The Art Of Change: Michigan Football

Change: to give a different direction, course, or position to. A concept that leads to uncertainty and anxiety. Everyone goes through change; some better than others.  

The idea of change hit the University of Michigan campus in December of 2007.  A Mountaineer Man decided to become a Michigan Man.

With that change, the great Son of West Virginia became Benedict Arnold. Rich Rodriguez, in one felt swoop, became a bad coach who couldn't win the big games.

He was lambasted in circles as being a snake, a cheat, and playing dirty football politics with West Virginia. People said he was not a family man. Justin Boren said that, so it should be true, right?  

Change is hard to accept. Michigan fans demanded change, then hinted that it was too much change. They changed their philosophy and approach to the game in hiring Rodriguez. They changed the amount of wins they normally have. They changed it all.

Last year was the University of Michigan's recession. Everything they thought about life at Michigan changed.  

The old didn't belong anymore. The old was worn out. Lloyd Carr left, and with that Michigan became modern. The people were tired of the same old Ann Arbor.  

They clamoured for change. And boy did they get it.

Rodriguez inherited a depleted roster. Players gone for the NFL or to other schools. Attrition was felt throughout the team. It was a tough spring and fall for the boys in maize and blue.  

3-9. No Bowl. Losing season. This was a year Michigan lost large percentage points in the stock market, or that's what people are thinking.  

The change you asked for is working hard on recruiting. Getting the players they need to succeed in the modern version of Michigan Football, or as I'll refer to it as Michigan 2.0.  

2.0 is a faster, leaner Michigan. Built for speed; at all positions.  

Disappointment over 2.0 was present last year. The lack of success was stunning. The inability to move the ball was staggering. The lack of defensive prowess was numbing. Unacceptable.  

Change is okay. Michigan is going to be fine. 2.0 will work. Some glitches were found in the beta version. The update, 2.1, will be a more steady version, a step in the right direction. The one everyone hoped for last year.

With change comes sacrifice. To succeed, you first must fail. And fail they did.

Look for 2.1 to move the ball a lot better. The line is experienced, and they have a QB who is capable of running the offense that needs to be run. The defense should be better, you can't get much worse than last year, right?!

So to all the critics, and Mountaineers who are reading this, watch the new brand of Michigan football, version 2.1*, which will be unveiled this fall. The Michigan Football team we are accustomed to watching on Saturdays, one that wins more games than they lose, will be back.

Change can only be successful if it is accepted by everyone. I believe this Michigan team has accepted that change. 

*Version 2.2 will be available Fall 2010. This version will fix depth and defense and is already being touted as championship caliber.