Minnesota coach Tim Brewster defends Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez
Minnesota coach Tim Brewster began explaining what his teams do on Sundays and the Gophers' practice regimen during the week during the Big Ten teleconference Tuesday.
Then, he took it a step further.
The second-year coach defended both Rich Rodriguez and Michigan, saying he didn't believe the allegations of NCAA violations due to extra practice time and watching summer workouts.
"I firmly believe in Rich Rodriguez," Brewster said. "I don't believe that Michigan was overextending their players. It's unfortunate that this publicity has come out.
"Rich Rodriguez is a heck of a football coach. He's been doing this a long time and it's just very unfortunate."
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for Annarbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
GO_F'N_BLUE
Wed, Sep 2, 2009 : 4:10 p.m.
Mr. Rothestein, If preseason practice is unlimited, then why are journalist's saying that the two freshman this year are saying they have all these practice hours that clearly violate NCAA rules. Where did the 8 hours during offseason rule even come from if it is unlimited? I just wish someone would jut print the WHOLE story without picking out pieces that would SHOCK everyone. This has always bothered me about the media.
48104
Wed, Sep 2, 2009 : 8:35 a.m.
Ah, ignore it like everyone else did. She probably doesn't realize that Steve Breaston is also Toney Clemons' cousin as well as Terrelle Pryor. And that is irrelevant, too.
jeremy
Wed, Sep 2, 2009 : 6:56 a.m.
wow...ok then aa staff....apparantly you can slander terrelle pryor. i think thats funny. now tressel and the boys have come out to defend michigan and someone wants to take a cheat shot at t pryor.....thats classy bluemom....real classy
wvuweirton
Wed, Sep 2, 2009 : 6:40 a.m.
How does Minnesota coach Tim Brewster know what RR does in practice????? Let's have an INDEPENDENT investigation take place...and the facts speak for itself... Those players on the team that orginally spoke out and now are changing their stories - is it because they were misquoted or because of pressure put on by RR and his staff???? I do NOT like coaches like RR, individuals who think they can sign contracts and break them at will... The rest of society has to live by the contracts they sign!!! WVU is one of the very few schools that have the guts to force coaches to live by their contracts... RR walked out on West Virginia less than 6 months later after signing a new contract with a million dollar raise... RR would have stayed at WV, instead of going to UM, for another new contract and another 1/2 million dollars... So, please Michigan fans, don't put all your eggs in one basket.... There are many examples of RR's lack of MORAL CHARACTER!!!
48104
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 9:37 p.m.
What I find particularly discouraging is that people whose entire job it is to write about NCAA sports can't seem to be able to understand the rules they are making these proclamations about. Michael Rosenberg doesn't realize he needs to distinguish what is and isn't a countable activity, and Michael Rothstein snaps off a statement that preseason training at MSU isn't the same as the preseason training the Michigan freshmen were discussing. I do not think that the ability to reply in an instant is doing you guys any favors.
GoBlueinNEPA
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 9:15 p.m.
Rothstein said: "To clarify, what is going on at Michigan State with the preseason is allowed by the NCAA. Preseason hours are not limited." HTH is that any different from what the Freshman receivers from Michigan were referring to? They were discussing the preseason as well, and yet that's one of the key accusations against RR. In fact thats used as THE crucial piece of evidence to prove that it's not just a bunch of disgruntled former players. This whole thing stinks. RR may be a A-hole and the wrong guy for the job, but this attack is straight up crap.
BlueMom
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 8:57 p.m.
Does anyone think it is strange that one of the ex-Michigan players is T Pryor's cousin????
johnson
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 8:32 p.m.
Whoever said that preseason isn't limited by the NCAA is WRONG. The same person also said what is being talked about at MSU is different and MSU is within the rules is wrong again. MSU is also having 14 hour days voluntary or not. I wish more coaches would have the balls to come out and defend RR and say every school does it. The Freep should go interview NFL players and ask them about their college practice schedule and I am sure they all spend the same amount of time as U of M does. It might not be right but everyone is doing the same thing. I'm not worried about this because it is a witch hunt with unreliable sources.
Txmaizenblue
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 6:14 p.m.
The Gophers just became my second favorite Big Ten team! I can't help but think of Bill Murray when I think gophers. "former green's keeper...about the become the new Master's champ...it's in the hole!" The season seriously needs to start
BillMK
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 6:05 p.m.
"It makes me even sadder to think that in a couple years, seem of these folks could be looking for jobs teaching high school English, where they could do real harm." Can I nominate this for post of the year? If you allow me to edit a typo: "It makes me even sadder to think that in a couple years, some of these folks could be looking for jobs teaching high school English, where they could do real harm." Thanks!
tater
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 5:41 p.m.
Triple Alumnus BillMK wrote: "It makes me even sadder to think that in a couple years, seem of these folks could be looking for jobs teaching high school English, where they could do real harm." Can I nominate this for post of the year?
Majik26
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 5:15 p.m.
Not a colleague but a athlete that is very familar with what hard work and dedication will get you.
UMthicknthin
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 5:08 p.m.
That's good that one of RR's colleagues are defending him. At least one of them has enough cajones to speak up.
Majik26
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 4:51 p.m.
Great athletes train hard and never complain. It's all about how much you want to succeed. I think you have a few individuals that could not cut the mustard and didnt want to work hard. Welcome to College Football Boys!!
Michael Rothstein
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 4:48 p.m.
GO F'N BLUE: To clarify, what is going on at Michigan State with the preseason is allowed by the NCAA. Preseason hours are not limited.
GO_F'N_BLUE
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 4:34 p.m.
I would like anyone who believes there is crime being committed here to visit the MSU athletic website. Once there, go down to th lower left and click on the article dated August 16, 2009. A freshman QB is quoted saying that their typical preseason day was 14 hours long. Please pass this along to anyone who reads the Freep. (I refuse to give them my clicks!) Oh yeah, GO BLUE, AND SHOW NO MERCY!!!!!
GO_F'N_BLUE
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 4:28 p.m.
My new second favorite CFB team.......The Minnasota Goldern Gophers!!!
jeremy
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 4:26 p.m.
wow rita....a guy defends richrod and the program and you belittle him by saying he wants a job....brewster seems to be doing a nice job of rebuilding minnesota.....this is why many other teams dispise michigan fans because of its arrogance....eat a little humble pie and just imagine that people can defend you without wanting something in return.....imagine that....
ritawedaliar
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 3:51 p.m.
Tim Brewster is looking for an assistant coaching position.
ohnou812
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 2:16 p.m.
Herbstreit said it was a witch hunt in AA and it was former players of Carr. The freep won't run the real truth of the two freshman who say the reporter twisted their words. I'm done with that lame azz newspaper. It's pretty obvious what's going on here...maybe they need to move on and get rid of assistant AD who quite possibly orchestrated this whole mess.
BillMK
Tue, Sep 1, 2009 : 2:07 p.m.
I posted this on another site the other day. It is still germane, I believe. And thanks, Coach Brewster. *** "Gee, coach, do you mean I have to practice extra to start? And if I put in 20 hours per week, all I get is a spot on the team, a $200k education at a major university, and connections for life?" Quelle horreur! Dry up, everyone. As a triple-alumnus/professional/professor, I see many undergrads who work full time, take a full academic load, make decent grades, and don't b!tch. I see medical and law students with a 60 to 80-hour academic week who have part-time jobs besides. Some of the best of these are former varsity athletes. The 20-hour rule is in place to protect athletes from being forced to do what some of their colleagues volunteer to do. It does that. That's all. A student can have an active social life, or make a decent GPA, or play a varsity sport. Pick any two! As an academic who was a more than adequate undergrad, and who knew many varsity athletes(some all-Americans), I am very glad to see that the team's GPA is higher than before. Res ipsa loquitur. Finally, as for the newsies, I love print papers and will miss them very much - it makes me sad to see these "journlists" hasten their demise. It makes me even sadder to think that in a couple years, seem of these folks could be looking for jobs teaching high school English, where they could do real harm.