CC? - Some thoughts from a long time UM fan
Let me start out by stating that I love Michigan. I don't just love being a fan when things are going great, or even good. I love UM through thick and thin.
This, at least for the football team, seems to be one of those thin times. I also love RR as the HC. Not for the winning(hasn't really happened like it some of us wanted it to), but for the fact that he is a very good man put in a tough situation. He has done his best to transform UM football into a better, quality version of his WVU teams and bring an exciting brand of football to UM and the B10. Against not only a hostile press, but also against a portion of the fanbase itself, he has failed in three years to put UM back to national prominence. Should he get a fourth year? That is not for me, nor anyone else, to answer, although after the bowl game results, it seems nearly certain that he won't.
I want to thank RR for his three years he has put in here, from the comedy of errors that was 2008 to the excitement of Denard and 2010. I know it hasn't been easy dealing with idiot commentary from the media and the constant background noise of the anti-RR crowd. Thank you, RR, for your efforts.
January 3rd, 2011 at 12:48 AM ^
If RR leaves it is a good thing for all parties.
Playing another year under the uncertainty of remaining here the next would have taken its toll both on the current players and the recruiting.
After the MSU game I think my personal opinion has shifted from retaining RR to letting him go.
He is still a great coach but Michigan just didn't work out.
Its like dating a girl who is perfect - but its just not meant to be.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:06 AM ^
someone breaking it down.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^
1. Are the problems fixable? - this is most definitely yes
2. Has the current coach been given a fair chance to fix them? - This is most definitely no.
3. Can the current coach fix them? - I continue to believe he can. We will need a new DC and a whole new defensive staff.
Another 7-6 season and my opinion will change. Continued improvement and challenging for the B10/NC championships in a few years and I will remain happy.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:14 PM ^
It's the "continued improvement" thing that finally swung me. They have improved from season to season (3 wins, 5 wins, 7 wins), but I'm not seeing improvements during the seasons. Year 1, the best win was early against Wisconsin. Downhill from there. Last year, 4-0 start, 1-7 finish. This year, 5-0 start, 2-6 finish. I know a lot of that was schedule related. But ND and UConn were quality wins - two wins against bowl teams. Granted, OSU and Wiscy are better than ND and UConn, but if we are improving during the year, other teams are improving at a faster rate. I think part of the problem is depth. As guys get hurt during the year, teams with depth are able to plug in a 9.9 to replace a 10. We're replacing our starter with a true frosh who is not ready yet.
January 3rd, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^
I can't believe that people are still banging the drum about national championships for UM. You have got to be effing kidding me. Might want to consider beating Sparty once before you set your sights on competing for the NC.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:06 AM ^
great questions.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^
Wow. Just Wow.
I laughed for like a minute straight after I saw that. +1 to you sir.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:55 PM ^
worth reading. Succinct and sincere but mostly just thankful.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^
Guys, I mean no disrespect, but there's a reason RR is getting no love from the who's who in AA. Yes, he's loved by his players, but just about every coach in America is loved by his players. The nearly unanimous word from those at the U who have dealt with RR is that he and those he brought with him came in claiming they were going to take Michigan and "turn it into something," and that arrogance still pervades in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. He has never shown an admiration for the Bo-Mo-Lo era, he blames his players instead of his own failures to prepare them, and he has no hint of self-deprecation. When he's gone, none of his bosses will miss him. If your head says "let him go," let your heart go along with your head on this one.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:58 PM ^
Farewell RichRod, we hardly knew ye.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:03 PM ^
I don't know we have heard anything about potential coaching changes from actual long-time Michigan fans before. It was a great brand new perspective. However did we get one to post on MGoBlog?
That said, I do agree with the poster. I feel bad for RR because he left his alma mater, his home state, and everything, getting beaten around by his former fans for it. Then he comes here and gets nothing but misfortune- NCAA investigation, 2008 (enough said), GERG'ed (though he hired him), and all the rest. He has had nothing but class throughout.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:08 PM ^
If I had internet skills, I would embed the clip from the Holly Grail about the plague. (IIRC) A guy is collecting bodies in a cart. He calls out "Bring out yer dead!" A guy comes out carrying a third guy. The third guy says "I'm not dead yet!" He then gets hit over the head and dumped into the cart with the bodies. It sure looks like Rich isn't doing well, but no one knows what the heck is going to happen. Everyone's hunch is just that. (I don't even know what I want to happen anymore.)
Similarly, how does everyone know Rich Rod is such a great guy? From what I have seen of him in public, my hunch is that he is a good guy. But it is just that - a hunch based on an public image of the man. I have no idea what is is like when the camera is off. If anyone here knows him personally, I will be happy to defer to your judgment.
I have no doubt that he tried really hard, and for that I will thank him, (He also got paid pretty well too, by the way.) If he is back, I will support him as he is the coach at Michigan. If not, well, then I will support the head coach at Michigan and I will not spend a lot of time thinking about RR.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^
He might get another year but after the bowl game result and the avalanche of negative press since then, the thought is that it is nearly certain he is gone.
As for him being a nice guy, the reports from his current and former players and former co-workers in WVU are pretty positive about the man. He has also supported several happenings surrounding the program that have shown generosity and kindness, the Mealer situation being one of them.
January 3rd, 2011 at 8:24 AM ^
IIIFF some reason RR is kept he needs a Mark McGwire juiced home run DC and the only reasonable name to me that would make sense is the "Stash" Dave Wannstedt. It won't happen and I'm not in the keep RR camp, but there is a call for blood from the higher-up Alum. Just a random thought from tired "why the hell am I at work" UM fan.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^
Remember he turned down Alabama. And our first choice was a guy who can't manage a clock and loves Louisiana. Then was that guy who has done nothing for Rutgers in the last three years either. MSC wanted the guy who gets a very talented unit to underachieve like clock work in Iowa. RR was a little naive, and WVU was a little to bitter at the start of his time here. I think he has done amazing things here with the offense. I am also scared for the next few years if Hoke comes here. Gardner might be a good QB in his style and Hopkins might work, but most of the rest of the team is not. I also understand JH is not coming back on some white horse and bringing the whole 1985 team with him. As many as 2 NFL teams will want him in his back yard. He might become the Mike Montgomery of Football, 3 high profile jobs and never have to move. If RR does go away, I would like us to go after Chris Peterson or Steve Sarkisian. I was one of the people that loved Lloyds 2007 Cap Bowl offense, but was pissed by it at the same time wondering why it didn't happen the whole year. Remember "Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust" can't even beat TCU these days.
January 2nd, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^
Hoke may be a good coach, but there is not a large enough body of work.
January 3rd, 2011 at 1:10 AM ^
I can't believe people are writing lengthy expressions of apology and deference to rich Rodriguez, a man who failed on a major level, who embarrassed a great university with a series of blunders and violations, and who now will receive a $2.5 million parting gift. Feel sorry for someone who really deserves it.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:01 AM ^
This, at least for the football team, seems to be one of those thin times.
It seems to be one of those times?
Other similar thoughts:
- The Big House seems to be kind of a big stadium
- Denard seems to be kind of fast
- Michigan fans seem to be a little depressed
- I seem to be an asshole
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:08 AM ^
except that last one. you are not an asshole,
January 3rd, 2011 at 9:53 AM ^
How true, we all have selective memories. These last four years have been hell for me, that includes Lloyds last year. I do think Lloyd made a personal choice to remain silent about RR and I think a bad one. I understand he retired but he was still being compensated by M and had an office on campus. The UofM deserved his vocal support by virtue of all they had done for him, even if he did not like the choice. That being said Lloyd has the right to make a mistake and still get my thanks for many great years of service. RR has been a good man, I was always surprised at the Media crap thrown at him. I thought they would have appreciated the removal of the walls, we were called the fort, but instead seemed to seek out controversy. This is too bad as I see a return to the day of antaganism. But RR needed to change the special teams coaches and Defense coaches, he would not for whatever reason and we spent way to much time hopping on a one legged stool. Good luck to DB as you make the decision, no pressure it will only be the decision of a lifetime, you do know if you get it wrong we will crucify you.