In many respects the Michigan Wolverines really never came alive until 1969. Wolverine Nation was essentially forged that year when a young and unknown head coach from the University of Miami (Ohio) named Bo Schembechler would forever change the landscape of college football.
Schembechler reignited the passion of the Michigan fan base that had often left Michigan Stadium empty before his arrival. It was not long before the Big House was regularly sold out. Since 1975 Michigan can boast a streak of over 200 straight games with crowds in excess of 100,000 fans. It can all be traced back to when Schembechler led the Wolverines to the 1969 Big Ten Championship, after their 24-12 Upset of the Century win over undefeated, top ranked, and defending national champion Ohio State.
The Curse
In a sense, the 1969 season, and the Schembechler era that ended in 1989, have served as a perpetual curse for Michigan. It is a year and era that Michigan fans refuse to let go of and constantly pine for a return too. In reading Michigan fan boards or listening to WTKA radio podcasts, there is a constant longing for Bo and reminiscing about the glory years of off tackle plays and punishing defenses. This refusal to let go of the past is in part admirable in that Michigan fans cherish their history and tradition.
The Horror of Chasing its Tail
Since 2007, when Michigan suffered the humiliating loss to then 1-AA Appalachian State, the Wolverines have seen their program go in a steady decline. The defeat, which took place on opening day, was the first live game telecast on the history of the Big Ten Network. It ranks as the mirror opposite of the 1969 Upset of the Century but is as historically significant. Michigan has been chasing its tail ever since.
Michigan tried to enter the 21st Century when it hired Rich Rodriguez as head coach in 2008. Rich Rod and his spread offense, not to mention a soft defense, were the worst possible cultural fit in Ann Arbor and it was extinguished after three years.
Brady Hoke followed with an 11-win season in his first year on the job, but began to lose at an increasing rate and was fired after a 5-7 season in 2014.
The Michigan Man
During the eras of Rodriguez and Hoke, there became increased infighting among the Michigan family and fan base about what the meaning of a Michigan Man. Debates about who and who not was a true Michigan Man raged continuously.
The mythical Michigan Man is a most sacred topic to Maize and Blue fans. But it reached such a level of absurdity that current athletic director Jim Hackett begged for the definition to die. The irony of it all was that Schembechler was not a Michigan man when he arrived. He learned his football under hated arch rival Woody Hayes of Ohio State.
Back to the Future
With the hiring of Jim Harbaugh, Michigan made peace with the future and it’s past. Harbaugh is the ultimate Michigan Man as former starting quarterback under Schembechler. He is a true disciple of Schembechler and his teams play a similar style of physicality and fundamentals. With the fan base and Michigan family united the program seems to be poised for a new era of glory.
Why It Can Work Now
Hoke hauled in three straight recruiting classes that ranked in the top 20 nationally. His problem was that he couldn’t develop that material. That will not be a problem for Harbaugh, who proved to be a quick fix both at Stanford where he inherited a winless team and turned it into a national power in just three years. He then turned around the San Francisco 49ers from a perennial loser and into a three-time contestant for the NFC Championship.
Harbaugh’s proven record of being a turnaround artist is also enhanced by his undeniable leadership characteristics. He proved to be a magnet to recruits as evidenced by his flipping of Texas quarterback commit Zach Gentry earlier this month.
Harbaugh is strong enough in his own skin to hire a quality coaching staff. He retained respected defensive coordinator Greg Mattison from Hoke’s staff. His staff consists of proven winners from both college and the NFL.
The League Factor
As a successful NFL quarterback and head coach, Harbaugh has the instant credibility with impressionable college players that want their shot at The League. Harbaugh can easily sell his players and recruits on his ability to develop them into champions and future pros. Confidence breeds confidence. Confidence is one thing that Michigan won’t be lacking in 2015.
Upset of the New Century?
Michigan hosts Ohio State on the final day of the regular season. The Bucks are loaded and the defending national champs. Michigan has a brash new head coach that is going to kick some tail and instill much needed mental toughness. It already looks like déjà vu all over again.
Its 1969 again in Ann Arbor. And Michigan fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
