LSAClassOf2000

August 22nd, 2015 at 9:32 AM ^

“Jim,” he said, “some jobs are for God and country. For you, this is it.”

This quote is in the title of the piece, of course, but when you combine that with everything said before about the sort of person Hackett had demonstrated himself to be even going back to his days on the team, you get the sense that it could only be Jim Hackett for this post in this place and time, or at least I do. He came right when the program needed someone like him the most - and very desperately. 

DreisbachToHayes

August 22nd, 2015 at 9:55 AM ^

It seems as though Hackett took this position out of a sense of duty, rather than ambition. Thank God he did. I think it's too much to ask to get 5-10 years out of him.

His tenure has already surpassed our hopes and dreams...except for one hope... That there is someone working closely with him in the department who is being groomed to pick up the torch when he goes... Or at the very least Hackett plays a huge role in choosing his successor.

I realize this may be unprecedented for a major university athletic department... to promote from within so to speak. I'm just so scarred from the hole DB debacle.

Doc Brown

August 22nd, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^

That damn term is the most dangerous label in Michigan athletics. Yes, it can represent a sense of honor. However, during the Rich Rod it represented a faction of old guard sabotaging their alma mater from within. I hate that damn term. It is the nuclear option for michigan athletics.




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big john lives on 67

August 22nd, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^

The term is not at all empty. In fact, the exact opposite. Just because certain people do not know what it means or how to use it correctly, does not mean that it is empty.

This term is at the core of what makes Michigan great. We should have the discussion about the true meaning, rather than trying to disparage the title.

charblue.

August 22nd, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^

kind of turnoil that President Schissel faced last fall. Nobody would have more than nominally called the president a Michigan man until he proved himself. But with one hire he made an appointment that actually gives greater luster to the term than even a non-Michigan grad and former Buckeye coach did in conjuring the term in the first place. And at the heart of that proper noun is the concept of loyalty and strength of character,  something Steve Fisher amply demonstrated when called upon by Bo. And I can't think of anyone who more personifies the term better than Jim Hackett. 

If you go back to Bacon's Bible, Bo's Lasting Lessons, you understand from a single story why Hackett fits this description so well. He was a backup center on the demonstration team but he wanted a word with his coach to see where he stood on the depth chart and the prospect of playing a bigger role on the team. So he went to see the coach personally one fall day, and the coach was called out of a meeting to speak with him, something Bo was always prepared to do. But he was especially drawn to a player like Hackett because of his  personal example, punctuality and dedication; he never missed a practice in his time on the team. 

During the meeting, the two discussed his role and situation. He was a backup on offense and defense, and an undersized center at best on a team with some great guys ahead of him. Bo explained what he brought to the team was more valuable than he could imagine even if he didn't start or was unlikely to see much playing time. In short, he was honest and direct. And Hackett listened intently, accepted the response, and continued working on the team without complaint or lessened intensity of performance. He'd gotten a straight up answer to his question. And he understood where he stood on the team.  And that was OK. 

Being a Michigan man is open to scrutiny and self-definition which is why it has become widely applied in all kinds of ways over the years. But at its heart, the term refers to loyalty, integrity, conviction and passion for the Michigan ideal of never giving up and winning with character. Jim Hackett is a Michigan man through and through. 

mjv

August 22nd, 2015 at 10:21 PM ^

"And at the heart of that proper noun is the concept of loyalty and strength of character, something Steve Fisher amply demonstrated when called upon by Bo."



I hope that you realize the irony of Steve Fisher being the first individual described as Michigan Man and your use of the story to defend the monicker. Because in the recent history of Michigan athletics, Steve Fisher is the absolute poorest example of someone who could be labeled Michigan Man.



Simply put, Steve Fisher was/is corrupt and morally lacking. He put himself ahead of the University. Is he a Michigan Man?

Brodie

August 23rd, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^

it is useful, though, because it demonstrates the intent of the term: Bill Frieder was a Michigan graduate, Fisher had went to Illinois State. Bill Frieder, though, did not want to be here while Fisher did. It's about loyalty and dedication to Michigan, not the ability to write a treatise on Angelo's hollandaise sauce or navigate your way to North Campus without consulting an ancient map. 

ElBictors

August 22nd, 2015 at 11:57 AM ^

I have a personalized autographed picture of Harbaugh as QB vs ND and he wrote ...

"To ElBictors, From One Michigan Man to Another -- GO BLUE!!"

 

I got it when he was still HC of the 49'ers about two years ago through a friend of mine that grew up with Sarah H outside KC and who has spent more than a few games on the sideline both at Stanford and SF.

I've seen more recent JH signings with the inscription, "From One Wolverine to Another..." and wondered if he either isn't using the term "Michigan Man" any longer or if he even cares.

I'm not offended by the term and proudly am one myself ...it's Dave Brandon who I despise for bringing such a context to the term.

He's no Michigan Man ...he's an egotistical asshat.

ElBictors

August 22nd, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^

I am a Michigan Alum (2x) as well and don't label myself at all.  I also don't take offense to the term "Michigan Man" and find terms like "Big Blue" more annoying by a long shot.

Rich Rod was a mistake.  That much we know.  And pretty soon, he will be a mere footnote in the annals of Michigan Football lore ...an answer to a trivia question.

Doc Brown

August 22nd, 2015 at 3:12 PM ^

I would like an admission from anyone. I refuse to respect any of the old guard that brought down by Rich. We should be welcoming people into the Michigan family not working against them. But what do I k ow about the school I love and graduated from. A bunch of fascist asshole obsessed with the past and refusal to move to the future.




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charblue.

August 22nd, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^

was a hiring mistake by other Michigan Men. I don't see him as the mistake so much as a coach who was put in an untenable situation engulfed by politics neither he nor anyone else could have imagined would at best scuttle his three-year efforts to win.

As a result, he was a failure of a hire, not entirely  because of his own failure, but because he wasn't cultured in the Michigan mystique and he was regarded as an outsider in personality and practice whose methods were regarded as unsound against the competition his team faced. That doesn't mean he didn't bring great contributions to the program. Because he did.  Without him, Denard Robinson never comes to Michigan and Michigan probably doesn't win a Sugar Bowl the year after he left. The team won under Hoke with his guys. 

 

 

charblue.

August 22nd, 2015 at 3:48 PM ^

Rodriguez hire and tenure led to a book in the same way that last fall's crisis in the wake of the Morris concussion an AD debacle hav e led to another book. What's the difference in motivation and outcome?

If you want to say Rodriguez was a mistake and a failure because he was fired, with firing being the bottom line rationale for explaining failure, that's like saying Michigan lost to Ohio State the last two years because it didn't win; it scored fewer points. It's not a reason for failure, it's the outcome of it. Yes, Rodriguez failed as a Michigan coach and he was fired. 

But there wasn't one point in his tenure when he wasn't judged as an outsider needing to prove himself without the same emotional backing and support that Hoke and Harbaugh received unconditionally and with greatful praised because they were regarded as Michigan Men raised under the Victors banner and Michigan lore. 

snarling wolverine

August 22nd, 2015 at 4:30 PM ^

All that extra love for Hoke didn't buy him much more time than RichRod got. At the end of the day you have to be successful and neither man was.

It's not very constructive to keep arguing over the demise of a coach who's been gone nearly half a decade now. If you think Harbaugh is the man for the job (and how could anyone not), what difference does it make? Let's come together as a fanbase and just enjoy the ride that is to come.

Brodie

August 23rd, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^

if Rich had gone out there and won 9 games even once, he wouldn't have been subject to the politics or the leering. Rich's primary problem, in the cold light of day is that he could not win. He was a turnaround specialist who just could not turn Michigan around... and in the process, all of our precious snowflake bullshit was exposed as just that. 

ElBictors

August 22nd, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^

If that's the root of your objection to the term then yeah, get over it.

I can understand the point about ignoring Michigan Women by using the term or the arrogance some (Sparties) ascribe to it but please, Bo coined it in reference to Bill Frieder bailing on the basketball program.

I take it to mean ..honest, diligent, thoughtful, resolved, proud, confident and charitable ..

Fuck yeah I'm a Michigan Man.