I have lived the past 31 years in Jacksonville, Florida, about as far away from Micihgan Football as a fan can be.
I don't know anyone in the football office, or "in the know," and I haven't been in the State of Michigan to be among fans to know how they felt over those 3 years.
What I do know is the book is well written, is true, and rep[resents what went on in Michigan Football those years.
I was in Ann Arbor in March of 2009, on a drive back to JAX from my hometown of Kalamazoo.
I was showing my wife Schembechler Hall when I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Fred Jackson and Coach Rodriguez.
Coach Rodriguez didn't know me, yet he spent 10-15 minuets talking to me and my wife, talking about Wolverine football, how we got to AA, and took a picture with me.
He could have blown me off, for any number of reasons, but he DID NOT. He was gracouis and listened to what my wife and I said, finishing by saying to me :...come on and give me a hug.."
I was a fan of Coach Rodriguez from that moment on, and believed in him and his coaches and players.
You may think that's why I believe this books tells the truth in what happened, and why I stand behind Coach Rodriquez and his staff.
I think it's clear from reading this book that, even though the final blame does indeed fall to Coach Rodriguez, because he failed to win enough games, he was simply in a place where he wasn't totally supported from Day One, and that's the ulltimate shame of it all.
I blame, and I'm just a fan, and blame is probably the wrong word, but I think the Michigan President, the Regents, and the Athletic Director are responsible from the start.
They didn't do their due dilligence in the hiring process, and when they couldn't get who they wanted they came to Coach Rodriguez and gave him the job, without really getting to know him, his coaches, or his way of running a football team.
If I walked down the street tomorrow and saw Coach Rodriguez, it would be my priviledge to walk up to him, shake his hand, and thanks him for his service to Michigan Football.
Some of you fans will not like that, and that's fine.
I believe, as fans, it's our job to support the coaching staff and the players, win, or lose.
If you want, like some of the fans I've heard and spoken to, if you wanted Michigan to lose so Coach Rodriguez would get fired, then, to me, you arfe not a true fan.
OK, now we are going to need the front 7 to put pressure on opposing QBs to help out the Secondary...Doesn't Charles Woodson have another year of eligibility?
The Wolverines are going to be winless on the road, and that is just unacceptable. Wisconsin is getting close to 500 yards of total offense today...and that;s with an INT, and a recovered fumble for a TD...just terrible.
Hello from Florida. I'm watching the game from a local sports bar with a few Wolverine fans.
As frustrating as the season is, we are still cheering on the Maize & Blue.
I believe in Rich Rodriguez, and now that the Wolverines will be back.
Go Blue.!
I think Florida should be #1 until someone beats them...like LSU this weekend. The Gators could be without Tebow. If he can't play, the future is now with QB John Brantley.
LSU is very good at home during night games. Because of the noise level, and Tebow's concussion, he may be unable to communicate with his teammates.
I like Boise State at #5...year after year they prove they are a good football team.
Recent Comments
I have lived the past 31 years in Jacksonville, Florida, about as far away from Micihgan Football as a fan can be.
I don't know anyone in the football office, or "in the know," and I haven't been in the State of Michigan to be among fans to know how they felt over those 3 years.
What I do know is the book is well written, is true, and rep[resents what went on in Michigan Football those years.
I was in Ann Arbor in March of 2009, on a drive back to JAX from my hometown of Kalamazoo.
I was showing my wife Schembechler Hall when I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Fred Jackson and Coach Rodriguez.
Coach Rodriguez didn't know me, yet he spent 10-15 minuets talking to me and my wife, talking about Wolverine football, how we got to AA, and took a picture with me.
He could have blown me off, for any number of reasons, but he DID NOT. He was gracouis and listened to what my wife and I said, finishing by saying to me :...come on and give me a hug.."
I was a fan of Coach Rodriguez from that moment on, and believed in him and his coaches and players.
You may think that's why I believe this books tells the truth in what happened, and why I stand behind Coach Rodriquez and his staff.
I think it's clear from reading this book that, even though the final blame does indeed fall to Coach Rodriguez, because he failed to win enough games, he was simply in a place where he wasn't totally supported from Day One, and that's the ulltimate shame of it all.
I blame, and I'm just a fan, and blame is probably the wrong word, but I think the Michigan President, the Regents, and the Athletic Director are responsible from the start.
They didn't do their due dilligence in the hiring process, and when they couldn't get who they wanted they came to Coach Rodriguez and gave him the job, without really getting to know him, his coaches, or his way of running a football team.
If I walked down the street tomorrow and saw Coach Rodriguez, it would be my priviledge to walk up to him, shake his hand, and thanks him for his service to Michigan Football.
Some of you fans will not like that, and that's fine.
I believe, as fans, it's our job to support the coaching staff and the players, win, or lose.
If you want, like some of the fans I've heard and spoken to, if you wanted Michigan to lose so Coach Rodriguez would get fired, then, to me, you arfe not a true fan.
Thanks to John U. Bacon for his tireless work.
Go Blue!
I'm not a big recruiting guy, but I'm awake early today for some reason down here in Florida, and thought I'd se what's up in Maize & Blue Land...
"Extreme Hoke Makeover!"
God doesn't pick favorites...this is grumpy old Buckeyes helping out the Devil.
OK, now we are going to need the front 7 to put pressure on opposing QBs to help out the Secondary...Doesn't Charles Woodson have another year of eligibility?