The Rise: The New Michigan Hype Video

Looking back at that season so many things occurred - in addition to the greatest victory in UM history - that seem rather bizzare now. Through his demands, made known at the first team meeting and never easing off, he lost almost 50% of his players from roughly 140 to 75. Obviously when you  lose that number, the 75 that stay have to be some tough sobs.

I have no idea with the records - other than the RB team of 68 - being mediocre at best, how Elliot was able to recruit so many future AAs, of course unearthed by Bo and this was after losing over half the team. I think that one is attributable in large part to Bo accepting nothing less than perfection, his training and demands to completely change the culture left him with football players that were probably never going to be in better physical shape in their lives or be a member of a team that all shared the same focus, probably sharing as well the hatred for losing that had become all too common and realizing, based on early returns the new Head Man's plan was a good one.

Although I tried, there is no way to simply gloss over that "greatest victory in UM history, it's obvious immediate impact, a significant restoration of pride in so many different factions of MI's population, and in regard to football, those 75 that stayed, a small figure then, especially given the number of scholarships at that time, many of them graduating, making it possible for Bo to grow his program, exactly the way he wanted to. He had everything. He had the comfort of knowing he would be here a long time. He had scholarships available, the word limit not playing a role for years. He achieved instant credibility, allowing him to recruit anywhere he wanted, knowing he would be welcomed. In his first season he let the conference know and every recruit, UM's coach took a backseat to no one.

Everything worked out perfectly, especially the way it all rolled with the OSU victory. I don't consider myself conservative in too many aspects of my life, but to me, the man took a hell of a chance. Now it's possible, and it's probably true, he understood exactly how good he was, what he could get out of these players and never really harbored any doubt he had no choice but to take the approach he did. I guess you don't have a sign made of that nature without understanding rebuilding at that point meant just that. 

I imagine anytime you rebuild anything you might hesitate for a bit deciding whether to hold onto or get rid of a certain item. When they just disappear, I guess it makes it easier. I was actually curious when I asked that question in the subject section. Revisiting the things that took place, the fact he was hired in less than 15 minutes, guarenteeing Canham he would have it done within five years. I am not curious any longer because the answer became obvious as I was typing. Blue Balls I understand your feelings entirely. He was truly a great man. Damn we were lucky to have him.