Dave Brandon not setting quota for Rich Rodriguez; Wisconsin, Iowa to be in opposing Big Ten divisions and more
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon isn't setting a victory quota for football coach Rich Rodriguez to meet.
In an interview with radio analyst Jim Brandstatter at a special meeting of the Detroit Economic Club, as reported by the Detroit Free Press, Brandon touched on the subject.
"This crap about what's the record got to be?," said Brandon. "It reduces those decisions to something so simplistic, it's almost insulting."
He later explained, "You get a variety of inputs to measure the health of that program and the leadership that program is receiving and, based on a variety of inputs, you make decisions. That's what I do and anybody in my job does. But it isn't this, 'If you're 7-5 ... .' That's nonsense."
In this photo provided by the the Benton County Correctional Facility shows Tyler Patrick Thomas of Kalispell, Mont. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010. Thomas an Oregon State University offensive lineman has been dismissed from the team after police say they found him naked and intoxicated in a stranger's home and had to use stun guns to take him into custody. (AP Photo/The Benton County Correctional Facility)
- AnnArbor.com: Rich Rodriguez keeping Michigan's QB starter secret, Troy Woolfolk could play next year
- AnnArbor.com: Ready or not, J.T. Floyd steps into role as U-M's top cornerback
- ESPN.com: Wisconsin and Iowa to be in opposing divisions; Big Ten adopting nine-game conference schedule in '15
- Detroit Free Press: Devin Gardner making Michigan QB race even more interesting
- Detroit Free Press: Rich Rod won't pick QB till night before game
- Grand Rapids Press: MSU's Kevin Muma, Dan Conroy fighting for leg up in kicking job
- Yahoo! Sports: Ohio State will have six captains this season
- SI.com: Steve Mandel discuses the Michigan-Ohio State dilemma in his mailbag
- The Oregonian: Think before you laugh when athletes like Tyler Thomas go wild
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
- AnnArbor.com: Michigan drops its third straight game on European tour
Comments
PortageLkBlu
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.
Well, that's settled I don't need to watch any games or follow Mich. football this year the complainers have predicted the whole season. Man you guys must know a lot of decision makers at Mich. well you complainers saved me a lot of money oh wait a minute, I live in California, saved from the complainers again I'll watch it on TV. Man, I'd hate to need any of you quitters as a wing man. How about we wait till at least the first game to crucify the team I usually give it the first three games before I rate em. Hey, I heard RR is going to recruit that Oregon State offensive lineman, there see I can be a complainer to.
Jaxon5
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 8:40 p.m.
So, it's okay if they lose every game. It's how hard they try that matters. If they try their best, that's all we ask. So, they can go up against UConn and ND and try really hard, even fumble the ball a lot, and throw a lot of intereptions, that's going to be okay, as long as they didn't intend to do it. Winning is way over-rated. Been there. Done that.
Brian Bundesen
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 5:35 p.m.
Hopefully, the naysayers are proven wrong this year. Realistically, if they don't show marked, progressive improvement over the course of the year, he will likely be gone at the end of the season. It won't be wins & losses only. IMO, the only way he is let go during the season is if the NCAA sanctions are harsh. GO BLUE!
Jay Allen
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 4:40 p.m.
I had a nice conversation with Dennis Fithian about things at the U. His take was nice to get and I shared with him "how" I know what I know. To the RR Koo-Aid drinkers. If I am wrong and he kicks butt, I will be ONE of the first letting you know I was wrong. However, instead of sitting silent and doing NOTHING when YOU are wrong (ala the U of M Boosters that had Lloyd canned) I/we expect you here doing the same. NoBowl4Blue is dead on. UConn is no cupcake. ND will be vastly improved. If RR waltzes out and goes 0-2, he is done and will not make week #3. Chips and salsa ready. Beer, pretzels, popcorn, whatever else you like. It is almost game time.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 4:18 p.m.
"some of these commenters will be going elsewhere to get rid of their frustrations. Going to miss em....." Naw...if they beat the division down (beating ND isn't that tough)and the kind rules the roost I will come here and fully apologize and say I was wrong. Of course if *snicker* he doesn't go 19-0 like Tater thinks, will any of you do the same? No, you'll whine about something, and talk up the future.
3 And Out
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 4:01 p.m.
Brandon basically is playing CEO and saying all the proper things regarding RRs status. He knows that everything he says will be on record therefore he is playing it safe knowing that RRs record this year WILL be a factor when combined with the other 2 bad years and all of the issues...but he just cant say it now because legally he doesnt want to set a precedent for RRs lawyers to try to take legal action vs. Michigan once RR is let go on the basis of some alleged pre-determined status that Brandon would have for RR. Contractually Brandon is obligated to go by the book and all will play out as many of us suspect it will...Michigan will be able to wash their hands clean of RR based on the provisions of his contract and RR's lawyers will have nothing to use against that. Its all legal.
Jaxon Boyfriend
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
When he dismantles notre dame, michigan state and ohio state this year, some of these commenters will be going elsewhere to get rid of their frustrations. Going to miss em.....
Teebob
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 11:52 a.m.
Why can't it be so simple as wins and losses. If you lose more than you win, shouldn't you get fired. Why should the athletic director be "insulted" just because the answer is that easy. If you don't win, you should be gone. Now, one year, go ahead and look at the whole picture. Two years, ok, maybe it was a little slump, remember things can go bad. But, if there is three years of losing, then you should be gone. Personally, the whole idea of RR coming in here and disrespecting all those years of winning and disrespecting the whole Michigan tradition still has me baffled. Good coaches improvise and win with what they have or at least try to. RR didn't even try. He went with his one offense and showed no attempt to do anything but lose, lose, lose. That was enough for me, it should be enough for the AD too. GO BLUE
rensational
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.
Really, the more I read Brandon's comments, the less I like him. I am more and more feeling like he's a bigger mistake than Martin was. I just don't know what else to say...I'm astounded at everything he says about the Michigan-OSU rivalry and Rich Rodriguez's 2010 record. I don't at all think RR is gone at 7-5. I just see him letting our football program fall to pieces like the basketball program has, and if that's the case...I really don't know how much longer I can watch Michigan fall apart athletically. I know people are going to have a problem with a fan/alum saying that and bring on the attacks...whatever...but really. It's too upsetting to see moron after moron bring Michigan down in some way.
NoBowl4Blue
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
There is a real possibility that Michigan can lose the first 2 games this season. If that happens, count Rich Rod gone.
kmgeb2000
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 8 a.m.
On the other hand... if its something like 1-7 in conference (again), then it's probably that simple. When (or if) you win, then nobody cares how.
81wolverine
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 6:46 a.m.
I have to believe David Brandon when he says there isn't a set number of wins that the team "needs" to get this year. It's more about the quality of the wins, the way the team plays this year, and a myriad of other intangible factors. I'm sure he and the regents will take the whole picture into account when they discuss it after the season. Obviously though, the team is going to have to show a lot of progress this year for Coach R to stay on. I think beating more of the tough teams and rivals on our schedule (MSU and Iowa to name a couple), not losing to a complete patsie (Bowling Green), and not being blown out in an embarassing fashion will all be important.