Had you believed reports on ESPN Monday that LSU coach Les Miles was going to take the Michigan job, you’d be surprised when he decided to remain in Baton Rouge.
Aside from the Worldwide Leader getting the story wrong as they’ve done with increasing regularity, the fact is Miles never had a serious decision to make.
While Michigan is one of the most storied programs in college football, it’s a program in transition. More specifically, it’s a program that’s in a second phase of transition now that Brady Hoke has replaced Rich Rodriguez.
For decades, the Wolverines were the epitome of Big Ten football. Former coaches Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr believed in the same things: run the ball, play tough defense and above all, be physical.
But when Rodriguez was hired to take over the program, the traditional Michigan style of football had to undergo a major transformation to fit his offense.
Three years of recruiting players that met the skill sets needed to run Rodriguez’ offense have effectively transformed the Wolverines roster, but the end results didn’t translate into victories.
With Tuesday’s announcement that former Carr assistant Hoke was hired to replace Rodriguez, Michigan may have found the right man for the job.
But if Hoke intends on returning the Wolverines to prominence by playing “Michigan football,” he’ll have to transform the roster again to do so.
And it’s that reason – among others – why Miles wouldn’t have taken the job regardless of what ESPN or anyone else is saying.
Miles has a legitimate shot to win another BCS national championship next season with LSU despite having one of the tougher schedules in the nation.
The Tigers are loaded with talent, have a plethora of returning starters on both sides of the ball and have another great recruiting class lined up.
Michigan doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of winning a national championship next season, or the following season or even into the middle of this decade.
The Wolverines do have 18 starters returning next season, but those starters – especially the eight returning on a horrible defense – aren’t molded to play “Michigan football.”
Michigan has received commitments from 13 prep prospects that Rodriguez believed would fit his style, meaning that in order for Hoke to get Michigan back to it’s traditional brand of football he’ll have to spend the next three years signing prospects to accomplish that goal.
Hoke has an unenviable task ahead of him in trying to turn around the Michigan football program.
All Miles has to do is stay out of his own way and learn how to manage the clock.
Brady Hoke may temporarily energize the Wolverines fan base, but we’ll find out how energized they are a few seasons down the road as Michigan struggles to become relevant again.
