CC: Newsflash, Rosenberg makes sense. (Stay away CC post bashers)

Submitted by wolverine1987 on

I've been as critical of him as anyone here, but Rosenberg IMO makes sense in today's article.  Basically, his point is that waiting until January doesn't make any sense unless you are planning to fire RR. Otherwise why make him and his assistants twist in the wind? 

"You can make a reasonable argument for keeping Rodriguez. He has coached only three years, his offense is working, his record got better every year, etc. But you cannot make a reasonable argument for dangling him over the edge of a cliff for five weeks, then keeping him. There is a reason nobody else in college sports operates this way. Even if the plan is to keep Rodriguez and make changes to the coaching staff, it makes much more sense to announce now that Rodriguez will be back.

Brandon is a smart man. And when a smart person does a seemingly stupid thing, you have to look at it from every angle to see what you're missing. No matter how I look at this, only one thing makes sense:

Brandon has decided to fire Rodriguez."

He may be dead wrong, as he's been many many times before, but this makes sense to me.

MGoBoard
Football

Section 1

December 10th, 2010 at 3:56 PM ^

With conveniently similar last names.  And I think it makes a point.

The point has absolutely nothing to do with race.  Thank you for asking, to make that point clear beyond any question.

A racist, or a race-baiter, should find no intellectual space in the grand tradition of Michigan football, from the magnificent Willis Ward, whom I was privileged to meet when I was a boy, to scores of the finest Michigan Men and All-Americans, to the remarkable honoring of one Jesse Owens of The Ohio State University in a memorial at Ferry Field, to the present day.

Joined: 06/29/2009

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Section 1

December 10th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^

I realize it could be a problematic reference.  If I can't explain it to anyone's satisfaction, I ought not make it at all.  There needs to be more sensitivity, I'd agree, if we were making any nameless generalizations.  But Drew Sharp, who has personally advocated the firing of about a hundred different officials in sports, and who has made a career out of outraging people, is not a person to be treated with any special sensititvity.

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bluenyc

December 10th, 2010 at 3:59 PM ^

Thanks again.  Not being in the Detroit area for the last 15 years, I have no idea about their previous work or any possible agendas.  I really appreciate you clarifying and giving you opinion on these topics.  There seems to be more people on here that like Sharp more than Rosenberg, although I don't really see much of a difference.

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LB

December 11th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^

Somewhere out there is a budding journalist who dreams of a career as an investigative reporter. I see a large bullseye on the Freep's back, just waiting for someone to target them over this entire story issue debacle conspiracy thing.

Joined: 09/26/2009

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goblueclassof03

December 10th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^

One hypothetical is that DB will not fire RR until he has already found a new head coach and all but signed him.  Of course, this is all hypothetical, so I'm content just putting my trust and faith in DB without the rampant speculation.  I'm good with either scenario (not firing RR, or firing RR with a smooth transition).  I'm not good with a scenario whereby a coaching search is necessary after RR is fired.  I think everything will be fine, DB seems pretty competent up to this point.

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NorthSideBlueFan

December 10th, 2010 at 9:52 AM ^

BUT one thing I am sure of is unless Brandon has his guy all lined up, he will not fire RR. He saw what happened last time and will not let the University go through that all over again. Especially when you consider all the other searches and openings that have and continue to pop up.

A CEO and the majority of high-level business executives are typically very well thought out and calculated with their actions. The reason they do this is two fold 1) so the chance of their ass getting left hanging in the breeze is minimized or all but eliminated and 2) their reputation and ego remain at a high level.

So I have 100% confidence in only one thing of this whole "end of season time frame" DB will only make a change if and when his new man is locked in.

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winterblue75

December 10th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^

The fucking msm hates this. First RR opens up the Michigan program, lets reporters and media in. Access like they've never seen at Michigan. Then they proceed to "hate" on RR and make his like miserable for no reason what-so-ever. Now DB comes in and is basically telling the msm to "go fuck yourselves, you won't see or hear a damn thing from Michigan until we're ready to let you know something".

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LB

December 11th, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^

and think that they are somehow still part of that group. They have such an inflated opinion of themselves that they can't envision a world where they are not needed, where people won't rush to kiss their respective asses regardless of the tripe they spew. If they are squirming now, imagine how they would writhe with RR at the helm of a winning program.

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Hardware Sushi

December 10th, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^

Lynn Henning, for one, and his stupid comments. Sure, he didn't claim emphatically on the radio that RR would be fired the Monday after The Game (like that ass clown Tom Deinhart wrote), but he insinuated as much and has yet to admit he was wrong in the least bit. "Blah Blah I was just giving an opinion." That happened to be pandering to the audience in Lansing, Lynn, you're transparent.

I'm sick of all traditional Detroit media that covers Michigan except the Ann Arbor News and M Daily sports (when I was in school, I was def not a Daily fan). Say what you want about those two, they at least seem to find some interesting news besides broad-based speculation about something in which they have no knowledge (ahem, see today's Rosenberg CC thread)...

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umich_fan1

December 10th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^

My saying that he covers other sports gives him way too much credit. Drew Sharp makes me long for the glory days of Rob Parker.

One of many things I dislike Parker for: Channel 2/4/7 late night sports edition, Parker would always cite his "moles" in giving some key insider information about a Detroit sports team. First couple of times I watched, I actually believed his "moles" were credible. Later I realized his moles were probably the guys that hung around his barbershop.

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champswest

December 10th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^

if MSU wins a BT title they have surpassed UM as the best in state program, their program is on the right track, their coaching is better, yada, yada, yada.  If, however, UM wins a title, then it doesn't mean anything because the BT is weak and UM would only finish 3rd or 4th in the SEC, etc.

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michgoblue

December 10th, 2010 at 9:50 AM ^

I hate the MSM as much as anyone else, and it is nice to see them miserable with nothing to write about but speculation.

But, I would hope that DB's decision to stick to this timeline is not based upon a desire to screw around with the media.  DB's timeline has, by RR's own statements, put RR in a unique situation, and it has subjected RR to even more media scrutiny.  It has also placed our team at a competitive disadvantage with respect to recruiting.  And, while RR may have a $2+ buy-out clause, and makes a lot of $$, the same is not true of his staff.  If they are going to be put out of a job, they deserve the right to go out and apply for the many current opening now, and not after those openings are all but filled. 

So, while it is nice to give the media a big FU, there are many others that may be receiving that same FU.

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Section 1

December 10th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^

Brandon is not simply wanting to screw with the media in general.

I do think it is pretty clear that he has an overwhelming dislike and disresepct for the Free Press.  He's said so, publicly, on an ever-increasing number of occasions.

Brandon, and the Athletic Department, have been giving exclusive info and access to Freep competitors like Lynn Henning of the Detroit News (that didn't work out so well), Larry Lage of the AP, and a few assorted broadcast outlets.  Nothing to the Free Press.

But in the end, this whole controversy, and all of the supposed urgency, has been driven by the media in the first place.  The newspaper columnists, who have done nothing to earn anyone's respect, seem to be angry that Brandon hasn't answered the question they created in the first place.  The exposed position of the Free Press is apparently, Hey, we've created an issue of doubt pertaining to Rich Rodriguez's future!  Why haven't you dealt with that issue?

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JeepinBen

December 10th, 2010 at 10:37 AM ^

Brandon (unless i'm wrong) has never said he's firing or considering firing Rich. He's going to evaluate the program. That doesn't mean he might fire the coach. He's going to evaluate every program. 

My hunch is DB is treating this like there is no news. "Rich is going to move on to year 4 in a 6 year contract. Eff You media"

DB doesn't have a timeline/announcement because there is nothing to announce. That doesn't make sexy news stories, but DB's job isn't to make sexy news stories

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Needs

December 10th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^

To believe that, though, we'd have to believe that DB is willing to hurt the program in order to spite the media. Obviously, an uncertain coaching situation in the early December recruiting season is a bad thing. It hurts RR's ability to sell the program to potential recruits. It allows all kinds of negative recruiting. etc.

And this approach doesn't actually hurt the media, rather, it creates all kinds of opportunities for newspaper stories and columns about the uncertainty at Michigan, what Brandon should do, etc.

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JeepinBen

December 10th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^

As DB has said multiple times, he goes to practice, etc. 

Dave also meets with recruits. for all I know in every meeting with a recruit DB says

"Look, Michigan is such an institution that all kinds of media outlets will report anything. Our coach had a corny song played at a dinner and it was national news. That's because we are Michigan and we are awesome. Our coach isn't going anywhere. I'm not saying this publicly because I dictate how things are run at Michigan, not the media, not a few angry alumni. They can make as big a stink as they want but guess what, we don't care. We don't cater to anyone here at Michigan, they cater to us. You saw that we had the 5th best offense in the country being run by kids who were playing High School football like you 2 years ago. You're gonna want to come here and be part of that offense (or help reclaim Michigan's defensive dominance...)

 

Now... have some cheesybread

On another note - who says there is actual uncertainty in the program? or with the coach? The media. DB hasn't said anything to that effect

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Needs

December 10th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^

The media is saying there is uncertainty. In the absence of a contrary narrative, that, in and of itself, creates uncertainty. I'm sure other schools pursuing recruits are directing them to those stories and reiterating the stories in their own right.

I have a hard time believing that, if Brandon was telling recruits that RR would be the coach next year, that information would not have leaked out through twitter, rivals, facebook, etc.

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JeepinBen

December 10th, 2010 at 11:09 AM ^

I know that on some level with this type of stuff perception can become reality (I believe in this case it has... see all the 8675309 CC posts)

I just don't believe Brandon is bending to that. In terms of leaking.... yeah, they're 17 year olds and they probably could break the story in this day and age... but DB could also probably put the fear of whatever he wanted into these kids in terms of "Don't go tweet or tell the media, that'll just do something bad"

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bluenyc

December 10th, 2010 at 11:11 AM ^

Absolutely, we have no idea what is really going on.  I think half the MSM already predicted that Coach Rod would be fired already.  I know he goes to practice and meets recruits.  I hope your hypothetical conversation with recruits is true, but I doubt it.  If it was true, Dee would be enrolling early. 

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bluenyc

December 10th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^

While you are right, most of us go through year end reviews and usually, they are pos/negs for the past year and statement of future goals.  I think rarely has someone gotten let go.  This may be the case in the world outside of football. 

I think that if this is really DB's motive for waiting is how he handles his SOP, then so be it.  Everyone manager operates differently, but the problem I have is that Coach Rod seems to be stressed and worried.  I can only guess it is because he thinks he might lose his job and his staff would be let go.  Again, this is my guess.  Maybe he looks stress because he is worried about the bowl game or other issues.  I am sure DB sees this, if this is really just a review, he should reassure Coach.  This is the main reason why I think this is just not a regular business review.  Again, all my speculation.

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mgoSk

December 10th, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^

"Rich is going to move on to year 4 in a 6 year contract. Eff You media"

This is what I've been hoping will happen, and at the end of the day it looks like DB's just fed up with the media and is not going to let them dictate is actions one bit, he's sticking to his timeline, evaluation, and decision.

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briangoblue

December 10th, 2010 at 12:59 PM ^

this whole "evaluation period" is a nice cover. This way, Brandon has a stock answer for the media and can operate behind the scenes without revealing anything to anybody. No more Herbstreit blowing up a potential Miles hiring (who knows if it would've happened anyway), and no pressure cooker/loyalty test for the next potential coach when he's linked to another program weeks before his bowl game. Brandon can make his move, or decide not to, without embarassing any of the involved parties. On the other hand, what if Brandon has some sort of handshake agreement with Harbaugh and Michigan steamrolls MSU in the bowl game? I think the evaluation period is nice stiff arm to the media in any case. Their involvement in the last CC was certainly no help and probably a hindrance.

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mich_engineer

December 10th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^

I hate the Freep as much as any Michigan fan, but I think that Brandon has completely failed to control the message here the way he successfully did with the NCAA issues.  In that case, he was able to make it very clear through multiple outlets what his position, and the schools position were, and he really pre-empted any potentially bad coverage.  Here, speculation is running wild, potentially doing harm to the program, and there is nary a word from DB to quash it.  I think that one of his biggest failures with the coaching situation has been his complete inability to control the narrative.

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switch26

December 10th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^

I just think rosenberg likes the fact that he gets to say RR is fired..

 

A lot of reasons to bring him back and some to let him go, but i think it's bs to can him after 3 short years.

 

Bring someone in to fix the D situation, and we would be fine. 

Should be interesting to see who all stays and who leaves if RR is canned, cause some of our best pickups for this class prob won't stick around to sign.

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