|
I, as an ardent Michigan fan, am rather unsettled by Justin Boren's departure. And, no, this is not because of offensive schemes or weight training or any other similar bunk. I am alarmed at the fact that Justin Boren, a Michigan legacy whose Dad lettered under Coach Schembechler, has realized that Michigan is no longer Michigan. I'm sure that this kid isn't leaving his father's alma mater, his dream school, becuase he feels that they don't maximize his skill set or because he has to train his body to get up to the line of scrimmage quicker. No, Boren said as much when he alluded to an 'erosion' of the values of the program. Also, don't respond with hackneyed platitudes like "He couldn't cut it here anyway" or "If he doesn't want to be here, the heck with him" - Boren was a high 4 star recruit who was also the first true freshman OL to letter/play at UMich since the mid-1980s (John Elliott), exactly the sort of football player that good programs need.
I know that some Michigan fans/alums are extremely defensive and take up for Coach Rodriguez despite the fact that, and I have always maintained this (from the middle of December 2007 on), he is a horrible fit for this university and has already been nothing short of a national eyesore for a prestigious athletic department. I would love for Michigan to ascend even higher in terms of athletics but not at the expense of the positivity and organizational culture fostered by the Lloyd Carr regime and many of the coaches before him. (an aside - This virtual horror show serves me right for I was never a huge backer of the supposed Les Miles decision and, one Dave Wannstedt upset later, look at the program now. GO ahead and defend it, those who care only about wins and beating Ohio State; Michigan just might be forever changed and not for the better because of this potentially regrettable coaching appointment).
|
