Three And Out Q&A: Part Three Comment Count

Brian

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[ED: Parts one and two here. Book on sale Tuesday. Bacon will be giving his first local book talk and signing at Nicola’s Books in the Westgate Shopping Center on Friday night, October 28, 7 p.m.; other events can be found on his website’s appropriately-named Event page.

Cave people: Three and Out is a book about the Rodriguez era from John Bacon, who was given unprecedented access to the program by Rich Rodriguez because Rich Rodriguez does these sorts of things.]

6. WHAT'S NEXT?

“What books are you going to write about now that Michigan won't let you within a mile of any of their programs anymore? I mean, it's not easy to piss off everybody.”

Well, first: Despite the sacrifices I mentioned in the first installment – time, money, and possibly professional opportunities -- writing it was my decision, naturally, and I don’t regret it. Given my choices, trying to write an honest book is certainly more appealing to me than trying to keep everyone happy and produce a book I could never respect.

Plus, I had the chance to see a big-time program form the inside that no fan, and no reporter, has ever had—and probably never will again. If there was one great privilege that I hope every reader can share, it was getting to know these young man not as gladiators but as human beings, some of the best I’ve met. If you were proud of Michigan football before, I can tell you this: getting to know these guys can erase much of the cynicism we all feel for college football these days. They were, quite simply, the real thing.

None of that, unfortunately, solves the problem in the question. Mr. Brandon and Mr. Carr, through various means and channels, have made their contempt for the book (and its author) plain enough. I have no idea what’s going to happen with my various ties to Michigan, including my teaching arrangement, but I’d probably be foolish to count on anything.

It’s almost impossible to write anything interesting without at least some cooperation and access, and I might find those in short supply under the Brandon regime. I will likely have to go “off the reservation,” if you will, to pursue future projects. And perhaps it’s time.

But I also believe this book would cost me a lot more if I were writing about Kentucky basketball under Eddie Sutton or, say, Ohio State football (as a convenient example). Those schools and fans generally don’t want the truth, and will attack anyone who attempts to deliver it (witness Mr. Herbstreit’s forced move to Tennessee). Michigan football fans are very demanding—they expect a first-class program on and off the field—but they also want the truth, and they can handle it.

I feel the same way. After all, I learned how to do all the things I needed to write this book – researching, writing and thinking critically – from world-class professors at the University of Michigan. But the most important principle Michigan taught me was the central importance of pursuing the truth without fear, wherever it leads.

For those who say this book will hurt Michigan, I can only respond: not the Michigan I know.

7. Does the idea of being a "Michigan man" emerge as tortured shibboleth in need of burial or does Bacon make the case that there is something valuable in it, something RR just really didn't get?

This is why you have to love Michigan fans. What other school’s backers would inquire if their culture’s central concept emerges as a “tortured shibboleth in need of burial”? It was such fans, by the way, that made it easy for me to persuade our highbrow publisher Farrar, Straus & Giroux, that our readers would have no trouble getting through a 438-page book with no photos, nor digesting the word “crucible” in the subtitle. (Arthur Miller, after all, went to Michigan.)

The term “Michigan Man” probably goes back to the day men arrived at Michigan. But it’s taken more than a few twists and turns since.

Fielding Yost gave the term “Michigan Man” a boost when he started using it in his speeches. But the phrase really took off in 1989, of course, when Schembechler announced he was firing basketball coach Bill Frieder on the eve of the NCAA basketball tournament because Frieder had signed a secret deal to coach Arizona State the next season. This prompted Schembechler to bark: “A Michigan Man will coach Michigan!”

Pundits have wondered exactly what Bo meant, but I think it’s pretty simple: anybody coaching at Michigan better be completely committed to Michigan.

The phrase took on more weight four years ago, when a reporter asked brand-new head coach Rich Rodriguez if the Michigan coach had to be a Michigan Man. He joked, “Gosh, I hope not! They hired me!”

He was criticized for that—and not without some justification. The question was inevitable, and it exposed Rodriguez’s superficial knowledge of the program upon his arrival, and the athletic department’s failure to prepare its new coach for his mission.

From that point on, the phrase was used more often to beat somebody over the head—usually Rodriguez—than to underscore the values it’s supposed to represent, much the way extremists use “patriot” to castigate someone as un-American.

At the “Victors’ Rally” held in February 2010, Rodriguez wanted to show that he’d gotten the message. So, he closed his speech by saying, “I’m Rich Rodriguez, and I am a Michigan Man.” This time, he was criticized for being presumptuous.

Finally, with great humility, he told the crowd at his final speech at the Bust in December 2011, “I hope you realize, I truly want to be a Michigan Man.” But this time his critics said a true Michigan Man wouldn’t have to ask.

And thus, the silliness of the entire exercise had come full circle. The phrase had become so distorted, Michigan’s critics started using it as a mocking insult. Much like the word “classy,” it seemed, whoever uses it, probably isn’t.

Despite my temptation to chuck this overused and little understood phrase forever, I still think there’s something to it. Everyone knows the values it’s supposed to stand for: honor, sacrifice, pride in your team, and humility in yourself, all in one. But ultimately, to define it, I have to resort to Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s description of pornography: “I know it when I see it.”

Pardon the comparison, but when it comes to the phrase, “Michigan Man,” I know it when I see it, too. They might be Big Men on Campus, but they don’t act like it, in college or afterward. The men I’ve been lucky enough to get to know—many as good friends—really do put their team and their school before themselves, and become the kind of adults you want to be your employee, your colleague, your boss, your neighbor, your brother-in-law. Not because they played football for Michigan, but because they represent its values. And they really are different than the players I’ve met from other schools.

I can cite too many men who fit this description, and too many examples of their conduct, simply to dismiss it.

Here’s a small one: a few years ago the football alums of Ohio State and Michigan were invited to an event in Columbus. The Buckeyes showed up wearing everything from sport coats to sweatshirts and jeans. But the Michigan alums arrived wearing coats and ties. No one told them what to wear. Bo had already passed away. But they simply knew, reflexively, if you represent Michigan, this is how you do it.

A bigger example: a few years after graduating, Scott Smykowski, a former backup under Schembechler, discovered he needed a bone marrow transplant, but his health care wasn’t going to cover all his expenses. That’s all Schembechler needed to hear to rally Michigan Men from coast to coast. And that’s all they needed to hear to raise $150,000 in just a few weeks – even though most of them never played with Smykowski or even met him. That’s what being a Michigan Man meant to them.

When I speak at Michigan events, I often end with a quote from arguably the first important Michigan Man, Fielding Yost. Near the end of his life, they held a big banquet for him called, “A Toast to Yost from Coast to Coast,” which was broadcast nationwide by NBC. After all the speakers had paid tribute, he got up in his eponymous Fieldhouse and said, “My heart is so full at this moment, I fear I could say little else. But do let me reiterate the Spirit of Michigan. It is based on 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. And a conviction that nowhere, is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours.”

It gets me every time. But what really gets me is the response from the people in the audience. None of them ever met Fielding Yost. Most of them weren’t born when he passed away in 1946. Most of their parents weren’t, either. And yet, when they hear these words, they nod involuntarily, the words resonating with something deep inside them, and they are often glassy-eyed when I finish the quote.

If you could stand on that podium and look out on those faces, you would not have to wonder if the idea of the Michigan Man is for real.

Despite the best efforts to kill it, it is still very much alive.

Comments

Qmich

October 21st, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^

to quantify the value that this book brings to Michigan athletics, but on a unit-less scale I put it somewhere around Avogadro's number.  It's value is not as a justification of the travesty that was RR's tenure at M, but as the (partially) written record of what happened for future administrators/coaches to learn from.  I question the values of whomever looks upon this book as 'bad for Michigan.'

WolverineRage

October 21st, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^

As many have said, I've been concerned about buying this book and getting depressed.  However, this last Q & A has won me over.

The answer to the Michigan Man question makes me proud to be a Wolverine in ways I didn't even realize existed.

So, yes, I will be getting this book.  I will probably see Lloyd as an idol with clay feet and feel bad for Rich Rodriguez and how he was treated, while wishing he had done just a bit more on his end.

But, in the end, I will be proud, that we will, for the most part, accept it for what it was and not put our heads under a rock and pretend it never happened (like many other academic institutions).

Also, I agree with Yostal, a felt banner with the Yost quote is in order.

NiMRODPi

October 21st, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^

For myself I'd like to thank Mr. Bacon for his honesty and for actually taking the time to tackle some of our questions. Michigan Football is ultimately going to be better for it.

As a fellow U of M History alumn, I am happy to hear you were not deterred in writing this book and I feel it echoes the piece of advice you gave our nervous 2007 History class about our futures:

"Do what you love, and the money will come to you."

Thanks again.

outwest

October 21st, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^

It is refreshing to hear a different definition of what a Michigan Man is.  I think it definition has been twisted in so many ways over the last few years that the words seem to have lost a lot of their meaning.  From my understanding of Michigan, as someone that did not attend, it is truely a school that cares for each and every person that attends and takes care of those like Brock/ Elliot Mealer even when the school did not have to.

 

pete-rock

October 21st, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^

But please stick with me here.  Kudos to John Bacon for writing this book and exploring/exposing the details of Michigan's last three years under RR.  I've read some excerpts and I definitely look forward to reading the whole thing.  Count me among those who was a huge RR supporter who reluctantly realized he would never be able to succeed and ultimately had to go, due to his own flaws as well as those of the program and the Michigan Family.

But there is a bigger cultural picture to look at here, too.  From the very beginning I saw RR's hire as a grand litmus test not simply for U-M football, but for the state of Michigan and the Midwest's approach to progress, innovation, and the kind of change needed to revitalize a stagnant region.  Everyone knows RR represented a radical departure from the U-M norm, but everyone also seems to forget about the slight but steady decline that was hurting the program for years prior to his hire; we wanted to restore the glory.  But all the institutional forces that had so much invested in the traditions of the program never embraced the change and gnawed away at RR's ability to succeed.  Yes, we wanted success, but we wanted success that validated our old vision instead of being the result of a new one.  And without getting way OT, parallels abound for the state and for the Midwest. 

That is in part why I wanted so badly for RR to succeed.  If U-M could embrace change in its football program, maybe the state could embrace the change needed to revitalize itself.  Now we have a book that will tell you how big a mistake that kind of thinking was.

Today, under Brady Hoke I firmly believe U-M is on the right path to reach excellence again.  And maybe Hoke's approach of melding traditions with new practices is the template for revitalizing the state, too.

If this doesn't fit here, please forgive me.

Gulo Blue

October 21st, 2011 at 1:58 PM ^

Our embracing of both the good and the ugly of Bacon's narrative demonstrates the validity of our criticism of Rosenberg.  I guess Brandon sees that that point as something that would be lost in the court of public opinion. 

chitownblue2

October 21st, 2011 at 2:07 PM ^

It seems like his suggestion that his employment is imperiled by this may be irresponsible. Do Brandon and Carr control the retainment of an Am. Culture professor?

To suggest it is indicts far more than the football team, or the AD, or a few newspaper writers - it would mean that the AD controls our prestigious university.

Section 1

October 21st, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^

Because while John U. Bacon makes no effort to indict the full tenure of Mary Sue Coleman, the President of the University of Michigan is nevertheless the central player in one of the most damning parts of the book.  It is a very discrete thing, and it is pretty shocking.

chitownblue2

October 21st, 2011 at 2:30 PM ^

He doesn't mention Mary Sue Coleman in this post about why his employment in danger. He mentions Brandon and Carr.

Thus, I restrict my comment to what he claims - not what you chose to add to it.

Section 1

October 21st, 2011 at 2:45 PM ^

I don't think John expects to be fired, upon handwritten orders from Brandon or Carr. 

What he said in this particular session was essentially that they have made their displeasure known, through channels.  He's talking about the book, which does include the President of the University.  So read the book.  He's also (significantly) talking about access to the Athletic Department, over which Brandon does have solid control, and which might not be of any concern to most American Studies instructors but is a pretty big deal to John, whose expertise and study is in the history of sportswriting.

chitownblue2

October 21st, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^

Since I don't know the answer, I'll stipulate that your speculation is correct.

But then, if he's going to causally say that his employment is in some sort of jeapordy, why can't he say why?

What happened is a sort of allusion at a Machiavellian plot - he put in the same sentence as Carr, who has no formal position at the school at all.

Eye of the Tiger

October 21st, 2011 at 5:55 PM ^

They could put pressure on the Dean of LSA to do so, but I'm not sure what the leverage would be.  In all likelihood, he'll be retained as a lecturer.

That said, he can kiss his access to the Athletic Department goodbye.  At least for a while.  Or until someone like Brady Hoke says "let him back in."  I'll be curious to see if Hoke comments on the book.  I doubt he will, as he's been uber careful in how he's treated the RR regime.  But Carr is also the guy who hired him back in the 90s.

chitownblue2

October 21st, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^

If the AD and a retired football coach could control the retaining of an academic lecturer unassociated with the Athletic Department, there would be a shit-storm of EPIC proportions from the entire faculty.

Bando Calrissian

October 21st, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^

Bacon isn't a professor, he's a lecturer.  He's basically hired by the semester for when he will be teaching his class.  The pay is crap, there's basically no job security, but those decisions have nothing to do with anything Dave Brandon could ever influence.  

And if it were, all Bacon would need to do is walk into Brandon's office, slap his Golden Apple award on the desk, and ask DB why he thinks a popular class with a waiting list a mile long is in any way infringing upon Athletics' ability to operate Division 1 sports programs.

chitownblue2

October 21st, 2011 at 2:35 PM ^

Regardless of the difference between lecturer/professor:

If the AD were allowed to dictate hiring and firing decisions of academic staff based on their relative level of irritation with them, it would be a scandal of epic proportions - one that would leave the faculty, rightfully, in arms. It would say that the University is in service of the football team.

Thus, I doubt it.

bnoble

October 21st, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^

I didn't read it as an expectation that he'd be terminated, so much as the realization that as a non-tenured faculty member, your employment is always at the pleasure of the university.

That said, there are some things that the structure and governance of the academy makes difficult, and the President asking "Will no one rid me of this troublesome lecturer?" is one of them.

M-Wolverine

October 22nd, 2011 at 10:03 PM ^

Tongue in cheek, so it's curious that of all the hard questions asked, this one was picked. I meant more books about the Athletic Department, appearances on the Big Ten network, and basically all the fame he's gotten coming from Michigan Athletics (he's not teaching courses at Michigan in Electrical Engineering). And even if he's not blackballed, I can't see any segment of the University going to him to write about them. So he may still teach (though they don't have to fire him...just cut his class), but the only reason anyone knows who he is is because of Michigan sports, and that's not going to likely be an avenue ever again.

antidaily

October 21st, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^

If you've ever listened to a Bacon podcast, you'll find it impossible to read this without hearing his voice in your head. 

Nice work, John. Cant wait to read the book.

elhead

October 21st, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^

"Humility in yourself" is not always a quality of a lot of our alumni. Hats off to John Bacon for his subliminal message, at least, that some need a good portion of humble pie (and reflection.)

Michigasling

October 21st, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^

for having the courage to write this book, the honesty and integrity to do the subject justice, and for being generous enough to share these columns with us.  There are people I simply couldn't talk to about the last three years of Michigan football's program.  (Insert the three monkeys with their hands over eyes and ears, but not, unfortunately, mouth.)  I'm hoping they at least have the courage to read your book, accepting that you have first-hand knowledge and far greater credibility, and that they don't attack me when I gently nudge them toward doing so.  It's not a matter of who is/was right or wrong, it's a matter of listening to the other side of the story, whichever side one bought into in the three years of less responsible media coverage.

Bluefishdoc

October 21st, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^

My department hired John to give an after dinner talk at one of our faculty meetings (this was just after his book on Bo came out). It was a memorable evening and I have never meet a more passionate michigan fan in my life. He got as worked up as Bob Ufer describing ACs miracle game winning touchdown reception against Indiana. While I haven't read the new book yet, I have no doubt he writes the truth. He is a real Michigan Man.

Pea-Tear Gryphon

October 21st, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^

Mr. Bacon.

Your ideas intrigue me and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. In lieu of a newsletter subscription, I will add your book to my Christmas list and unwrap every gift with a giddy anticipation that it may be inside.

Good day sir,

Eye of the Tiger

October 21st, 2011 at 5:33 PM ^

He apparently wasn't interviewed, so his perspective isn't in the book.  Isn't this a problem?

Not saying that's JQB's fault (Carr is notoriously media-shy), but again...isn't this the source of his ire?  The opinions and negative feelings towards him fleshed out, and his own perspective absent?  Regardless of how fair or unfair the negativity is, I can see why he'd be pissed, to be honest.

Eye of the Tiger

October 21st, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^

I don't want to pass judgement on a book I've only read excerpts of so far, but there are also questions of representativeness that are often not dealt with well in non-fiction where the author is close to a set of people with vested interests in particular interpretations of events.  This is a common problem of journalistic and other interview-based writing.  

 So I'll want to know: does Carr come off badly based on hearsay, or from Bacon's personal observation of him in public settings?  For example, there's a meeting Bacon mentions in an earlier one of these, between RR, LC and Bill Martin.  How did Bacon find out what transpired in that meeting?  From RR?  If so, we should be skeptical, just like we should if it went the other way.  

Who is it, exactly, who paints Carr in a negative light for Bacon?  What are their interests and who are they close to?  Again, if this were "13-and-Out: the Carr Years" and there was a negative portrayal of Rodriguez from former Carr players and Ron English, we'd have to treat it with the same degree of skepticism.  Maybe more, but that's besides the point.  

I'm going to read "Three and Out" with an open mind, and I'm really excited for my copy to arrive...but I'm naturally skeptical of these kinds of insider accounts, when it comes to their representation of divisive, polarizing conflicts.  

 

 

 

CountBluecula

October 22nd, 2011 at 1:35 AM ^

Lloyd Carr was hired by U of M in 1980.  He left in 2010.  Wouldn't that make his book "30-(Depending on Anniversary Dates)-and-Out: the Carr Years"?

I noticed while looking that up on Wikipedia that Carr was for part of 1980 a defensive backs coach under Don Nehlen at WVU.  Rich Rodriguez was all-state football and basketball in West Virginia.  He attended WVU beginning in 1981.  Given that timeline, one would think that Carr would have to have been involved in the evaluation of Rodriguez as a college prospect.

If there journalist out there with access to WVU coaches and records from that period, this could make an interesting article, given Bacon's book is coming out now.

 

Coloblue

October 21st, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^

Here's a money making idea for someone:

I'd be happy to include Support John U. Bacon button (using those words, his picture, whatever) among my Michigan paraphenalia purchases. I'd wear it to every game and to any event or campus walk where it might be seen. Bacon is a Michigan Man if anyone is, and he's been one for a long time.

Supporting him in blog posts is sincere but not particularly notable or effective. John stepped up to the truth in the most public possible way, given his love for Michigan. We can go public for him. C'mon, someone; sell me a button.