RR's Quote about "wanting to be a Michigan Man"
As a preface, as most of you know, I was a strong RR supporter, but since mid-season, I have joined the ranks of those who think that RR should probably not be back next year.
So I logged on to MGoBlog this morning to see if there was any actual insight (not the Bowl)to be gained from the Bust last night. And I see that certain members of the MSM and some posters are trashing RR's quote that he "wants to be a Michigan Man."
Are you freeking kidding me? This is what our fanbase is reduced to? Criticizing Coach for being honest and humble in his speech at a team Bust? To me, RR's statement that he wants to be a Michigan Man was one of the most sincere, emotionally-open statement I can recall a coach giving.
He is acknowledging that within our alumni and fan base, there is a concept of a Michigan Man. He is acknowledging that many do not accept him as a Michigan Man. And, most importantly, he is expressing his honest desire to gain acceptance to that designation. He is recognizing that just because he was hired to coach the team, that does not automatically make him a Michigan Man.
To me, that statement alone makes RR a Michigan Man. From what I have read of the bust, RR handled himself with dignity and class, and in a manner that makes me proud to have him as our coach.
While I still have reservations as to whether he can survive the shitstorm that he has faced, RR is a class act who is deserving of all of our respect and pride. He certainly does not deserve to have his statements twisted and mischaracterized as they have been.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
I truly want to be a Michigan man.
Well it shows he is more committed to the success of Michigan football than most people on this board.
And since the players haven't quit on him and he hasn't quit. I won't.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
And since the players haven't quit on him and he hasn't quit. I won't.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
In all honesty there hasn't been anyone criticizing him for his remarks last night, it was for the song and hand-holding and that whole bit of awkwardness.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
Exactly. The speech was fine, but the rest? Yet another embarrassment to Michigan. When people start comparing this to John L. Smith slapping himself, well... we've hit a new low.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
Yeah, my Sparty friends are having a field day with this...
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
Their second option for expressing team unity was to go crash a party and punch girls.....
They chose to sing songs and hold hands.....
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 AM ^
We are reduced to caring about what Sparty can make fun of? We make fun of T. Pryon on this site all the time. You know what? OSU isn't complaining about having him as their QB.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^
Since when are supposed to give a crap what our "spaty friends" have to say? If you are going to let them get in your head, then you have already lost and that is on you, not RR.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
An embarrassment to Michigan? Are you kidding me? Can you please tell me what RR did at the bust that embarrassed Michigan?
In my years of watching sports, I have seen coaches storm out of press conferences, curse out reporters, take public pot shots at their players, get caught in compromising situations (even our own Gary Moeller) and, yes, slap themselves.
What has RR done that you feel approaches this? I think that throughout his 3 year tenure - during which time most of us would have lost it and told the media and the Michigan fanbase to take this job and shove it - he has acted with dignity and poise, and has been an exemplary example to the kids he is coaching.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^
As the person I replied to said, the combination of a Josh Groban song and awkward hand-holding. The fact that it is getting play across the nation and casting the program in a negative light is embarrassing. There was no need for it.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:41 AM ^
Then I don't want to be right.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
Sorry the song hurts your hipster credibility. Some people actually like inspirational, classically trained singers that don't wear skinny jeans.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
You are pissed because you are embarrassed that the team chose to demonstrate team unity in a manner that you don't approve of?
I can see that. How dare they decide anything without running it past SeanMSC first.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
How many times does "Haters Gonna Hate" have to be posted in various threads before it sinks in? It's not just to be funny, you know.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
I was not. I had been at another alumni dinner meeting, with Dave and Jan Brandon, the night before.
Did you read the account of the Bust in the Free Press? Is that part of what you are referrring to?
I got the very distinct impression that the Free Press' Mark Snyder wanted to portray the evening as one of embarassing discomfort for Rich Rodriguez. But of course, Mark Snyder has, following the direction of Mike Rosenberg, tried to portray everything about Rich Rodriguez as an embrassing discomfort, for more than two years. And their efforts in that regard began long before anyone knew that the team would go 5-7, and then 7-5.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
Nice namedrop.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
About that encounter, that is. While Brandon spoke at the football bust for fifteen minutes (is what we're told), he spoke to the group I was at (only about 100 people) for more than an hour, with the floor opened to questions, including my own. You might be interested.
December 3rd, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
I am.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
Why should we care how people outside the Michigan community view our coach or our program? I surely don't and I dont know why any Michigan fan would. Be proud to be a Michigan Wolverine fan and if you don't like RR or you want him gone, voice your opinion, but don't compare him to a Sparty and definitely don't base your opinions on what everyone else thinks. The bandwagon is not meant for true fans.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
No ,Rittenberg criticized him - he basically implied that he was awkwardly begging for his job.
I didn't take RR's comments that way.
As for the song, what is wrong with this? Lloyd used the movie Cinderella Man to inspire his team in 2007. Why is this any different?
If you want to criticize Coach for the team's performance, or for his playcalling, recruiting, hiring decisions, fine, but this is silly.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
This was a forum to honor 21 seniors, not to publically appeal for your job. What inspiring needs to be done at a football banquet? This was embarrassing.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
held at a point in time in which the program is surrounded with speculation and controversy?
You are right. Why would they need inspiration?
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
Not that I advise it, but go to the annarbor.com or detroit news story on this and there are lots of people criticizing this exact quote.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^
because it's a well known fact that the people who reply to the comment sections for articles in our local online newspapers are always rational and they are most certainly always Michigan fans.
Keep it up guys.... I have plenty more sarcastic responses for the absurdity that we are being exposed to in this thread.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
I love the guy. If he leaves, I will root for whatever university he goes to (2nd to UM, if you are wondering). If he stays, I really think our students are in good hands.
He continues to build my confidence in him. When he kept Hagerup home - I was pissed - and totally impressed by his integrity.
It is going to be a long month.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^
It is going to be a long month.
Are you saying that the new football season starts in a month?
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
It's the MSM and a certain sect of fans that have made sure he is not considered a Michigan Man. Those same people are now chastizing him for addressing his difficulty (due to MSM and some fans) in "becoming" a Michigan Man.
Pretty pathetic on the media and certain fans' parts, IMO.
It's like telling someone for 3 years that they "aren't good enough" and the moment the person responds with "maybe I'm not good enough, but, I'm going to be" then the original accusor lashes back with "You have zero confidence, you are worthless because you admit you aren't good enough"
It's like watching verbally abusive parents.........
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
This kind of behavior is making me ashamed of Michigan "fans."
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
Amen! Very well said!
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
Is you raise me up! Thank you.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
just listened to that speech...made me f-ing sick to my stomach as a michigan man myself. this guy belongs in the woods somewhere. get this moron f-ing hillbilly the hell out of here and bring in f-ing harbaugh right f-ing now.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
Look how he has handled himself the last 3 years!
Other Coaches dogging him-he says nothing, holds his head high!
Ex-Players/Alumni dogging him-He says nothing, holds his head high!
Look at this team, have you ever seen a team that is all about TEAM!!! I know I have not in my 30 years of living and breathing MI football.
RR is class and is truely a MI man, and Bo would be proud. Lets just hope others that are making the calls are MI men also!
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
to call myself a Michigan fan. I'm rapidly approaching that point. I know it won't be an issue in public, because we will fit right in with the tOSU fans, but I am getting to the point where I am going to ignore everything but the team.
People accepting as fact statements that he was begging for his job have just about put me over the edge. I do know that I long ago stopped saying to myself "well, it can't get much worse".
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
I felt that way when my co-workers put a suffed animal in my office with Gergs picture taped to it. They are LSU fans and they listen to Creed while they rollerblade so...
December 3rd, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
I'm with you. I almost didn't come to the site today. I'm sick of it all, the speculation, the groping for new reasons to support/bemoan what David Brandon decides in a month's time.... it's tiresome, it really is.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
C'mon, didn't you get the Michigan Memo? Emotions are for coaches who win many more games than they lose. Then it's perfectly acceptable to shed a tear or two, but if you've had a losing season, God forbid you should do anything than display a steely-jawed demeanor with no hint of any feelings whatsoever.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
And god forbid you yell at your players during a game. "Throwing them under the bus" or some such nonsense.
In summary, don't show compassion, and don't be a hard-ass. So be emotionless.
And when he shows a lack of emotion...he will be criticized for showing no emotion. That's teh way it is.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
Couldn't agree with you more. He is a class act and doesn't deserve this nonsense.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
I had one opportunity to meet RR at a DC alumni function and was very impressed. Everything he has done as head coach has continued to impress me. To me, he will always be a Michigan Man, and has always conducted himself in the highest tradition of Michigan Men, regardless of whatever decision DB makes in ~ 4 weeks. And, like sheepman, I will always root for him if he leaves unless he is playing against us.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
What were the findings of the post-season poll regarding whether or not we think RR has done enough to stay?
Not that it matters to the AD, the program, or MSM, i'm curious as i consider ourselves to be amongst the elite... and by that i mean... Elite of fanaticism.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
Josh Groban? Man, he might have just as well sang Kum ba yah at the end of the OSU game.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
The way that RR has been demonized by the MSM/freep/grumpyAlumni/etc makes me sick. He is honestly a very good and humble guy, and as such I really wanted to see his luck turn around this year. And make no mistake, he's a great coach.
We can sit here debating whether he's a good fit for Michigan all day long, that's obviously still way up in the air right now. But as soon as I see a "DickRod" or a "first major violations in UM history RABBLE RABBLE", I tend to get very upset...many people disrespecting a guy who has really a ton of integrity.
I mean, look at the numerous times he's put the team, the school, and most importantly the health of his players ahead of football since he's been here, and is maintaining a high standard of excellency. Mealer, CIssoko being dismissed, Hagerup being suspended for violating team rules, the numerous times Denard has been benched for cautionary health reasons (most especially Illinois), the Tate situation earlier this year (and look at how mature he is now!) etc. etc. etc. Those are all qualities of a Michigan Man. How can you criticize a guy for wanting to be considered one?
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
I've got to say, I'm more on board with keeing RR now than I was before he gave that speech.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
I do like his Michigan Man comments, I do not like Josh Grobin songs anywhere near a UM football team activity. I'm very mixed on this issue and really not sure whether to hire JH or keep RR. I do think that DB should probably make the decision sooner rather than later for recruiting's sake but then again what does it matter what I think.
December 3rd, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
Can we get a "no Josh Groban" clause in JH's contract?
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
It's bullshit that there's anyone out there who doesn't feel like he's what people want to call a "Michigan Man". I was at the UConn game....I saw Brock Mealer....I've seen a team that has improved each year and is solidly behind their coach. He's been dragged through a ton of shit for the last three years, most of it unwarranted. I'm proud to call him my coach.
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:38 AM ^
I am convinced that if RR stood at a press conference and announced that he had personally discovered the cure for Cancer the media headlines the next day would be:
"Milliions of Doctors and other health care suddenly out of work - Michigan Coach Rodriguez found responsible"
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:38 AM ^
Clearly RR understands Michigan tradition. Namely, the fact that one can only become a Michigan man as a coach* is through several increasingly difficult tasks:
1. Sign three 5* athletes in one class.
2. Beat OSU in six consecutive years.
3. Prove by way of genetic testing that you are a carrier of several little known recessive genes that Bo Schembechler was known to have.
The only alternative is to become blood brothers with the current athletic director.
No one cares more about this program than Rich Rodriguez, and he realizes that since he hasn't made great strides toward completing the tasks, his fate lies with David Brandon. I, for one, and impressed with his knowledge and understanding of the Michigan Illuminati and their workings. It is rare for a non-Michigan-man to have such insight.
(*Coincidentally, for a fan to become a Michigan Man, all he or she must do is be very angry every time they don't like something. The more anger, the higher their standing in the Order of the Wolverine.)
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
"Coincidentally, for a fan to become a Michigan Man, all he or she must do is be very angry every time they don't like something. The more anger, the higher their standing in the Order of the Wolverine."
+1 to you, good sir.