Kevin Campbell

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:19 p.m.

Good points, all, Chiro19.

chiro19

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 11:57 a.m.

Sometimes you have to sit back and laugh at some of the stuff that is said on here! This is fairly predictable what Brandon did and to think there was not a plan is silly. My guess is that at 11:30 Brandon will obviously explain the reason for letting RR and the staff go and then explain that the search for a head coach that is suitable for the Univ. of Mich. is being conducted and that there are several Men interested that we are evaluating right now. This process is important for the integrity of the football program, university, and fans and will be done in the most respectable way to the possible candidates and michigan fans around the country. 5:00 pm. I would like to announce the new head coach of the University of Michigan football program...Bill Belichick. Bill take it away..."Well I would like to start by saying it has always been a dream of mine to coach the finest football program in the history of the world and destroy Ohio State, I can seriously say I hate their football program..." ok maybe it wont be Belichick. I would expect the new coach to be announced sometime before the jan. 12th home basketball game against OSU.

Kevin Campbell

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 11:28 a.m.

The notion that this is a failed evaluation process on the part of Dave Brandon is a fabrication by the media foisted upon its readers. Dave Brandon had originally indicated he would make a decision by the end of this week. So far, were not at the end of this week. But the media ascertained that a meeting was being held between Brandon and Rodriguez yesterday. The media then created an artificial time schedule, a false expectation to which Dave Brandon never agreed, that a decision would be made yesterday, and when a decision was not made yesterday, Brandons moxie as an AD was called into question. But Dave Brandon indicated he would have a decision by late in the week. I think the medias skills in journalism and sports reporting are what really need to be called into question. Anyones child could come up with a scheme like this. Now if we come to the end of this week, and Dave Brandon hasnt made a decision yet, well then thats a whole different game. But were not there yet.

Papabear151

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:48 a.m.

Chapmaja, and to anyone else still thinking this JIM HARBAUGH IS NOT OUT OF THE MIX/RUNNING!!!!!!! 1 news story through speculation with an unconfirmed source of "someone who knows JH's train of thought" claimed JH wasn't coming to michigan. That's about 1/10 as solid as the Michigan firing RR story and look how solid that was. Quit buying the speculation that he's not coming here. He might not be, but its still just rumor mongering right now.

chapmaja

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:28 a.m.

Dave Brandon is making a goos business decision. He is taking his time to evaluate all of the possible choices. There is one big difference between Domino's Pizza and University of Michigan Athletics. In the business world taking a couple months to make a decision to fire a high level manager won't drastically impact the company. It might hurt the company for a little while well the decision is being made, but it won't drastically impact the company. Suppliers will still supply the company. What Brandon is missing in this is the fact that waiting this long to make a decision on a coach is directly impacing the suppliers of this program. In the case of suppliers I mean recruits. Michigan has lost out on several potential recruits while delaying this decision. I can think of only one reason why he hasn't been fired yet and that is the fact Michigan is trying to work out a deal with his successor before firing RR. Now with the most likely successor out of the running, I suspect they are talking to the #2 choice and trying to work out a deal. One thing I give Brandon credit for is making sure the i are dotted and t are crossed on a new hire before firing the current coach. Michigan looked like complete idiots nationally prior to the last football coach hire. I'm sure they are attempting to avoid the same mess this time. The only thing that can make Michigan look worse than they already do is if they fire RichRod without some plan in place. The absolute worst case scenario is that they fire RR. They then make a huge push to get Harbaugh who decides to stay at Stanford or take an NFL job. They then pursue Brady Hoke who turns them down as well. Michigan needs to have a plan C in place if both A and B don't work out. Who would Michigan get if the list does goes beyond Hoke? Gruden isn't a good choice because he has very limited college coaching experience (and college is totally different than the NFL). Who else is out there that Michigan would go after? Ron English? Urban Meyer (who won't take the job to coach at Michigan in 2011, he needs the time off), Les Miles (who has his own significant baggage and still can't manage a game late) You won't get Peterson or Patterson to leave their programs to coach at Michigan. Under the current landscape in college football there are too many reasons to wait to fire the coach if you are Michigan until the backup plan is in place.

ArthGuinness

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:16 a.m.

Don't blame Brandon for the media which falsely reported a firing as fact. Fox 2's original headline had NO disclaimer about "sources say" or "unconfirmed reports". They reported it as fact and many media outlets followed suit (not AnnArbor.com, though!) Brandon said he was going to do the review after the bowl game, and guess what? He's doing the review after the bowl game. Why are people complaining about this? THAT WAS THE PLAN.

heartbreakM

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:54 a.m.

Process and public perception is as much a part of this as the results on the field. In that way, Brandon has handled this like a hack. He has left the most publicly visible person and position in the university shriveling in the wind. Whether or not we like RR (most don't) as coach, process is what the public sees as well as potential hires. What coach in their right mind would come to a situation where they themselves could twist in the breeze like this? DB (and by default, the regents and President Mary Sue Coleman) have made the University of Michigan the most laughed at and scoffed at university in the country. They have taken a theoretically highly desired position (coach) and made it a disaster. You either fire him or you don't. You don't linger.

chiro19

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:52 a.m.

George you must be a reporter getting irritated that Brandon is not giving you want you want! He is following the process he said he was going to take, (evaluate the season, which happened yesterday, and then make a decision on the future of the program, which will happen today). Brandon is sticking it to the Det. Free Press right now and I would imagine that there are a couple of staff members of the athletic department looking for new jobs. There is no reason to rush this like what happened 3 years ago. We already know that Hoke will take the job if offered. So what could be happening right now: 1)RR is staying and Brandon is explaining to him he does not control the D in any way shape or form. 2)RR is getting fired after a lengthy appropriate review of his 3 seasons. If it is #2 which most people think it is then what is going on: 1)Michigan has already got the new coach they want and are sticking it to the Free Press and announcing the new coach today after they let RR go or tomorrow because the flight from Cali. wont get them here until 7 or 8. 2)Harbough is trying to make a decision and it is taking some time. 3)Michigan has Hoke if they want him, they know they cant get Harbough so they are trying to get Miles, Patterson, Billeck, or someother high profile Defense orientated coach (Billeck is a wild stretch). 4)Like J.Dean mentioned Meyer is a candidate and they are trying to get him. (Unlikely but you never know) 5)This is just a free for all like 3 years ago, and no one knows what they are doing and not doing their Due Diligence! 6)This all is spurred by the loss to Miss. St. and michigan is scrambling. 7)For all those fokes panicing, Brandon is going to disband the football program completely and run around his office naked with a feather in his hair clucking like a chicken and flapping his arms! I think # 1,2,or 3 are the appropriate answers with #1 and 2 leading the pack. Hey maybe I am wrong and Brandon thinks he is a Rhode Island Red chicken!

Lorain Steelmen

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:48 a.m.

michboy40. I think you are correct. Brandon may well be discussing with RR how to solve the defensive problems. Remember that several of these assistants have been with RR for a while, and RR may be having a hard, timing cutting them. Meanwhile, RR has been unfairly vilified by the media, and the negativity of the blogs doesn't really solve anything either. Brandon wants to get this right. The problem was created by Carr, not RR, and going back to his old failed system may not appeal to Brandon. Clearly, Hoke is not the answer. Add to this that Harbaugh probably has rebuffed Brandon, and the alternatives start to shrink. We still don't know if DB has contacted Miles. I have even read that Peterson @ Boise St, and TCU's Gary Patterson, may be alternatives. How much of this is media speculation? The media has created this firestorm...and no one seems willing to hold THEM accoutable for three years of false accusations and incriminations.

NoBowl4Blue

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:36 a.m.

DB is becoming as big of joke as Rich Ros aka cry baby is. Wow Michigan football has really sunk to new lows.

Blu-dogg97

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:33 a.m.

Have some faith my decibels.. I trustfully believe DB is going to get this right!! This is big big business here,and contractual law is not easy to understand,that's why a lot of ppl are bailing out here,because they don't understand the whole picture here..My take on this, the reason these meetings are taking so long is DB is forcing RR to resign,or he will enforce the termination clause,due to the NCAA sanctions imposed on the University and RR... Therefore DB saves the University the 2.5 mil buyout of RR contract,also remember Michigan/Martin paid the lions share of the 4mil buyout of RR contract from WVU 3 yrs ago.. They say DB likes to make a big splash,so offer Harb's a 10 yr 6mil plus a yr contract,and make him the highest paid college coach in the nation!! Have faith!! GO BLUE and Jimmy come home...

michboy40

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:31 a.m.

The only joke in all of this is the fans and the media. DB does not have to bow to us, and he does not have be responsible for our poor attitudes and desire to know the answers to questions that he has not even answered yet. The false report that RR was fired and the twitter storm that followed is the fault of Fox2 for using a single, unreliable source, to do it's reporting. So if you want to get pissed, call the TV station. As for RR, I'm willing to bet that DB wants to keep him if he is willing to change his Defensive staff, and run a 4-3 or 3-4, or hire a 3-3-5 guru.

Blue

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:30 a.m.

Everyone calm down. Don't believe anything till an official announcement/press conference. PLEASE let me believe we are all still on the same TEAM. I've never commented till today. GO BLUE...no matter what

ChelseaBob

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:25 a.m.

What exactly has Brandon done wrong? Firing anyone isn't easy, and taking the time to do it right is important. Brandon said nothing would be decided til the latter part of the week. We're not there yet. Regarding the coaching choice, all the media hyperventilation means nothing. Brandon has a plan, and I, for one, am confident it will be a good one. Mike Rosenberg is the one most upset, because his "scoops" have been mostly wrong, and he is blaming Brandon. Pay no attention to the circus Dave. Just get it done right.

Papabear151

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:10 a.m.

First things first, onto RR. What if Michigan offered RR the offensive coord position and they were giving him over night to either decide or resign? This would make the last few years not a complete waste. A good hybrid between a hardnosed prostyle guy and RR offense could be something interesting to see, plus we wouldnt have to worry about RR hosing up anything else on the team. As many have posted but some don't seem to get. This isn't Dave Brandon or Michigan's fault, this is purely on the media for jumping the gun (espn too, again). Michigan has said what they are gonna do, and they are doing just that. Noone else has said or done anything. All this speculation about harbaugh not coming, rr being fired, hoke being the new coach... all just speculation and bad journalism. Nobody knows the facts except DB, MSC, and POSSIBLY a new head coach. What I can't figure out is why are things going like this? I'm nervous that harbaugh might be backing out of some sort of offer (though i obviously have no proof).

Pilgrim

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:49 a.m.

DB should return to Domino's. But he may have difficulty delivering the pizzas in a timely manner!

Blue

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:43 a.m.

Welcome to Martin 2.0

I love Michigan Football

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:02 a.m.

I'm not sure why everyone is blaming David Brandon for this whole mess. Fox channel 2 was the one that started the whole thing? I don't remember seeing a press conference with David Brandon saying anything but what he has said in the past. "I will evaluate the process after the season is over". He has done what he said he is going to do. I blame the media for buying into the hype of what others say and reporting it before it is confirmed, and that is what is making the University of Michigan look like a circus right now.

Elaine F. Owsley

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:01 a.m.

More money to get rid of him? What was it UM had to pay out to get him away from North Carolina, or wherever? UM can't keep making these deals that cost so much.

PHXblue

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:41 a.m.

The story is difficult to follow from across the country... From what I understood the story that RR was fired was broke by Fox 2 in Detroit, where did they get this information if not from UM athletic department? Did RR's camp leak this information? I think this ordeal is an embarassment, but if Brandon never made any statements and has not completed his evaluation, I would struggle to hold him accountable for this debacle. I believe he was quoted as saying that he wouldnt make a statement until the back half of this week?

2000Blue

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:24 a.m.

This question is irrelevant until we actually know who the coach will be.

J. Dean

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:23 a.m.

A couple of things: 1.) Rich Rodriguez is going to be fired, period. Brandon would have made it clear already if Rodriguez was staying. 2.) The holdup is due to coach negotiations which are being kept under raps. To be honest, none of us know what's going to happen. Harbaugh, while not completely off the table, is unlikely. Hoke-the jury is still out on him as far as I'm concerned. Les Miles is unlikely. 3.) Funny question for all of you-do you think Urban Myer may be in the mix somehow?

Marc

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:11 a.m.

JH is the hold up. I mean he hasn't exactly said out right that he wasn't coming to Michigan. Michigan needs to rally morale for the program, and in a big way. DB knows that. Prematurely firing a coach isn't the way to do that. Picking up any other old coach isn't the way either. My number one pick is JH, believe that. A close number 2 is Brady Hoke, and I won't moan or complain. DB doesn't have JH. If that's still the case tomorrow, he'll finally euthanize RR's position and have BH on an M go Blue Jet so that he can have a quick glass or two of champagne before the press conference.

geri sullivan

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:39 a.m.

What is going on in Ann Arbor? To the rest of the country we are a hugh Joke..I thought Brandon had more class and organizational skills than he is currently displaying. If he is firing the coach then do it...what is he dragging this out for..Harbaugh or any reputable coach wouldn't consider Michigan after this chaos.

David

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:39 a.m.

The Dark Years...how much longer for the light?

Big Daddy

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:38 a.m.

DB has turned to obvious into a circus! With all this, good bye recruiting class, good bye DR, who would want to come here listening to this mess again. What coach will statify the entitled fans and turn this mess around in 3 years....Why would anyone want to deal with this messed up athletic dept. You will just have to live in the past as there are now 3 more years of pain and suffering to come for the wolverine football program.

I love Michigan Football

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:31 a.m.

The show must NOT go on with Rodriguez. You cut ties and get the Michigan program back on track ASAP and that does not include Rich Rodriguez in any of that. You must build a solid foundation, not one made of sand. I can say even if Brady Hoke is announced Friday, I'm ok with that. He would at least bring a decent defense back to Ann Arbor and would able to run a Pro/Spread offense and the transition wouldn't take as long.

Dankston Hughez

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:11 a.m.

If you get rid of RR, we are right back where we started, we are building something it takes 3-5 years any program that has recruiting issues and you change up.....we are now worsening the situation by contemplating. The show must go on with Rich Rod, we are way to deep now. Don't be foolish his body of work is a large task. He is the man to fix it.....patience. It took seven dayz to build the earth well it takes 3-5 years to build this type of program, can't turn back now.

RobbiesBoyfriend

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 4:47 a.m.

If Brandon is trying to get Rodriguez to quit to avoid the buyout, The obvious counter to that would be for Rodriguez to stand out in front of Shimbechler hall and announce to the world that Brandon fired him, and that tomorrows meeting is all about closing paperwork and his employment release. Say "Michigan decided not to extend my employment" "We parted ways as friends and with mutual respect" completely lie and let the story take a life of its own across the nation and world. That way when michigan will almost have to pay him his 2.5 mil to avoid another drawn out fiasco and PR nightmare. He could also run to Pitt and put "The Product" back on the open market. Thats just what i would do.

heartbreakM

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.

@James Tan: Your argument about a 4th year ignores the obvious. It's not the record alone but the intangibles which Harbaugh and others have vs. RR who has shown none. How could you have any confidence in him doing it in fourth year when in his last game of 3rd year (and first bowl), he still does not adjust, still does not have players in place to get into the game without penalty or 10 defenders, still has no fundamentals..... This has been debated all over the place, but RR could get 50 years and still not get it, based on his actual results here.

James

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.

If you look at the coach Michigan is so desperately seeking, Jim Harbaugh, please realize that in his first 3 seasons he went 4-8, 5-7, and 8-5, the same as Rich Rod's first 3 seasons with one extra win in his 1st and 3rd season. If UM cannot hire Jim Harbaugh immediately, I believe being patient and giving Rich a 4th year may turn out to be the best decision. He would be the best coach for the upcoming season as the team is full of his spread recruits, and he may engineer a Harbaugh-like jump in his 4th year to a 10+ win team with the growth of the offense and defense alike.

Bryan

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.

There we go. Anyways...he met with RichRod today for 3 hours. What is going to change from earlier today until tomorrow? Do we have a game to play, no? It just doesn't make sense. At all. His handling of this process has been awful.

Bryan

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.

Why don't my comments show up on this site?

heartbreakM

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.

As I've been warning from the start: It is dangerous to have someone as tight to the other regents and president as David Brandon is. He will have no bad repercussions come his way no matter how much he has messed up. He essentially is a Regent, so they won't punish him or pull him, and the President is personal friend of his. He has messed this up more than Bill "I'm on a yacht" Martin. What coach in their right mind will choose to come here now, with a meddling AD who leaves you twisted in the wind? This whole process is a mess with no plan, essentially the same disaster that we had when LC announced his retirement without any sort of succession in place. I guess we can talk with our dollars and feet, but I don't think the university cares about us little people.

Bryan

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:44 a.m.

Exactly clark. What in the world is Dave Brandon doing? By delaying the firing..as if today the process hadn't gone on long enough...and reports had come out about the firing...he still hasn't fired him. He should have fired the guy a month ago!! geeez. It's not like one game is going to change anything. He wasn't right for the job. I don't understand it. DB is just making it miserable for fans, miserable for recruits, and miserable for RichRod and his family. GET IT OVER WITH DAVE. And you better have a plan after the hiring set up.

3 And Out

Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.

It took 3 years for RR to build a 52-14 bowl loss to the 5th place SEC West team. If DB brings RR back, then he will have officially buried Michigan football as the Ultimate Joke. Let's hope that he has a plan to not do that.

musthaved

Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.

Again, a multiple choice with no good choices. My vote, given the choice would be "embarrassing". His fate should have been clear for at least the last 2 months and that comedy of errors in the bowl game tells me that we would be hard pressed to do any worse than this coach. I can understand it might be hard to get a coach to come here now with the program in complete shambles, but it is college football where your roster turns over every 4 years.

George Houchens

Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.

Brandon is inept as an Athletic Director. You dont amputate slowly, or you kill the patient (in this case, the U of M Football program).

Tom Joad

Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.

Rich's wife Rita's is trying to figure out how to spend that 2.5 million dollar check tomorrow...

clarklaker

Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.

trainwreck is all that needs to be said.what is going on with this AD.