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Lions legend, ESPN analyst Chris Spielman discuss the Michigan coaching search
December 11, 2007
ESPN color commentator Chris Spielman, best known for his years as the Lions middle linebacker, talked with WXYT-FM (97.1) today about the U-M football coaching search.
Do you believe (Les Miles), or do you still think this is possible?
Well, I want to believe him, but his actions tell me different, correct? I mean, if he was completely out of it, why would he have a conversation with the president and the athletic director?
I think they have enough good people at Michigan and enough contacts around this country, that you don’t go to a guy, that you don’t go to a guy, that’s rumored to be your No. 1 contact. I mean, I just don’t know what to believe. Do you find that hard to believe? I do. I hate saying it, but don’t tell me that. You’re Michigan. You have access to every coach in the country to get advice on your search and you’re telling me that you don’t have enough good people in your system and in college football that you can’t get advice, that you have to get advice from Les Miles? Come on.
How does LSU and Michigan keep this thing under wraps for three weeks when you’ve got (media) trying to unearth this story?
This is just my observation from a far… Here’s the dilemma that Les Miles has: Les Miles has invested in his coaching staff and the LSU football program and in his kids, emotionally. He is not invested in Louisiana State University or the state of Louisiana. He is invested in Michigan, the state, and Michigan, the school, and the people. I understand that. I’m at Ohio State, I’m a proud alum. And, after experiencing what it was to be a Buckeye on the football field and after being part of this university, in helping raise over four and a half million dollars for cancer research, this university is something that lives inside of me. Michigan is a university that lives in Les Miles. Make no mistake about his passion. Understand his passion. His heart is with Michigan. What I would do, if this is the case, if I’m Les, I’d say, “LSU, I’m going to give you everything that’s in my power. Every fiber of my being is gonna go out to try to win a national championship. I’m a professional coach. You have to trust me that I will get it done. After that, if I want to be completely transparent and honest with you, as witness when I cried about the Michigan job at an LSU press conference, is that I still talked to the president and the athletic director at Michigan. I can’t lie to you. My heart is in Michigan. And you have the right to tell me to go pack salt, and go to Michigan right now, or you have to trust me, and I can go, and win you a national championship.” Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
It just seems like that since Kirk Herbstreit came out on that Saturday with that information, that the body is still moving.
I don’t want to be a conspiracy theorist here, but… What if Les said to Michigan wanted another coach. That’s basically what he said, right? Did he say I’m coach LSU for the year 2008… football season and beyond?
His quote was, “I will be the coach at LSU next season.”
Well, when that? Next season? Well, OK, I don’t know if he said next season. I don’t know. But you know what, if Michigan, I think Michigan should respond to his wishes and not have the president and athletic director call him and talk to him directly. And, I do think,… people in the position of power think that you’re an idiot, I’m an idiot, to think, “well, we’re just consulting him to see who he thinks is the best guy for Michigan.” Come on, man.
You can’t believe anything these guys say until the ink is dry on a contract with an unbearable buyout, or until you make the guy the highest paid coach, or until the game is played.
And I agree. I think most people that follow sports with a passion, and especially college football, like we do, we understand that. We seen it too many times. There are too many forces at work. Whether it be money, whether it be dream job… I mean, I could understand if he’s being ripped apart, emotionally. I really can. Because I know he loves his kids. And I know he’s given his heart and soul to LSU, but where is his heart? His heart is in Michigan. Now, he may very well end up being the coach at LSU. Only he’s gonna make that decision. Cause if he picks up the phone right now and tells Michigan, “I’m coming,” then he’s there. And what’s Michigan done? How proactive have they been? Did they have a formal meeting with Greg Schiano? And you still have Ron English and Mike DeBord as their leading candidates? Come on, man, you know those guys don’t have a shot. Right?
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