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8A - Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
4
Is Les more?
Name: Les Miles
Education: University of Michi-
gan
Experience: graduate assistant,
Michigan (1980-81); offensive line
coach, Colorado
(1982-86); offen- Second in
sive line coach,
Michigan (1987- a series of
94); offensive profiles of
coordinator, coaching
Oklahoma State c
(1995-97); tight candidates.
ends coach, Dal-
las Cowboys
(1998-2000); head coach, Oklahoma
State (2001-2004); head coach Loui-
siana State (2005-present).
Pros: Miles has a lot in his favor.
AP PHOTO He's a Michigan alum and played
Les Miles is believed by many to be Michigan's top candidate to replace Lloyd under revered coach Bo Schem-
Miles destined or the job
bechler in the 1970s. He turned
around a perennially awful Okla-
homa State program, leading itto
bowls in his final three years there.
Miles has also fielded one of the
country's top teams in his seasons
at Louisiana State, a high-profile
program like Michigan. He's won at
least 10 games and a bowl game in
each of his seasons in Baton Rouge.
With a record of 32-6 as the Tigers'
head coach, Miles has reached a
level of success Michigan desires.
Cons: Some have questioned
Miles's in-game coaching decisions.
He went for five fourth-down con-
versions against Florida (succeeding
on all of them) and chose to attempt
a long pass with 13 seconds left
and his team trailing by one point
against Auburn. The pass was com-
pleted for a touchdown with one
second to spare,butnmany wondered
why Miles didn't simply attempt a
39-yard field goal for the win.
Why he'll get it: Miles simply
appears to be the best candidate for
the job. He has almost every qualifi-
cation Athletic Director Bill Martin
cited. He's been a successful head
coach at every stop, he has Midwest
ties, he wants to coach at Michigan
and he understands the Michigan
football program. Miles has made it
known that coaching at Michigan is
his dream, and it's unlikely another
coach with his pedigree (of which
there are few) would leave his cur-
rent post to come to the Wolverines.
Why he won't: There have been
questions about Miles' ethics on
the recruiting trail. Some jokingly
called him "Loose Morals" in the
past, and Martin wants to protect
the integrity of the program above
all else. But these rumblings have
quieted recently, and many have
vouched for Miles' honesty. But out-
going Michigan coach Lloyd Carr
is thought not to get along with the
Louisiana State coach (Miles "stole"
prize recruit Jai Eugene from Carr
in 2006), and Carr is rumored to
have a serious role in the coaching
search. Martin also said he'd like to
clone Carr for his next head coach,
and if Carr doesn't like Miles, that
would diminish Miles' chances.
What people are saying: "I
can't tell you my appreciation. My
wife, my first born, my entire life is
marked by my time at Michigan."
- Les Miles
4
Not buying the hype
es Miles, it's time for you to
come home. The dream job
you've
raved about -
your whole life
is open for just
the third time
in 40 years.
And it's not
only open, but
it's calling your SCOTT
name. BELL
But before
you come, you Pro-Miles
need to realize
this: Some peo- ple aren't too
high on you.
The naysayers will claim you're
overrated. They'll say you've never
coached a ieam whose seniors you
recruited, that you simply benefit
fromothers'gooddecisions.They'll
say you've shown "Loose Morals"
on the recruiting trail, that you've
looked the other way when it comes
to disciplinary issues. They'll say
you're not the Michigan Man you
make yourself out tobe.
And while you may not be per-
fect, that doesn't mean you're
not perfect for this job. Because
if the most powerful post within
Fort Schembechler was specifi-
cally designed for anyone, it's been
molded for you.
Does Athletic Director Bill Mar-
tin need someone who attracts the
old guard - those who grew up in
the heat of Bo and Woody's 10 Year
War? How about someone who
played and coached under Schem-
bechler, someone who knows his
Yosts from his Crislers and his
Oosterbaans from his Kipkes?
Does he also need someone who
appeals to the new school - those
who consistently whined about
Lloyd Carr's conservative playcal-
ling? How about someone who
doesn't think twice about thinking
outside the box, someone who tells
sideline reporters his offensive
philosophy is to "Let'er rip?"
Does anyone you know fit that
mold, Les?
The fact that you're not already
embraced by everynmember of Wol-
verine Nation is a travesty. When
Carr announced his retirement
last week, you were coaching the
nation's No. 1 team, just a couple
games short of giving Louisiana
State its second National Champi-
onship in a half century. But when
you were asked about the Michigan
job, you refused to deny interest in
it. You even teared up toward the L es Miles is a Michigan
end of your press conference. Man.
It's kind of ironic, someone with J I
a sketch reputation refused to sit think I've
there and lie to reporters about a heard just
potential job offer. Not only is that about enough
rarity within your current program of that. OK,
(see Nick Saban), but it's something everyone
not seen throughout most of col- knows his
lege football these days (see practi- bio. He played
cally everyone else). and coached KEVIN
Classy, do-the-right-thing under Michi- WRIGHT
coaches are uncommon these days. gan legend
People like Schembechler, Carr Bo Schem- Anti-Miles
and hmm ... I'm sensing a trend bechler. And
here. Possibly a chronology? for most Wol-
in the era of coaches taking verine fans, that's good enough to
high-profile jobs just to use them go out and hand Miles the job on a
as stepping stones for even bigger silver platter.
jobs, Bill Martin needs to evaluate The "Michigan Man" thing
who is interested in the Michigan has been overhyped since the day
job for the right reasons. Miles was rumored to be com-
Willyou bolt for so-called green- ing to Ann Arbor to replace Lloyd
er pastures? That would be kind Carr. Just because he knows
of hard for you to do, considering what Schembechler was all about
there's no such thing in your mind. doesn't mean he's the perfect fit
Michigan is and always has been for the Wolverines.
your dream job. Apparently character shouldn't
Now it's just time for that dream matter that much, or Iowa coach
to become a reality. Kirk Ferentz would have more
support.
- Bell can be reached at Miles doesn't have a spotless
scottebrs umich.edu. record in that category.
Michigan running backs coach
Fred Jacksonhasrecruited against
him in the South. He didn't say it
outright, but he wasn't quick to
squelch the rumors about some
of Miles's shady practices on the
recruiting trail.
Does Michigan really need a
guy who has a reputation like that
to go to the National Champion-
ship Game?
Maybe.
But are you willing to sacrifice
integrity in the coaching staff so
you can brag about returning to
college football's elite status?
Even overlooking Miles's
recruiting practices, is he really
that good? His Louisiana State
team, clearly the most talented in
the nation, has lost two games (on
the road at Kentucky and at home
against Arkansas) this season in
triple overtimeto knock theTigers
out of the National Champion-
ship picture. And don't forget he
needed some miraculous fourth-
down conversions to pull out wins
against Florida and Auburn.
His team is spilling over with
talent, and he's kept the Louisiana
State program a national contend-
er in the post-Nick Saban era, but
he still hasn't captured a National
Championship, something Carr
collected in his third season atthe
helm in Ann Arbor.
Yes, you're enamored by Miles
because he's gutsy, takes as many
risks as he can get away with and
is emotional on the sideline. He
has a personality, and that much
I like. But there's something to be
said about being wary of the hot-
topic candidate. He may be talked
about a lot, but that doesn't mean
he automatically inherits the job.
Oh yeah, for all those worried
about beating Ohio State, Miles
didn't fare that well the only time
he faced the Buckeyes. His Okla-
homa State team was demolished
33-7 in the Alamo Bowl in 2004 by
Ohio State.
Sure, he was coaching Okla-
homa State, a far cry from having
the talent Michigan draws every
year, but it is still something to
consider.
Miles is definitely a Michigan
Man - there's no contending that.
But one question should be asked:
Is he the right Michigan Man?
- Wright can be reached
at kpwr@umich.edu.
4
I
Regardless of age, 'M' gelling together
a
ByANDYREID all of the 12 freshmen on this year's
DailySports Writer roster.
Freshmen like forwards Max
In 1961, the Michigan hockey Pacioretty (12 points, plus-11) and
team, led by then-senior Red Beren- Carl Hagelin (eight points, plus-
son, jumped out to an amazing 16-1 nine) and defenseman Chad Langlais
start. (plus-six) have made a significant
This year's Wolverine squad, with impact in all 14 games so far, but no
Berenson behind the bench, has single freshman has built up more
recorded its beststart since (13-1). star power than the others yet.
While Berenson couldn't remem- In years prior, the Wolverines
ber the specifics from 46 years ago, boastedbignames like Jack Johnson,
he does remember how important Jeff Tambellini and Brendan Morri-
chemistry is to ateam's success. son. With so many freshmen, Michi-
"The playing time is your best gan has risen beyond individual
time," Berenson said. "When you're honors, freshman Matt Rust said.
player and your team is doing well, "There's just something there that
it's like a big family. And you can you know everyone wants to come
sense the fun that they're having together and have the team be suc-
with their success. And you're going cessful," Rust said. "I mean, a lot of
to school. I mean, it's the best time of teams have certain individuals that
your life." want to do better, and kind of con-
But the low expectations that centrateon their own. But I think our
come with having a generally unrec- team has really come together."
ognizable roster could be Michigan's Added fellow freshman Scooter
biggest strength. Some on the team Vaughan: "We're just 26 guys getting
attribute the Wolverines' start toan along and havingfun and winning."
easy schedule - Minnesota is the Even though players say individual
only team Michigan has played with honors aren't a hot topic in the locker
a winning record - but the early- room, it's not exactly a secret that
season success the Wolverines have senior Kevin Porter is an early can-
enjoyed wouldn't have been possible didate for the Hobey Baker Award,
without the key contributions from college hockey's version of football's
Heisman Trophy.
But instead of becoming a big-
ger-than-the-team personality, Por-
ter has used his leadership role to
bring the team closer. Many on the
team throw out the word "family"
to describe the bond the Wolverines
have formed, even with the indi-
vidual honors Porter has picked up
through the weeks.
"The media is always quick to
surround the players that are doing
well," Berenson said. "All of a sudden
they're getting a lot of attention, and
then other players can get jealous
or feel left out or feel unimportant.
Even with the success of Porter, this
team is sticking together as a team.
They're all about'we."'
The question, then, becomes how
long can Michigan keep this pace up
beforeitsyyouth catchesoupWith four
games against CCHA bottom dwell-
ers Ohio State and Bowling Green
- three of which will be in Yost Ice
Arena - before the Great Lakes Invi-
tatiousal, thor Wolverinues could be
looking to break the nark Berenson
and Co. set his senior season.
"Who would've known with
these freshmen, with this group of
guys, that we'd be doing what we're
doing?" Berenson said.
Sophomore forward Ekpe Udoh has taken on a new mindset under Michigan coach John Beilein's guidance.
With new attitude, Udoh looks
to boost Blue in challenge
a
0
By DAN FELDMAN
Daily Sports Writer
You can tell a lot about Ekpe
Udoh, a career 53-percent free
throw shooter, by his practice
habits at the charity stripe.
In an early-season practice, the
sophomore sulked and seemed
despondent as he hoisted free
throws. When Michigan coach
John Beilein told him to make
sure his feet were wider than his
shoulders, he seemed almost dis-
interested in the advice.
But as yesterday's practice
closed and Beilein worked with
Udoh on his free throws, therewas
a markedly different look on the
center's face. He looked engaged,
hanging on Beilein's every word
as the coach explained the nuanc-
es of a proper release.
The change in attitude is no
accident. Udoh was sitting in his
dorm room before the George-
town game and came to a realiza-
tion.
"I justwasn't liking the way I
was playing," Udoh said. "I just
got fed up with myself, so I had to
change.
"I've changed my attitude since
the beginning ... by just doing all
the little things. The little things
progress to the bigthings."
The Wolverines (3-3) will need
Udoh's more focused play to
continue when they play Boston
College (4-0) tonight in the Big
Ten/ACC Challenge, a game stu-
dents can print off a free voucher
for at www.ngoblue.com/student-
voucher.
The Eagles, picked to finish
eighth in their conference, are led
by junior point guard Tyrese Rice
(21.3 points per game, all-ACC
preseason first-team) and fresh-
man shooting guard Rakim Sand-
ers (16.3 points per game) - a pair
of slashers.
Beilein said the area his team
needs the most work on is on-the-
ball defense, staying in front of
quick guards, so Udoh's 7-foot-3
wingspan will be particularly
important in the middle of the 1-
3-1 zone defense.
And Boston College's starting
frontcourt - Tyrelle Blair (b-foot-
11, 242 pounds), Shamoari Spears
(6-foot-6, 238 pounds) and Tyler
Roche (6-foot-7, 220 pounds)
- seems like it could physically
dominate Michigan. But, Udoh's
defensive tools will also offer
help, especially since he's more
active than earlier in the season.
"When it comes to rebounding
with Boston College and some of
the bigger, stronger, thicker teams
we'll play, we just got to try to
muck out these loose ones, tap it
to ourselves," Beilein said. "We're
not going to end up out-muscling
people, but if we use our quick-
ness, and effort area ishuge, ...
that gives you a chance to win."
The change in demeanor hasn't
gone unnoticed. Udoh, who many
expected would start this season,
has come off the bench in every
game. But he started the second
half for the first time against
Western Kentucky Saturday.
"That told me I was doing all
right," Udoh said. "But I've always
got to do better."
With that attitude, he may even
progress inthe weakest part ofhis
game.
"His foul shooting has not been
good," Beilein said. "It will come
around. I like what I see with him,
but it's not going to get fixed in a
day. And it's not going to be fixed
overnight. But it's something I
know he'll work at."
-I
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