I know his tenure was a short one, and ended in a fashion that maybe Chris L. Rucker's should have (okay enough MSU garbage). But I was hoping to bring up one of the more undervalued coaches in Michigan history.
Outside of doubling as the dad on The Wonder Years, I thought Moeller did a pretty darn good job. His first three years on the sidelines were unbelievable. He went 28-5-3 his first three years. His 1990 team lost three games by six points. We had a shot at a split national title his second year if we won the Rose Bowl. He 1992 team was undefeated, but those 3 ties kept us from a crystal ball or whatever hardware they were handing out. The last two years were downers, but we still had a good feeling in January after our bowl wins.
I know there were highlights and lowlights. Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook chief among them. But he did what we would love. He blew away OSU and MSU a few times. We won three Big Ten titles and won a Rose Bowl. 4-1 bowl record. He also threw the football. We didn't feel like a predictable offense during his years. And QBs saw what they could do at UM. The groundwork for that pro-style offense was his baby. Also, most of the key players from that 1997 team was recruited under his regime.
Maybe time heals all wounds. Maybe I'm a crazy Lions fan that thinks he should have been given the Lions head coaching job. But I never see his name mentioned. It's as if Bo handed the keys of the program to Lloyd Carr. I mean he chose Moeller for a reason. Look at the 1989 head coaching staff:
Cam Cameron, Lloyd Carr, Jerry Hanlon, Bill Harris, Jim Herrmann, Les Miles, Gary Moeller. Look at who he had available to pick. I think his self appointed successor had a very short, very successful, and very easily forgotten regime. We talk about the players, but not about their head coach, and to me I think it's a shame for him.
I'd put my vote in the undervalued department.
"A flute with no holes is not a flute. A donut with no hole is a danish"