What do you make of Desmond's comments?

Honesty

wanted les miles, i think that answers any questions about him and his relationship with RR that you may have.

There are plenty of alumni who have a problem. Not everyone is a bunker optimist.

... there are two types of Michigan football fans.

1) Those that read MGOBLOG and fully appreciate what RichRod is trying to do with our program and how others are trying to undermine him.

2) Those who do not read MGOBLOG and are genuinely scared and disgruntled and partially bought into what the MSM spews.

My guess is that the big boosters fall into category 2. People on this board, generally, are probably not the biggest donors to the program.

nothing to worry about yet, there isn't any new billboards are there? from your linebacker alumnus :)

Yeah, I don't see how anything he said is incorrect. If we lose tomorrow there's going to be a huge shitstorm. To deny that would be ridiculous. Will RR get fired for it? Probably not. Will the heat get cranked to 11 by detractors? Most definitely.

He does not really like RR, but if we lose tomorrow, he is probably right.

and frankly what Desmond said is true. What I was wondering is why I never heard him say something encouraging about the program. No it will take time for the transition, no the guys are working hard, no those were just allegations and every elite team trains extra hours...nothing like that. Even Rick Leach admitted he and other alumni wanted Miles to be "considered" for the job, but he at least likes the current coaching staff. Is it safe to say Desmond is in the anti-RR group right now?

I think it means more that he tipped his hand in his own personal feelings than it does that he is the Nostradamus of RR's future. I am sure that there are many alumni who did not have RR at the top of their wish lists. But I also do not think most Michigan alumni would want us to hire a guy and then not give him a fair chance. I hate ND, but I was shocked when they booted Ty Willingham after three years (although it is funny thinking about how they ended up with Charlie at $4+ million per year for ten years in his place!). He was definitely a poor choice, but he was their choice and they owed him a reasonable chance to succeed or fail. The same is true for RR. Even if he was not your first choice, he is a good guy and deserves a fair chance.

He was talking about the Notre Dame game. Which program would be hurt most by a loss. Herbie picked ND, Desmond picks M.

and I think Coach Rod will make a statement this year. A new era of Michigan Football starts tomorrow, last year was a colonic of Lloyd's left over BS. Go Blue!

RR should get three years minimum. If nothing else, just so other coaches know they get three years.

However, the first two years don't go down the memory hole. IMO, if we don't make a bowl this year, RR is effectively on a one-year contract next year with no room for error. If we lose tomorrow, all of a sudden just making looks like a challenge.

I don't expect that to happen, but if it does, just do the math, and you can see that the rope will be getting short.

I'm over 40 and am just . . . um . . . FOR IT!

is now a drone of the UM hating machine known as ESPN

It's not just alumni who are concerned about RR.

There is a rift within the athletic department (broadly defined as current administration and former players) with one side not comfortable with RR's demeanor. He is not a Michigan man in the eyes of these traditionalists.

It speaks volumes that Lloyd Carr has not supported Rodriquez in any meaningful way.

Tradition, honor, values, understanding what makes Michigan "the leaders and best" are all areas where RR has not convinced many that he belongs.

anyone really expect Desmond to go on a tirade about how Michigans going to go 11-0 and get upset in the NC game? I think hes just trying to not be a homer like Holtz, because no one will take you seriously after.

Well its kind of true, isn't it? People (fans, media or whoever they may be) are going to flip out if we lose to a directional school in the state.

Then all such fans should stand up and say they think Rick Leach does not represent "tradition, honor, values, and understanding what makes Michigan the leaders and best."

And "demeanor?" These people, all of whom genuflect to their completely distorted image of Bo Schembechler, don't know a fucking thing about "demeanor." If Bo was coach today, they'd all be yelling for his scalp because Bo was frequently a mean, stubborn, cantankerous, obnoxious prick who despised the press and didn't care if the press or anyone else knew it.

ok ok I'll say it..."I'm a man, I'm 40!!"

not really, but it had to be said. go blue! I'll be there to throw water bottles at any boo birds tmw

Desmond needs to move on. Martin didn't choose Miles, and its just over. I'm behind RR. Of course, I am not tied in to the football community. I am just a graduate and fan (so is my wife, daughter is a junior). We count for something. This is why Moses spent 40 years in the dessert; to get the traditionalists out and prepare for the new. Anyone not behind RR in year 2 disgusts me. We gave Lloyd a lot of years.

desmond wanted miles- it's a strong belief among many that he was the one who errantly leaked it to herbie that infamous day of the "my damn strong team" speech by miles.

many former players still want miles or just don't like rich rod. why? they've never really been able to say, but i know a few who were at dinner with him in august and for whatever reason they did not come back with glowing reports and this was not their first time with him.

I myself was not completely sold until this latest fiasco; however, hearing his response, the response of the parents, and other former players (such as leach and bell) have given me a significantly different picture. I find it hard to believe that the investigation will find anything of magnitude and unless that happens i am now 100% behind rich rod.

Desmond and others need to get "all in".