When were you most disappointed in the program?
Seems to be a lot of excitement and optimism around the upcoming season. So of course this got the Maizen side of my brain thinking; what event in Michigan sports history caused you the most disappointment or embarrassment as a fan (or even a player for some of you fortunate few)?
After what happened in Maryland recently, watching Sugar Shane get put back in the game after an obvious concussion is mine. Made worse due to the lack of awareness and headset worn by Hoke.
August 15th, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^
The only real emotion I felt that year was for Gardner. Felt awful for him. Took a beating week after week, got benched, sent back into the lineup again, and proceeded to take more beatings from opposing teams and from the media. That's a man who deserved better from his coaches. If only he could've been around when Harbaugh got here.
Devin Gardner was a fucking warrior for Michigan. A. Fucking. Warrior. Nevermind that he was also pretty damned talented, had a good head for the game, and was beyond classy. I can't think of a Michigan player who left more of himself out on the field while getting so little in return; and he's never had a bad thing to say about his time here, although he probably had more than a right to do so. To say he deserved better doesn't begin to cover it. 10-15 years from now when he gets invited back to Ann Arbor to be one of these welcome back players we applaud between quarters, I cringe to think of the tepid response he'll get because he lead teams that didn't achieve to the usual expectations, and that will be a shame.
August 15th, 2018 at 2:35 PM ^
I ran into him last year at the Detroit airport and he was still repping U of M to the fullest.
I let him know how much I appreciated him leaving it all out on the field as a leader and being an awesome expample for young kids like my son. When the going gets tough, do not quit, just keep giving it all you have.
August 15th, 2018 at 10:07 AM ^
Driving home from ND blowout loss in 2014. Knowing Hoke was a dead man walking and having to sit thru that entire season including prepaid trips without any hope of success.
August 15th, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
31 straight runs.....
August 15th, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
Two way tie -- the loss to Toldeo under Rich Rod and the time poor Devin Gardner got pile driven into the ground a bizillion times by Sparty in East Landfill.
August 15th, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
9/1/2007.
August 15th, 2018 at 3:23 PM ^
Duplicate. Please delete, mods
August 15th, 2018 at 3:29 PM ^
Yeah. That sucked. To this day, my instant response to the words "Appalachian State" is something like Bela Lugosi's response to the mere mention of Boris Karloff's name in Ed Wood:
August 15th, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
Most disappointed in the program overall would be the 2014 season. What a mess that was.
Lowest I have felt after a loss would be 2015 MSU.
August 15th, 2018 at 11:04 AM ^
Hi. Self admitted troll here. However, I would like to offer my perspective on the most disappointing time for the Buckeye program, which may offer you UM fans comfort: During the the 1995-'97 years the Buckeyes had elite teams that were loaded with NFL talent on both offense and defense. Each year, however, was ruined at the hands of the Wolverines.
In 1995 the Buckeyes came into Ann Arbor 11-0 and ranked #2 with Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George. He couldn't do squat against UM's defense and Biakabutuka ran wild on OSU. I was in the stands as a young teenager and I was almost in tears as I exited up the isle while I was being mocked by surrounding fans.
In 1996 the Buckeyes were at home 11-0 and ranked #2 with one of the top offenses in the nation. That offense got suffocated that day. On UM's first drive of the second half, All-American corner, Shawn Springs slipped and Tai Streets ran pass him 68 years for the game's only TD. The game was over at that point. I was soul crushed after this game because I though OSU's first nation championship in 28 years was imminent.
In 1997 OSU was 10-1 and ranked #4. They were underdogs, but I believed they were going to return the spoiler favor to UM who was 10-0 and #2. OSU was always two steps behind in that game and worst of all, Woodson got his Heisman moments and this game spring boarded him into winning the award and Michigan into a national championship. I remember feeling helpless and my animosity really began to take off toward Michigan because Michigan was elite, a blue blood, and seemingly impenetrable. It also didn't help that I secretly loved UM's uniforms, fight song, and stadium.
So UM fans I understand the angst you've felt periodically over the last ten years. Remember nothing lasts forever as this great game is cyclical. Enjoy the season and good luck.
August 15th, 2018 at 3:40 PM ^
Yes. The pendulum can swing at any time. Thank you.
August 15th, 2018 at 8:48 PM ^
Yeah, good times.
Thanks for sharing. You're officially only a semi-troll.
August 15th, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^
When Hoke was hired, and his press conference. I was probably the only one in these parts who found that press conference cringe-worthy. Yes, Hoke was a good guy and a Michigan man and all that, but I thought his hire was a knee jerk reaction to having a coach who was so unaware of Michigan's history. If having a big full heart of Michigan love is all that's needed to be a coach here, a lot of us would qualify.
August 15th, 2018 at 12:19 PM ^
If there's anything positive to come out of the Hoke tenure, it's that it probably killed the "Michigan Man" narrative as a qualification to consider in future coaching searches. Of course we won't need another coaching search until Harbaugh retires in 15-20 years after winning 3 National Championships and numerous Big Ten titles (fingers crossed).
August 15th, 2018 at 11:42 AM ^
The hiring of Dick Rod. As the AD at UM that is your most important hire and we totally botched it and were not prepared for it. That sent us spiraling down the toilet like the turd rich rod is.
August 15th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
I’d say the msu game where their RB scored like a 40 yard TD near the end of game. I can’t remember the RB’s name....got drafted, our DB, don’t remember his name either, gave the shittiest effort as he trotted around him for a TD. Horrible effort.
August 15th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
The Shane re-entry, 100%. I've been let down or sad by on field performance, but that's football; this is the only time in my memory I've been ashamed of the program.
August 15th, 2018 at 12:56 PM ^
While I read 3 and Out
August 15th, 2018 at 1:59 PM ^
August 15th, 2018 at 3:19 PM ^
2008. That was excruciating.
August 15th, 2018 at 5:07 PM ^
As disappointing as recent years have been, I have a hard time getting past Rich Rod's first year here. That was abysmal.
August 15th, 2018 at 7:06 PM ^
Last season was pretty bad. Harbaugh looked clueless like Brady Hoke in that embarrassing bowl game loss. It is clear Harbaugh can’t fix this program and for some reason is in over his head at Michigan.
August 16th, 2018 at 9:07 AM ^
Seriously?
August 15th, 2018 at 7:27 PM ^
That 2014 MN game was the most singularly disappointed I've ever been.
2015 Loss to MSU was a huge disappointment.
The 2014 season was just freakin regrettable in so many ways. I thought that in 2013, with a few better breaks, we should have been 9-4 or even 10-3. So I was thinking maybe 2013 had been a blip in our recovery. Then 2014 revealed our real trajectory and we still had Dumb Brandon at the helm--until we didn't.
August 15th, 2018 at 7:32 PM ^
last year, end of 2016
August 15th, 2018 at 10:38 PM ^
When we had Sheridan and Three as QB and when the team gave up in games under Rich Rod.
August 16th, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^
There were a few moments in the Brian Ellerbe era that were atrocious.
I think it may have been the Michigan State game after Jamal Crawford got suspended. It seemed to be the beginning of the end.
But we rose from the ashes, which was nice.
August 16th, 2018 at 9:08 PM ^
No time like the present: https/saturdaytradition.com/maryland-football/ex-stanford-players-call-d-j-durkin-jim-harbaugh-terrible-human-beings/