Univ. of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman on Friday said that she “doesn't want to overdo it” with night games at Michigan Stadium, despite the popularity of last year’s event, according to Blake Thomas of the GRAND RAPIDS PRESS. Coleman: "We want to preserve those night games for very special events." Though there were “concerns about how the late kickoff would impact the town, Coleman said there were fewer problems than at a typical 3 p.m. game.” Coleman: "We were quite worried about the idea that students would have all day to drink (before the game)." Coleman also admitted that the university “made the wrong choice bringing in Rich Rodriguez as head football coach.” She said that at the time “many were criticizing former coach Lloyd Carr's style as being too old fashioned, outdated next to the flashy, spread offense-style play gaining popularity.” Coleman: "We [thought], OK, well let's go hire the guy who invented the spread offense." Coleman said Rodriguez “was a hot, young coach with a different approach." She also said that she is “very pleased" with new coach Brady Hoke and that he is a "better fit for the school.” Coleman said Hoke has “more of the kind of Midwestern ethos" (GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, 5/12). In Detroit, Mark Snyder noted it is “extremely rare for Coleman to speak on athletics issues, usually referring queries” to AD Dave Brandon. Her remarks are “believed to be her first public comments with this position” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/12).
