Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham repeats as team MVP

LIVONIA - The last time Rich Rodriguez spoke publicly, after Michigan closed its disappointing 5-7 season with another loss to Ohio State, he spent the better part of his post-game press conference fielding questions about his future and the direction of the program.

At Michigan's annual football bust Thursday, the embattled Wolverines coach had a little fun at his own expense.

"When I walked off that field there was a lot of rumors and speculation about my future and all that," Rodriguez said. "I’m here to set the record straight. I am not a candidate for the University of Notre Dame. I’m a Michigan man now."

Rich Rodriguez had a little fun at his own expense Thursday, declaring that he is not a candidate for the Notre Dame coaching job.

AP photo

While Notre Dame continues its search for Charlie Weis' replacement, Rodriguez, it appears, will return for his third season at Michigan with a set of self-induced high expectations.

He promised Thursday "championships will come" and said he intends to hold "these busts from now on ... celebrating Big Ten championships and Rose Bowl victories."

Michigan fell far short of those goals this year, losing 7 of its final 8 after a 4-0 start to miss the postseason for the second straight year.

Still, Rodriguez called his team "champions" Thursday for surviving "a big hurricane in August." That's when allegations surfaced that Michigan violated NCAA rules on practice time. The NCAA is expected to close its investigation by the end of the month.

"It kind of hit us like a ton of bricks," Rodriguez said. "But you had 120 young men and a bunch of people say this is not going to tear our program apart. In fact, it’ll do just the opposite."

Brandon Graham, the player most responsible for what little success Michigan had this year, was named Bo Schembechler team MVP for the second straight year.

Graham, the NCAA leader with 26 tackles for loss, received a standing ovation from teammates and spectators Thursday.

“I told my teammates I wasn’t going to cry, but y’all tempted me," Graham said.

In other awards, Mark Ortmann and Steve Schilling were co-recipients of best offensive lineman, Mike Martin was named top defensive lineman, and Stevie Brown won best linebacker.

Punter Zoltan Mesko (top scholar athlete) and offensive lineman David Moosman (spirit award) also were honored Thursday.

The complete list of awards:

Bo Schembechler Award (team MVP): Brandon Graham
Hugh H. Rader Memorial Award (best offensive lineman): Mark Ortmann and Steve Schilling
Dick Katcher Award (top defensive lineman): Mike Martin
Roger Zatkoff Award (best linebacker) - Stevie Brown
Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award (top scholar athlete) - Zoltan Mesko
Robert P. Ufer Bequest (spirit award): OL David Moosman

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.