Michigan Football: Winds of Change

It's hard to believe that it's been more than 10 seasons since the University of Michigan Wolverines have won a National Championship (it's really hard for me to believe it, I was there at the 1998 Rose Bowl against Washington State, and I still can remember most of that amazing day). 

Even harder to believe when you look at the long list of talented UM stars that have been able to make a successful jump into the NFL. 

I think it's safe to say that Lloyd Carr, while being a solid coach on his own merit, would not have lasted as long as he did without that championship run.  Conversely, the sudden passing of Bo Schembechler may have helped hasten Carr's resignation. 

The intimidation and swagger that the Maize and Blue took into every game more or less vanished after the first two games of last season (losses to Appalachian State and Oregon....AT HOME).  Lloyd Carr is a smart man, and he seemed to know that it was time to step aside—his coaching staff's methods had been proven to be a bit behind the times.

Out with the old, and in with the new. 

Although Rich Rodriguez's departure from West Virginia was about as smooth as new sandpaper, he brings with him something that hasn't been seen at Michigan in nearly 40 years—innovation. 

His vaunted offense is the stuff of nightmares for opposing head coaches (just ask Charlie Weis).  The conditioning program is headed by a man with an MMA background that was also rumored to have wolves for pets (seriously, I wonder if any of the players have had the gall to defy this man at any point of their workouts?). 

It's a drastic change from the previous regime, and there's already been defections for those who have not been able to keep up (I don't think I need to name names—*cough*Boren*cough*cough).  The players that have stayed are now in the best shape of their lives.

Some of the change isn't as positive, however.  Graduation and early entry into the NFL really stripped the offense of its experience—only one starter returns (OL Schilling).  There's a lot of talent at the RB spots, and I expect this team to rely heavily on the running game in the early going.

Fortunately, the defense will not have the same growing pains as the offense.  The entire defensive line and both starting corners return to give this team some stability.  Other players have emerged at the LB and S spots during the spring, making the defense one of the best in the Big Ten in 2008.

Despite the uncertainty of the offense, I am more excited about the beginning of this season than I have been in years.  In fact, I think it's been about 10 years, to be exact.