Ron Simpkins interview, grab a drink first
I was reading this the other day and it was just like gaahhhh. I honestly felt awful since this is not the guy bitching at the end of the bar, but someone who has fought the battles and gave to the program. We have sat here on the board and argued perception vs reality, but man this thing has to change soon. Reading this was damn depressing. It is behind the paywall, but here is the link anyway if you have the subscription http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1157241.
Here are a few quotes, turn some Morrissey on:
On the excitement over this week: "What excitement? I talk to a lot of former teammates and I watch the news and read the papers but there really doesn't seem like there's much buzz. It's like it's just accepted that this is Michigan's last regular-season game and what everyone is actually looking forward to is the bowl game because it should be a favorable matchup.
On his impressions of the Wisconsin game: "I felt like I was a little kid being punished by having to watch that. I honestly don't know how many Michigan guys watched the whole thing.
On his expectations for Saturday: "I'm always going to look forward to this game but my expectation is not that we're going to beat Ohio State - I'm just hoping we don't get embarrassed. It's hard for me to say that. It's devastating to say that. You hope the kids can play the game of their lives and make Michigan proud but you're really concerned that you're going to feel humiliated on Saturday."
November 27th, 2010 at 1:05 AM ^
The truth that many want to forget is that Michigan Football has always been at its best when it is innovating, and blazing new trails - in fact, setting the standard. Fielding H. Yost, Fritz Crisler, and Bo Schembechler were innovators. They took Michigan in new directions, daringly. And were handsomely rewarded with unparalleled success.
After 40+ years, it was clear that the Schembechler era was at its end. Time to move in a new direction, plain and simple. To go back now would be a huge mistake. There would be no return to glory.
I respect Mr. Simpkins for all he has done for Michigan football, and also respect his opinion. However, it just comes off as whining, and pining for a past that will never be relevant again on the football field, except for in the lore and tradition that makes our storied football program the best.
This time next year, we will know for sure. To derail this before then just does not make any sense.
Go Blue. Win for Michigan tomorrow!
November 27th, 2010 at 2:06 AM ^
After 40+ years, it was clear that the Schembechler era was at its end. Time to move in a new direction, plain and simple. To go back now would be a huge mistake. There would be no return to glory.
Huh? Why was that "clear"? You don't think the way Bo won football games (mainly good defense combined with a solid offense that possessed the ball and avoided turnovers) could still work?
I hate to break it to you, but the Schembechler era is not done, and it is still bringing the glory. It's just that the current glory is in Palo Alto, CA. Everything that is happening there is DIRECTLY because of Bo. Just because it isn't happening at Michigan doesn't mean it isn't happening.
November 27th, 2010 at 2:31 AM ^
If you could watch the last several years of Lloyd's program, and not understand how it was clearly time to head in another direction, I do not know what more you would need.
I love Bo as much as the next guy, but what he had created had become a caricature of itself under the caretaker regimes that followed him. In hind sight, we now see that it had become a country club where players felt more entitled than privileged to wear the winged helmet.
I am sure that Bo has influenced Harbaugh and what he runs, but I would certainly not describe it as "mainly good defense combined with a solid offense that possessed the ball and avoided turnovers."
If Harbaugh had been given the job instead of RR, he would have had a lot of rebuilding to do as well.
November 27th, 2010 at 1:28 AM ^
I hope everyone here ends up being right about Rich. Provided he gets that 4th year. Reality is Michigan is very unlikely to put it's face sport on the line based on hope and projecting out that guys automatically get better each year. Tangible results, not stat lines are gonna count more.
Rodriguez' Michigan teams have absolutely stunk against good teams. Zero wins against Big Ten teams with winning conference records. More blowouts against these opponents this year than last. That counts huge here. There is no sign besides hope that aspect of the program will improve.
I totally get people like this guy being down in the dumps.
November 27th, 2010 at 2:37 AM ^
It is OK to be down in the dumps, if that is how you want to feel. Just don't broadcast it all over the air waves constantly. That is not "standing fast in defeat."
When you are rebuilding a team, there will be difficulties, and you can quote all of the bad statistics you want. But to say that there is no hope is extremely exaggerating. Top ten offense, uppeclass Denard, 19 returning starters, getting back Woolfolk and Floyd on D are all solid reasons for hope.
November 27th, 2010 at 7:45 AM ^
If he doesn't think The Game means much and doesn't expect to win, I mean to be honest how many times have we won in the last decade? Give Rich Rod as many tries against OSU as Carr had and I am quite sure he will do just as well, if not better.
November 27th, 2010 at 8:56 AM ^
if all of the Schembechler-worshiping critics of Rich Rodriguez would at least remember Bo Schembechler's own words:
“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft; on the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing.”
November 27th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
if the only information on it was either total rah rah cheerleading, or defeatist negativism. It's value is derived by displaying all perspectives, as painful as some may be. I am behind the boys today 100% and will scream my lungs out; that said, I admit that I also fear humiliation. That is the unvarnished truth.
November 27th, 2010 at 9:58 AM ^
For a fan-blog, I dare say that MGoBlog features a far wider array of opinions and views on Michigan's head football coach, than what can be found in the Detroit media, where every single columnist, and every single broadcast commentator, virtually without exception, has the same view which is within a micrometer of the column that Bob Wojnowski wrote a couple of days ago. It's the same column that Drew Sharp is writing, and the same as what Lynn Henning is writing. Rosenberg scarcely dares to write a column on the subject now; he has become so toxic in the environment of Michigan football coaching. (Instead, Rosenberg, in Phase II of his operation, is writing national puff-pieces on the Harbaughs for Sports Illustrated.)
You want a single-minded culture? That's where it is.
November 27th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
Is simply not true.
November 27th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^
Someone to LOGICALLY explain why it riles so much anger when all people are doing is criticizing the coaching, the schemes, and the results.
These are opinions, and they are just as right as those who think it's time to go out and buy a lifetime supply of Foster Grants.
You RR supporters seem to act as if the 7-4 record is a monumental statement of proof that Rodriguez is turning things around. AND you, like someone elts said, criticize people like Simpkins while nominating Rick Leach for sainthood.
The product these days, simply, sucks. We are not competitive in the Big Ten where it matters. Simpkins is simply stating the truth.
Wait til your guy gets it turned around and can at least beat Michigan State before you deem anyone who doesn't follow the Rodriguez company line as an idiot.
Loyalty to Michigan is one thing, supporting Rodriguez is one thing--but blindly accepting the program is in good hands and is just a click or two away from domination (or even Big ten Title contention) makes you look foolish right now.