• Oosterbaan, Banners and Books

    So as we limp charge confidently into Saturday’s opener a few notes: Oosterbaan: You know the great Bennie O. will be honored Saturday and his #47 will be on the back of someone on the roster for the remainder of the year.  (Jeremy Jackson?  Not sure, but looking forward to finding out.)   But if you pick up a game program, I prepared a profile on Oosterbaan that attempted to get a feel for what the man was like off the field.  It includes a few stories from his family and one from my man ‘64 Jim Conley.  A sneak peak: “He had huge mitts,” Conley recalled. One day Oosterbaan was teaching the players about how they needed to be ready to catch the ball wherever it came—high, low or to the right or left. Bennie then asked a player throw errant balls in his direction. “We tossed him a low one and he leaned down, tipped the ball up with one hand and caught it in the other hand. Then he did the same thing with a high ball, and then with a ball over to the side, and so on. He didn’t drop anything. Keep in mind he was in his late 50s and wearing a suit. It was an exhibition–you just marveled at it.” The Banner:  Did you…

  • Honoring Oosterbaan: An Interview with Ben McCready

    Young Ben McCready with a gift from his godfather, namesake and then-U-M coach Bennie Oosterbaan.  It’s the gameball from the 1958 Minnesota Little Brown Jug game & was a Christmas gift. For Michigan historians Saturday’s game holds special significance.  Bennie Oosterbaan, arguably the greatest athlete in U-M history will be honored.  He was the first football man to have his jersey retired (#47) and against Air Force, he will be the first to have a Michigan jersey “unretired”. Oosterbaan’s exploits on the field are well known: a three time All-American in football, a two time All-American in basketball, and a Big Ten batting title champion in baseball. The Muskegon native turned down offers to play professionally and instead chose a different path: a life dedicated to coaching U-M students in each of the sports in which he dominated. He coached all three sports at one time another, the highlight being when he led Michigan to the 1948 football national championship. After his coaching days he remained an administrator with the athletic department until he retired in 1972. Over the past year I’ve gotten to know Ben McCready, the godson and namesake of the great Oosterbaan.   He’ll be there Saturday when his godfather is honored.  McCready was kind enough to share some insight on how the “unretirement” came to be, his…

  • Death March – Oosterbaan Region – Round 2 (Vote)

    Coaching search?  That means the return of Death March Madness, which won’t help matters (it might actually hurt) but it’ll keep you busy while you watch your Twitter feed like a freak. Update:  It’s time for the finals: [poll id=58] More on Death March Madness II here. Thanks again to Christian Sack, (icefins26 on mgoblog, or guy who rocks the Zack Morris/AC Slater avatar) who drew up the seedings and prepared a quick summary of each candidate.

  • Death March Madness: Oosterbaan Region Round I

    Coaching search?  That means the return of Death March Madness, which won’t help matters (it might actually hurt) but it’ll keep you busy while you watch your Twitter feed like a freak.   Here’s a look at the 2011 bracket. Oosterbaan Region Round 1: 5.  Josh McDaniels (Former NFL Coach) — Huge connections in Ohio and grad-assistant to Nick Saban at Michigan State.  He may have some support from Tom Brady during his time with the Patriots however, recently he has had some issues with management and the NFL. vs. 6.  Mike Stoops (Arizona) — Might be a longshot candidate as he has been on some thin ice lately at Arizona — has resurrected Arizona’s program but has yet to get over the hump. [poll id=42] Oosterbaan Region Round 1: 3.  Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) — Rumored to be a candidate however, he has decided to decline the opportunity with Michigan.  He is young, fast-paced and successful however, he might be a "lifer" at his alma mater.  Perhaps Brandon can still make him an offer he can’t refuse. vs. 4.  Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State) — Could be a dark horse candidate as he has been quietly successful at OSU.  He would have a hard time leaving his alma mater as well — successor of Les Miles.  Plus he’s just past 40, and…

  • This Week in Michigan Football History: The Incomparable Bennie Oosterbaan & September 25, 1948

    Here’s the next entry in ‘This Week in Michigan Football History’ to be played tomorrow on WTKA 1050AM’s Key Bank Countdown to Kick-off pregame show before the Bowling Green game. This time we head back to September 25, 1948 for the season opener and the first game for at the helm for the legendary Bennie Oosterbaan.   A little different flavor this time, as we focus less on that season and team and more on Oosterbaan himself: [display_podcast] The sponsor is Wolverine Beer so here’s where you can find it, or check out the Beer Wench’s Blog.  I’m still waiting to have my first Wolverine beer, perhaps some day soon. You can hear all of the  This Week… clips here. Here’s much more on Oosterbaan on MVictors: eBay Watch: The Wolverine Pack & 1926 eBay Watch: Hanging Bennie in Effigy (1958) eBay Watch: Have a Highball with Bennie Oosterbaan