Another Edition of Gary's Book Club
In case people are wondering why I don't make as many phone calls when hanging out at airports these days, I've been using this idle time lately to read books for fun.(!)
(don't worry Mpls Ju, I'll come up with some other excuse to call you someday)
This past weekend while visiting my brother in DC, I read Bo's Lasting Lessons, a book by Bo Schembechler and John Bacon that has a focus on leadership lessons. The leadership lessons are supplemented with countless great Michigan football stories from Bo's days as head coach.
For any Michigan fan/alum out there, this is a must read book. I am not kidding or exaggerating. This book is definitely worth it. Even though I read my brother's copy, I'm thinking of getting a copy for myself since it's the kind of book you can come back to at a later date.
For those of you not that interested in reading another book but curious to read a couple stories, check out this site, which has links to a few stories published in the Detroit News a couple weeks ago. Specifically, the stories about respecting your history and recruiting for character are perhaps my two favorite parts of the book.
One section of the recruiting for character section hits at the recruitment of the 'golden arm', the best high school QB in the Midwest in the mid-1980s. When visiting his home, Bo noticed how the recruit barked orders at his parents to bring him things and was completely disrespectful and self-absorbed. After watching his parents practically worship the 'golden arm' (as their 'meal ticket'), Bo and his assistant coach on the visit cut their trip short and abruptly left the home. This recruit was the best high school QB to come out of the Midwest during the mid-1980s, but he did not live up to the character of a Michigan Man and a team player. As it turns out, this QB chose another big ten school, transferred after one year, went to a second big ten school, and went on to play for many years in the NFL. However, his selfish attitude and poor leadership caused him to wear out his welcome quickly at each new NFL home. Bo never regretted resorting to the likes of Michael Taylor as his QB over this 'golden arm'. For those who don't want to figure out who I am talking about, the golden arm was Jeff George (though he is not referenced by name in the book).
Here is John Bacon's website, which includes a video of a presentation where Bacon briefly hits a few of the stories included in the book.
After reading this book, I really think that Michigan will try to hire Kirk Ferentz for the head coaching position. He seems to be the best fit among the most likely candidates. Brian @ MGoBlog seems to think that the job is Ferentz's if he wants it, but Brian is still skeptical about the validity of the 'rumor' that Ferentz has already been offered the job and is currently deliberating whether or not he will take it.
(don't worry Mpls Ju, I'll come up with some other excuse to call you someday)
This past weekend while visiting my brother in DC, I read Bo's Lasting Lessons, a book by Bo Schembechler and John Bacon that has a focus on leadership lessons. The leadership lessons are supplemented with countless great Michigan football stories from Bo's days as head coach.
For any Michigan fan/alum out there, this is a must read book. I am not kidding or exaggerating. This book is definitely worth it. Even though I read my brother's copy, I'm thinking of getting a copy for myself since it's the kind of book you can come back to at a later date.
For those of you not that interested in reading another book but curious to read a couple stories, check out this site, which has links to a few stories published in the Detroit News a couple weeks ago. Specifically, the stories about respecting your history and recruiting for character are perhaps my two favorite parts of the book.
One section of the recruiting for character section hits at the recruitment of the 'golden arm', the best high school QB in the Midwest in the mid-1980s. When visiting his home, Bo noticed how the recruit barked orders at his parents to bring him things and was completely disrespectful and self-absorbed. After watching his parents practically worship the 'golden arm' (as their 'meal ticket'), Bo and his assistant coach on the visit cut their trip short and abruptly left the home. This recruit was the best high school QB to come out of the Midwest during the mid-1980s, but he did not live up to the character of a Michigan Man and a team player. As it turns out, this QB chose another big ten school, transferred after one year, went to a second big ten school, and went on to play for many years in the NFL. However, his selfish attitude and poor leadership caused him to wear out his welcome quickly at each new NFL home. Bo never regretted resorting to the likes of Michael Taylor as his QB over this 'golden arm'. For those who don't want to figure out who I am talking about, the golden arm was Jeff George (though he is not referenced by name in the book).
Here is John Bacon's website, which includes a video of a presentation where Bacon briefly hits a few of the stories included in the book.
After reading this book, I really think that Michigan will try to hire Kirk Ferentz for the head coaching position. He seems to be the best fit among the most likely candidates. Brian @ MGoBlog seems to think that the job is Ferentz's if he wants it, but Brian is still skeptical about the validity of the 'rumor' that Ferentz has already been offered the job and is currently deliberating whether or not he will take it.
posted by GaryGinew at 7:04 PM
1 Comments:
This is the book that dice bought me last week. I sat down to read a few pages while my coffee was brewing and ended up reading an entire chapter while my coffee went cold. :) I haven't gotten very far yet (i'm in the middle of another book that I need to finish first) but it looks to be a great read!
Post a Comment
<< Home