Why Rich Rodriguez was Fired.

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January 8th, 2011 at 4:41 PM
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Happy Jack
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Why Rich Rodriguez was Fired.

I'm convinced after witnessing the state of the board the last few weeks that we've all completely lost our minds, myself included.  I've read every possible dissertation on why Rich Rodriguez should have kept his job and how upset many people are that he got fired and how the program is now nuclear fucked instead of just fucked. It's been written all over the media that Michigan never supported Rich Rodriguez etc etc etc.  It almost looked like an "abusive spouse" effect in that we wanted to love him so bad but the relationship was nothing but destructive.  I decided that in spite of all the bullshit that's been written and said, we need to put aside the emotional attachment and loyalty to take a good hard look at what has transpired.

Ladies and gentlemen, after painstaking research I present to you the honest to god reason why Rich Rodriguez was fired as head coach.   In the 131 year history of Michigan Football, Rich Rodriguez ranks as follows among head coaches at Michigan:

 

Lowest overall winning percentage
1. Rich Rodriguez (.405)
2. Frank Crawford/Mike Murphy (co-head coaches in 1891) (.444)
3. Bump Elliott (.547)
4. Elton Wieman (.594)
5. Harry Kipke (.632)

Lowest Big Ten winning percentage
1. Rich Rodriguez (.250)
2. Bump Elliott (.485)
3. Elton Wieman (.500)
4. Harry Kipke (.560)
5. Langdon Lea (.600)

 

0-6 vs OSU + MSU

Worst Bowl Loss in the History of the Program

Only Head Coach to be charged with Major NCAA Violations during his tenure**

 

There's no ifs ands or buts.  Now, you may like him as a man and he certainly tried hard.  I believe him wholeheartedly when he says the University never got cheated out of a day of his pay.  All of us can also agree that the turmoil of a coaching change is undesirable.  However, anyone with a sense of reason knows that this isn't good enough for Michigan. Simply put, this is the worst that the program has ever been in its entire history.    While a huge pain in the ass, Dave Brandon had to make this move and the writing was written in bold covering every inch of the wall.  

 

I rest my case.

 

And also fuck haterz.  

 

 

** I understand many of us believe this may not have been deserved or of his doing.  Whether you'd like to include it as his fault or not, I think the point made stands.  

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January 8th, 2011 at 4:43 PM | Wow.  Thanks for this.  I'm (Score:1)
Magnus
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Wow.  Thanks for this.  I'm sure none of us knew that Rich Rodriguez lost a lot of games.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20

January 8th, 2011 at 4:46 PM | If it was that obvious, (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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If it was that obvious, asshole, it wouldn't have needed 10,000 board topics from people pissed that it happened. 

January 8th, 2011 at 4:47 PM | surprise! (Score:1)
Magnus
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People on the internet are dumb.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20

January 8th, 2011 at 5:19 PM | So (Score:1)
TIMMMAAY
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Are you posting from outer space?

not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user

January 8th, 2011 at 5:58 PM | which is why im not surprised (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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which is why im not surprised by your response.

January 8th, 2011 at 6:01 PM | lol (Score:1)
Magnus
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Pardon me if I'm not offended by you calling me an "asshole" and suggesting that I'm dumb.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20

January 8th, 2011 at 6:40 PM | pardon me if i'm not offended (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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pardon me if i'm not offended by your arrogance and snide response.  

January 8th, 2011 at 6:45 PM | You deserve to be dealt with (Score:1)
aaamichfan
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You deserve to be dealt with arrogantly. 

January 8th, 2011 at 7:20 PM | ah ha, the super best friends (Score:1)
Plus 1
Joined: 11/24/2010
MGoPoints: 66

ah ha, the super best friends aka high point posters sticking together. Right on cue.

January 8th, 2011 at 8:02 PM | Then why are u surprised when (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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Then why are u surprised when the favor
s returned?

January 9th, 2011 at 3:45 AM | nothin aaamichfan????   a (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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nothin aaamichfan????

 

a lot of us are tired of this elitist bullshit around here.  just because you have 1000000 points doesn't mean you know anything it just means you live on this site 24/7 and respond to everything you can.  the way ideas are silenced on this blog is amazing for the high standards and intellectual dialogue it seems to want to hold itself to.  its more like a high school clique than a place for discussion.  whatever the cool kids say goes. 

January 10th, 2011 at 12:10 PM | Note to self: do not snarkly (Score:1)
MaizeRage-1
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Note to self: do not snarkly respond to Happy Jack.

 

But seriously, +1 for you.

January 8th, 2011 at 5:39 PM | Good lord (Score:1)
Derek
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Let me explain: this was all true before the bowl game, but Brandon didn't fire him then. People are pissed that the situation sucks because of Brandon's decision.

LSA, Class of 2009

January 8th, 2011 at 6:25 PM | Now boarding at Gate 1 (Score:1)
Steve in PA
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Today's non-stop filght to Bolivia is now boardign at Gate 1.  Please have your boarding passes reday for inspection.

 

 

January 8th, 2011 at 5:31 PM | Exactly. The greatest snake (Score:1)
JClay
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Exactly. The greatest snake oiling he ever pulled off was on this community. I literally expected us to change the name to MGoRichRod at some point with the absolute hard-on Brian still has toward this guy.

"Here we are at Ohio Stadium, in front of 10,000 alumni and 74,000 truck drivers." - Bob Ufer

January 8th, 2011 at 6:16 PM | Seconded (Score:1)
thethirdcoast
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Put me down as another Michigan fan who agrees that no man, no coach, and no player is greater than the University, even Mr. Yost or Mr. Schembechler.

I'm really struggling with all the folks around here who seem to have forgotten this concept.

"Stats are for losers. The final score is for winners." -Bill Belichick

January 8th, 2011 at 10:44 PM | Scruffy, a janitor (Score:1)
CalJr3000
Joined: 07/21/2008
MGoPoints: 1007

SECOND (well, third)

I'm with both of you.  Nobody around here can give me a good reason why we should have kept RR, and all I'm seeing about some of the candidates are inaccuracies, like "Les Miles is too old" and "Hoke's SDSU game against TCU wasn't that close," even though it was.  There's a lot of opinion around here right now, but not much fact about the coaching search.  And even more than opinion, there's a lot more of "OMG RR haters suck!" which I think is what the OP was getting at--no conspiracy theory, RR's outta here because he couldn't win games.  People said that would be the deciding factor before the season and--surprise!--it was.  RR knew that coming into the season, did what he could, and it wasn't enough (as the constant unpreparedness and lack of adjustment in games showed).  Until the coaching search is over, get used to threads like this.

January 8th, 2011 at 5:53 PM | fuckin hell man exactly.  buy (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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fuckin hell man exactly.  buy this man a drink.

January 8th, 2011 at 5:57 PM | Perfect avatar. (Score:1)
Section 1
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?TF.

 

 

January 9th, 2011 at 6:18 PM | cute (Score:1)
MGoVillain
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cute

MUAHAHAHAHA!  MUAHAHAHA!

January 8th, 2011 at 5:40 PM | The internet is bats. (Score:1)
chillmodious
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Trust no one.

Who has been putting out their Kools on my floor?!?!

January 8th, 2011 at 4:44 PM | And yes, Brandon should have (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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And yes, Brandon should have fired him a month ago- I agree whole heartedly with that.  This all was obvious before the bowl game was played although the bowl game made it an absolute certainty and made the decision much easier for everyone to accept.  I, like many of us, wanted to see how they played in the bowl game as some semblance of a step forward.  After getting embarrassed, it was clear this was the only choice.

January 8th, 2011 at 5:53 PM | Lets see what happens next year (Score:1)
Maize and Blue ...
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We have 19 returning starters pending transfers/early entrants which is 11 more then RR inherited.   Not to mention a good portion of them will be back in 2012 also.  The man was brought here to do a complete overhaul which takes time.  This team should win 9 games next year.  Will it?

Face it M football is becoming irrelevant as we can't even get former players to come back and take the coaching job.  The university has been extremely cheap when it comes to spending on the program minus the Big House renovations.  The big $$$ donors aren't willing to accept an outsider because they want to go back to run right, run left, run up the middle then punt.

DB is out of his league as an AD.  I just hope he doesn't turn M athletics into a product like what he was selling at Dominoes which was crap.

January 8th, 2011 at 7:17 PM | The man was brought here (Score:1)
Blue Bill
Joined: 09/24/2009
MGoPoints: 80

The man was brought here to do a complete overhaul which takes time.

A complete overhaul of the offensive scheme was expected, and if that was the problem with the team on the field, I think people would understand a little more.  But the offensive transition is pretty much complete at this point; the offense is the only phase of the team at which the team looks remotely competent.  A complete overhaul of the defense and special teams was neither expected nor required, nor was it really attempted in my opinion-- but RichRod (whom I like, by the way) presided over the worst defensive and special teams units in the history of the school.  That is why he lost so many games so spectacularly, and that is why he was fired.

January 8th, 2011 at 7:20 PM | The man was brought here (Score:1)
Blue Bill
Joined: 09/24/2009
MGoPoints: 80

Double post. sorry

January 8th, 2011 at 4:45 PM | Wait, M didn't win all it's games with RR (Score:1)
Bryan
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Well shit.



Btw, this post is completely unnecessary

I have a Fandom Endurance III merit badge

January 8th, 2011 at 4:45 PM | (No subject) (Score:1)
Aamoldini
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1% of the MGoPosters have 99% of the negative points.
#OccupyBolivia

January 8th, 2011 at 4:46 PM | (No subject) (Score:1)
SEAL Fan
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January 8th, 2011 at 4:46 PM | Its called concrete (Score:1)
FuManBlue
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and from what I hear they are building rome with it.

I'm kind of a big deal in Bolivia.

January 8th, 2011 at 4:46 PM | Thank you (Score:1)
TdK71
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For stating the facts.

Oh and +1000 on the h8terz

January 8th, 2011 at 4:46 PM | Yes... (Score:1)
Firstbase
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MGoPoints: 3120

...numbers don't lie. But we would have had Frost and Hart (and possibly more) if he were still on board. That's called an "intangible."

January 8th, 2011 at 4:52 PM | If, after a nine-month (Score:1)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28969

If, after a nine-month performance review, you don't think he's the right coach, would it really make sense to keep him employed just to save a couple of recruits? 

The situation with RR had become toxic.  Fans had mostly given up.  Some players (and their parents) were reportedly giving up on him.  The media smelled blood and went after him constantly.  This would not have gotten better over the course of the offseason.  Yes, it sucks right now not having a coach, but that will pass. 

January 8th, 2011 at 5:04 PM | Yep. It will pass. (Score:1)
Firstbase
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Like a kidney stone.

January 8th, 2011 at 5:18 PM | and when DB comes through (Score:1)
BlueArcflash
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and when DB comes through with a horrible grasping for straws hire, what then?

January 8th, 2011 at 5:52 PM | And really, (Score:1)
Section 1
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why fight it if the media smells blood and goes after you constantly?  Hell, just throw in the towell at that point.

 

 

January 8th, 2011 at 5:57 PM | Scott Draper deserves (Score:1)
Marshmallow
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Scott Draper deserves significant blame too.  And he still has a job even though, according to the Rivals board, he was reportedly responsible for the stretchgate leaks, the leak to Fox that RR was fired and was part of the cabal that asked Harbaugh for an apology for the remarks made about Michigan's academics that Harbaugh's camp says turned him off to Michigan.

January 8th, 2011 at 6:52 PM | That is some of the most (Score:1)
aaamichfan
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That is some of the most tinfoil hatted shit I've ever read. Like I've said before, I can't believe people pay to use those sites.

January 8th, 2011 at 8:56 PM | Oh right, never mind.  Scott (Score:1)
Marshmallow
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Oh right, never mind.  Scott Draper isn't a traitorous idiot who shouldn't lose his job.  We don't need Rivals to confirm that he is and he should.  Go back and see Brian's evaluation on this site about his role in the CARA fiasco.  He is a chief participant.

January 8th, 2011 at 10:23 PM | Huh? (Score:1)
Section 1
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Rivals?  That's not a dog food?

I gotta hear more about this.  Because the "leak" that I have always presumed set off the Stretchgate story, was the leak of the July 27, 2009 CARA memo.  Which sort of came close to costing Draper his job.  So yeah, if there's more to that story, I'd like to know.  But not enough to pay Rivals.

And let me get this part straight -- asking Harbaugh for an apology for a remark, which even Harbaugh's BFF Mikey Rosenberg says is a comment that Harbaugh regrets, was some sort of crime against His Harbaughness and places one in a "cabal"?

And a leak to Fox?  I think cabdrivers, bartenders and barbers are leaking to Fox.

 

 

January 8th, 2011 at 5:33 PM | That's the whole point.  It's (Score:1)
Happy Jack
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That's the whole point.  It's about the entire program.  There's repeated arguments for the recruits etc etc etc that we're losing.  In 3 years RR is statistically the worst coach ever at Michigan.  

It's like if in 2004 or 2005 (can't remember what year) we were going through a coaching change and our 5 star running back Kevin Grady de-committed because of it.  Everyone would be freaking out that we lost the greatest running back ever because of the coaching change.  

The point is we don't know what the recruits are going to turn out to be and to keep a coach because if it is stupid.  The right coach needs to be hired regardless of the recruits right now.  

This post was primarily to put away arguments like this.  I was also personally surprised that he was at the top of the 2 worst categories.  I knew it was bad but it really hadn't hit me that it was that bad.

But Michigan fans right now are more interested in crucifying each other....so be it.

January 8th, 2011 at 9:30 PM | I'm sure everyone knows that (Score:1)
ken725
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MGoPoints: 4561

I'm sure everyone knows that RR did not win enough games.  The only reason why people are upset at the whole situation is how it is playing out.  We could have fired RR and possibly held on to potential recruits if DB's plan worked out better. 

Greetings from Bolivia.

"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple."  - Gary Moeller

January 8th, 2011 at 4:47 PM | Can someone break Brian's servers (Score:1)
PurpleStuff
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The board was better on lockdown mode.

It is spelled HOKEAMANIA.  Our coach is an ass-kicking American citizen, not one of the Beatles, for Christ's sake!

January 8th, 2011 at 5:54 PM | At least I can now give you +1 (Score:1)
Section 1
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for posts like this.

 

 

January 8th, 2011 at 4:49 PM | But, he was treated so (Score:1)
JBE
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But, he was treated so poorly.  The Michigan fan base actually lost all these games.  He never had a chance to be successful.  

Sent From My Commodore 64

January 8th, 2011 at 4:47 PM | For those that say Michigan didn't give him a chance... (Score:1)
goblueinMO
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I disagree.  There may have been some, but most wanted to.  However, his poor handling of existing players with talent and his rules violation are what they are and complicated his stay.  Yes the wins and losses mattered, but they were a byproduct of losing what talent was here in the transition that could have helped give him some time to make his changes.  He took a scorched earth path and it came back to bite him.

January 8th, 2011 at 6:01 PM | This is not in line with the (Score:1)
Marshmallow
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This is not in line with the facts.

January 8th, 2011 at 6:28 PM | Because when... (Score:1)
coastal blue
Joined: 11/13/2010
MGoPoints: 1791

You can accomadate the all-world talents of Steven Threet, you have to do it?

Because we should care what a hypocritical and corrupt body such as the NCAA thinks?

A lot of people compare RR hiring to Gene Chizik. Here is the difference: Auburn fans didn't want Chizik because they thought he was a bad coach. A lot of Michigan fans just didn't like RR for whatever reason.

The fact is, RR did not get a fair shake. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered, but it would have been interesting to see what would have been had the fanbase and media rallied around him instead of spending every waking moment making the job more difficult than it already was.

January 8th, 2011 at 4:47 PM | Rodriguez is old news....Glad (Score:1)
shoelaces
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Rodriguez is old news....Glad he is gone...

Let's GO BLUE
January 8th, 2011 at 4:49 PM | I'll Take (Score:1)
twohooks
Joined: 01/21/2010
MGoPoints: 1407

The Harlem Globetrotters over the Washington Generals.

January 8th, 2011 at 4:49 PM | Breaking news... (Score:1)
MichiganStudent
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Breaking news...

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