Sleepless in Seattle?

Submitted by Sven_Da_M on

I assume it was a late arrival for Mary Sue Coleman, David Brandon and Rich Rodriguez last night.  And likely a fitful night's sleep in the hotel (rooms too hot or too cold).  Likely they arose early, and can't wait to start the NCAA hearing, state their case, respond to questions--and get the heck out of town.

You can bet the friendly confines of Ann Arbor will never be more appreciated.

In case they have some time between breakfast and leaving for the hearing, I assume at least one of them will check MgoBlog.  My hunch it's Mary Sue.  

So Mary Sue, I want you to know two things (and please relay these to David and Coach Rod). 

First, you will make an impressive team for this hearing, and you have my complete support.

Second, two words:

Is anyone with me?

Blue boy johnson

August 14th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^

Ok, I will be negative, though it pains me. If things don't go well in Seattle, this meeting could be the straw that breaks the camels back.

RR's first 2 years have been atrocious, now we enter year 3 devoid of cornerbacks, because of JT's flame-out, DW's dislike for the program and RR's propensity to recruit corners he can't get into school.

If the West Virgina stuff is bad for RR, and I'm sure the Mountaineers will do their level best to make it appear that way, RR has very little wiggle room IMO. How many  blows can this poor guy sustain.

Here's to a big big season on the field cause lord knows RR needs it and deserves it.

blueheron

August 14th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^

Things are definitely in rough shape, Gordie, but I think you're being overly negative on the CB situation.

* First: http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/commitments/2006/m…; See any CB's there?  I see only two safeties.  Sure would be nice to have a 5th-year senior CB around, wouldn't it?  (I'm pouring gas on the CB fire, but I wanted to show that the responsibility is shared.)  Only single CB (Boo Boo) was teed up in '08 before RichRod grabbed J.T. Floyd (love/leave him).

* Are we sure that Donovan didn't split because he saw an opportunity?  Are we sure that it was his distaste for RichRod's handling of the defense (which I agree would be understandable) that made him leave?

* "RR's propensity to recruit corners he can't get into school..."  Yes, Adrian Witty (maybe a Denard bait, anyway) and Demar Dorsey.  What about Cullen Christian, Courtney Avery, and Terrence Talbott?

Blue boy johnson

August 14th, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^

Howz about recruiting CB's whose best position is CB. One thing that has bothered me when reading about our CB's, they all come with the caveat, (he would be better off at safety), is this because Safety is an easier position to play, or are we just not recruiting true CB's.

Our CB situation reminds me of my daughters softball team, every girl is better at 2nd cuz none of them can make the throw from shortstop.

Togaroga

August 14th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^

...he knew there would be no NLF next season.  If that is the case, and it likely is, then this may have been his best chance at an NFL payday.  If he waited he would be piled into a draft with two years of draft picks in it.  He probably just thought this was his best opportunity to get into the NFL. 

I'm sure he didn't like the defensive production over the last two seasons, but money is a much stronger motivator.

Blue boy johnson

August 14th, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^

Firstly, you are going on the assumption DW knows what nobody knows.

Secondly, it doesn't matter how many years worth of draft picks you are piled in with if you aren't going to get drafted.

Thirdly, the money DW is going to make as a free agent, less the cost of his year at M, is something a degree from M can overcome in the course of a lifetime.

Fourthly, DW didin't seem to be in the best of shape for his best opportunity.

Ernis

August 14th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^

Your points don't hold up. First point, there is a probability of each possible outcome that can be projected ... you construct a decision-tree, with payouts of each outcome multiplied by the chance of each outcome, and figure out wtf to do. Don't need to "know" something to move forward with a decision, bro

Second point, this is completely moot because I'm pretty sure DW thought he was going to get drafted.

Third point, his free agent status is predicated on not being drafted so... see my rebuttal of point two.

Fourth point, I'm willing to bet DW and his agent begged to differ.

Sheesh man, it's one thing to have a dissenting opinion but this argument of yours is Freep-league logic.

BiSB

August 14th, 2010 at 9:58 AM ^

Thanks, Debbie Downer.

If it makes you feel any better, RichRod's fate will entirely rest on this year's results on the field. By the time the decision comes down, the season will be half over, and RichRod will be well on his way to either securing or losing his job.  If we're 7-0 and the NCAA comes back more harshly than expected, no one will care.  If we're 2-5, and the NCAA comes back with a clean bill of health, no one is gonna notice.

And FWIW, I don't think the Demar Dorsey situation qualifies as a "propensity."

Blue boy johnson

August 14th, 2010 at 11:46 AM ^

Your assertion doesn't make me feel any better or worse, it is a product of how atrocious the first 2 years have been.

RichRod's fate will entirely rest on this year's results on the field.

For better or worse, JT got into school late, Dorsey and Witty not at all.

BiSB

August 14th, 2010 at 1:38 PM ^

The first two years were bad (though to an extent unavoidably so).  My only point was that I can't envision a scenario where the results of this meeting have any real impact on RichRod's tenure.  If he wins, he stays. If he doesn't, he's gone. 

Today's meeting is about whether Michigan will face some nominal additional punishments (an extra year of probation, loss of an extra scholarship, additional practice time deductions, or the loss of a position coach) on top of the self-imposed penalties.  The infractions are known, and Brandon has seen all of the evidence and is fully aware of the situation already.  The NCAA has already put all of their cards on the table; this whole meeting is about Michigan sharing their information with the NCAA.  What could possibly come out of today's meeting that could affect RichRod's future, other than the ridiculously miniscule chance of some random NCAA crackdown (like a show cause order)?

turd ferguson

August 14th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^

I basically agree with this, South Bend, but I'm worried about what happens in the (likely) case that we're neither 7-0 nor 2-5. I think our worst-case scenario might be seeing the team do just barely enough not to make a coaching change in each of the next several years. Maybe a few 7-6 or 8-5 seasons or something like that. I want certainty after this season (with an obvious strong preference for being certain that RR's the guy).

There's that parable that says that if you increase the temperature of the water slowly enough, a frog will sit there until his death. My biggest worry - even more than a bad season that costs us Rodriguez - is that we'll be stuck in this no-man's land for long enough that it really damages our program expectations, recruiting, historical records, etc.

A 10-3 season or something sure would hit the spot this year.

sharkhunter

August 14th, 2010 at 5:20 PM ^

About one year from now, RR will likely have to make the same trek to another NCAA hearing but this time he will be traveling with or meeting the WVU team, WVU AD, WVU Pres and good ole Coach Stew.  Fun fun fun.  Professionally this has got to be one of the lowest points imaginable for a head coach.  Going to an infractions hearing with your boss, with your boss's boss and apparently the B10 boss.  Then, a year later going to the same hearing and addressing the same charges and going with your old boss, your old boss's boss (both of whom work for the institution that previously sued you for $4 million) and the good ole boy that is now working your good ole job.  Fun fun fun.

GunnersApe

August 14th, 2010 at 10:19 AM ^

Lets this be the last fucking day of this stuff.

Also I would like to live in the fantasy of the NCAA saying “This is ridiculous, Michigan will receive no penalties and the NCAA suggests Michigan sever all ties with The Freep, here is a refund check for all your schools expenses.”   

But we also know that there will be at least two more local TMZ reports from the papers that try to keep this on the front page. Again please let this die.    

 

Edit: Fixed spelling because I'm a jackass and I wanted to make Otter's butthurt less.

gater

August 14th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^

Just in case anyone was wondering...they're eating well.

 

RT @mikerothstein: Breakfast buffet for the hearing: eggs, bacon, potatoes, fruit, juices.#Michigan #NCAA

SysMark

August 14th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^

One thing I don't get about this process - why will it take the NCAA 6-8 weeks to issue their report on this after the meeting today (per MSM accounts)?  Seems like something that could be decided in 3-4 days.  What are they going to do in 6-8 weeks.  This isn't The Supreme Court.

MGoShoe

August 14th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^

...will progress:

mikerothstein Here's the rundown: 8:30 a.m. start. 10-10:15 break. 12 p.m. Lunch. Then finish after lunch. No COI comments. #Michigan makes own choice

chengelis Cheryl from NCAA: Meeting expected to start 8:30. Break 10-10:15. Lunch at noon, hr-ish. if another break, then at 3.

chengelis She said no comments from NCAA. Private, closed door. They encourage UM not to comment...

MGoLiteral

August 14th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^

Wow, I can't believe these journalists were comped to go to Seattle so that they can twitter about breakfast foods, boxes, and people walking into rooms.

mgoblue52

August 14th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^

"SEATTLE -- The principal figures for the U-M football NCAA infractions hearing began arriving by 7 a.m., more than an hour and a half before the scheduled start." --- Freep

 (So I don't have to link it).

Soon-to-be Breaking News:

"RICH RODRIGUEZ and UM Exceed Time Limits for Compliance Meetings"

HailGoBlue86

August 14th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^

Thank god this is all over, I think the NCAA will just agree with what we said. I mean they got a lot bigger stuff going on right now than our team going 20 minutes over stretching.

jmblue

August 14th, 2010 at 3:02 PM ^

I actually bet they slept fine.  They know this whole affair is stupid and that our violations were of the nitpicking variety.  We'll get our slap on the wrist in due time.