The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/848029
44 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2017 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL ATHLON SPORTS: JIM HARBAUGH IS THE NO. 3 COACH NATIONALLY Jim Harbaugh is only two years into his stint as U-M's head coach, but he's already Athlon Sports' No. 3 coach nationally. Harbaugh checks in behind only Alabama's Nick Saban and Ohio State's Urban Meyer. "With Harbaugh at the helm, it's only a matter of time before Michi- gan is in the CFB Playoff and among the nation's best every year," the publication noted. "The Wolverines are 20-6 overall and 13-4 in Big Ten play under Harbaugh's direction. One reason Michigan is poised for a return to the top of college football? Recruiting. The Wolverines have inked back-to-back top-five classes and another standout haul is on the way for 2018. "Harbaugh also has a track record of success. At San Diego, he went 7-4 in his first year (2004) and proceeded to record a 22-2 mark over the next two seasons. After going 4-8 in his debut at Stanford (2007), Harbaugh improved the program's win total in three consecutive years, culminating in a 12-1 finish in 2010. After a 44- 19-1 mark with the 49ers from 2011- 14, Harbaugh returned to his alma mater and is one of the nation's best coaches." COREY MALONE-HATCHER OPTS FOR MEDICAL RETIREMENT Freshman defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher announced his med- ical retirement from football July 4, citing an Achilles tendon injury that just hasn't healed. Malone-Hatcher, a four-star prospect out of St. Joseph (Mich.) High, was one of the leaders in helping assemble the Wolverines' outstanding 2017 recruiting class. "I would like to take this moment to thank the University of Michigan and the coaching staff for investing into me," he said via Twitter. "Sep- tember 9th of 2015 I tore my left Achilles in a high school football game. After a surgical repair and thousands of hours of rehab, my Achilles has not been recovering how it should be and is many months be- hind where it should be at this point in time. After discussions with the training staff and team doctor it was collectively decided that I will take a medical disqualification. I will stay at the university as a student, still on a full-ride scholarship, but will no longer have the opportunity to suit up as a Wolverine. "I apologize to Coach [Jim] Har- baugh and Coach Matti [defensive line coach Greg Mattison], as I know the expectation was for me to be able to come in and have an immedi- ate impact. Nobody is more disap- pointed than myself. I came to the University of Michigan to be turned into an excellent football player, ex- cellent student and most importantly a Michigan Man. "Sadly, my football career is over. I will continue in my pursuit of the other two key points and let God take the wheel. Thank you to the Michigan fans who have supported me throughout my high school ca- reer." Malone-Hatcher enrolled in Janu- ary, but was never fully cleared med- ically. NCAA rules will allow him to keep his scholarship as a student, but it won't count against Michigan's 85 total allotted football tenders. WILL CARR STILL LOVES THE WOLVERINES Former Wolverine standout Will Carr is alive and well, and coaching in Baltimore. He's as fun loving as ever, and still a huge Michigan fan. Carr, who worked as a student as- sistant at Michigan in 2014-15 while finishing his degree, is now coach- ing at Morgan State. The former U-M All-American defensive line- man got there via Texas and Charlie Strong's staff after he finished up in Ann Arbor. "I had opportunities to do other jobs — analyst, quality control," Carr said. "I said no to a lot of peo- ple. I said I want my own room. Morgan State gave me an opportu- nity to have my own room, and I am so, so excited." Carr, who performed at Michigan from 1993-96, coaches the defensive line at the school. He recruits the city of Baltimore, the state of Michi- gan and his home state of Texas. "I'm in heaven," Carr noted, flash- ing a broad grin. "I'm still there." Carr came back to Ann Arbor to coach at Michigan's recent camps, and took time to share his thoughts on the Wolverines. He stays up with what's happening with the crew led by Jim Harbaugh, who kept Carr on after the coaching change from Brady Hoke. Michigan's defensive line will be very good in 2017, Carr insisted. There's no other option. "The tradition has been set, right?" he said. "They have no choice but to just follow along. With what that [2016] group did, from the time they got here until they time they left, these guys had great teachers. "They just need to fall in line. It's the new norm. The goal is perfec- tion." Carr has nothing but good things to say about Harbaugh and what he's bringing to The Big House. " A m a z i n g . A m a z i n g , " C a r r mused. "That man is special. He is what Nick Saban is to Alabama. He is what Bill Belichick is to the Patri- ots. He is a true leader of men, and this program is going to be great." It's easy to be a Michigan fan these days, with all the excitement swirl- ing around the Harbaugh renewal. Carr acknowledged all the good that's transpiring, but says he never left. And he never will. "I am a Michigan fan until the day I die!" he proclaimed. "In fact, past that, I'll still be a Michigan fan. The ghost of William Carr will always be in Ann Arbor." ❏ Despite enrolling early, Malone-Hatcher's Michigan career ended before ever playing a game, due to an Achilles tendon injury suffered during his high school playing days. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN