Hail Yes! A Detroit Free Press Podcast About University of Michigan Sports

Man, what a crazy academic year it was for Michigan athletics. From a national championship to multiple suspensions for Jim Harbaugh to new coaches in football and basketball in a matter of months, this year pretty much had it all. As we approach the summer months – a slower time in the college sports landscape – we thought it would be the perfect time to rank the most memorable moments from 1-10...

Tony and Rainer open the show by discussing Michigan basketball's media availability on Tuesday and what they heard from Dusty May and the rest of his new staff. Did the Wolverines nail this difficult and important offseason? And could this team make the NCAA tournament? Then after the break, Andrew and Rainer ask Tony about his one-on-one interview with Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, wh...

Transfers, transfers and more transfers. That's the state of college sports these days and with Tuesday serving as the official deadline for entering your name in the transfer portal, there was a rash of players testing the waters. Tony and Rainer open the show by discussing how we got to this point and the sustainability (or lack thereof) long term. Then the guys break down how Michigan has navig...

With the Michigan football and basketball seasons wrapped up, you'd expect things to be slowing down, but if anything. this week seems to be the opposite. The guys start the show by getting into the talk of the state, the NFL draft, and what to expect from some of the big-name former Wolverines who have entered their names, including star quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Then after the first break, Tony...

The Michigan football program is many things, but you can't say it is boring. Tony and Rainer react to the breaking news from this week that the Wolverines have been placed under a three-year probation, given an undisclosed fine and some recruiting penalties for violation under Jim Harbaugh. The guys talk about what the news means, how big of an effect it will have going forward and more.  Then af...

With spring football well underway, we're starting to learn more about the upcoming rendition of Michigan football. Looking ahead, Tony comes up with five hot takes for Michigan football in 2024, with Rainer and Andrew rating the takes on a scale of 1-5, with a 1 being "not that crazy" and a 5 being "that's totally crazy." The guys talk about everything from Michigan's defense returning to its 202...

The Michigan Wolverines officially have a new men's basketball coach. After a whirlwind few days, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel formally introduced Dusty May as the school's next basketball coach on Tuesday after firing Juwan Howard at the end of the 2023-24 season.  Tony and Rainer, who were both at the press conference, share their biggest takeaways from the big day and say why this mo...

The bat signal was flashed, and an emergency podcast was called. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced Friday the school has parted ways with basketball coach Juwan Howard after a tumultuous 8-24 season . Tony and Rainer spend the show focusing on answering three questions: What went wrong, why now and what's next for the Wolverines basketball program?  After the break, Tony and Rainer...

We could all see it coming from a mile away, but over the course of the NFL combine, J.J. McCarthy became THE story. First, he was a certain first-round talent. Then, some mock drafts had him as a top-10 pick. Before you knew it, ESPN's Louis Riddick said an executive told him he'd be in the top 5.  So we thought now is the time to plant your flag: Rainer and Tony both watched every snap McCarthy...

The NFL combine is here, and the Michigan Wolverines are the talk of the town. Between the Wolverines having a record 18 former players invited to the event in Indianapolis and the debates surrounding quarterback J.J. McCarthy, there is certainly plenty to talk about from a Michigan perspective.  Tony and Rainer join the show from the Hoosier state to talk about what they've noticed so far from th...

The nightmare season continued for Michigan basketball on Wednesday with the program's announcement that Olivier Nkamhoua will miss the rest of the season after undergoing wrist surgery. Tony and Rainer open the show by discussing the news and how Michigan into such a dire place, plus some talk on the transfer portal and the future of college basketball.  After the break, the guys talk about forme...

Just when you thought things may die down after a crazy national championship season, the Michigan football program began its reboot under Sherrone Moore. Tony and Rainer open the show by ranking the five biggest stories for Michigan football since Jim Harbaugh left and Sherrone Moore took over.  Then after the break, the guys discuss athletic director Warde Manuel's comments about Juwan Howard an...

It didn't have the fanfare of Jim Harbaugh's introductory press conference almost a decade before, but Michigan football formally introduced Sherrone Moore as the program's next head coach on Saturday. What was the vibe like at the event, and what challenges are ahead for the first-time head coach? Tony and Rainer open the show by breaking it down.  After the break, the guys talk about what has go...

After years of rumors and a national championship to boot, Jim Harbaugh is officially heading to the NFL to take the head coaching gig with the Los Angeles Chargers. Tony and Rainer open the show by discussing if this was always how the saga was going to end, what Michigan did to try and keep Harbaugh, and where the coach ranks historically after his run in Ann Arbor.  Then after the break, the gu...

Well, that was fun.  As the dust settles on an incredible season, Tony and Rainer sit down to discuss how Michigan finally got over the hump and what it looked like behind the scenes as the Wolverines celebrated the championship. Then, the guys talk about the vindication for Jim Harbaugh and Warde Manuel and their decision to stick it out when things got tough in 2020, the history behind Michigan'...

The Michigan Wolverines are the last team standing.  After a crazy season, both off and on the field, the Wolverines delivered when it mattered most, squeezing the life out of Washington's high-powered offense in a 34-13 win. Immediately after the game, Tony and Rainer met up on the field at NRG Stadium to record their instant reactions. How did the Wolverines get this done? And was it always this...

The job is still not finished. Not for the Michigan football team trying to win a national championship, and not for the podcasters who cover the team.  Tony and Rainer open the show by recapping a very eventful Rose Bowl with Michigan beating Alabama, 27-20. The crew talks about how Michigan ultimately pulled off the win, plus the sights and sounds from the incredible day of football. Then, Tony...

What. A. Day.  Tony and Rainer sat down for a quick emergency podcast after Michigan beat Alabama, 27-20, in overtime at the Rose Bowl. The guys discuss how this was the ultimate culmination of the last three years with the Wolverines finally getting over the hump on the biggest stage.  Read all about the Michigan Wolverines , including some great pieces by Tony and Rainer, by heading to our websi...

Live from Los Angeles, Tony and Rainer discuss the latest development in the alleged scandal, with Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond telling the Free Press they haven't been able to watch any individual film out of fear that Michigan football allegedly may have poached information off of the team's Catapult tracking system. Then, the guys talk about the seemingly endless SEC vs. Big Ten debate. Is...

ESPN's resident SEC expert Paul Finebaum joins Hail Yes to discuss the upcoming Rose Bowl showdown between Michigan and Alabama. Amongst other things, Finebaum, who has been a well-known critic of Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh, said he would be surprised if the coach was still with the Wolverines after this season with all of the "baggage" that has built up over his tenure. Plus, Tony...

The "Hail Yes!" crew is joined by Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor amidst reports that there has been an HR investigation launched into an incident involving Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard and a member of the team staff. Is this latest story just a blip on the radar or part of more systematic issues with the program? Tune in to hear Tony, Rainer and Shawn give their takes on the state of...

After hours of debate, snubs, upsets, and near upsets, the College Football Playoff is set, and the Michigan Wolverines are the No. 1 overall seed. Their reward? A matchup against Nick Saban and Alabama, the most dominant program in the 21st century. Although Alabama still presents an extremely tall task, the dynamic has changed since Michigan last faced Saban and the Crimson Tide in a 35-16 beatd...

The Big Ten championship game is on the docket, with Michigan set to square off against Iowa, but all that anyone can really talk about is the Wolverines' big-time win over Ohio State last week. Tony and Rainer open the show by discussing what went into Michigan's huge win, the crazy viewership the game got, and how the win has seemingly blocked out all the stories and news about the sign-stealing...

The entire college football season built to the top-5 showdown between Michigan and Ohio State, and The Game did not disappoint.  Live from the Big House, Tony and Rainer give their instant reactions to Michigan's 30-24 win over Ohio State as the Wolverines have really claimed control of this rivalry.  Read all about the Michigan Wolverines , including some great pieces by Tony and Rainer, by head...

After a long season of 30-plus point gambling spreads, a sign-stealing scandal, and a lot of talk about cheeseburgers, the game everyone has been looking forward to all year is finally here. With both Ohio State and Michigan entering the game undefeated, the stakes are everything we thought they could be and more. Tony and Rainer open the show by discussing all the things that make this maybe the...