Wheatley didn’t create my first happy UM moments, but he did create some of the best. He also was stand-up guy for his family despite some high hurdles that few overcome. I like to think Michigan college scholarship helped with all that. All too rare an outcome in our sordid system in which college football is the minor leagues for the NFL.
Not only is #6 an ideal role model as a father--what is truly remarkable is that he had no such figure in his own life. His father died of a heart attack when he was 2, his step-father died of a heart attack when he was 13, and his mother was incapacitated by alcoholism. #6 and his sister moved in with an aunt. #6 took his younger siblings to basketball games when he was in high school, and before he would go he would sit down with them and make contingency plans for what to do if a gunfight started. After he became a pro he realized that financial support of his youngest half-brother wasn't enough and he moved the kid to New Jersey so #6 could support him.
Wikipedia is my source for all of the specifics, although I certainly remember the general issues.
#6 is on the short list of my favorite Michigan players on the field, although the original #1 is mighty tough to beat out for the top of that list. But off the field, #6 is top of the list, hands down. He probably would have turned out the way he did even if he didn't go to Michigan--but I do like to believe that going to Michigan and playing in Bo's program (even if Bo had retired) had something to do with it.
Agree this is my favorite Denard moment. I grew up in the pre-Anthony Carter era; AC and Denard are the two Wolverines who really could bust it open on any play. But as good as Denard was on the field, he seemed even better as a teammate and fellow student.
Agree this is my favorite Denard moment. I grew up in the pre-Anthony Carter era; AC and Denard are the two Wolverines who really could bust it open on any play. But as good as Denard was on the field, he seemed even better as a teammate and fellow student.
AC revolutionized Michigan football, and was so fun to watch. Denard matched the it-could-happen-on-any-play thrill, but he didn't revolutionize Michigan football the way AC did.
But Offensive Linemen are the key to quality Michigan football as far as I'm concerned. I see Everitt and Hutch named. Others particularly worthy of recognition: Kurt Becker, Stefan Humphries, and Jon Jansen.
And Mark Messner. And Tripp Welbourne/Vada Murray.
Now you're talking! A very deserving guy. As much as I felt sorry for myself for no bowl games from 1972-74, you had to feel worse for Dennis Franklin. Starting QB for Michigan all three years; collective record those three years: 30 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie. Zero bowl games. Sob.
Have to say AC would be first on my list though.
Other worthies, in no particular order: Wheatley, Biakatabuka, Mike Hart, Stefan Humphries, Kurt Becker, Rob Renes, Vada Murray, Don Dufek, Dave Brown, and Kolesar. And Mike Messner. And Steve Hutchinson. And Steve Everit. And Rob Lytle. And Denard. Lots of high talent/high character/high effort guys over the years.
Gordie Bell was always fun to watch, but he was the most fun when he was a raw rookie Sophomore in 1973. He only played in garbage time, but he approached it like it was the Super Duper Bowl. He looked like he had come straight from Junior High--but he ripped off yardage in large chunks, bounced up, and went back for more.
Was a running back on the 1973 (10-10 tie) team. A very non-flashy but productive runner. The flash would come when the regulars had the game in hand (which was early and often) and young Rob Lytle would come in. Heater has been a long-time assistant and appears to play a similar role: not flashy but productive, competent, and fully the team-the team, the-team. Harbaugh obviously is trying to get a mix of young/old and personality types; I'd bet he looks at Heater if his type of personality is needed for the mix on the coaching staff and will look somewhere else if a different type of personality is needed, be it younger, louder, whatever.
For those of you young 'uns who apparently don't know of Wheatley other than as a runner on video: he was not only a very talented runner (big/fast) but he's got quite the personal background. Father died when he was very young (like 2), lived with an aunt because his mother had continuing problems. Step-father died too as I recall. Took care of his half and/or step siblings, starting when he was in Ann Arbor. Of all of Michigan's running backs over the years, he's my favorite, and I'd be almost as happy having him back as I am having Harbaugh back.
Great character as well as great talent. Grew up under really trying circumstances. Have to believe his experience at UM contributed to making him the man he is. I'd love to have him back as a coach (and would be glad to have his son come along too).
I read somewhere today that Harbaugh went to a UM alum gathering in his neighborhood in California a couple of years ago to hear Beilein. I"m sure it was only a minor factor in what came to pass today--but never underestimate the power of a classy guy like Beilein to remind someone like Harbaugh--who had fond memories of all things UM anyway--that UM can be a wonderful place.
Yes, he has combine potential, but unless he learns to block, he's not a tight end, and unless he learns to hold onto the ball, he's not a wide receiver.
Yes, I like the message in the e-mail--but isn't this exactly what Hackett said at the intro Press Conference? I watched it and while I can't remember everything he said, I do remember him invoking Bo and Gerald Ford, and signing off with "Go Blue." I don't see anything new.
But he didn't go deep--that was the best thrill of the play. It wasn't a Hail Mary into the end zone, it was pass it half the way and let AC do the rest. It worked because Indiana was guarding against him going deep.
Yeah, I'm willing to admit the 3-9 year is an unworthy contender for the title of most embarrassing year. The difference: that was the first year of a new coach, so there was still hope for the future. When the embarrassment on the field happens during the fourth year, that's worse.
The Michigan football team has become an embarrassment, the worst it's ever been in my 40 years of fandom. The Michigan basketball team has made me proud, the best it's ever been in my 40 years of fandom.
I knew he was Prez, but haven't really paid much attention to him until today.
He has a surprising resume for a College Prez. He certainly did not hit all the usual stepping stones.
So does that mean he'd go outside the box a bit for AD? All the usual suspects--Bates, Manuel, Long, the Oklahoma guy--are being mentioned because they're up-and-coming ADs who have some tie to Michigan.
Agree UM Prez very impressive, especially in the Q and A. Handling a press conference certainly is not the only thing a UM Prez needs to be able to do--but it is one of them! Says all the right things in just the right way; now all we need is for him to follow through.
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Gruden did make one good hire: he stole Mike Trgovac from the Packers
Not only is #6 an ideal role model as a father--what is truly remarkable is that he had no such figure in his own life. His father died of a heart attack when he was 2, his step-father died of a heart attack when he was 13, and his mother was incapacitated by alcoholism. #6 and his sister moved in with an aunt. #6 took his younger siblings to basketball games when he was in high school, and before he would go he would sit down with them and make contingency plans for what to do if a gunfight started. After he became a pro he realized that financial support of his youngest half-brother wasn't enough and he moved the kid to New Jersey so #6 could support him.
Wikipedia is my source for all of the specifics, although I certainly remember the general issues.
#6 is on the short list of my favorite Michigan players on the field, although the original #1 is mighty tough to beat out for the top of that list. But off the field, #6 is top of the list, hands down. He probably would have turned out the way he did even if he didn't go to Michigan--but I do like to believe that going to Michigan and playing in Bo's program (even if Bo had retired) had something to do with it.
Agree this is my favorite Denard moment. I grew up in the pre-Anthony Carter era; AC and Denard are the two Wolverines who really could bust it open on any play. But as good as Denard was on the field, he seemed even better as a teammate and fellow student.
Agree this is my favorite Denard moment. I grew up in the pre-Anthony Carter era; AC and Denard are the two Wolverines who really could bust it open on any play. But as good as Denard was on the field, he seemed even better as a teammate and fellow student.
AC revolutionized Michigan football, and was so fun to watch. Denard matched the it-could-happen-on-any-play thrill, but he didn't revolutionize Michigan football the way AC did.
But Offensive Linemen are the key to quality Michigan football as far as I'm concerned. I see Everitt and Hutch named. Others particularly worthy of recognition: Kurt Becker, Stefan Humphries, and Jon Jansen.
And Mark Messner. And Tripp Welbourne/Vada Murray.
Now you're talking! A very deserving guy. As much as I felt sorry for myself for no bowl games from 1972-74, you had to feel worse for Dennis Franklin. Starting QB for Michigan all three years; collective record those three years: 30 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie. Zero bowl games. Sob.
Have to say AC would be first on my list though.
Other worthies, in no particular order: Wheatley, Biakatabuka, Mike Hart, Stefan Humphries, Kurt Becker, Rob Renes, Vada Murray, Don Dufek, Dave Brown, and Kolesar. And Mike Messner. And Steve Hutchinson. And Steve Everit. And Rob Lytle. And Denard. Lots of high talent/high character/high effort guys over the years.
Gordie Bell was always fun to watch, but he was the most fun when he was a raw rookie Sophomore in 1973. He only played in garbage time, but he approached it like it was the Super Duper Bowl. He looked like he had come straight from Junior High--but he ripped off yardage in large chunks, bounced up, and went back for more.
Great runner. He wasn't just fast--he was quick. Got to/through the hole. Didn't dance--just ran.
Was a running back on the 1973 (10-10 tie) team. A very non-flashy but productive runner. The flash would come when the regulars had the game in hand (which was early and often) and young Rob Lytle would come in. Heater has been a long-time assistant and appears to play a similar role: not flashy but productive, competent, and fully the team-the team, the-team. Harbaugh obviously is trying to get a mix of young/old and personality types; I'd bet he looks at Heater if his type of personality is needed for the mix on the coaching staff and will look somewhere else if a different type of personality is needed, be it younger, louder, whatever.
He didn't turn it around with the Giants--he turned it around with Oakland, where he had 3 very good years.
I'm willing to bet some of his family issues affected his time with the Giants.
For those of you young 'uns who apparently don't know of Wheatley other than as a runner on video: he was not only a very talented runner (big/fast) but he's got quite the personal background. Father died when he was very young (like 2), lived with an aunt because his mother had continuing problems. Step-father died too as I recall. Took care of his half and/or step siblings, starting when he was in Ann Arbor. Of all of Michigan's running backs over the years, he's my favorite, and I'd be almost as happy having him back as I am having Harbaugh back.
Great character as well as great talent. Grew up under really trying circumstances. Have to believe his experience at UM contributed to making him the man he is. I'd love to have him back as a coach (and would be glad to have his son come along too).
I read somewhere today that Harbaugh went to a UM alum gathering in his neighborhood in California a couple of years ago to hear Beilein. I"m sure it was only a minor factor in what came to pass today--but never underestimate the power of a classy guy like Beilein to remind someone like Harbaugh--who had fond memories of all things UM anyway--that UM can be a wonderful place.
Yes, he has combine potential, but unless he learns to block, he's not a tight end, and unless he learns to hold onto the ball, he's not a wide receiver.
Yes, I like the message in the e-mail--but isn't this exactly what Hackett said at the intro Press Conference? I watched it and while I can't remember everything he said, I do remember him invoking Bo and Gerald Ford, and signing off with "Go Blue." I don't see anything new.
But he didn't go deep--that was the best thrill of the play. It wasn't a Hail Mary into the end zone, it was pass it half the way and let AC do the rest. It worked because Indiana was guarding against him going deep.
Yeah, I'm willing to admit the 3-9 year is an unworthy contender for the title of most embarrassing year. The difference: that was the first year of a new coach, so there was still hope for the future. When the embarrassment on the field happens during the fourth year, that's worse.
The Michigan football team has become an embarrassment, the worst it's ever been in my 40 years of fandom. The Michigan basketball team has made me proud, the best it's ever been in my 40 years of fandom.
I knew he was Prez, but haven't really paid much attention to him until today.
He has a surprising resume for a College Prez. He certainly did not hit all the usual stepping stones.
So does that mean he'd go outside the box a bit for AD? All the usual suspects--Bates, Manuel, Long, the Oklahoma guy--are being mentioned because they're up-and-coming ADs who have some tie to Michigan.
Agree UM Prez very impressive, especially in the Q and A. Handling a press conference certainly is not the only thing a UM Prez needs to be able to do--but it is one of them! Says all the right things in just the right way; now all we need is for him to follow through.