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 6:22 PM ^
You deserved better than you received here. Where ever you end up will be my second favorite team.
I hope you know that there are a lot of Michigan fans that believe in you and wanted you to have more time.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:15 PM ^
I hope you succeed wherever you end up coach.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:22 PM ^
Since day one, RR has been criticized by fans, alumni, and former players because he wasn't a "Michigan man." He was never really given a fair opportunity to succeed here at Michigan. I'd be willing to bet that most people would be extremely bitter if they experienced what RR experienced during his tenure at Michigan.
RR could have easily decided not to release this statement, or he could have even released a statement bashing Michigan, but he didn't. Instead, he chose to take the high road and focus on the positives from his time here. This was a classy move by a coach with great character.
Good luck to you, Coach Rod, wherever you may end up. You can bet that I will always be one of your fans. Thanks for pouring your heart and soul into this program for the last three years. I wish it didn't end this way.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:32 PM ^
You're a good man. Wish you the best.
(Also, what WERE we doing on that Zoltan fake punt in E. Lansing?)
January 6th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
Good luck coach Rod.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:43 PM ^
for your hard work and effort. Things just didn't work out here but best of luck to you and your family on your next endeavors.
<br>You are a Michigan man.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^
shows alot of class from a guy that really wanted to be here but just never worked out.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:55 PM ^
who wants to start a pitchfork mob with me that will descend upon the freep once richrod turns his next program into a juggernaut??
in all seriousness, i dont know why it didnt work here. but hes going to be good at his next school. i have no doubts
January 6th, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
Wishing you all the best.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
Good Luck Rich. Many of us really wanted this to work out.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
You deserved much better than you got at UM.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:11 PM ^
I hope you read all this Rich. You're a good coach who had too many obstacles in your way. The offense was rolling, while the defensive players didnt pan out or transfered. With a good defense, we could be the next Oregon. We lost a great respected man. Best of Luck to your future, I will be rooting for you wherever you pursue your coaching career. Go Blue, and Goodluck.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^
Thanks for the ride Rich. Sorry you couldn't finish it. Good man and a class act.
Noticed any thanks to the administration was conspicuously absent, as it should be. They should have stood up for you.
January 6th, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 8:05 PM ^
""I think things would have turned out differently if (Rodriguez) would have gotten a fair shake," Mealer said. "It seemed (from the beginning) people didn't want him."
"He's just always been (portrayed) as a villain, and he's nothing like that," Mealer said. "He's one of the greatest guys I have ever met in my life, and I wish people would just acknowledge that. As little as I know about football, I know his character is much different than people played it out to be."
With all the other things that have come to light, Stan Edwards' call to WTKA a couple months back talking about division, and DB's mentioning division during the press conf., it's clear there was a cabal that simply didn't want RR around, period.
So there was a group of "Michigan Men" who wanted to see RR fail. So much for "Michigan Men". Way to support the program.
I now expect a painful transition into another coaching staff. I hope these jerks who wouldn't support the program because (OMG HE SAYS "Y'ALL" AND "IRREGARDLESS") will be able to sit back and feel some shame as Michigan struggles yet again next year. Your savior Harbaugh isn't coming and you ran your current coach out of town. Now what? You've got less than a month to signing day and you DO NOT HAVE A COACH. Good job.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:08 PM ^
The effete, elitist and even classist segment of the fan base has been well represented throughout the entire ordeal. It doesn't speak well of our fans at all and lends a lot of creedence to what MSU and OSU fans have said about them for years.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:28 PM ^
My brother uses the word "irregardlessly" in conversations when he's trying to sound "smart". We just smile, and later mock him mercilessly behind his back.
January 6th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
Thanks Coach Rodriguez. You are a great man. I hope you win multiple MNC's. God knows you deserve it more than UofM right now. Don't know how people expect you to contend 3 yrs in when you are fighting administration and media the whole way. Didn't exactly help the school perception for recruits. Whatever though, you will be awesome at Clemson. Have some of that Nacho Dip tonight!
January 6th, 2011 at 8:11 PM ^
If you define Michigan Man as one who comes to Michigan and adopts and exemplifies the culture and unique traditions and right way to do things that is the University of Michigan, then you can understand what the term is supposed to mean and why Fielding Yost or Bo Schembechler or John Beilein or any other coach could come here and be called a "Michigan Man". Michigan Men are not born, they are made, and it is a state of mind and character and how you do things and how you approach things, not just your existance or admittance/graduation from the University.
That's why Freider, who graduated with an MBA from Michigan, was not a "Michigan Man" at the time Bo made the statement.......
January 6th, 2011 at 8:18 PM ^
statement Coach Rod made; I regret so much having to read it. I know the Dave Brandon feels he made the right choice, and I respect his opinion as well as the opinions of knowledgeable, well meaning people who felt it was best to let Coach Rod go; everyone is entitled to one as long as it is justifiable and in this case that opinion won out. I am quite frustrated however with the loud, ignorant minority who had it out for him because, essentially, he wasn't who they wanted at the helm. These folks are most identifiable by the joy they exhibited at him being released. These folk want some vague pipedream of a coach that probably doesn't exist. What really frustrates me is that they are still out there, waiting to see who Mr. Brandon selects for the job; if the man doesn't fit the mold and also struggles, they will be more than ready to shoot off their mouths and make the whole fan base look like crap once again.
January 6th, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
i wish this man nothing but good luck in the future... he'll probably be at clemson in 5 years and is kicking our ass in a BCS bowl game... and all of the michigan fans will be saying, "I want to have a team like that..."
Good luck RR!
And please no brady hoke
January 6th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
Thank you Coach Rod. For the countless hours and sleepless nights you have endured from the first day of your hire, for the unwavering help that you have offered to the Mealer family and for inspiring the kids in maize and blue to stand up for their fellow team mates in the face of adversity, a sincere thank you.
You have been an absolute class act and I will always hold you in the highest regard as a "Michigan Man". Best wishes to you and your family.
January 6th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
at David Brandon calling Michigan football a 'brand'?
Is that really all it amounts to for him?
God I wish, if nothing else, he would stop referring to protecting a 'brand'. It isn't a pizza.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 9:35 PM ^
When the product is good, the brand takes care of itself.
January 6th, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^
and never has
January 6th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
I was so psyched when you came and I'm really disappointed it didn't work out. I'm sure you'll have success elsewhere. I'll always be a fan.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:03 PM ^
I wish RR all the best. I also wish things had turned out better, but I didn't really see the roadmap. Of course, I don't see it now either, so...
January 6th, 2011 at 9:14 PM ^
That's really sad that some people had a celebrated Coach Rods firing. I have never cheered against Michigan and never will but I hope he wins the whole Damn thing somewhere else and I believe he will. I just don't understand, they said we wanted to go forward but I cannot see how were going anywhere but straight back to where we were. I know one thing the next coach should thank him because he will find this program in alot better shape then Coach Rod. I for the very first time ever feel ashamed of Michigan. WOW I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAD TO TYPE THAT, WOW
January 6th, 2011 at 9:20 PM ^
To all those RR bashers,
<br>You like where we are now?
<br>Granted we might land Miles or Harbaugh but what if we do not? I'm not opposed to an upgrade but if we get BH or another non high profile coach. Wouldn't you want RR instead?
January 6th, 2011 at 9:35 PM ^
will always be in our hearts... we might have not had many wins, but the ones we did were amazing.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:42 PM ^
#1 Michigan
#2 Whoever is beating the hell out of Ohio State
#3 Rich Rods next team
January 6th, 2011 at 9:52 PM ^
I was so amped up when RR was hired, I opened a 1997 vintage champagne (from Bollinger, naturally, in honor of Michigan's then-president).
I do not feel he got a fair shake during his time here. From the media's skepticism (verging on disdain), to David Bradon's micro-managing (DB was in film rooms, on the side-lines, etc.), to the injuries, to the transfers, to the four-star busts. He took the fall for all that has gone wrong at Michigan from about 2004 to the present.
His style was wide-opened, aw-shucks, and fun. He had his young son on the sidelines with him after games, he married a cheerleader, and he had the tendency (dangerous as it was) to say what he was feeling. He was a red-blooded guy in a job that had come to be known as a blue-blooded one. What to him was sincerity was often mistaken for weakness. He gave three years of his life to this program, and although he made his share of mistakes he'll always be a Michigan man to me.
January 6th, 2011 at 10:19 PM ^
Thanks, Coach Rod. Your wins, while few, will out shine the losses. Good luck to where ever you go next.
January 6th, 2011 at 10:35 PM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 11:07 PM ^
Despite the defensive and special teams melt down, I still felt we were on the brink of something special. I'm truly bummed. I'm so @#$%&ed @ the Michigan elite that I'm half hoping RR faces Michigan in the near future and his team runs us over.
January 7th, 2011 at 2:43 AM ^
we WERE on the brink of something special.
were.
now, we're looking at 2015.
grrrrr.
January 6th, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^
We all know the next coach won't.
January 7th, 2011 at 12:34 AM ^
Thank you coach. I appreciate your hard work and spirit. I will always hope you do well in the future.
January 7th, 2011 at 2:39 AM ^
was today, or yesterday if you're being accurate..my wife made cupcakes for a party tomorrow (or today, if you're being accurate) with R's on the top.
love is awesome when your partner knows you. :)
January 7th, 2011 at 2:41 AM ^
everyone's invited. lol
northeast ohio. come celebrate to get your mind elsewhere.
January 7th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^
Classy final statement from a guy who I think everyone would agree is a good man and genuinely cared about his players and Michigan Football. He might not have been successful but I do not think it was from a lack of effort or anything like that.
January 8th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^
was a big mistake.