“We ranked them Oklahoma, Michigan, and USC, strictly on football. If you consider other factors, we have Michigan edging out Oklahoma by a nose. Being here for a week, I might switch to USC for the weather alone,” Uncle John admitted.
“What were the other factors you looked at?” I asked.
“Quality of education, proximity to home, baseball, and several others. I think your dad created a spreadsheet with almost forty items on it. In the end, we think any of the three would work. We just felt that Michigan checked a few more boxes off your list than the rest. Your dad also said they were recruiting you the hardest. So, in the end, they want you the most.”
Michigan didn’t solve my biggest dilemma: my kids. The problem was that none of them did. It made me realize that obtaining my pilot’s license was more important than ever. With it, I could make a day trip if needed. Thankfully, college wasn’t forever.
I’d had several months to get used to the idea of going to Michigan. Frankly, if their offensive coordinator hadn’t been a jerk during the summer, I might have committed at their camp. I felt confident in my decision, knowing that the two men I trusted most for advice had agreed with me.
“I’m going to Michigan,” I said to put an end to this.
◊◊◊
Before I made it official, I called Wolf and Tim. They were over-the-moon excited. Our teammate and now fellow Michigan commit, Ty Wilson, took full credit for talking us around and into joining him. I had Wolf and Tim talk to their parents to make sure they were on board while I called mine. Now that I’d decided, I wanted to put this to bed.
While that was going on, I made calls to Coach Mason, Coach Harrington, Coach Styles, and Coach Hope, for two reasons. I wanted to thank them for all their help and to share my decision with them. Coach Harrington had news.
“I wanted to let you know that I’m leaving Alabama. I’ll be announced as the new head coach for Western Michigan in the next few days. If you wait to announce, I might have some open scholarships for you and the boys.”
“Ah … no,” I said to shoot that idea down.
I wished him luck. One benefit of his new job was that he would be reasonably close to the University of Michigan; Western Michigan was about a two-hour drive. Since I’d been in LA, that didn’t seem quite so far.
Coach Styles had been the first to offer me when I visited Kentucky during my freshman year. He’d also been a straight shooter.
“I’m disappointed with the news. The silver lining is that you didn’t pick Alabama. I would hate to have to play against you.”
While Kentucky and Alabama were both in the SEC, they were in different divisions. That meant they didn’t play head-to-head every year.
“I didn’t see myself fitting into their system,” I shared.
“I think your choice of Michigan is a good one. With you under center, I predict the balance of power in the Big 10 is about to change. You’re the missing piece for them, offensively. If that happens, then Michigan will be in line to pick up one of the four slots in the national championship playoff each year. The other two schools seem to be hit-or-miss as to whether a member of their conference can get in,” Coach Styles said.
“Thanks, Coach. I wanted to tell you what it meant to me that Kentucky offered me first. I see that you’ve got the program headed in the right direction.”
Both Coach Hope and Coach Mason’s calls were short. We’d already talked about my options, and they were on board with the decision.
◊◊◊
“Michigan Athletic Department, how may I direct your call?”
“Coach Haber. Please tell him that David Dawson is calling,” I said, and then she put me on hold.
As I waited, I listened to the Michigan fight song play. I’d tried Coach Haber’s cell, but it had gone to voicemail. I suspected it was being charged because he always took my call.
“David, Coach Hightower. We’re in a meeting with all the coaches right now. Would it be possible for Coach Haber to call you later?”
“He’ll want to take this call,” I said.
“Good news?”
“Depends,” I said, to not totally give it away.
“David,” Coach Haber’s voice boomed. “I put you on speaker.”
“I wanted to call because I’ve decided to make my commitment, and I wanted to let you know so that you could plan who you recruit moving forward.”
“You’re killing us …”
“I’ll announce on signing day that I plan to play my college ball at the University of … Michigan.”
I heard the room erupt. Uncle John was right; they did want me. Coach Haber took me off speakerphone so he could talk to me.
“What about Wolf and Tim?” he asked.
“I’ll let them call you. I want them to have their moment.”
“So I take it you want to keep this under wraps for now,” Coach Haber guessed correctly.
“I’d like a chance to call all the other schools that recruited me and let them know personally.”
“That’s something I wish more recruits would do. It’s a classy way to handle it. Plus, who knows, in this game, you might run across any of them later in your career. You don’t need to burn any bridges.”
