Frank Cignetti Sr. on Rodriguez

It would help to better know what he meant. It's a comment that is open to a lot of interpretations. Considering the source, it almost comes across as defeatist. I can think of a lot of things that Rich Rod has done that would have been better avoided. By same token if in fact he came to A2 without having been cut out for the environment, then I have to admire him for having the guts to put up with everything, and also to be able to change enough to accomodate to certain aspects of the place. I figure that in the end, Rodriguez will end up being as much of a "Michigan Man" as Bo (Ohio), Fritz Crisler (Illinois) or Fielding Yost (West Virginia...).

The fact is whoever the first coach to be outside the Bo coaching tree was going to have to drag the program kicking and screaming in his direction.  RR's direction is just that much more of a change.  I still believe he can succeed, and we are headed in that direction.  He just needs to outlast the storm.

He could be right, but I doubt it. I think his personal experience following Bobby Bowden at WVU was a failure and he may be referencing to that. RR will create his own legacy while Coach Cignetti can polish his Division II trophies, respectively.

UM was perfect for him.

also, alot of people thought Bo was at the wrong place.

...then the problem is the place, not the coach.

If only coaches who run the ball, play bend-but-don't-break defense and try not to win, but rather to avoid losing, can "fit" at Michigan, I am done.

So many Bo disciples believe it in just that biblical sense.  The Bo Way is the only way.  Any place that is that conservative is a place I don't want my allegiance going to.

"I think he's an excellent coach, but he's at the wrong place."

Not directing this at the OP because he is just repeating what was said but comments like this would mean more if there were some specifics to go with it.  Why is he in the wrong place?  Personally I think he is great for Michigan and hope he gets to stick around to prove the naysayers wrong.

You have to wonder what he says behind closed doors. Does he regret the decision to come to Michigan? He never could have foreseen everything that's happened. Whether he's at the right place or not, whether he wins or loses, I feel for the guy. I can't imagine struggling in the national media like he has. 

I think he's right. Rodriguez is a great football coach, but this is not a good place to be right now. Right coach, wrong place, wrong time. Penn State will be experiencing this shortly.

Maybe he wishes RR was still at WV.

that RR should have stayed at his alma mater and his home state (you know, a sentiment along the lines of "West Virginia is where he belongs"), or is that too naive of me?

I feel for the guy. I can't imagine struggling in the national media like he has. 

Media around the country have been after Rodriguez since he sent a runner with his resignation letter at WVU (instead of in person).  I heard a lot of it traveling around the country, the suggestions were that he did WVU wrong after they went above and beyond to keep him and that he wasn't up to the class and standards of Michigan.  I realize a lot of the noise was just sour grapes but there are some facts, like his contract dispute deposition, that speak for themselves.  A better record would have broken up the dark cloud over his head he arrived with, unfortunately he seems to have kept that initial narrative alive. 

Personally I think Brandon is helping Rodriguez a lot.  He has a connection to the tradition that Martin never provided and he seems to understand moving forward doesn't necessitate blowing up meaningful symbols.

I know someone who moved to Pittsburgh about a year after you and is feeling isolated on football Saturdays.  There's no alumni club there-- do you know of a place to watch Michigan games?

OP did you ask what he meant by that remark?  It's really kinda cryptic and could mean any number of different things.