Words from our coach
I ran across a quote from RR, thought I'd share it. I think he's speaking to all of us bloggers.
"Anybody who says they love Michigan and love our program yet they go out and say something really negative, just because they want to vent, you don't really love your program because that's not helping you in recruiting," Rodriguez said. "Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program. So to go out and say, I love Michigan, this is the worst, this and all that, well, you're not helping.
I'm not saying you've got to treat everything with rose-colored glasses but if you really love the program and you're all in for Michigan, you're not going to go out and bash anything about the university because it affects recruiting."
November 9th, 2010 at 6:08 PM ^
November 9th, 2010 at 6:19 PM ^
Odd, I could have sworn he was talking about recruiting...
November 9th, 2010 at 8:55 PM ^
Dick needs to worry...
When fans refer to the coach as Dick Rod or Assclown or whatever, it undermines the program. If you base your opinion with facts and data as opposed to just bashing him using insults, then we can have a constructive conversation. If you result to insults and a recruit reads this, then he may think:
"hey, looks like these fans have no respect for the coach, why would I want to go to a school like that?"
It's OK to think that he's not the right coach, but back it up with facts and data, no more of this Dick Rod bullshit.
November 9th, 2010 at 6:15 PM ^
If recruits were choosing between Michigan and another school and ran across the MGoBoard and something like say the RCMB... I think we'd come out OK.
November 9th, 2010 at 6:31 PM ^
Wow Roy, You sure seem to be one angry dude. Take 2 chill pills and stay off the internet.
November 9th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
Roy is exactly the kind of fickle, pathetic, bandwagon-jumping, so-called Michigan "fan" that RR is talking about.
You can always tell "fans" like Roy. When RR gets the team into double-digit wins next year, Roy will change his internet handle to something like "RR_Rox" and tell everybody he "had RR's back all along" and that he "knew it was only a matter of time before RR started winning big."
November 9th, 2010 at 7:23 PM ^
I am just glad RR has been able to keep his head high and keeps trying to win. Even when people call for his head, he tries hard to prove them wrong by winning. I have a good feeling about this program next year.
November 9th, 2010 at 7:35 PM ^
I think the main point of RR's statement is to let us all know that being negative does no good. What good does it do when some douche at a game, or on this board, starts calling for the coaches head? No good comes out of that.
Secondly, our opinions dont mean shit. It does not matter what we think. The only people whose opinions actually matter are David Brandon and Mary Sue Coleman. By being negative we just hurt the perception of the program, we do not do any good. However, if you come out there scream your asses off and focus on the positive the perception of the program will atleast not be hurt, and possibly helped.
Lastly, no one is saying you can not critique coaching decisions or the play of the team. Brian himself has been critical of the decision to leave Vincent Smith in on 3rd and 1 etc. However, Brian does this with facts and without saying, "Get RR the hell out of here!"
So if you think RR should be gone, fine. Let the process play out and see what happens. Your opinion does not mean crap anyway (just like everyone elses) so be quiet.
November 9th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^
You guys are a fickle bunch. In my opinion, Roy has a point about group-think and mob mentality. You're upset with him because he's being negative? Last week, some guy who is kind of important around here did the following:
- FP'd a couple "state of the program" survey diaries focusing on whether/when/with whom Michigan should replace the coaching staff,
- Compared the defense to the financial meltdown (2008), mentions it on a separate site in which he is paid for his articles,
- Wrote in an UFR that Michigan's DC should be forced out, and is as confused with his defensive scheme as most people,
- Penned "The Tenous Case For Keeping Rich Rodriguez," subject of which is far from complimentary
.. and that's just from clicking through a few pages of posts. But you're right, there probably isn't any effect here on recruiting.
I'm positive that recruits don't know Roy (above), and as far as his/yours/my comments about Michigan in regards to affecting the "perception of the program" -- pissing in the ocean, as far as I'm concerned. Of course, some people have larger bladders than others. You want to talk larger Impact? Talking heads on the WWL or play-by-play analysts (who might be Michigan Men) talking about coaching changes, hot seats, and the like.
November 9th, 2010 at 9:09 PM ^
I mean, I didn't see the site coming down on Brian for any of this when he said it. And only a handful had anything to say when Brian FP'd a gif of our DC picking his nose today. What will the defensive recruits think?? Seems like a cop out.
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<br>I'm not as harsh on Rich as some who have posted in this thread. I think he can succeed. He's got things to fix, and has to start it sooner, not later, but certainly can fix it. But this stuff should be way down on his lists of concerns. NOTHING said on here has as much influences as 10 win seasons, big bowl games, beating your rivals, etc. And guess what? After you start doing that, you'll still get people calling for your head, because you're not winning National Championships every year. Look how Lloyd was treated...and still treated. It's always been there...and always will be to some extent. TWIS shows it happens everywhere, so it all equals out. I don't think Mack Brown or Urban Meyer is concerned with what Internet boards are doing to recruiting right now.
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<br>Sometimes these statements make me think Rich was treated with kid gloves at WV before he left and they turned on him. Or he actually has pie in the sky hopes for college athletics, a charming naiveté about it. It's actually kind of admirable. But I'm not sure pointing it out in press conferences doesn't make it more publicized to his recruits, and not sure it does him any favors.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^
I think you'd be surprised at how many people respect Brian, but don't agree with him on every single issue, and specifically the items you've brought up. I think he crosses the line sometimes in the way he calls out players.
I never found the rips on Navarre, or even Sheridan, funny or necessary.
There is a general consensus on this site because most fans live and die with this team, but I'd like to think that there's more logic and less of a herd mentality here than elsewhere.
November 9th, 2010 at 7:52 PM ^
In listening to the Presser on Monday, I got the sense he was possibly referring to some of the former alum who work in the media. There's been much said and written about several vocal football alum that work for TV & radio saying how they support the Michigan program and the tradition and then they go off on what has transpired during the past three seasons. Frustrating, counterproductive and influential to potential recruits.
November 9th, 2010 at 7:57 PM ^
I had to quit visiting Michigan Football's facebook page because of all the negative bullshit posted by fair weather fans. I think that a site like this one has a much higher percentage of "informed" fans than the footballs facebook page which any dumbshit can post. The Athletic department runs the site and I'm sure word gets around awfully quick about how the fans bashing the coaches, players, etc.
November 9th, 2010 at 8:08 PM ^
At some point we fans must support all of our coaches and in turn, players that are looking at all the blogs too. Think of what the negativity is doing with them, week after week. All I can do is wish the best for the team and the school and let the chips fall where they may. We really have no say in what happens to the coaches after the season, but we can build them up while we're playing. I don't think it is any different to brothers and sisters arguing within the family but have a united voice when others are around us. Guess I'm just an old school fan who can wonder why things are played like they were but hindsight is always 20/20. Go Blue
November 9th, 2010 at 8:12 PM ^
If RR can't sell our program without worrying how what some folks who have never even played college football have to say on the internet will affect his recruiting...
Not saying that recruits don't read that stuff, but if he can't convince them through on-campus and in-home visits that his abilities as head coach, as well as our university's offerings and reputation, mean more, then we have problems.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^
Michigan exists in a vaccuum and there are no Nebraskas, Ohio States, or Floridas out there trying to sell to them right now.
Would you want your kid coming into a firestorm where it's publicly acceptable and encouraged to rip the coach and the players? A kid being sold, "We're just not great right now because our players SUCK!", is going to wonder how he'll be treated there. If he won't wonder, his parents will.
November 9th, 2010 at 8:18 PM ^
after a win?
Go Blue!
November 9th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^
I completely agree with his assessment. I have a lot of UM fan friends, I don't know what it is but a good majority are just negative nancy types by nature who do nothing but bitch. I am not thrilled with the W-L record, but I think RR could take this program to places we haven't seen before and that all starts with recruiting. Go back on Rivals.com and look at the recruiting classes since 2001 until now, the majority Top 20 players are in the NFL & were immediate big time contributors so getting them is a MUST. It will blow your mind how dead on most of these 5* kids turn out to be studs & go onto be stars in NFL(not to mention the top 100 is littered with NFL players). Kids find all their info on the internet, if you don't think they read this stuff you're crazy.
The defense is pretty brutal right now, the mistakes are painful and some of the games make me want to cry watching them...But I watch every game and want us to win in the worst way.
Why not support 100% and let Dave Brandon make the decision on changes, he has a much better pulse on this program/team than any of us ever will.
With that being said, let's beat some Boiler Maker ass and do the same to Wisc before going to upset those Browneyes...GO BLUE!
November 9th, 2010 at 9:16 PM ^
This toolbox is Michigan grad. and he NEVER has good thing to say about the programs players,coaches or the the games outcome. Better yet, He doesn't say anything positive about any sport in our state and it is time his sour ass goes to New York with his butt buddy Rob Parker This area deserves better than this meathead.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^
Looks like coach is a whiner. Fans are fans. You'll ALWAYS have this type of thing. Besides, Rodriguez is stinking it up.
This is like asking what makes someone choose a political position, then arguing with him or her over it.
Jeebus, this stuff is silly. Coach just need sto shut his yap, win games, and then the complaining will go away.
I guess that's too tough for him to understand.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^
KoB. We missed you . . . well, at least some of us did . . . well, maybe a few, anyway . . . well, uh, come to think of it, maybe things were better without you?
November 10th, 2010 at 4:19 PM ^
This board sucks without guys like me. I mean, how many "Who's Yer Favorite Player" threads can you tolerate without going crazy?
This and every blog needs the foils, the guys who think, as in THINK rationally and counter the prevailing (breaking?) wind.
Got any proof that Rodriguez is gonna work out? No? Thought so. So let's allow those who don't agree that he walks on water to speak their mind. And while we're so busy posing as Michigan grads, let's learn how to argue on better terms than, "Troll! Douchebag!"
Until then, STFU, and thanks for reading.
November 10th, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^
as always -- you've quickly returned to form.
/s