RR talks big ten teams this season and CF generally
This is not a thread intended to debate the merits of Rich Rodriguez as a coach at Michigan whatsoever. RR's tone in the interview suggests to me that he's gotten over having been removed as Michigan's coach, so hopefully we all have too.
This interview is interesting, because he talks about his predictions within the big ten based on his coaching experience. FWIW, he has high expectations for Michigan, but I also think picking Michigan to have any other type of season (poor or average) would not come off well at all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8XoqxHkL4Uk
I tried to embed. I hope it worked. [EDIT: please help by embedding the video; a reminder on how to do it would be nice also but not expected. thanks.]
August 16th, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^
I expected RR to win more than 3 games his first year too. Life is full of disappointments.
August 16th, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^
What a perfect illustration this is, of what I was saying about the "bookends" comprised of this thread, and yesterday's "Lowered Expectations" thread. LOL.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
It really is too funny. If Hoke wins it will "be because of his ability to use his talents for what they do best" and if he loses it will "be because of RR and that stupid defense."
Too funny. I really feel bad for RR.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:30 PM ^
Yes, the cycle repeates itself: Those overly loyal to the current coach will always seek to blame the former coach for the team's problems. Sound familiar?
August 16th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^
if anyone is thinking that RR is between a rock and a hard place with these interviews, don't forget he is being paid to have a mic shoved in his face AND he knew he was going to be put in the position to comment on Michigan, Hoke, et al.
I supported RR while he was here. Now I support Hoke. And after Hoke wins A LOT here for a long time, I will support the next guy.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:30 PM ^
First, I challenge you to name for me one competent division 1 coach who has ever predicted his team's record before the season.
Second, if RR lowered his expectations for MIchigan, people (likely including you) would say he's hating on Michigan or is merely expressing sour grapes for being fired.
Way I see it, you're gonna hate on RR no matter what he predicts for Michigan. It seems like he was being optimistic in his prediction for many of the players that he recruited and coached and with whom he likely has strong connections.
Haters gonna hate.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
what would this guy have said if RR predicted we would win5 games and cite the fact that we were going through a transistion on offense as the reason? Then it would have been "RR thinks we are going to suck this year...he hates BH and doesn't think anyone can coach offense like he does..boo hoo hoo" This is really getting ridiculous.
August 16th, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 2:11 PM ^
Well, plus three years of the worst Michigan defense in history, let's not forget.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
Yeah, it looks like you're pretty set on avoiding the one obvious conclusion.
August 16th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
And you are pretty set on avoiding another completely obvious conclusion...that we would have gotten quite a bit better no matter who was coach this year. That is what happens when you return 20 starters and the best dual threat QB in the history of college football. Thus my point.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^
When that one aspect is "the entire defense," it's fairly significant.
August 16th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
And it isn't fairly significant when it is "the entire offense?"
August 16th, 2011 at 2:04 PM ^
Wouldn't post it with a ten foot pole. Or whatever. Because I knew it would become...this.
But you do make a great point, he should probably just abstain from the question, because it's no win for him. Predict too many wins and it looks like he's trying to say "if 'I' was the coach we'd win that many...and they didn't? tsk tsk" or "well, so what they won 10 games...we would have too" OR if he predicts too few, he's basically saying either this coaching staff will be a mess, or "damn, I left him crap, I should have been fired". There's no way for him to come off sounding good in answering it, unless he gets into a long winded analysis of transition, and player development blah blah blah that doesn't fit the current media soundbyte format. But he's going to be asked it. I guess he could have not taken a media job....but it seems like a lot to ask to not take money people want ot throw at you just to avoid one question a session.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
Well and the fact that his new employer loves hearing us debate about his predicted wins. RR has to know that any debate he stirs up is good for CBS Sports, who is cutting his paycheck nowadays.
August 16th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
Yeah he fell short of expectations, but always though he did it the right way.