Does RR remind you of Bo or what?
Quotes about Rich Rod: “I get upset when people poke fun at Coach Rod, because I know him on a personal level,” Mike Martin said. “I’ve been at his house with his family, and that man should never be made fun of because he’s nothing but a good person.
"I'm all in for coach Rodriguez and everything he does," -Ryan Van Bergen said.
"I'd be pretty devastated if anything happened (to Rodriguez)." -Darryl Stonum
Reporters are gonna write stories that tell me lies about how there's no "family atmosphere" anymore? Bull. Lots of people left Bo's first year because they couldn't take it, but not many people besides the coaches knew that until many years later. Now with ESPN, Twitter, Facebook, and everything else on the internet, every time that happened recently it's a big friggen deal. Of course Bo didn't have to completely change systems, but that doesn't matter. I remember Bo always got choked up at Banquets and things, and now RR does too. But when he does it he's "begging for his job". Shit pisses me off.
December 6th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
No. Bo only spoke about The Team.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:58 PM ^
I +1'd ya just cause you sound like you're on to something. Preach on brotha you're feelin it! In the zone! He's hot! COWBELL!
December 6th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
Is it just me or is it really annoying when people try to bring Bo into this? I certainly don't remember Bo crying at banquets. Nobody knows what Bo would think about the current situation at Michigan (although I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't like 37-7 against OSU).
Please, just leave the man out of it when it comes to RR discussions.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
Some RR die hards try to grasp at anything positive to hold onto. Just looking for similarities between the two doesn't make them similar. And to answer your question, no, RR does not remind me of Bo.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:50 PM ^
f'in tired of hearing Bo brought up every seven seconds. "What would Bo have thought?" "Bo must be rolling in his grave."
Bo is dead. What he would have thought about Rich Rodriguez is not one tiny bit relevant to whether Rich Rodriguez should remain the head coach. Whether Rich Rodriguez is like Bo is not one tiny bit relevant to whether Rich Rodriguez should remain the head coach.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
...In his book, Jon Falk seems to think there are quite a few similarities between RR and Bo. At the very least, it is worth discussing.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
If These Walls Could Talk?
That's an excellent read.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
In 1984 Ronald Reagan tried to link himself to Bruce Springsteen during a campaign stop in New Jersey. Springsteen was riding high on "Born In The USA" at the time. He also tended to lean to the left and didn't exactly embrace Reagen's politics. He had to come out publicly to disassociate himself from Reagen.
My intention isn't to be political, it's just saying that Bo is dead and he can't speak for himself. It bothers me when people try to link him to RR just to support the coaches' cause. He will survive (or not) based on the merits of his performance. Bo has nothing to do with it.
I'd suggest that 90+% of players at all schools love their coaches. That's not unique to Bo or RR or Lloyd Carr or Jim Harbaugh or Urban Meyer or Nick Saban. For the most part, it's the nature of the game. That's why players keep coming back year after year.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:34 PM ^
Given that Falk is one of the only personnel holdovers from early Bo still working today, he is probably the most qualified person to speak on this matter. He sees a lot of similarities, and seemed to think of it as a valid discussion topic in his book. I don't think this should be entirely discounted based on your perception of what happened at the football banquet.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
This has got nothing to do with my perception of the football banquet (or your perception of my perception). I simply think that it's disrespect to try to link Bo to something to further a personal agenda. The man is dead and cannot speak for himself.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:49 PM ^
I honestly don't think Falk has a personal agenda, and he's the one making the link here.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:55 PM ^
December 6th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^
I'm not talking about Falk. The OP tried to link RR to Bo. "Does RR Remind You Of Bo Or What". The whole premise was that RR's players like him and Bo's players like him. That was the common thread.
That's like saying RR liked bacon with his scrambled eggs and so did Bo. Two peas in a pod.
My preference is to let RR's record speak for itself and to leave Bo out of the discussion. It's pretty simple.
December 7th, 2010 at 8:28 AM ^
How is a guy on mgoblog posting that he feels there are similarities between Bo and RR someone trying to push their personal agenda? This guy posting....he isn't RR and that is the agenda you say is trying to be pushed. Am I missing something here or is this poster actually RR trying to convince everyone here is very similar to Bo?
Also, he made more comparisons between the two than "the players like them". If you don't agree that's fine, we don't always have to agree on this here blog. However, just because you don't see similarities, doesn't mean someone else isn't allowed to.
Lastly, as I stated firstly, a person on mgoblog mentioning they feel there are similarities between RR and Bo doesn't equate someone pushing a person agenda unless that poster is RR himself, which I am pretty sure this isn't.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^
somewhere on here is the exact quote from Falk's book comparing RR to Bo.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:54 PM ^
Given time, Falk is convinced that Rodriguez will bring Michigan back to its proper place of prominence.
But progress has become apparent.
Having been a player under Bo, new athletic director Dave Brandon is the perfect leader of the department at this time.
"Rich is intense about his job," Falk said. "Very intense. He's got a vision for what he wants his program to be. It's all about the team. It's not about individuals. The intensity of practices is just like Bo's..."
"The beautiful part about him, though, is that he has the ability to laugh at himself. He's got a great sense of humor. I can jab him and he jabs right back. That's a very important quality for anyone in a job as intense as his..."
Sounds like Jon Falk, has a lot of faith in RR. He also compares Michigan's transition to those at USC, OSU, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama... all went through significant changes and suffered through some down times over the last few decades.
December 6th, 2010 at 11:04 PM ^
ssshhhhh
no one wants to hear good, relevant information.
December 6th, 2010 at 11:13 PM ^
Jon Falk works for UM. Do you really think he will say anything negative about Rich Rodriguez?
That said, I have to assume that Falk is being honest. It's good to hear.
December 7th, 2010 at 8:31 AM ^
Just because he works for UM doesn't mean he HAS to say positive things about the coach. He could simply say nothing at all which isn't saying anything negative. Your line of reasoning here is absurd.
December 7th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
I can confidently say that Bo would remind everyone in and out of the athletic department that it's about the team, the team, the team. "We're not gonna criticize each other, we're not gonna talk about each other. We're gonna encourage each other." He would tell every last one who isn't on board with giving Michigan student-athletes the best possible chance to succeed, regardless of what people think of the head coach, they ought to STFU or GTFO.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^
The media in the Detroit area has been over the top obnoxious and childish about every thing RR says . They really are disgusting and mostly a bunch of losers.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
And too many RR supporters here are childish and obnoxious in their blind support of RR.
I agree the guy hasn't really gotten a fair shake, and its been a tough 3 years. With that said, I'll never understand the undying loyalty some of you have for a coach that has underacheived and doesn't even have a single upset in 3 seasons.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
one could say that you're just as blind
December 6th, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^
Wisconsin 2008?
December 6th, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^
Ah yes, Wisconsin went 3-5 in the Big Ten that year.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^
And lost to Toledo. Pretty sure they would call it an upset. Minnesota was a bowl team that year that we beat handily on the road. Another upset.
We were an underdog against Notre Dame the last two years as well (and they would go on to have as good or better overall records both seasons).
Let me guess though, you are still pissed because you are really just mad because we lost games and not because we failed arrange our few wins so that they all came against awesome teams.
December 7th, 2010 at 9:28 AM ^
Your post makes little sense. Who were you responding too?
December 6th, 2010 at 10:21 PM ^
I don't think it's undying loyalty. I just think that some of us are able to see some of the problems that he has had are not his fault. He has caused some of his own problems but most of them were not his fault.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:22 PM ^
People support this team and its coach. When lloyd was getting smoked by OSU, Oregon, Ap. St., I supported him as well and went down to the bowl game in Florida to support him in his last game. Its not about being childish at all.. it is about complete support for this university. Whether you like him or not, he is our coach and I will support him. Are you calling his players childish and obnoxious? because seems like they support him too..
December 6th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
that RR "hasn't really gotten a fair shake." THAT'S the understatement of the year. Coach Rodriguez hasn't merely "not gotten a fair shake"; he's been under attack. An active, malicious campaign. To hurt and undermine the head coach, irrespective of the cost to the team and the University.
Apart from that, you can't understand "loyalty" to the team and the head coach?
December 6th, 2010 at 10:49 PM ^
"Coach Rodriguez hasn't merely "not gotten a fair shake"; he's been under attack. An active, malicious campaign."
Now I get it! Thats why his defense can't tackle and his kickers can't kick!
December 6th, 2010 at 11:07 PM ^
Bo said about termites too.
Now John, you see that foundation? There's termites living there.
And they live there every day. And you don't see em' until you start losing a little bit.
And when you lose, they'll start crawling out. Now what we'll do is, when they crawl out,
we'll get their names, and remember their faces. And when we start winning again
we'll know who we can trust.-Bo Schembechler
December 6th, 2010 at 11:54 PM ^
If this is your line of reason..."a coach that has underacheived and doesn't even have a single upset in 3 seasons."...I guess we also have to believe Lloyd Carr was the worst coach ever because he was the coach during the biggest upset in Michigan's history???
Hmmmmm.....
December 6th, 2010 at 11:53 PM ^
I'm as upset about the losing and the NCAA violations as the next person, but you're correct. The criticism of RR has gotten to the point where he can't do anything right.
People are actually using Groban-gate to question RR's integrity. Seriously. Maybe they should ask the Mealer family about RR's character.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^
Well, if the players are so "torn up" about him being on the hot seat, then maybe they should start catching passes and tackling better.
December 6th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
Wow man, you're right. If they had just thought of this earlier they would have been trying all season. I'm sure they were just kinda half-assing it until now.
December 6th, 2010 at 11:48 PM ^
I guess they were never really trying all this time, then? Brilliant.
December 7th, 2010 at 1:57 AM ^
Whatever, hearing them say "Man, this tears me up inside hearing all this..." Well, what the hell do they think they're going to hear after the last three years? I would be satisfied if Roundtree came out and said "You know what? It isn't Coach Rod's fault, I'm just a shit head that can't catch a pass that hits me smack in the hands when I'm wide open and playing against our biggest rival in a game that could well determine my beloved coach's job status." He tries to turn this around on unhappy fans and make us seem like we're the ones at fault after we pay money for tickets, merchandise, and make donations that pay for his college scholarship, as well as his coach's salary. If you want to come out and say that you like your coach and you think he's doing a good job, fine. Don't say that it's tearing you up inside and try to make the fans the bad guys. Just shut up and catch the damn ball, or go to a smaller school where there isn't as much pressure on you or your coach.
December 7th, 2010 at 3:28 AM ^
This post makes me sad for humanity.
<br>
<br>For humanity's sake I hope you're drunk.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
he reminds me of Bo with less defensive talent and no support from too many people that THINK they know whats right for Michigan.
im all in for RR. just gotta bring in more defensive talent, and compete with OSU
December 6th, 2010 at 10:40 PM ^
The problem is not the players, but the coaching. Three years of terrible defense with and without experience attests to the awful coaching that Michigan has gotton over the past three years.
Oh, and a scheme change would not hurt either.
December 6th, 2010 at 11:17 PM ^
Wow, when can we hire you to the staff? What schemes will you be implementing to fix the problems?
December 6th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
Weis came in with the mindset that his scheme would just dominate his opponents that he underestimated. Rich's devotion to the spread and especially his devotion to the 3-3-5 reminds me of Charlie. Weis also very rarely took the blame when things went wrong and I'm sure you could find players who were devoted to him at the end of his tenure.
Another thing that is frighteningly similar to Weis and Rich is that when they were on the hot seat they both had some really bad losses and close wins, but made a bowl that their supporters pointed to as progress enough to keep him around one more year.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:15 PM ^
RR's teams are getting better each year. Weis's got worse each year
December 6th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^
Rodriguez has had tons of success as a D-1 head coach. Weis had zero experience as a head coach at any level. Weis had immediate success because he walked into a good situation, then made it worse. Rodriguez walked into a crap situation (yes, 3-9 is a crap situation no matter who you want to blame for the state of the roster at that time) and has made it better and no one seems to doubt it will continue to get better next year (and any and every Rodriguez supporter would be fine with his ouster if the trend doesn't continue). Weis made the Hawaii bowl in year 4 and beat (of all crappy teams) Hawaii. Rodriguez is playing a top-25 SEC team on New Year's Day in year 3.
Comparing the two is intellectually dishonest.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
If one was looking for a negative comparison, they should look at a Dan Hawkins. He too had much success as a D1 coach before he took over CU. He, not Peterson, was the architect of the Boise State success. Yet, he flopped spectacularly at CU.
I would not make comparison just yet, but Hawkins is a much better comparison than Weis.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:57 PM ^
First off, Dan Hawkins was not the architect of BSU's success. He inherited a strong program form Dirk Koetter (back to back 10 win seasons right before Hawkins took over), lost 4 games in year one, then hired Petersen to run the offense. Hawkins had never even been a coordinator at the D-1 level and had been nothing but an administrator and rah-rah guy under Koetter (as CU fans found out all too late).
The trajectory also doesn't match at all. I don't think anyone honestly thinks Rodriguez will win fewer than 7 games next year, much less 3 like Hawkins did in year four (after 2-6-5 wins his first three seasons).
December 6th, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^
.John L. might be a more appropriate analogy as he succeeded at a Big East school(Louisville) before moving on to MSU. In fact, he did well at Idaho as well.But his record got worse, so that is not a perfect analogy.
The thing is it is hard to find a positive analogy for most coaches have flourished within two years at elite level. Tressel, Stoops, Saban, Carroll, Meyer, Chizik..all elite within two years.
Maybe Mack Brown is a good one.
December 7th, 2010 at 6:25 AM ^
I think we're all looking at the same glass, which is limited to publicly available information like wins and losses and hard statistics. You perceive it to be at least "half full". Many are justified to pereceive it as half empty.
My issue is that the guys with more information than us, and that are responsible for maintaining the Michigan brand, are projecting anything but confidence in the future. Dave Brandon certainly isn't confident enough to hitch his wagon to Rodriguez, which is why we're in this unsettled situation. I'm mindful that he is at practice, watches film, talks to current and former players (which he is one himself) and gets input from other key stakeholders. Stuff that you and I are not privy to. If he ain't confident about the future, then why should we be?
Regarding the maintenance and enhancement of the Michigan brand (something that Brandon puts at the center of his mission), I think RR showed a collosal lack of judgment with his little stunt at the Bust. Do you really think he helped the stature of the Michigan brand that night?