Governor George Perles? EAST LANSING (Associated Press) -

When George Perles rumbled along Michigan State's sidelines while leading his Spartan football team, students and other fans would yell: "Let George Do It!"

The 74-year-old former coach and athletic director hopes to get the same level of support if he decides to make a run for Michigan governor in 2010.

Perles says he has received positive responses from politicians and union leaders about his plan to succeed term-limited Gov. Jennifer Granholm. He would run as a Democrat.

He is serving an eight-year term after his 2006 election to the Michigan State Board of Trustees. Perles coached the Spartans to two Big Ten titles and seven bowl games from 1983-94, and spent less than two years as athletic director. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press