Will Brandon even feel he has a choice after this?
The alumni and especially the rich Alums, will have a deafening voice to fire after this. Even if he was inclined to give another year, do we think he can withstand the chorus of "fire RR" in his voicemail and email? I'm not sure it's possible to resist that, especially as business oriented as he is. If your rich and majority of Alums are screaming, and you need those contributions, can you withstand that even if you want to?
November 27th, 2010 at 3:25 PM ^
See if Rich Rod can improve his team with practice time. If the team fails in the bowl to show improvement, then make your move.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:45 PM ^
Regardless of the decision, make it now for the recruiting class's sake.
November 27th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^
There's an interesting balance between these two things. Much as I think it's best for the recruiting class if there's a vote of confidence, it's hard to say that if we get rolled in a bowl game that won't sway Brandon's opinion.
I think we'll be just fine in the bowl game but who knows. Seems like this team hasn't played to its potential yet and who's to say it will.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
in the lol dongs thread.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
I have been pro-RR for a while, but I am honestly ambivalent at this point. If RR gets canned and we get Harbaugh, I won't shed any tears. At the same time, either guy should see improvement based on not starting a ton of freshmen.
Like somebody said, though, at some point perception becomes reality. If RR improves to 9-3, people will see marginal improvement, and many will still be bitter about his still-losing Big Ten record. If Harbaugh comes in and gets the same record, with a win over MSU or OSU, it will look like he was able to turn the corner where RR could not. Same result, different perception.
At the same time, if RR is let go, I wouldn't be surprised to see him succeed somewhere where he will be wanted and will be given time to build what he wants.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
Blowing up the team might not make the defense worse. But it will make the offense worse. Let's be sane and focus on the things that actually need a complete overhaul.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
Find a head coach who isn't so rigid that he needs to install "his" offensive system in year one, but instead can adapt to the talent he has. Harbaugh ran a spread at the University of San Diego and went 29-6 there. I see no reason why he wouldn't do so here next year.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^
Let's play hypotheticals here:
Hypothetically, if Coach X replaced Rodriguez, is it really a guarantee that the offense gets worse? The offense has been amazing at racking up yards and looked pretty damn good in about 6 games this year. In the other 6, the offense turned the ball over, floundered in the red zone, or never started. I think a lot of this, and I do mean a lot, is the youth and inexperience, both in terms of Denard and the receivers.
Let's say Harbaugh or Hoke came in next year. Does everyone really automatically assume Denard transfers in that situation? Denard ain't Ryan Mallett and certainly talks enough about the "team" to bring into question this scenario too. Would Hoke or Harbaugh really try to stick Denard into a situation he absolutely cannot play in?
The real question I guess, is why do we assume a sophomore Denard in RR's offense is greater than a junior Denard in X's offense when our offense has only really looked fully solid in half the games this year?
November 27th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^
I was with you for part of that. Then, I saw "Hoke" and threw up in my mouth.
How the mighty have fallen ... we're at the point where some fans are enthusiastic about bringing in a Mid-Major coach, in his early 50s, with just a handful of winning seasons.
November 27th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
Looking at Hoke isn't answering the question. The question is whether or not the offense will be as good next year as it is this year, regardless of the coach.
November 28th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^
A. The two hires prior to Rodriquez were a coordinator with no head coaching experience, and a guy who had a horrible record at his previous head coaching job (6-24-3). Those both worked out pretty well.
B. The Rodriquez boosters underestimate the damage he's done to the Michigan football program. At this point, the big name coaches are pretty much Harbaugh or no one (with *maybe* an outside shot at Les Miles if we really want to grovel). One more year of this and it'll only be Mid-Major coaches or 'promising" coordinators (who, if they're so promising, why do they only work out about 1 in 50 times?).
November 27th, 2010 at 6:52 PM ^
Are you serious Comrade?
November 27th, 2010 at 9:09 PM ^
I would never want Hoke if Harbaugh was available, not to mention a variety of other more successful candidates.
That being said, Hoke has turned around a team that went 2-10 in 2008. They're currently beating UNLV and should go 8-4, with very competitive losses to TCU and Utah. He's not a great coach, but I'd rather he stay somewhere far away from the Big Ten.
November 27th, 2010 at 10:40 PM ^
Brady Hoke will come in to the Big House next year - with a SDSU team that is probably as good as, say, that UMASS powerhouse that gave UM so much trouble this year.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
If the team is 9-3 next year, that means a minimum 5-3 record in the Big Ten. That would mean another win over ND, and a win over at least one of MSU, Iowa, Nebraska, or OSU.
Personally, after the way the defense played today and how the offense was almost there against a Top 5 in the nation defense, I'm thinking 10-2 next year, beating 2 of those 4 teams.
2011 - Junior (Denard + Offense) + sophomore Defense = Contend for Big Ten, maybe BCS
2012 - Senior (Denard + Offense) + junior Defense = BCS, maybe MNC game
November 27th, 2010 at 4:11 PM ^
Just to clarify, when I said still-losing Big Ten record, I meant his overall Big Ten record. The current season is all that should matter (and the progress represented therein), but at the same time people always bring up his overall Big Ten record. The fact is that to many Michigan fans and the media he will always have that baggage.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:12 PM ^
Given our continued young defense and poor defensive coaching, I can only see 8 win next season with loses to both NE and OSU at home! 2012 will be difficult playing AL, NE and OSU on the road? Maybe 1 win out of the three for 9 wins!
November 27th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
If the team is 9-3 next year, that means a minimum 5-3 record in the Big Ten. That would mean another win over ND, and a win over at least one of MSU, Iowa, Nebraska, or OSU.
Wow, you mean in year four we might beat one of those four teams? Fantastic.
November 27th, 2010 at 10:36 PM ^
+1.
Must beat MSU next year. I don't care who is coach. In fact, my expectation is 1 loss going into the Nebraska game (as UM will likely lose to Neb and OSU).
9-3. No excuses. No more losing to MSU. It will be Year 4, for cryin' out loud. Show me real progress or let's find someone who can.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
Double post - please delete
November 27th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
Yes he will. I still have trouble understanding why people think that hiring Harbaugh will make everything better. He isn't some fairy that can sprinkle magic dust and make everything better.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
They dust their field with his magic dust every night before their games. Perhaps we should invest in some.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
They dust their field with his magic dust every night before their games. Perhaps we should invest in some.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^
You can say that again.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^
Quick, let's get a donation drive going to build Rich Rod his Golden Throne! This would make him just like Jimmy!
November 27th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
The only position that is being debated is on the defensive side of the ball IMO. The way I see it we give Gerg a year or two more to get his defensive scheme fully implemented. The exact same way we gave RR and his offense a couple years to get situated.
Next year we will see an improved offense which should be nearly unstoppable if Denard progresses on his reads and passing game. Defense should be improved to be a mediocre to good defense given the departures of only 2 defensive starters and loads of experience gained by the freshman.
Give it time. Be patient. In a year or two Ann Arbor will be singing to a different tune.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:37 PM ^
what about the special team?
November 27th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^
I understand your argument, but even OSU fans are asking why we have lowered our expectations. When have you ever heard our fan base accept seasons like the last 3? I'm not saying fire RR or hire Harbaugh. I'm serious in asking you, "When is enough, enough?"
November 27th, 2010 at 4:44 PM ^
I think next year is the year in which we could decide whether or not to fire RR. If our production decreases then I believe RR is out.
Next year should show or needs to show what RR has been working towards in making our team the elite all around team it should be. Including special teams. Otherwise it's bye bye RR, hello (insert candidate here). Obviously Harbaugh is the front runner for the HC position if that's the case
I also hate to say it, but 3 star defensive talent isn't going to work anymore. This is the Big Ten and the conference is only getting stronger.
November 27th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
There's a very real chance that Harbaugh isn't around next year.
November 27th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^
Next year we will see an improved offense which should be nearly unstoppable if Denard progresses on his reads and passing game.
You mean, an improved offense to score more than 7 points against OSU? Gee, that'd be great. Almost unstoppable.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^
But -- yes he will. No decision until after the bowl game. WIn that and people have a good taste in their mouth. Lose it at RR should be fired anyway.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^
It will have to be before a bowl. They'll need to form a search committee, and put together a process. If he pulls the trigger, DB may want to go out and hire Harbaugh, but he can't just go out and make an offer, (and no guarantee that JH would accept an offer anyway). The University is a public institution and there are laws and policies (federal and state) that govern the hiring of staff.
November 28th, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^
During the game they mentioned that Brandon's quote was that he would wait til after the bowl to make a decision, however everyone knows that's just not realistic. No self respecting organization would ever fire a coach after the bowl game because it simply wastes too much time. I think that was simply a quote to give himself some breathing room and the press to back off a little.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
I may be in the minority of Alums, but I would stop sending my checks if they hired Harbaugh. As important as it is to win, it's more important to do it the right way and be respectful of your players, fans and opponents. Harbaugh has not shown that he can do this yet.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:13 PM ^
Funny thing, but the University has some say in the decision. The academic side might not be as quick to forgive as the people to whom nothing matters but wins and losses.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^
Thanks for pointing out that academics count too. The team GPA has also risen under Coach Rod.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
In more ways than one.
November 27th, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
fuck harbaugh
November 27th, 2010 at 4:00 PM ^
He'll just filter anything with the subject line "Fire Rich Rod" or similar into one inbox and have someone else read them. He's a smart guy, I trust him to make a smart decision.
November 27th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
If he fires RR, will you consider that a smart decision?
November 28th, 2010 at 10:28 AM ^
Brandon's almost forced into a position of rolling the dice. He has to look at a coach who's team lost nearly every big game in the season, finishing with a mediocre record and try to decide if this coach will indeed eventually bring Michigan to the top of the big ten and the nation. On the one hand, if he still believes in RR, he has to face the fact that its not going to happen over night and he will have to put up with angry fans and alumni in all liklihood for another year. If he believes RR has to go, then he's left with a program in shambles and a nearly impossible situation for the next coach. Furthermore, on that note, I don't care who the coach is, he's not going to be able to implement yet another system and get it up and running in less than 2 to 3 years. I don't envy Brandon's position at all and I hope it works out for us in the end. Go blue!
November 27th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^
I don't think Brandon gives a rip what the haters think.
November 27th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^
Yes. The same people screaming for RR's head will be screaming for Brandon's head if he replaces RR but the new coach does not work out. Brandon will do exactly what he has been saying since he was hired -- he will evaluate the program at the end of the season and do what he thinks is in the best interests of the program. He will not let far less informed alumni make the decision for him, wealthy or otherwise.