Updated: Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez on recruiting, hurricanes

more drama and another 2 star recruit...

hey tomhagan...at least we beat out Kent State and Bowling Green to get him!!!

Wow! We beat out Bowling Green and Kent State for a 5'10" safety. I can't wait till next year

Looks like everyone will get what they want today. Those who are either involved with or cheer for the program will understand RR's intent; trolls and bandwagon-jumpers will have another "justification" for their anti-RR agenda.

And the king of mgoblog meltdowns will rejoice in his old/new platform.

No need to denigrate the young man coming in - better to congratulate him on choosing a great university. I watched some of his highlights and he looks like he's got guts and pretty good closing speed. He needs, though, some more meat on his bones and we'll see if he can prove the skeptics (especially at ESPN) wrong.

Mike hart was only a 3 star recruit give people a chance tom hagan.

Yeah, Mike Hart was a special kit recruited by . . . . wait for it . . . . LLOYD CARR.

Nimrod is yet to show that he has any such eye for underrated talent.

I'll except the kid because you never know the growth potential of an individual. I just really wish we ran a pro-style offense instead of that version of the spread we have in AA. Saban's pro-style offense looked pretty good today against the ever-so dominant Spread. "Balance and Toughness" the true gridiron way!

Kid, please pack on the muscle while you're here.....You're gonna need it.

I don't like "gimmicks" in offense either and I see what you're getting at but Saban has had some of the best recruiting classes lately and it is paying dividends on the field. The class last year was mediocre, this one is shaping up to be better. It is clear that RR likes speed over size; I just wish he'd start getting more of the fast AND big kids (particularly on defense) that seem to go to LSU, Bama, and Florida. Patience is a virtue and I bleed maize and blue so that's all there is to it... (just wish the bloodletting would stop in all three sports though!)

@The Grinch: RichRod has yet to show an eye for talent? Who was that three star QB he recruited at West Virginia that other schools wanted as a wide receiver (and who originally committed to LSU)? Oh yeah, Pat White! How about that three star RB that was White's right hand man that RichRod recruited? Steve Slanton. Yeah, he turned out pretty good, too. WVU (9-3) did pretty well with Jarrett Brown at QB this year, too. Oh, he's another three star recruit from RichRod's days.

But I get it... the recruiting sites tell you that Vinopal is a two star athlete, therefore he must suck and some of you must bash him and the coaching staff instead of welcoming him to the Michigan family. Way to show your support. Bravo...

Mike Hart is not an exeption.From the way i see it he is the norm.Colt Macoy Sam Bradford, both three stars.What do they know?Nothing.

Mike Hart had a good team around him, a good offensive scheme, great character and the man did not cough up the football. He was a great college ballplayer, and will probably never reach 100 yards rushing in his NFL career. That's making the most of a three-star recruit.

A two-star safety that was wrested away from a pair of MAC also-rans? Count me skeptical. The difference between three stars and two is enormous. Major colleges do not usually pursue these players.

ha dave. again the michigan/richrod bashing/drama. your stories never change.

I'm glad for the kid and wish him the best of luck. He couldn't have picked a better University to attend. Michigan truly is a special place, despite what's happening with the football program right now.

We have always gotten kids like this to attend and play for our football team. The difference between now and the past is that we never recruited them and gave them scholarships. They may have earned them as walk-ons, but they didn't get them right out of high school, unless they were some how connected, i.e., a coach son.

RR effort so far this year has been, ... uninspiring. While I don't want to see another losing season, I think we going to get it. 2010 = 4-8

No prob about the recruit. It all depends on how the player adjusts to the game while on the team. If everything fits, that player can show.

The prob is with RichRod, he has shown no signs of improvement in 2 years even with a new QB. His teams regressed and the talent played below par. His team this year is better than a 1-7 Big Ten record but played uninspired football.

Meanwhile, the 1-7 tied for last place record in the big ten is coupled with an NCAA violation investigation. Did anyone know if Bo or Lloyd was investigated with alleged NCAA violations?

Only been in UM for 2 years and had the program investigated. 2 years of losing bowl less seasons and last place in the Big Ten. Losing to rivals Michigan State and Ohio State in back to back seasons.

WOW RR beat out BG for a recruit

Oh wo is me and I can't handle all this despair. To frigging bad boys and girls cause ya just might git another gut full before this thing turns around so quit your crying and bellyaching and support your team or somebody cause I guarantee ol rr is going to be here for the long haul. While we're at it let's get some crowd noise going. You boys and girls want to see the Wolves back up there with the elite well remember this is a team sport and part of the team is the fans and game crowds and don't tell me it's becuase of rr cause they were quiet and subdued for the most part under the last 3 coaches. Visiting teams always comment on how big the stadium and crowds are BUT how subdued the fan noise level is and that's a fact. I guess now that ol Pete Carrol had a lousy year USC better fire him. Boys and Girls it ain't gonna happen and not only that but they'll support Pete more than ever and that fan support will make a huge difference in USC's comeback over the next 2-4 yrs take it to the bank. Some of you boys and girls must lead awfully boring lives the way you pick on rr well here's a news flash don't get your pantie's in a knot cause this thing is going to go North for us and sooner than you think. Let's knock off the crybaby stuff and support OUR team and coaching staff. Do you guys think I enjoy seeing this suffering from my beloved Wolves and the Mich. fans. I live in the High Desert of Southern Cal. and I fly my Mich. flag on game day, how do you think I feel when our team gets beat up. The way I handle this is with a firm conviction in favor of our team and the coaching staff and for that people respect me for sticking with Michigan. Do you really think anyone respects your opinion for turning against rr and the team. Everyone who knows anything about sports knows there is a price to pay for the winning years and right now Mich. is paying its dues whether you like it or not.
Get with the program and enjoy this period it's going to make the up-coming winning years so much better.

Saban in his 3rd year has taken Alabama from nowhere to the National Title game. Alabama was nowhere near the team that Richrod inherited. They had been through 4 HC's in 7 years prior to Saban taking over. No excuses were given or accepted he just went to work and produced. No make believe or self inflicted hurricanes etc. Richrod is a complete fraud. Let's see how he does in year 3.

Hey rightmind,

Jan, 2007..Saban reported making ethnic slur
Nov, 2007 after the loss to ULM...referencing 9/11 and Pearl Harbor and how UA will need to fight back like America did to these attacks.

RR haters need to stop being hypocritical...I understand that winning is the cure-all...but you're on a UM site with a coach who made a derrogatory comment (told you he wasn't polished) and comparing him to another coach who did the same....very hypocritical...Hey, let's talk about or go after Urban Meyer as a coach with his 31 arrested players.....It's amazing what our so-called fans will "excuse" for some wins.....even when the wins will start coming anyway..... Be a true fan...Go RR/Go Blue

What concerns me is that we beat out Kent St. not Ohio St. and Bowling Green to get this recruit. This young man is from Ohio, yet Ohio State didn't recruit him.

Leathercouch, I read it as Dave defending Rich and pointing out the idiocy of those slamming him and the agenda-driven Freep for reporting it in the first place. Even in the original story, he just mentioned "hurricane" not "Hurricane Katrina." Sometimes Rich deserves to get ripped. This is not one of them.,

1. @PortageLkBlu, You tell 'em fella! I'm with you on this one. I agree there are questions and we have a right to ask them. But "answering" is up to RichRod & Team. The guys predicting failure at every opportunity are not giving up on their idea of failure, the rest - real Michigan fans - will not give up on the idea of success for Michigan.

2. Those who attack Coach Rod for talking about overcoming adversity (and doubt from without) are hardly loyal fans. Kicking a guy when he's trying to maintain unity and spirit is nothing but sabotage. The bright side is that these saboteurs are here posting negatives because MSU and ND are so good at self-sabotage, leaving these trolls with nothing to destroy.

3. I do hope that Coach Rod & Team will watch (if they haven't already) the Texas-Nebraska game. Now that was a Defense vs Defense Battle Royal! If Michigan had that kind of talent on the D-side, they'd be 12-0 this year. If Michigan's D shows big improvement 2 games into 2010 Conference play, we'll know Michigan is on the way back. If they don't show that much improvement at that point next season, I think we can all expect a new coach and new program starting in 2011.

"trueblue"...those like you who blindly support a coach who has torn down one of the most storied programs, both on and off the field..a man who is clearly the worst coach in program history by far..a man who lacks both moral fiber and coaching ability and who's continued presence at UM guarantees at least several more years of hardship is FAR more Sabotaging than those of us who see the Truth, and simply are calling it like IT IS.

Raddes,
Sounds like loser speak to me. When you can't talk about football in terms of winning and losing you find other things, right? How about Michigan being last in the B10 in scholar athletes on its football team! So, not only are they last on the field they also came in last in the classroom. Grow up man. You sound like a loser chearing for a loser.

"We didn’t end the season the way we wanted, we didn’t win as many games as everybody would like, but don’t tell me that this team is a failure."

Interesting. Did anyone pose the question to RR whether this team was a failure or not? The truth is, this team IS a failure under RR. He would not have felt the need to bring it up if it wasn't true! What a clueless, classless HC!

IN MICHIGAN WE TRUST

I understand that RR's scheme uses smaller and speedy players but can't it work with bigger and faster players? As far as defense is concerned it may not necessarily be the talent since all of the holdovers from LC were highly touted. And we have to be honest about snatching a 2-star recruit away from a MAC school, that it is not very inspiring. I'm not saying bash the kid because hopefully there's a high ceiling for his potential but with 2-star players, you need at least 2 years before they touch the field. 3-star players may touch the field after one training camp depending on depth and growth. 4-stars, could fill-in immediately or start and 5-stars are expected to make an impact the moment they touch campus.
And to clear up the noise over Mr. "Big-Time" Mike Hart. He was only a 3star because he played at a small high school and didn't have a great forty-time(4.68)and he wasn't very tall. But he impressed the coaching staff with his production and intangibles and his "HART" for the game. The staff knew he would make an impact from the moment they saw him and he did. He's probably one of the greatest college backs to touch the field this decade. So if this new kid can do what Hart did for us on defnse then I'll love him but he doesn't even appear on every college ratings service, so he'll just be a good back-up for the next coach.

Michigan is falling out of the spotlight very quickly. I'm sorry but most kids nowadays don't remember the Michigan of old. Tradition is not going to be enough to pull in these players. If rich rod doesnt fix things in the next year or two michigan is gonna start to REALLY struggle to recruit anyone.

I've followed Michigan recruiting since the 1970's. One thing that's obvious is the shift in high school talent to the south and southwest. This is logical given the general shift in population out of the rust best to warmer climates. Granted, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania still put out some very good players. But, the numbers aren't there anymore. Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, and Louisiana (among other states) produce more talent than the local schools can absorb. So, Michigan MUST recruit these states more heavily. Still, I think we should not ignore Michigan either. I hate to see big time players leave this area to go to L.S.U., USC, Florida, etc. This is one area RR needs to do better in. We've lost some players to M.S.U. and O.S.U. that we would not have lost years ago.
Overall, this year's recruiting class is not great, but it's not bad considering how awful our last two seasons have been. We need to close out this year with a bang. Hopefully, we can find a really good LB, D-lineman, and another lights-out d-back before we're done. Go Blue!

@tomhagan;
Who says I'm blindly supporting Coach Rodriguez?? If you've read my posts, you'll see that my position has always been that he still has to prove he's the right coach for U of M. Fans who are interested in the GOOD for Michigan will have such doubts: without resorting to high-handed pronouncements and verdicts like yours.

What I'm criticizing is the all-negative, all-the-time posts from you and a few others. You focus only on the negatives or those things which, objectively, are just areas of doubt. You pronounce verdicts on him and on anyone who disagrees with your "expert" smears. Lets leave the verdicts to the school president, regents and the AD (whoever they may turn out to be). As it is, you've been "expertly" claiming they were wrong to hire RR in the first place. WHO put you in charge and WHAT are your qualifications for your self-appointed "chairmanship?"

As far as name-calling with terms like "loser," it's a good bet that RR and the above mentioned U of M administrators are SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS on the win side, compared to you. :-)

Some chalk talk for you: if you replay the games in the last half of the season, you can pick out points where the break-downs occurred and they are all explainable as due to youth and inexperience. These same players and same coach will very probably make a much better showing next season. And as I've posted several times already: if they don't make a much better showing, then the U of M administrators will likely consider firing Coach Rod.

So I stand by my statements: all the focus on superficial negatives and constant assertions about the "quality" of someone you cannot possibly be qualified to judge --- is just sabotage.

trueblue,
Loser comes from the record in the B10. 3 wins in 2 years. That is not progress. It is not success. It means you are what 3-11 in the B10 over 2 years. I don't know what kind of slant you can put on that other than loser. Year 3 Richrod goal win 3 B10 games. Year 3, Saban win a national championship. That sounds like a loser to me. What would you and your ilk call it? Progress? Well, no wonder RR is competing with second tear MAC teams for 2 star players.

@81wolverine: Good post! Yeah, there's no doubt we've had a population drain and that affects the statistics locally. I too hope that Michigan's recruiting is aggressive and wide-ranging. After all, Michigan got Tom Brady and several other top players from California - about as far away as you can get and still have a population. ;-)

tier, sorry. Tears is probably more appropriate considering the subject matter.

@Papabear151: Don't worry too much about what the kids today remember or don't remember. If that were a factor, then the '68 team would never have accepted scholarships from U of M: which had about a 6-4 avg. record the previous TEN years under Bump Elliott. That's right - Elliott was a lousy coach in terms of win / loss record but he gave BO a bunch of champions who stayed and went on to glory. In fact, it was Elliott's recruits who formed the foundation of the 33 year dominance enjoyed by the Wolverines after he was ousted.

The other side of the "Those who stay will be champions" story is: those recruits were soft (they admit this themselves in interviews). Bo posted that sign over the locker room because some of these softies left. Those who stayed did become champions because Bo was a lot tougher on them than Elliott had been. Sounds familiar - we now have a coach who's being investigated for over-working the players, we've had a couple of desertions who made excuses which sound a bit like, "It's too hard here, the coaches talk mean to us." LOL!

A good sign to put up at the top of the Michigan Stadium scoreboards would be: Those fans who leave... will be sorry pretty soon.

Based on analysis of where NFL players were born, you'd be making a huge mistake to ignore Michigan and Ohio as sources of elite talent. Ohio in particular produces far more NFL players per capita than most states.

Yes, the southeast states are consistently on that list, and it's well worth a coach's while to venture to Louisiana and Florida. But there's plenty right here, too. And I am sad to see Michigan State doing so well with Michigan's top high school seniors. We did get Gardner. We should have gotten William Gholston and Max Bullough as well, instead of the Spartans.

Well another talented player, Safety Brandon Smith is reportedly transferring.

Why are all of these players leaving Rich Rod? Is it the "new system" as the Koolaid drinkers say? Nope. If so, then we would see such attrition all over college football with a new hire, which we do not.

The fact is that these players that leave see Rod as what he is: an incapable ball of hot air...narcissistic to a fault....and most importantly, way in over his head as HC at Michigan.

It is time for Rod to go away.

trublu...I never called you a "loser"...and I dont know where you got that from. You should amend your post or attribute that insult to someone else. Thx.

@rightmind250;
What you say is accurate. I've never said that RR's record is "good" let alone "great." There's plenty of room for skeptics but those who pronounce verdicts in this case are betting on a future no one can actually predict.

So for now: I'll defer using a term like "loser" when referring to RR or these recruits or players. RR has a LOT to prove and if he doesn't provide at least substantial proof halfway through the 2010 season: It's very probable that he'll be doomed.

Lets remember: Charlie Weis got 5 years at Notre Dame before the axe fell last week. I hope U of M doesn't have a "repeat" of that example but just want to keep some perspective here. This thing about hiring coaches is not exactly the most predictable endeavor. CW came from the Patriots - that's a nice resume - and ND had every reason to believe he would be a good fit and would bring success. Didn't happen.

But I'm not the kind of fan who'll undercut anything to do with Michigan. OTH, I'm just as hungry for signs of progress as anyone. But I don't believe that constant criticisms from bystanders work any kind of good - except to relieve the "emotional stress" of the ones doing the criticizing. Perhaps that stress comes from imagining they are the Athletic Director at Michigan - someone please tell them they are not. ;-)

@tomhagan: I acknowledge that you did not call me a loser. However, I did not say that you called me a loser. I DID also address the person who used that term in a separate post.

Also, sorry if there's confusion here, I don't know if, in your many posts, you've used the term "loser" in reference to anyone. I was making a rhetorical comparison when I addressed you and used that term. It was in relation to your statement questioning the wisdom or competence of the choices of RR and the U of M admins.

I'd like to get back to the story and your comments made in response to it. Particularly, you started off by commenting sarcastically about the recruitment of Ray Vinopal. This is the "focus" you use and it's that which I criticize. Out of 22 recruits listed by ESPN, he's one of two 2-star recruits. (There is now one with NO stars and a very low "40" rating.)

I may have been puzzled, but then I looked at Ohio State's recruit list: they have one more 4-star recruit but ALSO has two 2-star recruits. Looks to me like OSU and Michigan are just doing what could be called hedging their bets, not wanting to overlook possible "steals" in the recruit pool. So, again, this supports my perception that you take every opportunity to criticize RR and every decision or statement he makes, then launch another call to have him fired. I do not see what your positive contribution could be.

Another thing you overlook in regard to RR's recruit list: there are four 3-star and a couple of 4-star recruits for Defense. This makes RR's thinking and judgement look at least reasonable, since the Michigan D is definitely in need of such fresh talent. OLBs and CBs - can you spell "pass coverage?" See, to anyone who's not poisoned against RichRod, it looks like he's using logic and common sense. Would I like to see him doing better on that side? Sure!! But it's not reason for me or anyone to damn him before he's had the chance EVERYONE AGREES he WILL BE GIVEN.

@tomhagan wrote: "another talented player, Safety Brandon Smith, is reportedly transferring..."

1. Where did you get this report? I see nothing about that after googling his name.

2. "talented" - you mean the same freshman who posted NO defensive play stats through the first
EIGHT GAMES of the 2009 SEASON - THAT ONE?!

3. tomhage wrote: "The fact is that these players that leave see Rod as what he is: an incapable ball of hot air...narcissistic to a fault....and most importantly, way in over his head as HC at Michigan."

There you go - always asserting as fact that which you are not qualified to determine. DO provide proof that Smith is leaving and give his verified stated reasons. I'm sure that every news organization in the Big Ten region will be QUOTING Smith if he actually says that he has SEEN RichRod as, "an incapable ball of hot air... narcissistic to a fault and... way over his head as HC at Michigan." Once again: your assertions (and character assassinations) directed at RichRod do not qualify as fact or reality. What you have posted this time is either fact or it is you putting words in other people's mouths. Building a case - is different from making stuff up and spouting irrelevant opinions.

Yeah, several months ago Hagan was a big RR supporter. I hate koolaid but to blame this mess all on RR is ridiculous! Mr. Carr started this demise by having plenty of NFL talented players on his team and he still lost to a division II school at home. Next season will be another tough one around .500, but RR should be given til the end of 2011, when most of his first year recruits are finally on the field. If we are still around .500 or even less than 8 wins after the 2011 season (I'll let him stay with 7 wins at the end of 2011, as long as one of the wins is against OSU!) then it will be time to boot him back to WV. I'm still betting that by 2012 and beyond UM becomes a perennial BCS team under RR.

uminks: Nice post. I think we all have our estimates and opinions regarding RR's performance to date and regarding his future. My personal estimate is that he'll not survive past next season if it's not at least a 7 or 8 win season. I'm just saying - there IS a limit to everyone's patience and few could withstand more disappointments like the inexplicable loss to Illinois.

I can't say for sure, but from my own memory I can recall being 18-20 years old and being put in situations calling for more maturity than I had at that age. I muddled through okay - but then I didn't have 80000 to 100000 people screaming over everything I did! :-)

RichRod and our team - are the only ones who can allay our doubts and satisfy our "need" for vicarious success. I'm not going to undercut, criticize or verbally sabotage them - they don't deserve that. I'll just stick to hoping for success for this coach and team: that will be the best "solution" for everyone.

I also think that expecting a 33 year streak of success to continue much beyond that is not realistic. All of the big football schools have had long periods when they were down - some were down much longer than any like period here at Michigan but they came back. People here forget that the 33 years of success are the longest stretch in college football. (And there were a couple of 7-5 seasons, many 8-4 seasons during that period!) It's all relative - and Michigan has had a great run - will have another great run before too long.

There you guys go again: Blaming Lloyd Carr for Rich Rod's failure. It is a vicious cycle that you guys keep recycling over and over again when you run out of excuses for Rich Rod.

What happened in the Carr Era has nothing to do with the Rich Rod Error. The only thing that Carr should have done better would have been to have a plan for his successor in place and have worked with the athletic dept. more to get someone in as the new HC who knew what he was doing. For whatever reason, Carr kept his retirement as a "secret" (even though everyone knew it was coming) and he should have been more open about it so the University could have put someone in place. That was Carr's only error here.

The attrition of players leaving because of Rod, terrible football, personal issues off the field, NCAA possible violations...that is all on Rich Rod...and you guys know it.

So lets get off of Carr's back. This mess is not on Lloyd.

trublu, Michigan football blogs and forums are reporting that Brandon Smith has his transfer papers...check out scout.com forum for more....its only a matter of time before the news outlets pick it up as it is apparently true.

Smith came to Michigan as a big, athletic safety who Carr recruited and he decided to stay after Rod got hired. Instead of keeping him at strong safety which is his natural position, they put him at LB and messed with the kid's development and head. Only later this past season did they move him back to safety, though in the free spot rather than strong when they probably realized what a huge mess up they had back there. No way that Jordan Kovacs (a good kid) would be anything more than a special teams player under the previous coaches at Michigan. B Smith and Woolfolk should be the starting safeties and Boo Boo and Warren at corner....however none of that will happen and you can blame the players and Lloyd all you want, but 3 of those kids will be leaving before next year, and that is on Rod.

Laugh@ look what nick saban did LC is barley on nicks level let alone richrod coach v coach is just a crap statement. This was RR first year with his guys 2008 i dont know who counts that we all new 2008 was gonna sux and we hoped we'd get better this year and from last year and we did, next year is RR real 2nd year with most of his offensive guys,RR will have his 2nd year turnaround like he always does in his real 2nd year commin up. And all you people who want us to go back to pro style and this crap watch Osu get smoked by the ducks in the national spotlight.

Two comments were removed because they focused on attacking another commenter.

Im glad to see us real mich fans standing up for the school and players not just for RR. We should be mad for LC not carin about recruiting we all seen the MBlog on the recruitin from 2004-2008 all LC years besides part of 2008 and you can read that and see how msny players left droped out and never was replaced..Tom Hagan ive know uve seen that blog on mblog but thats RR fault that LC recruited kids that dident stay or couldent make it yup RR thats ur fault LC left you with 4 seniors and zero D help. And if im talkon crap about LC drinking the KOOL-AID read that article then come tell me from 2004-2008 was RR fault in recruiting.

Jim Knight is there any way the AA staff can check on this whole brandon smith transfering rumors

Fresh121: Dave Birkett is checking those rumors. At this point, however, that's all they are.

yeah. strength. that's the opposite of what we have.

That's true. RichRod's goal is to generate victories with players who have unique physical abilities - speed above everything, elusiveness, mind-reading, aromatherapy, and alchemy.

Next year, he hopes to find a wide receiver who can double as the village blacksmith.

His ultimate dream is to beat Ohio State with a group of one-star sixth graders. He has yet to implement the "Musical Chairs" and "Capture the Flag" variations in his RichSpread playbook.

to those who put stock into the stars ratings: Dion Lewis at Pitt who is in the top 3 rushing for the year as a freshman was a 3 star and wasn't being heavily recruited by any college. He was rated the number 150 rb in the state of New Jersey. Now he's able to laugh about his rating. Maybe this 2 star kid will turn into a defensive standout or maybe he won't but you can't determine that based on stars

What would be your alternative to the services? Chosen1's ratings? You do understand that RichRod isn't magic and being able to recruit coveted players is a major skill. And a rushing leader is the product of coaching, offensive lines, schemes and several other important factors.

What you may have forgotten is Dion Lewis plays for a "REAL" coach in a "REAL" offense!

Lol dave W is a horrible coach hes had 5 years to recruit and turn it around not people jumpin on his back..

@chosen 'maybe' doesn't fit the bill with what Michigan fans are currently forced to deal with. We have SOME talent and that's about all I'll give our squad right now. I'm just so jaded with this whole 'process' that we're forced to endure. I didn't realize how much of a spoiled brat I was about Michigan football until we became this current catastrophe that were in the middle of. I just see no end in sight to our pain. It sucks to live in Ohio right now:(

Fresh1....
He also was competitive every year and brought in more than 2/3 star players and wasn't getting bolled over all game because they schematically were undersized. He showed he can recruit and that is why he got the "5-year plan" and it is why they are reaping the benefits today. We wouldn't be having this conversation if RR was showing promise! Face it, we are no better than when he got here and you can blindly bury your head in the sand and wait for your "king" to magically sprinkle his spread magic over the program, but I feel it's a grave mistake! He's got to show 2 signature wins in the conference or 4 Big Ten bottom feeders like MSU,Purdue,NW and Indiana. Those signatures better be Penn St and the Suckeyes or at least one of them.

I'm not really bashing LC, he is still my 2nd all time favorite UM coach behind Bo. I'm just saying UM's demise as a top football program started in the 2005-2007 recruiting classes which involved attrition and weak recruiting of LB, DB and FS. misopogon had a great diary on mgoblog several months ago that pretty much summed up the demise of our defense.

Smith is transferring since he could not crack the starting lineup and let Kovacs out perform in practice. He realizes that one of the red shirts or true freshmen will get the start next season. Warren is going to the NFL this year since a rookie cap limit will be in place for the 2011 draft, so I don't blame him trying to get the $.

I don't know if RR will work out here in the long run but I'm willing to give him a fair chance when his recruits start playing by 2011 and 2012. I just don't see how you can stamp RR as a failure.