RR statement
“I am proud of the dedication and commitment exhibited by the coaching staff and student-athletes who have represented the University of Michigan football program over the last three seasons. While I am disappointed to depart Ann Arbor before we were able to reach the level of success we had in our sights, I am confident that the players who remain have the potential to do great things and to return the Wolverines to greatness. I would like to thank our fans and our student body for their tremendous support. There is great passion for Michigan football and I have made lifelong friends through this experience.”
January 6th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
Coach Rod, thank you very much. I’m sure it has been a tough 3 years for you and your family. As a Michigan fan I appreciate all the hard work and dedication you brought to the job on a daily basis. I’m really bummed that it did not go the way we all planned. I’m sure with your character and personality you will be able to bounce back and find the success wherever you go.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
Good luck, Coach Rod. You deserve better than you've gotten the past three years. Keep your head up.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
Best of luck coach. You are a good man and didn't deserve the situation you were put in. I only hope we've learned our lesson.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
.....I hope RR wins a national championship. A True MICHIGAN MAN.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
Classy statement. He will no doubt land on his feet.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
Everyone called for his head. When Brandon listened everyone turned on him and showed love for RR. Make up your minds.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
you're on Freep.com or Mlive or something?
While there certainly was a decent portion of folks on mgoblog calling for his head, it was not even the majority, let alone "everyone."
Plus, I think there are a few folks who were blinded by JH-love, wanted RR out, and now that JH has spurned us, realize how few options out there are decidedly better than RR w/ a new DC.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:37 PM ^
I generalized and looked dumb. I am just tired of the over zealous fans and hearing complaints. It is not an easy job to lead a great football like Michigan. I sympathize with him and wish it didn't turn out like this. That is all.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^
You are lucky to have retracted your initial statement or a ban-hammer may have fallen. A lot of people feel the same but there's no reason to call people out - that time has long passed. For what its worth, I feel your pain.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
Best wishes always
January 6th, 2011 at 4:41 PM ^
I'd give him a big 'ol +1 right now
EDIT: except there are no posbangs available on the board now, so you'll have to accept a virtual one, Coach!
January 6th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
no posbangs? I +1'd every single one of these posts, even though it meant clicking the error box every time.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
You gotta feel for the guy... that said, he did bring an exciting brand of football to Michigan. Unfortunately, he wasn't given the time or patience to see it come to fruition.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
i miss the man already.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
... sounds like a press release drafted by Michigan as part of the deal to top-up his $2.5 million buyout a bit.
And to those who think Brandon acted in haste?
The mind boggles...
January 6th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
I loved RR's passion, openness, and heart-on-the-sleeve style, especially when contrasted with his predecessor - although watching him get torn up for just these qualities makes me realize just where some of that Carr grumpiness and reserve came from. And I really appreciated the connection he made with kids from places like Pahokee - kids who weren't "Michigan material" before his regime.
He'll land on his feet, and then some. I'll always keep an eye on his teams in the future, and expect to get more than a bit of vicarious pleasure from seeing them win.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
Sorry for all the haters that were impatient and unforgiving. You held the rope longer than I thought you would be able to. Now swing from it over to the ACC or Big East where your talents will be amplified. However, I would encourage you to seek out a new DC!
Thanks for introducing a new brand of Football to our program. You've paved the way for our fan base to open up and accept change to a system. After all, it is your system that has been a part of the most current programs competing for an NCAA Championship!
Thanks RR! Best of luck.
Held the Rope!!!
January 6th, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
I wonder if we could send him some sort of medal or trophy, or at least a note... you know, as a gesture for putting up with all the crap he's had to deal with. It would be nice for him to know that a lot of us did appreciate him and what he did during his time at Michigan. I doubt he'll read MGoBlog and see this post.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
Print this out and send it to Coach. He deserves to hear it over and over.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
Is this a football blog or a review of the Notebook??
January 6th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^
Good luck, Coach.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^
to see him go, that offense seemed to have so much potential.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^
We should be thanking him for the job he did rebuilding this team. When we get to enjoy watching all the great things these freshmen and sophomores accomplish throughout the rest of their careers, I hope people remember the man that made it all possible and in return got booted out the door as thanks for his efforts.
Go Blue!
January 6th, 2011 at 4:31 PM ^
A++++++++ WOULD HIRE TO COACH OFFENSE AGAIN
January 6th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
+1 for ebay reference
January 6th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^
Thanks Coach, 2011 was going to be a hell of a season!
January 6th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
A class act. Could have blamed the institution - didn't. Could have blamed the athletic department - didn't. Could have absolutely RAILED against the media - didn't. Came in with his head held high, left with his head held high.
Who's the Michigan Man now Rosenberg? Who is the Michigan Man now Snyder? Who is the Michigan Man now crankly old timey players from wobegone eras? He never attacked any of you even as he was leaving.
We killed a good man and a great coach. I fear it will come back to haunt us all.
Good luck Coach - give em hell at Clemson.....
January 6th, 2011 at 4:35 PM ^
Good luck to RR, I'm glad for everything he did for the team. Let's hope parting with him was the right choice
January 6th, 2011 at 4:36 PM ^
Thanks for all your hard work. Good luck at Clemson/UCLA/wherever (I think you'd be crazy to Pitt - you do not need your third job in a row w/ major drama).
The 2011 season (in particular the offense) will always be a great "What If?" Never know for sure, but would have loved to have found out.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^
I am proud to have had you represent this University over the past three years. I am proud that you coined the phrase "All in for Michigan," and that you lived and breathed it too. I am proud of how you handled the caustic atmospher, and I am proud of the class you always displayed. You'll always be a Michigan Man to me, and I'm sorry it didn't work out. God bless you, Coach Rod. I know you'll be fine. I hope we are too.
I'm really looking forward to Brian's promised 2000 word post on why this didn't work. Sometimes, the nice guys finish last. I'm really sorry it happened here.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^
If he was retained I was going to post the cllip from "Hoosiers" when they revote in the town meeting and the head guy says "Coach stays." RR's story was similar to that movie. Outsider comes in and some of the meddelsome locals with and agenda try to get him fired. But in the movie his job is saved at the lat minute and the team sees his vision through. But here in real life no Jimmy Chitwood came into the meeting and said "Coach goes, I go." The angry mob won here.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^
You did a lot for the University and for the football program, though you will not be recognized for a fraction of it. Just sorry that you had to be the guinea pig in all of this.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:41 PM ^
Thanks, Coach, for your hard work on and off the field. I wish you success in your future endeavors.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:41 PM ^
Losing aside I really liked RR and the current staff. Some things just dont work out but im sure coach will do great things at his next stop.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:44 PM ^
For the longest time I convinced myself that this wouldn't come to pass. After UM took a 14-10 lead over Mississippi state in the Gator Bowl on that beautiful throw from Denard to Odoms, I asked my dad, "how can you not bring this back for next year?!" This sucks, and I wish Coach Rod all the luck in the world. I think this experience, as trying as it was, will only make him a better coach in the long run. I'll adopt whatever team(s) he coaches from here on out.
In Rod I'll always trust, thanks for showcasing your talent here with Denard and co.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:16 PM ^
"I asked my dad, "how can you not bring this back for next year?!""
The 42 - 0 can of whupass that Mississippi State then dumped over Rich Rod like a cooler of Gatorade should have answered that question for you.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
So is he a green troll or a red troll?
January 6th, 2011 at 9:27 PM ^
The red trolls are ignorant and lacking in class. Getting mad at them is a lot like getting mad at an animal.
The green trolls seem to be the ones that can't spell out their thoughts in one post, and have to return time and time again to get it right. I have always believed that leaving posts on rival message boards is the only way they can truly feel they have accomplished anything worthwhile.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
Although in that, I am presuming that you are actually a Michigan fan and not a troll. That you are somehow wishing the best for Michigan and that you understand what has been going on here the last three years. Either way, good fucking luck.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 4:47 PM ^
I just woke up from a week long nap! What's going on and why did the banner change?
January 6th, 2011 at 5:08 PM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^
Thank you for your efforts. My best wishes for your familly and the families of your assistants. You have more appreciative fans than might be evident at first glance.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^
Thanks coach. Best of luck to you in the future. I'll be rooting for you wherever you go.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
you deserved so much better than what you got here.
For the first time in my life as a M fan i am not proud of what the school has done. DB looked like a rank amatuer with how he handled this mess. I have zero faith in him now. Less than zero in fact.
To give a man a 6 year contract and then fire him before he even gets to coach his recruits in there junior season is pathetic. This is a fiasco of the highest order.....and i have no faith it will end well for us. We are looking at yet another few years of being ordinary or less. This is the kind of crap i expect to hear MSU...Indiana...Illinois pulling.....not Michigan. Brandon caved in to a bunch of whiny-ass alums who could not accept that Michigan football had changed since Bo was coach. Rodriguez poured his guts into this program 16 hours a day for 3 years only to be given the boot by a man who should still be pushing crappy pizza.
I hate David Brandon and how he has made this school look like a laughing stock.
Why would ANY coach worth his salt come here now after seeing how RR was treated? It would have to be simply for the money......as he is likely to be treated just as badly if not even worse. Brandon has set a very dangerous precident by letting vocal fans and alums have far too much say in the hiring/firing of coaches.
Bless you Coach Rodriguez and your family and all the coaches on your staff. I will certainly be a huge fan of whatever school you end up at next.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:11 PM ^
Get a new screen name.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:26 PM ^
Here, I will be sure to remember Bill45. I have a few points I will gladly donate once we can vote again.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
I will be joining you.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^
Get some class.