raleighwood

December 21st, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^

It's just hard for me to figure out why Zettel is waiting for the RR decision.  RR was the HC for the three statistically worst defenses in the 100+ year history of Michigan football (and the 2008 team had some talent).  Is Zettel really waiting for that? 

I can understand some of the offensive players basing their decision on RR (especially Hart) but the guys on the defensive side of the ball should come to Michigan because they want to, regardless of who the coach is.  C'mon Zettel.....sign up!

Kal

December 21st, 2010 at 8:03 PM ^

A coaching transition is also a major overhaul for a program, it's like hitting the reset button again. I think Zettel wants to become a part of a team that has been slowly improving rather than join another transition team.

spacemanspiff231

December 21st, 2010 at 1:06 PM ^

Hayes isn't Sam Webb or a coach.  He has no idea who Sam Webb is referring to and I highly doubt he knows much about any other recruits that the coaches are going after except for the ones he knows personally.  Coaches don't share their recruiting information with all of their recruits unless it will directly help them land a specific recruit.  My guess is, if someone is thinking of committing and Hayes knows about it, it's someone he knows personally and is close with.  This would probably mean Zettel and, even way more unlikely, Arnett.  I can't think of anyone else he is close with.

Huntington Wolverine

December 21st, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^

I don't think DB will fire RR.  I think the reason for following what he said he would do ("assess progress at the end of the season") is also designed to reassure alumni that may not be convinced about Rodriguez that the AD hears their concerns and is taking them seriously. I prefer this to the glib "public votes of confidence" most ADs make that reveal that the coach is on shaky ground indeed- and are often followed by that coach being canned in a couple of months.

UMich87

December 21st, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^

With a divided fan base, Brandon has to be methodical.  And when he retains Rodriguez, he has to make the case to the divided fan base and let them know that he and the coaches have assessed the strengths and weaknesses and developed a plan to address the weaknesses.

STW P. Brabbs

December 22nd, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^

Two things (and I'm aware that you're certainly not the only person voicing these opinions):

1) What, exactly, does "re-uniting the fan base"?  The people who want Rodriguez to go and the people who want him to stay are not going to change their minds just because Brandon made them wait for a couple of months.  What you're suggesting seems to be a unification of the fan base behind the sentiment of "at least Dave Brandon's doing his due diligence in order to make the smart move here," which sounds suspiciously like Brandon looking out for his own image.

2)  What, exactly, does a unitied fan base (whatever that means) offer for the football program?  I really want someone to explain this to me.  It might make this message board less contentious, but what does it do for the results on the field?  You know what really makes a big impact on recruits?  Uncertainty from the AD regarding Rodriguez's job.  I've yet to see a quote from a recruit that says, "I'm not sure about committing to school X because it seems like a lot of fans don't like coach Y," but "I'm worried that Coach Y might lose his job" sure seems to matter. 

Soulfire21

January 2nd, 2011 at 6:40 PM ^

the perception of a divided fan base is out there, and when you're trying to sell your school, perception is all that matters.

Would you be more likely to pick a school in which everyone was supportive of the program?  Or would you be more likely to pick a school in which there are two warring factions, and an open assault by media outlets (*cough* FREEP *cough*)?

switch26

December 21st, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^

If RR is fired at this point anymore, ill have lost a lot of faith in our program..  It will be incredibly tough to see who will end up transferring etc.. if it does happen.

 

After the past 3 years ive invested more interest in the program than i ever have.   I would feel terrible for the kids and the rest of the team.  Seems like all the players really respect RR and want him to be able to accomplish what he came here for.

Any change in coordinators wouldn't surprise me and at this point it wouldn't matter to me, but the only real fix is our defense, the next glaring problem is all the turnovers, which i hope are mostly attributed to all the young players committing the turnovers.  But we do need a field goal kicker badly too

We Run Columbus

December 21st, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^

Of all the school of thought speculated upon for DB's decision process I will choose to subscribe to this one. Appeasing the traditional fan base by empathetical show dissatisfaction in his public posture lets them know 7 wins in year 3 will not be tolerated. I just hope DB ultimately appeases us who, despite 37-7, have been all in for RR from the beginning and have stomached the defense and watched the offense go from not being able to get a first down in 08 to number 6 in the nation with basically a redshirt freshman undersized qb

DrewandBlue

December 21st, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^

name.  Hope he is right.  Trying to think who we have offered that he would be referring to?  Any thoughts??? 

Keep rocking Justice.  Appreciate the recruiting efforts...

Maize and Blue…

December 21st, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^

Roy was more fitted to RR's offense and that made the choice easy, better school with an offense that now suited him.  All reports on Justice referred to him not getting enough love on his official visit at ND as the reason for the decommit.  My question was based on his original intention to see how both teams did, but then committing to ND before the season even began.  Therefore questioning his true "love" of Michigan as the poster I was responding to claimed.  I'm glad he's aboard and hope he continues recruiting for us and has a great career.

Beavis

December 21st, 2010 at 1:38 PM ^

I couldn't have told you much about Michigan football pre-2001, other than they owned OSU, won the title in the 1997 season (F*** Nebraska), and had a coach named "Bo" for awhile. 

After graduating in 2006, I spend an insane amount of time on MGoBlog every day and football saturdays are some of the biggest days of my year. 

Young kids' minds are an interesting thing.