A Fresh Start

Doesn't it smell like spring outside? The sun on your face, the smell of fresh cut grass and flowers in bloom. Today is like Spring Time for the Michigan Football program. It's a fresh new start with a brand new direction led by a young but experienced leader. So don't worry about the 12 inches of snows that fell on Ann Arbor the last 24 hours, go outside and ride your bike, throw the football, mow your lawn, it's spring time in Ann Arbor!

When LC retired this is what I wanted for the Michigan program:

• A leader with a new offensive philosophy - Done


• A young coach that could be at Michigan 10-20 years. - Done


• A big name coach that would excite fans and recruits - Done


• A new day for Michigan Football - Done

Timeline: As we all know RR met with Bill Martin and Mrs. President on Friday for 6 hours.

After that, the Internet message boards did a 180 on what RR would do. Rich meant twice with the WVU Athletic Director on Saturday. The message boards were pretty confident that Rich was staying. Then Sunday morning things changed and changed fast. My guess is that Don Nehlen, former WVU coach (and coach under Bo) and Rich's mentor talked Rich into taking the job. I believe Don told Rich opportunities like this only comes around once in your life and that maybe if he was ever offer the job at Michigan he would have taken it in a heart beat. Here is a quote from Don.

"I think it's a great, great, great opportunity for him," said Nehlen, who coached at Michigan under Bo Schembechler from 1977-1979. "I think it's tremendous. There are very few Michigans. When you coach at West Virginia you walk on water in West Virginia, but when you coach at Michigan, you walk on water, period. There's a difference. Some people around here don't want to believe that."

What about the buyout? Not sure at this point. Rich said the "lawyers are working on that" . There have been rumors that Billy picked up $3 Million of the 4. I bet they try to negotiate that amount down. Maybe Michigan could sign an agreement not to take anymore WVU employees for the next 10 years or so.

Coaches? Rich mentioned that he would be bringing some of his coaches with him to Michigan and keep some of the current staff. The two we know for sure are offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Calvin Magee and secondary coach and recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson. It is also expected that Rich brings super strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis with him as well. Michigan has been long rumored to have one of the worst strength and conditioning programs in the country. This is a huge deal on how the Wolverines will prepare in and out of season.

• Side note. Hopefully Rich will keep Ron English on staff as the defense coordinator. Others I would like to see stay is Fred Jackson, RB coach and QB Coach Scot Loeffler.

Will Mallett transfer? His dad was quoted by the AP that Ryan is keeping an open mind about the new coach and will wait before making an transfer decision. Ryan ran a "shotgun" spread offense in High School.

Will RR coach in the Fiesta Bowl? That decision still hasn't been made. But it doesn't sound like he will.

Today is a good day!