Three and Out: Pages 100-250

Submitted by 03 Blue 07 on

Mods: I screwed up and put this on the Board. Can you move it to Diaries? Thanks. 

(Done [zl])

Previously: “Three and Out: The First 100 Pages” can be found here: http://mgoblog.com/diaries/three-and-out-100-pages

Okay, guys, to recap: these are just my impressions, sort of stream-of-consciousness. Picked the book up Thursday (10/5) evening, and have been reading it. My comments in the last thread (above) I’ll try not to repeat here, other than to say that on page 100, MSC and BM tell RR to keep the $2.5m they promised him toward the buyout quiet because they hadn’t informed the Regents, and MSC tells RR and Rita, “if they find out, I’m toast.” And Martin chimes in “and so am I.”  And also to point out if you want more stuff, check out that last thread, especially the times I pop up in the comments to discuss what Lloyd did when RR arrived with respect to transfers, etc., and how that all shook out.

Continuing from my last post, this thing is a soap opera. The infighting, back-biting, and divisiveness in the A.D., football community, and administration is sobering and unfortunate, and it hasn’t gotten much better as the book progresses. There is also a ton of “cover your ass” stuff that the administration did where RR seemed to take the hit, but it wasn’t necessarily always his fault.  In today’s installment, much on the Freep Jihad, the NCAA, the Carr’s Camp vs. RR Camp rift, and more. . .

The 2008 Team, Denard and Tate’s Recruiting

RR and the players knew there were guys- seniors- who weren’t “all in.” RR understood this; he thought it was natural, as those were seniors and guys who had paid their dues, and then a new regime comes in, and they’re essentially starting over. RR was actually sympathetic to that.

On top of that, RR and the coaches saw what we all saw: they were incredibly young, and they could never get Threet to stop throwing off his back foot. He’d do it right in practice, but in the games, he’d get all flustered.

 They were recruiting Tate during this time. They were very, very excited about Tate, as well as Big Will. They thought Tate was exactly what they needed.

 Denard: they were recruiting him during this time, too. Interestingly, RR had always wanted DR as a QB, but wires crossed with Scott Shafer, who had been recruiting DR as a defensive back. (Pages 148-148). Shafer resigns, and it turns out that Shafer had wanted DR as a DB. Shafer had worked really hard to recruit Denard as a DB, but Denard was “adamant” that “I wasn’t coming to Michigan to play corner. He had already turned down Florida for the same reason and had explained as much to Shafer.”

So when Shavodrick Beaver jumped ship (right around the same time), Tony Gibson happened to be in Deerfield, FL recruiting Adrian Witty. While there, he checked in with Denard, and was surprised to learn Denard was still interested in U of M….but solely as a quarterback. Michigan then said they’d let him try QB, and Denard was ours.

The “Highest GPA in team History” thing

RR asked the academic folks what the highest GPA in school history was. They told him 2.60. The team set this as a goal, and got a 2.61.

Then, as part of the Jihad (more on that below), the Freep dug into that. It turns out that the academic people had given RR specious/not well-sourced info on the team’s best historical GPA. Rather than say this, U of M’s PR people drafted a press release where RR took the fall. RR balked at this; it wasn’t his screw-up. He had them change the release (this was one of the first times he put his foot down with the administration). They did. Then they released the earlier version, making RR the scapegoat.

The Free Press Jihad, NCAA Investigation, Compliance, etc

Well. A couple things: this whole thing, personally, really upset Rich Rod. The reason it did was because a.) they weren’t cheating, b.) there was clearly a leak and sources within the athletic department, c.) and most importantly, the idea that RR didn’t love his players, care about them, was trying to hurt them, etc. This is what tore him up. He shed tears over it a few times.

 Rosenberg v. Cook: Brian Cook’s showdown with him is recalled. If you remember, Brian went after him, personally, at the press conference following the hit piece, repeatedly asking “do you know what a countable hour is?” Rosenberg and Brian were both interviewed for the book, as was Craig Ross. Rosenberg remembers it as this crazy guy barking at him in the parking lot, screaming over and over “do you know what a countable hour is?” and Rosenberg responding, “who are you?” They went back and forth like that four or five times, Rosenberg stuck out his hand and said, “I’m Michael Rosenberg. Who are you?” and Craig Ross said “that’s Brian Cook.” Also, Rosenberg refused to talk to Brian, saying that Brian was “a competitor.”

Snyder: More direct quotes where he says about RR: “I can’t stand the guy.” Also: from page 183, Larry Foote, who was friends with Snyder, asked him, “why didn’t you ask me about RR?” because Foote knew RR well, trained with Barwis, etc. Snyder’s answer, quote: “I just don’t like the guy.”

Rosenberg, personally: Was really hurt by the backlash. Broke down over the Amazon.com stuff, saying how he’d poured 3 years of his life into that book, it was his life’s work, and to have it trashed like that on Amazon got to him.

 Other press vs. Rosenberg/Snyder: When Rosenberg and Snyder came in after the hit piece dropped, they had a spring in their step. This was when they went to the press conference. They were surprised to find that the other press members were at best, cold with them, and at worst, openly disgusted with the piece.

 Rosenberg, as we expected, never asked any players to find out if there was “another side” to the “OMG PRACTICING TOO MUCH” story. He didn’t do it. Bacon asks him about this in the book. Rosenberg is evasive. Also blames editors, saying that stuff was edited out.

 Chapter 15 deals with a lot of this. Rosenberg and Snyder asked Madej for “everything you have,” on a Friday night when they told him the story was coming out on Sunday. They said “we need Rodriguez, we need Martin, we need schedules. Tell us we’re wrong- anything you have.” Madej: “the problem is, they’ve been working on this for months, and you’ve got seven or eight hours to respond. That’s difficult.”

 When the meeting ended, Madej said, “you better be sure you’re not exaggerating.” Rosenberg, “We’re covered,” replying confidently.

Judy Van Horn immediately seized on the countable vs. non-countable hours aspect, as did everyone in the A.D. This was glossed over in the original Freep piece, not even mentioned, though Rosenberg says “of COURSE we knew the difference,” etc.

 Of note: Van Horn and Ann Vallano had even asked the NCAA whether stretching counts, taping, etc., and were never able to get a straight answer/interpretation of the rule. They (U of M) interpreted it like everyone else, then: that stretching didn’t count.

 Also: former players say that we weren’t doing anything different, time-wise, from under LC. Things like “Torture Tuesdays,” where kids who skipped class were punished.

 Also, the Freep piece really shook the players up because of the fact that there had to be sources inside the program; the continuity and togetherness was naturally shaken by this. But RR made sure no one blamed Hawthorne or Stokes, telling the team that those kids were part of the family, they'd been tricked, and that no one should be messing with them, etc. And the team didn't shun them; they understood that it was all bullshit.

 CARA

 Van Horn now feels like she was “snowed.” Labadie told compliance numerous times that he would bring the forms, but in the end, he was negligent, lying, or both. Van Horn brought in auditors to try to get his ass in gear. Didn’t help. That audit resulted in a finding against the football program a few weeks before the Freep piece. Coincidence? No. It’s clear someone leaked it to the Freep.

Infighting

RR got fed up with all of the bullshit, and all of the drama. “They told me in the interview: You get to Michigan, and you’re gonna be surrounded by great people who are gonna support you. Really? Where are they? I want to talk to the Regents, directly, and tell them what’s going on here….People who support our program only hear about the bullshit these guys (Freep, saboteurs) are making up.” (p. 166).

 Also, and again: there were leaks in the athletic department. Bacon seems to be almost certain it was Carr loyalists. There was a very strong faction in the AD that was pissed that English didn’t get the job. English himself was pissed. He refused to actually say anything to RR after we beat them, just shook his hand. RR doesn’t appreciate this. He also doesn’t appreciate apparently this James Stapleton business. Stapleton is a wealthy guy, former U of M fb player, apparently one of those guys who has a lot of pull behind the scenes. He is a regent at Eastern; a big English supporter. The rumors got so bad that he, Stapleton, sent a fax to Bill Martin, LC, and RR, basically saying “I’m not the source of the sabotage! I didn’t collaborate with Rosenberg.” Stapleton and Rosenberg are friends.

Stapleton was also close with Denise Illitch, who as early as 2009, openly referred to RR as “Dead Man Walking.” Classy, Regent. Classy. RR was very pissed that Stapleton had a sideline pass; he got it from Illitch, who was a Regent. RR was pretty convinced (as is Bacon) that Stapleton was part of this group of people who were English/Carr loyalists and were actively undermining the program.

Tate

Comes across as petulant, immature, etc. RR was hard on him, and got pissed off at him because Tate never improved, which RR thought was due to a lack of diligence. Tate never watched film (at least through 2009 season’s end) and Denard didn’t really either. RR didn’t like this. The problem was, with the Freep thing hanging over their heads, it was hard for RR and the players, because they were all scared shitless of over-practicing, over-preparing, etc. But yeah, Tate’s demeanor was an issue.

RR, LC, BM Summit in 2009

This was fascinating. Martin was either forced out after the issue with the student security guard who wouldn’t let him into MSC’s box (as many think happened; 2 days later, the University announces Martin’s retirement; it was the 2nd such incident) or it was just a coincidence (as Martin maintains). Regardless, the day after his retirement was announced, Martin went to a pre-scheduled lunch with RR and LC. It was chilly.

 This was the first time Lloyd had really spoken to RR since the phone call in December 2007 when Lloyd had sold RR on coming to Michigan. I’ll reproduce the account of this conversation; ellipses are where I’ve cut things out for brevity:

After the chilly pleasantries were dispensed with, Carr sent the first volley: “Tell the people in your camp to quit attacking me in the press,” he said, as Rodriguez remembered it a couple hours later. The catalyst for this was undoubtedly Rick Leach’s public lambasting of Carr. . . for sitting with Iowa’s coaches and dignitaries—people Carr had known for years—in an Iowa stadium luxury box…”

 

“I don’t have a camp,” Rodriguez replied, “and whatever they’re doing, they’re doing it on their own. Rick Leach speaks for himself.”

 

Rodriguez ticked off all the reasons Carr shouldn’t feel threatened…What Michigan football needed now, Rodriguez said [to Carr ] was Carr’s unambiguous support. “When the Free Press came out with this story….we could have used you speaking up.”

 

Carr said nothing.

 

“You’re either all in or you’re not,” Rodriguez continued. “You’re either inside the Michigan family or you’re not.” But the closest he came to accusing Carr of anything more than silence was this: “Somebody inside the department is talking to the press and doing us harm.”

 

The suggestion was that, if there were moles in the department, Carr most likely knew who they were, and Rodriguez would appreciate it if Carr told them to knock it off. As Rodriguez recalled, Carr remained silent at that, too.

Pp. 235-236.

Alright, all, I gotta go- tailgating for the NW game. But wanted to get this out there for people to digest.

Comments

Raoul

October 8th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^

Did Bacon write this book or did RR?

One thing that should be noted whenever this book is discussed: Not only was Bacon embedded with Rodriguez, he also

allowed Rodriguez the chance to "read the manuscript for factual accuracy"

(The above quote is from a review of the book, and I assume the quote within the quote is from a foreword, intro, or acknowledgements that Bacon included in the book.)

Raoul

October 9th, 2011 at 12:41 AM ^

I don't have a copy of the book. The quote comes from a review that didn't include the "only."

Did anyone else get a chance to read the book in advance for accuracy?

You seem to dismiss the idea that Bacon brought any biases to the book. No writer is completely unbiased--as Bacon himself would admit. The fact is that Bacon spent three years embedded with Rodriguez, he apparently allowed only Rodriguez to review the book prior to publication, and he is on record as saying that he believed that Rodriguez should have been given a fourth year. Anyone reading this book should be aware of these facts and draw their own conclusions from them.

One other thing: I've heard from people in the know that some of the anti-Lloyd Carr stuff in the book came from people settling old scores against Carr. The credibility of some of Bacon's sources is questionable at best.

dahblue

October 9th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^

A big question to me is what happened between the time that Carr pushed RR for the job and the alleged undermining of RR? A person doesnt lobby for the hiring of another and then cut him down once hired...unless something happened that RR chose not to discuss. Maybe the book answers this question? If it's not answered, it reveals an intensely pro-RR bias. Im reminded of Scooter Libbey and his creepy poems to Judith Miller (formerly of the NYT and formerly thought to be an unbiased reporter who lost objectivity through access).

03 Blue 07

October 9th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^

Good point, and I apologize for being overly-inflammatory in that comment above. RR was allowed to fact-check it, only. And I think there's no doubt that Bacon came to sympathize with RR. It seems clear that RR was/is a likeable guy, and Bacon, being embedded with him for 3 years, obviously had some of this rub off on him. I agree with you, actually- I think that when reading it, you have to take into account that Bacon was seeing it from the RR side of the equation. Now, that being said, Bacon seems to try to tell both sides.

As for the "credibility being questionable at best." Well, okay, isn't that something you can say about any story like this? Couldn't you say that about "All the President's Men," or "The Best and the Brightest" or any other book such as this that documents the "behind the scenes" in a large organization? Everyone's got "scores to settle," everyone's got things that pissed them off, everyone's got old axes to grind, etc. And, again, if they had issues with it, perhaps they could have gone on record. BUt the thing is, there were a lot of people who went on record- people on both sides, etc. So yeah, in sum, you're going to have to realize this was a book written by a guy embedded with RR and his people. But to discount everything in the book out-of-hand because of that (I'm not saying you'll do this; just saying generally) I don't think is necessarily the right way to go.

I guess people will believe what they read as they see fit.

AlwaysBlue

October 8th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^

I'm not sure why anybody would be surprised by the drama.  This is what happens in large organizations that undergo a major change.  The rule is that 1/3 will support it, 1/3 will be indifferent and 1/3 will be against the change.  The trick is to persuade the middle 1/3.  The fact of the matter is that MSC, Martin and Rodriguez had the biggest stage and the deepest resources to wage a battle for the middle 1/3.  And that battle includes identifying the land mines, the malcontents and all the rest inside the organization.   

I will have to read the book but, even as someone who had many, many misgivings about the Rodriguez hire, it's not him but Martin who I consider to be the major failure.  Nobody should be surprised there are politics and agendas in a major organization, that exists everywhere. 

El Jeffe

October 8th, 2011 at 3:47 PM ^

I think the thinking is that there is something to "the Michigan Difference." Hey, that should be a slogan...

Srsly. One of the things we're learning is that when you don't have a leader like Canham or Bo after him, shit can get real in a hurry. It is almost impossible to imagine most of this stuff happening (according to JUB) if Bo had been around. Including the hiring of RR, by the way.

M-Wolverine

October 8th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^

And not keeping it in-house, from People saying stuff to the Freep to Bacon being on his "lose my phone number" list. But times have changed info wise, and it was long before he died that he was still involved in the day to day enough to do anything about it.

Bando Calrissian

October 8th, 2011 at 4:41 PM ^

People forget that this kind of book would never have happened in a Fort Schembechler-esque coaching regime.  Angelique Chengelis had to wait 12 years to get all-access status for a game prep with Lloyd, and she was arguably the journalist with the best rapport with Lloyd.  Larry Lage had to agree to a bunch of stipulations in order to print a similar story about game prep for the Capital One Bowl.  No journalist was ever allowed in the lockerroom for pregame and halftime, no reporter was ever embedded behind the scenes, and no reporter was ever allowed to do things like go to parties with players, work out with S&C, or travel with the team.  Ever.

Bacon was allowed that access.  For three whole seasons.  In all reality, it probably shouldn't have gone on that long, especially as the wheels began to fall off around the RR situation.  

Like I posted earlier in the other thread, this is a book that started as one thing, and ended up as something completely different.  And as the project morphed, Bacon's access was allowed to continue until the bitter end.  While it's too bad the situation existed to create the narrative he has apparenly assembled, he was given the access to do it.  If people portrayed in the book want to take issue with it, they're three years too late.  And, certainly, Lloyd could have participated, too.

Gulogulo37

October 19th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^

Keep in mind the people who are involved in this too. This isn't a fairly average sample of humanity, as you may get at some office. This is a bunch of hard-headed, stubborn, workaholics who have made football their life and who probably have some awful tempers. And it should be said, not generally a bunch of rocket scientists. So yea I could definitely see things blowing up in a situation like this.

My name ... is Tim

October 8th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^

I may have my disagreements with Brian over analysis, thoughts on the direction of the program, etc., but man, that thing about him running and shouting at Rosenberg is awesome. It should be a reminder for everyone who may have similar disagreements that Brian is obviously a huge supporter of the program who wants nothing more than its success. He did what all of us wanted to do. I'll be sure to have a cold one in your honor today, Brian.

Farnn

October 8th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^

I'm really hoping this book can change the perception of RR, but I'm getting the feeling after reading certain responses here, that the anti-RR faction is simply going to dismiss this book as pro-RR propaganda and ignore it.

El Jeffe

October 8th, 2011 at 3:53 PM ^

I hope not. That is, I like RR because I think he's a decent man who cared about Michigan and his players, which is the first principle when thinking about a Michigan coach. I also liked that he was an offensive innovator who might shake M out of the latter-day Lloyd doldrums (Cap One Bowl notwithstanding AARRGGHH WHY DIDN'T WE PLAY THAT WAY AGAINST APPY STATE!!!!)

But I can appreciate that he fucked up the defense enough that it was a highly defensible choice to shitcan him.

I don't understand why anyone couldn't hold two thoughts simultaneously in their head: (1) RR got stabbed in the back by a lot of people associated with the AD and Freep who should all collectively rot in hell; and (2) He fucked up the defense enough that it was a highly defensible choice to shitcan him.

Both of those things can be true. #2 demonstrably is true, and unless JUB is everything that every respected commentator on him says he is not, then #1 very probably is true too.

Farnn

October 8th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^

I'm talking about those who can't stand RR in any way.  There are tons of fans who think RR didn't work because to succeed in the B1G you have to run power.  That he is a terrible person who over worked his players.  That to succeed at Michigan you have to be a Michigan Man.  Those are the ones who I don't think will take anything away from this.  Most of the fans here are probably of the opinion that by last January it was clearly time for RR to go.  They reached the conclusion at different times, but they weren't calling for his head the minute he got here.

El Jeffe

October 8th, 2011 at 4:33 PM ^

Believe me, I'm on your side here. I was just expressing hope for those people--that they can hold onto the hatred of RR brought about by his mismanaging of the defense, while still recognizing that he had a pretty tough row to hoe that was largely not of his, um, tilling? Trying not to mix metaphors is hard when you're tailgating on your couch waiting for the NW game...

M-Wolverine

October 8th, 2011 at 4:35 PM ^

Most people due hold those 2 things to be self-evident. It usually comes down to how much weight each person puts to each factor. Who they want to "blame" more (because there's always got to be a bad guy, someone at fault. Life isn't a permutation of grays and interlocking factors), and we endless argue because someone says well, he F'd up the defense" and some feels the need to say "NEVER had a chance!!", or "bare cupboard" and someone has to jump in "He didn't GET IT!!!"....and we're headed for another month of that. And probably pretty continuously until we beat Ohio State one year and have something better to talk about.

randyfloyd

October 8th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^

Lloyd in 97 (the NC year). We had by far the best team in the country, but his uber conservative style almost cost us a couple of games and did cost us the whole title. Add in 2006, choke jobs verses Tressel, the Horror, Debord, Oregon and the bare cupboard and I am so glad we finally got rid of him. I feel bad for what RR was forced to go through as well.

Mitch Cumstein

October 8th, 2011 at 3:46 PM ^

This entire summary (and the last one) have me thinking about Bacon's relationship with Carr.  I know Bacon and Bo were great friends.  Bacon is also very respected around the University.  He taught a class that my fiancee took and loved (Brandy made a guest appearance and was awesome).  Is there any feeling on what Bacons relationships was like with Lloyd?  Obviously they didn't write a book together and Carr didn't contribute to this one.  I'm just curious if there were some cold feelings there.  There will undoubtedly be after this book.

Bando Calrissian

October 8th, 2011 at 4:18 PM ^

I don't think there's any reason to believe Lloyd and Bacon had any issues.  Lloyd came to class the first time the College Athletics course was taught, and was supposed to the next year, but it ended up the day he was scheduled (well in advance) to come speak just happened to be the day after he announced his retirement, and had to cancel.  

While I'd argue Bacon's connections as an insider were probably far deeper in the hockey program (and probably still are), he was no stranger to Michigan Football, and even before the book was fairly well informed about the inner doings of Athletics.

BrickTop

October 8th, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^

Came into Michigan with little to no understanding of the personalities, the factions, the history, etc. He should have been given a heads up concerning the minefield he was walking into. Not saying this would've  changed anything, but it all seems so petty and undignified the way it went down from the Michigan side of it.

saveferris

October 9th, 2011 at 9:54 AM ^

Did anyone know things were this fractious and petty within the Michigan AD?  I sure didn't.  As a lifelong fan, this whole episode was soul-crushing.  I had always assumed Michigan wouild weather the storm of a rocky transistion with grace and confidence.  I assumed this because as an arrogant alumni, I had always assumed we were above the petty infighting we saw at other programs around the country.  I have never been more disappointed to find that we are no better than anyone else in that regard.

Wolverine 98284

October 8th, 2011 at 5:46 PM ^

What's going on with Bacon and the UM Athetic Department?  Ace or Heiko previously reported seeing Bacon relegated to the back with Sharp.  Anything change?  Will positive reaction to the book redeem Bacon in the AD?

Edit:  Can the readership of this blog circle the wagons for Bacon?

jmblue

October 11th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^

Because Carr is such a forthcoming guy in general?

Carr's silence is certainly not out of character for him.  The one question I have is if he was aware of the "dysfunction" angle Bacon was going to take in the book, or if he feels blindsided now.

kdhoffma

October 9th, 2011 at 12:52 AM ^

Basically after Roseberg "punched a dolphin" with his practicegate article, the Michigan internet community bombed his book on amazon by submitting 100's of 1 star reviews.  The book rating dropped practically overnight from 4-5 stars to 1.  They also were able to get the mden to the pull the book from their store for a good length of time.

CalifExile

October 9th, 2011 at 12:13 AM ^

It would be interesting to hear their reaction to the claim that they edited out information that would have resulted in a more fair presentation. Beyond that, the editors bear a lot of blame for allowing the publication of such misinformation and for not allowing UM an adequate opportunity to respond.

03 Blue 07

October 9th, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^

Great question, and I apologize for not being more clear (that OP is...yeah, sorry- was trying to get it out quickly, and realize it's less-than-clear). No, at least not yet, no talk with the editors. But to be crystal clear: Rosenberg did not ever seek a source to tell the "other side." Period. Full stop. He did not. Nor did Snyder. They got the quotes, didn't go to ANYONE for the "other side" until the meeting with Madej I mentioned. Foote was/is friends with MArk Snyder- I didn't make that clear, either, which is why the whole Foote saying, essentially, "dude, what the fuck, why didn't you talk to me" thing is kind of relevant.

kyeblue

October 9th, 2011 at 12:11 PM ^

Carr wants to take care of his staff and players, nothing wrong with it, but it is not right at the expense of the well being of the Michigan football program. RR made some aweful mistakes, but there is not excuse for Carr undermining his successor from day 1.  

BluByYou

October 9th, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^

How could anyone be pissed that English did not get the job?  He may become a good HC, bit there was nothing I read r heard to indicate that at the time.  Of course, in retrospect, he could not have been much worse, if at all.