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The Hot Seat: A Year of Outrage, Pride, and Occasional Games of College Football
A fan’s search for the truth about American history, human nature, and whether Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh will keep his job
Being a University of Michigan football fan should be joyful. Michigan is an elite academic institution whose football team boasts forty-three Big Ten championships.
But these days, college football is complicated. The NCAA is corrupt and exploitative, and Michigan keeps losing to Ohio State. It’s hard not to wonder, as Slate writer and superfan Ben Mathis-Lilley does in this Why are we doing this?
The Hot Seat is a chronicle of one of the wildest years in Michigan football history, but also a search for the truth about fandom, from the pages of history books to the wilderness of online forums. Is it embarrassing to care about what happens in a game? Why is Jim Harbaugh like that? Is it somehow Thomas Jefferson’s fault? This book explores all these questions and many more.
Against the backdrop of a quickly changing sport and country, The Hot Seat is an exploration of the all-consuming culture of fandom, and why it matters.
Being a University of Michigan football fan should be joyful. Michigan is an elite academic institution whose football team boasts forty-three Big Ten championships.
But these days, college football is complicated. The NCAA is corrupt and exploitative, and Michigan keeps losing to Ohio State. It’s hard not to wonder, as Slate writer and superfan Ben Mathis-Lilley does in this Why are we doing this?
The Hot Seat is a chronicle of one of the wildest years in Michigan football history, but also a search for the truth about fandom, from the pages of history books to the wilderness of online forums. Is it embarrassing to care about what happens in a game? Why is Jim Harbaugh like that? Is it somehow Thomas Jefferson’s fault? This book explores all these questions and many more.
Against the backdrop of a quickly changing sport and country, The Hot Seat is an exploration of the all-consuming culture of fandom, and why it matters.
- GenresSportsFootballNonfiction
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 30, 2022
13 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 4, 2022
To a person who is from another nation, American college football must be a very different sport. There are many different aspects that a visitor may not understand, such as the tailgating, the fever that so many have for a particular school, the recruiting and the concept of a “student-athlete” representing their school. These may make one, even college football fans, wonder why so many people are so enthralled with the sport. Slate writer Ben Mathis-Lilley makes an attempt to describe this game that is all-consuming for many fans.
He accomplishes the goal by writing about different viewpoints on why people would be so invested in the sport while he himself interrupts this analysis by writing about his own rooting interest, the University of Michigan Wolverines and their head coach Jim Harbaugh. The title of the book, and the cover, would make one think that it is only about Michigan and the calls for Harbaugh’s ouster, hence he was on the “hot seat.” This came after the 2020 college season in which Michigan went “only” 9-3, which for that fan base is unacceptable. Add in the fact that as the 2021 season started, a Harbaugh-coached Wolverines team had yet to defeat its arch rival, Ohio State, and you have some very upset Michigan fans and alumni.
Going beyond just the football, Mathis-Lilley looks for connections between college football fans and other disciplines to learn more about their behavior. He interviews several people in those disciplines and analyzes their connections in topics like politics (he does show his political leanings but is fair to all political shades), psychology and even visiting other colleges to see what their coaches and fan bases do. The two schools he writes most about aside from Michigan are Louisiana State University and Florida Atlantic University. The contrasts between the two are stark, and as one might expect, Michigan would be closer to the LSU experience because both schools have a history of success in the sport, but they are still very different. Their coach, Ed Orgeron, also had his share of controversy and time in the “hot seat” but again, a very different circumstance.
Of course, the book follows Michigan’s mostly successful 2021 campaign, which included that long-sought win over Ohio State for Harbaugh, a Big Ten championship and playing in the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. Mathis-Lilley writes more about his observations of fans, himself and others online, more than the games, but the reader will still get a good amount of information on the team and season. It is just not a pure recap of the season, as that is not what the book is about.
College football fans, no matter their region or their favorite team, will enjoy this unique look at the game, the fans, and the issues surrounding the sport now. It is at times, funny, serious, reflective and even controversial, which makes it have a little bit of spice for everyone. It may be a little hard to follow and will take careful reading, but if a reader does that, they will walk away with a better understanding of how the sport reflects its fans and vice versa.
I wish to thank Public Affairs for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
He accomplishes the goal by writing about different viewpoints on why people would be so invested in the sport while he himself interrupts this analysis by writing about his own rooting interest, the University of Michigan Wolverines and their head coach Jim Harbaugh. The title of the book, and the cover, would make one think that it is only about Michigan and the calls for Harbaugh’s ouster, hence he was on the “hot seat.” This came after the 2020 college season in which Michigan went “only” 9-3, which for that fan base is unacceptable. Add in the fact that as the 2021 season started, a Harbaugh-coached Wolverines team had yet to defeat its arch rival, Ohio State, and you have some very upset Michigan fans and alumni.
Going beyond just the football, Mathis-Lilley looks for connections between college football fans and other disciplines to learn more about their behavior. He interviews several people in those disciplines and analyzes their connections in topics like politics (he does show his political leanings but is fair to all political shades), psychology and even visiting other colleges to see what their coaches and fan bases do. The two schools he writes most about aside from Michigan are Louisiana State University and Florida Atlantic University. The contrasts between the two are stark, and as one might expect, Michigan would be closer to the LSU experience because both schools have a history of success in the sport, but they are still very different. Their coach, Ed Orgeron, also had his share of controversy and time in the “hot seat” but again, a very different circumstance.
Of course, the book follows Michigan’s mostly successful 2021 campaign, which included that long-sought win over Ohio State for Harbaugh, a Big Ten championship and playing in the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. Mathis-Lilley writes more about his observations of fans, himself and others online, more than the games, but the reader will still get a good amount of information on the team and season. It is just not a pure recap of the season, as that is not what the book is about.
College football fans, no matter their region or their favorite team, will enjoy this unique look at the game, the fans, and the issues surrounding the sport now. It is at times, funny, serious, reflective and even controversial, which makes it have a little bit of spice for everyone. It may be a little hard to follow and will take careful reading, but if a reader does that, they will walk away with a better understanding of how the sport reflects its fans and vice versa.
I wish to thank Public Affairs for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
September 17, 2022
Admittedly, I'm exactly the fan discussed at length in this book, so I am the target audience.
December 23, 2022
Extremely funny and still insightful. Loved the interludes between chapters of the things Harbaugh has genuinely said at interviews. This was a romp :)
February 22, 2023
As a Michigan fan, this is a good book and a fun read. But it can also be enjoyed by the casual fan or a fan of other teams. It takes a look at two other programs through their coaches as well as studies the culture and current climate of the sport. The author is witty with a great sense of humor throughout the read. As a fan, I would have liked even more detail about the program and the team, but that is my biased opinion on it.
July 30, 2022
This is the perfect mix of Nick Hornby’s “Fever Pitch” with politics, sociology, religion and culture.
During the 2021 season, Ben Mathis-Lilley visited three schools (his and my beloved and frustrating University of Michigan; LSU; and FAU, with side trips to Clemson and MSU) to write about fandom in three distinct places with three distinct fan cultures. But it's not just a chronicle of that. It touches on why we choose to identify with one school vs another and what that represents to the larger would; fandom as a corollary to religion; and how sports becomes politics and vice versa).
Anyone who's a sports fan with an interest beyond scores and injury reports needs to read this.
During the 2021 season, Ben Mathis-Lilley visited three schools (his and my beloved and frustrating University of Michigan; LSU; and FAU, with side trips to Clemson and MSU) to write about fandom in three distinct places with three distinct fan cultures. But it's not just a chronicle of that. It touches on why we choose to identify with one school vs another and what that represents to the larger would; fandom as a corollary to religion; and how sports becomes politics and vice versa).
Anyone who's a sports fan with an interest beyond scores and injury reports needs to read this.
November 22, 2022
Nothing better for the week of The Game than a book about Michigan football! Against the backdrop of the 2021 season, Mathis-Lilly delves into fans’ relationships with college football with a lens that is at times poignant, incisive, and hilarious. I appreciated how relatable his account was (being a card-carrying member of Football Twitter myself) and how he looked for sociological explanations for the parasocial relationships and unrealistic expectations many fans develop. I appreciated how he incorporated conversations about race, class, and politics into the narrative as well. The “Interludes” that were simply chaotic, verbatim Harbaugh quotes were incredibly amusing, and Mathis-Lilly’s dry sense
of humor made me laugh out loud several times. Glad I picked this one up at the M Den!
of humor made me laugh out loud several times. Glad I picked this one up at the M Den!
January 11, 2024
Incredibly niche book for those who love Michigan football. Bought this in the DTW airport because I was sad to leave the mitten and wanted a reminder of home. The author is surprisingly hilarious. A few sections are rather long winded but lots of interesting points about football, America and social status in her.
December 21, 2022
I am rounding up due to my Michigan fan status, but this one is a 2.5 star for me. I wanted to like this more, as the season he is storytelling and reporting on was a magical one. Yet I could not get beyond the insistence of the author to write as if he is blogging. There is a steady stream of tweets, interviews with people that are just buddies of the author, or first hand accounts of the author's attendance in the stadium. I guess you can blame it on the author's day job, but it was distracting, not really all that interesting, and never really delved into what made 2021 so special, the players on the field. The game recaps were very forced, if present, and the tales of the players were things that could have been looked up on a Michigan fan blog. You would really have to be a "Michigan Man" to read this and enjoy it. Otherwise, skip it.
November 21, 2022
Ben Mathis-Lilley and this reviewer share four things in common: we are Michigan natives, we both live in New Jersey, we are fans of University of Michigan Football, and we went out-of-state for college (In addition, this reviewer has family members who were Wolverines in other sports, but I digress). Naturally, found a lot of common ground in his work.
While his chief focus is wondering whether hyped Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh should merit continued employment at his position prior to the start of the 2021 season, he goes on to show that he did- based upon the season (one Big Ten loss, narrowly to Michigan State, more importantly, a convincing victory over their hated rival, Ohio State) . He also riffs upon the state of college football in other geographies (Louisiana, Florida), focuses on demographic changes that affected the Big Ten (population erosion in Northern Ohio and Michigan, population increases in Southern Ohio and the Southern United States) and the stratospheric salaries paid - with the accompanying job pressures.
I am curious what his take would be now that we are in Year One of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and the increased power given to players to transfer in and out of programs without incurring personal penalties, as was the case in the past. All in all, if you are an intelligent college football follower, this is well worth your time.
While his chief focus is wondering whether hyped Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh should merit continued employment at his position prior to the start of the 2021 season, he goes on to show that he did- based upon the season (one Big Ten loss, narrowly to Michigan State, more importantly, a convincing victory over their hated rival, Ohio State) . He also riffs upon the state of college football in other geographies (Louisiana, Florida), focuses on demographic changes that affected the Big Ten (population erosion in Northern Ohio and Michigan, population increases in Southern Ohio and the Southern United States) and the stratospheric salaries paid - with the accompanying job pressures.
I am curious what his take would be now that we are in Year One of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and the increased power given to players to transfer in and out of programs without incurring personal penalties, as was the case in the past. All in all, if you are an intelligent college football follower, this is well worth your time.
March 13, 2023
If this book had just been about Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football program, I would have enjoyed it. However the author also extended this book to commentary about politics, religion and our national culture. Unlike some others, I enjoyed and appreciated the author's forays into those topics. I have to admit a certain sympathy for Jim Harbaugh. Despite all the money that he is being paid, he can never satisfy the rabid desires of a typical Michigan football fan. And by the critiques and scorn that I read and see on various sports venues, Harbaugh cannot satisfy many critical commentators as to his worth.
Lord knows that many football coaches at major universities are way over paid. And one bad season can have them looking for new work quickly. Just note the unrealistic expectations at Nebraska from the Athletic Director and its football fans.
This is an excellent read if you are a college football fan or even if you are not. You don't have to be a football fan to see how crazy college football is. For the past few years, Michigan has been Ground Zero for much of this craziness. I highly recommend this book… Excellent narrative… Cogent commentary on college sports in general.
Lord knows that many football coaches at major universities are way over paid. And one bad season can have them looking for new work quickly. Just note the unrealistic expectations at Nebraska from the Athletic Director and its football fans.
This is an excellent read if you are a college football fan or even if you are not. You don't have to be a football fan to see how crazy college football is. For the past few years, Michigan has been Ground Zero for much of this craziness. I highly recommend this book… Excellent narrative… Cogent commentary on college sports in general.
September 8, 2022
University of Michigan football mixed with cultural/political commentary? Yeah, not a big surprise I enjoyed this book. I am sure the author is to my left on said political and cultural issues but we share a neurotic fandom for the UM football program and frequently muse on the question of why such fandom drives us so crazy. I am not sure he provides an answer so much as explores a variety of ingredients that go into making college football unique; how it become part of our identity, how it reflects both our values and the things we love to hate and complain about, how it is tied to regional and state loyalties, etc.
It has a nice blend of self-deprecating humor, sarcasm and anecdotes with conversations and quotes from a variety of perspectives and disciplines (history, sociology, psychology, etc.). A quick and enjoyable read. Michigan fans will enjoy it the most but any fan of college football will likely get a kick out of it.
It has a nice blend of self-deprecating humor, sarcasm and anecdotes with conversations and quotes from a variety of perspectives and disciplines (history, sociology, psychology, etc.). A quick and enjoyable read. Michigan fans will enjoy it the most but any fan of college football will likely get a kick out of it.
February 19, 2023
A very good, very thoughtful, very funny survey of college football circa 2021, through the eyes of a Michigan football fan -though, interestingly, not an alumnus. Mathis-Lilley's book touches on the defeatism of Michigan fans who have seen their not-quite-good-enough teams perform year after year, but he also comments on the general state of college football, the ridiculous money involved, the endless commercials how little actual football gets played in a 3.5-hour national broadcast. It's about how white fans, particularly in the south, swallow their racism to support teams of mostly black players, only to reveal themselves later on. He talks about Big 10 recruiting problems now that potential players can live in the South (he blames air conditioning, around 1970) instead of moving further north. Highly recommended for football fans, even those like me who aren't at all Michigan fans.
October 9, 2022
Giving this five stars not just because this book was authored by an esteemed colleague (Ben get off Goodreads) but because it's a delightful, thoughtful, easily readable yarn—about two things very dear to my heart, yes (the state of Michigan and its college athletics), but also more broadly about obsession, identity, the American century, and the quirks of history. In fact, the book was so absorbing that I could get past the fact there's a huge photo of J*m H*rb*ugh on the cover. (Yes, I'm a Michigan State alumnus and Jalen Watts-Jackson fan club member.) I mean, it was hard to get past, actually. But it's a good book. Shouts to Thicc Stauskas.
March 13, 2025
As a wolverine, this book views Michigan from the outside, offering only a surface-level perspective that misses the true fan experience. It lacks understanding of tradition and what it means to be a season ticket holder or alum, relying instead on stereotypes. While occasionally interesting and humorous, the selections are frustrating and fail to capture the season's conclusion authentically. The author's timing was unfortunate, as the following two seasons proved more consequential, relegating this work to a mere footnote rather than the chronicle of ultimate achievement it aspires to be.
October 18, 2022
This guy gets it. Not only did it provide a Michigan fan like me with a chance to relive the magical 2021 season (with a regular dose of hiarious Harbaugh quotes), but Mathis-Lilley also expertly gives a primer on the history of college football from its beginnings to now, and why it means so much to Americans all across the country. I thought the section on FAU didn't really fit and the author inserted politics in it a little too much, but otherwise this was an excellent read.
October 19, 2022
Honest exploration of the fanatical nature of college football. I am sure Michigan fans will enjoy this book a bit more than other fans simply because of how it aligns with their magical run in 2021. This book probably would not be an enjoyable read for someone that is not a college football fan.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
December 31, 2022
I got this book for Christmas and devoured it within a week. It helped that I’m a huge fan of college football anyway, but even more this was an excellently written book by Slate.com’s Ben Mathis-Lilley. There’s a lot going on in the just over 200 pages — history, sociology, psychology, politics, economics, and of course the ridiculous passion some of us have for college football.
September 20, 2022
Does a good job of capturing the irrational and conflicting feelings of being a fan. Goes on quite a few tangents that you can skim through. Makes you remember how precarious the situation was at Michigan before the successful 2021 season. Go Blue!
December 24, 2022
If you’re a college football fan who’s interested in American politics and socioeconomic history you’ll like this.
There were parts that had me laughing and the author’s background in politics made it more compelling.
Bonus points for Brevity, too.
There were parts that had me laughing and the author’s background in politics made it more compelling.
Bonus points for Brevity, too.
March 31, 2023
Pretty good look at three college football weirdos, and a v nice aside on colleges and class. (That UMich students called someone "Community College"...I can just picture those assholes, and I hate them.)
April 18, 2023
A fun look at the nature of fandom that happens to occur during one of the more remarkable and eventful seasons in modern Michigan football history. Also, the author made the brilliant choice to include me in the book.
June 24, 2023
It would be great to get a nice, jaundiced look at the current state of college football in all its corrupt glory. This book offers a starting point, but is too wound up in the travails of Michigan football. There are bigger, juicier targets out there.
October 3, 2022
The premise of this book was very good and I loved certain parts of it, but it was a lot more of a love letter to Michigan than expected.
October 15, 2022
A very good book about the 2021 Michigan football season. This Iowa fan thinks that it was nice for the author to only write a little about the horrible 2021 Big Ten Championship Game.
October 24, 2022
I am the key demographic for this book and really enjoyed it! Shocker.
November 7, 2022
Very fun and insightful book about the insanity and joy of college football. A sport that is a beautiful crazy.
November 30, 2022
this is the perfect sports book in my eyes. as a Michigan Girlie i knew i would like it going in but even i did not anticipate just how good it would be.
December 26, 2022
Great combination of informal stuff with behind the scenes commentary. It's also a lot of fun to reminisce over the transition of emotions that 2021 brought for Michigan fans.
December 31, 2022
Good quick read. Interesting takes on college football fandom.
January 27, 2023
I'm too biased to write a real review. But I really enjoyed this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews