The Detroit Lions officially unveiled their full coaching staff for the 2026 season, and continuity remains the clear theme as Dan Campbell enters another year leading one of the NFL’s most stable organizations.
Detroit retains its core leadership on offense, defense, and special teams while continuing to develop internally with a deep group of assistants across all three phases. The structure reflects exactly what Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have prioritized since arriving: alignment, familiarity, and accountability.
Leadership Remains Intact
At the top, nothing changes.
Dan Campbell returns as head coach, continuing to set the tone for a culture built on toughness, trust, and physical football.
Drew Petzing officially takes over as offensive coordinator, stepping into a role designed to keep the Lions’ offensive identity intact while adding his own wrinkles.
Kelvin Sheppard remains defensive coordinator, a key voice in a defense that has steadily grown more aggressive and disciplined.
Dave Fipp continues to oversee special teams, an area where Detroit has consistently gained hidden yardage and situational advantages.
That stability alone speaks volumes about where the franchise believes it is heading.
The Offensive Staff Includes Some New Faces
On the offensive side of the ball, the Lions will continue to lean heavily on experience, continuity, and quarterback-centric development. Mark Brunell remains in place working closely with Jared Goff and the quarterback room, while Hank Fraley continues to anchor the run game and offensive line—one of Detroit’s most consistent strengths under Dan Campbell. Mike Kafka, serving as pass game coordinator, brings proven schematic creativity, complemented by David Shaw’s role as pass game specialist. The skill-position groups remain in steady hands with Tashard Choice coaching running backs and Steve Oliver overseeing tight ends, while Bruce Gradkowski, Justin Mesa, Dan Skipper, and Marques Tuiasosopo round out a deep offensive staff built on teaching, collaboration, and maximizing player strengths.
Defensive Staff Highlights Development Path
The Lions’ defensive staff is loaded with continuity and defined responsibilities:
Scottie Montgomery (Associate Head Coach / Wide Receivers) continues to serve as one of Campbell’s most trusted voices.
Jim O’Neil remains Assistant Head Coach / Safeties, providing veteran leadership on the back end.
Kacy Rodgers stays in a major role as Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line, a crucial piece for a team built around trench play.
Deshea Townsend continues as Passing Game Coordinator / Defensive Backs, anchoring Detroit’s secondary development.
Detroit also retains a strong group of defensive assistants, including Shaun Dion Hamilton, David Corrao, Caleb Collins, August Mangin, and Dre Thompson, reinforcing a long-term commitment to teaching and internal growth.
Special Teams and Strength Staff Stay Unified
Special teams continuity remains intact with Jett Modkins assisting Dave Fipp, while the strength and conditioning department continues under Josh Schuler, supported by Jill Costanza, Cam Josse, and Thadeus Jackson.
That group has played a major role in Detroit’s durability and late-season physical edge—something Campbell has repeatedly emphasized as non-negotiable.
A Staff Built for Sustained Success
The final piece of the organizational puzzle remains Jesse Giambra, who continues as Chief of Staff / Head Coach Administration, ensuring operational consistency behind the scenes.
Taken together, the 2026 coaching staff reflects a franchise that values continuity over constant turnover. The Lions are not chasing trends or panicking over short-term results—they are doubling down on a structure that has produced real, sustainable progress.
For Detroit, this isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about refining it—and the 2026 coaching staff makes that clear.
The Michigan men’s basketball team’s time atop the college basketball mountain — at least in the eyes of the AP Poll Top 25 rankings voters — was short-lived.
Just a week after claiming the elusive No. 1 ranking, the Wolverines’ loss at the hands of then-No. 3 Duke was enough to drop them back down to No. 3 themselves.
Michigan started the week with a bang, walking into Mackey Arena and taking down then-No. 7 Purdue on its home court, 91-80. Riding a 32-11 run in the middle part of the first half, the Wolverines had control of the game almost all the way through.
The matchup between Michigan and Duke on Saturday was one of the most anticipated duels in college basketball this season. Partly because it was No. 1 against No. 3, but also because it was a rare non-conference bout in the middle of February.
Ultimately, the Blue Devils came out on top, winning 68-63 and handing the Wolverines’ their second loss of the season. Michigan never truly found a rhythm on the offensive end, and it couldn’t rack up enough stops to compensate.
As a result Duke rose to No. 1 in the poll, and Arizona slid back into No. 2 slot after a win over now-No. 5 Houston.
Here are the complete AP Poll rankings from Week 16:
Duke
Arizona
Michigan
Iowa State
Houston
UConn
Florida
Purdue
Gonzaga
Illinois
Virginia
Nebraska
Michigan State
Kansas
St. John’s
Texas Tech
Alabama
North Carolina
BYU
Arkansas
Miami (OH)
Tennessee
Saint Louis
Louisville
Vanderbilt
Other teams receiving votes: Wisconsin, Saint Mary’s, Villanova, Miami, Utah State, NC State, SMU, Texas A&M, Iowa, UCF, High Point, Stephen F. Austin, Navy.
How Can Michigan Regain The No. 1 Spot?
Time is running out on the regular season, and as that happens, the AP Poll becomes less relevant. The poll doesn’t have any bearing on March Madness seeding, but it does act as a useful barometer for the college basketball climate during the season.
Now, however, most eyes are locked on obtaining a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, or, better yet, the No. 1 overall seed.
The Wolverines could certainly work back up to the No. 1 in the AP Poll. If Duke loses one of its final four games and Michigan wins out, No. 1 is probably headed back to Ann Arbor, especially considering it has No. 10 Illinois and No. 13 Michigan State still on the horizon.
Next up, however, the Wolverines are set to take on Minnesota on Tuesday. Normally this game wouldn’t draw a ton of attention, but with Illinois’ loss to UCLA on Saturday, Michigan can clinch the Big Ten Title with a win.
The last time Michigan won a Big Ten regular season title was in a COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. There was controversy surrounding the Wolverines’ crowning, given that some games had to be cancelled due to illness. Illinois ended the season with more Big Ten wins, but Michigan had a better winning percentage.
With a Big Ten Title potentially under their belt, the Wolverines could still be in a good position to claim the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament if they win the games in front of them. That’s easier said than done, of course, but Michigan certainly has the ability to pull it off.
It’s hard to make good decisions when you don’t have the facts at hand.
I’ve sensed this in recent years, but there’s now data showing a growing gap between how Michiganders feel about where we are as a state, and what the numbers say about where we actually stand.
The Detroit Regional Chamber just released a Glengariff Group poll of 600 registered voters across Michigan. According to it, voters think we’re solidly middle-of-the-pack.
When asked to rank Michigan among the 50 states on things like reading scores, income, college attainment, and unemployment, people consistently put us around 25th to 28th. In other words: safely average.
We’re not.
On the metrics that determine whether this state is set up for long‑term success, Michigan is in the bottom tier. According to the poll’s benchmarks, while voters think we’re mid‑20s on fourth-grade reading, we’re actually around 44th nationally.
On per‑capita income, people guess high‑20s; the reality is 40th. Voters assume we’re middle‑of‑the‑road on college attainment at about 25th; the real figure is 39th.
And when it comes to unemployment, Michiganders picture something like 28th or 29th. The reality? 45th.
That’s the basement.
“In many ways, our house is on fire. In just one generation, Michigan has fallen from a top 10 or 20 state to a bottom 10 state in per capita income and educational achievement, which is not a recipe for long-term economic success. We need to come together and start having the candid and hard conversations about Michigan’s shortfalls. Our state needs to embrace what it takes to thrive in the innovation economy, or accept being ranked dead last in the nation, something that was inconceivable not that long ago.”
– Sandy Baruah, President and CEO of the Chamber.
This would be concerning in any context, but it’s especially alarming given how strongly people say they want a different future.
In the same survey, more than 90 percent of voters say attracting high-tech jobs is important — nearly 59 percent say it’s very important.
So we have a population that sees tech as central to our future. But a state that, regardless of which party has been in charge, has consistently failed at the basics needed to compete for that future.
You don’t get sustained high‑tech growth when kids can’t read at grade level, when your workforce has lower incomes and fewer degrees than peer states, and when your unemployment ranking is sitting at the bottom.
That said, voters are starting to see concerns about the availability of jobs.
What data centers?
The same gap shows up again when the poll turns to data centers. Those are the big projects that have been the focus of heated fights over land use, water, and electricity in Saline, Livingston County, and other communities.
If you follow the news, you might think everyone in Michigan has a strong opinion on data centers, electricity rates, and water usage.
Turns out, they don’t. They might not have even heard of them.
According to the survey, more than 42 percent of Michiganders have heard nothing about them.
Awareness is deeply uneven: college‑educated voters are at roughly 70 percent awareness, while only about 27 percent of Black voters say they’ve seen or heard anything about data centers.
Voters without college degrees, working-class residents, and lower‑income residents are also significantly less likely to know what’s even being proposed.
That will shape how leaders react. When 40‑plus percent of voters don’t even know this fight is happening, the political risks of any decision look much smaller than the online discourse suggests.
Duggan pulls even in race for governor
The Glengariff/Chamber survey among registered voters shows Mike Duggan (I) at 29.8%, John James (R) at 28.3%, and Jocelyn Benson at 27.8% (D), with more than 13% undecided. That’s essentially a statistical three‑way tie inside the margin of error.
That stands in stark contrast to a recent Impact Research poll — published earlier this month — which has Benson in the high 30s, James in the mid‑30s, and Duggan down near 20 percent.
It’s worth noting that the Detroit Regional Chamber has endorsed Mike Duggan, and Impact Research has a track record of polling that leans Democratic.
So what’s the path forward?
Ultimately, that rests on Michigan voters. But it’s hard to make good decisions with a distorted picture of where the state actually stands. And that’s why this kind of data matters.
🎧 If you want to dive deeper, Norris Howard and I talked about it all on our Daily Detroit podcast. [Apple Podcasts][Spotify]
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Momentum is finally building to address longstanding and systemic problems at Michigan’s only women’s prison as state lawmakers, local elected officials, and activists demand answers about mold, medical care, a recent death, and the treatment of a woman whose health has rapidly declined.
Yet Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration has not detailed what reforms, if any, are underway and has declined to answer Metro Times’s questions about conditions at the facility for more than a year, and that remained the case this month.
Fed up with the silence, elected officials and civil rights groups are demanding oversight, accountability, and concrete reforms at the prison, which houses more than 2,000 women. Earlier this month, three Democratic lawmakers visited the prison unannounced on two different occasions, and what they saw has motivated them to demand transparency and change.
At 9 a.m. Tuesday, the bipartisan Michigan House Oversight Committee will hold a public hearing at the Capitol to examine conditions at the facility, along with broader systemic concerns within the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Lawmakers are expected to review reports of hazardous conditions, deteriorating infrastructure, longstanding complaints about delayed or denied medical care, allegations of retaliation and employee misconduct, and concerns about the use of body cameras during strip searches. The hearing will also examine the recent death of inmate Jennifer Jean Wallace and the worsening health conditions of Crystal Clark, who says she has spent years suffering from exposure to black mold.
Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, is leading the effort to examine conditions at the prison after receiving complaints about the facility and recently visiting it unannounced.
“I’ve gotten outreach from a number of people — loved ones of people who are incarcerated, and also corrections officers who have concerns about their safety and the safety of the women held there,” Pohutsky tells Metro Times.
Pohutsky says women are complaining that corrections officers are forcing them to scrub grime, moisture, and suspected mold without the necessary face coverings to protect their lungs.
“The women who are forced to clean those spaces said they aren’t allowed to wear face coverings while cleaning,” Pohutsky says. “The warden says that’s not true. But I don’t think he’s supervising when corrections offices are telling women what to do. It’s a little suspicious that he can say with certainty that no one is being told they can’t wear a mask, while also saying point-black that there aren’t mold issues.”
Krystal Clark, an inmate at Huron Valley Correctional Facility, has mold poison from the prison, which has made her face swollen and contorted. Credit: Michigan Department of Corrections
Clark, 41, has been incarcerated since 2011 for armed robbery, and has become the focal point of alarming claims that mold and inadequate care are endangering women inside the prison. Clark says she has spent years suffering from exposure to black mold that has left her struggling to breathe, partially paralyzed, and unable to walk without assistance. In photos, her face is swollen and contorted. She says mold is growing out of her ears, and she has been denied medical care. Clark claims she is repeatedly retaliated against for blowing the whistle.
In July 2025, Metro Times reported that a federal judge found conditions at the prison so severe they may violate the Constitution. U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III wrote that the facility is “infested with mold” that eats through brick and metal, drips from ceilings, and falls from air vents. The judge cited allegations that the mold has caused “respiratory infections, coughing, wheezing, rashes, dizziness, and fatigue,” and said the symptoms were severe enough to meet the legal threshold for cruel and unusual punishment.
Whitmer has denied mounting pleas to release Clark, who is eligible for parole in May 2027, without any explanation.
Clark says mold exposure and untreated medical problems are breaking down her body.
“I’m just so tired,” Clark tells Metro Times from prison. “It feels like my body is going to shut down at any time, and the governor isn’t listening.”
Clark says her health is worsening and she feels powerless inside a system she believes is punishing her and others for speaking out. After two other Democratic lawmakers visited the prison earlier this month, Clark says she and other prisoners were retaliated against.
“They made women scrub mold from the ceiling without masks,” Clark says. “They were yelling at them to take their masks off. They did that because the state reps were here. A corrections officer told me the warden was angry about what happened.”
One of the catalysts for the oversight hearing is MDOC’s body-camera policy and allegations that officers recorded strip searches and other moments when they were undressed. More than 500 women at the prison are suing the state for $500 million, alleging they were illegally recorded in what attorneys are calling one of the most egregious privacy violations in the country.
“They were recording strip searches, medical appointments, and other times where there was a reasonable expectation of privacy — yes, even in a women’s prison,” Pohutsky says. “Many of the women have histories of sexual abuse, and this is retraumatizing.”
During her visit, Pohutsky says she walked away alarmed by what she heard about mold, cleaning practices, and access to medical care.
“I was obviously looking for mold,” she says. “There are a couple of different issues, and it is causing serious health impacts.”
Pohutsky says she pressed prison officials about why Clark has struggled to see specialists as her condition has deteriorated.
“There’s a lot of passing the buck,” Pohutsky says. “We’ve seen that a lot with the department. I think this oversight hearing is a great way to get answers.”
Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr., D-Ypsilanti, and Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, visited the prison unannounced on Feb. 5 after lawmakers restored their authority in the budget to show up without notice. Wilson says they initially planned to stay about an hour but ended up spending hours inside after women stopped them repeatedly to describe what they were experiencing. Among their complaints was that their cells and shower water were cold.
“We turned on the shower and it seemed cold,” Wilson recalls. “It never really warmed up unless all the showers were on at the same time.”
Wilson also says the tour exposed other failures that lawmakers are demanding be addressed immediately, including a pregnant woman who could not get a wheelchair.
As lawmakers press for oversight, a growing list of outside groups is rallying behind Clark, calling for medical clemency or another mechanism to get her out of Huron Valley. The Ypsilanti City Council approved a resolution in August 2025 urging her early release due to mold exposure and illness. In January, the Detroit branch of the NAACP urged Whitmer to act, warning that Clark’s condition shows “an alarming physical deterioration” and calling for “immediate action to secure the release of Krystal Clark through executive clemency” along with aggressive remediation of mold and a task force to address hazardous conditions.
The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has also issued a resolution raising alarm about toxic mold, linked illnesses, and systemic failures, specifically highlighting Clark. The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus similarly called for urgent medical intervention for Clark, independent auditing, environmental remediation, and greater transparency at the facility.
The growing calls for reform have been driven in large part by lawsuits that have repeatedly exposed problems inside the prison. In August 2025, women alleged they were required to perform unpaid porter work and described it as forced labor and sex-based discrimination. Two long-running federal class lawsuits filed in 2019 have also continued to draw attention, including one centered on toxic mold and unsafe environmental conditions and another focused on scabies and alleged failures in medical care and hygiene.
A separate federal lawsuit filed in 2025 by an MDOC employee accused the department and its leadership of sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation, adding to broader questions about accountability and culture inside the agency.
The prison has a long history of neglect and abuse. In 2009, the state paid $100 million to settle lawsuits that claimed male corrections officers had sexually abused and harassed female prisoners.
The alleged abuse continued after the case was settled. Between July 2018 and June 2019, 146 women said they were sexually harassed and 12 claimed they were sexually assaulted, according to the MDOC.
In September 2019, the prison was closed to visitors because of a scabies outbreak. About 2,000 women were isolated after women began complaining of rashes.
A class-action lawsuit filed in September 2019 alleged a host of problems, including overcrowding, poor ventilation, and leaky roofs that contributed to chronic mold that was making inmates sick.
Pohutsky says that accountability ultimately belongs to the state.
“These are people the state has decided it is responsible for,” she says. “So it’s on us for what happens while they’re incarcerated.”
She also says Clark’s case should not be treated as an isolated horror story.
“I want to be cautious about focusing on one horrific, egregious case and acting like that’s the only problem,” Pohutsky says. “But she is not the only person who is suffering.”
Lawmakers say they are no longer willing to accept reassurances that conditions are under control. Wilson put it bluntly in a Facebook video outside the prison after the Feb. 5 visit: “We came up here unannounced, with what power we do have,” he said. “We’re on top of it.”
Clark says she hopes the hearing prompts some serious change. For her, a lot is at stake.
“Please don’t let them take my life,” she tells Metro Times, sobbing. “Please.”
The House Oversight hearing will be live-streamed at house.mi.gov.
The Detroit Lions are still searching for clarity behind Jared Goff, and one growing idea around the league suggests the answer may not come from the draft at all.
According to Mike Payton of A to Z Sports, the Lions should seriously consider trading for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, a move Payton describes as both low risk and high reward for a team firmly in its Super Bowl window.
Why the timing suddenly makes sense
The Lions entered the 2026 offseason without a long-term backup quarterback plan. While the initial thought was to look toward the draft, that path has become far less appealing.
Several of the top quarterback prospects elected to return to college, and the remaining options are either older or viewed as developmental projects. For a Lions team that wants optionality, not a forced decision, this is a problem.
That’s where Richardson enters the conversation.
The Lions as a reset destination
Richardson, the former fourth overall pick, is still just 23 years old, yet already labeled by some as a disappointment due to inconsistent development in Indianapolis. Payton argues that label says more about the situation than the player.
Recent NFL history has shown that quarterbacks often thrive only after landing in the right environment. Jared Goff himself is the Lions’ best example. Other recent turnarounds: Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Mac Jones, and Malik Willis reinforce the same lesson.
Detroit offers something Indianapolis never truly committed to: patience and infrastructure.
A quarterback-friendly ecosystem
If Richardson were traded to Detroit, he wouldn’t be asked to save the franchise. He’d be asked to learn.
The Lions have quietly assembled one of the league’s most experienced quarterback development environments, including:
Dan Campbell, a former NFL tight end with a strong player-first approach
Drew Petzing, a former quarterbacks coach
Mike Kafka, a former NFL quarterback and longtime QB developer
Mark Brunell, a Pro Bowl quarterback who helped revive Goff’s career
Marques Tuiasosopo and Bruce Gradkowski, both former NFL quarterbacks
Jared Goff, a proven veteran who understands quarterback reinvention firsthand
That collective experience gives Richardson something few young quarterbacks ever receive: multiple perspectives with proof of concept.
The cost makes it even more appealing
Perhaps the strongest argument in Payton’s favor is the price tag.
Rather than investing premium draft capital in a quarterback who may never see the field, the Lions could reportedly acquire Richardson for as little as a 2026 sixth-round pick. That kind of move protects Detroit from downside while preserving flexibility.
If Richardson develops, the Lions may have found their quarterback of the future without sacrificing premium assets. If he doesn’t, the cost is negligible.
Why Detroit should take the swing
The Lions are no longer rebuilding. They’re refining.
A move like this wouldn’t signal panic, it would signal foresight. Detroit can afford to take calculated bets, especially when the reward could be significant and the risk minimal.
As Payton suggests, if Anthony Richardson can’t succeed in Detroit’s quarterback-friendly environment, it likely won’t be because the Lions failed to give him every possible chance.
Flint native Claressa Shields successfully defended her Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship against Franchon Crews-Dezurn Sunday at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena. Shields won 100-90 by unanimous decision, showing the world why she’s still the “GWOAT” (Greatest Woman Of All Time).
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New Edition brought their “The New Edition Way Tour” featuring Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton to a sold out crowd at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, Feb. 20. The night also brought out national and local celebrities including singer Janet Jackson, former NBA all-star Derrick Coleman, political analyst Angela Rye, and native Detroit journalist Jemele Hill.
All together New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton have accounted for 120 albums sold, 11 Grammy awards, and lead the way defining 1990s R&B, which is considered one of genre’s richest decades.
The show started on high notes and high energy as New Edition rose from a platform under the stage covered in shadows and sound. They began with a new song, “Going Out Tonight,” and were quickly joined on stage by Boyz II Men (who went right into “Motownphilly”) and then Braxton (who sang hits “How Many Ways” and “He Wasn’t Man Enough”). To the crowd’s delight, New Edition then pulled out two of their ’90s faves “N.E. Heart Break” and “Hit Me Off.”
Those first 20 minutes set the tone for the flow for the rest of the show. This wasn’t going to be a typical legacy act concert in which each artist goes out, gives their best dozen hits, and then retreats back to their green rooms for the night. They kept the flow round robin-style with each act taking the stage at different periods and in different outfits throughout the whole night.
New Edition brought their “The New Edition Way Tour” featuring Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton to a sold out crowd at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, Feb. 20. Credit: Courtesy photo
Toni Braxton thanked the crowd for “her job,” as she called it. She talked about being told she was never going to perform again due to her fight with lupus and dedicated her performance of “Breathe Again” to Whitney Houston, telling the crowd that it was Whitney’s favorite “Toni Braxton song.”
Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men brought the most passion of the night singing every song like it was a Super Bowl performance. The group was full of notable gestures like passing out roses as they sang, “I’ll Make Love To You,” spoke how it was honor to have been signed to Motown Records, and they wore shirts donning Aaliyah’s portrait while they sang, “One Sweet Day.”
New Edition’s performance selections were made up of their singles like “Can You Stand The Rain” and “Candy Girl” along with hits from their breakout solo careers. Johnny Gill passed out roses and went into the crowd singing, “My, My My.” Boyz II Men joined Ralph Tresvant on stage as he sang “Sensitivity,” and Bobby Brown showed he still has his swagger performing “My Prerogative,” “Roni,” and “Every Little Step.”
The show lasted exactly three hours with everyone performing the entirety of most of their songs and the night ended with all performers on stage singing BBD’s mega hit, “Poison.”
New Edition brought their “The New Edition Way Tour” featuring Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton to a sold out crowd at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Credit: Courtesy photo
Lots of interesting things have happened in the rock world on Feb. 23 throughout the years. These include Santana dominating the GRAMMYs like no one else, Abbey Road Studios getting landmark status, and the Bee Gees performing for the last time ever. Keep reading to discover more about these events and all other major ones that took place on this day in rock history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some of the most memorable moments of the day include:
1985: The Smiths’ second studio album, Meat is Murder, went to No.1 on the UK albums chart just 11 days after its release. It’s the band’s only number 1 album and spent a total of 13 weeks on the UK charts.
2000: Santana tied Michael Jackson’s record for most GRAMMY Award wins in a single night, taking home eight prizes. These included best album, best rock album, and best rock instrumental for “The Calling,” featuring Eric Clapton.
Cultural Milestones
Some of the day’s cultural highlights are:
1952: Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford was born in Winchester, Massachusetts. He attended the Berklee College of Music after high school and played in a few local bands before joining Aerosmith in 1971.
1962: Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton was born in San Francisco, California. Known as “The Whip” for his exceptionally quick fingers, he co-founded Queensryche in 1980, selling over 20 million records worldwide to date.
2010: London’s Abbey Road Studios received Grade II status from the British Treasury of listed buildings, officially becoming a historic site. This prevented any plans for major changes, after it was rumored that it was about to be converted into a residential development.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Some noteworthy performances and recordings that hit the public on Feb. 23 include:
1974: David Bowie’s legendary song “Rebel Rebel” first entered the UK charts. Written and produced by Bowie, who also handled guitar duties, the song was a commercial success and peaked at No. 5 on the chart.
2002: The Bee Gees made their final live concert appearance as a trio at the Love and Hope Ball in Miami Beach, Florida. After Maurice Gibb passed away the following January, the two remaining brothers decided to retire the name.
From Santana’s record-breaking feat to The Bee Gees saying goodbye to the stage, these are the most memorable rock-related moments and events that took place on Feb. 23. Visit this page again tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.
Sports in February include the NBA and NHL seasons, Super Bowl, NBA All-Star game, college basketball tournaments, spring training for the MLB, NASCAR’s Daytona 500, Formula E, some PGA Tour Events and the Winter Olympics. Over the years, Feb. 23 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.
Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records
Great moments in sports history from Feb. 23 included:
1895: Speed skaterJaap Eden skated a world record time of 17:56 in the 10km.
1906: Boxer Tommy Burns beat Marvin Hart in 20 rounds and won the heavyweight boxing title.
1938: Joe Louis knocked out Nathan Mann in round three and retained his world heavyweight boxing title. This was the second title defense by Louis.
1952: Lydia Wideman of Finland became the first female Olympic cross-country skiing champion.
1960: Carol Heiss won the first gold medal for the United States at the Squaw Valley Games.
1964: In the sixth Daytona 500, driver Richard Petty won the race and led for a record 184 of the 200 laps.
1968: Wilt Chamberlain became the first NBA player to score 25,000 points.
1980: Speed skater Eric Heiden won the Olympic 10,000 meter in a world record time of 14:28.13. He also swept all five speed skating events at Lake Placid.
1985: Goaltender Patrick Roy made his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens.
1988: Speed skater Yvonne van Gennip skated to a female record time of 4:11.94 in the 3k.
1991: Greg Haugen won the WBO light-welterweight title in a split decision over Hector “Macho” Camacho.
2002: The United States men’s bobsled team ended a 46-year medal drought by winning silver and bronze in the four-man race.
2013: Ronda Rousey beat Liz Carmouche with the armbar at UFC 157 and it was the first women’s fight in the promotion’s history.
2014: In the 56th annual Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. broke a 55-race winless streak and won his second Great American race.
2014: Canada won the Olympic ice hockey double with a 3-0 victory over Sweden in the men’s gold medal game in Sochi.
2014: Russia swept the medals in the men’s 50k cross country skiing at Sochi.
2018: Speed skater Kjeld Nuis won his second gold medal of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in the 1000 meter distance.
2019: Soccer star Lionel Messi scored the 50th hat-trick of his career.
2019: Roy Hodgson overtakes Sir Bobby Robson as the oldest man to manage a Premier League football club at the age of 71 years and 198 days.
Three athletes who stood out on Feb. 23 were Tommy Burns, Patrick Roy, and Ronda Rousey.
Burns was a prolific champion, famous for defending his title 11 times across five countries and for fighting the legendary Jack Johnson. Roy is famous for perfecting the “butterfly” style, winning four Stanley Cups (two with Montreal, two with Colorado), and earning a record three Conn Smythe trophies. Rousey is the first female fighter signed by the UFC, the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamwright Champion, and a 2008 Olympic judo medalist.
When the Detroit Lions hired Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator, they weren’t just looking for a play-caller.
They were looking for someone who sees the game the way quarterbacks do, the way defenses do, and most importantly, the way elite playmakers want their coordinator to see it.
Petzing’s calling card around the league is simple but dangerous: identify where defenses are vulnerable and relentlessly force them to defend those weak spots. With players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta already thriving in Detroit, that philosophy could push the Lions offense to another level in 2026.
A Coordinator Who Sees Holes Others Miss
One thing that stands out when former players talk about Petzing is how deeply he understands defensive structure. He doesn’t just teach concepts, he teaches why defenses behave the way they do.
Kirk Cousins, who worked with Petzing in Minnesota, once described how Petzing reframed a coverage Cousins hated seeing.
“I had a conversation once about a coverage that I don’t like to face that I always said was really, really tough,” Cousins said via the Detroit Free Press. “He said, ‘Kirk, it may be tough but it’s loose.’”
That phrase stuck because it perfectly captures Petzing’s approach. No coverage is airtight. Every defense leaves space somewhere. The job of the offense is to find it before the ball is snapped and punish it after.
Petzing’s rise through the coaching ranks wasn’t fast or glamorous, and that’s part of what shaped his perspective. In an exclusive interview with the Detroit Free Press, Petzing explained how close he once came to a completely different career path.
“All these people, their interest and their desire to do these things is not mine,” Petzing told the Free Press, reflecting on a summer spent in a business program. “I can do it, but I didn’t love it, I didn’t enjoy it… if I can make this happen, I need to make this happen cause this is 100 times better than whatever that was.”
That clarity shows up in how he coaches. Petzing doesn’t force ideas. He builds around people. Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson believes that approach will translate seamlessly in Detroit.
“I think what Drew does is he’s going to put his best players in a chance to showcase what they do,” Johnson said.
That philosophy aligns perfectly with Detroit’s offensive identity.
Why Amon-Ra St. Brown Fits This System So Well
Amon-Ra St. Brown already wins with intelligence, leverage, and toughness. What Petzing brings is a plan to ensure those traits are constantly stressed against the defense’s weakest link.
St. Brown’s ability to line up anywhere, read coverage on the fly, and adjust routes based on leverage makes him an ideal centerpiece for a coordinator who values matchup control. Instead of simply “feeding” him targets, Petzing’s offense is designed to force defenses into bad choices, whether that means isolating a nickel corner, dragging a linebacker into space, or manipulating safeties with formation and motion.
That’s how volume turns into efficiency, and efficiency turns into dominance.
Sam LaPorta Could Become the Ultimate Mismatch
If there’s one player who stands to benefit most from Petzing’s arrival, it might be Sam LaPorta.
Petzing has a long history working with tight ends and quarterbacks, and his Arizona offenses leaned heavily on creating favorable tight end looks. Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, who flourished under Petzing, didn’t hide his excitement about what this could mean for Detroit.
“Obviously, we had a lot of success under him,” McBride said. “So I think he’s a great coordinator and I’m excited to see what he can do with all the weapons there in Detroit.”
LaPorta’s combination of size, speed, and awareness already makes him difficult to defend. In a system that prioritizes finding coverage stress points, he could become a weekly problem defenses simply can’t solve.
Jared Goff Is a Natural Fit, Too
Another important piece of this puzzle is Jared Goff. Petzing’s offenses thrive on clarity, timing, and married concepts, all things that allow Goff to play fast and confident.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Goff plans to spend significant time with Petzing this offseason reshaping the Lions playbook, a familiar process that mirrors what happened when Ben Johnson first took over.
That collaboration matters. When the quarterback and coordinator see the game through the same lens, matchup advantages show up earlier and mistakes happen less often.
What This Means for the Lions in 2026
Detroit doesn’t need a radical overhaul on offense. The pieces are already there.
What Drew Petzing offers is refinement, intentionality, and a relentless focus on exploiting defensive weaknesses. With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta at the center of that vision, the Lions offense could become even more precise, more efficient, and more difficult to defend than it has ever been.
And if Petzing’s reputation holds true, defenses won’t just be reacting.
Detroit Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch isn’t pretending to be a baseball executive, and that’s very much the point.
Speaking Sunday on WXYT-FM with Dan Dickerson and Dan Petry, Ilitch offered rare, candid insight into how the organization arrived at its aggressive pitching additions, including the signing of Framber Valdez and the reunion with Justin Verlander. At the center of it all was president of baseball operations Scott Harris, whose vision continues to shape the Tigers’ rise.
Scott Harris Brought the Plan — and the Opportunity
According to Ilitch, the idea of pursuing Valdez didn’t appear out of nowhere. Harris planted the seed early and continued building the case as the offseason evolved.
“He had actually come early in the offseason and thought that could be something that would be possible as the offseason went on,” Ilitch explained. “As it became more possible, he came. He’s always looking to make smart business — baseball decisions.”
Ilitch emphasized that Harris has earned trust through preparation and clarity. When Harris believes a move will benefit the team, ownership hasn’t stood in the way.
“And he knows,” Ilitch said. “Every time he has something that he thinks would benefit the team, I’ve been able to support that. He brought this opportunity.”
The Moment Valdez and Verlander Collided
One of the most revealing parts of Ilitch’s comments came when he described how discussions around Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander unexpectedly overlapped.
“It was kind of fun,” Ilitch said. “We were talking about Framber (Valdez) and JV (Justin Verlander) at the same time.”
At one point, Ilitch admits he nearly jumped the gun.
“He’s halfway through his presentation on Framber, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is really good,’ but I said, ‘Scott, maybe we should sign both of them.’”
Harris wasn’t done.
“He says, ‘Hold on, I’ve got more to share.’ I guess I’m a good setup man, or I’ve got to curtail my excitement. I should’ve waited for him to make his full presentation.”
By the end of it, ownership and baseball ops were perfectly aligned.
“We were really on the same page,” Ilitch said.
A Clear Chain of Command in Detroit
Ilitch made it clear that while he’s supportive, he’s not dictating roster construction.
“These baseball operations decisions are his,” Ilitch repeated. “He’s very bright and very smart. I just want to support him wherever I can.”
That clarity matters. Under Harris, Detroit has committed real resources to pitching, leadership, and culture, moves that helped push the Tigers to back-to-back postseason appearances and now position them as a legitimate contender entering 2026.
For the first time in years, ownership, baseball ops, and the clubhouse appear fully aligned — and Ilitch seems more than comfortable letting Scott Harris steer the ship.
I can’t say enough great things about Ken Settle, Detroit photographer. He was brilliant, kind, and generous with his talent. Thanks to Ken Settle, WCSX has been able to share hundreds of concert photos and their stories with our audience.
A celebration of life is being held for Ken Settle at the Token Lounge in Westland on March 29th, at 4:30 pm, 2026. The full details are available on the Token’s event page.
Ken’s passing was a really tough blow. I loved talking with Ken and sharing his stories and photos. He was such a gracious, humble person with unbelievably detailed stories behind the moments he captured on film. A few years back, I interviewed Ken Settle. Here are some pieces from that conversation.
The Interview: Ken Settle, Detroit Photographer
Do you remember the first rock n’ roll picture you shot?
KS: My very, very first rock’n’roll photo was in May of 1971. The Bob Seger System was playing a baseball game in Southfield against the staff of the brand new WRIF-FM. Somehow, my sisters and I talked my dad into taking us to see the ball game. I felt very bad that my mom couldn’t come too. She had to be home and make Mother’s Day dinner for my grandma. I took my mom’s Mother’s Day card with me in hopes of getting Bob Seger to sign it!
My dad let me use his decent camera to try to get photos. I spotted Seger walking back out onto the field–a pack of Marlboros in one hand and a ball glove in the other. I went up to him and shyly asked, “Bob…would you sign my mom’s Mother’s Day card”? “Sure,” he said with a friendly chuckle. “Let’s get this guy to sign it too,” he offered, pointing to Seger System drummer Pep Perrine. Pep signed the card and handed it back to me. I turned to Bob and said, “Let me get a photo!” I snapped one shot…which thankfully was in focus and properly exposed!
Ken Settle
Photo courtesy of Ken Settle, Detroit Photographer: Bob Seger – 1971 Bob Seger and crew played a ballgame against the WRIF crew.
What is one of your all-time favorite concerts in Detroit, and why?
KS:There are so many magical moments. Some of my best memories of photographing live music are the times when I photographed Bob Seger around the Detroit area before his platinum success finally came to him in 1976. Photographing Bob playing at clubs like Uncle Sam’s in Redford in 1973, and The Rock’n’Roll Farm in Wayne in 1974 hold an incredibly special place in my archives as well as in my heart.
Chronicling Bob Seger in the early days gave me such a great look at the development of an iconic artist. I remember photographing one of the earliest Silver Bullet Band shows. It was at Cobo Arena in early October of 1973. Bob and the band were playing the annual ALSAC charity concert at Cobo and opening the show for Brownsville Station. Silver Bullet drummer Charlie Martin had to play on Brownsville Station drummer Henry Weck’s double bass drum kit.Complete with the Brownsville Station logo emblazoned across the bass drum heads! It was done in an effort to save time in striking the stage between bands!
Ken Settle
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band – 1974 Photo credit: Ken Settle, Detroit Photographer
What’s one of the strangest concerts you ever photographed?
KS: Well…the king of strange concert experiences would have to be just about ANY Alice Cooper show! “Expect the unexpected” would have to be the operative motto! Alice’s management has always let me photograph Alice’s shows in their entirety from beginning to end, with no three-song limit, which has been the norm for many years now.
For Alice’s Halloween show at Joe Louis Arena in 1987, Alice had countless helium-filled balloons bouncing overhead in the stage area, and he was piercing them with his sword, sending a ton of confetti falling all over the stage, the photo pit, as well as the first several rows of the audience. What no one knew, though, was that a few of those balloons contained gallons of fake blood! There I was photographing Alice one minute, and the next, me, my cameras, and the first few rows of the audience were covered in gallons of sticky faux blood. I mean, I got NAILED! Covered from head to toe in the stuff! Since I had no other clothes to change into, I got a lot of strange looks driving home after the show.
Alice Cooper–Halloween 1987–Joe Louis Arena
More Ken Settle Stories
Ken Settle was the Detroit photographer who drove to an abandoned diner in Highland Park in the middle of the night to take this photo of Bono. (see full story: U2 Filmed a Video in Highland Park)
Ken Settle
Ken Settle, Detroit photographer. He captures a still of Bono at The Hi-Liter Diner when U2 filmed a video in Highland Park, Michigan.
Ken Settle
Jimmy Page during Page and Plant World Tour: Palace of Auburn Hills 1995
Ken Settle was behind the lens of so many moments in Detroit’s music history; it’s truly unfathomable. He leaves behind a legacy of photos and history spanning more than five decades.
Ken Settle Background
His drive to get photos at live shows began with sneaking into bars to get pictures of the live shows. One of Ken’s first rock and roll photos was a picture of Bob Seger playing baseball with WRIF. Ken caught a lot of Bob Seger’s early days playing high schools, colleges, and at The Rock and Roll Farm. Through the years, Ken’s photos have been published worldwide. Rolling Stone, the original Creem Magazine, People, Playboy, and England’s Kerrang! are just a few of the publications that have featured Ken’s photos.
The Denver Broncos are expected to hire former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton as their pass-game coordinator, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. While the move may raise eyebrows in Detroit, it’s far from a surprise given Morton’s long-standing ties to Denver and to Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
Morton’s return to Denver feels more like a reunion than a fresh start. Before joining the Lions ahead of the 2025 season, Morton held the same pass-game coordinator role with the Broncos in 2023 and 2024. His relationship with Payton, however, goes back even further. The two worked together as far back as 2006, when Morton served as the New Orleans Saints’ pass-game coordinator and offensive assistant during Payton’s early years in New Orleans.
That history explains why Denver was always viewed as a logical landing spot if Morton found himself back on the market.
Why Morton’s Detroit Tenure Fell Short
Morton’s lone season in Detroit was widely viewed as underwhelming, particularly given the expectations entering 2025. He already had familiarity with both head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff, stemming from his role as an offensive assistant with the Lions in 2022. On paper, the hire made sense.
In practice, the results were uneven.
While the Lions still finished the season ranked top-five in both points per game and yards per game, those numbers represented a noticeable drop from the offensive dominance Detroit had displayed in previous seasons. The unit struggled with consistency, explosiveness, and situational execution—especially in critical moments.
By midseason, Campbell made a decisive move: he reclaimed play-calling duties. It was a clear signal that the offense wasn’t operating at the level the coaching staff expected. Morton shifted into a more behind-the-scenes role, focusing on weekly game-planning and preparation. Campbell was quick to emphasize that Morton remained valuable, but the adjustment spoke volumes.
A Better Fit Back in Denver?
For Morton, the Broncos may represent a more comfortable environment. In Denver, he steps into a clearly defined role under a head coach who knows him well and trusts his offensive philosophy. He won’t be tasked with running an entire offense, but instead refining the passing game—an area where Payton has long valued his input.
Morton landing back in Denver makes sense. It just never truly worked in Detroit.
Every year, the NFL Scouting Combine is about more than just the headline names. It’s where teams like the Detroit Lions separate future contributors from future stars, and sometimes uncover a player who fits their identity perfectly.
This is exactly the type of player the Lions should be circling.
Why Gabe Jacas is on Detroit’s radar
The Lions’ need is clear. While Aidan Hutchinson has become one of the NFL’s most disruptive edge defenders, Detroit is still searching for a consistent running mate on the opposite side—someone who can win with power, effort, and violence at the point of attack.
Sports Illustrated NFL draft analyst Justin Melo explained why Jacas makes sense for Detroit:
“The Detroit Lions have needed a running mate for Aidan Hutchinson. Illinois’ Gabe Jacas may post the highest bench-press reps of any EDGE in NFL Scouting Combine attendance. That’ll play for Dan Campbell and his preferred blueprint of strength and toughness.”
That sentence alone should grab Detroit’s attention.
Senior Bowl momentum is real
Jacas didn’t just show up on lists because of traits—he earned buzz with his Senior Bowl performance.
After trimming his weight from 270 pounds down to 260, Jacas showed noticeably improved burst and movement. The lighter frame helped him bend better, close faster, and sustain effort across reps—something Lions coaches value heavily when evaluating trench players.
The Senior Bowl proved he can hang with NFL-caliber offensive linemen. The Combine is his chance to confirm it with numbers.
Production that matches the tape
This isn’t a traits-only projection. Jacas has the résumé to back it up.
During the 2025 regular season, Jacas:
Led the Big Ten with 11.0 sacks
Ranked sixth nationally in sacks
Recorded three forced fumbles
For a Lions defense that emphasizes disruption and takeaways, that last stat matters. Detroit wants edge rushers who don’t just sack quarterbacks—but attack the football.
Jacas does exactly that.
Why Jacas fits the Lions’ culture
This is where the dots really connect.
Physical strength
Relentless motor
Plays through contact
Embraces dirty work
That’s Dan Campbell football.
Jacas isn’t flashy. He’s not the most hyped edge in the class. But he checks the boxes Detroit prioritizes—effort, toughness, and competitiveness. If he shows elite strength numbers at the Combine, his stock will rise fast.
The Combine could change everything
For a player labeled a “hidden gem,” the Combine is often the turning point.
If Jacas:
Dominates the bench press
Tests better than expected athletically
Confirms his improved movement at 260 pounds
He may not stay “hidden” for long.
And if the Lions are serious about finding Hutchinson’s long-term partner, this is exactly the type of evaluation they can’t afford to miss.
Final thoughts
Detroit doesn’t need to chase the biggest name on the board. They need the right player.
Gabe Jacas fits the Lions’ defensive blueprint, brings proven production, and carries momentum into the most important pre-draft week of his career. If he shines in Indianapolis, don’t be surprised if Detroit’s interest turns very real, very fast.
If you’re a Detroit Red Wings fan, chances are your heart skipped a beat on Sunday morning.
During the Gold Medal game between Team USA and Canada, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkintook a brutal — but clean — hit that instantly had Wings fans holding their breath. Canada’s Tom Wilson lowered his shoulder and absolutely drilled Larkin, sending him head-first into the boards in a scary-looking collision.
It was one of those moments where everything stops. As a Wings fan, you’re not thinking about the score or the gold medal — you’re thinking, “Please get up, please be okay.”
Thankfully, Larkin popped back up and returned to the game, showing exactly why he’s the heart and soul of Detroit’s rebuild. The hit was hard, legal, and playoff-intensity hockey at its finest — but that doesn’t make it any easier to watch when it’s your captain on the receiving end.
Love him or hate him, Wilson plays with an edge, and this was international hockey at full speed. Still, seeing Larkin shake it off and keep battling was a reminder of why Wings fans ride so hard for No. 71. Tough. Fearless. Captain material.
Unfortunately, videos have been taken down due to copyright infringement, but the photos are still available.
Feb. 22 is a big day for rock fans. It’s when The Eagles released one of the most well-known songs of all time, Genesis released their debut album, and the GRAMMYs famously snubbed Metallica for the inaugural Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance award. These are just some of the most consequential events that happened on this day in rock history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some of the most important breakthrough moments of the day include:
1962: Elvis Presley went to the top of the UK singles chart with his double A-side single “Can’t Help Falling In Love“https://wcsx.com/”Rock-A-Hula Baby.” The double single spent four weeks at No 1, helped by the popularity of the movie the tracks were featured in, Blue Hawaii.
1970: David Bowie’s band, Hype, had their debut performance at the Roundhouse Spring Festival in Camden, London. While the band didn’t last long, its members continued to play with Bowie later on, as the Spiders from Mars.
Cultural Milestones
Plenty of things happened in rock culture on this date throughout the years. The most consequential are:
1989: The GRAMMYs had their inaugural Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance award. Although the huge favorites were Metallica, who were nominated for their …And Justice for All album, the award surprisingly went to Jethro Tull for their Crest of a Knave album.
2022: Former Steaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age member Mark Lanegan passed away at age 57. He began his career in 1984 and also enjoyed success as a solo artist.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Feb. 22 has also had its fair share of famous recordings and releases:
1967: The Beatles recorded an E major chord on three synchronized pianos to create the ending of their “A Day in the Life” song. It took nine takes, with the final being deemed the most worthy to be included on the record.
1977: The Eagles released the legendary single “Hotel California,” from their similarly titled fifth album. It’s widely seen as one of the greatest rock songs of all time and has been covered dozens of times. throughout the years.
These are the most consequential rock-related events that took place on Feb. 22, with the “Hotel California” release taking center stage. Visit us again tomorrow to find out what happened on that day in rock history.
Sports in February include the NBA and NHL seasons, Super Bowl, NBA All-Star game, college basketball tournaments, spring training for the MLB, NASCAR’s Daytona 500, Formula E, some PGA Tour Events and the Winter Olympics. Over the years, Feb. 22 has witnessed many notable moments and stories involving sporting legends. Here are some of them.
Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records
Great moments in sports history from Feb. 22 included:
1893: In the first Iron Bowl, Auburn beat Alabama 32-22.
1933: Motor racer Malcolm Campbell set a world land speed record of 272.46 mph and he did it with his Blue Bird car.
1936: Figure skater Sonja Henie won her 10th straight women’s World Championship figure skating gold medal.
1958: Australian swimmer Jon Konrads set six world records in two days.
1959: In the first ever Daytona 500, Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp crossed the finish line side by side and Beauchamp was declared the unofficial winner. However the ruling was overturned three days later.
1962: Center Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record with 34 free-throw attempts and he made 19 of them.
1972: Rookie Red Wing Henry Boucha scored in his first NHL Game.
1980: The Miracle on Ice happened. The United States beat the heavily favored Soviet Union 4-3 at Lake Placid. It was one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history.
1981: Brothers Anton & Peter Šťastný score an NHL rookie record eight points each in the Quebec Nordiques 11-7 win over the Washington Capitals.
1988: Speed skater Bonnie Blair skated a world record time of 39.10 seconds in the 500 meter distance.
1998: Petr Svoboda scored the lone goal of the game, as the Czech Republic beat Russia and won their first ever Olympic ice hockey gold medal.
2008: Soccer player Marco van Basten signed a four-year contract with Ajax.
2014: At the age of 34, Mario Matt of Austria became the oldest champion in the Olympic alpine skiing event.
2014: Norway swept the medals in the women’s 30k cross country skiing at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
2015: In the 57th Daytona 500, Joey Logano won the event for the second time, as he took the lead with 10 laps to go.
2018: Short track speed skater Wu Dajing beat the men’s 500 meter world record twice, as he won the gold medal at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
2018: The United States Olympics women’s ice hockey team won the gold medal for the first time in 20 years, as they beat Canada 4-3 in a shootout.
2020: Cristiano Ronaldo played in his 1,000th game.
Three athletes who stood out on Feb. 22 were Sonja Henie, Jon Konrads, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Henie revolutionized the sport by introducing short skirts, white skates, and dance choreography. Konrads was known as a “Wonder Boy”, won gold in the 1,500m freestyle and two bronze medals at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Chamberlain was known as “Wilt the Stilt” or “The Big Dipper,” he won two NBA titles, four MVPs, and was a dominant force with the Philadelphia 76ers and Lakers.
It wasn’t the result that Michigan wanted, but the top-3 showdown in Washington D.C. delivered high-intensity basketball.
Both teams played strong defensive games, but ultimately, Duke made more shots when it mattered. The Blue Devils snuck by the Wolverines, winning 68-63.
The game was a simulated March Madness bout: a neutral site, two of the best teams in the country, and a raucous crowd. Regardless of the outcome, both squads gained valuable experience as tournament season quickly approaches.
Here are five key takeaways from Michigan’s second loss of the season…
Duke Dominated The Boards
The biggest culprit to the Wolverines’ defeat was its lack of rebounding. There have been times this season where Michigan has been out-rebounded, but Duke took it to another level. The Blue Devils collected 41 rebounds to the Wolverines’ 28. Duke also scored 18 second-chance points.
Outside of giving Duke second chances, Michigan’s rebounding troubles limited its ability to get out in transition. The Blue Devils play slow, and they forced Michigan to play that way too. When the Wolverines are at their best, they’re grabbing the board and immediately running the floor, but with Duke’s offensive rebounding prowess, they had to focus on simply securing the board.
Down three with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game, the Wolverines forced a miss. But instead of getting the ball back with a chance to tie the game, they were unable to corral the rebound, ultimately slashing any chance they had at a comeback.
It’s not often a team as big as Michigan gets out-rebounded, but Duke pulled it off.
Lendeborg’s Confidence Is Back
In the first half, it was the Yaxel Lendeborg show. The graduate forward scored 10 of the Wolverines’ first 14 points and finished the half with a game-high 16 points. While he slowed down in the second half — finishing the game with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists — he was Michigan’s heart and soul on offense.
Nine of his 15 shot attempts came from beyond the arc. Most of those were good looks, though, and he wasn’t forcing the issue. Duke was daring him to shoot, and he did, knocking down three of those nine.
The confidence to take those shots is a good sign for the Wolverines. While it probably shouldn’t be nine attempts every game, Lendeborg making teams respect his jumper opens up the offense for his teammates.
Foul Trouble
Junior center Aday Mara only played six minutes in the first half, because in those six minutes, he picked up three fouls. And when sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. picked up his second foul, the Wolverines were forced to play very small down the stretch of the first half.
Mara also had to sit to start the second half, with senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. taking his place. While this isn’t a big deal on paper, it threw off head coach Dusty May’s usual rotations and hindered Michigan’s defense.
Even when Mara did get back out on the court, he couldn’t be as physical as he normally is, fearing he would pick up his fourth foul. It wasn’t the singular thing that doomed the Wolverines, but it threw them out of their normal routine.
Second-Half Woes
In the second half, Michigan shot 8-for-28 from the field, good for just 28.6%. On the other hand, Duke shot 13-for-29 (44.8%). It’s very difficult to win a close game with second-half splits like that.
The Wolverines missed a few easy ones, but a lot of the credit goes to Duke’s defense. The Blue Devils are ranked second in the country in defensive efficiency — behind only Michigan itself — and they showed why on Saturday night.
They made Michigan’s guards uncomfortable with constant ball pressure, and they recovered very nicely down to the Wolverines’ forwards. Michigan didn’t get many open opportunities, and when it did, it couldn’t take advantage.
Michigan Now Knows Where It Must Improve
At this high level of basketball, there really isn’t such a thing as a moral victory. Still, this game can be very valuable for the Wolverines moving forward.
The environment very closely resembled that of a March Madness matchup, and they got to take on a fellow top-ranked team outside of the Big Ten. The loss doesn’t hinder their push for the Big Ten title, and it provides a bench mark for where they stand as of right now.
Michigan learned that it isn’t unbeatable, and it still has to grow if it wants to make a push for the national championship.
In a rare top-3, non-conference matchup in February, the No. 1 Michigan men’s basketball team (25-2) couldn’t scrounge up enough offense to take down No. 3 Duke (25-2), losing 68-63 in a physical defensive battle.
For Michigan, it was graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg getting off of the blocks hot. He scored 10 of the Wolverines’ first 14 points and looked extremely comfortable in the big-time environment. He started his scoring by forcing his way into the paint, finishing two and-1s and a fastbreak layup. But he also showed off his range, hitting two 3-pointers early in the half as well.
While the numbers evened out as the half progressed, in the early stages, Michigan was seeking high-percentage looks on the interior, while Duke was more content firing from the outside. So, while the Wolverines were shooting a better percentage from the field, the Blue Devils were able to keep pace with the occasional 3-pointer.
Michigan’s junior center Aday Mara picked up three early fouls and was only able to play six minutes in the first half. This forced Lendeborg and sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. to play extended minutes. But when Johnson picked up his second foul late in the half, the Wolverines had to go small.
Duke’s star freshman forward Cameron Boozer took advantage Michigan’s lack of size on the court. With senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. drawing the matchup down the stretch, Boozer used his frame and footwork to collect nine points in the first period. Lendeborg finished the half with a game-high 16 points, keeping the Wolverines right in the game.
Neither team opened up a lead larger than five points, and Duke entered halftime with a slim 35-33 lead.
The Blue Devils tested the Wolverines’ fight early in the second half, opening up a 41-35 lead in the opening minutes, but Michigan wasn’t going to hang its head that easy. Johnson nailed a top-of-the-key 3-pointer for the Wolverines’ first field goal of the half, settling things down and making the score 41-38.
Both squads started to struggle offensively. In the first eight minutes of the second half, Michigan shot 3-for-10 from the floor while Duke shot 5-for-6. The biggest difference was the Blue Devils’ ability to clean the glass. In that span alone, Duke outrebounded the Wolverines 13-to-6, with seven of those being offensive. So, with 12-minutes to play, the Blue Devils held a 47-42 lead.
As the clock ticked under 10 minutes to play, Michigan’s struggles from the field continued, and Duke continued to work the ball inside. The Blue Devils were exposing the Wolverines’ defense, continuously running the pick-and-roll to get favorable mismatches down low. Even so, Michigan got to the line and made its free throws to keep the deficit manageable, and at the under-eight minute timeout, it trailed 53-48.
After Duke opened up a 57-49 lead, the Wolverines finally made their move. Mara collected a tip-in layup and then knocked in two free throws to cut the lead to four, then Lendeborg closed the deficit to just one with a right-wing triple off of two offensive rebounds. With just under four minutes to play, Duke was only up by one point, 57-56, and the Wolverines had the momentum on their side.
The teams continued to trade blows, tit for tat. A 3-pointer for a 3-pointer. But with under a minute to play, Duke had still the upper hand, 66-63.
Down three with less than 30 seconds left, the Wolverines forced a miss, but they couldn’t corral the rebound. Michigan was forced to foul, and the game was over from there. Duke knocked down its free throws, and the Wolverines couldn’t execute a miraculous comeback.
Michigan’s No. 1 ranking is probably now short-lived, but its attention turns back to Big Ten play and the quest for a conference title.
Max Clark put his speed on full display in his first Grapefruit League game of the spring.
In Saturday’s Detroit Tigers opener against the New York Yankees, the Tigers’ No. 2 overall prospect turned a routine ground ball into a hit by simply outrunning the defense. Clark legged out an infield single in his second at-bat, showcasing the elite athleticism that has made him one of the most exciting young players in the organization.
The play was a reminder that Clark doesn’t need to drive the ball over the fence to impact a game. His speed, instincts, and nonstop energy immediately pressure opposing defenses, even in early spring training action.
Detroit has emphasized letting its top prospects play freely this spring, and Clark’s hustle-first approach fit perfectly with that mindset in his Grapefruit League debut.
