Gary Moeller Has Passed Away
My icebreaker question when I meet a football coach is to ask what's his signature drill. They all have them, they all have a point, and the point that the coach wants to emphasize will tell you a lot about what he values.
Via former Michigan linebacker Jim Scarcelli, Gary Moeller's drill was called "The Perfect Play" and here's how Scarcelli described it:
So it started with a sprint to Coach Moeller. He would stand somewhere and give you a formation. … and the sprint has to be perfect. The adjustment and the alignments have to be perfect. The communication has to be perfect. So when all that it is done, Coach Moeller is going to drop back and the defense is going to drop into a pass coverage, and then he's going to throw the ball. Now we're just playing on air. One of the eleven defensive players has to intercept the ball at its highest point. And then the other ten guys got to run and block, and the player has to score a touchdown, and then all eleven guys gotta go crazy in the endzone.
The point of the drill was to get back to playing the game with intelligence, energy and passion. This is how every guy who ever played for Gary Moeller would describe him as well.
They're all over at Michigan events, these Moeller guys: old men who played for him at Bellefontaine High, men in their 40s who played for him with the Lions, Jaguars, Bengals or Bears, men in their 60s whom he recruited to Illinois, men in their 80s who remember him as an Ohio State captain. They show up at Michigan events with an odd pin or tie that doesn't match the occasion, eager to seek out someone who knows of the Perfect Drill from a vast sea of Gary's maize and blue sons.
Those sons played all over the field too. The young assistant who followed Bo after two years at Miami (not That Miami) would coach the ends, the defense, the quarterbacks, the defense again, the offense, and then the whole damn team for the last five seasons of 23 in Ann Arbor. His Michigan winning percentage of 75.8 is better than that of any man to coach here since. The Arthurian comedy that ended his Michigan career seems more ridiculous with each passing season of college football, his subsequent alienation from the program surely just recompense for any role he might have played in the real tragedy of his time. His final act was a front row seat to the return of Jim Harbaugh, but fittingly the last time we saw him was on the sideline cheering for Michigan against his alma mater, flanked by two of those sons from two different generations, over a rivalry he deserves as much credit for as anyone.
To children of the 90s like myself, the brand of football played under Gary Moeller feels like a moment unappreciated until well after its time, an exhale after the stubborn irascibility of his predecessor and mentor, a breath before the venerable solemnity of his friend and successor. For half a decade, Michigan recruited with the elites, threw the ball downfield, crushed Ohio State, then laughed about it on Michigan Replay. Howard passed into Alexander, Ricky Powers gave way to Tyrone Wheatley, and Elvis entered the building, pursued by a line of pro arms still represented in the NFL today.
Spoiled as we were, this was never mourned in its time. Young Alex Drain asked me once what Michigan fans thought then, and after answering truthfully—back-to-back 8-4 seasons were "unacceptable"—it struck me that we lost something…jejune…about Michigan when we lost Moeller. There was a kidness to early '90s Michigan, a sort of "Let's see what they think of this…" insanity of a man who'd call a sight read fade to Desmond Howard on 4th and 1 of a three-point game then ask Jerry "should I be kicking a field goal?"
His final years were a sufferance of aging's worst indignities, when the surest sign you were at a Michigan event was two men greeting with smiles turning to solemnity and two words: "How's Gary?" Well Gary's fine now, and Michigan plays on, with intelligence, energy, and passion, committed to running it back until we get it perfect, and remembering to end it with a cheer.
Former Buckeye LB; Former MI Coach; all around good guy!
God Speed!
Not only modernized Michigan football, made it cutting edge. I believe he would have won more than one national title had the lords of Michigan not have, retrospectively, dismissed him in a display of hypocrisy that, in light of his predecessors enablement and which must have been known to them, seem criminal. Not only was Gary robbed, we were too.
RIP coach
RIP Coach. God speed. Condolences to his family.
Thanks for this write up and video Seth. The catch by Desmond was truly a great moment in time for all Michigan fans.
“Kidness.” Perfect.
Kidness bidness
Rest in Peace Coach.
Coach Moeller's Michigan teams were such a joy to watch. Big, angry, violent, arrogant and mean spirited. They expected to win. It was beautiful.
this was very well-written!
Thank you. Wonderful.
Masterfully written Seth! Also that was the dopest video ever. I don't ever remember seeing that before.
That kid was unbelievable. And so were you Coach. I’ve got half a mind to drive to Lima for the public memorial. That’s how fond I am of him, his teams and the memories made during undergrad.
Great writing... I often wonder what he could have accomplished if he would have been allowed to continue.. he lead some awesome teams
RIP Mr. Moeller
Rest in peace, Coach.
Seth, you're just... really good at what you do.
We had never seen anything like him. Though he came from the same coaching tree, he was wired differently than Bo, Lloyd, and even Harbaugh. Those three coached not to lose. Mo played to win. Ran no huddle, and a wide open offense. Competed for a natty every single year. Owned Ohio. Dominated recruiting. And allowed me to mock an endless array of 1990s OSU overhyped players. Big Daddy, Galloway, Orlando Pace, Alonzo, Korey Stringer. They swaggered into the Big House as All Americans. They slunk out losers. I went to nearly every M game those 5 years with my bff Pat. Section 37, row 82. Don't think I ever had as much fun watching M until this November. Thank you Seth, and most of all, thank you Coach Moeller. Go Blue.
Couldn’t agree more with this. He was more gunslinger than Lloyd turned out to be, definitely a nice transition from the conservative Bo era, but always left us fans wanting a little more. 91 has always been my favorite season. It always feels like that era is a bit under appreciated here, which I think is due to the relative age of the active posters and writers. No complaints, I think of it as a fine red wine when the world is full of beer drinkers. I’m fine sitting by the fire place sipping my merlot while the younger crowd is at the bar pounding Bud Light. Now get off my lawn.
"Section 37, row 82"
Wow, cool. That was my section and row for a decade spanning the 80s and 90s. Saw the Desmond catch from there coming right at us.
Thank you, Coach Mo. You gave us great memories--memories to celebrate forever--and deserved better than what happened to you. May you rest in peace.
On a happier note, that Desmond TD against Notre Dame is one of my absolute best sports memories. I was euphoric. What a call and what a play. Thanks again, Coach.
RIP to the best coach Michigan has had in modern times. Go beat OSU again in heaven, Coach.
Nothing else to say that Seth didn't masterfully write - RIP Coach Mo
As to the firing, Bo was in Florida at the time and in one of his books stated he believes he could have salvaged the situation.
I agree with that assessment.
Moeller was the best game coach I have seen (going back to Bunp Elliot)
We had a hurry up offense!
(Though it was not all his recruits that won the 97 title.)
Greg Mattison recommended that Moeller hire Hoke as an assistant.
As Mattison tells it, Moeller huffed that: "Michigan is not about hiring your buddies."
Hoke got an interview. He said it lasted 11 hours, And got the gig.
Moeller was 4-2 as interim head coach of the Lions and headed for the playoffs before being upset by the Bears in the season finale. Most likely would have been retained had they won and made the playoffs. He regretted not having that opportunity.
I have not checked, but he may be last Lions head coach with a winning record.
Great, and underrated, coach and a good man.
My earliest memory was the Moeller years. I remember my Dad yelling at the TV during those “tough” games, but the classic wins, like against Notre Dame, we’re the ones I was always fond of, thus my love for Michigan football. RIP Coach. Thank you for getting me into Michigan football on those fall Saturdays!
With all due respect to the Coach, Elvis to Desmond is "The Perfect Play".
Outstanding Seth. Well worth the time it took to read, review the video, and moisturize the eyes for a moment.
Coach Mo was a good one.
Beautifully written.
Seth - a fine tribute. Don’t forget also Mo was 4-1 as Lions’ interim and replaced by Marty Mornhinweg - who proceeded to win 5 games - and lose 27.
4-3 actually, but that's still the best winning percentage of any Lion coach in the last 60 years. If not for a 54-yard field goal, he may well have stayed on the job.
That ND game was my first big Michigan game in person, junior year of HS. That play happened right in front of us, I lost my mind.
After that game through a family friend that was the head student manager and Grbac's roommate, I inexplicably found myself snooping around Elvis' bedroom looking at all his pictures on the wall, a few with Desmond in HS.
RIP Gary, wish his time in Ann Arbor ended differently.
It cannot be understated what a pivotal moment in Michigan football history it was when Moeller called pass on 4th and 1 to Howard. I was 16 and loved Michigan football already but that was just awesome.
I remember visiting my older brither while he was student at UM and Moeller was taking over. I saw a sign that I’ll never forget:
No Mo’ Bo.
So Go Mo!
Go Mo! I wish you hadn’t been screwed like you were by UM and the Lions.
Rest in peace Coach. What a great memory you left for us.
Seth, that is some great writing. You wrote that all in such a short time. Wow. Great tribute to a great man.
I thought Gary Moeller had the potential to be the best Michigan coach ever.
God bless.
Even though I had to give up my season tickets at the end of the '89 season (Bo's last), since my job moved me down to OKC for a promotions and I started graduate school at the same time. I felt home sick since I was so excited about Bo passing the team to Mo, and I wish I had my season tickets back. Mo really opened up the passing game and took some chances. He was not the conservative play calling coach like Bo, Carr and somewhat Harbaugh. But it was fun watching Mo's team destroying OSU 31-3 in '91 and 28-0 in ;'93. I think he would have had a good successful run as our coach much like Bo, if he did not have that altercation at the bar. RIP, coach Mo!
Very nicely put, and RIP Coach Mo.
Those were some good times.
Simply outstanding work Seth. You are a true treasure for Michigan fans. Thanks for your relentless hard work and sharing your immense talent and passion with us.
Everyone brings up "The Catch" against ND, and for damn good reason. But I got a soft spot for Coach Mo in the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl, when he was coaching while Bo recovered from heart surgery. 4th and 3 from Alabama's 20 with less than a minute. Instead of going for a first down, Mo calls a pass. Brown threw a strike to a well-covered Kolesar for the TD. Great route, great throw, great call. I remember staring at the TV in wonder saying repeatedly, "There's no way Bo makes that call."
Rest in peace, Mo.
I was at that game, sitting in the corner of that endzone - I had a perfect view of the entire play. I was stunned when pass was called, and even more stunned that it went into the corner of the endzone. What an eruption of joy from the entire (non-Bama) crowd in an otherwise half-filled Sombrero!
I was in the Navy at the time and made the drive from Charleston just to watch Michigan play. I sat with a bunch of football fans, not fans of either team, and what a great day it was. Before the game, the MMB marched right through the center of Bama's band to get into the stadium. Bama was marching around the outside of the stadium doing their 'Roll Tide' chant, so the MMB formed up, struck up The Victors, and marched right through them into the stadium entrance. It. Was. AWESOME!!!
Thanks, Gary, for all of the great memories and fun plays...
He was supposed to hit Calloway on the slant.
Nailed it Seth. Thank You!
RIP coach. I watched many games at the Big House with you at the helm.
Great piece Seth. I remember the day Bo retired (and I believe they announced Moeller) was the morning of my 1st law school final. The Daily had an extra out, but I hadn't seen it and my classmates were kind enough not distract me by mentioning it before the test
I agree that Moeller opened things up. Michigan was fun to watch in his era both in the passing and running games. The Howard catch was iconic, but I also remember Wheatley running over the Washington in the Rose Bowl and the dominant win over Ole Miss in his first year.
One last thought -- his last two years were seen as unacceptable by many fans, but his final season in 1994 included two close losses to top ten teams (with Colorado being a once in a lifetime fluke) and a bowl win over a top ten Colorado State team. Not that bad in restrospect.
Great tribute Seth - thank you.
RIP Coach Moeller
Great piece, Seth - thanks. I always felt like Coach Moeller didn't get the respect he deserved. The ending to his coaching at U-M was a complete misrepresentation of the rest of his career. I've always had a fondness for his years at head coach in my heart. And always will.
Rest In Peace, Coach Moeller.
RIP Michigan Man. Thank you for your dedicated service to the Michigan football program. Mo and Bo now together in Valhalla.
Beautifully written, Seth. So much of the past half-century's experience inside and outside the program lives so concisely in that 6th paragraph. The poetry of thoughtful exploration applied to the prose of human imperfection. Hats off.
Great article - says it all. A great coach and man who handled a very difficult, shocking dismissal with remarkable grace to the end. RIP Coach Mo.
Well said, Seth. This was my favorite brand of Michigan football, and my only regret is that they couldn't quite live up to their limitless potential. The bad breaks of an uncalled tripping penalty, the FSU buzzsaw, Kordell frickin' Stewart. The 8-4s belie a tenure on the cusp of true greatness.
The close loss to undefeated Penn State in '94 was a coinflip game too.
Gawdammit, Seth. Just go ahead and make me cry at work.
I enjoyed those Moeller teams more than any others at Michigan, dating back to Bo’s first years. I could never understand how we ended up 8-4 some of those years, when the team was so incredibly dynamic. No disrespect to Carr, but Moeller as head coach and Carr as defensive coordinator was a great pairing—at least, I thought so. RIP, Gary.
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