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Weave it to Weaver
The former Wolverine is
dominating the minor leagues.
See page 13.
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WednesdayJ 1
July 26, 1995
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Freehan heads for home
'M' baseball coach calls it quits
wants to 're-evaluate' his futurc
By John Leroi
Daily Sports Editor
Michigan Athletic Director Joe
Roberson accepted his second letter of
resignation from a high profle head
coach last Wednesday. This time it came
from baseball coach Bill Freehan.
Freehan is leaving the athletic pro-
gram less than two months after football
coach Gary Moeller resigned.
And after six less-than-successful
seasons, the former Wolverine catcher
s has decided that it's time for him to leave
college baseball.
"Bill has indicated that it is time for
him to move on," Roberson said. "He
came to Michigan as the baseball coach
at a time when Michigan's baseball fu-
ture was very much in doubt.
"Bill Freehan gave our program in-
stant credibility, restored its integrity, re-
established its basic values and kept it
competitive - all within the rules by
which college baseball is governed."
Freehan was unavailable for com-
ment but said in a press release that he
"will always be a supporter of the Uni-
versity of Michigan and its athletic pro-
grams - especially baseball. At this
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily time, my wife andI have decided that it
Former Michigan baseball coach Bill Freehan was with the club for six years. is time to re-evaluate our future."
Assistant coach Art "Ace" Adams,
who has been with the program for all six
years of Freehan's tenure, will act as in-
terim head coach. A search for a new
head coach will begin when Assistant
Athletic Director Fritz Seyferth, who
oversees the baseball program, returns
from vacation.
Freehan en-
dured a rocky six
years with the
Wolverines. He
came to Michigan
in the fall of 1989,
after the Wolver-
ines had won
eight of the last 10
Big Ten champi-
Freehan onships and fin-
ished second twice.
But in Freehan's inaugural season
the baseball program was entering its
first year of an NCAA probation for vio-
lations committed under former coach
Bud Middaugh.
Freehan and his staff struggled
through the two-year probation as well
as a reduction in scholarships and a
stranglehold on off-campus recruiting
visits.
But Freehan plowed on and still
managed to pull out fifth-place Big
finishes in his first two seasons. But,
1992 the program hit rock bottom, Ian
ing in an eighth-place tie in the confe
ence and finishing with a sub-.500 ov
all record for the first time since 1970.
In 1993, the Wolverines werer
much better, ending the Big Ten seas<
in seventh. But in 1994, Freehan guid
a young and talented team to a thir
place tie in the conference standings d
spite a 13-15 Big Ten record and a 4
ner-up finish in the Big Ten toumamei
Last season, the Wolverines finish
with a24-30 record, their third consecuti
losing season. Freehan had had enough.
In February, The Michigan Daily r
ported that then-assistant coach D,
O'Brien, Freehan's brother-in-law, h
gone to the Athletic Department with -
legations against Freehan and the bas
ball program.
O'Brien alleged that Freehan ha
fered pizzas and other food, as we
rides in his sports carto players for go
performances.
The Athletic Department conduct
an investigation and reported their fin
ings to the NCAA. The violations we
deemed "secondary" and the progra
SEE FREEHAN, PAGEI
Pigski Classic good
test for participants
By Nicholas J. Cotsonika "We are absolutely delighted to play
Daily Sports Editor Michigan," Welsh said last week before
DETROIT - The first game of the the Pigskin Classic Luncheon. "It was
collegiate football season could be a final certainly good news for us to be picked.
exam for Lloyd Carr and George Welsh. Win or lose, this game will help us."
The Pigskin Carr feels the
Classic will be a test same way. "It will
for Carr's Wolver- I be good to play a
ines. Can they over- The first collegiate football quality opponent
come the loss of game of the 1995 season. like Virginia right
f.soer head coach Michigan Stadium off the bat," he said.
Gary Moeller, Sat., Aug. 26. 12 p.m. Michigan will be
tailback Tyrone ABC (Ch. 7) handing off the quar-
Wheatley and quar- Michigan Wolverines vs. terback duties to
terback Todd Virginia Cavaliers sophomore Scott
Collins? Dreisbach, who has
Welsh has some questions of his never attempted a pass in a game, and the
ofn. Can he finally beat Michigan after Cavaliers defense should give the Wol-
losing six-straight? Are his Cavaliers verines coaches ample opportunity to eval-
ready to play in the Big House? SEE CtASSIc, PAGE 14
-k SPORTING VIEWS:
Loose, ready
Michigan will~
surprse som
fans this fall
By Nicholas J. Cotsonika
SDaily Sports Editor
y DETROIT - Lloyd Carr stood a
step or two behind Virginia coach
George Welsh, hands folded neatly at
his belt, looking like he belonged
somewhere else.
Michigan's newest football coach
doesn't seem to feel at home yet. Last
week, at a press conference before the
Pigskin Classic Luncheon at the Detroit
Athletic Club, Carr was a little timidO
But he definitely wasn't lost. The
coach has direction, the one he gave
MIKE FITZHUGH/Daily when he replaced his good friend Gard
idly during the Pigskin Classic. SEE VIEwS, PAGE 1
Lloyd Carr and George Welsh won't be so frien