CC: Rivals mods seem to be expecting some changes

Submitted by Magnus on

The mods over at Rivals posted an Inside the Fort (super-premium info) article today.  And while I won't quote any exact information because of its premium nature, it seemed to be hinting at some big things going on in Ann Arbor:

- It sounds like an NFL coach plans to be in Ann Arbor next year (they wouldn't say whether it's a head coach or a coordinator)

- It sounds like there might be some academic ineligibility for the bowl game

- From my interpretation, it sounds like they believe Rodriguez will be here next year.

As you might expect, there's a lot of reading between the lines to be done.  So take this for what it's worth.

Have a good holiday, everyone!

Joester16

December 24th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^

Well FWIW I was just on the victors message board. They were talking about this. Multiple guys had the opposite impression than Magnus. RR is toast, Hoke is not a serious candidate, and it's all up to Harbaugh. Again take it FWIW.

GRWolverineFan

December 24th, 2010 at 9:31 PM ^

That is what the internets are for.....



In all seriousness though I appreciate that DB is keeping this as well concealed as he is.  The last thing we need as a fanbase and program is a repeat of the circus that was our previous AD's poor excuse for a coaching search.

AMazinBlue

December 24th, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^

But, I think that if DB gives Rich a chance to stay and finish what he started, he should demand that a quality (tough-minded) defensive co-ordinator come in, pick his own staff and scheme and RR stay out of the way.  I don't know that an NFL DC is necessarily the answer, but if RR stays, then an overhaul of the defense(scheme and staff) is essential.  The D philosophy to this point hasn't worked out as anyone planned.

No matter what, let's all put down our pitchforks and torches and have a Merry Christmas.

Have a very Merry Maize and Blue Christmas everyone!

myrtlebeachmai…

December 24th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^

either when Harbaugh takes Singletary's job;

or since Norton Jr likely is realizing the Pete Carroll ship isn't going to float for long in Seattle...

I'd take either at DC and run the 3-4 (lack of depth at DT would certainly become less of an issue).

gater

December 24th, 2010 at 3:53 PM ^

Not to say Magnus is wrong (there is a lot of reading between the lines), but the Rivals free board has the opposite interpretation (RR gone).  Either way, I don't believe anything has really leaked. Bow to the revival of Fort Schembechler!!

uminks

December 24th, 2010 at 4:30 PM ^

We'll find out what will happen after the bowl game.  I'm wishing that RR stays until the end of his contract and part of the deal may be to hire a  big name DC.  I'm not really sure if winning or losing the bowl game is going to make a big difference in DB decision. DB may be weighing the end of semester grades more so than pre bowl practices and performance in the bowl game. I have this sinking feeling we will see a new HC next year, otherwise, DB would have announced that RR would get at least one more season after the OSU game. But may be DB is continuing his fact finding for a final decision after the bowl season?

NOLA Wolverine

December 24th, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^

If this supposed defensive coordinator change is being made for any reason other than to find someone who conforms more to what Rodriguez wants then this is pretty pointless. 

swamyblue

December 24th, 2010 at 5:39 PM ^

Fox is in trouble with the panthers and the NFL coaching merry-go-round is sure to commence just after Christmas. Sounds like Blue wants to settle its changes as quickly as possible. I stand by my earlier statement that Gerg may just move to a position coach as they bring in a new DC. I don't see DB pulling the radical change lever. But hey, these are all rumors.

peterfumo

December 24th, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^

I am a member of the Fort at rivals. My interpretation of ITF  is that RR is most likely gone if DB can come to terms with JH. I also think that is how most are interpreting it. The Wolverine IMO tends to be anti-RR, for what it is worth. I personally find it hard to believe that DB has already made a decision to can RR. IMO he has a duty and obligation to tell the man most affected by this decision, that of course being RR. I also think that if he had made a decision that in this day and age it would be impossible to keep quiet.I tend to take him at his word and think he truly has not made up his mind. He probably also has a back-up plan in place if he decides after sitting down with RR and comes away unsatisfied with how RR is running program

jg2112

December 24th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^

You make some good points here.

IME, however, how RR is running the program doesn't matter here. The issue, most likely, is that this is the perfect, and perhaps only, time that Jim Harbaugh can be hired to come to Michigan in the next 5 years. He's a pretty good fit and he and Brandon are friends.

Look at WVU. New AD comes in, decides Stewie can't lead them to national titles, and moves him aside within a year. Not too different here.

So, the issue most likely is not anything related to RR, and RR knows it. Brandon is new, and he wants his guy in charge. The issue is: can David Brandon secure Jim Harbaugh's signature on a contract? If he can, RR is gone. It's nothing against RR, IME. It's simply Brandon succeeding or failing with the guys he wants in charge.

peterfumo

December 24th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^

If that were the case though, don't you think he would have immediately dismissed RR after the OSU game in order to get the new team in place as quickly as possible, and don't you think that, if he had decided shortly after taking over as AD, that he would have made some contact with JH during the season and started the process then? I just think, on a credibility and ethical plane, that if he had decided he wants his man in place, that he would have told RR this earlier and allowed him to move on. Instead, RR is busting his tail trying to sell the Michigan program and get his players ready for a bowl game. There is something decpetive and distasteful about all of this if you are indeed correct. I also think the players, being young and impressionable, are going to be disgusted if they find out that DB made up his mind awhile back to fire RR but kept up a charade of indecision.

jg2112

December 24th, 2010 at 7:46 PM ^

Well, perhaps, but I would imagine Brandon is allowing Harbaugh to coach his team in the BCS game.

Furthermore, regarding contacting Brandon, the fact that Harbaugh would highly like to coach Michigan is no secret amongst rubes like us, let alone friends like Brandon and Harbaugh.

Let's not coat this with deception, indecision, etc. Brandon has to make the choice. If part of the evaluation is "is there a better coach available right now?," he's likely not going to know that until January 4th. So, in that sense, his mind is not yet made up.

Either way, I'll be happy, because if RR stays the defensive staff will likely get upgraded with 3 new grad assistants (remember, the restriction on grad assistants is done after the bowl game) and also perhaps new staff members, in addition to a lot of quality players coming off their redshirt years and 10 returning defensive starters. No matter who is coaching this team, Michigan will win at least 10 games next year. I'm stoked.

MichiganFootball

December 24th, 2010 at 10:58 PM ^

Brandon's only responsibility is do what's best for the University of Michigan.  And that may screw over Rodriguez, but that's just how things work.  One way or another it sucks that Rodriguez has to wait this long to get a resolution to this situation.  The whole thing has got to be incredibly tough on him and his family.  But at the end of the day, he'll get another job if this doesn't work out.  It won't be at a big name school at Michigan, but someone like Clemson will give him another shot. 

derpDerpDerp

December 24th, 2010 at 6:51 PM ^

That ITF was among the more worthless things they've written in a while. They said absolutely nothing, and were vague enough to ensure just about anyone could find something to support their opinion. There were no hints, and there was no subtlety. They could have saved me the 60 seconds it took to read it by saying "Could go either way."