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.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^
i never said i don't care how i'm perceived. i don't on this website because it's just that.
do i care about MGoPoints? What's the prize for having the most of those? oh yeah that's why i don't care.
if you would have stopped and thought for a second why an argument like mine would make sense in context with many peoples opinions around here then it probably wouldn't have seemed so "patently myopic." If it's something you've already accepted fine move on. Many people haven't and I myself have had conflicting thoughts of the situation until recently.
and BTW- my post wasn't meant as a dead serious appraisal. It was somewhat tongue in cheek coupled with my opinion. Hence the "painstaking research" for a cut and paste from wikipedia. My opinion is that he was fired because of his putrid record historically placing him last among all coaches that have ever coached here- not because of all the other distractions people are choosing to focus on.
January 8th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
I think that the single biggest problem with the team was actually the kicking game, not the defense. Sure the defense was terrible, but given its youth, that's (relatively) understandable. The kickers, however, were off-the-charts bad and there was no good reason for it. Rich Rod said himself that they were making the kicks in practice, just not in games. What do you do as a coach? Ultimately, you're never going to have a stable of kickers equivalent to the stable of RBs, WRs or DBs. You have one or two guys and expect them to perform. RR eventually started trying out guys from the student body, for chrissakes!
Anyway, throughout the first half of the season, our offense was able to cover the holes that our defense certainly had. But once it became apparent that our offense had to be perfect - that is, they needed touchdowns on every drive, because FGs were not an option - defenses were able to adjust. And all of those 4th and longs that any other team could have taken 3 points on turned into either 0 points for us or 0 for us and 7 for our opponents.
How do you fix that problem? You work on the defense, sure, but you get a new kicker. And we did. He is(/was) and I honestly think that with a half-decent kicker, we win one or two more games next year. Just completely changes the nature of how we play and allows the defense to mature.
I don't mean to ignore the defense here, but people tend to think about the defense, which is a big, hard-to-solve problem, when I think the kicking game might have been as bad and is smaller and easier to fix. In my opinion, it would have made a big difference next year.
January 8th, 2011 at 4:53 PM ^
You want to know RR was fired? Because he didn't win enough AND because, from the first day he stepped into Ann Arbor, people have been taking shots at him in a way that is just embarrassing. Before he coached a single game, people were already calling for his head because he (a) was trying to install a new-fangled spread offense that people didn't like, (b) wasn't Les Miles/Bo, and (c) wasn't a "Michigan Man", that stupid talking point people use when they can't generate legitimate arguments for or against someone.
I feel bad for RR because he tried to push UM into the 21st century and people in the media (and some in the AD's department) were terrified what that might mean. So now we'll probably return to that safe cocoon of 9-3, 10-2 with losses to OSU and any other team that isn't afraid to roll the dice. But hey, we'll probably start beating Wiscy and MSU again, so yippee!
The fanbase suffered through 3 years of crap because the potential payoff was a team like Oregon - a team playing for the MNC and one of the more dynamic and innovative programs in the country. Instead, we are going to suffer through a couple more years of "meh" so that we can return to MAYBE being as good as OSU in 5-6 years. Ugh!
January 9th, 2011 at 12:18 AM ^
...told us UM fans to "get a life".......fantastic words coming from our leader at best. And if 10-2 and your "safe cocoon" is for the taking....i'm all in for michigan....because you can't go undefeated every year but hopefully our new coach can put 11 guys on the field for defense....oh wait that's right....he's not in charge of the D....he's just the HC.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^
Agree, bronxblue. I believe that Brandon does not like the spread (it's a gimmick to an old football man, such as himself), and we go back to 3 yards and a cloud of dust, contending for the B1G and losing the bowl games. In a conference locked in a time capsule. And when one of the upper echelon teams in the B1G goes spread, we won't even compete for the B1G title.
January 9th, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^
...in a time capsul, that Time Capsul has gone a very respectable 8-8 in bowl games the last 2 years (and 3-3 in BCS games the last 2 years) so its not like its terrible. And no upper echelon teams in general are going to the spread (as a matter of fact, more top teams in general are tossing the spread, Auburn will probably have to ultimately get rid of the spread when Newton eventually leaves as he's that rare "once in a lifetime" talent that can overcome the flaws in that scheme).
January 8th, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^
January 8th, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
If only they would have scored more points than every team they would have won the National Championship. Unfortunately they didn't, so they didn't.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:12 PM ^
Just think what could have been for Michigan if we had kept the pro-style offense, and retained Mallett, Manningham, and Arrington. We probably would have been on the outskirts of a national contender this year. If you argue against that, you can't deny we would be a lot better off than we have been.
I was one of the individuals lobbying for a more potent offense, like a west-coast, or hybrid spread. I have been disappointing, as has everyone with the team's performance, but I still think RR should have been more adaptable with the player he had. Scraping the team and throwing away two seasons to set up your team is ridiculous and if he thought that the UofM community would tollorate it, well... he knows the answer to that now.
On another point, Dave Brandon is correct saying we need to rally around our new coach, and be a cohesive entity. The negging on opinions outside of your own, only shows your lack of bipartisanship and closed-mindedness. This is an outlet for all of those associated with and connected to the univerisity to exchange their thoughts and opinions. If you disagree with this then you may as well call yourself a facist. This is a new chapter in Michigan football and as history has shown we can only progress as a program if we are all in agreement of the direction we are going. This is the time for us to begin this, and it starts with the intruduction of our new HC
Hail!
January 8th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
Almost every piece of reporting had Manningham and Mallet as gone no matter who was replacing Carr. This is fantasy land.
January 8th, 2011 at 9:58 PM ^
I didn't know you could see into the future! Sorry too much sarcasm . Anyway, they might not have if things had been different. But that's in the past and there is no way to tell now.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:32 PM ^
Two things:
1) Mallet and Arrington were gone before RR was hired. By all accounts, they wanted nothing to do with UM after that season.
2) I will rally around the new UM coach because I am an idiot alum who bleeds the Maize and Blue, but where was the cohesion and open-mindedness around RR? If memory serves me right, people we sniping at him as soon as he accepted the job. Nobody will make everyone happy - personally, I would have been a little pissed with the Harbaugh signing because I don't see him as a massive improvement, just a guy who will inherit a better situation than RR did.
There are a couple of people here who neg opinions outside of what Brian says because they are reactionary, but most people here have an open mind. What does drive me crazy is that people use the "I have a differing opinion" argument to cover up something that is factually wrong/clearly inflammatory. I'll respect your opinion (and this is not directed negatively at Jambon) if you back it up with some logic; if you just write crap to be different, there are better places for you than here.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^
Here's a quick story about a college basketball coach. In the early 80s, he took over a once great program - a founding member of the ACC with 4 final four appearances and 10 conference championships under its belt - that had fallen on hard times. This is what the team did in his first three seaons as coach:
1980-81: 17-13 overall, 6-8 in conference (T-5th)
1981-82: 10-17 overall, 4-10 in conference (T-6th)
1982-83: 11-17 overall, 3-11 in conference (7th)
In those three years, his team went 1-6 against their hated rival, often losing by 10-20 points. By the end of season three, the alumni were FLIPPING OUT and many wanted him gone asap. Instead cooler heads prevailed and he kept his job.
It was a good decision - I am describing Mike Krzyzewski, one of the most successful coaches in the history of organized sports. If he had been fired after 3 seasons, the story would have gone much differently - for both the coach and the school.
I will support who ever David Brandon brings in, but you will never convince me that he made a good decision firing Rich Rodriguez, after 3 seasons, with 18-20 starters set to return. I believe it was enormous mistake influenced by a petulant, impatient and spoiled fanbase.
January 8th, 2011 at 5:46 PM ^
wonderful response. I couldn't agree more.
January 9th, 2011 at 5:27 PM ^
would you like a response containing the 90% of coaches that this doesn't apply for?
January 8th, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^
Bo and Canham would have said 2 more years then assess. That is the logical obvious choice with a 5 year recruiting cycle etc. The impatient short-sighted whiner alumni and big donors are an embarassment to what UM used to stand for. Excellence embodies common sense, logic, and fairness. This very premature axing of RR flies in the face of "Leaders and Best" and in the process it moves us toward losers and worst. After 55 years around the program as former scholarship athlete and alum it is deeply disappointing and frustrating. We were headed for much better things. Now we move to become the corporate UM and quickly building our "brand" and marketing our image etc, etc. What a cruel joke.
January 9th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
...despite the "Oh NOs, we iz becoming Notre Dame" comments it should be noted that Notre Dame became what they are primarily because they repeatedly gave 5 year runs to terrible coaches (the in over his head Bob Davie, and the incompetent as a Head Coach Charlie Weiss). The only guy Notre Dame gave 3 and out to was Ty Willingham, and if you want to make the argument that he would have changed things after his tenure in Washington? Well, you can do that, but I wouldn't.
January 8th, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^
Its stupid to fire the guy this late without having a replacement ready to go. its killing the image we have as a university and an organization. Hire Chip Kelly
January 8th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
So you're saying if he'd won 3 straight national championships instead maybe he wouldn't have gotten fired?
January 8th, 2011 at 7:11 PM ^
Rich Rod was fired?
January 8th, 2011 at 10:03 PM ^
as the kids like to say.
January 8th, 2011 at 8:24 PM ^
No, Jack. If we let him coach more seasons he would have beaten all the crappy teams on our schedule and lost to the good ones. Eventually, he would build up a better winning percentage than DFL among M coaches.
People are attached to the idea of what RR could do. It didn't happen. Let it go.
Happy Jack isn't saying anything outlandish (unless provoked, perhaps), but he's getting treated like an MLive goon. Doesn't make sense.
That said, Jack is missing the antecedent cause. I know the real reason Rich Rodriguez was fired:
Nice guys finish last
January 8th, 2011 at 9:04 PM ^
Why do I like Rich and am sad to see him go? Because when he was the coach of the University of Michigan I hitched my wagon to him just like everyone else should have but didn't. Now I will sadly unhitch my wagon and wait for the next horse.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5996783
"Rich Rod didn't have a chance because no one agreed with the hire from the top to the bottom of the school and all over town," Hart said. "I'm going to be 100 percent behind whoever the coach at Michigan is and I hope everybody that loves Michigan is the same way, too, even if they don't like who Dave Brandon hires."
I think Mike Hart says it best.
As for me, I am very much against the portion of our fanbase, alumni, former players and administration that would sabotage the program just to get their man in. Rich went through more mud for our University, with very little verbal acknowledgement or support, than any head coach should. I will not ask for forgiveness for liking that man and think that if he were given a fair chance the University and its fanbase would look substantially better than it does right now.
January 8th, 2011 at 10:22 PM ^
http://www.sportsinferno.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53823
I want to coach," Hart said. "And hopefully I'll be the head coach at Michigan one day. That's my goal."Head coach?" No joke," Hart said, smiling. "That's ultimately what I want to do. I love Michigan.That's a big part of me."
Maybe he should be on our staff, and rebuild the tree of Michigan men, coaching the Michigan team
Edit: trial, do not neg, thank you
January 9th, 2011 at 2:35 AM ^
you all act like he had nothing to do with his own perception.
ignorance
January 10th, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^
You act like he had everything to do with his own perception. Ignorance.
I am not unwilling to recognize that Rich made mistakes. Any person does and he made his fair share. However, every single mistake he made was multiplied 10-20 fold by enemies he didn't make. He's a hire that should have never happened unless Martin was absolutely willing to clean the entire house. Martin wasn't and the house was more than just divided from day one (before RR had even arrived on campus or the whole buyout fiasco).
It is absolute buffoonery to not recognize the dynamic that Hart was referring to. If you can't understand what Hart is talking about and how it applies to the problems RR faced, I wouldn't be throwing the ignorant word around so easily.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^
Yes, he is not a good football coach, thank you.
January 9th, 2011 at 1:55 AM ^
January 9th, 2011 at 9:14 AM ^
The reason RichRod was fired? Three fold.
1. He failed to win games. (This is number one by a lot)
2. He failed to win games in a way that looked bad to the average Michigan fan. Not having any sort of defense in year three makes the team a laughingstock--and given the high profile makes the University looks bad. Something I hated.
3. Personal issues. For every one thing I liked--spring game importance, the walk--there were four bad things he did. The walls, running players off, his badly sliding APR ratings, his personal shady business dealings.