Rich Rodriguez luncheon at DAC
I went to a luncheon at the DAC (Detroit Athletic Club) today to hear Rich Rodriguez speak. He was great to say the least. Rich took some time to talk about the team and how they are the most tight-knit group he has ever coached. He said that he has everything in place...from the right staff and players, to the best facilities and coaches. He was thorough and straightforward while answering questions. Here are some of the things I thought I would share:
He spoke very highly of Omameh, Lewan and QWashington and said they will help a great deal this year. Specifically said they have really improved their size/conditioning.
He said he was excited about possibly adding another team to the Big Ten and playing a Championship Game. He laughed when someone mentioned Texas; however, he mentioned Missouri and Rutgers.
Rich said he was in favor of the +1 system, but is not really strongly against the BCS.
He talked about how recruiting is different at Michigan and how it allows you to get your foot in the door w top prospects.
He said he thought the team speed will be quite a bit better this year and even better the following year.
He had everyone laughing about the Free Press and said that canceling his subscription was not a tough task on his 'to do list'. Everyone at the luncheon seemed to agree which show that there are a ton of people who recognize the absolute SUCK of the freep
He talked about how this class has added alot of defensive depth, especially up front and in the secondary.
Most of all, everyone there really applauded him and let him know that the true fans are behind him. I could tell that it meant a lot to him.
And he only said "tickled to death" once. Surprising.
He spoke very highly of Omameh, Lewan and QWashington and said they will help a great deal this year. Specifically said they have really improved their size/conditioning.
He said he was excited about possibly adding another team to the Big Ten and playing a Championship Game. He laughed when someone mentioned Texas; however, he mentioned Missouri and Rutgers.
Rich said he was in favor of the +1 system, but is not really strongly against the BCS.
He talked about how recruiting is different at Michigan and how it allows you to get your foot in the door w top prospects.
He said he thought the team speed will be quite a bit better this year and even better the following year.
He had everyone laughing about the Free Press and said that canceling his subscription was not a tough task on his 'to do list'. Everyone at the luncheon seemed to agree which show that there are a ton of people who recognize the absolute SUCK of the freep
He talked about how this class has added alot of defensive depth, especially up front and in the secondary.
Most of all, everyone there really applauded him and let him know that the true fans are behind him. I could tell that it meant a lot to him.
And he only said "tickled to death" once. Surprising.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:53 PM ^
Thanks for the report. Great to hear there were not any hecklers there. Let's give him a chance and support him (I feel like one of the parents in the movie Hoosiers).
February 18th, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^
That is the best analogy yet. We need C. Roh and M . Martin to stand up. "Coach stays we stay, coach goes we go"
February 18th, 2010 at 6:49 PM ^
Behind closed doors, between the players and the University, where it belongs.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:55 PM ^
Wonderful, thanks for sharing! I'm sure there was nothing too surprising (what would he say? "We're gonna suck HARDCORE!"), but good to hear he was in good spirits and seems to be enjoying the job anyway.
Here's to 8 wins or better. I've got my finger on 10, including a big time bowl win. How awesome would it be to play and beat WVU?!
February 18th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
WVU won't be that good next year, so unless they shock a shitty Big East, they won't be in a good bowl.
I'd be very happy with 8 wins--especially if Michigan can get one against OSU.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:23 AM ^
we could see Michigan vs Cincinnati in a bowl. ESPN would love that.
But honestly I don't really expect it. I allowed my expectations to ramp up after the Notre Dame and Indiana wins last season. That won't be happening this year. Winning more than one Big Ten game in a row is the only thing that will get me to start feeling it...
February 18th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^
Really great - it's thing like this that give me butterflies when thinking about next season...
February 18th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^
I'll beat this to the ground, but we have got to get RR to 2011. The matured Lewan, Omameh, Molk, Q, Huyge, Barnum, Mealer line in front of the Juniors Tate & Denard and every single skill player back next year will be dominant along with the entire DL and the maturing secondary, it will be our time. I have no doubt. Unless the powers to be under pressure from idiots screws it up.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:54 PM ^
what I've been thinking too. The last 2 years, RR has had to work with 2 of the youngest, most undermanned UM teams ever. Can anyone remember a three year stretch like this one (08, 09, 10) where UM has only had about a dozen scholarship seniors each year?
If we can just have a winning record and get to a bowl game, RR will be safe for 2011 and he will finally have, for the first time in his career here, a team loaded with experienced upperclassmen, many of whom will have 2 or 3 years of starting experience under their belts.
Basically, firing RR after this year would be like tearing down a building that is 80% complete because you wanted it to be done earlier.
February 18th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
good analogy. +1 for that
February 18th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
I totally agree with you. It would be very difficult to want him back if he under performs next year but that forth year is the make or break, IMO. We may not have the most talented Michigan team in recent memory but we'll have depth and by next year that inexperienced depth will be seasoned one extra year. I'll give him a slight pass this year as long as we can see the team moving in the right direction but next year no excuses. That's when the building should be 100% complete.
February 19th, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^
this season. With a possible leap forward to 90% in 2011, but I'd be happy with 80% in 2011, and 100% in 2012.
It's 2012 when this large, compensatory 2010 recruiting class will come into its own. Until then, the team will remain somewhat below full strength in terms of players who are ready to contribute.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
Re: Short-Term Staffing Strategy of The University of Michigan Varsity Football Program.
Recommendation: What this guy said...see below.
Basically, firing RR after this year would be like tearing down a building that is 80% complete because you wanted it to be done earlier.P.S. - Adhering to this short-term strategy will ensure that development of a long-term strategy will be unnecessary for the duration of your tenure.
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^
Your analogy made me smile. I simply could not have said it better!
From the Michigan fan that feels the pain but knew tough change had to come.
Winning cures everything! In it's stead, patience.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:20 PM ^
last November while reading Brian's post "When Can We Fire This Guy?", when he proposed a minimum of 8 wins to hold RR over to '11. My first reaction was, unless UM implodes completely, that is the exact wrong time to bail on the work he's been doing here. The anti-RR uproar was particularly loud around then, as I recall. My crystal ball says the worst is over, and Here Comes the Sun.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
For his own sake, RR needs to get to at least 7 victories to make the decision easier for Brandon. If, God forbid, we're 5-7 again, or even 6-6, with losses to OSU and MSU, the pressure on Brandon to make a change will be unbelievable. A victory over the Buckeyes would go a long way towards taking some of the pressure off of everybody.
If the worst-case scenario happens and RR is gone after 2010 or 2011, the new coach is going to owe RR a crapload of gratitude for doing the dirty work of getting the roster back into some semblance of shape. He'd be reaping the benefits of RR's efforts, and I just hate the thought of that. Considering the shit he's been through so far, nobody (besides the players) deserves the fruits of his efforts more than Rodriguez himself.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:46 PM ^
That's how I see it. If he doesn't get it done in 2011 then that is fine he had his chance, but we're still young this year. We still need to see progress this year, which I have high confidence we will. The people who didn't see progress in the offense last year despite the injuries and freshmen playing are just haters who don't want to RR here.
February 20th, 2010 at 12:05 AM ^
and Penn State in 2010 en route to an 8-4 season.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:07 PM ^
...+1 to you and thank you!
February 18th, 2010 at 3:15 PM ^
that RR is so optimistic for the up coming season. I hope we can win a few more close games this season and make a bowl trip. 2011 will be our break out season IMO. Even if we finish below .500 again, RR will be safe til the end of the 2011 season. God, I hope we can finish at or above .500, so that RR will not be on the hot seat in 2011.
Thanks for the report!
February 18th, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^
I'm going through total football withdrawl and need spring practice to start soon!
February 18th, 2010 at 4:03 PM ^
Thanks for the update.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:47 PM ^
Good to hear that the people there were behind him, although if he was the advertised speaker I doubt he'd get anyone there who didn't like him. He's the best chance we have of getting back to the top.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:13 PM ^
Yes RR will finally have a solid cupboard to work with the next two years, but for your own sanity, let's keep our expectations real. Next year 7-5 is very possible with a few injuries, and should be considered acceptable progress.
8-4 would be a major achievement. Recall how young our (Graham, Warren-less) D will be, and that we are on the road to ND/PSU/OSU. I'd like to see 8-4 to 9-3 in 2011, and would be very satisfied with that as well as we continue to grow.
We all agree RR is a great offensive mind, and while his spread has yet to show any semblance of doing to the Big 10 what App State's and Oregon's spread did to our otherwise solid D in 2007, we're all comfortable that UM will score points.
But The X factor is Greg Robinson. We're taking a leap of faith that, because we have the recruits and because we're Michigan, the defense will be anything but pedestrian the next two years.
End of day where Gerg takes us is where RR's UM ride goes. It will define RR's future here. Let's all start channelling positive energy toward the Gerginator and hope the one year under his belt has helped him adapt his schemes and players to Big 10 offenses.
Fingers crossed and LET'S GO BLUE.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:17 PM ^
Unfortunately I'm not convinced yet that Robinson was the right guy for RR. Hope to God my skepticism is proven horribly wrong.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:09 AM ^
The reality that Rodriguez will get a fourth year. No matter what. People can talk all they want, but he's not going to be fired for the team's performance on the field at the end of this season. So we (and more importantly, the coaches and the players) can relax and be positive about that. He gets a fourth year and probably even a fifth as well unless there is truly no improvement whatsoever in the fourth year.
/not-news-flash
February 19th, 2010 at 4:08 PM ^
Thanks for this post. And I totally agree "Let's all start channelling positive energy"...enough with the negative vibes stuff.
G0 BLUE
February 18th, 2010 at 7:20 PM ^
I am getting really good vibes about this upcoming season. Having Donovan Warren one more year, this team (maybe bias) might have contended for a big ten title against the big boys (Penn State and Ohio State). There are many graduating quarterbacks gone from other teams and the boys are turning into men (thanks to Barwis). The key will be "Big Will" in the middle. If he can eat space and everyone else shifts one position over like the blogs are talking about, the defensive line can cause big match up problems.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^
Umm, explain.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:08 PM ^
he meant "If Warren had stayed for his senior year, this team might have ..."
I don't really agree with the OC -- the problems were much broader than that, and the solutions will have to extend well beyond anything DW could have done by staying. I'm pretty optimistic for the 2011 defense, and cautiously thinking improvement but not excellence in 2010. Certainly we'll have one more experienced cornerback in 2011 than we would have had if he had not left.
February 18th, 2010 at 8:45 PM ^
I agree, DW staying would of helped, but the D had far more issues than that. DW was a "good" player on a crappy defensive team.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:47 PM ^
Last year michigans monthly mag suggest a 5-7 record or a 6-6 record. This year they suggested an 8-4, 7-5. Ill be happy with that and anything better will be great for the haters to shut up about RR destroying the program for once.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
FWIW....A friend and hallmate who played for both Bo and Mo, actually told me last week that if Rod doesn't get 8 wins this year, there will "truly be trouble" from those with the powers, so it is not just the haters, but also the guards of our tradition. Am just passing along what I was told, and do not have an opinion either way on it.
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
nuff said
February 18th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
Glad he is encouraged by the development of the young guys on the 0-line. If they are ahead of schedule in terms of making significant contributions it bodes well for the next few years. If the offensive line can exceed expectations it will take pressure off Tate and more importantly the defense. Rooting for the O-line to be the heart and soul of the team in 2010.
February 18th, 2010 at 9:48 PM ^
My nerves are shot,I'm gonna need a damn nervologist to get me to the start of the season,after that the wins will cure me.
signed : Roy D Mercer
February 19th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^
I know that RR says he will play Demar Dorsey at corner, but I hope he ends up at FS. I would love to see Turner/Floyd at corner and Woolfolk/Dorsey at Safety. Dorsey had 19 interceptions in highschool, 12 of which happened in his senior year. 19!!! We need a ball hawking safety to turn the ball over a few times, even if he gets beat on some plays. I say let the guy just play deep middle and let him go get the ball. Please don't tell me Kovacks is the answer. He was a bandaid. We have had absolutely no playmakers at the defensive back end for quite some time, and this could make a huge difference in wins/losses this year. I'm sure the coaches will put the best back 7 guys out there, and I'm hoping for some new blood to turn this thing around. Go Blue!!!
February 19th, 2010 at 9:53 AM ^
I believe it has been the plan all along for Dorsey to end up at deep safety. I wouldn't be surprised if he is the deep safety starter after 4-6 games. They want to start with him at CB because it doesn't require as much complex understanding of the system.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:02 AM ^
that's MY avatar True Blue, but since you're a Michigan fan we'll let it slide....
February 19th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
My Dad went to this event last year and told me someone stood up and yelled "WHERE'S THE DEFENSE!" I'm happy to hear that it was much more civil this year.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
It's good to hear some positive comments. I get so tired with all the negative garbage all the time. I'm with most people and think he needs one more year unless the wheels fall off (4 wins or less). I'm going to the Victor's rally on Sunday too - hopefully we'll have a good turn out.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
Bit for a fan base that makes fun of Mark Dantonio taking someone else's players and mixing in his own and getting to three consecutive bowl games (yes, I know, they lost them all)--how on Earth can you think Rodriguez would be guaranteed a fourth year if UM tanks in 2010?
He goes below 500 this year, and you all want him back? That'd be three years in a row of losing football.
Really, how many more years do UM fans have to wait?
/cue the "YOU don't have to wait. Go root for another team" brigade.
February 20th, 2010 at 2:44 AM ^
I think above wins and losses is the direction of the program. Obviously, only a one game progression would yield a winning record and bowl game. If we miss our mark by one game again, you'd have to look at the bigger picture. You don't just can a guy who has only had two (really good) recruiting classes, who overhauled the entire scheme. He needs more time to build a program if you're gonna give him an honest chance to do things his way.
Of course, we'd love and NEED the Lloyd recruits to be major contributors this year. Rich is giving them every chance (Woolfork, Martin, Mouton, Ezeh, RVB, O-Linemen, Stonum, I could go on and on.) The problem is, our secondary is going to be scarily young, and Rich Rod was kind of screwed on this end, as with the QB situation.
Still, I don't like excuses, and I hope the head coach makes none, even if we all know what they might be. We'll re-assess after the season, but I'd lean to a year four almost no matter what.
February 20th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
... how on Earth can you think Rodriguez would be guaranteed a fourth year if UM tanks in 2010? ... That'd be three years in a row of losing football. Really, how many more years do UM fans have to wait?3 + 1 = 4 If he's guaranteed four years no matter what, then Michigan fans will have to wait one more year after a third losing season. I could go into all the reasons why this is so, but your comment doesn't really warrant that kind of detailed response. Suffice it to say that if Michigan wants to bring in a top-tier coach to replace him, they need to give him at least four years in these circumstances.
February 20th, 2010 at 7:17 PM ^
there will be no more losing seasons, there will be blood, Worst State Ever's blood... and tears
February 20th, 2010 at 2:32 AM ^
Good stuff, thanks for this report.
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:04 AM ^
It's posts like this that get me all butterfly-stomached and sweaty-palmed thinking about football season. We are going to be so good this year (even if we're running solely on the fuel of my optimism) that the rest of the league will be shocked. I feel that 2Pac said it best when he said, "the next time you see us, you'll say 'GodDAMN, them [brothers] done came up!'"
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:31 PM ^
You know the feeling you get watching Michigan run under the banner before a game? So jazzed up on adrenaline that your fingers tingle and your vision goes blurry! Well I feel that way now thinking about what's to come this season....and it's only February! It's good....to be....a Michigan Wolverine! In Rod I Trust!!!! He's our man. I love how he said "we forgive but we don't forget. Revenge is sweet!" We owe payback to every team in the Big Ten (except Indiana). Lets freakin sell out the Big House for the spring game
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^
I wished I could have been there. I would have let him know that we are all behind him. I think this year we are going to be on our way back and all the people that left the bandwagon are going to beg to be let back on.
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
"Team Speed" is right. It is going to be great to see some wind back in the winged helmets next year. Just because Tommy Boy said it doesn’t make it un-true..."you need wind"
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