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Sporting News: Yes, Wolverines: you'll be working really hard

I'm not buying it...

Yes, Wolverines: you'll be working really hard

Matt Hayes
March 29, 2008

This is uncomfortable for me because it's something I prefer to steer clear of.

I don't like to take college players to task for one basic reason: They're not paid. For me, it doesn't get beyond "played poorly" or "struggled" or "blew an assignment" because frankly, it's not appropriate.

Besides, coaches are an easy target. They get paid to run the team and get paid to take the criticism.

Only now, I must take exception with Michigan offensive lineman Justin Boren. Earlier this week, Boren said he was leaving Michigan because "family values" he had grown accustomed to had "eroded in just a few months" under new coach Rich Rodriguez.

[...]

Every new coach goes through this; just like every new boss goes through it. It's a process: Weeding out those who don't fit. Some don't like to work hard, some are malcontents.

The big buzz in the first few spring practices at Michigan was offensive linemen adjusting to the no-huddle approach in Rodriguez's scheme. Translation: You're running your ass off.

Those who fall behind will be pushed harder and longer, mentally and physically. That's coaching, people.

Any dime store psychologist will say you can't motivate through fear. Well, a guy named John Wooden -- who won a few championships in his career -- says a coach's best friend is the bench. In other words, play hard or sit.

[...]

Listen people, Rodriguez won 32 games over the last three years. You don't do that by coddling your players.

And anyone who watched the Fiesta Bowl three months ago knows that West Virginia team -- when healthy -- would beat any in college football. If you're Michigan, that's what you hold onto.

Not the words of a departing player who took his ball and whined all the way home.