My two cents on the U of M Coaching Search

Now, granted, I'm a spartans' fan much more than I have ever been a wolverine fan. I grew up in Michigan and, in my zeal for underdogs (ie the Detroit Lions), I chose to follow the green and white more than I ever have followed the maize and blue.

But when I did my stint in the US Navy, all of that changed...not completely upside down, mind you, but significantly. When you are away from home in the service of your country or for whatever other reasons, you look for things that remind you of home...and the University of Michigan gets a lot more nationally televised games than MSU. So when Michigan was on, I rooted for Michigan. Michigan/Michigan State....still root for the spartans...but anyway...

That tells you my U of M pedigree, which is less than substantial. So with that held in mind, let me tell you what I think the children of the block "M" should do with their coaching vacancy.

Now, Jim Harbaugh, Captain Comeback as he was known during his days in Indianapolis...that's pre-Manning if any of you can remember that, is a 98% guarantee to go to the NFL. (Most likely Miami, I heard they're trying to give him $7-8 million a year and his very own blimp.)

Now the alumni want a "Michigan Man," which loosely translated means someone who has a history with the program prior to Rich Rodriguez. The belief is that a "Michigan Man" is a person of high integrity who believes in playing Bo Schembechler three yards and a cloud of dust football.

Now, I'll give you three names of guys who completely embody the spirit of a "Michigan Man" but never played or coached a down in the Big House for Michigan.

Pat Hill, Head Coach Fresno State - Had anybody ever even heard of Fresno State before Pat Hill went there? In his 14 seasons at the small California college, he has managed 11 bowl games and only one below .500 season (5-6). He has coached in the NFL with Cleveland and Baltimore. He has recruited his very small area and put together a top notch program. Pat Hill is the kind of coach any University should want.

Mike Singletary - Sure his tenure with the 49ers didn't exactly go as expected, but Singletary is a legend. He commands a level of respect that few others can. He'll build a dominating defense, which is what the program has been sorely lacking since Lloyd Carr left. He comes with an unfathomable amount of "street cred" in a locker room.

His experience as both an assistant coach for the Ravens, coaching Ray Lewis, and his stints as a coordinator and eventually head coach of the 49ers further give him the experience to take over a program like Michigan. This will help him in recruiting and building a program designed to build "Men."

Chris Spielman- OK, now I know this will never happen, but can you think of anyone who'll understand the deep rooted rivalry of Michigan/Ohio State as well as this former Lions and Buckeye?

Spielman was a coach on the field. He has been covering college football for many years. Talking to coaches every week, breaking down footage and diagnosing plays. Aside from Singletary and Ray Lewis, I've never seen another player play every down with more intensity. This is the kind of person you want leading your team.

Wait! Come back! We're just starting to look good...

OK, so the Lions finish out the season on a 4-0 stretch...not bad, but obviously way too late. 6-10 is pretty impressive, especially when you consider the team was 4-45 over the last 49 prior to the streak.

Granted, the 4-0 streak dropped the boys in Honolulu Blue down from the #2 overall pick to #13, which may hurt the quality of player they are able to draft, but, in all likelihood, they wouldn't be able to pay another top 5 pick's salary. You can't tie up a third of your salary cap in three or four players on a 53 man roster.

That is, provided there is a salary cap next year. Who knows what will shake out between the players and the owners this summer.

To Prince Miller, 6th string CB

Kid, when you get beat for a long, potentially game changing, touchdown pass and you're lucky enough that the receiver drops the ball...don't talk and strut around and tell everybody how good you are. It's pathetic. You were lucky.

The Streak?

OK, so the Lions were able to break the 26 game road losing streak, in fact winning twice in a row on the road. They also ended their horrid streak against divisional foes, when they managed to beat both Green Bay and Minnesota.

Now let's end some significant streaks. How about winning in Washington, that hasn't been done since 1937. How about a victory at San Francisco, hasn't been done since 1975. How about a win at the horrid house of Lambeau...hasn't been done since 1991. What about a victory at Minnesota, assuming they have a stadium next year, that hasn't been done since 1997.

How about just winning a road game against a divisional opponent, that hasn't been done in three years.

Morninweg?

There's another curse I'd really like to see lifted in this offseason. No full time Detroit Lions head coach has every gotten a second opportunity to lead a team after failing with our Leo's. Detroit is the last station on the track for anybody who takes up a Honolulu Blue whistle.

Hopefully, this year that changes. Marty wasn't all that great of a coach for the Lions, but he always managed to put points up on the board. Even with Joey Blue Skies taking snaps for him.

Now, Marty has resurrected the career of Micheal Vick and has the Eagles offense humming for the second season in a row.

And now, people are once again talking about the hot young coaching prospect with a name nobody can spell. Good luck, Marty.

Get some cheerleaders!

Seriously, the Pride is offering to do it all themselves...why won't the Lions break down and affiliate themselves with a real cheer leading squad. Mr. Ford, please join the rest of the league!

You've given up this strange and unusual love of constant losing, please give up your aversion to beautiful women cheering on your sidelines.