New Jon Falk Video
This month's Michigan Today links to a terrific Jon Falk video. About five minutes of Mr. Falk's reminiscing about lessons learned from Bo and what the University of Michigan means to him. He also offers some insight as to why Brady Hoke generally avoided wearing red throughout much of his career - on Falk's first day of work he walked in wearing a red coat from Miami and was tossed from Bo's office. Later Bo explained "I don't talk to anyone in a red coat".
Mr. Falk is a beloved figure around the program, and this video underscores why that is: http://vimeo.com/39387884 .
every time.
That sounds like something Bo would say.
the total lack of presents under the Christmas tree at the Schembechler residence.
I think it's fair to wonder whether Jon Falk warned Rich Rodriguez about the No. 1 jersey, but I think your question assumes that Falk had control of the situation (you ask how Falk "allowed the #1 jersey fiasco to happen"). It seems to me that when the rubber meets the road RR controlled that situation. (I'm not a RR hater, by the way. I'm thrilled with Hoke, but also genuinely sorry it did not work out well for RR.)
That stated, it would be good to hear Falk's version of the doling out of the No. 1 jersey saga. I'm guessing it's not in Three and Out (just got my copy - only a year late), or else someone would have chimed in by now.
It's possible Falk warned RR that there was a tradition and scholarship involved. (If so, how strongly?) It's also possible RR told Falk to mind his own business as there was a new sheriff in town. And it's also possible Falk did not tell RR to set him up for a fall. (Falk doing this out of spite would very much surprise and dissapoint me - Falk plainly loves the program and the university and does not seem petty.) Only Falk and RR know the details.
Phrasing aside, the kernel of your post is a fair point - you'd like to think that Falk at least gave his boss a heads-up on the #1 jersey. And you'd like to think he pressed the issue to a point. I'm inclined to give Falk the benefit of a doubt, but I don't know.
Overall, it seems clear that U-M did a poor job bringing RR up to speed on many Michigan customs, including the #1 jersey. And RR made a terrible assumption that he did not need to become well-versed in U-M's culture. But I also think Braylon Edwards made a bad decision going public with his complaints about that jersey being doled out to a freshman DB. Some of the Michigan family torpedoed RR - it's just hard for me to believe Falk was among them.
As always with the RichRod era, it seems there is plenty of blame to go around. But I don't think we can assume Falk is at fault re: the No. 1 jersey.
Definetly worth watching
What a great guy! Can the season get here please? I think I've watched every Michigan related video on youtube.