Saw RichRod Speak Yesterday

Submitted by JeepinBen on

So I haven't seen this posted yet, and I'm still looking for a link to coverage of the event that isn't the Freep (print only article here http://www.freep.com/print/article/20100525/SPORTS06/100525064/Michigan-s-Mary-Sue-Coleman-Rich-Rodriguez-end-day-at-alumni-gathering-in-Lansing) but yesterday in Lansing there was an Alumni Association Event with some Michigan State Senators and State Reps. Mary Sue Coleman spoke for a while, as did Rich. They got there late as their cars broke down, and in general, Rich seemed like he was ready to put the last 2 years, the violations, the Jihad, everything behind him and just get back to work. 

He had a great sense of humor throughout his speech , including things like "Well, how was your day? Mine was interesting!" and saying "I know cars break down... but when ours broke down near East Lansing... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried" (I'm paraphrasing) Rich also said he's been really appreciative of all of the support and patience shown to him. He said that he's as upset as anyone over the last two years, and he said that he and the program are ready to turn a corner. "Having young guys get experience is great... and really scary while it's happening" He made it seem like the team is really ready to turn a corner this year, they're getting experience at the right positions, depth, and all the things football teams need to succeed. 

My favorite comment was when he said "People often ask me how many offensive coordinators I've got, and I tell them I've got 110,000 every Saturday, and twice as many on Sundays!" That got its own chuckle, before he added "Aw crap, now the NCAA is probably going to call me!!"

Anyway, I thought he spoke really well, he seems ready to begin the next chapter of his career as the coach at "The greatest University in America" and his goal is to build the best football program in america, and they're well on their way.

JeepinBen

May 26th, 2010 at 9:52 AM ^

I'm already ridiculously excited for the 2011 season. The schedule is posted all over the place, but... it's a really easy schedule in 2011. BCS Champ possible schedule. With a lot of 3 year starters...

Rich seemed giddy when talking about the future. These past two years have been rough, but when things are rough and you work through it, at some point we're going to reap rewards. And he looks very ready to do just that this year and next

Wes Mantooth

May 26th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^

Yes, I definitely see a big jump forwards this year, but I still think 2011 is the year everything finally falls into place for Rich Rod & Co.  The schedule is about as easy as it comes, Tate & Denard will have a few years in the program with solid skill position players all around them, and we'll actually have some experience (!) on defense.  That will be the make or break season...

jg2112

May 26th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^

The 100% truth that posters and Michigan fans need to remember about everything that's happened the past two years is:

As bad as you think YOU might be hurt by what's happened, it's personally hurt Rich Rod, that coaching staff, and the players about 100X worse than you.

willywill9

May 26th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^

You are absolutely right.  On a much smaller scale, I'm coaching a little league baseball team (12-14 year olds), and we started out the season 0-5 (injury issues, believe it or not, our roster was paper thin.), we're now 3-6, and have to win out to make the playoffs. 

It's extremely disappointing to lose some of the games we lost, but it's a worse feeling knowing that these kids really want to win.  Luckily, the parents are good fans and are extremely patient.  I couldn't imagine if we had any Psycho Dads or Psycho Moms.  I give Rich Rodriguez all the credit in the world to deal with what he's had to over the last two years.

Don

May 26th, 2010 at 9:28 AM ^

from constant character assassination in the media to supposed Michigan fans apoplectic that he's not Les Miles to the huge disappointments on the field, that he has not once lost his temper in any meaningful way with any media representative or fan. Anybody remotely familiar with Bo or Lloyd knows how unusual this is. The fact that RR never gets any praise for keeping his shit together when dealing with the public is a testament to the irrational hatred he faces 24/7 from some quarters.

Six Zero

May 26th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^

And I'm of the school that, even if you didn't vote for a President of the United States, you concede him a certain level of respect.  Why?  Because he's the President of the United States, and the leader of your country, and at the end of the day you should still be more loyal to your country than any one individual person, if even if that's the president himself.

Since Rich has arrived I've always been in his corner.  There have been times I've been damn proud of him being our coach, and there have been times I've felt let down, disappointed, and even embarrassed, even though I have no control over the situation myself.  On a more personal note, I sometimes feel like if I were to sit down and have a chat with him, he and I probably wouldn't get along all that well.  He's not really my 'kinda guy'-- but that doesn't mean I don't like him, or disapprove in any way what he's doing with the team.  And whatever he has personally done or not done, he's our coach, and regardless of this one person's actions I choose to support him.

With all that being said, we're looking out on the horizon, and season three looms like a great blurry cloud.  It may bring more storms, or it may bring the brightest and warmest weather we have ever known-- there is no way for us, as outsiders, as fans-- to truly know.

But for me, one thing is clear-- this is it.  This is Rich's year to make good on his hire.  I'm not saying I need a national title, and I'm not demanding that we MUST fire anyone if the results aren't good enough -- but if this team doesn't improve in a big way this year, I just can't see myself remaining a vocal supporter of the guy.  And I'm sure he realizes what the fan base will and will not settle for.

Big year.  No pressure.  Go Blue.

Eyebrowse

May 26th, 2010 at 9:39 AM ^

The past two years have seen some relatively tepid comments from Coach Rod about the team and expectations.  I haven't heard a lot of those comments this off-season.  I think Coach Rod is being honest about turning the corner and isn't simply coachspeak. 

This could also simply be chalked up to selective memory and an overriding need to hope for the best this year.

maizenbluenc

May 26th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^

Yes - the past two years have been "we'll win when we desrve to win" and other words of non-confidence. This spring he hasn't been weaving in the disclaimers as much.

It will be interesting to listen when practice rolls around this fall ...

JeepinBen

May 26th, 2010 at 9:51 AM ^

Mary Sue said that someone doesn't trust her to drive herself to these kinds of things, so they sent them a car, and the car that was taking Rich  to this thing broke down. They got a nice BLUE (i dont remember if Rich or MSC made sure to point out the car's color) rental Ford and made it in.

MSC's car overheated, but they turned the AC off and it was ok, as for Rich's car, dunno what broke down with it.

Sugar in the gas tank would have made it explode, so no, it wasnt sugar. They didnt go into details, just made some jokes

allinforM

May 26th, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^

"Aw crap, now the NCAA is probably going to call me!!" I can see the headlines: "Rodriguez jokes about serious NCAA investigation and sanctions"

Beavis

May 26th, 2010 at 12:40 PM ^

I am excited about this year as well - probably more so to see how much we have improved than anything else.

I'd be shocked if we didn't make it to a bowl game.  However, I'm thinking it will be more "Alamo Bowl" than "Capital One Bowl". 

Actually after doing some jerky analysis on my end, I think our window for wins will be pretty small - probably 7 (standard improvement from last year) to 8 (Denard is the truth, and V Smith can be his Steve Slaton).  We might get to 9 if Dorsey makes it, and provides solid production.