Did NCAA investigation ding Michigan in recruiting? Maybe ... maybe not
Among the reasons Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez is happy about the end of the NCAA investigation into his program is that it means an end to talk about it on the recruiting trail.
Rodriguez mentioned negative recruiting multiple times in the past year in passing comments and in detail.
“It no longer can be used as a thing that is hanging over the program from a negative recruiting standpoint, things that have happened,” Rodriguez said Thursday. “That has been brought to our attention through recruiting, that it has kind of been a negative thing and I’m glad this process is over so we can move on.”
How much of a hindrance the impending sanctions played in recruiting is up for debate. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Jeremy Crabtree said he's heard few high school recruits say they've had opposing coaches use the Michigan investigation as a recruiting ploy, putting the number at "less than five."
“It’s been a rare occurrence,” Crabtree said. “If you talk to people, the number isn’t as high as people thought it might be.”
In a case like Michigan’s, where bowl bans and scholarship losses were improbable considering prior precedent, it wouldn’t have much effect on a team in the future. A case like USC’s, which featured a postseason ban and loss of scholarships, would be more of a topic in recruiting.
Crabtree said as players research the Internet for pitches coaches may make and the schools they are considering. They can see for themselves what would hurt them and what would help.
“I don’t think it has a huge impact one way or another,” Crabtree said. “I honestly believe that kids still look at what happens on the field with wins and losses and talking to them, the general direction of a program.
“Those are the most overwhelming factors.”
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
wvtroll
Sat, Nov 6, 2010 : 7:43 a.m.
Amazing...someone actually read my posts!!!! Here's the point of most of my ramblings. I've watched RR longer than any of you UM fans. I feel I'm a little more aware of the circus he creates. I'm not wishing the UM TEAM any bad karma, but I followed RR to this forum after his departure and the way he left WVU. I couldn't have cared less who was the coach at WVU before he left, as I only watched them when VT wasn't playing. If it hadn't been for the natural ability of his players at WVU, UM probably wouldn't have noticed or offered him a job since it's apparent he didn't really produce many spectacular teams without the Pat White caliber of players. RR had a scheme of offense that worked because of Pat White and a lot of help from the rest of the team, but it was in a greatly reduced Big East conference. The rest of the B10 is only getting stronger at the present time, so you can probably expect similar results as you've seen from the past few years. Fortunately for UM, DR has that natural ability. Unfortunately, for the rest of those that might need additional schooling, they're not going to get it from RR and his style of coaching. Without finding more players to fill the rest of the positions that can step up with their already-attained higher playing ability, DR won't be able to carry the team, at least not for long. You're now seeing how brutal RR's offense can be on a QB.
Sevans68
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 8:45 p.m.
As a long time Michigan fan I have to agree with WVTroll and The OSU's comments right after WVtoll's. The players don't seem to improve with a few exception on offense (please name a defensive player who has improved in the past 3 years). That comes down to coaching and if recruits see UofM sending less players to the NFL they will go someplace that does prepare them for the next level. The biggest problem with Rich Rod was he had an offense system that was new and shiny and Bill Martin bought it and over paid big time. I'm hoping the PSU debacle was the last straw for David Brandon and he does the right thing by firing Rich Rod. I live in Lansing and have been getting crap from MSU fans for 3 years now and even they are starting to say its not as big beating Michigan when their down, it doesn't mean as much. It time to admit the Rich Rod hire was a mistake and move on.
arborani
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 6:42 p.m.
@ The OSU: Now I'm so embarrassed -- all these years I've been pronouncing "satire" with three syllables.
BlueFan62
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.
beaniewells: Don't need any osu people with me! I much more prefer Wolverine, Red Wing, Tiger, Lions, and Piston fans. It also cracks me up when osu people say The (pronounced thee) Ohio State University, like that is something special. It is only proper English to pronounce the as thee before a word starting with a vowel. Such as The (thee) University of Michigan. If I am not mistaken Ohio University is the (thee) ACTUAL STATE UNIVERSITY OF ohio! Go Blue!
3 And Out
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 4:30 p.m.
The excessive losing and over proliferation of trying to recruit small, 3 star players under Rich Rod's regime....has had more of a detrimental impact on our program than the NCAA investigation did...however that said, it did have a profound effect.
hieyeq
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:49 p.m.
So does this "putting it behind us, now we can move forward" excuse get thrown out? All I ever hear from that guy are excuses, he couldn't take responsibility for his own actions if his life depended on it. It's always, "we're young" (3 years into his reign) "we don't have enough talent" (who recruited these scrubs?) " the players aren't making the plays" blah, blah, blah. Wake up kool-aid drinkers, the sky REALLY is falling...
trigg7
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:13 p.m.
Over/under 5 wins, said it from day one. Ill 31 UM 20
The OSU
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 3:03 p.m.
WVtrol brings up a valid point. A quality coach, especially at the college level, should be capable of using the athletes he/she has to the best of their ability. Is RR trying to convince the world that UM didn't have quality athletes when he arrived? Most programs would kill for Michigan's roster - during any season, past or present. The problem is RR. He has got to go.
wvtroll
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:53 p.m.
Florida Flash, I was speaking of head coaches, not recruits, just to be clear. Bill Stewart seems to be on the hot seat this year.
Harbaugh
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:52 p.m.
The NCAA investigation did not ding recruiting, Rich Rod totaled it all by himself.
The OSU
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
Theo212 seems to live in a world where the UM fight song has been changed from "The Victors" to "Everybody Must Get Stoned."
wvtroll
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:50 p.m.
The true travesty of all this is that UM had kids commit to UM 3 years ago thinking they'd learn football at a higher level than in high school and to some degree, other colleges. That didn't happen. Some of them had no way of knowing who their coach would be then. Then 2 years ago, the word of RR convinced a bunch more to come to UM. He must have told them about the bare cupboards, and how his system would change the world of B10 football. Last year, I have no idea what the new kids were thinking, but something convinced them to come to UM. It appears to have been some type of sugar-coating though. I've coached a lot of teams in a few different sports. Nothing as grand as college football, but the one thing I learned is that the success of any team I coached was directly related to the effort I put into that team, whether it be practice, coaching on the field, or just plain old compassion for a youngsters concern for bettering themselves. I had bad years, and had great years. I'd never consider myself a great coach. I felt I was always confident enough in my knowledge of the sport to teach, and if I ran into anything I needed to know more, I'd go searching for answer. If what I put on the field wasn't working, I'd change it. It might not work the first change, but each change I'd learn a little more about what needed to be done. Just as in college football, I'd usually have just a few years with each player, so results needed to show up quickly, not every other "generation" of players. There are those on here that just don't get that concept of coaching to make a player better. It's pretty obvious that RR is cheating these kids out of their athletic education. By playing along with the idea that things are going to get better only shows that lack of understanding. Fortunately, all of us are some sort of fan, either of the game or the team. Fortunately, there's always next year, no matter what the year's outcome might be. But unfortunately, there is only 4-5 years for these athletes belonging to the UM football team. For some, next year is their last. Others may be leaving this year. How sad that those who have dedicated their time and efforts as players to the team for whatever reason will never get the rewards they should have received. Ending statement: In a non-professional sport, it's up the the head coach to work out a system that will better the athlete's ability to play the sport. The result of that system will usually bring some degree of success, but a change of ability will be noticed if they're being taught the skills they need. Not sure UM football players are getting their effort's worth.
The OSU
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:31 p.m.
Dear P U MSU: With regard to my initial post, here is your new word of the day, "Satire." It's 2 syllables, which I know makes it tough. It means, "the use of ridicule, sarcasm and irony to expose or deride a folly." But since you are more comfortable with simple humor, here goes... Q: How many Michigan freshman does it take to change a light bulb? A: No one knows. Light bulb changing is a graduate course at UM. Q: How do you get a Michigan alum to leave your front porch? A: Pay for the pizza.
Florida Flash
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:29 p.m.
The story implies that the only problem with a pending NCAA investigation is competing recruiters talking about Michigan facing NCAA problems. That does not give the recruits enough credit. There is a pretty good chance that recruits (even ones that Michigan might be trying to steal away from West Virginia) might actually think of that issue themselves, even if some competing recruiter doesn't mention it. When Rich Rod says "we have been hearing that" in recruiting, and "it has been a negative thing" he may be referring to the fact that the recruits are just bringing it up themselves, or using it as the excuse not to commit. That is now gone. 5 and 3 with 6 wins a question is STILL THERE. But the NCAA thing is gone.
wvtroll
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 2:05 p.m.
The way it's looking, you all might be able to get another WVU coach at the end of the year if RR were to leave. You seem to like them at UM. The thing is, most of you will love RR the same way WVU did until he left. Then it will all change. These NCAA things won't come into play as far as recruiting is concerned. A player will either pick UM because of the pride he would gain by playing for UM (although that feeling may be diminishing a little), or because he wants to play for a winning team ( again, the sun is setting on this point), or because he feels that as a freshman, he'd get some playing time as RR continues to throw his more senior recruits under the bus while he blames everyone else, including his players, for the lack of expected success. All in all, the NCAA thing, now that UM is not punished, will have little to do with recruiting.
P U MSU
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:53 p.m.
I do what I can lol.
BlueFan62
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:44 p.m.
The OSU and beaniewells: Must have short memories? Does Troy (I took money from a booster) ring a bell? Let's talk about maurice clarrett and how all that was washed under the table (different cars each week, people doing papers for athletes). Not too mention sweater vests qb at youngstown state admitting to taking over $10K from a booster while playing for (if I don't know it doesn't hurt) tressel. Being a Michigan native and Michigan fan living in columbus oh, I find it hilarious how tressel is held up as some kind of saint. Please don't take my word for any of this. Google: "The real Jim Tressel" some time and see what pops up from the New York Times. I understand your right to your opinion and right to voice it here, but please just keep in mind that Pete Carroll was looked at as a college football genius and saint for quite a while. Go Blue!
steve
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
Yea it's to bad we can't all embarrass the Big 10 every year in bowl games, get drunk and beat our wives, and live in a trailer decked out in ****eye gear!
P U MSU
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:36 p.m.
Two OSU fans were driving down the highway talking about how great they are. As they are driving they see this guy decked out in OSU gear rowing a boat in the middle of the median. The first OSU fan says to the other, thats the type of fan that gives us other fans a bad name. The second OSU fan turns to the first and proudly proclaims, Yeah. And if I knew how, I would swim out there and kick his butt.
The OSU
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:12 p.m.
Hi! My name is RR and I'm here to recruit you to play FB at Michigan. I see you're a defensive player. You'll like it here a bunch. We have tons of openings on defense PLUS our defense gets to be on the field A LOT, so you'll get a lot of experience. You may have heard we're a good school. I guess that's true since we're in the Big Ten. But don't worry too much about education. You'll spend most of your life on the practice field. I have lots of "special assistants" to make sure of that. Speaking of the NCAA, we've been deemed "bowl eligible." Now all we need to do is figure a way to get 6 wins. I guess to sum it up, the main reason to come to Michigan is that we have cool helmets. The yellow part forms an arrow and points which way you should run. Come to thinks of it, that's pretty much my offensive strategy. Anyway, I hope you choose Michigan. My contract doesn't expire this year, so I guess I'll be around when you start college. Why are you laughing? Do you know something I don't?