Can RR still help himself before the meeting with DB?
I am wondering if RR can help himself before his meeting with Brandon by making some executive decisions as the Head Coach. Until announced differently, he is still in charge of football operations. If I was RR I would fire GERG today, immediately after the game or when the team arrives home tonight. Show Brandon that you are still in charge. Also, have a list of names to present as replacements. I would make some difficult decisions with assistant defensive coaches as well and any special teams coach/kicking coach. Take the bull by the horns and lead by example. Haters are gonna hate, but it sure makes it harder for them when they can see you're doing everything you can to try to get better.
January 1st, 2011 at 11:00 PM ^
Richrod should do some stretching beforehand, then try not to clench.
January 1st, 2011 at 11:00 PM ^
Trying to preemptively hire or fire staff before Brandon has his say would be pretty desperate and would not fly. Maybe the only thing that might help would be to get a verbal commitment from Casteel to take the DC position, should DB be willing to consider that direction. Even that would be a long shot to save his job at this point, I would think.
January 1st, 2011 at 11:11 PM ^
The players will lobby for Coach Rod to keep his job but not sure how that will end up. Mike Martin and Taylor Lewan have asked for his return.
January 2nd, 2011 at 12:05 AM ^
Players always lobby for their coach.
January 2nd, 2011 at 1:15 AM ^
My favorite was when Robert Traylor vowed to go pro if Brian Ellerbe wasn't given the job permanently. He got the job - and the Traylor left for the NBA.
January 1st, 2011 at 11:10 PM ^
January 1st, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^
January 1st, 2011 at 11:33 PM ^
+1 for Varsity Blues reference. I think we all have a bad case of the blues right now.
January 2nd, 2011 at 12:35 AM ^
is keep the car running so when he gets in to leave town the engine will be warm.....just like his seat!! He-yo.
Shoot me...this is a terrible day for UofM
January 2nd, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^
Find naked pictures of DB with farm animals and dead underage hookers. Other than that his situation is pretty much set.
January 2nd, 2011 at 1:10 AM ^
Sorry to say, but he's done like dinner.
It's kind of like the Maryland situation. They were going to keep Fridge until his assistants all found other gigs. They realized they couldn't assemble a staff with one year left on the HC contract, had to can him.
Everybody knows the defensive side of the ball has to go at the very least, but who could they get? Rich has two years left on his contract, and is on the "hot seat." Who's to say he'd see the end of that? What top notch defensive staff is going to risk their career for such uncertainty?
I think there's one play here. Harbaugh is out there, this might be the last opportunity to get him, Rich isn't showing the kind of things we need to see. I generally say a coach needs at least 4 or 5 years. It's a shame Rich wont be afforded that luxury. I truly think he'll be pretty damn successful wherever he lands next.
January 2nd, 2011 at 1:48 AM ^
Michigan has competition for Harbaugh's services. If JH has or will say yes, then it's a done deal.
In regards to the OP, I think has been obvious to all that the state of the defense is unacceptable. The argument for keeping RichRod, i.e. RichRod + New DC, is nothing new. In fact, if RichRod wasn't looking for a new DC, then an accepting JH would have been a slam dunk even before the debacle today.
IMO, what might have changed today is that Plan B's might be on the table. And there's gotta be a Plan B that's more attractive than RichRod + GERG/this defensive staff.
January 2nd, 2011 at 1:19 AM ^
RR should be successful as long as he stays out of actual football conferences. UM would have been a very good Big East or MAC team this year. Maybe he goes to Pitt to piss of WV more. Maybe he tries out the NFL as a position coach, like linebackers...oh, nevermind.
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:20 AM ^
Let's be honest, Rich Rod needed to either win the game or show improvement in areas of weakness, namely the defense and special teams. It did not happen. He's gone. In fact, the weaknesses we saw during the season were highlighted to an even greater degree. The defense is a complete mess, with poor fundamentals and poor talent.
It's time for a fresh start. I just hope whoever comes in doesn't change the offense much or run Denard out of town.
January 2nd, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^
I keep hearing about the supposed lack of talent. I disagree. Michigan has never recruited junk players.
<br>I blame poor coaching 100%. We are ranked somewhere around 108 out of 120 FBS teams in total defense, yet our recruiting classes have been pretty good.
<br>So I cannot explain away our train wreck of a defense because of a lack of talent.
January 2nd, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^
No. His You Raise Me Up banquet moment was his last maneuver. After that he had to win the bowl game to have a chance. He failed miserably.
January 2nd, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^
This has worked in the past. All RichRod has to do is get DB to go to a brothel and drug him. Then he can kill a prostitute and place her in the bed with DB. A few photographs of a bloody DB and a little blackmail and viola, he keeps his job and can even keep whichever assistants he wants.
