football coach Bo Schembechler has died, according to WXYZ-TV (Channel 7). He was was transported to Providence Hospital after a medical emergency Friday morning, a Southfield Police Department official has said. Detective John Harris said Southfield officers escorted an ambulance carrying Schembechler to Providence Hospital at about 9:30 a. m. Medical personnel were called to WXYZ-TV in Southfield after Schembechler apparently suffered a medical problem. Around noon, friends and family continued to arrive at Providence Hospital, including former U-M coach Gary Moeller and U-M football color commentator and former player Jim Brandstatter. Security guards led them inside. Last month, the 77-year-old Schembechler had a pacemaker and defibrillator installed after he had dizziness and other symptoms while taping his weekly television show. The seven-time Big Ten coach of the year compiled a 194-48-5 record at Michigan from 1969-89. Schembechler’s record in 26 years of coaching was 234- 64-8.
Ohio State could be humbled if Michigan goes down there to win this one for Bo (the Gipper).
On the other hand, it could also take all the wind out of the sails of the Mighigan team.
We will have to wait and see, but Bo’s passing is a terrible loss. The entire inter-collegiate sports community and much of the rest of the collegiate community has lost a giant and great contributor. The Fritz Chrysler and Don Canham of his time.
Considering that Bo hasn’t coached in about 18 years, I doubt many on either Michigan or Ohio St. really know who he was.
Bo had perhaps his best and worst moment back in the spring of 1989, when as AD at Michigan he fired basketball coach Bill Frieder on the eve of the NCAA tourney because Frieder had made a deal to take the job at Arizona St. He famously said he wanted a “Michigan man coaching Michigan.” After his replacement Steve Fisher took the Wolverines to the title, Bo made an ass of himself by saying “it felt almost as good as beating Notre Dame” and meaning it.
As a huge michigan fan for 46 years, i am deeply sadded by the loss of Bo. Even though he will always be the face of Michigan Football, he was one of those few people that seemed to touch you regardless if you were a football fan or not. If you were a football fan and had a son who was good enough to play college football, this IS the place you wanted your son to play because of Bo. We all lost a truely great man today, and it will be a long time before someone like this comes along again. dave
I’d like to extend my sympathy to everyone in ST who is a member of the Michigan community and (most especially) the Schembechler family. The University and the sport has lost a great man and a great contributor.
I can only hope that tomorrow’s game lives up to the high standard of competitiveness and integrity that both Bo and Woody would want.
Considering that Bo hasn’t coached in about 18 years, I doubt many on either Michigan or Ohio St. really know who he was.
Bo had perhaps his best and worst moment back in the spring of 1989, when as AD at Michigan he fired basketball coach Bill Frieder on the eve of the NCAA tourney because Frieder had made a deal to take the job at Arizona St. He famously said he wanted a “Michigan man coaching Michigan.” After his replacement Steve Fisher took the Wolverines to the title, Bo made an ass of himself by saying “it felt almost as good as beating Notre Dame” and meaning it.
RIP, Bo.
Paul
Michigan Class of 1989
Go Blue
What! Since most OH state fans even today know who he was (coached at Miami of Ohio and lived in OH for quite some time), I’m sure most Wolverine fans do.
I can just see him and Woody shaking hands right now and watching this game together
