Do you think the players should have any say on a coaching change?
Obviously the players are not going to be around permanently and although some of them love Rich Rod, there may be some that think the team would be better off in a different direction. Do you think any of the players should be consulted (Mike Martin, David Molk come to mind) or do you think their opinion should matter at all?
November 29th, 2010 at 1:59 PM ^
I agree with most, the decision shouldn't be the players alone, but a few of the team leaders should be spoken to. I can tell you firsthand that while some of the guys like RR, they don't all agree with his methods or schemes. You are also talking to a bunch of players who will be considering their chances at an NFL career and some may benefit from a change. But even from a deeper viewpoint, not just the on the field product, but the behind the scenes.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^
to DB prowling the sidelines, speaking to the players. Maybe he could share some of what he hears with Brandon. I can tell you first-hand that your last two sentences leave a lot to be desired.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^
I totally agree...and that may be something that could have players that people assume are on his side, not be so quick to support Rich Rod.
I think it is worth investigating to see how the players feel. If there are enough players that want him gone, then the decision would be very easy.
That being said, I would like him to have one more year.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
a moratorium on random coaching hypotheticals and/or random coaching questions. Brian?
November 29th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
I'm sure the AD will speak with the players in the final "performance review", but they should have no say in the decision.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:10 PM ^
No...pure and simple.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
Only people on the internet should have a say, not the people that actually put in the year round training and play for the man, they should have no say. I always feel this is RR @ Michigan and the dick behind the stands are all the haters. Maybe Denard needs to pull a Jimmy Chitwood.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
Good god, why is this even a question? Let's get the inmates to run the asylum shall we?
November 29th, 2010 at 2:15 PM ^
Unless there's some shocking undisclosed thing that's happened, no.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^
I definitely don't think the school should solicit opinions from players.
But if the bulk of the team is strongly pro or con, the team will let this be known. A really unhappy team rebels in one way or another (usually via leaks to the press); If the team is heartily all-in, players will let this be known. A couple have already.
If we hear little else, in either direction, I suspect that means the team, as a whole, isn't in a lather.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^
what they do on the field and off the field as well, has everything to do with their coach keeping a paycheck.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
Is this question from Tate Forcier?
November 29th, 2010 at 2:37 PM ^
This happened while I was in high school. Our varsity coach was let go, and the decision came down to a coach who had been fired after three seasons from a school across town for a 3-24 record, or our JV coach that never had a losing season and was well respected by all the players (he's the coach that anyone will charge onto Omaha Beach). As the players, we were asked what coach we believed to be better. Imagine who we said? The problem: the other coach was best friends with our athletic director. Needless to say, after much campaigning from all us players, the AD chose his buddy. No one on the team was happy, and it showed. We had an absolutely dreadful season as no one wanted to be coached nor had any respect for the man who was coaching us.
Practices were horrible. There was already a grudge since we all knew how he had gotten hired. Even worse, he wouldn't let our JV coach remain in the program at all, demoting him down to 7th grade football. A completely new offense and defense were implemented. We went from a pro offense that had been run forever at our school to a spread (sound familiar?) and switched from a 4-2 to what he called a 4-3, but it was the 3-3-5. He couldn't coach the offense, and no one cared. It was just miserable.
So if you read nothing but this: Players shouldn't be involved. It can turn into a very selfish situation, and I think anyone can relate to not wanting to work hard when their interests are thrown to the curb.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^
It's called winning and losing.
November 29th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
Maybe just a former player... Jimmy Harbaugh.
November 29th, 2010 at 3:16 PM ^
They do whether you like it or not. Graduating seniors meet with DB for an end of college/career discussion. DB has said that this is part of his "data points".
November 29th, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^
unless the players completely quit on the coach. Thats pretty rare in college. And most definatly not the case in AA.
These players love RR and vice versa. One thing you can't say about Michigan is that they haven't fought tooth and nail for everything.
November 29th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
A coach's ability to connect with a player is important. But no. Not at all.