OSG High: Michigan Recruit Involved In Second Plane Crash

((HT: MyFoxDetroit))

Ten days ago, Indiana high school basketball star Austin Hatch declared to play for the University of Michigan. Now, he is hospitalized in critical condition after a plane crash that killed his father and step-mother. Sadly and ironically, Hatch and his dad survived another crash in 2003 that killed his mother and two siblings.

"We are saddened to hear about another tragedy that has affected the Hatch family," Michigan coach John Beilein said in a statement. "Austin needs as much support right now as possible and I know he will be in the thoughts and prayers of the Michigan family during this difficult time."

His father received a private pilot certificate in 1997, according to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. The single-engine aircraft he was piloting, with three passengers, crashed into a garage Friday night in the Michigan town of Charlevoix.

Hatch is currently in a medically-induced coma...

Here's the latest from our friends at MyFoxDetroit...

UM Basketball Recruit Survives Second Plane Crash: MyFoxDETROIT.com

And from Max Resnick over at the IndianasNewsCenter in Fort Wayne where Hatch was going to school...

Robert "Tractor" Traylor Found Dead In Puerto Rico

Robert "Tractor" Traylor was a large man whose Michigan basketball uniform busted at the seems. Unfortunately I must say was because Traylor was found dead Wednesday in
San Juan, Puerto Rico of an apparent heart attack, he was 34.

Team manager Jose Carlos Perez told The Associated Press that Traylor was on the phone with his wife who was in Chicago when they were cut off. She called for someone to check on her husband.

Trailer was a star at Michigan and then drafted by the Dallas Mavericks as the sixth pick in the 1998 NBA draft. Traylor played for the Mavericks,Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers,Charlotte Bobcats and New Orleans Hornets in seven years in the NBA.

He had be playing for the Bayamon Cowboys and play in the BSN league in Puerto Rico. Traylor had been injured and not playing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Traylor's wife, two sons and the rest of his family.

Tate Forcier heading to Miami

Tate Forcier/Courtesy: annarbor.com

Now former Michigan quarterback and one-time savior of the program, Tate Forcier will be taking his talents to South Beach.

Forcier, and the University of Miami announced today that the current sophomore will request financial aid so he can enroll at the the "U" immediately. He'll have to sit out in 2011, but will still have two years of eligibility come 2012.

Read more from the Miami Herald RIGHT HERE

Forcier, at one point was thought to be the guy who would resuscitate the sinking Michigan football program. He started all 12-games as a freshman, leading the Wolverines to a 5-7 record. He was beaten out last year by freshman phenom Denard Robinson.

The 'Canes, for their part can use the help. New coach Al Golden faces a rebuilding process as well, the "U" hasn't lived up to their self-imposed lofty reputation much of late either. Maybe Forcier can be part of that rebuilding program.

Here's a highlight reel from 2009, back when the Michigan faithful thought Forcier was their guy. How quickly things change:

Breaking News: Brady Hoke will get the Michigan job

Brady Hoke/Courtesy: K.C Alfred/San Diego Tribune

((UPDATE))--The University of Michigan's website now has an official release naming Brady Hoke as their new coach. READ IT HERE--Guess we should have waited 5 minutes before posting this story originally.

We've said this a couple of times in the past week or so and it looks like we were correct. Now that the "Mad Hatter", Les Miles decided against returning to his alma mater, the wandering Michigan brain trust that includes AD Dave Brandon is heading to Southern California.

The reason. To hire San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke. Hoke, a former assistant in Ann Arbor, doesn't have the bloodline that Jim Harbaugh or Les Miles does, but may in fact be just as good a fit. And yes, it's true, Hoke has told the folks at SDSU and others that his dream job is to be the coach at Michigan.

Read more from Freep.com RIGHT HERE

The San Diego Tribune thinks Hoke will be the man too read it, RIGHT HERE

For what it's worth, the Michigan alums will not understand why they have to settle for a guy like Brady Hoke. They may be in for a surprise. The Michigan program at the moment is nothing like it used to be. The luster is gone. The ability to draw from what Big 10 people think is an equal conference like the SEC...ain't happening. No, they have to get what they can and quite honestly, Hoke ain't so bad.

He's succeeded at Ball State and at San Diego State in a relatively short period of time. Michigan, while not horrible, should be able to make a similar move with the right guy. We think that guy is Hoke.

In the meantime, stay tuned, it's just a matter of time...or days before this announcement is made. If it isn't, Dave Brandon, you've got a "Big" problem.

Here's how our friends at WXYZ-TV in Detroit are covering the story...


Michigan folks, here's Big Brady on David Letterman's show back when Hoke coached Ball State:

Les Miles has already talked to Michigan, will job offer follow?

Les Miles his ownself/Courtesy: coacheshotseat.com

Well, it appears the stories of LSU head coach Les Miles going and/or speaking to the folks from Michigan on Tuesday, may be a bit late.

Apparently, the story we reported yesterday about the Michigan plane being in Baton Rouge was correct. We say that because it appears that Wolverine AD and former teammate of Miles, Dave Brandon was in Baton Rouge and he and Miles spoke...yesterday (Monday).

Now, while the reports are that if offered, Miles will take the job, haven't been confirmed...we are told Brandon left town and Miles isn't his coach....yet.

The Baton Rouge Advocate tells us what's up RIGHT HERE

Read more from lsureveille RIGHT HERE

According to both reports, Miles will be heading to Dallas today for the American Football Coaches Association Convention....and while things still look like they will happen for the Mad Hatter, they haven't happened yet.

The Detroit News caught up with Brandon when he got home Monday night. You can read that story RIGHT HERE

Well, one of two things are happening here. Either Michigan isn't throwing all their eggs in Miles' basket or the deal is just a formality. We do think Lester is the leader in the clubhouse, but it's far from over. If Brandon learned anything from the Jim Harbaugh fiasco, we hope it's that he needs to have a plan B. We said yesterday that Plan B is Brady Hoke, we aren't wavering from that.

Either way, we expect this search to be over and one more slot on the Carousel to be filled by the end of the week.

The story from WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge:

Michigan plane in Baton Rouge...Les Miles could be on agenda...

Michigan looking Lear Jet in Baton Rouge/Courtesy: Gavin Jackson/theadvocate.com

Yeah. He probably will. Michigan is still convinced they are a primo job and will continue pursuing the biggest of the big name coaches.

Michigan, may in fact, already be putting the full-court press on. The Baton Rouge Advocate is reporting that a Lear Jet with Michigan logos was parked at their airport early this morning.

Check out their story RIGHT HERE

The Detroit News says Michigan AD Dave Brandon and Miles will be speaking on Tuesday

The story, from Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News RIGHT HERE

We know that Les, a Michigan grad, got the "Full-Court" press treatment back in 2007, there were a variety of rumors floating around in December of that year. Enough rumors, that we were actually in attendance our own-selves when Miles had to call a last minute press conference before the SEC Championship game to say "I'm not leaving". That would be the famous "Have a GREAT DAY" presser.



We believe that Michigan is seriously pursuing Les Miles for their job. And on several levels, it might actually happen. We know he's less than thrilled with the grief he gets if he doesn't win every game. We know the LSU faithful are impatiently waiting for another SEC title. We know they don't like that Auburn and Alabama have seemingly passed them by. Though, it is generally considered that LSU is going to be really, really good next season.

However, we think when push comes to shove, LSU will step up and keep the Mad Hatter in Baton Rouge. We think for Michigan, they are going to end up pursuing...and ultimately getting Brady Hoke of San Diego State and a Michigan grad. He's not their first choice and many Michigan alums will think he's not ready for the job. We disagree. He's the perfect choice, he's had success at SDSU and while it will take awhile to fix Rich Rod's mess in Ann Arbor, Hoke is the best choice to do it.

This is why, Les Miles may be our favorite press conference coach of all time...

NCAA Silly Season Continues... Friday Update...

Today we can add three Alabama players- Alabama running back Mark Ingram, defensive lineman Marcell Dareus and wide receiver Julio Jones say they're entering the NFL draft.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower says he is returning to school.
Coach Nick Saban says each player made the right decision.

This adds to the total of: Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett
((HT: KTHV-TV Little Rock))


UCLA's Rahim Moore, and according to FOSG Kelin Johnson, the HQ is supposed to keep an eye on three UGA players- AJ Green, Justin Houston, and Brandon Boykin...

Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles is staying... which means the Sooners will, probably, be ranked Pre-season Number One

Newsok.com's Jenni Carlson and FOSG Berry Tramel discuss Monday's game for us instead...
((HT: Newsok.com))


Coaching Carousel: Pat Fitzgerald is NOT leaving Northwestern for Michigan and neither is Bo Pelini...

But Dan Mullen's staff takes a huge hit as Manny Diaz leaves Miss State and moves over to Texas to be DC for Mack Brown...
((HT KXAN-TV Austin))

Longhorns introduce DC Diaz: kxan.com

More when we know more...

DEVELOPING: Okay, Now Rich Rod Really Is Fired...

Not that this is a shock or anything...

Looks like current San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke may be the leader in the clubhouse...

Here's coverage from WXYZ-TV in Detroit...


“I made this decision last night and I’m a disciplined guy. I’ve said all along I appreciate the opportunity when the season is over to sit down and do a thorough review. I spent an awful lot of time putting together a lot of information. Rich and I sat down together for 3 ½ hours and you don’t do that if you go into the meeting with some preconceived notion as to how the meeting is going to end. I wanted to hear from the coach. I wanted to discuss some things that were important for me to know and I wanted to have an evening to reflect on that, and that’s exactly what I did. Anyone who suggests differently, doesn’t know what they are talking about,” said Michigan AD Dave Brandon.

And now HIS job rests on the next hire...

Joe Schad is saying that Rich-Rod is not part of the Pitt search to replace Mike Haywood. It looks like the early contenders there are: Alabama associate head coach Sal Sunseri, Tulsa coach Todd Graham, Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and former Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin

BREAKING: Rich Rodriguez Fired At Michigan, Team Meeting Postponed

For Michigan fans, the end of the Rich Rodriguez era is here. Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon decided to fire Rodriguez in a meeting between the two Tuesday afternoon.

It his contract with the University of Michigan, Rodriguez is due a $2.5 million buyout should the University fire him. They have and the check is in the mail.

A team meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm tonight.

Here's Rich Rodriguez's legacy at Michigan.

* A record of 15-22 overall and 6-18 in the Big Ten. He lost all three of his games to Michigan State and Ohio State.

* An end to Michigan’s streak of playing in a bowl every season since 1975. He missed a bowl each of his first two seasons and this season lost to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, 52-14, the worst bowl loss in school history.

* The first losing season at Michigan in more than 40 years. His first team went 3-9; Michigan's last losing season, at 4-6, had come under Bump Elliott in 1967.

* Three years of NCAA probation for five major violations. The storied program had never been on probation. (Source: Detroit Free Press)

http://www.freep.com/article/20110104/SPORTS06/110104047/Michigan-decides-to-fire-football-coach-Rich-Rodriguez#ixzz1A6KalTF0

You think Jim Harbaugh is a candidate? Well the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Harbaugh would not accept an offer if it became available.

Michigan could turn to Brady Hoke at San Diego State or Les Miles at LSU, both are Michigan alums.

The college coaching carousal has just spun out of control with one of college football's brand names searching for a coach.

Photo Courtesy:KIRTHMON F. DOZIER/Detroit Free Press

1815 UPDATE: Michigan has postponed the players meeting after coach Rich Rodriguez met with AD Brandon.

Rodriguez normally holds the meeting the night before classes resume each semester. Defensive back James Rogers told the local press that the meeting was rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Beware The Sidelines: Just Ask Don Shane

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

As most of us at the HQ can attest, being on the sidelines at football games can really put your life into your hands...

I'll let Brothers Phil, Wilkie, and J-Dub elaborate on their own issues, but my instances come to two. One was at a Florida-Florida State game at the Swamp one year where my shooter ((FOSG Keith Williams, currently working in DC)) wore his garnet-colored t-shirt alerting the faithful where he went to school and made a point to scream as he walked along the 20-yard line:

"This is MY house!"

The other was when I was shooting a Brown-Dartmouth game a long time ago in Providence. They didn't have the sidelines marked as most colleges do now. But let's just say that when the Mean Green ran "student body left" two times in a row right at me, you can see a winter coat stiff-arm some poor college kid the second he cleared the out of bounds marker on the videotape.

**From Bro. Phil**--In 20 years of shooting sports, only 2 incidents of serious contact. One was at a Georgia football game in 2003. Shooting in the end zone and UGA WR Fred Gibson comes crashing into the back of the end zone, the result of being blocked. Gibson hits me and bounces backwards 3-yards on his back into the end zone. Me, I fell into the hedges and never went down. (Me 6-5, 240, Fred 6-3 180). 


Two was at an Orlando Magic game back in the early 90's when Derrick Coleman slid into me on the baseline...again, even though he was bigger, he somehow got the worst of it....


Which brings us to WXYZ-TV/Detroit Sports Director Don Shane ((pictured at the moment of impact, thanks WXYZ their ownselves))

He took Tate Forcier's helmet right in the chops at some moment in the latter stages of overtime. Shane's head hit the turf, and he had his lip cut wide open- good enough for four stitches.

Here's his postgame with Tate Forcier where the Wolverines QB realizes just what he's done...


Shane got a full range of concussion tests, and he's okay so far...
We salute your fortitude, sir...

((J-Dub update)) Here's XYZ sports anchor Tom Leyden's take on the Forcier hit on his boss...

TWTW: Denard Robinson Saves Michigan Again, 42-35 At Indiana

((HT: WXIN-TV/Fox 59 Indianapolis))

Michigan drove down the field in the final 75 seconds, breaking a tie when Denard Robinson scored from four yards out to beat Indiana 42-35 in front of a sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium.

"I'm really disappointed for our kids," said Indiana head coach Bill Lynch. "I thought they had great effort and kept battling the whole time. We played a very, very good football team with some great players."

The freshman quarterback ((that would be Robinson)), considered an early front runner for the Heisman Trophy, finished with 217 yards rushing on 17 carries with two scores. He also went 10-of-16 for 277 yards and three TD's through the air.

That's almost another 500 yard all-purpose outing, kids...

Brittany Diehl delivers the bad news from a dark Bloomington
 

TWTW: Michigan Survives Robinson Scare, Takes Out Bowling Green

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

Both Michigan QB's Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier were injured in Michigan's 65-21 win over Bowling Green.

Robinson twisted his left knee after a 46-yard run in the first quarter and didn't return. Forcier left the game in the fourth quarter after also hurting his left knee.

The Wolverines have won their first four games for the second straight season, but everyone remembers they finished 5-7 last year.

Bowling Green (1-3) gave up the first 21 points of the game in the first quarter, then got to within a touchdown with 5:07 left in the first half.

Then, it wasn't even close as the Big 10/11/12-MAC Showcase continued in other 10/11/12 locales...

Here's your postgame with RichRod...
The first question, obviously, is why Denard Robinson wasn't kept in the game...

Lucky Or Good...? Michigan Holds Off UMass

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

That's the question for Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez after yet another Appalachian State flashback that almost came true Saturday.

Denard Robinson had 345 yards of total offense and three touchdowns as he continued his early Heisman push. Robinson was 10 of 14 for 241 yards passing and hooked up with Darryl Stonum for TDs 45 seconds apart late in the first half. He also ran 17 times for 104 yards and a score that put the Wolverines ahead 35-17 midway through the third quarter.

UMass scored to get within five points with 2:05 left, but their onside kick went out of bounds and Michigan ran out the clock. They even led by 10 early and had a chance to do the same thing AppState did three years ago.

Here's your postgame...


We still think RichRod is gone after this year...

Rumeal Robinson Resurfaces and is Convicted of Fraud

Rumeal Robinson/Courtesy: rushthecourt.net

Those who followed NCAA basketball back in the late 80's and early 90's, probably remember the name Rumeal Robinson.

Robinson was the point guard on the Michigan "Fab 5" team in 1989. Robinson was at first round draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks the next year. Robinson is now heading to jail in central Iowa. The reason: he was found guilty on 11 counts in an Iowa federal court today.

More from KCCI.com RIGHT HERE

The case itself dates back several years and is sad ending to Robinson's civilian life. No, he wasn't particularly successful in the NBA. While he was good at handling the ball and passing, he couldn't shoot very well (being polite) and his NBA career didn't last very long.

 For those wondering just who Rumeal Robinson is, here is a video from the 1989 Final Four. Thanks YouTube:

BREAKING NEWS: Michigan Football Out Of Compliance

The NCAA says Tuesday afternoon that University of Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez's program was out of compliance with practice time rules.

Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman was accompanied by incoming athletic director David Brandon and head football coach Rich Rodriguez, at a 1PM press conference.
Brandon said there were no surprises in the NCAA findings. He also says Rodriguez remains the coach.

((Rich Rodriguez today//Courtesy: Andre J. Jackson/Detroit Free-Press))

Michigan has 90 days to respond and will appear at an NCAA hearing on infractions in August. The school is also checking in to how its investigation matches up with the NCAA findings and will consider self-imposed sanctions.

The NCAA began investigating the program following a Detroit Free Press report back in August where current and former players said they were forced to exceed NCAA limits on training and practice hours.

Read the Freep report here...

The report, now released, wasn't pretty. The outlined 5 different major violations in the football program. In fact they correlated the Free Press report from August.

Today's story from the Freep is RIGHT HERE

The laundry list includes:

(1) Exceeding the allowed number of coaches by 5.

(2) Permitting staff to monitor and conduct voluntary summer

workouts outside the season and requiring players to participate in summer conditioning for disciplinary purposes etc.

(3) Graduate Assistant Coach Alex Herron provided "False and

misleading information to the school and enforcement staff: he

lied to them.

(4) Coach Rich Rodriguez didn't monitor any of this.

(5) The Athletic Department also didn't monitor any of this

The school has 90 days to respond to the NCAA and will appear in front of the committee in August to find out their punishment. The scary part of all this is the emphasis by Brandon that Rodriguez will still be the coach at Michigan next year. His regime to this point has been somewhat of a failure with barely a winning record.

Here's RichRod from the presser, thanks to our friends at WXYZ-TV in Detroit

TWTW: Remembering Stefanie, OSU Takes Out Michigan

((HT: WBNS-TV))

It was a game of stickers, throwbacks, and pink buckeyes...

Ohio State broke out the old unis for their game against Michigan. The Buckeyes won it 21-10, but this year's game was more about someone and her fight with breast cancer.

Stefanie Spielman, wife of OSU and NFL linebacker Chris, lost her fight with cancer at the age of 42.

Those of us at OSG HQ choose to acknowledge that a game was played...
We choose to recognize that Michigan is an average football university at best...

But we also choose to remember what's important...

Andrea Cambern and Jerry Revish anchor coverage...

TWTW: Iowa Causes Wolverine Blackout 30-21

((HT: Des Moines Register/Logue))

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ have their first 6-0 start since 1985 — not to mention their first victory against the Wolverines since 2003.

“We still have a lot of things we can work on,” quarterback Ricky Stanzi said. “And that’s an exciting thing.”

Tony Moeaki, who missed the previous three weeks, started the party with a 34-yard catch and run in the first quarter, then added a 42-yard score with 12:56 left in the fourth period, putting Iowa ahead 30-21.

“It’s tough to sit out,” said Moeaki, who finished with six receptions for 105 yards. “I’ll definitely savor this game.”

Moeaki thwarted a Michigan defense intent on stifling the Hawkeyes’ rushing attack, and enabled Stanzi to shrug off another streaky performance.

“Good to see Tony back, for a lot of reasons,” coach Kirk Ferentz said. “He really is a guy everybody looks up to because of his toughness.”

Here's your post-game from indoors, thankas to our friends at ABC-5 in Des Moines

TWTW: Sparty Has Friends, Takes Out Michigan In OT

((HT: WJBK-TV/MyFox Detroit))

Freshman Larry Caper ran for a 23-yard touchdown in overtime to give Michigan State a 26-20 win over No. 22 Michigan on Saturday for the Spartans' first consecutive victories in the series since 1967.

Chris L. Rucker had intercepted Tate Forcier in the end zone on the Wolverines' overtime possession to keep Michigan (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) from scoring.

Forcier had led the Wolverines on yet another last-minute touchdown drive to tie the game at 20-all with 2 seconds left in regulation.

Michigan State (2-3, 1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak. They won three straight over Michigan from 1965-67.

Here's FoxDetroit's coverage, it's all Woody and a foggy Ryan Ermanni...

TWTW: Spare The Rod...? Michigan Spoils ND Visit To Ann Arbor

((HT: WNDU-TV))

Notre Dame erased an 11-point 4th quarter deficit only to see Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier throw a game-winning touchdown pass to Greg Matthews with 11seconds left in the game as the Wolverines beat the Irish 38-34 in a thriller at the Big House in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

The game ended with some confusion as the Irish appeared to let the kickoff roll out of the end zone untouched, meaning they should have the full 11 seconds left. But only nine seconds were on the clock when the Irish snapped the ball and time ran out after a completion to Golden Tate.

Charlie Weis was not happy, trying to gain an explanation from officials as to why the clock was set at nine seconds instead of 11. Replays showed the ball was touched by Irish returner Theo Riddick during the kick, thus the reason two seconds ran off.

Forcier was 23 of 33 for 240 yards, two touchdown passes and a touchdown run. "I don't get nervous," Forcier said after the game about keeping his composure in the final minute of the game. "I've been preparing for this my whole life. It's unbelievable. I'm speechless."

Notre Dame drops to 1-1 on the season.
They will host Michigan State next Saturday at the Stadium.

Angelo DiCarlo and Jeff Jeffers have team coverage from inside in South Bend and outside in Ann Arbor... ((HT: NBC 16/WNDU))

Those of us at OSG HQ wonder just how hot the rather-large seat Charlie Weis is sitting in is now...

Rodriguez has a bad week...

Talk about having a bad week. Just a few days after Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez gets called out for allegedly exceeding the NCAA limits on practice time, there is more. News today surfaced that Rodriguez is now been served a lawsuit. The suit, which was filed in August in Spartanburg, South Carolina Federal court covers Rodriguez and his business partners and an attempt to build condominiums near Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Check out the story from the Detroit News here.

((Rich Rodriguez and bad luck//Courtesy: John T. Greilick/Detroit News))

Rodriguez' "Advisor"(?) Mike Wilcox says that "Rodriguez is the victim of a 'Ponzi' scheme" along with several others. Okay, that would explain some things, our question is; Who is Mike Wilcox and if he isn't an "Attorney", what is he?

Anyway, the practice issue has already been dogging Rodriguez and his staff, this can't possibly help things. Again, we aren't saying one way or the other about innocence or guilt, but the guy hasn't exactly had the best run of luck over the past year or so...has he?