Mick52

Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 4:19 p.m.

Well I still see a lot of people with their heads in the 70s. Thanks PUMSU for pointing out ND's typical weak schedule and the youth aspect of the team. A lot of folks here seem to think that does not matter. Also, is anyone naming any other prospective coaches other than Harbaugh? I see some debate whether he would stay collegiate or go pro, but we have no way to know if he will return. @Heartbreak, OSU has not been dominant. Lets take a look going back some years. In 2004 they were 8-4. Since then good teams. 2001 7-5, 2000 8-4,1999 6-6, 1994 9-4, 1992 8-3, 1991 8-4, 1990 7-4, 1989 7-4, 1988 4-6, 1887 6-4. This is hardly dominant since the scholarship reductions over the years. My point is it has become very difficult to maintain one or two loss seasons year in and year out. Frequently in all leagues the top teams can be beaten by unranked teams and the top teams can be thrashed too, like both OSU and MSU this season. So booting your coach a la MSU has been doing may not be the quick and easy answer, and as it has been noted by others here, whoever is coach has to deal with these same players. Also someone asked where would DRob go? Well if Harbaugh came in and wanted to put in a traditional offense, he would likely go to a spread offense team. I do not propose to be an expert, I simply think this needs careful consideration before switching coaches.

ViSHa

Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 12:55 p.m.

thanks for the clip I Love Michigan Football. what a big difference listening to him speak about his players.

I love Michigan Football

Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 7:07 a.m.

True Blue fan. I don't hate Rich, I just think he needs to move to offensive cord. somewhere. I was happy that Dee committed and now Justice coming over is great too. But that makes what 7 RB's and still horrific defense? We are becoming a split fan base and I hate it, but people are finally standing up for what they believe in. I know people fall in love with that razzle dazzle offense and think it is the new era. Look at how Cal defended Oregon a couple of weeks ago, teams are getting better at defending it. We all wanted change, but alot of the fanbase didn't want this. I stood by Rodriguez and took alot of heat with family and friends for awhile, until I realized, this is just not going to work anymore. It is sad that I watch Michigan football and feel like I am watching the Lions every Saturday. I feel guilty sometimes anticipating watching Stanford now every Saturday night and rooting for them to win. Watching them makes alot of people happy of what Michigan could be again....a POWERHOUSE. also Jim is NOT going to go to the NFL, he wants to come here when the time ready, we all know that. 13:35 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1NQAPTxnvE

3 And Out

Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 3:14 a.m.

it boggles the mind how the wool has been pulled over the eyes of some young M fans who think that the offense is "fun to watch"...LOL the team stinks. 2-6, 1-7, 3-5 in BT play...your saviour is a fraud. Have fun with your OFFENSIVE 175lb RB recruits. Excuse me while I go puke.

3 And Out

Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 3:12 a.m.

It is NOT surprising that Michigan has commitments, at least temporary from some top 100 players... NOT enough though as RR is a terrible recruiter at Michigan...but the very Name Michigan will always bring in a few... so what 2 RBs in the top 100 wow...that will really help us! and those RBs are mistaken if they have been promised carries in RRs playground QB running offense btw keep dreaming if you think Brandon has had any contact with these recruits, "assuring" them that RR will be back...anyone who supports RR is in cahoots with him and is a fraud themselves....Brandon is smarter than that.

truebluefan

Tue, Nov 23, 2010 : 12:47 a.m.

3 and out -- I didn't mean that as a personal attack. Sorry, I didn't know that you were so sensitive. I apologize if I hurt your feelings. 3 and out + I Love Michigan Football -- you guys better tell Demetrius Hart and now Justice Hayes that RR won't be Michigan's coach next season. Or, perhaps Mr. Brandon already told them that Mr. Rodriguez will in fact be Michigan's coach next season. Don't you think it's strange that Michigan has locked down two top 100 athletes during this "tumultuous" time? I mean, you are sure that RR is a goner, right?

I love Michigan Football

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 10:31 p.m.

If you read any article it says that Jim Harbaugh sees himself as only as a college coach, although his brother does well in the NFL, he enjoys the college atmosphere better. I have finally found a board that is started to make sense. Let's get Michigan football back to the way it once was. Bring the tradition and grittiness back into AA.....please David Brandon, make this happen ASAP.

Blueman Rick

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 10:24 p.m.

3 and out. I completely agree w/ your assessment of RR. And like you, my family (wife, brother, sister in law, cousins, aunts and uncles) attended U of M. In fact, my wife's grandfather was Michigan's first drum major. We all bleed blue and are sick about how our once great program has sunk so low.

heartbreakM

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 10:04 p.m.

I think Frieder is a good example of what "Michigan man" has come to mean. He snuck out on his team, during NCAA time, signed a contract with ASU, and did it all at midnight hoping not to be caught. Not Bo-like behavior, and as he defined it, not "Michigan like" behavior. Did not matter that Frieder had a degree or 2 from Michigan. Same reason that soccer coach Burns and Berenson are "Michigan men", or a variety of others (Hutchins from Softball too, though obviously a woman). Frieder was a character. He did have a great collection of talent--that 1986 team was great and the champs in 1989, wow. Rice, Mills, Hughes, Robinson (now in trouble with the law I think), Oosterbahn, Higgins. What a great team. Griffin with the outside shot. Calip. Vaught on the glass. How many pros were on that team? But I do think that if Frieder did not leave, they don't win the NCAAs that year. Unlike RR, he at least got you to the dance.

3 And Out

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 9:38 p.m.

PS: Macabre...the fact that you knew and respected Frieder weighs more than what I had heard about his gambling rep at the time, so perhaps he wasnt 'scummy' just didnt sit right with Bo's ethical code or whatever

3 And Out

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 9:35 p.m.

Macbre, yes I remember that gambling thing about Frieder...he had been banned from some casinos back in the day for counting cards...one time there was a report that he went gambling with some of his players... so yeah, he wasnt all that above-the-level at Michigan...but he did win and recruited pretty well... Overall he was scummy in some respects, but his background was at Michigan and when Bo dissed him for not being a "Michigan Man", IMO it was due to his personal integrity or lack there of.... BTW what ever happened to those 2 million dollar lawsuits that RR is involved in for skipping out on payment of millions of dollars in loans?

3 And Out

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 9:32 p.m.

trubluefan...I dont appreciate your insinuation and personal attack on me. Fact: I saw my first game in the Big House when I was 4 years old. My whole family went to Michigan. I bleed blue. and the 'your coach' term was used because I cant stand Rich Rodriguez in any way...personally he defaults on loans, screws people over, blames everyone other than himself, is an idiot when it comes to being a head coach and has torn down our program in to bottom big ten feeder. RR may be YOUR coach...but he is far from being MY coach.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:57 p.m.

I'm aware Frieder had that reputation. I got to know him just a little bit while he was here. He was a good person who cared enormously about his players. He was also incredibly quick-witted, and impatient with anyone who couldn't keep up (fortunately, he did have patience as a coach). One interesting note about him was that he was a total numbers nerd, and had been banned for playing Blackjack in at least one casino for counting cards (a good card-counter has a slight edge over the house). Bo, on the other hand... he was also very intelligent. But I know why they didn't get along - they were polar opposites personality-wise.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.

To answer the question about experience, I defer to Phil Steele, who puts out the most exhaustive preview of college football I've ever seen. He also has the most accurate predictions of all the preview magazines (apparently they compete against each other). He measures experience as a weighted average of sis categories. This includes senior starters, where Michigan is very low. But it also includes seniors on the two-deeps, percentage of lettermen returning, percentage of tackles in 2009 made by the defense by returning players, percentage of yards generated by the offense and number of career starts by offensive linemen. Michigan is 41st among the 120 FBS teams using his weighted average, and third in the Big Ten (Wisconsin is 13th overall, Ohio State 21st). So Rodriguez can't complain about not having experienced players. He has more than average. He just can't coach defense. And that's half the game. Five more days.

truebluefan

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:45 p.m.

3 and out said: "Wanna blame someone for the lack of upperclassmen on defense... well look at your coach. 3 years in, its all his fault." Look at "your" coach? Interesting word choice. Yelmonian uses words like that, because he is a State fan and doesn't try to hide it.

truebluefan

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:39 p.m.

GoblueinNE_PA -- my apologies, you did not bring up Harbaugh in this discussion.

heartbreakM

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 6:46 p.m.

Well, Frieder was pretty controversial. "Great recruiter, horrible coach", etc. And he was aloof and Bo hated him. I think if RR had shown any improvement along the lines of Frieder, he would not have developed the hate, but let's not forget how the M fan base really did not like Frieder. But let's give Frieder some props--he was able to recruit very well, and his shooting percentages and defenses were outstanding, consistently. Did not perform well in the NCAAs, but much better stats than the teams have been since then.

Blueman Rick

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 5:59 p.m.

Yes 3 and out. You're right. There has never been a more polarizing coach in my 40 years as an alum. Oh, yeah. We used to bitch about General Bo from time to time but we supported him 100%. The games vs. Woody and OSU were the best games I have ever attended. Pride and tradition. Everything on the table. Absolutely what Michigan football has always been about and what has been sorely missing from day one of the RR era. Three and out, indeed!

3 And Out

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 5:42 p.m.

BTW... Is there / Has there ever been a more controversial and polarizing figure in UM Athletic dept. history than this current HC???? And that is not going to ever change. Guy is an awful fit on a fundamental philosophical level, and a terrible terrible fit on a tactical and strategical level. 3 And Out.

3 And Out

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 5:40 p.m.

PUMSU.... our team was stocked with returning seniors in 08, not including the ones that Rich Rod scared away. Our defense was stacked with returning talent from the #24 ranked defense in Lloyd's last year....the result with Rich Rod and his genius buddies coaching staff? Worst defense in Michigan history (up to that point, RR has exceeded it in the 2 years after LOL!)... Now even after that debacle, wouldnt you think that a reasonably good coach would then recruit some defense and have many upperclassmen now? Of course they would... but your buddie Rich Rod didnt and he also tried to get some kids to qualify who had no chance like Dorsey... he didnt do his due diligence in recruiting and 1/4 of his last class never even made it to campus!!!! Wanna blame someone for the lack of upperclassmen on defense... well look at your coach. 3 years in, its all his fault. Hopefully for that he will be 3AndOut.

Yelmonian

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 5:17 p.m.

Heartbreak, Not arguing with you. I understand why DR is in the game. Just the example thrown out by PUMSU was not supportive of his argument. There is a more experienced QB on the team, but yet PU uses the QB position to bolster the young team argument. That decision was soley RR's decision. And your point about the only running backs are left over from Carr, just points out that Carr's "left overs" are better than RR's recruits. And they should be grey haired veterans... Carr has been gone three years now. Does UM (RR)have a fun offense when it works. Yes. I"m just not convinced it works against the big boys. And the offense is definetly not good enough to overcome the defensive and special team liabilities. So the offense is not good enough. But hey, if UM likes this guy. UM should keep him. My team has a perfect record against him.

heartbreakM

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 4:39 p.m.

Yelm: I don't disagree with your points about RR not developing talent, but based on DR's amazing results this year (though not able to get free in the tougher games as much), I don't blame RR for playing him. I do think RR and Magee, and possibly the QB coach, coached up DR very well. He is overall a much better player than last year. Still misses too many passes (several on Saturday may have kept us in the game for longer), but that's life in a college game. I think Tate has held up well, and I credit him for being a good team player (after the UConn game). RR developed DR well. Didn't do the same for a running game, though. For the third straight year. HIs only decent running backs were leftovers from Carr, and they were injured all the time. Shaw has not played well when given the opportunity to dominate--though he did score against Illinois (who didn't). But let's not put our anti-RR blinders on. He did some things well. Unfortunately, those things are more at level of an assistant coach than with running our program. But speaking of running our program--he did that well, too. Running it into the depths of the Big Ten basement, that is.

Jay Allen

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 4:37 p.m.

There are 3, 4 or maybe even 5 of us that CALLED this BEFORE the first ball was snapped. As the season unfolded we have been consistent with our thoughts. Now a few of you have waffled over to the "Dark Side". U-M was a very successful program. So successful that the BOOSTERS wanted a 10-2 or 9-3 coach FIRED. To save face Coach Carr stepped down, he retired. The same boosters now see that the grass is not greener in WVA, matter of fact it is dead. The few of you that hang onto the RR breaths are just naive. None of you understand football at all. So what you have "7" wins? So what? Look at the COMBINED record of who you beat and then who they beat. Then look at who handed you your butt.

Yelmonian

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 4:33 p.m.

PUMSU, Your use of the quarterback only further points out RR's failures. There is a kid called Tate Forcier on the team. I believe he had 11 or 12 starts last year. He now comes off the bench, and has led the team well. RR chose to bench a kid with a decent arm, and a full season worth of experience... to start a new kid, that had little experience. So how is it not another indictment of RR? He chose inexperience over experience, and you are saying it's not his fault that he doesn't have experience playing. I don't get how you keep giving excuses for this man. If you want experience, you have to keep playing the kids that played last year. That simple. So if he benches DR next year, and starts this years true freshman kid... are you still going to give RR an out?

Blueman Rick

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 3:55 p.m.

Oh, come on. "Harbaugh is on the fast track to the NFL". Don't hire a successful coach, he'll probably leave UM for the pros (i.e. like Bo, Woody and Joe Paterno). Really can't figure where this kind of ridiculous hyperbole comes from.

Blueman Rick

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 3:48 p.m.

I really have to disagree with the comment that having a potent offense is the reason Brandon should keep RR at the helm. For goodness sakes, without DRob's contribution this team would be 2-9. DRob will be great under any coach who hands him the ball. Remember in three years under RR : U of M hasn't learned to tackle, rush, defend or kick a field goal. These are the essential elements necessary for a football team to be successful.

GoblueinNE_PA

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 3:20 p.m.

@trubluefan Show me where I said I wanted Harbaugh in this discussion. I'll wait.

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.

Sunset, That's a fair statement. Do you have any evidence to suggest we are an experianced offense compared to others?

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 2:38 p.m.

That's one measurement out of many. Other measures include past experience on the field, various statistical percentages. You have to look at many things other than just one specific count of seniors.

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.

Sunset, Experianced offense compared to most? Mich - 1st year starting sophmore QB - 2 seniors OSU - 2.5 year starting Junior QB - 4 seniors MSU - 2 year starting junior QB - 6 seniors Iowa - 3 year starting senior QB - 6 seniors Wisc - 3 year starting senior QB - 5 seniors These are the top teams in the Big10 and have more experiance at the most important position on the field. Your comment is puzzling. Heartbreak, Your right. The team needs to figure out how to play a complete game. They need to learn how to protect the ball. There is a lot of improvment. Offense is slow to start and a comeback is difficult when your defense cannot get a 3rd down stop. I am as frustrated as you. I still think that 1 more year is due. I'm guessing with a new DC too.

truebluefan

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 2:30 p.m.

GoblueinNEPa -- do you want a coach at Michigan whose ultimate goal is the NFL? Harbaugh is on the fast track right now and one good season at Michigan will no doubt force that door WIDE open.

Ben

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.

Oregon's second half defense is solid because they can play a 3-4 prevent style defense. Almost every game this year (save for Cal and Stanford), their opposition gets blown out early and HAS to throw the ball more than they'd like to in order to make up ground on the hole they're in. Cal isn't a great team, they shut down the QB and La'Michael and Oregon essentially stalled, the problem is Cal isn't that great offensively, so the Oregon D could hold them. In Stanford's case, I saw a Stanford team that failed to adjust in the second half and I saw an Oregon team who adjusted some blocking to get more running room. In my opinion, Oregon doesn't deserve to be where they are. But that's just me.

heartbreakM

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 2:02 p.m.

PU: I will give you that ND's Nov schedule is not looking too great, but Utah was #4 just a few weeks ago, and ND handled them but good. Same with Army--not a great team, but better than BG and UMass (on paper). But bottom line is improvement. This year, though M has 2 wins, it's not like they clobbered either of those 2 teams. Both games were in doubt nearly to the end at purdue and really to the end of Illinois. Just sayin'.... The thing you say about Oregon is interesting. I haven't thought about it, but Oregon's second half defense this year has to be near the tops in the country--at one point, they had not given up a second half score. And I would match up Oregon's D against nearly anybody's. I really like that team but will be interesting when they face another top tier team to see how they do. M's offensive, explosive or not, has not been good in the first half of games against top teams in the B10, plain and simple. This week was the worst, but against PSU and Iowa, not much better. So they can get the explosive yards in the second half, but comebacks are not the way to win consistently. Maybe occasionally. But really, any good wins for Michigan without a comeback? (Any good wins at all?). Comebacks tire out the offense.

Boots

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:54 p.m.

I do not know all the in and outs of Football, but when scores are in the sixties even I know there is NO DEFENSE!! I do not care who's friend the defensive coach is, he needs to GO! As for the players in the defensive positions on the field...you should know by know what needs to be done to stop the opposition, regardless what the coach says. Most of you have been playing football for at least 6 years and watching for longer. Do what your High School coaches taught you or just what comes naturally. Maybe all of you need to listen to a routine by Andy Griffin call "What it was, was Football". There is some good points made in it. It may be a joke, but So ARE the coaches at Michigan Football. Mary Sue how can you hold you head up in that 47 seat sky box, knowing the you condone this Head Coach. Canham must be so disappointed as Bo probably is.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:49 p.m.

It's an explosive offense, but it's not a consistent offense. It's also relatively experienced, compared to other teams. People here act like no other team ever has injuries or ever plays a freshman anywhere. Rodriguez is just a poor recruiter, so his freshman are a long way from competitive against Big Ten teams.

Ben

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.

@P U So next year, assuming RR and company survive, when they're still playing freshman (these recruits) and we're still clamoring about how sucky our D is, what will you say then?

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:32 p.m.

Heartbreak, I too am a fan of Brian Kelley. However, ND's november schedule is much like Michigans early schedule. Let's be honest.

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.

Edward, 8 of 13 verbally committed recruits are defensive players. When you are talking about experiance on the field. Michigan lacks the most important spot to have experiance. The defensive backfield. The defensive numbers must also take into account for the length of time Michigan takes to score. Oregon is 50-60 in defense yet they are undefeated. Their opponets have more chances to gain yards and score when it only takes them a couple of plays to score. Just saying.

Papabear151

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.

Tate is quoted on ESPN as saying "We want to beat Ohio State just so we can ruin their season". Now don't get me wrong, in any season it will be nice to ruin whatever Ohio State is trying to achieve. But how sad is this comment really? 1) Beat Ohio State because they are Michigan's rivals in the greatest rivalry in sports. 2) Beat Ohio State because this is Michigan, Michigan wins because that's what is expected in a storied program, not because they want to ruin someone elses season 3) Our players are starting to sound like state fans had for the last long while. We are the new state.... thanks Rich Rod. Now, everyone remember when Rich Rod got hired on? All the experts, analysts, coaches, etc... basically anyone that knew anything about college ball... all these people were saying that RR would need till his third year to instill HIS players and rework any old players that were still here. Then all these experts went on to say that a reasonable expectation with Michigan would be to compete for a Big Ten Title his third year and a national Championship his fourth. Well it's his third year and the Big Ten title was never even a close call for Michigan and a national title next year is laughable short of an absolute and complete 180 on defense. Sorry but this team is settling, the expectations aren't lowering...they are lowered. Will things be expected to get better, certainly... but right now we are a mediocre team and seem to be right where everyoen thinks we should be... mediocre. Mediocrity and Michigan, two words that should've never been similar, two words that Rich Rod has made similar. Go Blue and heres to "hopefully" a better future.

GoblueinNE_PA

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.

It always cracks me up when folks make statements like "we'll have transfers" or "we'll lose recruits" if RichRod gets fired. News Flash: It's already happening with this Hack here. It doesn't have to be that way though. LSU didn't see scads of players leaving or recruiting drop when Saban left for the NFL and was replaced by a relatively unknown Les Miles. ND has went through scads of coaches and some how continue to have top 10 to 15 recruiting classes every year and they don't have mass exodus each time a new coach comes on board. Look, transfering is hard, despite what evidence you may see under RichRod. Kids don't do this lightly. After RichRod is shown the door and his replacement arrives, if the new guy knows what he's doing, he'll meet with all the players individually and talk with them, including the outgoing seniors. He'll also talk about what a great group of kids they are and how he's lucky to have them. Things that the Hack did not do. Coaching changes don't need to be a death sentence, unless the coach is in over his head. RichRod is the poster boy.

heartbreakM

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.

@Mick: I think your analysis is fine, but I will quibble with you a bit. You say that OSU is not expected to be dominant anymore. Do you realize that they are on the cusp of their record setting 6th B10 championship in a row? They have been dominant totally since the 85 scholarship limit. And Iowa, Wisconsin have been up a lot more than down. With "lower rated " athletes (whatever that means). To me, that means they are being coached better. You claim that Brian Kelly is failing at ND. Yes, indeed, their record is not stellar and they actually lost a few games. But he is doing something that RR has not done in 3 years. Win in November. In his first year. Against teams with winning records. With "someone else's recruits". And "with injuries", including his starting QB. And no excuses. You just wait. ND easily could have beaten MSU and UM and looked a whole lot better (but they didn't I know). Now, if players were to leave after RR were to be ousted, where in the world they go? I don't think our D players would have anywhere to go. As a unit, they are worse than almost anyone else. And on offense, it's not like our guys are so young that they would have a lot of time to sit out a year and break in. Our receivers are juniors. Our RBs are a mix, but believe me, they have not shown much that other teams would want. If DR leaves, that would hurt, true, but do you keep a bad coach and staff to appease a player or two? I would think DB has better foresight to look at what's in the best interest for the program as he states above, in the long-term. And 3 years is more than time enough to establish trends (worsening defense, no improvement, no sig wins in October or November for 3 years, no sniff of the B10 upper division let alone championship).

truebluefan

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 12:55 p.m.

People clamoring for Harbaugh need to be very careful about what they wish for. I believe a Harbaugh experiment is fraught with peril. Harbaugh is a very good coach. No argument there. And he does have strong ties to Michigan and everything points to it being a good fit. But it is my firm belief that Harbaugh's ultimate destination is the NFL. No matter what success he might enjoy at Michigan, the NFL will always be in the back of his mind. A very real possibility is Harbaugh accepts the Michigan job and then bolts for the NFL two years later for a $5 million salary backloaded with a ton of perks. Michigan cannot possibly compete financially with an NFL franchise. At that point Michigan would be in a really tough bind. We'll lose players when RR is fired. We'll lose more players when Harbaugh bolts. We'll lose a bunch of recruits in both cases. No continuity and a revolving door at Michigan will badly damage Michigan's reputation. If you think things are bad now, just wait until that happens. Michigan does not need a new coach. We need a new defensive philosophy and direction. We have a potential top 5 offense next season coming back. We have loads of youth across the two-deep that will get better with experience. Do not throw the baby out with the bath water.

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.

Breakdown of the Big10's top teams Starting Juniors or Seniors OSU: Offense 9 (4 seniors) Defense 9 (7 seniors) Iowa: Offense 8 (6 seniors) Defense 9 (6 seniors) Wisc: Offense 9 (5 seniors) Defense 9 (4 seniors) MSU: Offense 9 (6 seniors) Defense 7 (5 seniors) UofM: Offense 6 (2 seniors) Defense 5 (3 seniors) What coach is going to have success with this. Give this team time.

Mick52

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:56 a.m.

I do not promote myself as being an expert in football, but I know some history and I keep thinking that a lot of people who want RR booted because he is not keeping up Michigan's winning tradition are still living in the 70s. Back when Brandon was playing, teams were allowed about 30 or 40 more scholarships than the 85(?) they get now. Back then the benches were stocked with players who would be starters at other Big Ten and beyond schools. Thus Michigan, Ohio State, Ok, NE, and USC were the best teams year in and year out. Over the years as the talent spread, other teams began to emerge: Fl State, Miami,Fl, Texas, LSU. Heck in the 70s we never even heard of some of these teams but with their emergence players from those states became attractive to the colleges in their areas. Over those two decades and into the 90s, Michigan and OSU started loosing to schools they always dominated. Even Northwestern, the former kicking tee of the Big Ten came up with a couple championships in the early 90s. Then the spread offense emerged and Michigan looked like ancient warriors with the 3 runs and a cloud of dust, that cloud getting smaller year by year. Remember the Appalachian State and Oregon thrashings? Michigan's defense could not handle teams with a spread offense. No wins vs OSU in Lloyd Carr's last four years. I think Michigan is just hitting the wall like all the other schools have. I think there are more better players too. You just cannot expect a return to the good old days anymore. Players from the south are attracted to SEC schools now that they have improved and its warm down there. Another key is injuries and defections. Players that leave early are a big loss as are key players being hurt. Sure it happens everywhere, but if it happens at a moment when your team is at a weak point, the effect is multiplied. And OSU, doing well now, did go through a drought, 2-9 vs Michigan.So no team is immune from what is going on in college football. Boise State is number three folks. Oregon is number one. TCU is four. At lease RR has given us a record breaking offense. And it is being run by 1st and 2nd year students. Ditto for much of the defense. Anyone suggesting Jim Harbaugh or Les Miles: do you know if they are attainable? Or are they staying where they are? If not, who else? Brian Kelly? He has not exactly turned ND around. There was a big pause getting a coach when M finally got RR and I am not sure we should go through that again. It's risky to switch the program and we might have to go through more loosing seasons just by the switch. I don't know for sure, but it could turn out to be a bigger mistake than benefit to change head coaches right now. The next coach will have the benefit of having a much more experienced team next year than RR has this year - if players all stay (what if DRob follows RR?). I have no problem dismissing the defensive coaching staff and looking for the very best defensive coaches possible. And the offense has improved immensely since RR's 1st year. Three of the pre WI losses would have been prevented with just a few defensive plays. All the losses were due to bad defense. Just not sure any more that the success of the glory days is easily reached anymore. Things have changed and RR or not, I am not sure Michigan or Ohio St, or any of the other major programs will dominate anymore. Get your head out of the clouds and look around some. The other things that bothers me is there appears to be a lot of cheating going on (still). Reggie Bush and now Cam Gordon, not to mention Michigan's over the limit practicing. Putting such a high premium on winning can push people into inappropriate activities. I think the best thing to do is keep RR on, try to keep key players from leaving, tweak the defense (a lot), and see what happens next year before re-flushing the entire program.

truebluefan

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.

After doing some research, I am almost 100% certain now that Harbaugh DOES NOT have an out clause in his contract for Michigan. Harbaugh's current Stanford contract extends through the 2014 season. So if he left Stanford for Michigan, he would be breaking his contract. 3andout -- I stated that I personally do not care if head coaches break their contracts. Try telling that to RudeJude, who is extremely put off by RR because he broke his contract with WVU.

heartbreakM

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.

I agree to an extent with PU, though I do believe it is time to cut bait and run. I think that if M does not have a sure known path to fixing this, firing RR at this point may come back and bite its rear and may cause even more problems (remember the desperate nature of the last coaching search?). But I do not believe RR deserves more time. There are too many intangibles that he should have right by now--like not looking lost on the sidelines, like having his players prepped, like knowing how to adjust during a game. I remember when Mo took over, he blew that first ND game where we had a big lead then got an Elvis turnover in the end zone, and a fluky long TD pass deflection. The problem with that game was the Mo's no-huddle offense did not go into slower mode to burn clock and that gave ND all the time they needed. RR sort of does the same thing (that is when his offense can actually move the ball in the second half of games against good competition). So not only does not not know how to coach D, he does not know how to protect the D.

umgoblue47

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:23 a.m.

blue-in-tpa this is not a one man show... it takes linemen to block and receivers to catch to generate the stats this offense has put up... as far as the D, it is horrible and yes this is a team sport, but i have sed before that when the D catches up to the O this team will win a lot of football games. we have a young team especially on the D side of the ball, this team will be better as a TEAM next year! if not then a coaching change will be needed... go blue...

Ben

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.

Why do people keep obsessing over an explosive offense? Who cares? If the other team can stay with you and score on you just as easily using their "antiquated" offense, then whose to say what offense is particularly explosive. Rich Rod's offense cannot reliably move the ball. This is fact... Did anyone notice in 2007 when RR first came on board that when we would run the PRO STYLE formations we moved the ball? Yet he bailed out of this logic and tried to make pro style guys play a spread offense that they've never played in their life?

Ben

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.

Why do people keep obsessing over an explosive offense? Who cares? If the other team can stay with you and score on you just as easily using their "antiquated" offense, then whose to say what offense is particularly explosive. Rich Rod's offense cannot reliably move the ball. This is fact... Did anyone notice in 2007 when RR first came on board that when we would run the PRO STYLE formations we moved the ball? Yet he bailed out of this logic and tried to make pro style guys play a spread offense that they've never played in their life?

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:11 a.m.

Edward, To my defense I have never blamed Carr for anything. I loved Llyod. He was a Great coach and representative of Michigan. I have only pointed to the fact that there is no depth in the defensive backfield and Llyod must take some responsibitly for this. The responsibility that Llyod must accept is not the sole reason for a bad defense. However it does factor into the equation. That is all I have ever said regarding Llyod.

Blu-n-Tpa

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 11:05 a.m.

Murrow, yes! Great overall grasp of events, just like when you were in London during the Blitz! Listen up out there, it's about coaching and either you can or you can't. That's the reason you are hired and fired in that profession. This isn't just bad football. It's bad game preparation, poor player development, and lack of understanding of your opponets weaknesses and strenghts and how your team will adjust during the game. What we currently have is not acceptable at Michigan. Or, at least it shouldn't be.

Blu-n-Tpa

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.

This is not the most explosive offense in UM history. One position player, playing against sub-par defenses on losing record teams, was having early success. What about the TEAM's success or is that not important to you? Wisconsin, Iowa, MSU and PSU weren't over-awed by DRob's skill set and he has fallen off the national radar as the understanding of his record numbers are taken in context. The most explosive offense doesn't turn the ball over 10 times in two games, putting the team at risk of losing games that they should/need to win. For all of you that fear losing this great offense if RichRod is forced out, what about continuing the terrible decline of the defense and special teams of the last three years? Who do you hold RESPONSIBLE for that? The tooth fairy? That's what I thought.

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 9:59 a.m.

Edward, Go look at those last two recruiting clsses of Carr and show me the defensive backfield players. Where did they go? There is a lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball. Add the injuries, Dorsey, Cissiko, Warren incident to the list. That is not a winning equation. Again you come with examples of other coaches who have taken over pro-style offenses and run a pro-style offense. Do you understand anything about football? You are comparing apples to oranges. Sure they are both fruit but they are totally different. Show me a transition from a pro-style offense to a spread with instant success like you demand. You are blinded by your hatred and fail to see whats going on. Football is complex. If you mix yellow and blue it makes green. Well winning in football is not that simple. If you do not account for all of the things that have happened to this team then you are being ignorant. You also fail to recognize that this is one of the best years for the BIG10 in a long time. by the end of the season there will be 3 top 10 teams. You act as if the teams that have beat Michigan are not good. I think I have made it clear that it was a bad hire. We should not be in this situation in the first place. With that said, its a mistake to cut bait.

umgoblue47

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.

3andout... you claim this is not the most explosive offense in michigan history... that is just a DUMB statement! you can twist and spin something any way you want, but this is the most explosive offense in michigan's 131/year history. show me a qb for michigan that has put up the stats that dr has plus the records he has broken!talk about sanity, your post is more implosive... GO BLUE...

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.

Edward, I'm realistic, sorry. I expected to losed because of the talent we bring to the table. You can blame it on RR all you want, but the fact of the matter is, ANY coach would have lost that game with these players. You are asking a talented JV team to beat a good varsity team. Being realistic is not a bad thing. Everything that has occurred over the last 3 years has been expected. It was a bad hire. But cutting bait now that there are players who can actually run the system is a mistake. Most of you who are calling for RR to be fired talk about his lack of integrity and this and that. Well have a little integrity yourself and allow RR to finish his contract.

madblue

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.

@xtr, heartbreakM, and whomever You guys are right, I had made years mixed up. I am not here to argue. Our problem is on defense which we all can see. We were told that the spread wouldn't work but it does. That didn't happen over night. RR needs to recruit had a get the right kids in here on defense. It doesn't have to be 4 or 5 star kids either, because that doesn't guarantee anything. Look at Texas and Florida for that example. I can't recall a high school team that played with so many inexperienced players and won consistantly. Get rid of the dumb 3-3-5 and get some experienced guys in place and see what happens. If RR hasn't made more progress after next year, send him on his way.

A2D2

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:28 a.m.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for RR.. Mark my words and circle it on your celander - January 2nd is the likely date for a change. Jan. 1st is when year 4 of RR's contract begins, and when his buyout goes down by a million dollars. Understanding the way a fortune 500 CEO thinks and plans, I'm sure plans are underway even today for a transistion.......... You heard it here first.

P U MSU

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.

More overreaction because of a game in which you already knew the result. Nothing has changed since last week. We all knew Wisconsin was going to win the game. Yet, this does not stop people from spamming their emotions. 15+ underclassman vs 15+ upperclassman. Thats how the game should have gone. Enough with the Harbaugh talk. It's not happening. You are clueless if you actually think that he is coming to Michigan. Clueless. Be prepared for next week. It will be another loss. Still a 7-5 record and improvement from last year. Young team here. Last thing the players want is a new coach.

Brad

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.

"The winds of change are beginning to blow" Better that than the head coach.

timeatwork

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:08 a.m.

RR is 0-11 vs. winning teams in the Big Ten...hahahahaha

discgolfgeek

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 8:04 a.m.

If RichRod has a great recruiting class in hand, that may save his job for another year. They haven't even been in the games with the big hitters although the offense is under tremendous pressure knowing they have to score on almost every drive to compete. It would be interesting to see what the team could do with even an average defense. Having a field goal kicker would be nice also. Kudos to the offense for winning 7 games despite little or no defensive or special teams support.

tzgoblue

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 7:46 a.m.

If you check, I don't believe Harbough has a contract obligation past this season. I have heard on several occasions that his current contract has an out clause in it anyway.

XTR

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 2:25 a.m.

Liberation of the program from RR nears! It is either he beats Ohio State at the shoe, or he is gone from the program. lol!

Rob F/U-M Forum/WX

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:57 a.m.

ERM's Ghost---Thanks for posting that link to the AANews/mLive story from a few years back. In retrospect, it's a lot more damning now than it was even then, showing the true character of RR as the events unfolded during his hiring and the immediate legal problems that he brought with him as baggage. It sure is a shame that Bill Martin was still around as AD when we needed a replacement for dear old Lloyd Carr.

3 And Out

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:31 a.m.

btw...our hockey coach also has a DUI

3 And Out

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:29 a.m.

^ wow...nothing like a true internet-insider (self proclaimed) to come here and show us locals "how it's done".

iamcris

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 1:13 a.m.

@ Macabre Sunset Bo also had different scholarship directives he had to work with than Coach Rodriguez. You see, there's far more defining variables than just throwing out numbers and stats. informing the uninformed since I started posting here.

iamcris

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 12:56 a.m.

Hai guys! Some things to consider. Indiana will fire Bill Lynch. Oregon beat Stanford 52-31. Jim Harbaugh has a DUI. Maize is the Spanish word for yellow/corn...pronounced (my ease) Dave Brandon "I don't care who the football coach is" Do any of you know who Bob Bowlsby is? Who hired Kirk Ferentz? You may now return to internet flame wars dealing with Michigan football you experts all of you, but at least I gave you some knowledge so your ignorant rants aren't so misinformed.

Yelmonian

Mon, Nov 22, 2010 : 12:17 a.m.

I love the excuses... if only the defense was a little better the team would have 8 or more wins. Its not better. In three years it has gotten worse... not better. The team can't even kick a field goal. And yes... a good coach can turn a team around in year one. As a little brother, I would like to point out that dantonio took a 3-9 team to 7-5 his first year, and had 9 wins in year two. Funny part... I'd prefer you keep RR. I don't think an RR coached team can consistently beat a dantonio team. And before everyone says that MSU has beat the worst um teams in history.... I was also told that there was no way MSU could keep up with that um offense this year... was told that denard would win the Heisman... by the same people.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 11:46 p.m.

Bo went to ten Rose Bowls. Where, as you know, the Big Ten team is the road team (it's played at UCLA's home stadium, and the crowd is always heavily in favor of the Pac Ten team). So he was 2-8 in those games, that's not a terrific road record. But it's elite competition. Meanwhile... Bo was 143-24-3 in the Big Ten. Rodriguez is 6-17 and probably not going to get to ten Rose Bowls. Or any Rose Bowls. He would have to go 137-7-3 to match Bo's conference record. Pretty safe to say that won't happen. I don't think Rodriguez is even fit to carry Bo's old coaching whistle.

Marshall Applewhite

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 11:27 p.m.

I'm curious.....did anyone happen to witness Jim Harbaugh's antics at the UM Golf outing last year? Are you people really supportive of a coach who is obnoxiously drunk and brings strippers to official UM outings? Do you really KNOW the man you've been clamoring for?

Do Better

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 11:13 p.m.

What is all the excitement about BO anyways. His record in bowl games was 5-12. Which means when he played top teams he always got out coached by a team from the PAC-10. Also he did not even win a NC when he had advantages over other programs. So if he is the greatest coach in Michigan history this means that Michigan was never elite and just a good program at best.

Txmaizenblue

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 11:02 p.m.

You people are morons if you think Harbaugh is going to come in and make Michigan a.500 + team his first couple of seasons. I think Rich is on the brink of great success....and interestingly most say the same after a win, but as soon as they loss out come all the "GET RID OF HIM" comments. You're a bunch of fair weather fans. The biggest fault against Rich is his failure to pay attention to the defense. He could get away with it when he played against the Big East, but you need to field a good defense in the Big Ten if your going to win the conference. If Michigan just had a decent defense they would probably be a one or two loss team right now. But as things stand they will never win the division with the horrific defense they currently have.

Sevans68

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:57 p.m.

I see there are still some praising Rich Rod as the head coach for his offensive ingenuity. The offense can score quick, I'll give you that, but they aren't consistent. Slow starts, turnovers, penalties at key times, DRob missing open receivers, etc. These same people also complain about how bad the defense is. HELLO... the head coach has some responsibility for that too. If Rich Rod does stay (I pray that he doesn't) we will be going on our 3rd D coordinator in 4 years. You all want to give Rich a free pass but throw the D-coordinator under the bus. I've heard that the 3-3-5 is the defense Rich Rod wants to run. So they try to give him what he wants and it doesn't work so they are the ones that can't coach. And if you want to talk about lack of talent on D - who make the major recruiting decisions? I won't even get into the special teams problems, horrible field goal kicking, miscues on punt & kick off returns, etc. I don't know if Harbaugh is the answer or if he will come. I would love to see him here coaching on the sidelines because of the passion he brings and he knows Big Ten football. Yes the Pac 10 may be weak but he went from 1-11 to 8-5 in 3 years and 10-1 this year. Rich Rod took a 9-4 team and went 3-9, 5-7 & 7-4 so far. Not the same kind of progression when you look at it. What I want in the next coach is someone who uderstand the fundamental, blocking, tackling, assignments on defense, pursuit angles, etc. Because I haven't seen that form our defense the past 3 years.

Blueman Rick

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:36 p.m.

Jaxon5: You're exactly right. The success bar @ U of M has shamefully been lowered to a height that is absolutely inconceivable. Sad days continue at my alma mater.

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:24 p.m.

truebluefan.... im not sure why you dont get it but that is the way that the game is played when you hire a new coach...just about every coach breaks his contract to take a different job, Kelly did it, Dantonio did it, John L. did it, Saban did it (mulitiple times)...there just are not many qualifed HC's walking around jobless on the street, Mike Belotti maybe but other than that any hire will be leaving one contract for another...that is how it is done.

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.

Interesting photo above....Brandon has a very skeptical look on his face while Rich Rod is in his typical nail biting, scared looked pose.

Blueman Rick

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:11 p.m.

Wisconsin plays football the way UM used to when I went to school there 75-78. The Big House was OUR house. Great teams all led by players like Leach, O'Neal, Tedesco, Smith, Huckleby and Lytle (God rest his soul). The coaching staff included: Gary Moeller, Bill McCartney, Jack Harbaugh and Jerry Hanlon and of course, General Glenn E. "Bo" Schembechler. 1975: UM-23 Wisc-6, 1976: UM-40 Wisc.-27, 1977: UM-56 Wisc-0, 1978 UM-42 Wisc. 0. THREE Big 10 Championships. Record: 38-8-2 Sadly, the current team and coaches will never repeat the successes of their elders. Come on Brandon. Time to be a leader like your mentor Bo.

truebluefan

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 10:09 p.m.

Murrow -- I never responded to your first reply to me. Not sure why I received an angry reply. Anyway, how did RR lie to avoid the $4 million penalty? heartbreakM -- I don't know if Harbaugh has an out clause. I'm thinking that he does not have an out clause for Michigan because I'm sure it would've been highly publicized, at least on these forums, if he did. Either way, my point is I personally do not care if Harbaugh, or any coach for that matter, breaks his contract. If Michigan fired RR, Michigan would be breaking their contract with RR. It happens all the time in business. What I can't tolerate is a double standard amongst many (not all) in the anti-RR crowed that it would be OK if Harbaugh broke his contract.

heartbreakM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:42 p.m.

There is one more thing about 'loyalty issues', though. RR did that to his alma mater and his old football program. In JH's case, he is doing it to come home (again with the fantasy world that we are playing right now). How does he do it? I think there's a difference, though the principle is the same.

heartbreakM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:40 p.m.

trueblue: I am bothered by the fact that JH may break a contract to come here (if that were to come true). But does the contract have an 'out clause' to come to Michigan? If so, it does not break it in a legal sense. But yes, it does give me problems in terms of promises made to the players, etc. Now, how does it get handled is another thing? Does Harbaugh deceive his team? Does he turn players away from Stanford? Does he handle it in an upright manner? Or does he slither away like Frieder did? (Substitute any other name and school here, too). Going after Mike Belotti does avoid those kind of problems.

Wolvdoug

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:28 p.m.

I think this interview says alot....I think Brandon is in RR's corner alot more than what people think....Listen to it the entire thing if you choose to here from the man himself....http://wbbl.com/article.asp?ID=2026820&spid=23371&cn=&ED=11%2F17%2F2010+9%3A00%3A00+PM

truebluefan

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:17 p.m.

PHXblue -- if Harbaugh agreed to become Michigan's coach next season he will need to break his contract with Stanford. I was told by RudeJude that men of honor and integrity don't break their contracts. Of course, it was a huge issue with the "secret clan of Michigan Men" when RR did it. But will it be a problem if Harbaugh does it? I'm only expecting a response from the hypocrites.

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.

PS: I guess someone with sanity needs to say it again: This is NOT the most '"explosive" offense that Michigan has ever had...not statistically, not in reality, certainly NOT in first half of Big Ten games vs. worthwhile opponents. LOL...and btw, Michigan has been playing football for 131 years.... Now had it been said "most implosive" well yeah, considering that this offense has ranked at the BOTTOM of the Big Ten in turn overs all 3 or RR's error, well that term would be more apt.

Solar Blue

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.

Jaxon5 - I too took offense to Bilema's comments, absolutely a shot (with no class) at Michigan. Back in the day, Bo's teams would smash Wiscy something like 48 - 10. All Bo did afterward was praise something (anything) that the particular opponent did well. What he said privately to the team was something else, but Coach B is a hack with no class. Two years ago many Badger fans wanted him fired (7-6), losing at U of M and MSU. Now he is a genius (still an idiot) to me.

XTR

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.

Madblue - Search for the 2007 UM Football season record. That was a 9-4 season and were 6-2 in the Big Ten. That 6-2 in the Big Ten is monumental compared to RR's record now. If you consider Lloyd Carr as a failure, Rich Rod would be the King of all failures LOL! We are still reading RR praises at this board LOL! The RR offense scored 0 points in a half against Wisconsin! They only scored after the game was put away by the Badgers. Same goes with Iowa and Penn State. With RR at the helm, you have a team that is in disarray, it is in shambles! Just shows how low the program has been in just 3 years of RR! lol!

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:59 p.m.

The best possible plan right now for Dave Brandon and Michigan: 1) Put out the feeler to Harbaugh, see if he would take the job if offered. This may already be in the works. 2) Harbaugh gets in line. We get rolled by OSU (painful but inevitable) and on the Monday following the game, Brandon dismisses Rich Rodriguez. 3) Coach Magee is offered an interim tenure to coach the team in the fleabag bowl game. He accepts it in exchange for a nice financial buyout package + the ability for him to showcase his HC skills once again, as he is likely to get a HC job sometime in the future and it would help to showcase him. 4) Brandon gets on the phone calls all recruits and lets them know that a big time coach is coming in and that he is committed to making Michigan a top program in the Big Ten. 5) Stanford has no problem with letting JH coach his BCS bowl game... because he has done such a fine job there and it lets JH go out in style that he has earned and deserved at Stanford. 6) Early Jan. Harbs comes in, moves his staff in place...secures the better recruits and TURNS heads big time to other recruits would would not consider playing for RR's finesse scheme. Harbs holds a press conference, calls out the Vest and Dantonio letting them know that their "free ride" is now over. 7) The rest will go down in history. Go Blue.

ThoseWhoStayUofM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:40 p.m.

This is the most explosive offense mIchigan has ever had... PERIOD! I don't care if you don't "see" it. It is a patent fact. There are no ifs ands or buts about it. It is the best offense Michigan has ever had. chapmaja is entirely correct. Rich Rod is a great coach, he relates to players, and he inspires them well. His greatest downfall is he is a hot head. David Brandon needs to reign him in. Rich Rod needs to be managed. It's not a good thing, but it's the truth. This team will win with Rich Rod if he is given the resources necessary to do it, and is managed properly. I's just a fact. Chip Kelly, head coach of the Oregon Ducks, is the same way. He manages the offense and is required to leave the defense to the defensive coordinator. I like to call Chip Kelly the head coach of the offense/special teams and Nick Aliotti the head coach of the defense. That's what needs to happen to Rich Rod and this is so abuntantly obvious that I can't believe some people are too blind with hatred of the man to actually see the logic in it.

heartbreakM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.

@madblue: Michigan was 9-4 after beating Florida in the Citrus bowl that year. That year, LC decided to retire during the summer (as it has been told) and then we went and dropped games against App State (who should never be on M's schedule) and Oregon. It was pretty clear that LC had lost his competitive edge. But he did well throughout the season until Wisconsin and OSU throttled us. That Florida victory was a great tough grind it out win, and is still a bigger win than anything than RR has done. LC needed to leave. It was clear. Did he underachieve? If we believe that he is a bad coach, then he way overachieved. If we believe he is a great coach, then he had really bad players that he coached up well and won a lot. Hard to know. But he did a lot more with what he had than RR has done, and he never ever made excuses nor blamed the players for losses and poor performances. Rather, he pointed the finger at himself and his staff, and said they have to do better. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for RR to ever do that. Rather, he continues to complain that he did not know what he was getting into, he did not have "henne, hart, long type talent in 2008", etc. Well, who does he think made henne, hart, long type talent? Did they get born with it? They were coached!! RR must go.

Graham P. Matthews

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:30 p.m.

I am a Michigan alum and remember the days when two losses was the end of the world for us; and to now "celebrate" a 7-5 season...shows that the AD needs to bring in a new coach who will restore, reclaim, and revitalize Michigan's dominance on defense in the Big Ten conference and in the NCAA. Teams will not question the team's talent and the abilit to make defensive stops each week... they will feel the pain from the hits as they slowly get up from the ground.

tim

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:23 p.m.

I watched Stanford a couple of weeks ago --- and to tell you the truth it was boring even though they won. I think Rich rod is a good coach as far as the spread offence is concerned but he has done a poor job of managing people and the football program as an organization;players leaving-- not getting kickers-recruting kid with poor grades--and last but not least hiring the wrong coaches or hiring the right coaches but not letting them do their jobs. I like the spread but he could sure use some help with rest.

madblue

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:20 p.m.

Hey, I know most of you have a short memory but that team that won the Capitol One bowl game against Florida was also 7-5. What derailed that team was injuries as well. That team was suppose to compete for a national champion, but lost the first game to app state. We haven't beat OSU since 2003. People, if we get another coach it will be another 3 years of what you are seeing. As for Brett Belima, he has a team full of senoirs on the offensive and d-line. Lets see how they fair next year. RR needs to lose the 3-3-5 and try something different. But each year we have improved plus we have at least a Heisman candidate. All the experts had UM at 7-5 this year and that where we are. I wouldn't listen to anything Lou Holtz has to say because he said Notre Dame would contend for a National Championship. How did that go? If UM defense was 50th in the country we might have made more noise. Those 4 loses at this point are to better teams bottom line. We need to recruit hard and get those 4 and 5 star defensive players and coach them up. Starting over at this point would be insane!

Do Better

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 8:03 p.m.

This shows how crazy Michigan football fans can get about football. They attack Oregon a program that beat them down TWICE WITH A MICHIGAN MAN AT HEAD COACH. But i am sure they have excuses why they lost those games.

heartbreakM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:57 p.m.

The soccer coach, Burns, is a Michigan man. Bo, by his loyalty and personality, is a Michigan man. He held out to get this job, took it WITHOUT A CONTRACT because he wanted it, got paid little to be here (relatively), and knew the Big Ten. He respected and knew Michigan. Bo turned down the A/M job out of loyalty to the players he was indebted to (winter 1982), and produced an instant winner in A2. RR? Not a Michigan man. When you blame your players for not being good enough--not a Michigan man. When you walk out on your team (and alma mater), and don't even the courtesy to be frank with them before calling a recruit (Pryor)--not a Michigan man. When you renege on a contract and then sue about it--not a Michigan man. When you win less than 20% of your games in the conference over 3 years--shouldn't be a Michigan coach.

PHXblue

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:55 p.m.

So Saturday U-M takes its final lashings from OSU... Brandon steps up and establishes himself as an AD who does not accept the direction the football program is heading. he takes immediate action by terminating RR Sunday or Monday after the game... Brandon accepts the bid to the Insight Bowl in Tempe and names Fred Jackson interim head coach.. Brandon travels with the team out west a week before the bowl game and takes time to witness Stanford practice first hand. Meets initially with Harbaugh to feel him out and schedules a second meeting after Stanfords bowl victory to make him an offer he cant refuse.

InsideTheHall

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:46 p.m.

How many Ric Rod recruits are 1st Team Big Ten? Case closed. The recruiting is substandard and they have not coached up the players they have brought in.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:42 p.m.

To answer the Michigan Man question: It was a statement Bo made when Bill Frieder announced he would be coaching Arizona State the following season. There was a problem: Michigan had qualified for the NCAA tournament, and Frieder was still our coach. So Bo made that comment, assistant Steve Fisher took the reigns, and Michigan won the tournament. In context, a Michigan Man is someone who is fully invested in Michigan athletics. It does not mean someone who was born in Ann Arbor, went to college here and never thought of working anywhere else. I think it's entirely irrelevant to this discussion. It might become relevant if a successor to Rodriguez is announced before the bowl game. But, for now, it's not part of the discussion.

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:37 p.m.

Yeah Jaxon I saw his quotes. The fact is that no one respects Michigan football any more. Rich Rodriguez has turned us in to a soft, non-physical, small, poorly coached, finesse team.

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:34 p.m.

Actually for a lower end Pac Ten Team, ASU has a very good defense...their LB Burfict will be playing on Sundays he is very good... the Pac Ten is a physical league and Harbs has built a monster team to compete in it. He beat Oregon last year, and had them on the ropes this year but they didnt get it done...had that game not have been played at Oregon it may have had a different result. Regardless, JH would kill at Michigan...his offense could work with our offensive talent. Denard would be returning kicks and punts and would do great there, play some in the slot and as wildcat QB...Devin Gardner has the perfect size and arm strength for Harb's offense.... Mark this down: Kevin Koger would be an all Big Ten TE in Harb's offense. JH's offense > than Rich Rods offense and they are scoring 40+ points per game. Quotes of the day: "Of Jim Harbaugh's name cropping up in recent coaching rumors, Jack Harbaugh told Dave Birkett of AnnArbor.com earlier this year: "I think he's very, very happy at Stanford and Stanford is where he wants it to be. But I would say this: that still Michigan is the place that he loves, the place that for him was his foundation. It's where, the five years he spent there, his education there at Michigan and his associations with Bo and the other coaches on the staff, that' the place that he will always call home." Following Stanford's win over USC, the elder Harbaugh also said: "I can just see Bo up in heaven, he's talking to Woody (Hayes) and he's got a big old cigar and he and Woody are looking down on the game and he looks over to Woody and he says, 'That Jimmy Harbaugh, that's the way the game's supposed to be played,' taking real pride in it, and I truly believe that he does take pride in it." "It is fun to dominate" -- Jim Harbaugh after wiping out Cal yesterday.

Jaxon5

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:31 p.m.

It was very disturbing to hear Bielema talking trash in our house. Said it is no big deal playing in Michigan stadium. And, said his program does not recruit solo players (like DRob). Said you'll never see that in his program because it is all about the team. (paraphrasing) The implication was Michigan program is inferior. The results on the field proved Bielema was right, but it is still disturbing to hear it.

Mike

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:21 p.m.

i work on that solor.lol.let me ask every one who wants a MICH man was bo a MICH man before he became our head coach.

XTR

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:05 p.m.

LOL! Jim Harbaugh is not in the same league as Rich Rod. JH went to a 1-11 program and built it up from NOTHING. LOL! He is also a players' coach, very few left the program under Jimmy. His "signature win" came in his first year against top ranked USC (which Lloyd cannot beat) with players from the 1-11 team. This guy is a winner! His team plays soundly on offense, defense and special teams and they play pro style with a little option. A team that is well managed and motivated which are signs of good coaching. Whether he comes to UM is another story but JH is not in the class of an RR. All RR did was to rip the 9-4 program apart and all he could show in 3 years is a 7-4 (5) (which is Carr's worst season) with no signature win. Barely beats weak big Ten teams and then sucks against good Big Ten teams and there are no signs at all that RR is gonna beat the big boys coz he can't hang in with them in year three. Off the field, he even violated NCAA rules! LOL!

David Briegel

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 7:03 p.m.

Maybe RR is a good sailor. Remember, Martin was sailing in the Caribean while M needed a coach!! And he couldn't afford a satelite phone! Miles and Harbaugh were waiting! M defense couldn't stop Grandma and the girls!! Whatever Harbaugh may have done in his past can't possibly negate what he has achieved at Stanford. A school with high academic standards. Are Michigan's standards that high? Mr Brandon, I would pay face value to sit in all those empty seats in your travesty of a billionaires, not so Big house. You just keep holding those prime seats Dave! You know, the ones where the press box used to be and all those empty suites that Martin built! Theo, Oregon is #1!! We have the worst defense in the nation!! What number are we?

Solar Blue

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:43 p.m.

Chapmaja.....I'm with 3 and Out on this one, what is your deal? Mike Bush- I like your passion but please work on the typos. Harbaugh is not God as you say, but he is Michigan Man who is a proven winner at every level. Please don't underestimate the PAC 10, remember ASU has a good chance to beat Wisconson (in Madison) if not for a missed extra point earlier this year. This a bottom dwelling PAC 10 team playing on the road toe-to-toe with our "presumed" champion. The fact that Coach Harbaugh almost instaneously instilled the importance of key rivalries is clear. Also, he took what he inherited (1-11 roster) and built it over the last 4 years WHILE finding ways to beat key rivals (such as USC). Ironically, I think until yesterday, they had struggled against their closest rival, CAL. So, they provided a "road" beatdown that was 31-0 at the half. The point is, Coach Harbaugh's teams never lose sight of their biggest conference rivals OR the overall conference at stake. They win with players that must surpass an academic standard that even Michigan players do not have to meet. Yet, in doing so, they field a team that is mentally strong, physically tough, and skilled enough to beat most all teams. I hope to see Stanford whoop on the Big Ten Rose Bowl team, and they will.

BlueGator

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:41 p.m.

Mike Bush, I'd settle for your solution of just getting a new DC. But what proven DC would come here and get the 3-3-5 shoved down his throat? Any top-notch DC already probably has a good thing going, and would be just looking for an HC job, wouldn't he?

Mike

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:29 p.m.

at 3and out. how did harbaugh do agaisnt oregon this year? harbaugh not vomming so get over it.he is not god.and by the way how many titles has he won in the weak pac ten. as for me i dont want to see denard go with this offense which ranks in the top 5 in the nation.chapmaja is right they will get a new d cordinotior and let him run whatever he wants. dont forget if we rebuilt in 2 years we go out to texas and get stumped by alabama. the best bet is to keep rich let him run the offense and a new defense cordinatior and let him run whatever he wants. harbaugh is not the answear.

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.

chapmaja... "What's Your Deal?" Harbaugh has beaten a much more talented USC team 3 out of 4 games. He is a winner. Your boy Rich Rod is not a winner at Michigan. He is a joke.

chapmaja

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.

Let's see, 24-0 at the half. 48-28 was the final score. I'd say scoring 28 points against a defense that is allowing 20 points per game was pretty good, considering they did it all in 1/2 of football. Yesterday's loss falls totally and completely on defense and special teams. The defense allowed 48 freaking points. Unless you are playing Illinois, allowing 48 won't win games. The simple fact is Michigan's offense could have played better, but none of the mistakes they made cost Michigan the game. The fact is the Michigan Defense absolutely sucks and couldn't stop anyone. Until they stop someone the offense will need to outscore people. Yesterday Wisconsin's d made just enough plays to win that game handily. I'm sure Beilema was having flashbacks to 2 years ago when Michigan started playing on offense in the second half. Michigan needs two things to be a serious title contender and neither is a new head coach. First is RichRod to allow a D-coordinator to be able to run his sytem, not the assinine 3-3-5 crap. Second is something resembling a kicking game. Prior to the FG miss Michigan had looked halfway decent against Wisconsin. That miss took the wind out of the offenses sails a little and took a while to get it back. This was a rough loss, but Michigan was much closer to making this a game than some people realize and it all boils down to special teams and the complete lack of defense. David Brandon needs to tall RichRod the 3-3-5 system needs to go or he will go. I'm sure given those options, the 3-3-5 will likely be a 4-3 next season. I just hope Michigan has enough talent up front to make a 4-3 work. The defensive players also need a lot of work on positioning. A lot of the big plays are caused by guys getting out of position. As for the comments about Les Miles and Harbaugh. I'm really not sure Harbaught would coe to Michigan if given the chance. I don't think Les Miles would have come 3 years ago, considering it sure appeared Michigan made a push for him and he isn't here right now. Harbaugh's upset of USC his first season was a total and complete fluke. USC's players bought into the comments Harbaught had made about them being the best ever and thought they would roll Stanford. If those teams had played 100 times, 99 times USC would have won. It just so happened that the one time Stanford would have won, was the time they actually played. As for Stanford ans getting better each year. I fully admit, it appears they are, but everyone seems to miss a key point about that as well. Harbaugh's defense has been together for a significant period of time. The first team defense at Standford does not have a single player who has not been in the program at least 3 years. Only one player on the first team defense is a sophomore eligibility (redshirted one season). Compare that to Michigan's defense which has mainly freshman and sophomores with some juniors on the first team. Less see where these guys are fundementally when they get another year of practice under their belts. I recall watching Stadford's defense looking pretty porus at times the first couple years Harbaugh was at Stanford and they have gotten better. The simple fact remains, RichRod needs to allow the defensive coaches to use a system which will work in the conference. You don't buy a new car when one axel breaks, you fix the problem. The car at Michigan isn't broken, but it has some parts that need to be fixed. RichRod needs one more season, Robinson either needs to be let go, or needs to be allowed to run a more traditional system, which will allow the defense to at least make some stops. The differece between Michigan and Oregon and Michigan and Auburn really isn't that much. In both cases (Oregon mainly), the defense makes the stops that they need to make, so the offense can put points up. Michigan's D hasn't made those stops, but the offense is still putting points up.

heartbreakM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:08 p.m.

Dear A2news press: Please ask RR the following question: "Have you lost control of this team?" I would LOVE to see the answer. So should DB

townie54

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:05 p.m.

He sounds more lost after every game.He is getting as goofy as John L was at the end.Pull the plug Dave

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6:02 p.m.

Stanford was 1-11 before Harbaugh got there...they had not had a winning season in the previous 5 before he got there...they had STANFORD talent... Harbaugh consistently built them up from the dust and in to a power...he beat a great USC team his first year and has beaten them 3X now... he also beat Oregon and every other good team in the Pac Ten in his career.. RR is undeniably NOT doing what Harbaugh has done at Stanford and RR had WAAAAAAYYYY more resources and athletes to work with than Harbs did. Why can you guys not see the difference there? if you cant you never will.

XTR

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 6 p.m.

C'mon guys, quit dreamin'. Rich Rod is the savior of our program. He is the ultimate football coach that will place Bo into the past. These loses the past 3 years are just the sacrifice years for things to get better. In 2 years time, Rich Rod will go for national championships. He has developed the most lethal offense in the history of the game, no team has stopped this scoring machine! It is also a no-turnover offense LOL! and will start to develop a speedy defense not big and slow but lightning fast. You have to give him more time for his players to know his system and mature into experienced players before you can see the results. We have to have faith in Rod as he is the savior of this program. LOL! After 3 years of total destruction, some still want RR to lead them to the promised land! LOL! Time to Man-Up Coach! Be responsible for the performance of your team! Beat the Buckeyes at the Shoe! Beat them bigtime and remove them from the BCS! Do that, and keep your job! Lose and then step down! LOL!

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:59 p.m.

To you guys who think that RR has such an "explosive" offense....well the FACTS and STATS show that the offense does NOT compete in first half of games vs. good opponents in the Big Ten. Wisky, Iowa, PSU, Sparty and next week OSU will all jump on us and shut us down when it counts...in the first half.... we were way behind in those games before picking up garbage yards and stats when the other team was way ahead.... we were down 24-0 at halftime yesterday. What games were you watching in the BT vs. GOOD teams where our offense was so explosive? You are gonna say Illinois, but you know that they are not that good... who else? Indiana? They stink too... Face it: Rich Rod's offense is based on gimmicks and finesse and does not compete in big games vs. opponents that have quality defenses with athletes who are big and can play in space. RR is 0-11 vs. winning teams in the Big Ten...that says a lot doesnt it? The offense is a gimmick. PS if it were not for D Rob we would have 3 or 4 wins right now total... it is not working

heartbreakM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:57 p.m.

And if Michigan is 4-0 in the nonconference wimpy schedule again, what does that mean anyway? Beating ND is always fine, but I'm sorry touring the MAC is not my idea of meaningful competition. As this year and last have shown, when you face teams that don't prep you for the B10 or make you better, you end up with a 3-5 record or worse. And you argue, 7-4 (or 7-5) is not a losing record. Technically correct, but 3-5 in B10 play is a losing record (assuming an OSU game loss next weekend). As is 2-6 and 1-7 (yrs i and ii in the RR dark era). And this is not a program that had problems before RR got here so those records are even worse in comparison).

janos3

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:55 p.m.

its time for a change. msu ran this style with john l and they moved to a power and it has not affected them...lets move on from this gimmick

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.

Robbiesboyfriend...good point, last years OSU game was filled with OSU fans, they even brought banners mocking Rich Rodriguez, lol.... and yesterday's game had a lot of Wisky fans wearing Red in the crowd....

3 And Out

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:51 p.m.

With the great fan support that we have, our AD owes us to at least hire a coach who can be competitive in the Big Ten and be 'in' every game we play....

XTR

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:48 p.m.

C'mon guys, quit dreamin'. Rich Rod is the savior of our program. He is the ultimate football coach that will place Bo into the past. These loses the past 3 years are just the sacrifice years for things to get better. In 2 years time, Rich Rod will go for national championships. He has developed the most lethal offense in the history of the game, no team has stopped this scoring machine! It is also a no-turnover offense LOL! and will start to develop a speedy defense not big and slow but lightning fast. You have to give him more time for his players to know his system and mature into experienced players before you can see the results. We have to have faith in Rod as he is the savior of this program. LOL! After 3 years of total destruction, some still want RR to lead them to the promised land! LOL! Time to Man-Up Coach! Be responsible for the performance of your team! Beat the Buckeyes at the Shoe! Beat them bigtime and remove them from the BCS! Do that, and keep your job! Lose and then step down! LOL!

orlandomichfan

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:43 p.m.

@musthaved are you kidding me?? the lions are more fundamentally better??? swartz is even a worse coach than rr. sure rr won the state of indy, all bad teams. but it was on the road, what has swartz won on the road?? he cant even beat buffalo a horrible team..rr can at least beat the bad teams on the road.. dont know what the future holds for mich or rr, but i love mich and would never say the lions are more fundamentally better.. got my fingers crossed for saturday, not much hope but one never knows..

clarklaker

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:37 p.m.

Dont forget wiscy passed the ball 1 time in the second half of the game saturday.Running a 3-3-5 prevent defense will not work in the big ten.We didnt score at all in the first half with are so called high powered offense.Enough is enough.

heartbreakM

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:36 p.m.

@chap: Stanford teams have progressively improved each year, not just in record but in fundamentals, in tackling, in skill positions, in QB play, mostly in line play. They also knocked off USC when USC was #1 in Harbaugh's first year. Show me any way that RR has had a similar record. RR still does not know enough about the Ohio State and MSU rivalries to even challenge his team about them. Listen to Tressel talk about Michigan and you just see that there is a HUGE difference between RR's approach (aka Cooper's approach, afraid of it, loses them all) and the Vest's approach. JH may or may not be the right fit here, but based on his actual results and his background, he sure appears to be a great fit and has the record to prove it. RR? Well, his record says it all, and whatever his record does not say, he usually blames the players for anyway.

rnich231

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.

Don't forget the halftime score when state beat you down!

aarox

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:20 p.m.

@ chapmaja and "this is the most explosive offense Michigan has had in a long long time" Pull up the halftime score against Wisky.

chapmaja

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:15 p.m.

The plan David Brandon needs to use is simple right now, and it's not what the vocal critics think it is. The plan is very simple. Call ich Rod into his office and tell him either the defensive staff gets to use thier defense, not the 3-3-5 defensive Rich Rod wants used, or Rich Rod can resign. Let's face reality folks, this is the most explosive offense Michigan has had in a long long time and they only will get getter the next two seasons. On the offensive side of the ball Michigan is more than where they need to be. The problem is they have no depth on the defensive side of the ball and as Lou Holtz said, they might have the worst defense in college football. I've seen Swiss Cheeze with less holes in it. RichRod needs to prove that the defense can get to the point they can stop people in key situations. That's been the problem this season, they have only made a few key stops all season. Changing the head coach might not have the desired affect for several seasons anyway. some many peopleare up Harbaugh's butt so far they don't see the reality of the fact he might not come to Michigan as coach. He has a great thing going at Stanford. While he played at Michigan, he spent a period of time growing up around Stanford. Not to mention, he hasn't exactly turned things around in one year at his previous schools. The success at San Deigo is rather difficult to judge because San Deigo is a D3 school playing D1 football. This means they are a non-scholarship football program. He turned Stanford around and now they are a seriously dangerous football team, but it wasn't an instant change either. His first 2 seasons in Stanford resulted in losing records, 4-8 and 5-7. the third season was 8-5. This is his 4th season. People are so up his butt with how great a coach he is, that they don't see what RichRod is doing at Michigan is very very similar to what Harbaugh is doing at Stanford. RichRod needs one more season as the Michigan HC. Let's see what happens next year, provide they can get some defensive coaching (the players are makin stupid plays and can't tackle my dead gradfather). RichRod needs some resitrictions placed on thie reign, but he needs to be retained as the head coach.

InsideTheHall

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 5:07 p.m.

The statement speaks volumes. The winds of change are beginning to blow.

OSUbeBetter

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:56 p.m.

Theo Oregon is THE Quintessential spread offense in the land. They are Fast, they are smart, they are clever, and well coached. The Ohio State Buckeyes beat them.

Mike

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:42 p.m.

doesnt sound too good for greg robison.rich stays because of denard robison.they will hire a def cordinatior and teach these guys how to run a defense.jim harbbaugh is going pro and i woulnt want him in michigan he has not proven anything one good season in the pac 10 and you guys are calling him god and he isnt.remeber rich was sucessfull in the big east. and every real team he plays he gets crushed like oregon. if he lets our talent like denard leave and rebuilt again for 3 years than start winning 8 games fine,that will sow why 6 of his old pizza places closed in our area. all we need is a defense. and on friday on the huge show he also said they do have alot of freshmans on defense thinking too much.

townie54

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:42 p.m.

you cant take a chance of Rich Rod having 2 or 3 more years of at best a.500 big ten record and 7-5 or 8-4 teams.The longer this happens the more we lose in state recruiting wars to State. Pretty soon recruits will be looking to go there first like they do for basketball if it hasnt started allready.Plus Brian Kelly will be hitting Michigan and Ohio recruits pretty heavy.Time to cut bait

BlueGator

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:40 p.m.

I know this story was just posted today, but were Dave's comments made since the Wiscy game, or are they "file" comments? Nothing wrong with the latter, just wondering.

dacianman

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:38 p.m.

I look at how Harbaugh and Les Miles are doing - top 10 rankings - only one loss - two Michigan guys - one of whom, Miles would have come three years ago, and the other who probably would love to come. What RR couldn't figure our in 3 years is that Big 10 footbal is POWER FOOTBALL - on both sides of the ball. Why is playing so many freshmen on the dfense? What has he done recruiting players for 3 years now? Classic case of: CAN'T WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME! MIchigan has no football future - consistent success - under him. He's not intelectually equiped for it and has no class either. Michigan is top tier. RR is not.

goblue

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.

Get ready to call Marvin,,,,,1-800-unemployment

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:06 p.m.

"Michigan athletics cannot be successful if football doesnt lead our success, he said. Its way too important in terms of its economic capability and being the and being the engine for revenue it represents and the passion our fans have for the sport. Really? "As long as Im athletic director at Michigan, Im going to keep a careful eye on Michigan football. hopefully you keep a better eye on the football program than you did on your pizza recipe. If memory serves me a half way decent pizza pretty much corresponded with your departure.

musthaved

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:02 p.m.

The worst team in professional sports, The Detroit Lions are more fundamentally sound than the University of Michigan. This coaching staff is a joke.

RobbiesBoyfriend

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 4:02 p.m.

People are still going to the games, the question is Who are they? all over the place people are giving their tickets away. giving tickets to their kids, giving tickets away on face book, even my boss who used to go to EVERY game has been giving his tickets away to guys in the shop. No question are there butts in the seats, but the purchaser of those tickets are going to start questioning the bucks it takes to win one home game a year in the big ten. its like lions tickets, they were flying off the shelf for the opening of the new stadium, but when that newness wears off then the play on the field needs to be what brings the fans to town.

GoblueinNE_PA

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 3:51 p.m.

What's Oregon won? Ever?

aarox

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.

Those words are ominous for RR and his followers. Dave has finally spoken. He is preparing us for a new way forward. This is why they hired him. Does he get one or two more games? My vote is for one to get the search on before bowl season.

Jaxon5

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 3:18 p.m.

Michigan now has a firmly established losing tradition in the conference. It sounds so incredible that it bears repeating. Michigan has a losing tradition in the conference. Make no mistake about it. The last 3 years 6-18. (OSU is a certain loss, in fact, a beat-down) After this pattern of behavior and results, we are a the point where: 1. Opponents do not respect Michigan. (Witness Bielema trashing us in our own house). 2 Media does not respect Michigan. (Witness Holtz on ESPN referencing Mich as the worst defense in America. And, Spielman saying we have no talent.) 3. Recruits do not respect Michigan. (Witness recruiting classes of lower quality each year as ranked by the various followers of the recruitment wars.) The fans are the last to lose respect and throw in the towel. It won't be long before they stop buying tickets. The record of 100K consecutive attendance will likely fall next year. After 3 years of losing, this is the point to which we have fallen.

GoblueinNE_PA

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.

Can't be, Theo already told us that he's got inside knowledge that nothing's happening to RichRod. Brandon doesn't know what he's talking about. (Tongue firmly planted in cheek) Last stop on the RichRod Farewell Tour happens in Columbus this weekend! All Aboard!

Yelmonian

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 3:13 p.m.

Those statements do not sound promising for RR.

clarklaker

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.

David needs to do the obvious and get a new head coach.Give Jim Harbaugh a blank check. We all know this guy knows how to coach and he understands rivalry games such as osu, notre dame and msu. I would be willing to bet he can recruit the right players based on what he has at stanford. Bring back Michigan football!

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Nov 21, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.

Hmmm. Maybe pizza boy is listening after all. I'm glad he remembers what it was like to participate in Michigan football during that 40-year run when the team was never.500 or below in Big Ten play. Six more days.