1 E t . ;: zMx .:;, Weave it to Weaver The former Wolverine is dominating the minor leagues. See page 13. Mill: po WednesdayJ 1 July 26, 1995 slik.- --I&, I I/ 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