Don Haugen

Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.

Fire his butt, Rodriguez just is not the right guy. He sucks!! He was nothing but trouble in the beginning of his tenure, which was disappointing. Now he is nothing but disappointment. Get some one like Jim Harbaugh, a real Michigan man.

Holmes1

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:30 a.m.

Yeah, but did you catch the part where Harbaugh said he doesn't spend time on the blogosphere and that those people who do are narcissistic? Or I dont talk about anybody elses team or anybody elses job.... Just the one I have.

3 And Out

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 3:47 a.m.

Jim Harbaugh on the Scott Van Pelt Show ESPN Radio Friday: "You don't build your program on WEAK MINDED people" Now he did not reference RR specifically....but the day after RR's meltdown, it is very applicable. Link http://espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=scottvanpelt2009

mun

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 11:06 p.m.

Funny, after the OSU game, Rich Rod didn't want to sing Kumbaya.

missionbrazil

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 6:50 p.m.

I guess anyone who thinks that RR needs to go so UM can get back to having a program of excellence is part of a lynch mob? I would say that everyone wanted RR to succeed, but the record and the facts show that he has failed to do so in a reasonable period of time. How about this for karma (personally don't believe in karma)... a guy gets paid $ 2+ million per year to take over one of the elite football programs in the country, and immediately they have the worst season ever (in 129 seasons to date); then over the next 2 seasons they go.500 overall, but only 4-12 in their league. Plus the team under his watch goes 1-11 against some of the better teams in the league. And there are NCAA violations in his watch. And the ratings of his recruiting classes have dropped below his predecessor's recruiting classes... we don't need karma to know what should happen... common sense can tell you most people would get fired for this type of failure / drop-off. It's nothing personal against RR; if it were Les Miles or anyone else that did this he should get fired.

3 And Out

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 5:36 p.m.

Trublu76, it is not a lynch mob and has 0 to do with karma...we are just simply countering the koolaid crowd who think that this 3 year terrible team is not RR's fault, and RR leads the way with those excuses... we are just simply pointing out the facts... the truth of the situation. We want a change, as it is needed for the program to recover, but we are not out for blood. Karma is overrated btw.

Yelmonian

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.

Lawrence... Ill bite. Bring Jim back. MSU will smack him too! According to many of the posters on here... changing coaches will set the weasels back several more years. We have dantonio.... we fear no one!

Holmes1

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 4:28 p.m.

See? Harbaugh's ALREADY here! AND mopping up the Big Ten! No matter the contract (just signed last year) he has with Stanford OR what he wants. "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched!" "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it."

lawrencelaundry

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.

Yelmonian, Harbaugh is a football monster and will mop the floor in the Big Ten. Just wait and see. OSU AND MSU will be beat the 1st yr. Remember my name and we'll talk about it next yr. Harbaugh beat most likely the best USC teams in program history 3out of 4 times with a bunch of nobodys. Yes, u should be worried. Go Blue.

Sallyxyz

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 1:49 p.m.

Excerpt from Terry Foster's column in the Detroit News on Dec 3: If I were Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, I would have added one more song to Thursday night's sing-along starring football coach Rich Rodriguez and Josh Groban. After Rodriguez embarrassed himself and the program by playing "You Raise Me Up" at the annual football bust, I would have asked the DJ to play "Hit the Road Jack." And don't you come back no more, no more, no more. I have spoken to a couple of people who were at the bust and they said they were "in shock" when Rodriguez turned the banquet into an infomercial to keep his job as head football coach. I agree with Foster. Hit the Road, RR.

Sallyxyz

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 1 p.m.

Tru2Blu76: No one is behaving like a lynch mob. That gives way too much power to a few posters on a forum such as AA dot com. RR dug his own grave by taking a winning program with a long history of success and bringing disgrace upon it, and making Michigan the laughing stock of the country. RR did this to himself. A few vocal locals on a forum are hardly behaving like a lynch mob. RR was the wrong guy from the beginning, a panic hire, whose "agent" sold Bill Martin down the river. Brandon was hired to correct the situation and hopefully he will do it early in January.

Soothslayer

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 12:13 p.m.

Breaking up is hard to do... Now go so you can "I wanna be a (cowboy, home remodler, fireman, etc)" for whatever and wherever that may be. Take care RR

GoblueinNE_PA

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.

TruBlu76 Now you know how those of us that though RichRod was the wrong hire from very beginning felt. We said, "you clamored for change and now you got it, better hope it works." It didn't. I can tell you for certain, that if the next guy, whether thats Harbaugh, Miles, Whittingham, Petersen, etc., comes in and bombs out as badly as RichRod has in nearly all catergories, I WILL be all over his rear end. No ifs, ands, or buts. There is only one goal at Michigan and that is excellence, across the board. That's what I think the RichRod supporters either forgot or never understood.

Joseph

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 5:52 a.m.

Headline: Jim Harbaugh Refuses to Comment on Michigan during ESPN interview So: JH is not talking. DB is not talking. JH could easily say "not interested in Michigan". DB could easily say "RRod is my coach". For two guys who work on opposite coasts who supposedly are not communicating, it appears they are both working in concert. Take off the RRod blinders and back away from the blue kool-aid and you will see what is glaringly obvious- Jim Harbaugh will be our next coach. Don't fight it. It's inevitable. Link to story: http://detnews.com/article/20101204/SPORTS0201/12040323

lawrencelaundry

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 4:03 a.m.

Harbaugh will be in AA in approx. 4 weeks. That's why he did not show.

lawrencelaundry

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 3:51 a.m.

Harbaugh will be in AA in approx. 4 weeks. That's why he did not show.

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:43 p.m.

Harbaugh will be in AA in approx. 4 weeks. That's why he did not show.

Rodie

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:08 p.m.

wow, some brutal comments on here. He is human you know... I agree that he should head out of town, but ouch. He made a lot of mistakes and made huge misjudgements. I still can't believe marched into a pro-style powerhouse and immediately tried to implement his offense, and on top of that, he fire an excellent defensive coaching staff. At this point, its probably is best for RR and Michigan to head in seperate directions. But I personally only believe this if we can get JH to replace him. If not, I think he should get one more chance.

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:03 p.m.

An interesting juxtaposition: LC after getting clocked by Bob the clockkeeper at MSU, in 2001, was mad as hell at that loss. But he didn't bemoan his fate as coach--he indicated that he "feels bad for the players, it's not fair for the players" (paraphrase. RR: During most interviews over the last 3 years, "come on now, we've got more freshmen playing....we don't have any players like Hart, Henne, Long....etc etc etc......I want to be a Michigan man". Always excuses, always bemoaning his own fate, never once publicly blaming anyone but the players and making it about himself. LC was not a perfect coach by any means. He was prickly, lost games he probably should not have, was loyal to a fault. But he never embarrassed his players, his university, or his team by his actions (excepting bad losses). NIght and day with this current set of coaches.

garrisondyer

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:49 p.m.

3AndOut -- Totally agree! Hope I didn't come across as a RR apologist, because I'm one of those fans who was still on the fence and leaning toward the "get rid of him" side at the beginning of the season, and am about 98% off the fence on that same side at this point, and really, really hopeful of a homecoming of sorts for Harbs. Those same shortcomings you mentioned are the same ones I alluded to, and they've become really irritating. And I found Harbaugh's absence interesting for some of the same reasons you mentioned. He could have put the whole thing to rest by showing his face and announcing he wasn't even considering the possibility of coaching for Michigan.... But he didn't! At this point I don't really know what to expect, but that "non-move" on his part just raises the anticipation that much more!

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:03 p.m.

Yelmonian, Harbaugh is a football monster and will mop the floor in the Big Ten. Just wait and see. OSU AND MSU will be beat the 1st yr. Remember my name and we'll talk about it next yr. Harbaugh beat most likely the best USC teams in program history 3out of 4 times with a bunch of nobodys. Yes, u should be worried. Go Blue.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10 p.m.

garrison... 1) Harbs couldnt be there for a couple of reasons...prepping his team for a BCS bowl, recruiting etc... in addition to knowing full well that his presence at the bust would have been a complete distraction, a media circus and a narcissistic display of self-importance... JH is not like that. He knows and respects the fact that the team comes first. Which brings me to your point 2). RR is all of that... narcissistic, self-important, flatulant with his comments about his job security, not honest, prone to embarrassing outbursts, excuse riddled etc. Let's examine this again for a moment... he is there at a Team Bust, to celebrate the accomplishments of the team and also the 85 BT champions...and 90% of his "teary eyed" speech is about HIM... and HIS status... Just as it always is... look at his comments through the year... and the previous 2, always deflecting blame, never accepting responsibilty, always making excuses for his failure... Rich Rod keeps claiming "I never read the papers or look at that stuff about my job status"...and then goes on to a 10-15 minute rant about his job status and why he should stay! This has been going on from day 1. "doesnt read or care what the internet says about him" yeah...right Rich... The King narcissist. It is all about him...always has been...from his ill advised lawsuit with WVU, to his real estate lawsuits, to tossing Steve Threet and others under the buss in 08...to today... King Narcissist, all about Rich Rod. Enough of this. I suspect Brandon knows this about Rod. It doesnt take a genius our psychologist to see that this guy has some major issues.

garrisondyer

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:15 p.m.

Two things: 1) I find it interesting that Harbaugh wasn't there. 2) I, like a lot of other posters, also empathize with Rodriguez. He's a real guy, who has an extremely tough job. I know what it's like to have a job where you're "in the spotlight", and everyone has an off day now and then. It sucks that much more when you mix in some bad luck, too. I think if he'd handled some things differently I'd have a more truly supportive attitude toward him, but I do still feel for the guy. okay... I lied. 3 things. 3) Go Blue!

Huron 74

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:06 p.m.

The Detroit News calls this espisode "embarrassing". I agree. http://detnews.com/article/20101203/OPINION03/12030414/Rich-Rods-performance-embarrassing

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:58 p.m.

See? Harbaugh's ALREADY here? No matter the contract (just signed last year) he has with Stanford OR what he wants. Just as happened with Les Miles. Then there's RichRod's contract with UM. Which of you DREAMERS has the four (or 2.5) million bucks to buy him out? Well? Step forward! We're ALL waiting!

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:49 p.m.

Yelmonian, Harbaugh is a football monster and will mop the floor in the Big Ten. Just wait and see. OSU AND MSU will be beat the 1st yr. Remember my name and we'll talk about it next yr. Harbaugh beat most likely the best USC teams in program history 3out of 4 times with a bunch of nobodys. Yes, u should be worried. Go Blue.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:42 p.m.

Have you ever seen DB's commercials for Domino's? Know anything about his career? Haven't you read ANY of his REPEATED statements the past few weeks? And months? What's changed? WHAT did I say about my views re RR? Including what happens if your DREAM comes true? Which happens to be mine. But if that DREAM comes true, that doesn't make EITHER of us "right." Just HAPPY. And I'll be more than happy to rejoice WITH you.

Joseph

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:30 p.m.

Holmes, You don't really think that DB 'orchestrated' that self-serving speech do you? If DB wanted to retain RR as coach it would be very simple. DB would proclaim in clear and unambiguous terms that RR is his head coach and he supports him. It would remove the cloud from over the team; it would remove the distractions so all could focus on the bowl game and it would definitely prevent further de-commits of recruits. So ask yourself Holmes, if RR was really DB's guy, why wouldn't he do himself, RR and the team a favor and give at least the smallest vote of confidence? I appreciate your taking the devils advocate approach to what seems crystal clear to many of us. Keeping hope alive is an admirable thing but the moment the 2011 season begins, whatever coach steps on our sidelines will define David Brandon's legacy and he is not about to define his legacy with a very unpopular hire not of his own choosing. We both will agree to disagree, I just want you to agree to come back here in a few weeks (after Stanford's bowl game) and tell me you were wrong (or if easier that we were right).

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:22 p.m.

If you wish. But do you really think that DB and RR haven't discussed how they're going to handle events and issues and coordinate strategy going forward? And Frank Beckman and everyone else. That's your right. But you're not giving them ANY credit, which is NOT reflection on them but....

BlueGator

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:10 p.m.

The only reason Brandon didn't let RR fall flat on his face was that DB understood that this was a TEAM function, and the easiest way to avoid even further embarrassment from RR was to end the episode ASAP. To let RR fall flat on his face would have been a form of public performance review, which DB clearly has been trying to avoid.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:58 p.m.

"that was ESPN's headline. It was not flattering at all. Called it as I see it." Headline was not the whole story, which you omitted. One's opinion does not constitute fact. Substituting opinion for fact is misrepresentation. "You listed just ESPN." No, that was Ghost. Got an issue with that, take it up with him. I also mentioned the Free Press and AnnArbor.com, whose reportage was basically the same as ESPN's, which you clearly misrepresented. There are comments here, as well. And they do not all share your view. Presenting the ones that share your view does not show the whole story. And we saw what many of you did to Lorain: You ganged up on him. AND "we" are not the football team. If YOU want to be a national joke, go right ahead. That's your choice.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:41 p.m.

"I heard there was an uncomfortable moment where RR was left hanging with his arms in the air. David Brandon came to his rescue and led others to join in on the 'We Are The World' moment. That will be the last time DB will be saving RR, especially from himself." Or it might indicate the opposite: The whole performance was orchestrated by DB to pave the way for RR's continuation as coach. If DB really wants RR gone, he could have let him fall on his face. WHY didn't he? A comment above reported similar actions by Frank Beckmen: The team is circling its wagons in support of their beleaugered mate. Sorry, folks, RR is NOT gone, nor is Harbaugh on his way to UM -- not even close. If such is how things develop, fine. "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched!"

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:32 p.m.

Holmes, I'm quite candid about it. I'm a "little brother". And this has become entertaining. I've even said UM needs to be better for the Big Ten Brand, and to improve MSU's SOS. I've noted many times, MSU has now been victorious against UM 3 times in a row... and it's getting old to beat bad teams. MSU fans would actually like UM to be competitive, so the game means more. I'm actually a rational MSU fan, that has found today quite entertaining. And yep... RR became a joke today. You listed just ESPN. What about all the other items I noted. And that was ESPN's headline. It was not flattering at all. Called it as I see it.

Joseph

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.

I heard there was an uncomfortable moment where RR was left hanging with his arms in the air. David Brandon came to his rescue and led others to join in on the "We Are The World" moment. That will be the last time DB will be saving RR, especially from himself. I honestly can live with a 7-5 record while rebuilding this team but not from a head coach who is hubris, shuns responsibility of the entire team all while displaying disingenuous empathy for others while constantly referring to himself. We need a head coach that will provide strength, leadership and guidance to our youth. Not one that would prefer GLEE moments. Please do not feel pity for a multi-millionaire. It is not becoming of us. This is football. This is Midwestern football. This is Big Ten football. RR has proven to be unqualified for our position. It happens. Let's draw upon our life experiences, our successful AD and make the appropriate decision to move on. For those that doubt that JH is coming, keep doubting while citing your ridiculous facts and excuses. But make sure you return in 3-4 weeks and tell us we were right all along.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.

Ah, "we" meant the football team. Well, you aren't the football team, any more than I am. What they do is their, not your, problem. And deciding their future is the responsibility of David Brandon, who has repeatedly stated that he will not be pressured into making decisions by popular opinion or press reports. As for ESPN, it did NOT report that the UM football team is a "national joke," any more than the Free Press or AnnArbor.com did. "Teary Rodriguez: I Want To Be A Michigan Man" doesn't constitute a joke AT ALL but simple fact -- and you omitted all the rest of that report, which showed another side. If you want to be a "national joke," that's up to you. That's what many UM fans made of themselves in the wake of the Les Miles fiasco, which appears about to recur here. Especially that stuff about "Michigan man": If RR has a UM check in his pocket, an office in Schembechler Hall, and a UM tie, he is every bit a "Michigan man" as ANY of you commenters, some of whom, I'm sure, have NO connection with the UM at all. And I say that even though I don't like RR and would like to see him gone. Lorain is right about at least one thing: Many people are making UM look bad. Well, those people are the "national joke." WE don't have to be part of that. Let's not!

InsideTheHall

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:12 p.m.

Banquets are about and for the players NOT for a coach to grovel for his job. I'm surprised the real M Men in the room didn't walk out on the circus. It is time. Time to call Jimmy Harbaugh home!

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.

One of the better lines from one of the blogs... "He should have manned up and gone with Clay Aiken, Damn!" But don't worry... no jokes being made.

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:47 p.m.

Next year... the Michigan Marching Band will do a spectacular halftime show... with a compilation of Celine Deon, Susan Boyle, and Josh Groban. Won't be a dry eye in the Big House!

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:40 p.m.

Holmes, Go to Rivals.com Main Board. The longest blog thread... 119 posts, with people from all over... is regarding RR's breakdown. Hard not to consider UM the laughingstock at this point. But keep RR. You can sing show tunes next...

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:35 p.m.

Holmes, Yeah... ESPN is the only national "commentator" on sports. Jim Rome was having a good ol' time at RR's expense today. Heck, even Josh Groban took a shot at RR on his twitter account. When the line is used... Is this UM football, or an episode of Glee on Rome's show today... yeah, it is a national joke. And ESPN on their football page... "Teary Rodriguez: I Want To Be A Michigan Man". Yes.. it is a joke at this point.

tulsatom

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:35 p.m.

I think you are right, trubluefan. I think RR got the job to begin with -- in part -- because U-M was having trouble with spread offense teams and RR was the godfather of the spread. So (I'm guessing) the mindset was "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em". With that said, I truly don't have as much of a problem with the offense as I do the awful defense. The only issue I have with the offense is that most of the top recruits want to play for teams that have pro-style offenses because it will better prepare them for the pros. If RR truly wants to be a 'Michigan Man' he should know that having a tough, hard-nosed defense with a chip on your shoulder is an integral part of U-M football tradition and -- having followed RR's West Virginia teams over the years -- defense has never been a priority for him and he now may pay a dear price for that.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:20 p.m.

"We have become a national joke." Speak for yourself! What Spartyland, Buckeyeland, and WVU think doesn't matter, and haven't seen anything like that on ESPN. You aren't the football team, which isn't the UM, so if you and your group (US Army?) are a national joke, shape up!

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:11 p.m.

Even Josh Groban is laughing at Rich Rod: Coach Rodriguez, I'm very flattered but crying to You Raise Me Up is SO five years ago. #playwelcometothejungle about 2 hours ago via web Retweeted by 100+ people joshgroban josh groban

truebluefan

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:11 p.m.

Under Carr, Michigan was a team that lost the majority of its big out of conference games against spread teams and bowl games, but was generally good enough to finish in the top 4 of the B10. We just couldn't take the next step on the national stage. This was the reason many people were upset with Lloyd. I truly believe Harbaugh is formed out of that same mold. I'm concerned because he hasn't won a bowl game and his teams haven't competed well against spread offenses.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:08 p.m.

Yelmonian.. Interesting comparison that you posted between John L. Smith and Rich A. Rodriguez. Based on that, one could only surmise that John L. Smith > Richard A. Rodriguez. LOL, how about that! Last night was Rich Rod's "JL Smith banging his head at the presser" moment.... and you are right, it turned our program in to a national joke today. On a personal level, it shows that our "leader" or "King" as Theo calls him, has some pretty serious emotional issues and is having problems dealing with the pressure as well as has an insistent need to put the focus on himself, and take away the spotlight from others like his team and the 85 BT title team that was no doubt sitting in the back of that room just banging themselves on their heads ala JL Smith wondering "where did we find this clown?"

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.

Hey Lorainne, I really don't understand your logic. You indicate that the '69 team was deeper than the '85 team. OK. What's new? In '69, there were no limit on scholarships that you could give out as a team. Fast forward to now, and the team is limited to 85 scholarships. Just that basic rule change would decrease depth on the team. It's not a complicated scenario.

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:32 p.m.

Tulsa....I give you credit, but guys like you, are the exception, and not the rule. Sounds like you were able to play at a higher level than I ever did...we just played for the love of the game. But I think you'd agree, that RR had to start from scratch, with very few players that matched his system. It takes time to recruit and develop these kids. My take is, that the players are strongly behind these coaches. And that is critical...and it says a lot, about who RR really is..not, who the 'media' says he is. Next year, when they mature, and the injuries heal, any newly hired defensive coaches, will get the credit for the work these guys did. Having said that, Bo coached in a different era. (I know..that's Ohio football.) The kids are bigger, faster, and they are trained better now, than in the old days. Similarities between Bo and RR are valid, in personality traits, but again, the nature of the game has evolved. And the nature of 24/7 media has changed. If anything the teams are more athletic now while still physical. It is what it is. I just resent people taking shots at the guy, when he's bustin' his tail, to make this thing work. And at times my frustration gets the better of me. RR's not polished by any means..no secret there, but I think he knows what he's doing. I talked to Jerry Hanlon when RR was first introduced, in Toledo. And he said that the fans would need to give RR time...patience! Jerry said, they were much deeper in '69, than '07. And I have not forgotten what he said. I trust his opinion...patience. We ALL want to turn the corner. I just think we're very close. We'll get there..we'll get there. And when we do, we'll have a blockbuster, of a program. Maybe,even better than when Bo was here, and I respect the heck, out of that guy!

John

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.

"This is rapidly shaping up as the worst Michigan recruiting class since the days before Bo. So a late change may resuscitate what's looking like a trend." Macabre, you obviously don't follow recruiting closely. RR is/was building a tremendous class likely to be Top 10 nationally on signing day. The class is currently ranked low (29th) only because we have 14 commits now instead of the 20 we will finish with. Teams with 20+ 2- and 3-star recruits are currently ranked ahead of us, but won't be in the final class ranking. If you go by average rating per player, UM currently has a top 15 team with many 4-star players still high on UM to play for RR. Not that means much now.

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:03 p.m.

Even Josh Grobin on his twitter account made fun of Rich Rod. How much do I have to pay for this entertainment?!?!?

tulsatom

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:51 p.m.

Lorain, I was raised in a blue-collar family also and still think RR has been a bust at U-M. I was a linebacker and tight end on a conference champion team in class A football team in Michigan back in the day. Your attempts to paint those who think RR is in over his head as elitists or something is inaccurate and smacks of class warfare. Bill Parcells, who is a blue collar coach once said, "You are who your record SAYS you are". RR's Big Ten record over three years is 6-18. Blue collar or white collar, the U-M football program needs to rid itself of 'RichRod Around the Collar'.

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.

Ghost...Thanks Ghost, your response just proved all my points, an confirmed everything I posted. As far, as self loathing, you couldn't have accomplished one tenth, the things I have, or Rodriguz.....Good Night & Good Luck!

Macabre Sunset

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:44 p.m.

This is rapidly shaping up as the worst Michigan recruiting class since the days before Bo. So a late change may resuscitate what's looking like a trend. Since Rodriguez has no interest in the defense and he runs a variant of the spread concept that's irrelevant at the pro level, elite high school athletes are starting to avoid Michigan. Long-term, that may cause as much harm to Michigan football as his lack of on-field ability.

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.

Lorain: I appreciate what you are saying, but RR did not have to start from scratch. He had 40 years of winning tradition, but again, we have discussed until we are scarlet in the face. RR has shown that he cannot elevate this team. And if he has to "ask" to be a 'Michigan man', then he certainly does not fit the mold. He is a desperate hanger on who has shown that he does not deserve more time.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.

Pot, meet kettle.

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:21 p.m.

R treat & ERM Ghost....Lorain is a city in Ohio.(not a person). A 'blue collar' city. Manufacturing. Steel Mills, Shipyards, Auto plants, Machine shops, etc. Got it? People there are NOT born with a silver spoons in their mouth. At Lorain High,(the Steelmen, the Gold&Black), all I lived for was playing football, bball, and I studied. Hard!..Because I wasn't good enough to play professional football, I had to make it with my mind, and nobody else was going to look out for me. I passed up a scholarship to osu, and Case,and came to UM in mech.engineering. My scholarship to UM was working each and every summer in the open hearths, and pipe mills, at US Steel's Lorain Works. My fourth year here, another 'blue collar' guy showed up in AA. He was from Barberton, another tough, working class town. He was an outsider just like I was, but we were very much alike. Now 40 years later, still another 'blue collar' guy has shown up in AA. This time, a coalminer's son from west virginia. Just like Bo, and just like me, Rod's a little rough around the edges. But he's smart and he's a hard worker. The players like him, and they respect him. He'll turn UM into a winner, just like Bo did. For the last 40 years, I have watched as arrogant self centered, sudo-intelligencia, pretend that they 'walk the walk', when all they really do, is 'talk the talk'. It's sickening to read the cynical and pretensious commentary on here, by people who have never played, or never coached, or never really done anything, for themselves. People who have no clue, how difficult it is, to build a permanent, powerful,football program. There is a lot of blood, sweat,and tears, time and effort, that goes into a program like this. All the haters can do is find fault with someone else who is actually in the area, competing. I understand that this is 'class thing', and RR is a blue collar guy, that somehow doesn't fit you paticular model of a UM coach. But he IS, exactly the kind of guy, that Bo was, Mo is, and Hanlon is! That's why these guys support Rodriguz. In the end,it is the blue collar students and athletes that have made UM great. It is their struggle for excellence,that has built both traditions here. Bo was offered 5 years,and came in here with a solid talent pool. RR was offered 5 years, amd came in here with precious little usable talent pool. He deserves the same patience that Bo asked for, to recruit, and coach, a dedicated group of student atheltes compete at the highest level. Patience.

ViSHa

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:16 p.m.

So I can get this straight,historically, a Michigan Man is someone who would NOT leave a team before an important playoff situation?

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:50 p.m.

RR is gone. It's that simple. He made UM Football a joke on the national level last night. Not by their level of play, but by his behaviour at the banquet. I'm getting text messages from my brother in law (UM Alum) that lives in LA. He's listening to Jim Rome rag on RR. My brother in law cannot believe that RR is still the coach. RR made a mockery of your program. And the entire country is laughing at it. I'm reading blogs, that have people posting that they need to turn on Valenti, Rome, etc. These people are from all over the country. There is no way RR can stay after having the entire country use him as the punch line to a joke.

Dante Marcos

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.

I didn't realize insane asylums had wifi.

tulsatom

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.

If Harbaugh were to be the next coach, there might be a few defections but I doubt there would be as many as when RR took over from LC because most college players dream of playing in the NFL and would love to have a former NFL QB who runs a pro-style offense at the helm. U-M used to have a pipeline to the pros under previous coaches and Harbaugh would restore that pipeline, which would ensure top talent continues to funnel to Ann Arbor. Hoever, under RR, the only pipeline seems to be for undersized smurf-type players who can run fast but get the snot knocked out them when a Big Ten defensive player hits him head on. Just like most engineering students want to go to a university with a reputation for producing great engineers, etc, college football players want to go to a place that has a reputation for producing good pros, and RR's style of offense just isn't suited for that.

John

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:30 p.m.

@Ghost As always, you are wrong on several counts. 1) Harbaugh's pro-style offense starts with a pocket passer (like 6'4" Andrew Luck). If Denard and Tate fancy themselves as QBs, they should look elsewhere. Sitting out a year can do wonders for strength and maturity--Ryan Mallett is a perfect example. He was a spoiled brat at Michigan. His teammates didn't like him and Lloyd reportedly threw transfer papers at him during his Freshman year. Devin is the best fit for Harbaugh's scheme. 2) ALL of our recruitment commitments are tentative until Feb 2, 2011? You couldn't be more wrong. Commitments Dee Hart and Greg Brown, and a few prospects, planned to enroll early and be on campus in January 2011 before a new coach is even hired. Why would the #1 all-purpose back in the country, Dee Hart, want to enroll at UM not knowing who the coach will be? 3) A better coach? I think RR would go 9-3 next year if given the opportunity (which he won't get). With the exact same UM team, I think Harbaugh will go 6-6 next year. With QB defections, Harbaugh goes 5-7 with a little luck. I think RR is an excellent coach, but you can't win with thin, young, injury-riddled rosters. Two recruiting classes have helped the roster and the team is ready to take off. Looks like it won't get the chance though.

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.

Laurencelaundry, If OSU, MSU, etc are all afraid of Harbaugh... then why are there so many UM faithful set against him coming to UM? So are the "true fans" really wanting to retain a coach, that people like myself (a proud little brother) think MSU, OSU, Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State, Nebraska will beat handily. I don't understand why you think we are all afraid of Harbaugh, but there is so much fight on here to keep RR?

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.

Just listened to the song rod played and it was plain sad. Rod, you have your health your kids, your wife and your gonna walk away a millionaire. What's there to cry about. Its just a job dude. You just didn't fit here in AA. Be a man and be positive for your familys sake. They are more important then football. Good luck somewhere else. I heard Miami hiring.

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.

To quote Jim Rome today... "Is this UM football, or is this an episode of GLEE!" RR has made UM football the butt of national jokes! This could not be any more entertaing for "little brother"!

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:21 p.m.

Im hoping that DB looks past the sobbing RR and looks for the future of the program. The OSU, the only reason why u come to this forum is to see if anyone.has any news on Harbaugh. Because the fact of the matter is that you and all bukeyes are scared as heck of Harbaugh and u know he will mop the floor with Tressel and the rest of the big ten.

Wolvdoug

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:14 p.m.

Ghost...Rich rod Is a competent cach....He may not be right for UM but that doesn't mean the guy can't coach and is not good as what he does.

walker101

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:57 p.m.

It's me, me, me, me and only me.

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.

In these trying times for the UM faithful... here are some words of inspiration. When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary; When troubles come and my heart burdened be; Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. There is no life - no life without its hunger; Each restless heart beats so imperfectly; But when you come and I am filled with wonder, Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be. You raise me up... To more than I can be.

SonnyDog09

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.

I'm reminded that the band played "Nearer My God to Thee" as the Titanic sank. Sometimes you realize that the jig is up, and all you can do is wait for the cold water to end your misery.

r treat

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.

@ghost: Where the heck is loretta steelman! lol!

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.

David Vande... Then RR is not the offensive genius that he is claimed to be. An offensive genius would have taken your theory of the defense, getting the ball back, etc into account. He would have demanded a better defense to get the ball back more. As it is, he only understands one part of the game. Harbaugh is closer aligned to the "genius" label everyone tries to throw around. He understood the ball had to be in the offenses control to score, so the defense got it back for him. Not overly complicated.

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:40 p.m.

Suppose JH were to come. After what he did with Luck, why in the world DR or Tate want to transfer? Luck will be in NY for the Heisman. He will be the top NFL pick. JH himself was a QB in big ten and NFL. I think fear of those guys transferring is overblown.

Wolvdoug

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:33 p.m.

John while there maybe some decommits and palyer transfers I don't believe there will be a mass exudus.

Alice

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:25 p.m.

I'm an MSU alum and I will admit I have no problem with RR or his system - but then, that's being smarmy so I won't push it. I will say, however, that I'm a bit embarassed for all of you UM folks after that spectacle last night. RR took the spotlight from where it should have been - on the kids and '85 team - and made it all about him. Arrogance to the Nth degree. As much fun as these past 3 years have been for us Sparties, I want to beat UM full up, not with some stupid system that will never work in the Big 10. Of course, I won't complain if he stays, either!

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:24 p.m.

You know John: There is definite risk in changing the leadership of any organization. But if you have no confidence in the leader, or if the leader is shown to not be up to the job, or if they keep speaking in platitudes (and are in over their head), then you make the necessary change. I think M fans could tolerate the poor record, just barely, if they had confidence in that the right leader was there and he did and said the right things. But comment after comment for 3 years, action after action, conduct--all of it is not becoming of who should be the Michigan coach. It does not mean that he would not succeed elsewhere, but nothing he has done so far has shown that RR will succeed at M. He just doesn't "get it" (as I have said before). If he 'got it', we would not have comments like he continually makes.

John

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:15 p.m.

If RR were given another year, the team would likely continue its improvement and go 9-3 next year. Our youngsters got some valuable playing/learning time, we have some stud defenders who redshirted and some great recruits, and we only graduate one key player (Schilling). Plus there's NO WAY we suffer the same amount of injuries that decimated the running backs, receivers, cornerbacks, and safeties. But I agree that the writing is on the wall... RR is done at UM. DB wouldn't leave him dangling (and bleeding recruits like Dee Hart) if he was keeping his job. So, you'll have a new coach to rag on next year. If it is JH, both Denard and Tate may transfer, Devin better be ready, we'll have more decommitments and transfers, and I expect Michigan to go 5-7 next year. In 2012 we'll be lucky to be 6-6. I look forward to your future outrage over the new coach's failings. You people deserve it.

David Vande Bunte

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:56 p.m.

"Jeff Richard...just curious, if RR is the "best offensive coach in college football"...why then did Jim Harbaugh's team average over 40 pts per game this year, and Rich Rod's vaunted system only 34 (including 10, 10, 0 and 7 at the half vs. Iowa, Sparty, Wisconsin and OSU). The answer is that he is not... he is good with the spread system but not the "genius" that he and his agent like to self promote." That is a relatively easy question to answer...because Stanford has a much better defense, and could get the opposing offenses off of the field faster, Stanford's offense got more possessions per game than Michigan did. Michigan's defense failing to get off the field so often took possessions away from Michigan's offense, because of the length of the opponent's drives. Less possessions = less points scored.

leathercouch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.

"We'll let people jump on the bandwagon, thats ok, they may not have a front seat, but they'll jump on the wagon"

beanie wells

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:38 p.m.

um, i don't even know what to say. wow? sorry? i guess i'll just sit here, shake my head and chuckle. (i was always a john tesh fan anyway)

Wolvdoug

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.

The OSU....Bo made that statement about Basketball when Bill Frieder bolted from UM and took a Job out in the Desert on the eve of the NCAA tounament and awarded the job to Steve Fisher. Media and fans take and use that term completely out of contexted and have no idea as to the meaning behiund it and why he said it the way he did.

Macabre Sunset

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.

Michigan Man is often misquoted, and it seems Rodriguez doesn't understand the term, either. Bo used the term when Bill Frieder had agreed to coach Arizona State basketball the following year. Problem was, the NCAA tournament hadn't yet started. Bo installed assistant Steve Fisher as coach, told Frieder to start his vacation early, and Fisher ended up winning the tournament. A Michigan Man is someone who wakes up every day wondering what he can do to make Michigan's teams just a little better. Bo became a Michigan Man the day he became our coach. That Rodriguez doesn't get it after three years is just one more example of why he needs to go. He's a Rodriguez Man and always will be.

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.

Trevor, I think the answer is simple. After year three, is the team competitive with the big boys? If the answer is yes, then he stays with a 7-5 record. If the answer is no, then start looking for a coach. Everyone keeps saying RR has the offense rolling. He doesn't. He rolls up teams that are average or below. But the offense struggles against real teams. And the defense has gone backwards every year. The special teams is worse than when he took it over. There has been no improvement in three years. If you compare RR's team from day one to now, it is worse. So yeah, if the new coach is 7-5 after three years, you look at if they look competitive or not... and decide based on that.

Listen

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.

Methinks Brandon needs to implement a "no crying" clause into the next coach's contract. Really, it's football....crying to try and save your job is not "big boy" stuff.

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.

@Trevor: I hope that whoever comes into coach will "get it" and will conduct himself in a manner of which we all can be proud of. The results should be better, of course, or else we will and should hold that new coach to the same criteria. My critiques of RR are several, but the thing that has bothered me most since he was mentioned as a coaching candidate is that he left his "home"--school, place of residence since childhood, etc, and that he has no natural fit with Michigan. I did not think then, nor do I think now, that he was or is a good fit with Michigan. His record has done nothing to prove me wrong, but his statements continue to show how he has no business being our coach. Listen to Jim Tressel talk about the one-sided rivalry and you can just tell he gets it. What did RR say? Kumbaya. He just is the wrong person for the job.

The OSU

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.

Please clarify this phrase, "Michigan Man." What does it mean? I heard the phrase comes from a quote attributed to Bo, "Only a 'Michigan Man' can coach Michigan football." Bo was born in... Ohio Bo was educated in... Ohio Bo played football in... Ohio Bo started coaching in... Ohio Bo became a head coach in... Ohio If Bo epitomizes the ideal "Michigan Man," then it appears the true definition of a "Michigan Man" is "a transplanted Buckeye."

Wolvdoug

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.

Alan...I highly doubt Bo would be throwing up at D Robs performance....he would be throwing up over the lack of defense period. What a vile, hateful, cowardly bunch that say all these things and hide behind a screen name here on this forum/board. When RR was talking about being a Mich man he was reffering to you and certain factions within the University that have never accepted him and never will. There are some squarely in his corner that do consider him a Mich man and do support him. Most of you have no idea where the term Mich man came from and why, you just use the term because it's been tossed about by some in the media and has become a fashionable statement. That said I am on the fence on this...while I believe he can turn things around maybe it's time to move on and bring someone else in that can re-unite the University and fan base. Those of you thinking it wouldn't work with JH....well it could...who is to say he wouldn't retain the OC that is familar with the spread and concetrate on getting the defense and special teams heading in the right direction. Those of you complaing about RR not adapting his sceme to his talent will and should expect JH to do that even if it means running thew spread instead of smashmouth 3 yards and a cloud of dust football.....JMO

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.

I remember the first time Ernie Harwell was fired too. Beckman was working at WJR back then and piled on and said Harwell was too old and it was his time to go. Great guy. Yeah, and team player, now (apparently), as then. Does that tell you what way David Brandon may be leaning? Anyone remember what Theo212 wrote? Sat at Table 11 last night at Laurel Manor. Wonderful evening. DB is fully behind Our King for at least the next 4-5 years. Could it be that RR did what DB coached him to do? To pave the way for another year, if not three? Or what Nekm wrote? what makes you think Harbaugh wants THIS job? Because he is a Michigan Man? Or the links Iamcris provided? And what he asked? you want that guy? Many anti-RR commenters here seem to be headed for a let-down like that which happened re Les Miles in December 2007. Does anyone here remember that? And, worse, what happened thereafter? Dont count your chickens before they hatch!

Kurt Pittman

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:07 p.m.

i genuinely feel bad for him. if he's here another year i'll be cheering louder than ever. if not, then i really wish him the best of success wherever he ends up.

Blu-n-Tpa

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.

I hear they are remaking the movie "Shane". RichRod will play the title character and Theo 212 will star as the little boy. Instead of the 'old west' the final scene is the parking lot of last night's football bust. Cue the marker, roll tape,...RichRod, in emotional pain gets in his car, slowly drives toward the exit, cut to Theo, sitting at Table 11, tears rolling down his face, music in the background. Then he suddenly jumps up, runs to the door, then outside. He stops, facing the camera, whispers, "the King, the King, he's crying, he's singing, but where the heck's our bling?" Back to the car...driving into the dark and lonely night. AND cut! That's a wrap. In the movie, you are left to wonder what happened to Shane. Same ending here, too. So far.

Trevor

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:59 a.m.

Hearbreak: I agree these last 3 years have been less than amazing. Lloyd Carr did have a 7-5 year back in 05. Yes we have shown some improvements and I am talking about his history prior to Michigan. Again though, what are you RR haters going to do if Harbaugh comes in and doesnt succeed. Do you give him 4 years or just 3 as well or less? Will you hold him to the same standards as RR or will you make excuses for him?

GettingBluer

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.

"Those who stay will be champions." Please don't quote Bo's promise to the 1969 team (which he kept) in referring to RR. Instead, quote some RR promise that he made to the team, fans, or university and kept. (Sorry that I can't help you find one, but nothing comes to mind.)

GettingBluer

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.

Theo wrote: "Sat at Table 11 last night at Laurel Manor. Wonderful evening. DB is fully behind Our King for at least the next 4-5 years." Well, for your sake I hope RR finds something in a climate that you like. You will be missed here (though RR won't be). Good luck on your move.

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:46 a.m.

Awww... they should keep him. Look at his stats versus John L Smiths! I would think UM would see that even MSU was smart enough to cut ties when things went bad. John L. Smith & Rich Rod MSU Winning Percent under JLS (all games) - 46% UM Winning Percent under Rich (all games) - 41% MSU Winning % (Big Ten Games only) under JLS- 37.5% UM Winning % (Big Ten Games only) under Rich- 25% JLS all time head coaching record (all schools) - 132-86 (60.55% won) Rich all time head coaching record (all schools) - 120-83-2 (58.5% won) JLS average points scored offensively at MSU (all games) - 29.63 ppg Rich average points scored offensively at UM (all games)- 28 ppg JLS average points allowed defensively while at MSU (all games)- 27.15 ppg Rich average points allowed defensively while at UM (all games)- 30.1

Raul

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:40 a.m.

"You Raise Me Up" Crying to keep his job. WOW that's a good way to send the coach off Peace out Richard. Last year I said give him one more year, well this was it and he couldn't hang with the big boys He better off going somewhere else. Everything that has happened these last 3 years should be a sign that its just not going to work.

Carter84262

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:36 a.m.

With all the talent on UM Football teams the last 3 years the problem has obviously been the coaching. The 3-3-5 defense should only be used in certain situations...not as a default.

Rabid Wolverine

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.

bubye!

chiro19

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.

There has been quite a bit of constructive discussion on these comment boards! Like change from the 3-3-5 to the 3-4 or 4-3. Start coaching proper tackling fundamentals, gap control, proper coverage skills, etc. These comments do not rip his family or him personally! I do not think RR is a bad person nor is his family. He simply is not succeeding! That is what this is about. There is no hatred being mentioned anywhere on these sites!!! If there is, the little post from the editors comes up so please read some other story's on this site and the things that people have said before you start spreading your garbage and calling people hate filled! Once again, emotion is the ruling factor not reality! Remember it was suppose to be RR's second year when teams really get better under him! Remember throwing players under the team bus and telling us they are failing not the coaching techniques! Remember RR committed NCAA violations for the first time in Michigan football history! Remember that this team has not made a 2nd half adjustment in 3 years! Those are not hate filled comments or opinions, that is reality!!! We do not have to be Bo to criticize a football coach at the university of michigan and understand how solid fundamental football is played!!!

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.

Sorry but not surprising to see those remaining RR supporters without a clue: Most of us realize that RR is not the right coach for the UM Football program and the results speak for themselves, not the win and lost column, but the integrity of RR's character. Even if UM went 13-0 with a BCS title, the key is RR's character and those folks at WV only know it too well.

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.

@Trevor: RR being "from Michigan" has nothing to do with him being a "Michigan man". If he has to ask to be one, after 3 years of being coach, that's just pathetic. Proven winner? Look at the results on the field. 3 years. Compare to any 3 year period in the last 50 years of M football. He is NOT a proven winner. he is a bad fit. Perhaps his coaching style would fit elsewhere, but not here. He doesn't understand M rivalries. He doesn't understand how to make it about the players while honoring them and their efforts. Harbaugh gets this stuff because he's been through it and has shown it by his record at 2 other institutions. Facts on the field.

maizenbluedoc

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:14 a.m.

Rich Rod's comments somewhat parallels what a young child would say when confronted by the school principal.

Trevor

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:12 a.m.

1. I am sure Dee Hart's committment has to do with the uncertainity of our program and that he wants to enroll in January. I think Rich Rod can lead us to where we want to be, however, if Brandon isnt going to keep him, then let him go. Both Miami and Colorado are good landing spots. 2. For all those who want Harbaugh, what happens if he fails? Then what? Rich Rod is a proven winner, and so far has had problems. Harbaugh is proving he can win too, but what happens if he comes to Michigan and has problems. Then what? Rich Rod deserves his fourth year, mainly because we are not sure that bringing in Harbaugh will automatically make us better next year or the next couple of years. Finally, I am tired of hearing about how Rich Rod drove off all this talen. Mallett was home sick, he had one foot out the door. Rich Rod has even said that he wanted to work him into the spread and make it mroe pass happy. I want Rich Rod to have one more year and go get Randy Shannon for defense. Yes, Rich Rod has done some questionable things since he has been here and he is not a Michigan man, but for the last time, neither was Bo when he first came in. He came from the Buckeyes. However, if we do get Harbaugh or someone else, and he starts to fail, I hope you RR haters start riding Harbaugh hard to and not let him use excuses either.

Andy

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:07 a.m.

go ahead and call for the axe on RR if you want. Good luck going bowling next year though. Especially if Harbaugh comes in. Completely different coaching style and will take a few years to get his players here.

nekm1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.

Tough crowd. Cut him a little slack. He knows how to win, and he knows what it takes to win. He needs support, not backstabbing. If he goes, what makes you think Harbaugh wants THIS job? Because he is a "Michigan Man?"....tell that to an NFL contract that will pay him a lot more than he would make here. All of you need to grow up and understand that this is BUSINESS. The ones who lose are the kids..not the coaches. Think about the kids that have committed to this program, who will be left in the dust if the program changes now. Quit thinking about your selfish wins and losses, and get your arms around this man and his program. Grow up.

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 11 a.m.

@Lorain: Decent man or not, RR has failed in his mission, the job that he is getting paid quite handsomely to do. He has not lived up to the past performance of UM coaches, nor of the behavior of the other B10 coaches (i.e. Tressel, Fitzgerald, Paterno). He consistently has his teams unprepared to play, he throws his players under the bus, he blames other for his problems. We have been through this. For him to even say "I want to be a Michigan man"..., unbelieveable.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.

Actually, Lansing Wolverine wrote, "Personally I don't think DB is going to do anything unless he is positive he can get his guy. If he doesn't have JH locked up, RR is coming back." Wishing RR gone doesn't make him so. DB has had nearly a year to get rid of him and not only hasn't done that but parroted RR's excuses AND given him a pass re the NCAA violations. At Domino's, it took DB over ten years to change the pizza recipe, so don't hold your breath, folks: RR has three years left on his contract.

ViSHa

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:52 a.m.

Commercial just played on channel 4 for their upcoming noon broadcast: Guy Gordon: "why is University of Michigan's coach Rich Rodriguez crying and playing Josh Groban?" That is what last night has been reduced to. That is what is grabbing headlines. I feel sorry for the team, particularly the seniors.

edjasbord

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:52 a.m.

@JDean: "But we've also had progress, and Rich Rod, whatever else you think of him, has delivered on making Michigan's offense a thing to be feared." I'm sorry, but this statement is absurd on its face, and simply affronts the consciousness of anyone who watched the MSU, Iowa, PSU, and OSU games this year with an open mind - without a mind clouded by irrational attachment to RR.

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.

I am amazed, uterly amazed, at the negativity, and abject hatred, expressed on this sight (and others) for Coach Rodriguez. Here is a good and decent man, an excellent coach, and his family, being denigrated by a group of people, who are not capable of any constructive activity whatsoever! Most of these haters could not coach a team, or run a business. They are arrogant, and opinionated, but unproductive. They have this 'entitlement mentality', based on never having to step into any area, and contribute. They have no idea of the magnitude of this effort, or the work that goes into turning this program around. It is these haters, that give UM a bad name, not this coach, and it is they, that are bringing this program down, not this coach. I find all this hatred repulsive. I hope Brandon retains this coach, and that the coaches and players turn this thing around, but I will NEVER forget the depths, that socalled intelligent college educated people have lowered themsleves too. It is disgusting!,

Bob Kline

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.

Would AD Brandon have kept RR at Dominoes?Failure after 3 years is still failure.Didn't Dominoes change their recipe after Brandon left because of the failure of the pizzas taste?

John Agno

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:37 a.m.

Every department, business unit, division and enterprise has a culture that the leader must respect or the culture will push the leader out. That is why every coach needs a coach. The coach's coach allows you to see things you are missing, affirms whatever progress you have made, tests your perceptions and lets you know how you are doing. This is personal training that helps you focus your natural abilities in the right direction. The coaching allows your inner-potential to erupt outward through effective leadership; to develop commitment within organizations and in a world of "free agents" and "volunteer" talent.

Bob Kline

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.

Re: Harbaugh/Stanford.Harbaugh did not have All-American quarterbacks and other potential All-Americans walking away from the program because he could not or would not adapt his style of play.Improvise,adapt,overcome.By the way RR last recruiting class is rated#26 in the country.

J. Dean

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:34 a.m.

I'm still not convinced that he's a bad coach, folks. Look at Clemson. Look at Tulane. Look at West Virginia-all winners by the end of his tenure. This year, we have a 7-5 record:spin it any way you want, but it's a WINNING season. Can we do better? Yes, absolutely. I don't think anybody's in dispute about that. But 7-5 is better than 5-7, and 5-7 was better than 3-9. There has been progress. Not perfect progress, but progress nonetheless. Consider the following -We had NO road wins in RR's first two years. This year we had three. Road wins are significant, especially when you've not had any in a while. -We won three games against Big Ten teams this year. Last year we won only one. -We put 28 points up against an Iowa defense that allowed an average of only 10 pts per game. We tripled the average offensive yardage against that same tough defense. -We were looked at as the underdog against Illinois. No, it wasn't a pretty win, but it was a win, nevertheless. -We were among the highest ranked in offense, and our QB broke the record for QB rushing yds. Have we had problems? Yes. Do we need work? Yes. But we've also had progress, and Rich Rod, whatever else you think of him, has delivered on making Michigan's offense a thing to be feared.

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:33 a.m.

Just listened to the song rod played and it was plain sad. Rod, you have your health your kids, your wife and your gonna walk away a millionaire. What's there to cry about. Its just a job dude. You just didn't fit here in AA. Be a man and be positive for your familys sake. They are more important then football. Good luck somewhere else. I heard Miami hiring.

edjasbord

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:29 a.m.

Dear Rodriguez: My name is Edjasbord. I am honored to be a part of this university. I hope you realize that I want someone who can restore this football program to another prolonged state of stability, probity, and maturity. Mr. Rodriguez, you may very well be 'a' Michigan Man, but you are not 'that' Michigan Man. Please accept that, respect this great University and what once was a great program. Make way for someone who will be the 'right' Michigan Man. The only way to fix the program now, in the broken state it is in, is by complete overhaul. Do the right thing and resign. That is what a Michigan Man in your position would do. Please just resign. Let us all move on. Resign. Please.

chiro19

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:29 a.m.

Look for Brandon to make an announcement after the Michigan bowl game that sounds like this, "I will be addressing the future of the football program late on Saturday/early Sunday morning." Unless RR and Greg Robinson try rubbing their teddy bear thing on Brandon before the bowl game. Remember, Brandon knows how to make money, get the most out of employees, and maximize output of his business. His business (no offense to the other programs) is making sure the football program wins! The decision will be made on that date for respect out of Harbough and not trying to create more issues and more importantly it saves the department/school 1.5 million on RR's contract. I would expect a law suit as well do to the NCAA violations to not have to pay the remainder of the contract. (im not a lawyer though so I dont know how accurate that is) On the other hand the Lloyd talk is a joke and not defensible by those who use emotions to base their decisions on this situation. By the way I am curious what would have happened if Carr was still the coach this year?! Seniors-(Mallet, Boren, Donovan Warren, Molk, Hemingway) a different D scheme, Juniors- (O'neill, Stonum, Martin, McGuffie, Mealer), and different recruits as Soph. and Fresh. (remember its the players that are at fault here according to RR so if Carr was coach they would be different players, thus eliminating the problem!) I would imagine that the record would be around 9 or 10 with wins, and they would have won against Iowa, MSU, and Penn State. But hey this is just speculation based on the past that Lloyd had!

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.

seems, this re-run is playing itself out...i remember the exact same actions, words, and deeds that RR and family pulled when caught with his hand in the cookie jar -wanting the bama job, then no, wanting to stay at wvu... how sorrrryyy he was... he would never- ever leave us....fast forward to the wvu-pitt game... and he cannot man-up and tell the team, fans, and state what he had cooked up at ann arbor...bolts after the game... and lands in the arms of the maze and gold.... now singing the cry me a river song - oh please... what drama.... conartist-snake oil dr you have... karma has returned to the RR and now he is playin' the maze folks for his "i want to be a mich man"...get real.. he wanted to be a mtneer too - and that didnt happen... get rid of him now....before he causes any more embrassement to your program!!! Pasted it from a WVU fan online

ShadowManager

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:20 a.m.

I think he picked the wrong song. He should've picked "It's OK to Cry" by Rosey Grier.

Go Blue

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:18 a.m.

Spot on 3AO - everything you point out is totally valid and on target. RR is either capable of being a Michigan man or not and just because 'youwannebe' doesn't make it so. Actions speak louder than words and there you have it. Bad fit from the beginning and all the time on the planet is not going to change it----period. Time to move on and let's get this team/program back on track because its been sidetracked long enough. Tough lesson Michigan but let's learn from our mistakes. We don't want tears, we want a leader and that will not happen with what we have. Sad but true. And, it is not all about the score, rather its about the character, leadership ability and strength of the coach, not the ability to get angry, cry and whine. Its not about RR, its about the team and he seems to misunderstand that perpetually. And 'give the man a chance, its only been 3 years'????????????????????? What is that all about? He destroyed our team, standings, honor and more in 1 year. He's already had 2 years too long.

I love Michigan Football

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:17 a.m.

Jim Harbaugh went into the coliseum with USC having a 35 game winning streak and Stanford also just lost their starting QB that week before. Standford was a 41 point underdog and pulled out on of the biggest upsets over the Trojans, and USC hasn't been the same since. Three years later after being 11-1 and rated the No. 4 best football team in nation. Not to mention taking Stanford to a BCS Bowl for the first time in the programs history. How could you not believe JH is the answer to get us back to greatness?

Lansing Wolverine

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:12 a.m.

Has anyone considered that this may already be decided and done. Not to go all conspiracy theory, but what if DB and JH (or his agent) have already worked this all out, and as a courtesy to JH and his current players, they won't say anything about it until STANFORD's season is over. Personally I don't think DB is going to do anything unless he is positive he can get his guy. If he doesn't have JH locked up, RR is coming back.

Wolvdoug

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:11 a.m.

ChelseaBob If that is your deffinition of a Michigan man then you really have no clue as to what a Michigan man is or how it came about.

Michael

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:11 a.m.

If he gave back the $7.5 Million he's been paid so far, I might believe the tears.

ShadowManager

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:11 a.m.

Josh Groban is actually a USC fan.

tulsatom

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 10:06 a.m.

RR: "We dont compare eras, Rodriguez said. Transalation: Because it makes RR look very, very, bad compared to previous U-M teams and coaches who came before him. RR: "I knew after being on the job for a few months there were going to be some challenges" Translation: I'm in over my head but didn't realize it until I was here for a few months and had a multi-year contract. RR: "Sometimes were evaluated strictly on wins and losses, Rodriguez said. Translation: A good win-loss record is only important when you have a good win-loss record. Observation: I noticed there wasn't an award for the best defensive back.

I love Michigan Football

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:52 a.m.

amaizing how Jack Harbaugh sounds just like Bo.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYJTbOwJe3k&feature=related I know why Jim wasn't at the bust. He knew Rich would be crying, pleading for his job. Jim would've had all of the Alumni laughing in the back of the room telling jokes that Bo taught him and his dad. I hate to say it, but this is starting to become the Maury Povitch show at the University of Michigan. We need to move on from the drama that has followed Rich Rodriguez for the past 3 years and just get back to basics......smash you in your face football. Watch this and it will give you perspective. Suck it up and do your job, this is football, not the ballet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ohU1kmo1EY&NR=1

Jack

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:50 a.m.

The AD is making a huge mistake by prolonging a decision. We are going to lose all the good recruits because of this.

Killroy

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:47 a.m.

Rich Rodriguez: It is Football, not Rocket Science. Get out of Dodge, you loser.

Disthekey

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:41 a.m.

Football is a tough game both mentally and physically. It requires tough minded people to play and coach the game. The toughness of a team comes from the top, the head coach and leader. Putting it mildly, this was not a display of toughness. Both Bo and Lloyd were, if nothing else, pillars of strength that gave their respective teams a backbone to stand up and fight with. This man does not exemplify toughness in any way, and so he must go...

Wes

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.

RR, may you dominate weak teams somewhere else. It's time to get back to feared defense, running backs that will mow over people, and seven step drops. The experiment is over.

Jack

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.

Bye bye RR. We appreciate the effort but now it's time to move on...

uh oh, bommerts

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:28 a.m.

Michigan has a steady, consistent football program that does not make knee-jerk reactions. Since the late 1920s, coaches have had 8-10 years minimum with the exception of Moeller. Dave Brandon appears to be a strategic thinker who will not react to the noise after 3 years. Come on people, this is Michigan, think big picture.

ChelseaBob

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:26 a.m.

In order to be a Michigan Man, you'd have to develop some integrity. You'd also have to care about your players, both physically and emotionally. That means caring if they graduate, and if they can find a meaningful career. That means paying attention to things that are really important, like the visits to Mott, because life isn't only football. All the Michigan Men before you knew these things. No one had to teach them. You've had 3 years, and we haven't seen this yet. Too late.

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:19 a.m.

Most people that want RR to stay have never touched a football and don't understand any aspect of the game, just like RR. For all you Rr fans, there a thing called fundamentals, special teams, defense, half time adjustments, and good football decisions during the game. Not like V smith down the middle on a 3rd and 1. Or giving up just before half time at the Wisconsin game, that was pitiful. HARBAUGH will restore order in AA.

ViSHa

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:18 a.m.

completely agree with you mcflies. i thought i had said as much but it was too much for this sites "sensibilities". this event was not the proper place for this display and his "i want to be a michigan man" speech. RR's actions at the banquet are what are making front page news and it shouldn't be about that, not this time.

mcflies

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:15 a.m.

turnover on downs?

MjC

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:14 a.m.

Oh lord RR. We aren't mean spirited fans... we've prayed for your success. The season started out so well this year (sigh). We wish you well, and we wish you the best. And, ok, I'll support you next year if Brandon keeps you. Those who stay will be champions, right? Go Blue.

mbenin

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.

It just amazes me how all you how want RR to leave, I mean give the man a chance it's only been 3 years. Yeah the defense was horrible this year but the offense was great. But what are all of you who want RR to leave going to do when another new coach comes in and Michigan has to learn a whole new system again. Which means you same people will be calling for the new coach to go because Michigan is not winning. It takes a coach with a new system at least 5 years to get his system and his recruits in place. But if Michigan gets rid of RR then I am done with the Wolverines football program.

JJ

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.

There's no CRYING in Football, er, uh, or was that baseball!?!?! Give me a break RR. Did your paychecks get cut because of the poor performance?

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:09 a.m.

3 and Out, What will happen to your handle next should RR gets a stay of execution for another season? 4 and Out? Hope not.

DBO

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:09 a.m.

After reading several of the comments posted...I feel RR is moving the program in the right direction...once again the majority of the players are young and inexperienced...this is a process that needs time and patience...the Defensive will be addressed in the off season for sure...however we as "Michigan Fans need to rally around our coach, his staff and the future of the recruits who want to wear the Maize and Blue!!!...so enought already...The days of 3 yards and a cloud of dust are over...RR is moving the program into the 21st Century..."We need to be all in for Michigan"....GO BLUE

MS

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9:02 a.m.

RR is seriously bad juju for Michigan. I'm not sure JH is the answer, though someone with some solid Big Ten roots would be best.

mcflies

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 9 a.m.

Rich Rod is a Debbie Downer. Dude can't just let the banquet be a good time for all, he has to go and cry and make a scene and steal the spotlight from everybody. The 85 team probably enjoyed that quite a bit. Brandon should be embarrassed. Everyone should be.

heartbreakM

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.

I thought this was a joke when I first read it. "All In for Michigan". "I want to be a Michigan Man". Blah blah blah. If you have to ask..... And Mitch, if you don't like the Michigan fans, then you don't have to hang with all of us.

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:52 a.m.

Losing Dee Hart is not a big deal, Harbaugh is smart enough to find a good running within the roster. BEsides, I rather have Thomas Rawls out of Flint, MI. He's a beast and has stats better then Mark Ingrahm already. They say he the best back in the state. BTY, he weighs like 220. Not 168 like V. SMITH. RAWLS being compared to Ingrahmn except more elusive.

Terri

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:49 a.m.

Honestly, the fact that he finds inspiration in Josh Groban is plenty of reason to fire him.

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:43 a.m.

Inside AD Brandon's current thoughts about RR: Howard Beale: 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you (UM fans) to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this (RR) anymore!' 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS (RR) ANYMORE. These classic and slightly modified lines are from Peter Finch's Howard Beale character in the 1976 movie, "Network".

Brad

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.

We dont compare eras, Wow, we're really surprised to hear him say that. I guess that's because the only era he is comparable to is the modern-day Detroit Lions.

Blu-n-Tpa

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.

I wonder if RichRob felt any empathy for the former coaches and staff that he ran off immediately after assuming "command" of Michigan's football program. Did he try to hold the hands of Threet, Mallet, Boren, etc....as he push THEM out the door? I would be willing to bet several of them considered themselves to be "Michigan" men even as they packed their cars to leave town. As much as I dislike to do it, the Vest had it right following last weekend's game in Columbus. It's about the players, the seniors leaving the program after 4-5 years of blood, sweat, and tears. The Michigan bust was suppose to be about Michigan's seniors and the football as a whole. Usually it's a gas, with clowing around and funny stories about the players. RichRod, it wasn't suppose to be ABOUT YOU! That is road to your downfall, and you just don't get it. If the next month is going to be like this, maybe it would be better to put in an interim coach to take us to the bowl game. Fred Jackson or Calvin Magee, in that order, would be fine. As Bo stated so eliquently 21 years ago, a "Michigan Man will coach Michigan" in the post-season. Since RR declared he's not there yet, DB should find someone who is. (Editor, fact check please. In a recent posting someone wrote that the 100,000 per home game streak started in Oct 1975. I thought it was Nov 8, 1975. Could you or anyone clarify the date, please.)

mrd

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:28 a.m.

You Raise Me Up... Forget Investigations.... You Raise Me Up... So GRob's not to blame You Raise Me Up... So DRob wins the Heisman You Raise Me Up... Cuz Harbaugh loves the Sun!

LetThePoisonOut

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:25 a.m.

Josh Groban??? Yikes. What this team needs is some heavy metal.

The OSU

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.

Am I the only one that finds irony in the fact this dinner was titled a FOOTBALL BUST?

D21

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.

Hey RR, Can't you let the evening be about the players and the 1985 team instead of being all about you? You just lost all of your remaining supporters including the great little Theo212. Unbelievable. I almost swear that AD Brandon was slowly slinking away under the table cover along with the entire 1985 team during RR's spectacle.

Holmes1

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.

UM deserves better? How so? UM hired him AND kept him, paying him $2.5 million a year, with no prospect of change for the next three years. Then look as his record vs OSU: 0-3, vs 0-4 and 1-7 during the last years of the last coach. Did someone mention App State? Hey, RR equaled that, too, losing to the Rockets. Is that tradition, or what? Deserving, or not?

81wolverine

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.

I hope this Dee Hart news is wrong. Losing him would be awful for Michigan. Our offense needs a featured running back to complement Denard, and the other guys don't seem to be getting it done. Dang.

arborani

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:07 a.m.

"You Raise Me Up" - the new "Kumbaya", after all?

wvtroll

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:05 a.m.

WVU does not have the comparable term "Mountain Man" or anything similar to what you all describe as Michigan Man for someone who is supposedly dedicated to the betterment of the UM football team. We do have a term back here in the hills that sort of describes someone who professes that dedication, but easily renounces it for the mighty dollar. All of the UM faithful aren't aware of RR's announcements of forever-dedication to WVU when he was being courted by other schools. Those announcements were non-existent before the courtships. Once he saw an opportunity to sweeten his contract, the statements of loyalty flowed, much like tears are flowing now. You all have been duped by the same person that duped WVU. His abilities and faithfulness are starting to become more transparent. I'm fairly certain that in a few weeks, you all will see what I've mentioned before. The only difference in the WVU case in point and the UM case in point is that UM pays their coach top dollar, whereas WVU doesn't. It would be a bit harder for RR to get a better offer and leave you all high and dry just before your bowl game as he did at WVU. So the end result is that you will have to fire him to get rid of him. WVU didn't have to work that hard to eliminate him. I'm pretty certain that WVU is a happier place now.

Sallyxyz

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:03 a.m.

Cry me a river, Rich. And you can cry all the way back to WVA. You want to be a Michigan Man? Good luck. Michigan Men have class and talent and respect for Michigan traditions. You have none of these qualities. Find yourself a second rate college team to coach. It will be a good fit. Yes, Sometimes were evaluated strictly on wins and losses, Rodriguez said. Thats OK. Im a big boy in a big-boy world. I understand that." Good, RR, because you are on your way out in this "big-boy" world. I don't care how much emotion this cry baby evokes at a banquet surrounded by current players and past players, he is toast. I have a hunch that Harbaugh wasn't there because he may be in negotiations with DB for the coaching job and didn't want to have to answer a lot of questions before his bowl game and DB's announcement in January. If he was staying, then Brandon would have vocalized his support on the many occasions he has had with the media recently, rather than just keep saying that the "evaluation" will take place after the bowl game, which in my opinion, is a mistake, but that's another issue. If DB was behind RR, then he would have been saying so all season long, especially when things went downhill in the second half of the season. RR is history.

kes

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.

Boo Hoo Hoooooooooooooo!

mrd

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.

Nice guy...maybe he'll give the money back????? No? Ok, good luck. If they were undefeated, he still wouldn't be a good Michigan Coach. It's not in him.

Duane Collicott

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.

Rich, how can we miss you if you don't leave?

NoBowl4Blue

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 7 a.m.

Of course he wants to keep his job where else can he make millions while under performing? Looooser. U of M deserves better.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.

So.....Did Rich Rod steal his "my name is..." grandstanding from Michael Douglas epiphanic speech from The American President? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWRVbWMvi7c&playnext=1&list=PLA3D99CD9B95BBC9F&index=6

greymom

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 6:41 a.m.

Whatever BYE-BYE! We want a Coach not a cry baby!!! I have done nothing good for these boys that want to be on a winning team!!! The young men need a Coach that can teach and you don't show that ability! Wish you the Best but we need change or Michigan football will be forgotten! Go State!! I am cheering for a team that is winning and has a good Coach! Was a Michigan fan but losing faith!

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:39 a.m.

In 2011, Rich Rodriguez escaped from Michigan Stadium. All they found of him was a muddy set of Adidas coaching clothes, a bar of soap, a 3-3-5 defensive playbook, and an old rock hammer, damn near worn down to the nub. I used to think it would take six-hundred years to tunnel under the Big House with it. Old Rich Rod did it in less than three. Oh, Rich Rod loved Geometry, I guess it appealed to his narcissistic nature. An bubble screen here, read option there. Geometry is the study of angles and space. That's all a spread offense takes really, angles and space. That, and a really great agent. Like I said, in Schembechler Hall an overmatched Head Coach do anything to keep his mind occupied. It turns out Rich Rods favourite hobby was totin' his wall through the practice field, a handful at a time. I guess after we got killed for the 3rd straight time against the Buckeyes, he decided he had been here just about long enough. Rich Rod did like he was told, buffed those ol coaches shoes to a high mirror shine. Dave Brandon simply didn't notice, neither did I... I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a mans shoes? Rich Rodriguez crawled to freedom through five-hundred yards of Spartan smelling foulness I can't even imagine, or maybe I just don't want too. Five-Hundred yards... that's the length of a Wisconsin rushing game, just shy of half a mile. Rich Rodriguez- who crawled through a river of losses and came out clean on the other side.

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:29 a.m.

Hes not gonna say anything. Its called leverage you moron

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:27 a.m.

xrt... why would he choose Michigan? half the $ to rebuild four years? Have you seen Stanford play?

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:21 a.m.

@ 3 and out.. what I mean to say is... he is good looking in a lot of the eyes of some men (yes men)and this is an important factor (subliminally) on a lot of the checklists of what a so called ideal Michigan man head coach should be. One of the reasons he is so popular with a lot of " strait;) men" who follow Michigan football. Thats all I am saying. Unfortunatley for them i dont think there is a realistic chance he comes here.

XTR

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:12 a.m.

Mitch - If you are a RR lover, it is you who have to deal with the fact that your idol RR, is a failure on and off the field. lol! With regards to JH, all Jimmy has to do is to go to ESPN or another network and just say it straight that he is not coming back to Michigan. Just like what Gruden said today with the Miami job. lol! The fact is, Jim never said anything about not coming back. Of course we will believe him more than you. lol!

BlueGator

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 5:09 a.m.

That totally self-centered emotional display by RR was disgusting. Must have been very awkward for all the other attendees. I thought this was supposed to be a celebration for the current and '85 TEAMS. Sure am glad Harbaugh will be here soon.

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:54 a.m.

2 years ago Harbaugh almost got the NY Jets job after a 5 and 7 season at Stanford. He runs a pro style offense. The job went to someome else and paid a 4 year deal worth 11.5 million. Thats 2.875 mil a year not including indorsements (much larger in an NFL market always compared to a a college one). Thats what he would have made 2 years ago. Pete Carrol signed a 5 year, 33 million $ contract last year in Seatle. About 6.5 mil a year not including endorsements. Do U people really think there is even a remote chance that he is going to come to Michigan for Much, much less $ so he can go through 4 years of rebuilding while being badgered by boosters and Know-nothings like yourselves? HArbaugh is not coming here. Deal with it.

XTR

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:44 a.m.

Ben - "Jim Harbaugh's first 3 years at Stanford 17-20. Rich Rod's first 3 years at Michigan 15-21, possibly 16-21 or 15-22. Not much difference." Michigan and Stanford football programs are different. The 11-1 record of Stanford from 1-11 (from 5 years of losing records) in four years is a miracle. If it is hard for Michigan to go 11-1 it is a miracle for Stanford to do that and this year they did. Very few negativity in the aura of Stanford this year. A 3-9 in Michigan is also a miracle of some sorts. It was the result of wasting everything that the program had. A coach should win with what is available. Skipit - I did'nt know that the MSU and OSU fans endorsed Harbaugh over RR? Actually all OSU and MSU guys I know in and out of the net wants RR to continue?

UM77

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:37 a.m.

I have followed UM football for over 40 years. I had season tickets for 25 years. UM fans often complained about conservative team strategy. Many fans wanted a change. Bo is a legend, however, we have glamorized Michigan football over the past 40 years. UM has always been good, but never great. Several teams had the talent to win National Championships but failed.The style of football being played is much more exciting on the offensive side of the ball.Changing coaches at this juncture could prove to be more costly to the program.

iamcris

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:23 a.m.

A- elitist, arrogant, self serving quotes used by Lloyd Carr to describe Jim Harbaugh... so who's a Michigan man?

iamcris

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:19 a.m.

the beat goes on... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2966536&sportCat=ncf this is a fun game, you want that guy? /pffft palease.

iamcris

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 4:09 a.m.

and yet more information for your your very short memories... http://blog.mlive.com/jim_carty/2007/08/when_your_wife_heads_up_academ.html

Skipit3

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:49 a.m.

Congratulations to all of you, RR Head Hunters! You think you are doing your team justice by calling on the HC to be fired and by sullying his name? What you fail to realize is that you have actually succeeded in effectively dragging your team down the same mud pit that you are dragging the coach in. Don't you notice how much some OSU & MSU fans feel entitled to give their opinions on a UM forum mostly unchallenged these days? What does that tell you? What's in it for them? Do you actually believe that a Buckeye or a Sparty actually cares for UM? The fact of the matter is, they DO NOT and they CANNOT possibly have UM's best interest in mind because they are the enemy. The light should come on when your vision is the same as that of the enemy. Can you imagine yourself getting recommendations and agreeing with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Kim Jong-il (sworn enemies of the United States) on what the best direction the United States should take? Think about this for a moment! The Buckeyes may have a goal to win 10 straight against us. They know it will be easier for them to reach that goal with a coaching change. However, they also know that Michigan will be a force to reckon with in the not so distant future if the team is allowed to have some continuity. Our current problems can and will be fixed without necessarily having to have a head coaching change. I know and I understand that this view is not very popular on this forum, but remember that Deming's view wasn't popular in Detroit either. That is why many of you now prefer to buy a Toyota over any American-made car. That is why our tax money had to bail out two of the Big 3.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 3:30 a.m.

well i grew up with Bo as coach, and no one was 'swinging for his nuts' as the previous poster stated...he was thought of as a legend, rightfully so and his bowl record in the 80s was better and started to even out... RR bad hire, bad record...not comparable to Bo in any way. Bo won immediately with Bump's players and credited Bump all the way... RR failed with Carr's and discredited the players and Carr all the way... a "Michigan man" would not do this. RR was handed the gold keys to the Gold Ferrari on a pillowed platter and he screwed it up...and now is crying to atone for it... too little too late! go Blue!

jalittle12

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:53 a.m.

Love it Dtone....Bo was from Ohio and coached under woody hayes. LOL! Michigan man. How many NC did he win? Exactly. If i remember correctly, he lost his first 7 bowl games and first 11 out of 12 bowl games. Scary bad. But he sure did win games in the big ten....just enough for so called michigan fans to swing off his nutz! Anyway, I'm all for Harbaugh and felt RR was the wrong guy for the job, but lets not blame him for all of this. He was hired to make drastic changes to the team. They did not bring him in to run the same off that Carr did. I actually look at this as his 2nd year, since we were actually playing threet and the other dud as a run qb. The bigger issue for me is how RR has handled the d-coordinators. Horrific! And that folks, is why he is going to get fired. I'm out.....

byron

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:32 a.m.

OK my peeps, follow me here, i have been a michigan football since 1971. Michigan is at its lowest point since I can remember, but so was Texas, years ago, USC years ago, Alabama years ago. So was FSU years ago, my point program do and will bounce back. So will Michigan, the question is when. What I dont understand is Brandons logic. If you are going to keep RR, then just say it now. Does his job really hinge on winning a bowl game. With what looks like is going to be a tough SEC team. We will probably lose that game. Does that now become the AH, now I gotcha and your canned. So, if the bowl game is a tryout forget it. The only thing I can see here is he has made up his mind to let him go, otherwise just say he is staying. Why let rumors fly for one more month. So based on that I think RR is gone. I do feel sorry for RR, he seems like a decent human being. Can you imagine the talks at home with his wife and kids. "Dad what the H where you thinking" His kids and wife get to here this on a daily basis, thats what i dont like, but this is what the job entails and why you get paid the big bucks. I believe he was third choice and this should have been a red flag for RR to say no. He played at WVU and was successfull made decent coin I cant understand what his thought process to come up here was. He was doomed from the beginning when he was deemed not a Michigan and the press has been relentless. As a poster said above, some things arent meant to be or are a good fit, and this seems to be the situation. I can see RR getting to 9-4 next year, but is he beating OSU, MSU, Iowa Wisc to get there if not, then time to move on.

eagleman

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 2:10 a.m.

dtjones, the defense was not inexperienced his first two seasons and they stil were awful.Plus, the defense as a whole is not that young or inexperienced. Martin, VanBergan, Ezeh, Mouton, Sargasse, Banks Demens(RS Soph) Fritgerald...these are the guys with three years or more in the program. That is not an insignificant number. The secondary is painfully young, that is true. But then the secondary stunk the previous two years when they had Trent, Warren, and Woolfork. His decisionmaking on the defensive side of the ball has been atrocious.

lawrencelaundry

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:43 a.m.

Mitch, I think Harbaugh is married dude! I don't think he likes guys anyway.lol

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:37 a.m.

41 points per game. 11-1 in a tough conference. 4-3 vs. USC. Brought a program up from the dust. Former All American at Michigan. Doing this with Stanford level recruits. Has nothing to do with your man crush on his looks....we just know a perfect Michigan football coach when we see him. Whats your deal Mitch?

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:37 a.m.

41 points per game. 11-1 in a tough conference. 4-3 vs. USC. Brought a program up from the dust. Former All American at Michigan. Doing this with Stanford level recruits. Has nothing to do with your man crush on his looks....we just know a perfect Michigan football coach when we see him. Whats your deal Mitch?

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:26 a.m.

Im not sure why some of you like him so much. Ive watched 4 games and I didnt think he was that great. The Pac ten is a little down this year, except for Oregon who runs the spread and put up 52 points on him. He is a good looking guy though and I think that subliminally is what you would like your Michigan Man to be.

dtones520

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:21 a.m.

3andOut, you seem to also forget that Rich Rodriguez runs a completely different system than Michigan ran under Lloyd Carr. Could he have utilized the talent he had? Yeah he could have, but that wasn't what made him the coach that he was at WVU, which is what got him hired at Michigan. Let's also keep in mind that Ryan Mallet transferred and left Michigan with no one at QB. So what was Rich to do? He didn't have an elite QB to build an offense around, so he implemented his system in full force. Had Mallet not transferred, things may have been different for Rich Rod in his first couple of seasons. You people who constantly dog Rich Rodriguez always seem to leave out any of his achievements. His offense was first in the Big 10 this year, he has improved his win totals every season he has been there. His defense sucks, yes. But what defense would be good with the number of freshman and sophomores starting on it that Michigan has? Last I checked Stanford's defense was ranked 90th in the Country in Jim Harbaugh's 3rd season. Do I think Michigan should have hired Rich Rod? No. They didn't need that drastic of a change, but they hired him and he is a good coach that has never been given a chance at Michigan. He has never had the full support of every Michigan fan. He has constantly been belittled by people who were blinded by 40 years of overrated Bo Schembechler football that won one Co-National Championship in all the years it was in place and Michigan had plenty of talent and plenty of teams that were good enough to win at least 5 or more NC's in that time. I'm as big a Michigan fan as there is, but you no coach is going to come into a situation that RR came into and succeed in 2-3 years. Not with as much as he had to change to implement his system.

Mick

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:13 a.m.

@Mitch, what the hell are you talking about, ooh I grew up in Chicago and became an M fan, ooh.You sound like a troll buddy. Stats are all we care about? Huh? We care about winning not stats. Winning is what we did alot before RR got there!

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:03 a.m.

And thats football illiterate.. Most of you wouldnt know a quality coach by watching it. All you have are stats to cover up your complete ignorance. If you dont like my opinion of some of the fanbase, just look at all the things you guys write. Ive never seen anything like it,

Jaysham

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:02 a.m.

@Theo212 where is your annual King poems with the crystal ball championships? Least every time you post something I laugh even in the most terrible mood. I actually think their is more than just Jim Harbaugh that Dave Brandon is looking at in interest for the head coaching position, one is Peterson from Boise State he knows what he is doing and has showed he can beat the big boys. But then again I'm not the AD Brandon is and lets just see what his next chess move is. PEACE

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:58 a.m.

Under his tenure, without his knowledge. So its a lie to call him a cheat.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:57 a.m.

RSelvalaJr...could you email me that doc? Id love to see it thank you... harbaugh_in_011@yahoo.com thanks!

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:54 a.m.

Leaders need to be strong. Leaders don't choose banquets and tributes to the 85 team to politick emotionally for their own job. While as I said above, RR will tug at the hearts-and-minds of the Koolaid Crowd which he already has BTW.... the fact is that it was a desperate tactic and much out-of-place at an event which should have been a celebration, and not a Pathetic Display of Narcissism. Go Blue.

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:50 a.m.

@ edward r murrow...Believe me I loved this team. Its fans like yourself who have sickened me. Your a coward who attacks the charactor of someone you never met, bravely behind the safety of your computer. How long are you on this site?, like 5 hours a day?( get a life )bashing Rich Rod with purposely decietful lies. Hes a cheat? Really? Who are you trying to fool? I know your lying and so do you? Who has no class?

Yelmonian

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:50 a.m.

This is the UM john l Smith moment. On the Spartan blogs, there literally posts feeling sorry for UM... and hoping Brandon ends this and puts the UM fans out of their misery. RR became a national joke tonight.

Jaysham

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:46 a.m.

Pathetic and very cheesey is what he did at the podium. I mean come on the writing is on the wall he is DONE! You kool-aid drinkers of RichRod need to wake up he is the wrong fit in A2 and his confidence is shaken to a all time high. PEACE

RSelvalaJr

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:44 a.m.

3 And Out - Agreed with all of your comments. Spot on. Mitch - Why are you so bitter? No need to get personal. My understanding from those who know Jim Harbaugh personally is that he wants the Michigan job. The overwhelming majority of Michigan fans who I know certainly want him. Hopefully DB agrees. If so, we just need to work out the details and announce after Stanford's BCS bowl. If we mess this up heaven help us (it will make the Miles/Ferentz/Schiano/RR debacle look smooth)... If anyone is unsure whether JH is the right guy to lead the Michigan football program let me know - I will email you "The Case for Jim Harbaugh" (a MUST read for anyone who cares about Michigan football no matter your view on regarding our coach). If you are still unsure after reading this, we can respectfully agree to disagree. We are in good hands with DB; combining him with JH will give us the best AD and best HC in the country. They will get us back on track (and I assure you the transition will not be three more years of misery)...

BornInA2

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:39 a.m.

I feel sorry for the guy- he was arrogant and stubborn and got in over his head. And feeling sorry for someone who isn't meeting their job objectives is no reason to keep them around. I wish him the best of luck and results elsewhere.

Macabre Sunset

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:29 a.m.

I am continually amazed by the know-nothings who claim one bad loss to Appalachian State somehow equates to the disaster that is Rich Rodriguez. On one hand we have a last-second blocked field goal loss to a team that won the I-AA championship and led to a rules change allowing I-AA teams to be ranked in the top 25. On the other hand we have three straight losing seasons in the Big Ten after 40 straight winning seasons. And we have a team that has allowed more than 400 points with one game to play when the old record was 279. There's no crying in football.

Macabre Sunset

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:24 a.m.

Coach, you are the weakest link. Good-bye. Please don't let Missouri hit you in the butt on the way out.

15crown00

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:19 a.m.

RR you will never be a Michigan Man.time to pack your bags and leave on a jet plane. Coaches are and always have been judged on their record.who gets the W.who gets the L is all that counts and u know it coal miner.

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:15 a.m.

Also... You better hope Harbaugh takes the job. Because if he doesnt RR is staying. And everyone who spends thier life on here complaining about him and other things they dont understand will have to exept that he is here for good. You are losers who have nothing better to do.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:09 a.m.

Jeff Richard...we lost to App State...because they were a well-coached 3 time FCS champion (hello chapmaja!) which had 4 players drafted to the NFL off of that 07 team, and Im pretty sure had 7 overall go to the NFL... and as such they were both a) talented and b) well coached. We lost because we were not prepared.... Henne threw a pick in the red zone...Hart was injured for most of the game and we had a blocked FG....but we DID lose... App State was a tremendous win for them and tremendous Upset.... and we deserved to lose. But...that was 2007 and has 0 bearing on Rich Rod going 15-21 and 6-18 in the Big Ten and getting ROLLED by every good BT team in the process. App State is just a smokescreen and has nothing to do at all with the current problems.

Wolvdoug

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:04 a.m.

Joe do you even know what a Michigan man is?

TrueBlue95

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:04 a.m.

3&out, fully agree...starting point is very relevant. JH will use a modified scheme in his first years...to leverage the kind of talent he has at his disposal. RR was an able to modify his approach...felt he had to over-recruit offense, and neglected defense and special teams needs. JH will get 12 of his recruits in Jan.

TrueBlue95

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:04 a.m.

3&out, fully agree...starting point is very relevant. JH will use a modified scheme in his first years...to leverage the kind of talent he has at his disposal. RR was an able to modify his approach...felt he had to over-recruit offense, and neglected defense and special teams needs. JH will get 12 of his recruits in Jan.

Mitch

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.

I grew up in Chicago and have followed all the sports very closely teams ever since I was little. I have always loved MIchigan football and have followed it even more very closely the last couple of years thanks to the internet. I can confidently say that I've NEVER witnessed a fan base that was even close to being as MALICOUS, UNLOYAL, FOOTBALL ILLITERATE, SPOILED and IGNORANT as the MICHIGAN fan base is. Sincerely, MIchigan fans are the WORST FANS by far I have ever seen. Pathetic. I have really lost all the affection Ive had for this team ever since I was a kid.

TrueBlue95

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.

3&out, fully agree...starting point is very relevant. JH will use a modified scheme in his first years...to leverage the kind of talent he has at his disposal. RR was an able to modify his approach...felt he had to over-recruit offense, and neglected defense and special teams needs. JH will get 12 of his recruits in Jan.

Joe

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.

3AO and True---very well stated, and I do hope you are both spot on with what you say.

3 And Out

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:02 a.m.

chapmaja,...Im going to take that as a personal attack...but whatever... I KNOW that it is no longer called Div. II... however I choose to continue to call it that. That is my choice. I know the difference. Obviously you know the difference too...but instead of going easy about it...you choose to "call 3AndOut" on it. Again I say: Whatever. Focus on RR... do you think he should be our coach next year? uh huh that's what I thought. That is the real issue here.

Jeff Richard

Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 12:01 a.m.

Question for those of you advocating the firing of RR, arguably the best offensive coach in college football... who do you propose we replace him with? Yes, we have major and somewhat inexcusable defensive and special teams-kicker issues. Keep in mind what he inherited...we lost to Appalachian St and nearly loss to EMU b/c we didn't have speed in the defensive secondary the year prior to RR. The only reason we were not last in pass d prior to RR was our running game on offense keeping our lousy defense off the field. Yes... Mr. Harbaugh seems to be a miracle maker for Stanford! Who else can turn around the recruiting issues? I am not a Michigan FAN, I am a Michigan SUPPORTER. Mr Brandon will make the right choice and that may be retaining RR with a remedy and new strategic approach for recruiting defensive speed. One way or another, although I abhor our beatings, RR is a Michigan Man who wants to win very badly and I applaud his efforts.

chapmaja

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:58 p.m.

3 and out, if you are going to post something know what the heck you are talking about. Michigan has not played a Division II team ever since the NCAA split divisions in the early 1970's. The teams you speak of, UMass and Delaware St are Division I schools competing in the football championship SUBDIVISION, which is a portion of division I. The last team Michigan played that currently is a member of the NCAA Division II was in 1903 when they beat Ferris St. Michigan played numerous schools which are now NAIA, or NCAA DIII and played South Dakota who is transitioning from DII to DI FCS currently in the 1912 season. As an athlete who participated at an NCAA DII school it is annoying whe people say DI schools are DII schools because they have NO CLUE what they are talking about.

Joe

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:55 p.m.

Jeff - did you not read the part in the article where the words "I hope you realize I want to be a Michigan man. are in quotation marks? That means those ARE the exact words he used. He did NOT say that he IS a Michigan man, so how can you speak for him and say that that he IS a Michigan man?? Please!!!!

Sean T.

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:55 p.m.

This article makes me feel like it is finally over for this bad hire, now on to another beer!

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:50 p.m.

Jeff Richard...just curious, if RR is the "best offensive coach in college football"...why then did Jim Harbaugh's team average over 40 pts per game this year, and Rich Rod's vaunted system only 34 (including 10, 10, 0 and 7 at the half vs. Iowa, Sparty, Wisconsin and OSU). The answer is that he is not... he is good with the spread system but not the "genius" that he and his agent like to self promote.

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:48 p.m.

not to mention JH beating big bad USC 3 out of 4 times... "whats your deal"?

Jeff Richard

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:45 p.m.

Question for those of you advocating the firing of RR, arguably the best offensive coach in college football... who do you propose we replace him with? Yes, we have major and somewhat inexcusable defensive and special teams-kicker issues. Keep in mind what he inherited...we lost to Appalachian St and nearly loss to EMU b/c we didn't have speed in the defensive secondary the year prior to RR. The only reason we were not last in pass d prior to RR was our running game on offense keeping our lousy defense off the field. Yes... Mr. Harbaugh seems to be a miracle maker for Stanford! Who else can turn around the recruiting issues? I am not a Michigan FAN, I am a Michigan SUPPORTER. Mr Brandon will make the right choice and that may be retaining RR with a remedy and new strategic approach for recruiting defensive speed. One way or another, although I abhor our beatings, RR is a Michigan Man who wants to win very badly and I applaud his efforts.

TrueBlue95

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:45 p.m.

3&out, fully agree...starting point is very relevant. JH will use a modified scheme in his first years...to leverage the kind of talent he has at his disposal. RR was an able to modify his approach...felt he had to over-recruit offense, and neglected defense and special teams needs. JH will get 12 of his recruits in Jan.

mcflies

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:44 p.m.

dtones520 the difference is the conference record. harbaugh went 13-14 in the pac 10 his first three years (o7: 3-6; o8: 4-5; 09: 6-3), and this year 8-1. rich rod is 6-18 in the big 10. (o8: 2-6; 09: 1-7; 10: 3-5) anyone see him having a winning conference record next season?

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:42 p.m.

Joe, I get what you are saying....but I was thinking if JH truly is DB's man...then letting him coach his BCS bowl, which will be the first ever at Stanford...is a great and proper thing to do for 'your guy'... also, it would not upset Stanford and allow for a peaceful coaching transaction. It also reduces RR's buyout to "only" (cough) 2.5mil at the beginning of 011, instead of the 4 mil it would be right now (Bill Martin totally got "pantsed" in that contract negotiation LOL)... So Richy will be walking away a very rich man no matter what... Regarding Recruiting...I get what you are saying...and Dee Hart is gone...but like Bo used to say "No one player is bigger than this program"... and that holds true. JH will come in and I predict: Immediately rally some top recruits in the month that he will have before signing day. He will do it because a) his personality and enthusiasm b) his pipeline to the NFL which will no doubt fire up some talented recruits who view that as the ultimate goal and c) It is Michigan that he is selling...not some "system". We will be OK>..I think Brandon looked at all of this and made the right call. Its sad that this results in tearful pleas for jobs and holding hands and singing Josh Groban (not Kumbaya??)....but it is what it is. Go Blue!

Ben

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:40 p.m.

"Jim Harbaugh's first 3 years at Stanford 17-20. Rich Rod's first 3 years at Michigan 15-21, possibly 16-21 or 15-22. Not much difference." You CANNOT compare these programs like this. Before JH @ Stanford, Stanford was 1-11, JH revitalized Stanford, period. RR came into an 8-4 program with a storied history of bowls. All of that ended with RR arrogantly implemented his strategy.

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:37 p.m.

@the poster who tried to compare RR at Michigan vs. JH at Stanford: you most likely will not listen to reason, but it has been pointed out many, many, many times that to compare Rich Rod's first 3 seasons at Michigan (following 9-4 in Lloyd's last year, 40 straight non losing seasons and 8 straight top 12 recruiting classes from Carr's bunch)....to Jim Harbaugh (who took over a 1-11 Stanford team that was TERRIBLE, had not had a winning season in 5 years prior and had 0 recruiting base) is FALLACIOUS. This "argument" is the most fallacious that one could have....you people...act as if the starting point does not matter....well it does. Case Closed. First you guys blamed Carr, and now that that built-in RR excuse is gone....you try to besmirch Jim Harbaugh's amazing accomplishments in bringing Stanford out of the dust to a BCS Bowl team... sad sad sad.... let it go. Logically there is no such comparison that does not favor Jim Harbaugh in a BIG way. Let it go man.

TrueBlue95

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:31 p.m.

All the emotional phases are nearly completed by RR...sadness, anger, regret....next will be acceptance. I'm certain DB has plenty of experience in dealing with the final emotional stages of firing an employee...he will stay resolute. I agree with other posts...RR is a good person....just not right fit.

Joe

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:28 p.m.

3AO - I too believe that Brandon will do what is right for HIS University; which I think MAKES his a Michigan man. I'm just not too sure that waiting until after the bowl is the right thing to do. Yeah, it will save him some cash, but at what cost recruiting wise? Whether he meant to or not, he has already pretty much let the cat out of the bag by his not giving RR an endorsement like he did with Beilein. Having said all of that I will also say that I trust him and will support any decision he makes; whenever he makes it.

dtones520

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:28 p.m.

Jim Harbaugh's first 3 years at Stanford 17-20. Rich Rod's first 3 years at Michigan 15-21, possibly 16-21 or 15-22. Not much difference.

Josh

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:23 p.m.

The only way I will accept him to stay is if he resigns as head coach and begs the new coach to keep him as an o coordinator. He will be able to work even more with the offense(if possible since there is obviously no defense) and he would be able to go recruit just offensive players which I believe he would do a pretty good job at.

loves_fall

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:22 p.m.

Yawn. Hire me. We'll still lose, but I'm a lot cheaper. We can donate the excess salary to a scholarship fund and a bunch more kids can get some tuition help.;)

mcflies

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:22 p.m.

yah. cbssportsline, rivals, twitter etc. looks like dee hart is a goner

win

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:21 p.m.

you've gotta be kidding me. Thats hand holding ceremony has officially made this program a complete mess. Come on RR. Every time I try to defend you, you kill me with something ridiculous. "you raise me up" played in the background, and people held hands?. I'm glad I wasn't there to see this in person.

Yelmonian

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:18 p.m.

Clarklaker, its all over rivals, the fort, etc that Dee Hart is gone. Supposedly going to announce it tomorrow.

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:14 p.m.

thanks Joe...it is true though that in this case, RR would be better off to coach through the bowl game and then move on.... IMO Brandon having been a CEO and highly ranked exec knows a few things about hiring and firing people and no doubt if it is not the 'right match' then he is going to make the move, regardless of emotional pleas.

mcflies

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:14 p.m.

it's been 3 years and he's still asking if he can be a Michigan man? get him out of here.

Joe

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:12 p.m.

Haven't seen/heard anything other than on here.

Joe

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:10 p.m.

Great post 3!! Very well stated! :)

clarklaker

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:09 p.m.

anyone heard about dee hart to alabama tomorrow

Joe

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:06 p.m.

Great catch 3 And Out. Can't wait to see how Theo spins this one. I hope DB announces a press conference for Monday at the latest.

Yelmonian

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:04 p.m.

I'm guessing he is crying because Dee Hart is recommitting and committing to Alabama!

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:04 p.m.

One other thing about the whole Rich Rod crying for his job now... I hope that he realizes that some things in life just are not meant to be. Some matches of employers and employees just are bad fits, and they are not meant to work out for either. Some situations are lose-lose.... when you try to force these things, they often just make it worse. One of the biggest life lessons that 3AndOut Girl learned was to do more due diligence when entering an employment relationship and make as sure as possible that it is a 'good fit'. She also tells me that she is smart enough to know when to get out when it is not working (a fact not lost on me btw).... RR, if/when he is canned...and/or loses the bowl game...should just take his lumps, regroup and with proper represenation he should be able to land at least a decent HC job in some smaller school down south in a weaker conference, or one heck of an OC gig...like Texas for example.... Its not all bad for RR, he is still in a good position career wise, just not at Michigan. It would be a win-win for both parties for him to just pack up and go. You cant always get what you want...but if you try sometimes, you just might find.... (you know the rest)

GoblueinNE_PA

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:01 p.m.

This is a guy that knows it will take a miracle to save him. It's sad in a way. There he is, surrounded by Michigan players that know what the traditions of Michigan truly are and he knows that he's not a part of it. He only gets to stay if DB can't get his guy, whomever that is. That's the Hacks only hope. I think it is very obvious that RichRod vastly underestimated what it would be like to run a football program at a major national power. When he gets a second chance, and I'm sure he will (look for him at Miami), he'll be much better prepared for the opportunity. Unfortunately, he's already wrecked this place and he can't fix it. He frankly doesn't deserve the opportunity. He's gone and he knows it.

Joe

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:59 p.m.

Bighouse...I feel he is a good family man. I have never questioned that about him, but to say he is a good coach, especially since he has refuses to take any of the blame for the state of the UM program, is really hard to swallow. This man (coach??) has said and done a lot of ridiculous things since he arrived, but to say he WANTS to be a Michigan man just put him over the top for me. If DB still has any questions in his mind as to what he needs to do...we are in big trouble!!

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:55 p.m.

BTW...the 3 year RR Error record is 15-21, not 15-20 as stated above. 2 of those wins were vs. D II teams.

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:54 p.m.

BTW note RR's body language above...both hands pointing to himself... nuff said.

3 And Out

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:53 p.m.

Sorry Coach...using Tears and empty motivational speeches may stir the hearts and minds of the Koolaid Crowd...but the rest of us know that it is too little, too late... and more than just a wee bit desperate. Dave Brandon would be making a huge mistake to bring back this lame-duck, permanently hot-seated, glorified OC who is our current HC and is in over his head. Emotional appeals and tears aside....this is strictly business, not personal Sonny.

bighouse22

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:48 p.m.

I advocate change, but I think he is a decent person that has taken his fair share of abuse. I feel empathy for him and if he stays wish him well.

bighouse22

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:44 p.m.

Although I have been disappointed with the product and have advocated change, I will admit that I do think Rich Rodriguez is a decent person. He has been dealt a tougher hand than he may have anticipated. I believe he is a good coach, but the issue is with the scheme. It relies on small fast players and I don't believe they can hold up to the more rugged Big Ten. The spread helps smaller less talented teams compete with the big boys, but I am not sure it wins championships.

robotmonster

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:42 p.m.

I hope he stays

bogent57

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.

RR u are at a BIG Time school like MICHIGAN and U can`t find a Field Goal Kicker!!!!!!

Ben

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.

I have to admit, I started laughing when I read this. This guy is a sham, look at this guy; he's DESPERATE. He's crying like a baby, totally unable to take accountability for HIS TEAM's poor performance.

Wolverine Man

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:38 p.m.

The tears rolling down his cheeks, please give us a break. We've been flowing tears for the last three years. I say, Let his record be the ground he stands on.

I love Michigan Football

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:33 p.m.

amazing.

bogent57

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:32 p.m.

I was with RR this year but Dude i can`t take this anymore U have 2 go!!!!!!

michboy40

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:29 p.m.

He cries a lot.

Joe

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.

"I want to be a Michigan man". Are you seriously kidding me???? He has been here for three years and he used those words instead of "I am a Michigan man"!! WOW!!!! That speaks volumns to me!!! If you ever doubted who he really is....or what he thinks of the Michigan program.....there ya go. Right from his lying mouth!!! All I can say is WOW again!!!

Laura J

Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 10:10 p.m.

Sounds like the beginning of the end. Rest in peace...