4 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 B BEANER'S I'BEANER'S COFFEE FCOFFEE FREE EREE Fi o l. al Good at AnnArbor locations only. Not good with any other offer. No Good at Ann Arbor locations only. Not good with any other offer. No copies of this coupon will be accepted. Offer expires Nov. 28, 2007. Icopies of this coupon will be accepted. Offer expires Nov. 28, 2007 a