RR statement

Since day one, RR has been criticized by fans, alumni, and former players because he wasn't a "Michigan man."  He was never really given a fair opportunity to succeed here at Michigan.  I'd be willing to bet that most people would be extremely bitter if they experienced what RR experienced during his tenure at Michigan. 

RR could have easily decided not to release this statement, or he could have even released a statement bashing Michigan, but he didn't.  Instead, he chose to take the high road and focus on the positives from his time here.  This was a classy move by a coach with great character.

Good luck to you, Coach Rod, wherever you may end up.  You can bet that I will always be one of your fans.  Thanks for pouring your heart and soul into this program for the last three years.  I wish it didn't end this way.

You're a good man.  Wish you the best.

(Also, what WERE we doing on that Zoltan fake punt in E. Lansing?)

Good luck coach Rod. 

for your hard work and effort. Things just didn't work out here but best of luck to you and your family on your next endeavors.
<br>You are a Michigan man.

shows alot of class from a guy that really wanted to be here but just never worked out.

who wants to start a pitchfork mob with me that will descend upon the freep once richrod turns his next program into a juggernaut??

in all seriousness, i dont know why it didnt work here. but hes going to be good at his next school. i have no doubts

Wishing you all the best.

Good Luck Rich. Many of us really wanted this to work out.

You deserved much better than you got at UM.

Thanks for the ride Rich.  Sorry you couldn't finish it.  Good man and a class act.

Noticed any thanks to the administration was conspicuously absent, as it should be.  They should have stood up for you.

""I think things would have turned out differently if (Rodriguez) would have gotten a fair shake," Mealer said. "It seemed (from the beginning) people didn't want him."

"He's just always been (portrayed) as a villain, and he's nothing like that," Mealer said. "He's one of the greatest guys I have ever met in my life, and I wish people would just acknowledge that. As little as I know about football, I know his character is much different than people played it out to be."

With all the other things that have come to light,  Stan Edwards' call to WTKA a couple months back talking about division, and DB's mentioning division during the press conf., it's clear there was a cabal that simply didn't want RR around, period.

So there was a  group of "Michigan Men" who wanted to see RR fail.   So much for "Michigan Men".   Way to support the program.

I now expect a painful transition into another coaching staff.  I hope these jerks who wouldn't support the program because (OMG HE SAYS "Y'ALL" AND "IRREGARDLESS") will be able to sit back and feel some shame as Michigan struggles yet again next year.   Your savior Harbaugh isn't coming and you ran your current coach out of town.  Now what?  You've got less than a month to signing day and you DO NOT HAVE A COACH. Good job.

Thanks Coach Rodriguez. You are a great man. I hope you win multiple MNC's. God knows you deserve it more than UofM right now. Don't know how people expect you to contend 3 yrs in when you are fighting administration and media the whole way. Didn't exactly help the school perception for recruits. Whatever though, you will be awesome at Clemson. Have some of that Nacho Dip tonight!

If you define Michigan Man as one who comes to Michigan and adopts and exemplifies the culture and unique traditions and right way to do things that is the University of Michigan, then you can understand what the term is supposed to mean and why Fielding Yost or Bo Schembechler or John Beilein or any other coach could come here and be called a "Michigan Man".  Michigan Men are not born, they are made, and it is a state of mind and character and how you do things and how you approach things, not just your existance or admittance/graduation from the University.

That's why Freider, who graduated with an MBA from Michigan, was not a "Michigan Man" at the time Bo made the statement.......

statement Coach Rod made; I regret so much having to read it. I know the Dave Brandon feels he made the right choice, and I respect his opinion as well as the opinions of knowledgeable, well meaning people who felt it was best to let Coach Rod go; everyone is entitled to one as long as it is justifiable and in this case that opinion won out. I am quite frustrated however with the loud, ignorant minority who had it out for him because, essentially, he wasn't who they wanted at the helm. These folks are most identifiable by the joy they exhibited at him being released. These folk want some vague pipedream of a coach that probably doesn't exist. What really frustrates me is that they are still out there, waiting to see who Mr. Brandon selects for the job; if the man doesn't fit the mold and also struggles, they will be more than ready to shoot off their mouths and make the whole fan base look like crap once again.

at David Brandon calling Michigan football a 'brand'?

Is that really all it amounts to for him?

God I wish, if nothing else, he would stop referring to protecting a 'brand'. It isn't a pizza. 

I was so psyched when you came and I'm really disappointed it didn't work out. I'm sure you'll have success elsewhere. I'll always be a fan.

I wish RR all the best.  I also wish things had turned out better, but I didn't really see the roadmap.  Of course, I don't see it now either, so...

#1 Michigan

#2 Whoever is beating the hell out of Ohio State

#3 Rich Rods next team

I was so amped up when RR was hired, I opened a 1997 vintage champagne (from Bollinger, naturally, in honor of Michigan's then-president). 

I do not feel he got a fair shake during his time here.  From the media's skepticism (verging on disdain), to David Bradon's micro-managing (DB was in film rooms, on the side-lines, etc.), to the injuries, to the transfers, to the four-star busts.  He took the fall for all that has gone wrong at Michigan from about 2004 to the present.  

His style was wide-opened, aw-shucks, and fun.  He had his young son on the sidelines with him after games, he married a cheerleader, and he had the tendency (dangerous as it was) to say what he was feeling.  He was a red-blooded guy in a job that had come to be known as a blue-blooded one.  What to him was sincerity was often mistaken for weakness.  He gave three years of his life to this program, and although he made his share of mistakes he'll always be a Michigan man to me. 

Thanks, Coach Rod. Your wins, while few, will out shine the losses. Good luck to where ever you go next. 

Despite the defensive and special teams melt down, I still felt we were on the brink of something special.  I'm truly bummed.  I'm so @#$%&ed @ the Michigan elite that I'm half hoping RR faces Michigan in the near future and his team runs us over.

We all know the next coach won't. 

Thank you coach. I appreciate your hard work and spirit. I will always hope you do well in the future.