No Way Coach Rod gets fired this year
There's no need for it. Brandon is committed to doing an evaluation after the bowl game. It is already too late to fire Rodriguez. There is no harm done in letting him coach another year - especially on the money side of things. If Harbaugh wants to go pro, well then, he can make that decision. We don't want him if he is just going to do that in a few years anyway, and on the other hand if he really, really wants to come to Ann Arbor well, eff it, let him show us that. Especially the case after the way he jammed up the program a few years back.
Brian, you may have heard things from reputable sources, but I do not hear you saying that someone has told you anything with certainty.
So based on the rumors, but then looking at the time, and the bottom line, and then considering that there is absolutely no evidence that Harbaugh even WANTS to come here, I'll stick with my guns. It would be a bad decision to dump Coach Rod and go off into the unknown, especially with the price being what it is.
Additionally, I have heard it said that Brandon will not fire Coach Rod unless he has some assurance that Harbaugh wants the job. To those who say this, I ask where the f*** is your information coming from on this one? And also I will say - if Brandon is the kind of slimeball that would say on one hand that he will wait in order to evaluate, all then while putting out feelers to Harbaugh, and then conditioning what he does based on what Harbaugh says, then we all must step back and reconsider the propriety of the Athletic Director. I consider him to be a stand-up guy - but maybe I should reconsider, based on the infinite wisdom of the speculators in our midst.
November 30th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
I am typically very optimistic as well and would absolutely love to have the above scenerio occur. I am having trouble projecting this team becoming what you describe.
1) The offense must take another large step forward in 2011. Yes it piled up yards, but it was unable to put points on the board against Iowa, MSU, OSU, PSU and Wisc. How many more steps forward can we expect it to take? Denard will have more experience but defenses will be more prepared to stop him. We will probably rely on a freshman running back to carry the load. The offense is going to have to carry the team again and I don't think it is going to be able to.
2) The defense has to improve dramatically. This is a given, but how much improvement can we really expect with a new scheme and the players merely having one more year of experience. Yes, we will get some players back from injury but is it enough. Even with a completely healthy roster I cannot see this defense being able to stop the top teams in the Big Ten.
3) Special Teams. There is nothing that shows me that this area will improve at all.
I hope I am wrong and Michigan is challenging for a Big Ten title next year. But after looking at this team and where I see it going, I think we are projecting to be the best of the 2nd tier of teams. It is an absolute punch in the gut for me to say that, but that is what I see.
November 30th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
Our problem has been
1) Ball security - We haven't taken care of the ball well enough. How many potential scoring drives have we seen fizzle out because of a fumble or an interception. This might have to do with size - since getting jumped on by 300 lbs guys while keeping the ball secure isn't the easiest thing to do.
Similarly - are something which QBs learn over a few years. Once they have confidence and knw the plays better - they will do better.
Defense - Big plays - I attribute defensive problems on youth and new scheme. This can be fixed with Greg Robinson even, once he has quality recruits and more experience on the team.
Special Teams - Hire a coach for special teams - This is what Dave Brandon should be looking at doing.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^
ND, after firing Ty Willingham, and after firing Charlie, had really good recruiting classes. In fact, they are doing great this year (with BK as a 1st year coach).
Why do you assume that a new coach = losing all recruits. In fact, RR had a top 10 class (at that time) in the Lloyd/ RR class.
Also, the scheme leading to player loss also isn't correct. Again look at ND under Kelley. Most people think Mallett left because he didn't want to be at M.
November 30th, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^
I believe recruits will leave not because we have a coaching change, but because we might have a scheme change. The faster, shiftier guys of RR era may not work out for a pro-style coach (read Harbaugh)
It will have -some- negative effect on the program.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:06 AM ^
Yeah, cause he'll be fired next year on Jan 1 ;)
Just kidding, though, seriously he needs one more year
November 30th, 2010 at 7:42 AM ^
Hey guys I just woke up from a 4 year long coma, what did I miss?
November 30th, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^
Just go back to sleep, you will be happier for it.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:07 AM ^
It is already too late to fire Rodriguez?
Let me see if I have this straight. The coach can’t be fired less than 72 hours after the regular season ended? Go ahead and argue that he shouldn’t be fired. But too late? Nah.
[If Harbaugh] really, really wants to come to Ann Arbor well, eff it, let him show us that.
And exactly what is he supposed to do, to show us that? How would you know that Harbaugh wants the job, prior to his accepting it? I mean, you didn’t know Rich Rodriguez wanted the job, did you?
Brian, you may have heard things from reputable sources, but I do not hear you saying that someone has told you anything with certainty.
Why would Brian know “anything with certainty”? I’m a big fan of Brian’s, but let’s be serious. Tons of things could be going on, or not, without Brian knowing them, much less being certain of them.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:18 AM ^
People will be more accepting of the decision. Also GREG get thown under the bus. Now all we have to do is win the bowl game (crossing fingers and chanting "not Nebraska.. . not Nebraska . . .not Nebraska").
Yes, I'm aware of the buyout reduction in January, but given the importance of the upcomming recruiting period, I would think if a move was to be made it would be sooner, not later.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:20 AM ^
If everyone wants to run out the recruiting class the way we (and david brandon) expect to, i doubt he's going to fire RR because he as much as anyone else wants this recruiting class to shape up in the right way.. too many decommits if RR is fired sad to say :/
hope he stays
November 30th, 2010 at 8:51 AM ^
Is there a contest running to see who can post the lamest, most ill-thought out thread on our coaching situation? If so this one might get some serious consideration.
But the day is young and there's still plenty of time for more
November 30th, 2010 at 9:37 AM ^
I HATE EVERYONE.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^
Thank you for starting a new thread about this.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:51 AM ^
to make the right decision either way. I would like to see Rich Rod have success but honestly, have you watched the last 7 games and HOW we lost to the better Big Ten teams? We weren't even competitive!
November 30th, 2010 at 10:06 AM ^
"And also I will say - if Brandon is the kind of slimeball that would say on one hand that he will wait in order to evaluate, all then while putting out feelers to Harbaugh, and then conditioning what he does based on what Harbaugh says, then we all must step back and reconsider the propriety of the Athletic Director. I consider him to be a stand-up guy - but maybe I should reconsider, based on the infinite wisdom of the speculators in our midst."
From your comment, I can tell you've never been the CEO at a major international corporation. Or a politician. That's actually a positive. But the notion that Brandon shouldn't or wouldn't do what you quote is a bit naive.
November 30th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
YOU'RE RIGHT ! he wont get FIRED...because he will resign first. Bank on it.
November 30th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^
If RR is fired what is going to happen with some of the recruits we have coming in like the #1 and #3 rated RB's in the country?
November 30th, 2010 at 8:52 PM ^
Amen! Rich Rod is going no where.