Real Kato Blog: Michigan Football Woes

So Michigan still hasn't announced a successor to coach Lloyd Carr.

Les Miles has publicly announced that he's staying at LSU (for what, the third time now?) There are many blogs and forums excoriating athletic director Bill Martin right now, for apparently having bungled the offer to Miles. Me? I'm not entirely convinced that Michigan wanted to hire Miles at all. Maybe there's truth to the rumor that Carr had a personal grudge against him. Maybe the administration was afraid of Miles embarrassing Michigan with his "damn strong" mouth.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has also announced he's not coming to Michigan. Some take this as further evidence that Michigan's entire coaching search process is screwed up, and that Martin will have to fall back on Ron English or Ball State head coach Brady Hoke (another former Michigan assistant).

I think a lot of people are being too hasty in their conclusions. No doubt most of the talks and interviews are being done as secretly as possible. I think we still have a chance of landing a respectable coach.

New names to pop up:

Chuck Long, a former Iowa star quarterback (and, uh, mediocre Detroit Lions quarterback) who went on to become a successful assistant at Iowa and Oklahoma before becoming head coach at San Diego State; and,

Mike Singletary, the famous Chicago Bears linebacker who is now the assistant head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Huh.

Meanwhile, Michigan is a 10.5 point underdog to Florida in the Capital One Bowl. Just 10.5, really? Against a spread offense that features a Heisman-trophy-winning quarterback?

The good thing is, Michigan has absolutely nothing to lose in this game. No one expects Michigan to win. No one will blame Lloyd Carr for gambling on every play. On-side kick on the opening kickoff? Sure. Blitz seven against a five-receiver set? Why not? Fumble Rooskie? Love it.

Or best of all: Carr could choose to reveal a wide-open, pass-happy spread offense on his final game, as a big "F U" to everyone who's said the game has passed him by.

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