Goss has to take reigns of Fisher's future

The decisions sure to face him in coming days are why, we must assume, University President Lee Bollinger selected Goss as the man ultimately responsible for leading the much-maligned Athletic Department to higher moral ground. This is why Goss was hired to be Michigan's Athletic Director.

The highly anticipated report investigating the alleged wrongdoing of the Michigan basketball program and Ann Arbor's least favorite booster, Eddie Martin, was released yesterday to a roomful of antsy reporters. But predictably, the hectic press conference produced far more questions than answers, and most importantly, did nothing to quell rumors about coach Steve Fisher's future.

Jim Rose Rose Beef

Now, in light of the commissioned law firm's inability to substantiate claims of major violations against the program, the decision of what to do next falls to Goss.

Yesterday's media feeding frenzy revealed that nothing "major" arose from the investigation - nothing, Goss and Bollinger suggested, that would lead the NCAA to level harsh measures against the program or its coach.

The violations that were substantiated - there were three - were termed (repeatedly, it might be added) no more than "minor." People expecting earth-shattering news from the report will likely be disappointed with the findings.

But here's where this gets interesting: Despite Goss's repeated and vigorous announcements that the "minor" violations are unlikely to result in serious action by the NCAA against Fisher, Goss refused to say that Fisher's job was safe. When asked whether the lack of major violations served to solidify Fisher's position, Goss tiptoed around the question oh-so-carefully.

"I'll be going over this for the next few days, and doing it with Coach Fisher," Goss said. "Then we will try to come to a better understanding of some of the things in the report."

Goss did not stand up and say, "Fisher is my man." Nor, however, did he imply that Fisher's days are numbered.

But it sure seems peculiar. On one hand, Goss was trumpeting the absence of "major" violations, saying they provided reason for optimism. But on the other hand, he was cautious not to vindicate Fisher because of it; rather, he made certain to avoid giving the impression that Fisher's job is safe just because a law firm could not persuade a sufficient number of witnesses to talk.

Curiously, Steve Fisher was not around for what was supposed to be the biggest day for his program in quite some time (he was on vacation). If everything was as peachy-keen as a couple of minor violations, you'd think he'd be shouting from the rooftops - especially after the attention this case has gotten.

Perhaps Fisher's absence has something to do with Goss maintaining that simply having "no major violations" is not good enough. Perhaps he is simply on vacation.

But Goss and Bollinger both spoke of maintaining "Michigan standards" - not just compliance standards. Goss, without a doubt, gave the impression that the basketball program has not always lived up to what he considers "Michigan standards."

What all this suggests is that from this point forward, Fisher's fate and the fate of the report have nothing to do with each other. Even if the NCAA takes a look at the report and decides that Fisher did all he could have, there is absolutely no reason to think Goss will agree.

Consider this quote from Goss: "Our charge was to find the truth, and then take actions with the truth. We have what we have."

But is it the truth?

Maybe nobody around here really knows why all the basketball players seem to drive fancy cars. I don't pretend to have an explanation, nor can I think of any reason why Robert Traylor would be flaunting a flashy Suburban amidst the most heated investigation around here in a long time.

But let's be fair. The report looked into these things, and there was no evidence to support allegations of serious wrongdoing.

But it doesn't matter anymore. At least as far as Steve Fisher is concerned, the report no longer matters.

Now, it's up to Tom Goss. The first decision he'll have to make will be about as tough as they come.

What will happen to Steve Fisher?

Goss was hesitant to say anything of substance at yesterday's conference. But in light of what comes next, it doesn't really matter what he said. His next decision will speak volumes about the kind of department he plans on running.

- Jim Rose can be reached via email at jwrose@umich.edu.

10-10-97