jumped in the the bathroom. Jerry, the barber, looked at me and said, “Mind the wait, will you?” At first I was annoyed, but I let it go. Turns out that old man was Bo. Here he was not some figurine on a faraway sideline. The man in the flesh. He just canned the greatest living announcer in the great game of baseball and jumped the line at the barber shop. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Bo vented to Jerry that he was upset about the eggs. The shop agreed that it was unacceptable. I chimed in. It was clear that asking why was a non-starter, so I opened with how baseball broadcasters were different that other broadcasters. They paint a picture and connect with audiences. In Detroit summer, the velvety smooth voice of Harwell made even the worst Tiger’s teams interesting. He was not the rah-rah party animal I grew up with in Harry Carey. He was the bridge to the first great baseball broadcasters like Red Barber. Bo listened. He showed respect for my opinions in away that I never expected — especially from a football coach.

Bo said when he came to Michigan, “Those who stay will be champions.” Whoever takes the reigns of the great football program needs to breathe those words, needs to live those words and needs to make sure his players do the same.