More speculation: Rittenberg thinks that the time table may Benefit RR
Personally, I don't agree with Ritt's take on this, but he believes that the fact that DB is waiting until after the bowl could benefit RR. Agree or disagree, Ritt is usually a level-headed guy who is not "anti-RR" or "anti-M."
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/20551/brandons-patience-could-benefit-richrod
November 30th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^
Yep. It really seems like he's been cursed from the moment he put down the phone after accepting Sailor Bill's offer, and it would be entirely normal and human to just want a fresh start someplace else.
November 30th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^
I do think RR would already be gone if it was going to happen. As for a vote of confidence or extension, an extension would be pretty worthless at this point. It woudln't really do anything to calm the Harbaugh feeding frenzy on the part of the media, and it wouldn't really change the perception of most that RR's job isn't secure until he starts winning more.
If DB wanted to help this recruiting class right now, he could say that Michigan is going to be a spread option program for a long time, no matter who is coach. That would keep the guys who really want to play in this offense from fearing a change to an old school offense where everyone is squished into the middle and then become surprised when they can't find a hole to run through.
November 30th, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
I agree in general with the Rittenberg comment. My opinion is that DB is very likely to retain RR, but would like to be able to say so after a win.
As to the timeline...I think that, even now, if DB decided that the long term interests of the program made it necessary to make a move before the bowl game, he would just do it and say that circumstances changed, necessitating a change in his position. He would take some hits for that, but that flack would be miniscule in comparison with the overall impact of the decision.
November 30th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
Was talking last night with my buddy about whether RR actually just wants to to be over as well. He brought up something I hadn't thought of but is true. He said he thinks RR is a "system" guy more than a "program" guy. He still thinks in X's and O's above all else and amid all the hysteria he can still see a masterpiece season on the horizon wherareas we as fans get progressively discouraged that such a thing can happen when we encounter items like negative articles or opposing fans mocking us.
November 30th, 2010 at 2:05 PM ^
I don't see how waiting until after the bowl game is a good sign RR will be back. I see the opposite. I can think of three significant reasons to wait:
1. Brandon is on the fence and wants one more data point that shows what RR can do against a quality opponent when he has time to coach up his young players;
2. Brandon has decided to give RR a fourth year but wants to let him twist in the wind a bit to soften him up for the conversation in which he tells RR he must clean house on the defensive side of the ball and that the two of them together will choose a new DC who will have full authority to replace any or all the defensive position coaches (nearly all of whom are RR's buddies from WVU);
3. The replacement coach Brandon wants is coaching in a major bowl game and has told Brandon he must wait until after the bowl to discuss/finalize the deal combined with the fact that RR's buyout drops by $1.5 million on January 1.
All are possible, but it seems that #3 is the most likely. Also, if Brandon has already decided to bring RR back for a fourth year (and I believe Brandon is far too smart to allow the decision to turn on the outcome of a single bowl game), it would help significantly with recruiting and take the pressure off both RR and Brandon if he announced that decision sooner rather than waiting another month.
November 30th, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Maybe if the team wins the bowl. Otherwise I don't see it.