Martin Weiss recalls his excitement at getting into University of Michigan in 2008. "Not only is it a great school, but it has one of the most storied football programs," he writes in a CBS Detroit blog post.
I was ecstatic to be a part of a fan base that had the tradition, the pedigree, and the reputation of a program like Michigan. I couldn’t wait to be a “Michigan Man. . . . I was hooked.
Martin Weiss: "I urge fans of the Wolverines to voice their displeasure. Be outraged. Demand better." (Facebook photo)
Fast-forward a half-dozen years and Weiss, now a studio engineer at CBS Radio in Detroit. is tired of "waiting for [Brady Hoke] to deliver" as head coach. The 2012 sociology degree holder, who lives in Ann Arbor, describes himself as "disgruntled, dissatisfied, disappointed."
After this weekend’s complete domination at the hands of Notre Dame, I have realized there is no such thing as a Michigan Man. At least not any more. I’m done buying the narrative. Stop trying to sell me the legacy jerseys and special numbers. Stop trying to sell me on tradition and stories of days past. Stop trying to sell me on recruiting classes.
Let Jabrill Peppers play a season or two before crowning him the next Charles Woodson. Michigan fans everywhere need to just stop and see this program for what it is, right now, in 2014.
Michigan is overwhelmed, overmatched and — bottom line — not very good. Even if they win nine or 10 games, they still won’t be very good in a weak Big Ten.
Michigan is supposed to be a national powerhouse. Instead, the Wolverines are an also-ran in a “power” conference that went 8-5 in the second week of the season against mostly “inferior” opponents.
In reality, Michigan is inferior and has been for a long time. Michigan fans deserve better and should expect better. . . . Without expectations and pressure, there will be no change.
Firing Brady Hoke won’t be the all-encompassing change people think. Hoke is just one cog in a very inefficient machine. Drastic changes have to be made.
I urge fans of the Wolverines to voice their displeasure. Be outraged. Demand better, because this program selling this narrative should be wearing thin and falling on deaf ears. Show that mediocrity will not be accepted. . . .
It’s time for this program to come to grips with the reality that they are not the Michigan of old. Only then will they be able to build a foundation for the new Michigan.
Until then, I’ll have the same thought I had leaving the Big House that first time: It’s going to be a long season.
