RR's Bust Speech - Audio

--apologies for running a bit long--

Yes, richrod lost me for a good while around the time of the PSU game and for most of the time since.  As this coaching controversy reaches an operatic pitch, I figured I could either stare at my imaginary what-would-bo-do bracelet or I could self-medicate by cracking open the oldie but goodie biography, "Bo." Bo's last fall of coaching was my freshman year at M so I got a glimpse of the final flickering embers of the legendary era.  As I read the top of page 29 of the book, I couldn't help but smile--my criticism of our coach was being challenged by the contents of a book that predates this controversy by 20 or so years.  To paraphrase would be an injustice.  Therefore, allow me to quote:

"The Northwestern experience was interesting because here we were, working under one of the greatest minds in college football, Ara Parseghian, and yet in 1957, my second year there, we lost every game we played.  Every single game.  We were 0-9, the only losing team I ever coached.  How did it happen?  The talent wasn't there.  And we had no leadership amonst the seniors.

"And yet, as wierd as this sounds, that might have been Ara's finest year of coaching--only because, through all of those defeats, he never cracked, he never made his coaches feel inferior, and he never stopped trying new things.  I never met anyone with that kind of football imagination....During meetings after each loss, Ara would say to us, 'Listen, I know this isn't a great year.  But you guys are not to blame.  We'll get through this.  We will turn it around.'"

That passage struck me.  The perspective it gives leaves me less critical of a coach who is encountering similar circumstances and appears to be dealing with them in an equally admirable way.  In the end, however, whether Rich Rod, Rich Little, James Harbaugh or James Brown is caoching M, I still say...

Go Blue!

2004 Presidential Election.

Just listened to the audio.....what an embarrassment. This guy has got to stop crying all the time.

Class all the way, critcism of that speech is baseless. Next year we compete for the Big Ten championship,whoever is coach. The schedule and talent returning have already determined that, this is a good man and a good coach. Taught by Don Nehlan who I would like to have up here to speak, who was taught by Bo. You will never see RR show up another coach like you never saw Bo show up another coach. That is a Michigan Man, we may be called arrogant but that is because we dont show up coaches, they dont say or do things to make themselves bigger than the program. It  bothers me when I hear such desire to bring in a coach who has that characteristic as a trademark and we all know who that is. If he ends up here it will never again be about the team but rather a opportunity for folks to look at ME ME ME. 

Chills

"It's my great honor and privilege to be here tonight with members of the great 1985 team and with tonight's honorees and a great senior class. 

"The 1985 team had a great year, ending with a 10-1-1 record and a number 2 ranking, notwithstanding that they weren't ranked in the preseason top 20.  I'm proud to be here and humbled to know I share something with such a great group of Michigan men.  Here, too, are Coaches Moeller and Hanlon, and let me tell you, they are tough acts to follow.

"Everyone knows about Denard Robinson's great play this year, and he was great and I am expecting he will get even better.  He truly deserves to have won the Bo Schembechler Award.   Steve Schilling is the first three time winner of the Hugh Rader award, which he and Dave Molk, who came back from a tough injury,  share for the 2010  season. Jonas Mouton and Mike Martin are deserving winners of the Roger Zatkoff and Dick Hatcher  defensive awards. Mark Moundros, one of our co-captains, won the Robert P. Ufer Award for being the player most like the late, great Bob Ufer in his enthusiasm and love for our great University.

"We're also all proud of Zac Ciullo, who is this year's recipient of the Dr. Arthur Robinson Award for scholarship.  Zac will be at Michigan's Law School next year.  While Zac didn't play as much as some others, he is a valuable member of our team and it has been my great privilege to have worked with such a fine young man.

"These young men are especially distinguished because every young man in the program is special, and for anyone to stand out from such a great group takes quite some doing.

"I wish there was time to  name all of  the great seniors  who made this year special for me and the staff, and who provided invaluable leadership to the younger men on the team.  Every one of them deserves praise for the success we have enjoyed this year.  I know they wanted, and deserved, even more success, but any shortcomings are my fault, and not theirs.  All of them have inspired me and the staff to work harder so they may enjoy even more success in the future, and so they may share in the joy of seeing the next generation of Michigan men do well on the field.  And trust me, the hard work all these young Michigan men have done will earn them success, both on the football field and in life.

"Tonight is about all of the young men on our team and in our program, each and every one of them, whether he's an All American,  a starter,  a member of our scout team, or a student manager.  Because they all work so hard and all of them are essential to any success the team has.  Let's have a big round of applause for all of those fine young men.

"And tonight is also about honoring the past.  Specifically we honor a great team of 25 seasons ago.  But we also honor the traditions and the love everyone in the Michigan community has for a great University and great teams, and great people.  I am blessed to have been accepted into that community, and I pledge to do my best to be worthy of that honor.

"And, so, to celebrate a great group of seniors and the great 1985 team, let's all rise and join in singing The Victors ! "

Didn't it?