I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kramer before the 2005 ND game in AA. He was gracious and kind.. and smacked me on the rear during a photo - a very odd moment, one that completely caught me by surprise. He found this very funny. Hey Ron, give Bo a hug from all of us faithful!
Not to give away my age, but I remember this game, and story very well. If I recall correctly we packed shoes for a specific field condition, and Minnesota was able to play the game with a longer spike on their shoes. Quick - someone get ahold of Jon Faulk and make sure he packs more than one type of shoe! (all kidding aside - I would bet that Jon has packed more than one type of shoe since that day...)
I hope so. I liked Lloyd and supported him throughout. My source has direct contact with former players that live and work in and around the program. I have more information, but I'm not at liberty to share (I received a copy of an email between former players. It wouldn't be fair for me to expose them without their permission and knowledge). One thing is for sure, it's not good for the program in any way - true or not true.
Thanks for the input M-Wolverine… I wasn’t aware this was such serious work happening here. Perhaps I’ll go back to lurking and you can sit comfortably on you Mgoblog throne of knowledge without the interruptions from us blogging peasants.
For the record, Rich Leach isn’t the source – that much I know.
Furthermore I have been dismissing these rumors (Lloyd’s whisper campaign) from the beginning. These rumors are now being confirmed through very reliable sources that would have to speak for themselves if they wish to. The direct quote is ‘Lloyd is legacy building, and he’s upset that one of his assistant coaches didn’t get the head coaching job’.
I offered my opinions as nothing more than food for thought and conversation. I thought that is what this blog was, in part, set up to do.
Try not to be such an ass. It’s not a good look for you.
First time poster... long time reader...
I have to admit that I was one of the angriest Michigan fans on Saturday. I ranted and raved to my family, including a letter winner from the 70’s, about how RR may not be the coach… that I no longer believed that RR could get the job done in the Big 10, backed up mainly by the personnel, namely Carlos Brown instead of Brandon Minor, on 2nd and 3rd from 18 inches. Watching the meltdown from this point was, sorry to say, predictable. I admit it, I blamed RichRod.
I’ve spent the last couple of days settling down and backing away from the window ledge. My brother was so concerned at my hostility that he took it upon himself to forward me a few emails that have been circulating between some of the teams and players he was associated with. Safe to say, I’m back in the RR camp, and growing more disgusted with Lloyd with each passing moment. Please note some of the excerpts below.
I am not sure who the author is, but it’s remarkable food for thought.
“Bill Martin, Mary Sue Coleman and Lloyd Carr are equally responsible for the off-field turmoil and on-field failure of the past 18 months. Coach Rich Rodriguez bailed out Martin and Coleman by accepting the Michigan job. Yes, the cupboards were empty & this staff did not inherit anything like the talent of Bo or Lloyd (see below).
Put the blame where it belongs. Get behind Coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff and allow him to rebuild the stale Michigan program and outdated conditioning.
"Our issues did not appear overnight, and will not be solved overnight. I promise you, I'm less patient than any of you or our fans - and we have great fans. Progress is being made. I wish it was faster. It's not going as fast as I would like, trust me."
"We're not talented enough right now to play poorly and win, at any phase. That might be hard for some people to understand, but that's where we're at. We've got to play well and get a few breaks and then we're capable of winning any game we play " says Coach Rich Rodriguez
Bo inherited from Bump Elliot nine All Americans and twenty eight All Big Ten players, four college football Hall of Famers PLUS DON CANHAM and went 8-3 his first year. Carr was 9-4 his first year despite inheriting nine All Americans, twenty four All Big Ten players and a Heisman Trophy winner from Gary Moeller.
Lloyd Carr came into the position in 1995 with the Michigan brand glowing (Big Ten record five consecutive championships, Ohio State had beaten Michigan only 2 of previous 10 games. With the Fab Five success, recruiting buzz was much more favorable during LC's initial years than what anything current staff is competing with .
Last year's team had the fewest Michigan NFL draft picks since 1994 & no All Big Ten player for the first time since 1962! Remember the previous year with Lloyd & current NFL players Henne, Hart, Long, Manningham, Arrington, Crable and Adams they still lost four games.
Let's remember the SHAMBLES Lloyd Carr left the program in. No QB, No OL, No experienced RB, same sieve defense that suffered the worst defeat in the Michigan football programs 130 year history (Appy State), an equally embarrassing loss to Oregon, couldn't tackle Wisconsin and losses in five of the last six years to Ohio State---something Michigan had not previously done in 17 years!
Lloyd Carr's communication/encouraging Ryan Mallett and Justin Boren to transfer, was indicative of his bitterness once one of his staff members was not picked to succeed him. Lloyd continues to draw $387,883 a year salary from the Michigan Athletic department and his lone job description appears to be a whisper campaign against the current regime.
Coach Rich Rodriguez came to Michigan based on it's successful tradition not it's current sleepy situation. He has to re-establish Michigan's on-field dominance and the luster to the Michigan brand that was bolstered and dominant throughout college football during the Canham/Schembechler/Moeller reign and declined during Lloyds final years at Michigan.
Coach Rich Rodriguez will win, but he obviously needs three or more years of recruiting class's and perhaps some coaching adjustments. He will compete for the Big Ten championship soon and in time will have National Championship potential.
University of Michigan Football supporters have to give it time, we can question everything they do but we have to support Coach Rich Rodriguez through the transition. It's tougher than anyone thought it would be but in the long run the status quo was proven that it was not going to compete with the elite teams in the country.
We saw what USC did to us in Pasadena, we saw what App State and Oregon did to us at home. It was time for change, transition is not always smooth but now more than any time in it's time to stand behind Michigan football.
Lets face it no Big Ten team can compete with the top teams in the country right now. It's a matter of time before the pieces of the puzzle are in all the right places and Michigan is back at the top of the Big Ten and can compete with the best.
We are ahead of the curve in the Big Ten in terms of what we are schematically doing on O and D, obviously behind the curve on the transition, and paying a premium to get there but have faith we are going to get there.
Former players I have spoken with support Coach Rich Rodriguez 100%. I think the comments of current NFL player (Carr recruit) Larry Foote sum up the situation best when he states, "I respect what he's doing, putting a program in place even if it might sacrifice some victories now. He's a proven winner and when they get it right, they're going to dominate. They're gonna be a powerhouse sooner than people think."
This is the attitude and approach all Michigan supporters should take.’
Recent Comments
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kramer before the 2005 ND game in AA. He was gracious and kind.. and smacked me on the rear during a photo - a very odd moment, one that completely caught me by surprise. He found this very funny. Hey Ron, give Bo a hug from all of us faithful!
Not to give away my age, but I remember this game, and story very well. If I recall correctly we packed shoes for a specific field condition, and Minnesota was able to play the game with a longer spike on their shoes. Quick - someone get ahold of Jon Faulk and make sure he packs more than one type of shoe! (all kidding aside - I would bet that Jon has packed more than one type of shoe since that day...)
nope. Just fun loving and respectful.
'Proly lives in his moms basement. He acts as though he doesn't want to disturb the parents upstairs. What a knuckle-head!