Thoughts on your ideas of a "Michigan Man"
I had a conversation with a fellow Michigan fan the other day. Inevitably, we were talking about how RR wasn't a "Michigan Man." He went on to say that an institution like Michigan, one that's tradition laden and full of history and high expectations, should keep things in the family as much as possible, and that a "Michigan Man" should have gotten the job at Michigan, and that by hiring an outsider, we lowered ourselves to the other "lesser" schools.
To me, this idea of a "Michigan Man" is complete bs. And it's something that annoys the hell out of me with respect to the fan base. Why were so many people annoyed with the RR hire from day 1? We're an institution that prides ourselves on innovation and being the "leaders and best", but when push comes to shove, and close Michigan-family issues (like hiring a new head coach) decisions need to be made, we invoke ideas of tradition, keeping it in the family, sticking with the way things have traditionally been done. And at the first sign of trouble, we bounce and attack for not following the traditional path instead of being patient and waiting for change. I don't really see how this is much different that "good ole boys club" idea that we see in other areas of life. I grew up down south, and the word "tradition" is thrown around as code for a lot of things, many of which are not so good. "Tradition" sometimes means, "this new thing (or these new people) scare me, and I don't like that, so let's keep things the way they were. They may not be perfect, by gosh darnit, it's familiar!"
So my question: what are you thoughts about this "Michigan Man" idea, do you think it caused a lot of fans to dislike RR on day 1, and do you think that Michigan should be so bound to tradition? I think that tradition should be followed (#1 jersey, running out the tunnel, etc), but following tradition just for tradition's sake is pretty dumb and doesn't leave room for adding new traditions. Under RR, we now have the Victor's walk, the Spring Game, the singing of The Victors in front of the student section after every win, and pretty soon, multiple national championships.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:21 PM ^
Morgan Trent, Justin Boren, not Michigan men.
Why is Morgan Trent not a Michigan Man?
February 28th, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^
to coming from in-house are really just pleading their ignorance and lack of knowledge about true Michigan "tradition". If they want to talk about the types of characteristics that a "Michigan Man" should display that's fine, but this whole family ties stuff as our tradition is just inaccurate.
(Don beat me to the punch on much of this. Great minds think alike?)
February 28th, 2010 at 7:33 PM ^
Eats beef jerky and showers in grain alcohol.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:39 PM ^
I should have known something was wrong when after my beef jerky bath I felt even dirtier than before and then got chased by all the dogs in my neighborhood.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:03 PM ^
More likely, Michigan Man eats Metamucil® directly from the jar and showers in prune juice.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:48 PM ^
Why Mike Boren? I'm using him partly because he's one of the few RichRod haters that have gone public. (Aside: Why have so few of those people been named?) But the main reason is that he seems to perfectly represent the hidebound, provincial types that wanted to keep the coaching job "in the family." That desire was based on the idea that everything was JUST FINE (thank you) at Michigan. To these Michigan Men, Bo & Mo & Lloyd never lost any games that really mattered. RichRod's losses, though? Horrible... all of them.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:26 PM ^
So Columbus really is that boring after all.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:55 PM ^
The Horror mattered. Alot.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:25 PM ^
wears a condom, even in his fantasies.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:32 PM ^
Those of us with children are excluded from the club.
You bastard.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
Well, my dad did go to Ohio State.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^
I applaud your efforts.
February 28th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
They must win with intregity,have devotion to Michigan, and success,which RichRod will have.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^
But it's still your friend.
February 28th, 2010 at 9:58 PM ^
But I think of "Michigan Man" as embodying the good side of UM arrogance -- the disdain for SEC recruiting tactics, the seriousness about the "student-athlete" label, the focus on doing things right as well as successfully. Assuming RR's NCAA trouble right now is an innocent mistake or an institutional breakdown and not an expression of opportunism, he will be well positioned as a "Michigan Man" if he continues the focus on classroom excellence, devotes himself to the good of the team and the reputation of UM, continues to be a positive force in the life of his players and meanwhile starts winning.
There is no UM tradition of hiring a head football coach from inside that has any long-term standing.
February 28th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^
A Michigan Man's tears cure cancer. Too bad they never cry.
A Michigan Man has counted to infinity - twice.
A Michigan Man has already been to Mars; that's why there are no signs of life there.
A Michigan Man can divide by zero.
A Michigan Man can believe it's not butter.
etc.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
Clearly, Mike Barwis is a Michigan Man.
Best. Handle. Ever.
February 28th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^
Hell, he was a captain at OSU!
February 28th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
Wasn't that the name given to the prehistoric dude that they chiseled out of the glacier?
February 28th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
Michiganthropus.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:05 PM ^
My high school coach used M Man on me in mid seventies . We were in a scrimmage and I had a little post whistle skirmish . My coach said I should know better I'm a M Man . Respect for the game and playing it the right way is the M way . Not like Miami or USC . Play hard and be a gentleman . Act like you've been there before . Give the ball to the ref . Don't wave your arms around .
February 28th, 2010 at 11:06 PM ^
When RR becomes a Michigan man will he be beat in or sexed in? I have been watching alot of Gangland on the History channel lately.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:12 PM ^
Because the way you leave matters more than the way you entered.
in one sentence what I took 20 to say. Well done sir.
I think Fielding Yost said it best, and he would know, since he probably invented the idea of a Michigan man:
"But do let me reiterate the spirit of Michigan. It is based upon 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; a conviction that nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours."
--Fielding H. Yost upon his retirement as Michigan's athletic director in 1942.
I believe that if you feel this way, that if you are loyal and you cannot wait to tell the world that Michigan is the best place on Earth, you're a Michigan man. I also believe that this allows room for a loyal opposition, one which allows room for dissent, critique, and desire for change. It is not a blind loyalty, but one that seeks to make Michigan the best in the world.
Whether people liked RR or not had nothing to do with the nebulous concept of a "Michigan Man". It did, however, give their ignorant asses something convenient to hide behind.
I can't stand the "Michigan Man" faction. Many of our legends have emerged from the "Worst State Ever," but I guess because they had success they were "Michigan Men."