Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez "excited" to start 2010 football season
Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez speaks Monday at Big Ten media day in Chicago.
AP photo
CHICAGO - After a year that featured allegations of NCAA violations and a second straight losing season, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez is ready to return his focus to football.
“There’s probably no one more excited in the country to start coaching football than I am,” Rodriguez said. “So it’s good we start in a week.”
There is still next week's meeting with the NCAA's Committee On Infractions in Seattle, then an announcement of punishment sometime during the season. But for the first time in a long time Monday, Rodriguez primarily addressed football issues when talking with reporters.
A question about Michigan's starting quarterback was the first one asked Monday - no, he doesn't know who it will be yet - then followed by queries on the depth in the secondary and running back.
“Probably the best times as a coach is when you get on the practice field, maybe even more so than a game because it’s you, the coaches, the players and you get to teach and progress and learn,” Rodriguez said. “You get on the field, there’s none of that other stuff.
“I’m probably as excited as I’ve been in a long time to just get to practice.”
It won’t be easy. Michigan still has a lot of work to do on the field after an 8-16 start in Rodriguez’s first two seasons in Ann Arbor.
Rodriguez finally has some positives working in his favor. Michigan returns 18 starters, the most in the Big Ten. The Wolverines have two quarterbacks in sophomores Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier who understand Rodriguez’s offense.
There is the chance to have depth at linebacker, which was one of Michigan’s most glaring holes in 2009.
Rodriguez feels he has made strides in recruiting within the past year, by which he can improve the program. The payoff, though, isn't immediate.
“I did their Iowa game last year and sitting there looking at their secondary and it just doesn’t seem like Michigan football,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said Monday. “I don’t know all the details as far as the scholarship numbers and where they lost players but I know when Lloyd (Carr) left, if Lloyd had come back that next year, they still were going to struggle.
“A coach is as good as his personnel and for people to assume Rich Rodriguez has forgotten how to coach after his success in Morgantown is crazy.”
This philosophy may be part of the reason Rodriguez doesn’t feel any added pressure, at least no more than he usually feels.
“You go into every ball game, every season with a certain amount of pressure to win every game,” Rodriguez said. “Is there heightened pressure because we’ve done poorly the last two years? Externally, you may think so but internally it can’t be no more than what we’ve already done.
“It’s not like ‘OK, the first year we’ve got excuses, the second we’ve got…,’ we fully expect our guys to compete. We always set a goal to compete for the Big Ten championship.
“I don’t know if we’re good enough yet, if we deserve to win it, but I think that’s going to be the goal and the expectation every year.”
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
M Alum80
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 6:24 p.m.
Im not going to lie. I was suspicious of Coach Rodriguez from the start. I didnt like how he left his old team. Further, I do not like how he is inflexibly married to one offensive scheme and didnt consider transitioning to his new scheme as he built the team. Those of you with good memories know that he chased-off several starters the first year he arrived, because they did not fit his scheme. Keeping in mind my suspicions, I still said give the man a chance. Even though I thought his dependence on one scheme was foolish, I am not a professional coach. Now I see that my suspicions were justified. The man has questionable judgment, as exemplified by his inability to adapt, and all of the apparent NCAA violations. The goal of a college coach is to win games, along with training and inspiring young athletes to achieve greatness. Offensive schemes come and go, but the ability to assess abilities, adapt to situations and motivate players is special. Not only is Rich Rodriguez inflexible and lacks the ability to sufficiently motivate players, he also is bringing dishonor to the Michigan program. Michigan has great traditions and should expect great coaching and leadership. Rich Rodriguez has none of those qualities. We are giving-up too much for mediocre coaching. Unless he has an eleven-to-one season, wins the Big Ten title, and wins against Ohio State, Rich Rodriguez should go. If this is crying or whiningthen so be it.
PortageLkBlu
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 : 7:56 a.m.
Don't compare war or the person that sent them to war with RR. No one likes war especially me and I have been there and in it and freedom is not cheap nor does it in any way compare with RR or Mich. Your comparison of your losing high school team is an interesting analogy although I noticed everyone loved your losing coach. I guess according to you since nobody loves RR then the opposite should happen at Mich. and RR and the team will turn this thing around. Do you see how ridiculous that analogy is? RR is going to turn this thing around and we will see improvement this year I said improvement. You complainers please keep right on complaining I have no objection and I find you complainers entertaining to say the least and you complainers are 100% right you have the right to complain with no objection from me.
Sean T.
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 8:47 a.m.
@Portage, My closest Cousin went to Iraq and my heart went out to him and all of the other troops that put their life on the lines. But I wholeheartedly did not support the war. My displeasure was with the man that sent them to war. The High School I went to had a 8 year stretch of losing seasons and 3 were win-less. Coach "M" was well liked by the teachers and parents alike but it didn't change the fact that our head coach didn't know how to use the talent he had but what did affect us was his inability game-plan. Five of those losing season's were under his belt but at least he was a good baseball coach. RR may be like Coach M!
wvtroll
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 10:53 p.m.
Port, Not saying you're wrong in your feelings though. I just wanted to make that clear. One day you might see my point, or not. No big deal as football is part of a way of life and each life plays out differently. So if you never do see what I'm speaking of, you might be better off as it won't soil your view of something you enjoy so much. Good luck to UM this year. It'd be great to see a whole lot of great teams fighting each other in one conference.
wvtroll
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 10:46 p.m.
Hey Port, You might have missed it, but I've mentioned it a few times here. I'm not a WVU fan, never was a real fan of that team. I went to Virginia Tech, and WVU was a rival. That feeling stuck after I came back to WV. I actually would like to see UM come back to glory. Whenever WVU was playing some team other than VT, and if it wasn't Marshall, I kinda rooted for WVU. I was never a fan of RR when he was at WVU, so I'm kinda glad he got picked up by UM. The way he left WVU just confirmed my feelings of him. So I think I stand as an outsider who can view RR from a point of view that most here can't say for themselves. While he was at WVU, I rooted for WVU in those above mentioned occasions, but I could separate the team from the coach. If RR leaves UM, I think most of you will see what I'm speaking of. If that happens at the end of the year, I'm sure you won't view him in the same light as you do Bo - meaning you'll think about the 3 years he was at UM and wonder how UM could have ever had such a man for a coach. At that point, you, too will have separated the coach from team. Thing is, if the team does well, it's probably the coach that caused it. Same if the team does poorly. Either way can happen with the same players on the team. I think you'll agree with that. The team zone you're speaking of will usually happen on its own if the coach is of the type of personality that is conducive to such a spirit. That's just the nature of team members, in other words, to look up to their coach. The fact that other schools might hire Mr. Carroll just proves that a coach is a business entity. If he knows how to coach football and get results, he'll get hired. I don't think it's the same for players. If a student can play football, great, but if he's not much of a student or maybe iss a shady character, he might not get the scholarship. So that is how the team is different from the coach. A crude analogy might be something like the coach is a production director for a company, the team members are union members.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 7:43 p.m.
wvtroll, I respect your opinion but it is not mine now nor was it ever, the coach and the team have to work as one and when that is accomplished that is when you will see everyone in the zone and if you've never been in the zone let me tell you it is what every coach and team strive for together. I went to many USC games and Pete Carrol and that team were in the zone often you can say all you want about Pete but it was something to behold when USC was firing on all cylinders. I've gone to Mich games since 1955 and I saw Mich. in the zone a handful of times once in 1969 when they beat Ohio State the Great Ohio State. I would bet even money that regardless of Pete Carroll's tainted rep. since USC most major colleges in this country would hire Pete in a heartbeat. Oh they probably would posture and whoop him a little but they would be glad to have him. I am starting to realize that there is a big gap between Michigan faithful on this blog and the complainers that I predict are just folks from other schools that are on this site trolling like you. WVtroll RR is gone from your school and Mich. owns his rights enough said to you. I say the season is starting be damned to all the complainers and trolls from other schools and I say go get em RR and let's go blue!
wvtroll
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.
I still have to inject this thought into the conversation - the team and the coach are two separate things. A coach is like a golf club used by a golfer or a baseball bat used by a hitter. You can favor the player or golfer, but you don't have to like the Ping club or Louisville slugger they are using. The coach, club, and bat are just tools to help the team get the results they desire. If you don't like the tools, you find other ones that work. Rooting for UM and rooting for RR are two entities, and you don't have to like both of them at the same time. And for someone to mention "crying" like a baby in this forum...well I seem to recall some televised interviews......
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 6:23 a.m.
That is a fact there has been a lot of talent and the last two years have been difficult for every Wolverine fan not just the complainers boys and girls. The issue I have with the complainers is their hopeless, continuously dispairing complaining which is of no value since the complainers have no bearing on the present or future success of this team another words it gets old and is worn out. If you ever competed in sports and there was a time you or you and your team was just plain out gunned or for that matter out coached tell me did it help when the fans showed up and booed you and your team or did it help when they were supportive. Look boys and girls after next year 2011 if RR can't do the job he should go that's common sense. You see I know that a complainer has more negative than just the words it's kind of like a cancer and there is nothing good about cancer, I know. I will not say that I like RR as a person any more than I would have said that about Bo, I don't personally know him. I only say that he is our coach that is those of us that are Wolverine football fans and untill RR is not our coach and as long as I believe he is trying to use his skills that he was hired for to turn this thing around I will support RR. If RR cannot do the job in the future and is let go I will not bad mouth him at that time either.
Jaxon5
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:40 p.m.
ST - I agree completely. As for Herbstreit, why should anyone listen to anything he says? He has zero credibility on all topics Michigan.
Sean T.
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
Calling us complainers but yet saying it is only entertainment, then why have an issue with it? We call it like we see it! There's been too much talent on the field to be so unsuccessful and discombobulated over the last two years. I hope the team is successful and I wish them well as a fan but I don't expect much from them. If RR gets it together then swell, if he doesn't I hope we find somebody that will. Singing kumbaya and holding hands won't bring you wins from the fan-base but a good coach can do wonders.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 1:47 p.m.
boys and girls shame on all of you. I never read so much hate in my life. If I live to be a thousand I doubt I'll run into as many complainers as some of you and in case nobody advised you it is not constructive in any way shape or form. I sort of feel bad for some of you. It seems like some of you don't get it that this is just entertainment although I do find some of you complainers entertaining. I'll bet if momma didn't get your bottles heated up fast enough you were crying loud (complaining). Kind of like giving RR the time he needs to heat up the team.
GoblueinNE_PA
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
I'm excited about this season too. Quite frankly, I can't wait for it to get started and we can judge the team and the coach by what matters, on the field results. Right now, all we can say is RichRod stinks. You can make all the excuses in the world for him, but his record as head coach at Michigan is atrocious. Love him or hate him, this season is pivotal. He either starts winning and we move forward or he doesn't and we move on.
Opalmerr
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
Rich Rodriguez, "We always set a goal to compete for the Big Ten championship." That statement is why I believe Rich Rodriquez is not the coach for Michigan. The goal should not be to compete for the Big 10 championship. The goal should be to WIN the Big 10 championship every year. Sigh.
15crown00
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9 a.m.
maybe he'll have another robust 3-9 record.get involved in 2-3 scandals and get excited about Finding a NEW JOB.
umgoblue47
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
nobowl again with the hate... relax man chill out... take up basket weaving or what ever? anything to get your mind off of michigan starting to win again...
NoBowl4Blue
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 6:43 a.m.
Translation "Anything to get my mind off the sanctions, fan dissatisfaction and pending troubles regarding my real estate endeavors"
Sean T.
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 1:14 a.m.
18 starters is certainly a positive but we'll have to see what happens!
klick12
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 10:59 p.m.
"Michigan returns 18 starters, the most in the big ten." Wow. Was not that long ago a statement like that meant automatic Big Ten favorite and preseason top ten ranking. My how times have changed. Thanks Rich.