Why Michigan Football Will Be Back Sooner Than the Experts Think

“Michigan will be back, we don't have to worry about that.” 

Jim Tressel, Head Coach Ohio State.

Rich Rodriguez is no longer at the University of Michigan.  David Brandon must now make the biggest decision for UM football since Bo Schembechler was hired in 1969.  The experts seem to think that Michigan will need a little while to be relevant as they will be transitioning from Rich Rod’s spread offense to a more traditional one. 

Ivan Maisel of ESPN writes, “Brandon now will attempt to hire a coach who will be a better fit.  The new coach will find a locker room full of players signed to fit into Rodriguez's style of play.  It's hard to imagine how the transition will be a smooth one.  It's hard to imagine what Michigan has to be arrogant about, besides the past.” 

Adam Rittenberg, also of ESPN writes, “A coaching change isn't a panacea, and Michigan likely will take several steps back before moving forward.  Rodriguez recruited to his system for the last few years, and Michigan's wait to make this move could prove disastrous for the 2011 recruiting class.  The new coach likely will run a different system, and it's tough to see how the Wolverines won't backslide.”

I disagree.  I believe with the right hire, Michigan will again be relevant next year.  Will they beat Ohio State?  Will they beat Michigan State?  Will they win the Big Ten?  Possibly, but most likely not; one thing for certain, the right hire will make Michigan competitive again. 

The last three years, Michigan has been outscored by Ohio State 100-24, which is not very competitive.  But here is why the right hire will put Michigan back sooner than later.  The UM offense is already a juggernaut; I am sure this was a huge reason why David Brandon took so long to make his decision.  Never before at Michigan, with a history of names like Tom Brady, Desmond Howard and Braylon Edwards, has there ever been such a prolific offense for the football team.  The new coach will be wise to keep some form of the spread in place. 

With that in mind, the defense returns a number of starters and hopefully can show improvement.  Even being the 50th-ranked defense will show improvement over the last three years and the next coach will likely be able to devise schemes that can help UM’s defense improve. 

There is nowhere to go but up in their special teams.  A solid kicking recruit begins to solve this debacle.  So in my opinion, the UM rebuilding job may be closer than we think.  A prolific offense that has not been overhauled, coupled with a more experienced defense, better coaching and improved special teams should make Michigan relevant as early as next year. 

The two most likely replacements for UM are Les Miles and Brady Hoke.  Both are familiar with the spread offense and will likely not do a significant overhaul on offense.  They are also likely to improve the special teams and defense significantly; if this happens, UM will win and win soon.  Maybe not beating Ohio State, but certainly not losing 100-24. 

I close with the extended version of the quote from Jim Tressel: “Michigan is among the elite programs and will be and their record will reflect that in the course of time but, you know, we all have our ups and downs in a period and so forth and it's highly competitive...Michigan will be back, we don't have to worry about that.” Note:  Brady Hoke has been hired to be the next UM coach.  I suspect he will run a version of the spread.