Has Brandon already decided?

He spend the 1st and 4th quarters on the sideline with the team and hob nobs with the big $$$ people in the middle.  He has a good idea what goes on behind the scenes and how the players react to the staff.  I trust his judgement more than my own.  Especially right now since I am having serious doubts about all three phases of the game.

Personally, I want a new DC and D staff, pickewd by the DC and let him run his own scheme.  If it was Casteel, let's say, and he wants to run the 3-3-5 and brings in his guys, then fine.  If it's a 4-3 guy and RR forces him to run the 3-3-5, then I question thse staff from the top down.

There is no question that the offense has potential and should improve with experience and age, but based on the performances in the first half of the MSU, Iowa, PSU and Wisky games, this offense has a lot to prove.

We know about the defense, but the special teams, the kicking, the punting(I know Hagerup is a Fr), the return games both punting and kicking and the coverage are all suspect.  There is a lot to fix by next season and the schedule will be tougher than this season.

I have to trust Brandon, but if this group stays and they don't at least win five games in the conference, including MSU and give OSU a real fight, then they should all be gone.  There are no more excuses next year.

If Brandon has made a decision he hasn't made it publicly and until he does its going to fuel bad publicity and hurt recruiting.  He doesn't strike me as someone who would want to hurt the football team unless there was a valid reason to do so.  

Until he says something publicly the rumors are just going to get worse and worse

number.  I'm simply saying that RR cannot continue to lose to our rivals and only be competitive against the weaker teams in the conference.  It just so happens that by beating MSU and having a winning record in the conference next year equates to at least 9-3.  Personally, if he doesn't beat ND, MSU AND OSU next season, he should be kicked out the door.

The standards have obviously dropped and any other coach that compiled a record of atrocious conference numbers like this staff has, would be gone in a second.  If you look simply at the numbers, the  W-L, the inability to compete with the upper echelon teams in the conference and the struggles with the lower teams, (UMass, Indiana, Purdue, Illinois), and of course the defensive mess, there is no good argument to keep RR. 

Potential is the only thing you can hang your arguments on to keep him.  That and the obligitory "new coach = 3 steps backward" argument.  Would you be willing to bet a month's salary that they will win 9 or 10 games in the regular season next year?  Look at the schedule, I'm not.  But, of course that doesn't mean that JH or some other coach will instantly win either. 

All I'm saying is, based on the numbers, I have my doubts across the board.  I know the offense is young and should improve with age.  The key word is "should".  Without a bigger RB and bigger o-linemen, they will continue to struggle against the Wiscos and OSUs of this conference.

Brandon is on the sidelines for two quarters every game, and is at practice every day.  Any decision he will make will be a quite informed one.  He played for Michigan, he knows this program, and what it should be.  I trust his judgment.

The disadvantages of firing RR far outweigh the advantages. The defense can be fixed with another year of experience but if you fire RR, the whole staff goes with him. The defense gets better like it was going to while RR was there, but the offense takes a huge hit and won't be nearly as good. With Michigan's offense and a top 30 defense, they can compete for a national title.

Rich is staying.  (GERG may be another matter.)

So how is the D front going to get better next year?  I see a few recruits there but more help is needed.  Any young kids coming in could play but are still a few years away from where they need to be physically.  Just not seeing how the D will make the jump he needs to makes in 2011.    Please surprise me and stop pounding on the ground we take.  Go Blue !!!

He's doing his due diligence, getting input, making calls, hanging around the sidelines, etc.   I'm not so sure he's decided how extensive the change is going to be and what position UM's in.  He's a sharp dude and I'm sure will make the right calls.

I don't think Mr. Brandon has made a decision yet. I honestly think - from a business standpoint- that he is honestly looking at Long-Term and Short-Term goals for the 'business'. Brandon =/= Martin. Brandon also played for UM and I'm SURE he wants to see this program become elite and mesh together the Success Carr had with the National Success WVU saw under RR. I bet Brandon waits on his COMPLETE Decision until a) the regular season is over, b) can evaluate this team over the RR era- Records, Students-Athletes, Problems, NCAA investigation, etc. 

In my honest opinion and gut feeling... Brandon will meet with multiple potential replacements such as Harbaugh, Miles, and other candidates... and try and gather what they think about Michigan's Program and if they are PASSIONATE about it. I also think in the Post-Interviews with the Coaches of the Current team he will weed people out IF he decides to KEEP Rod. 

Keeping Rod probably puts us around 8-10 wins next year and possible stepping stones to be a Big Ten Power. Firing Rod probably puts us around 6-9 wins with coaching change and attrition, new system?, but which will be better LONG TERM? What is going to Make Michigan... MICHIGAN again? Where "The Game" becomes relevant. Ohio State has a GREAT leader in Tressel; as much as we all HATE them, respect that he has built a SOLID program there, and has cheated less than previous OSU coaches. Has [some] class and does what good coaches do and build a team around the athletes he has. 

I have put my Trust in Brandon, and I believe he will do what is right for the program in the Long-Term aspect. If he decides to Keep Rich, then I am going to stay a Rich Rod Supporter. Unlike Martin, I believe Brandon will make the University profitable, as well as being well recognized as THE university of Michigan, again. He may want that kind of a coach in Harbaugh that will TELL it LIKE IT is... won't sacrifice Image for a "W". I personally like that he called out the University, before it got out of hand... UM Athletes HAVE been given an easier road if they want it.... 

I feel that Coach Rodriguez is currently safe but that can change.  A blowout loss to Ohio State and an embarrassment in the bowl game may seal his fate.

Prior to the Champs Sports Bowl in 2004, Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni was safe for returning the next year until SU was embarrassed on national TV and the decision was basically made on the sideline after the game.

The most important thing about Michigan football is beating those rat bastards in Columbus.  If he gets blown out again, I can't see how you can bring him back.