Thank You Rich Rodriguez
You showed us a new brand of football that was exciting and, at times, breath-taking. While factors both in and out of your control have led to this day, your ability to handle the myriad of circumstances that came about with class and dignity show a Michigan Man is not about Wins and Losses but, rather, character.
For that I am grateful.
The Best of Luck in your future endeavors.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
January 4th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
Wherever he goes, that school will be receiving a tremendous coach.
It is such a grand shame it just didn't work out here for whatever reason.
January 5th, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
Agreed. And I think he will land on his feet well before our football program does.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
January 4th, 2011 at 2:54 PM ^
January 4th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
Thanks, RR - wish it could have worked out better for all involved. You gave it your all, and for that I am grateful.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
It just was't the best set of circumstances here for him from day 1. May he be successful in the future and I, for one, will support him and cheer for him regardless of his next destination.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
January 4th, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
Well put. That is all.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
coach Rod.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
I still believe he is a good coach, and he will be successful elsewhere. He walked into a situation that wasn't great, and every mistake he made was amplified. I feel bad for Rich, but this move is best for everyone.
Good luck at your next stop coach.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:58 PM ^
Thanks RR. You will always be Coach Rod and forever be a Michigan Man. Thanks for all your efforts and good luck wherever you go. Best to Ms Rita and the kids. Will always cheer for you unless you are coaching against Michigan.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
Well said. I'm not happy that it had to go down this way but believe it's best for the UM program. Best of luck to him wherever he goes (unless we face him in the future...)
January 4th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
are you grateful for him contacting US and campaigning for the job, and setting possibly 30 new program records, of the bad kind? what an idiot you are. keep feeling sorry for him.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
I'm sad it didn't work out.
Best of luck to RR in his next position. He's an excellent coach with, as you already said, great character.
Where ever he ends up, they will be lucky to have him.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
Very well said Geaux_Blue. In addition to that, RR has created one of the most likable teams in my recent memory. Thank you for everything you did coach.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^
A man who gave his all for this University and took the high road. A man of character. I agree with Brandon's decision, but I am truly sad for both us and Rich. And I hope the best for you, coach, and your family. And I know you'll learn from this and improve wherever you go next.
I just hope the next coach can hold a candle to your character.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^
This kinda sucks, I wish we could of seen what he would of done if some of breaks had gone his way.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
Go kick butt at your next stop. I will be rooting for you.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^
Agreed!
January 4th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
... even though I think it's probably for the best. I honestly wish nothing but success for Rodriguez wherever he ends up. I echo the original sentiments: a good man, a good coach, bloody awful luck and timing.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
Despite the record, I will still always wonder if he got a raw deal.
Brandon better have a damn good plan, or things could get darker than we've ever known.
Rodriguez, wish you the best. Pray we never have to face a RichRod team.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
Rich Rodriquez you are an amazing person and coach. While it hadn't worked out like we had all hoped and planned I know that you made a huge impression in the University of Michigan. Wherever you go I wish you and your family luck. You will be missed by many, myself included.
GO BLUE!
January 4th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
Coach. It was just not meant too be. I will always root for you wherever you go. I hope the team will always hold the rope and have a hard edge.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
Rich Rodriguez is a Michigan Man as far as I'm concerned. I hate that it didn't work out and it makes me vomit that the Rosenbergs and the Sharps of the world are sitting around claiming victory when in fact they've had it wrong from start to finish. If the next coach is successful, much credit should be laid at RR's feet and unfortunately, it never will be.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
Obviously, these last few years haven't gone the way anyone thought they would at the outset. But Coach Rodriguez and his staff gave it their all, even in the face of adversity. Thanks Coach Rodriguez, and good luck in the future.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^
I wish him well, no hard feelings or anything, but I've got absolutely nothing to thank him for.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:28 PM ^
absolutely nothing to thank him for
Ditto for everyone else on this board w/r/t your posts.
And Brock Mealer says fuck off.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
I have not agreed where he has taken the program football wise....
However, I cannot question the character you have shown throught these three years. You are a quality individual and I also wish you good luck in whatever road you travel next.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
Good luck
January 4th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
I wasn't sure what to think of RR when he signed on. I thought, heck, maybe he is some slick Southern coach who doesn't play by the rules. The more I learned about him, though, the more he won me over. Now I can't think of any coach I've liked more as a person. I always found his genuineness (and even his lack of polish) refreshing, even if it didn't go over well with the dickwads who covered him in the press.
Wherever RR ends up will be my second favorite team.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
A good guy. No question about it.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
I will always appreciate the class and hard work of Rich Rodriguez. I can't imagine how he has held his head up throughout all of this. As for me, I will always remember the good times of these last three seasons, Wisco 08, the solidarity of the fans who stayed during the Northwestern game of 08, ND and Indiana 09, and ND, Indiana, Illinois 10. God Bless.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
January 4th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
Thank you. Rich is a great guy. He will go out of his way for his players. He just was not a good fit at this university culturally and from a strategic point of view. I will support him wherever he goes, until he plays us. This is the best decision for him and his family.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
Rock on Rich Rod. Good luck at Pitt. Slap WVU's two toothed face into Bolivian.
You showed flashes of greatness that was smothered by bad luck and GERG's beaver. No doubt you will do well in the future. I also think you can tell Rosenberg and Sharpe what you think of them now, and you should.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
Just feel like the fit was wrong and timing was bad. He'll be winning again soon at his next stop. Wonder if we'll ever play his team in the future?
January 4th, 2011 at 3:09 PM ^
We wish you nothing but the best.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
I supported him, and I'm admittedly very bummed it didn't work out.
Oh well.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
we all thank him. just pls don't take denard.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
It took me like 10 tries to upvote this but damnit, I made sure it got through.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^
that with his offense, it is too bad things didn't go a little differently. You can argue that he brought a lot of it on himself and you may be right, but I really wish we could have seen this team without scandal-like issues hampering recruiting....
Best of luck...
January 4th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
I would like to add my own thoughts but you summed them up pretty much perfectly.
Thanks RR, best of luck in the future.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
It took me like 10 tries to upvote this but damnit, I made sure it got through.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
Michigan is like uptight parents who wont let their daughter date this guy or that guy because they are not good enough for her. They bash the boyfriend she does get because they dont approve, before you know it she has gained the freshman 15 and then the sophomore 30 and no want wants her anymore because she is a cow, and then she gets stuck with Brady Hoke
Jan 4th, 2011 the day Michigan became just like Notre Dame, UCLA, Nebraska, Miami and every other HAS BEEN
January 4th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
Good luck. Next...
January 4th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
for progress every year. For #16. For Notre Dame (twice!). For Wisconsin 2008. For busting your ass. For making the players bust their ass. For always putting on a positive front in the face of absurd (and undeserved) levels of pressure and vitriol.
I'll never be swayed from the view that 3 years is not enough time, no matter the record. The players he recruited were sophomores. I'm fully convinced this team was going places in the near future. Good luck at your next gig, I'm sure you'll be in high demand.
January 5th, 2011 at 9:04 PM ^
I'll never be swayed from the view that 3 years is not enough time, no matter the record.
I agree it was too soon, but not entirely about the "no matter the record " part.
Who'd have thought that under that pimpish exterior, Dave Brandon was actually the AD version of a premature ejaculator.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
Thank you RR! I know it was rough while in AA, but you hung in there with class! Thank you for everything. Good luck where ever you end up next!!! I know you will be successful there.
Thanks again and GO BLUE!!
January 4th, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^
Thank you for what you did for the Mealer family. About the whole Josh Groban thing, and anyone who thinks your soft because of it is a punk. Coaches are supposed to care about their players, not what music is cool. It was a little weird at first but when I read your players' reaction to it, I got it. I join most everyone else on this string in wishing you the best of luck.