Listen: Hockey v. Alaska

Listen Live as the Wolverines look to take the front end of a two-game series at Yost against the Nanooks

Greg Mattison as Defensive Coordinator: The good, the bad, the verdict

The Good:

- Mattison comes from success in the NFL.
As defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, Mattison has coached the #3 ranked defense in the NFL in 2009-2010 and the #10 ranked defense in the NFL in 2010-2011.
- Mattison has coached at Michigan.
From 1992-1994, Mattison was the defensive line coach of the Wolverines. From 1995-1996, Mattison was the Wolverines' defensive coordinator.
- Michigan's defense, under Mattison's direction, allowed 17.2 points per game in 1995 and 15.3 points per game in 1996.
In 2010, the Wolverines allowed 35.23 ppg...
- Mattison likes to recruit and is apparently good at it.
- Mattison loves Michigan.
According to Mattison, it was the only place that could have (and did) lure him away from the Ravens.
- Mattison has beaten Ohio State more recently than 2003.
Remember the 2007 BCS National Championship Game? That was Mattison's Florida Gator defense making Troy Smith look like a chump.



The Bad:

- Mattison is 61 years old.
Can anyone really see him coaching for more than 5-10 years?
- After 1996, Mattison ditched Michigan for the same position (defensive coordinator) at Notre Dame.
Mattison apparently had strong ties to then-Irish coach Bob Davie... Michigan got the last laugh in 1997 anyway.



The Verdict:

There's no sense in getting worked up because of Mattison's age or past decisions. He is a great fit for the Wolverines.

NCAA Hockey Tournament

Starting today, I will post once a week with a predicted NCAA hockey tournament bracket. This is really just my take, as I was bored and there is no Joe Lunardi for us college hockey fans. Remember, it is REALLY early in the process so it will definitely change big time in the next 2 months, but this will give you a general idea of where Michigan is in relation to the rest of the college hockey world.

East Regional (Bridgeport)

1 Yale vs. 14 UNO

8 Boston College vs. 9 Wisconsin

Midwest Regional (Green Bay)

2 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 16 RIT

7 Notre Dame vs. 10 Merrimack

West Regional (St. Louis)

4 Denver vs. 13 Union

5 Michigan vs. 12 Dartmouth

Northeast Regional (Manchester)

3. North Dakota vs. 15 RPI

6 New Hampshire vs. 11 Western Michigan

Notes:

• Poor Yale, being the only non-WCHA 1 seed is stuck playing UNO.
• Miami not being in it is the biggest example of why this will definitely change between now and once March 20th rolls around.
• Biggest goal at this point is bracket integrity, thus North Dakota in Manchester and Denver in St Louis
  

LISTEN: Hockey v. Ferris State

LISTEN LIVE at 7:35 as Michigan gets set to take on #19 Ferris State in front of a sold out Yost crowd!

Andrew Goddeeris, John Zaccardelli, Kevin Carpenter, and Michael Lewandowski with the call.

LISTEN: Basketball v. #2 That School Down South

LISTEN LIVE at 6:30 as Michigan takes on the Buckeyes at Crisler.

Andrew Goddeeris, Everett Cook, Ryan Krasnoo, and Jordan Rochelson on the call.

Denard Robinson to Stay at Michigan

I know that your trust in the media regarding Michigan athletics is badly damaged after this coaching search, but I have good news if you are willing to believe me.

Denard Robinson will stay at Michigan.

Based on the circumstances of how I learned this information, all I really want to say is that I will personally support this claim with 99% confidence, because I trust where it came from. I will also say that this word was received after Hoke was hired.

LISTEN: Basketball v. Kansas

LISTEN LIVE at 4:30 as Michigan looks to take down the #3 Kansas Jayhawks at Crisler!

Andrew Goddeeris, Tyler Bruens, and Matt Bernstein on the call.

LISTEN LIVE: Hockey v. Michigan State

LISTEN LIVE at 7:05 as Michigan hockey looks to avenge an overtime loss last night at Munn as they take on the Spartans in front of a rowdy Yost crowd.

Andrew Goddeeris, Adam Brewster, and Michael Lewandowksi on the call!

ALSO LIVE on 88.3 WCBN-FM Ann Arbor!

If Not Harbaugh...

It's never over 'till it's over with Harbaugh, but if in fact he is not coming, the guys at WCBN are divided over who they would like to see the Wolverines grab as a second choice. Our allegiances are as follows:

Gary Patterson: Tyler, Andy G, Chris L, Adam

Les Miles: Bill, Steve N, Joe, Kevin, Seth

Brady Hoke: Michael L, Steve P

Chris Peterson: Kudi

Pat Fitzgerald: Rushi, Roberto


We encourage all readers to post their choice for Michigan coach (assuming no Harbaugh) in the "comments" section.

5 Truths That Should Keep Us Grounded as a Fan Base

You have probably already made your judgment regarding the future of coach Rod, but before you make your verdict final, the facts behind what happened this year (and in years past) in college football should be examined.

1. Michigan was 22nd in total offense in college football this year with 34.3 points per game.
They averaged only 20 points per game against ranked teams (with only 7 points coming against OSU).

2. Rich Rodriguez's team lost to Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State this year.
He is now 0-9 against these teams as head coach of Michigan.

3. Michigan was 102nd in total defense this year surrendering 33.8 points per game.
Do we really need numbers here? Watching that defense was like repeatedly sticking a fork in your eye.

4. Michigan's record has gotten better every year.
3-9... 5-7 ....7-5 (7-6 with bowl game)

5. The Big Ten was not great this year.
Michigan's very average record this year cannot be excused by great in-conference competition. It's not that the Big Ten was necessarily bad, but did you see who went 11-1 in the regular season? Did you see any of the New Year's Day bowl games?...YIKES!

A Decision

It's going to be tough to keep perspective after that bowl game, but I've had enough: almost. I've been a big Rich Rodriguez supporter during my time as a student here at the University of Michigan, pointing out how the offense had emerged as a juggernaut under his leadership. Sure, we had no kicking game whatsoever, and yes we had a porous defense, but that was on account of the 6 true freshmen we were forced to start in the secondary. However, after the bowl game my arguments looked far weaker.

Yes, we have a great offense...against subpar teams. Michigan scored 17 against Michigan State, 7 versus Ohio State, and as we saw today, 14 against Mississippi state. There is no doubt that, with a young offense that will return nearly every starter next year, it will only get better. However, considering that Michigan played average against good teams, it will get better regardless of who the head coach is. Whether it is Rodriguez or Harbaugh (or someone else), the offense will be far above average, as long as Michigan makes a smart hire. I would think that Michigan would hire someone with a brain, who realizes that this offense is so dynamic that it does not need to be changed, and would thus keep the spread. If not, then the offense will indeed take a nosedive as Denard would most likely leave (it would make sense for him at least, as he would not be effective in a non-spread offense). Finally, my largest issue with Rodriguez today: after a solid month of preparation, that was how ready he had our offense? For an offensive "genius", 14 points against Mississippi state is not that impressive. I feel another coach could have done better. What needs to be changed the most is the other two-thirds of the program.

We all know that Rich Rodriguez was brought into this program for his offensive skill set, however the fact that offense is only one-third of a football team cannot be simply overlooked. Under his leadership, Michigan's defense has deteriorated. Yes, the youth plays a major role in that. Still, giving up 52 points to a mid-level SEC offense after a month of preparation is inexcusable. A lot of this will fall on Greg Robinson's head, and deservedly so. He deserves to be fired (and there is absolutely no way he's here next year). But the fact remains: the person who hired him to run the defense? Rodriguez. That is another factor under his control that he failed at: it is his job to hire the defensive coordinator, and he clearly picked the wrong individual (twice now when one remembers his first DC: Scott Shafer).

Finally, we have the third area: special teams. Is Gibbons/Broekhuizen the best Rodriguez could recruit during his three years here? At the same time, his decision to go for the 35 yd FG in the third quarter was ludicrous. It was a fourth and 5 at the 18 yard line. All the fans knew Gibbons was going to miss that kick, and indeed he did. The fact that Gibbons, who clearly was the best Kicker in practice the month before the bowl to have been given the kick in the first place, couldn't make a 35 yarder in pristine conditions shows just how far special teams had falled under Rodriguez.

Now, even after all of this, i'm still not all for firing him. I'm just typing out the thoughts that entered my head after this travesty of a bowl game. My final idea: I still do not mind Rodriguez being kept around for one more year to see if he, and a new set of coaches, can continue the development of the offense and improve both the special teams and the defense. However, after being completely in the keep Rich Rod camp all season long, I am now at least open to the idea of having another coach. I am no longer convinced that would be a terrible idea. As long as we hire a coach who has a proven pedigree on the defensive side of the ball and will keep the spread (and thus Denard Robinson) at the University of Michigan (or hire an offensive coordinator with experience in the spread) will have my support. But I do belive that Michigan will be making a mistake if they bring in a coach who wants a pro-style offense that leads Denard to leave the school (and i wouldn't blame him as he would not be effective in such an offense). It is now up to David Brandon to make a very difficult decision.

LISTEN LIVE: Hockey v. Colorado College in GLI Championship!

LISTEN LIVE at 7:35 as Michigan looks to capture its 14th GLI title versus the Tigers of Colorado College at Joe Louis Arena.

Andrew Goddeeris, Adam Brewster, and Michael Lewandowski on the call.

LISTEN LIVE: Hockey v. Michigan Tech @ Great Lakes Invitational!

LISTEN LIVE at 7:35 as the Wolverines look to take down the Huskies from MTU in the semifinals of the Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena!

Andrew Goddeeris, Adam Brewster, and Michael Lewandowski on the call.

LIVEBLOG: Basketball v. Purdue

LISTEN LIVE: Basketball v. Oakland

LISTEN LIVE at noon as the Michigan basketball team takes on the Oakland Grizzlies from Crisler!

Jack Warner and Andrew Goddeeris on the call.

LISTEN LIVE: The BIG CHILL at the BIG HOUSE!

LISTEN LIVE at 3 pm to the Big Chill at the Big House as Michigan hockey takes on Michigan State in front of a world record crowd in Ann Arbor.

Andrew Goddeeris, John Zaccardelli, Bill Rothwell, and Chris LaFreniere in the booth.

LISTEN LIVE: Basketball v. Utah

LISTEN LIVE tonight at 6:30 as the Michigan Wolverines look to continue their winning streak against the Utah Utes in a rematch from last season's ugly defeat.

Jack Warner and Adam Wilensky on the call.

Michigan vs. Concordia

Listen in as the Michigan Wolverines take on the Concordia Cardinals in basketball!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/university-of-michigan-athletics

We'll be on at about 7:30! Tyler Bruens, Steve Cook, and Jeff Turner with the call

LISTEN LIVE: Basketball v. Harvard

LISTEN LIVE to Tommy Amaker's homecoming as the Michigan Wolverines takes on the Crimson of Harvard at 1 pm.

Jack Warner, Andrew Goddeeris, Tyler Bruens, and Matt Bernstein on the call.

Josh Groban? Football? It better be game over for Rodriguez

Disclaimer: What you are about to read is both opinionated and offends good taste.

GAMETIME

In case you missed seeing it somewhere in the news, the Michigan football team had their annual end of the season banquet yesterday in Livonia. The most newsworthy of the events that occurred was a Rich Rodriguez speech in which he emotionally stated his strong desire to be a Michigan man. Something also to note was that Rodriguez had his team hold hands to the song "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban.

TIMEOUT

Josh Groban? Football?

Rich Rodriguez, based on my potentially biased opinion, has all but told us that he is out the door after the bowl game. If this is true, the Josh Groban song is acceptable because this banquet was like a funeral- the death of an era. People get teary and emotional at funerals, I understand. But the extent of my empathy is only contingent on the fact that Rich Rodriguez knows he's gone.

TIME IN

And if he doesn't know the status of his employment at the University of Michigan next year?

SHAME ON HIM. What's with this nonsense about Rich Rodriguez acting so soft in front of crowds? He moped about the NCAA allegations, he moped about his defensive woes all season, he moped about the injury problems on his team, and now this? Josh Groban?

Coach: Crying (or coming damn near it) never solved anything. If you don't know that you're going to get fired, then stop acting so feeble. It doesn't resonate well with fans, administration, or recruits.

When Tim Tebow's Florida Gators got beat in 2008 by an inferior Ole Miss team, potentially ruining a championship season, how long did he feel sorry for himself? About 5 minutes. Then he stood up in front of a crowd of media, delivered (regardless of what you think of Tim Tebow) a great speech about how hard the team the was going to work the rest of the season, and then got it done by winning a national championship. Tebow's leadership turned sorrow into determination.

And Rodriguez? Well, after months of having his tail between his legs in front of the media and alumni, it appears that it will remain there. This submissiveness, I'm sure, is doing wonders for the public's perception of him as a strong-minded football coach.

GAME OVER

Michigan had a winning record, but not a winning season. A winning season breeds optimism, support, and a determination to improve. Instead, the Michigan football team is currently surrounded by pessimism amongst supporters, de-committing recruits, and a student body that has the right to feel sorry themselves for having to live through the Dark Years of modern day Michigan football. When you're a junior at Michigan and you have yet to beat Michigan State, Penn State, or Ohio State, a little bit of wallowing in self-pity isn't hard to accomplish.

I can never fault a man for getting upset over losing his job, but as long as Rich Rodriguez is publicly known as the head coach of Michigan, he owes it to the Michigan fan base paying his multi-million dollar salary to act the part. Michigan fans are simple creatures: they like to win, and they like to be around people who are determined to win. Excuses, moping, and an affinity for Josh Groban, have not, and will not ever, fulfill this simple desire.