RR statement
“I am proud of the dedication and commitment exhibited by the coaching staff and student-athletes who have represented the University of Michigan football program over the last three seasons. While I am disappointed to depart Ann Arbor before we were able to reach the level of success we had in our sights, I am confident that the players who remain have the potential to do great things and to return the Wolverines to greatness. I would like to thank our fans and our student body for their tremendous support. There is great passion for Michigan football and I have made lifelong friends through this experience.”
January 6th, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
if you are not banned by then
January 6th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
I can't tell if you're a fan of Rodriguez or Michigan.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^
I dont have to express my sentiments on that if i choose not to. Nor do i have to change my screen name either. I have been a part of this board ( lurking for a very very long time before i decided to post a bit ) for as long or longer than a great many on here.
I will always be a Michigan fan.....have been since i was 5, and i am 52 now. Too many on here think they have it all figured out and that anyone that is not a blind loyalist to the school is somehow not a true fan. You could not be more wrong.
Michigan has always been a bastion of class and dignity and an example of what other schools aspired to be and usually fell far short of (think MSU). By running off a fine coach before the chance to even graduate one recruiting class we are left to forever wonder what really could have been with a bit more patience. Now we are left to ponder the idea of a less than stellar coach such as Hoke coming in and Brandon being in the same position he is in now in another 3 or so years.
Its going to get uglier here before it ever gets pretty again.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:17 PM ^
Its going to get uglier here before it ever gets pretty again.
This is exactly what I'm talking about. This board has devolved into an emo-fest that Brian would have negged into FuManBlue land had it happened after Iowa. Rodriguez is gone and he is not coming back. Do we really have to listen to people wondering what would have happened if Rodriguez got a fourth year for the next five years because they are personally sad a very nice guy didn't win enough games?
I get it. I liked him too and he deserved a better entrance to the University community, less flack for the infractions, and more AD support, especially from Lloyd. Rodriguez, however, did not win enough, did not have the backbone for the incredibly public nature of the job, and had Michigan football performing worse than at any time in the last 40 years.
Michigan is and always will be a bastion of class and dignity in comparison to places like MSU. That doesn't mean the University has to suffer through subpar coaching, recruiting, and on the field performance just because Rodriguez is a nice guy.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
that has to listen to people call in to radio shows, yes you are absolutely going to hear from me about how great RR's next 20 years would have been for a very very long time. The way he was treated was a joke and I wish there would be some way to hire him back right now.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
I'll just say this: Rodriguez is a classy guy, has an incredible amount of integrity, and really seems like a down to earth guy. It didn't work out here and both sides bare some complicity. But it's over. Let it go.
January 6th, 2011 at 8:18 PM ^
let others do what they want
It has been been what...18 hours now? A bit soon to be pressuring people to let it go.
I won't let it go for a long time either and I am an alumnus, son of two alumnae and sibling to two others. I don't think RR got a fair shake and i think the program shifted in the wrong direction in cutting him off too early and for the wrong reasons, so I have no intention of letting it go and it will color how i perceive and support the program for a long time to come.
January 6th, 2011 at 9:20 PM ^
I am not baring my complicity, and I am not sure I want to see the bare complicity of the other side either.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:43 PM ^
They're not mutually exclusive.
Edit: @ BlueVoix
January 6th, 2011 at 6:09 PM ^
This is true. And that's not to say I'm not either. I'm a fan of the guy, hope he does well, but never at the expense of Michigan.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:53 PM ^
than "Michigan."
January 6th, 2011 at 6:29 PM ^
Amen
January 6th, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^
likewise here
January 6th, 2011 at 10:09 PM ^
Sad to say but I have to agree.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:26 PM ^
The sad part is that he burned a lot of bridges to come here and we were openly critical of how he was treated on the way out of WV. His departure here certainly isnt that crazy, but many aspects are disappointing. May he have mercy on us if he ends up coaching a school that we have to play frequently. Good luck RR in winning every game you play not opposite the Wolverines...
January 6th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
Great coach. Great man. A true Michigan Man. Thanks coach. I've never been a fan of any college football team other than Michigan, but I now will have 2 teams to root for on Saturdays. Take the year off and enjoy the $2.5M, you definitely deserve it for all the hell you've been through. I'll be excited to root for my 2nd favorite team starting in 2012.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
I was all in and I know you were too. It sucks that things didn't work out.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:53 PM ^
Thanks RR, no one will ever question your effort or heart around here without getting sent to Bolivia!
January 6th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
I wish RR nothing but the best!! Your signature on my UM flag will hang on my wall forever and I will always remember your reaction when I told you not to be afraid of hanging 70 on ND. You just smiled and said "I can't promise it but I am going to try." RR, you will always be a "Michigan Man" in my book.
RR will still get a NC before Dantonio, trolls
January 6th, 2011 at 5:08 PM ^
Here's something Dantanio managed to do before Rich Rod -- win two Big Ten games in the Big House.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:26 PM ^
That's not even true. Is that your thing? Making up stuff?
January 6th, 2011 at 5:46 PM ^
in order to respond appropriately.
January 6th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
Thank you Coach RR! We wish you and your family all the best. Good luck to you where ever you end up!!
January 6th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
Can't wait to read your book...
January 6th, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^
Looking back on the RR's three years at U of M, it almost makes me sick thinking of how he was treated. Did he have one day where he was not criticized? I really believe things would have worked out much better if people sat back and gave him a chance.
Other than the practice violations, was any of the speculation about the controversial RR really true? Most of us will probably never know. I for one have been behind him this whole time, and I know many other on this blog have been as well. It is a shame that it came down to him being fired, mostly due to what I believe is DB caving in to the pressure of a minority group.
I really hope DB figures out a great plan for the future to fix this.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:49 PM ^
This is where I blame Bill Martin -- he could have done MUCH more to help ease Rodriguez's transition, but did not -- I think in part because Martin was strictly a business guy, and didn't know how to talk to the alum athletes and coaches.
I don't think Rodriguez got a fair shake, and the Freep investigation was a witch-hunt. With that said, the violations were a big issue for me. I realize that they were minor, but they still happened, and again Martin takes some blame for not preventing it from happening in the first place.
I will take issue with the wanting RR-out group being a minority -- it was roughly split before the bowl game, and after the bowl game no poll was taken but I'd have been surprised if the "keep RR" group was a majority.
My attitude with the whole thing is that it's unfair, it could have gone much differently, but it was also too far gone to be fixed unless 10+ wins were a guarantee for the next few years.
January 7th, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^
Nearly 80 percent of fans wanted him fired.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^
Here's wishing you good luck and prosperity in 2011 from the Profitgoblue family. I've been onboard your bandwagon since day one and appreciated all you have done for the program, the University, and the local community. You brought joy and happiness to countless individuals and helped shape the lives of your players and fans alike.
As others have said (probably better than I), you have gained a lifelong fan of your endeavors in me. Again, best of luck to you and your family. There are obviously great things in your future.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:16 PM ^
good luck, coach.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^
As so many others have said, thanks coach. I have no doubt Rich will have success at his next stop, and I know that I will be rooting for him
January 6th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
Thank you RR! I will be a fan of yours wherever you go! Best of luck at your next gig and maybe we can grab a beer someday! :)
January 6th, 2011 at 5:24 PM ^
Thanks Coach. Good luck to you and your family. I am sure you will do well with whatever is in your future.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:24 PM ^
January 6th, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
Thanks RR you brought alot of excitement around here with Shoelace and company! Wish you and your family nothing but the best!
January 6th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
Supported you the whole way... didnt want it to end but sometimes you have to cut the cord. Best of luck in the future....
January 6th, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^
Miss him already
January 6th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
If Rodriguez was given the support he deserved from the beggining i truly believe instead of a coaching search we would be talking about a national title run next year. O well, the next coach will have my full support, even if it is Brady Hoke.............please God don't let it be.........
January 6th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
as the pain of the losses go away. Favorite personal moment was getting to say congratulations to you after the Illinois game and my son getting your autograph on the Michigan Daily story on Denard. Best of luck, enjoy the time off and look forward to seeing your next team playing on Saturdays.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:51 PM ^
Thank you for the three years of service you gave to UM. In my opinion, and that of others, it was way to short of a time. Good luck in the future. I'm positive you will land on your feet somewhere good, and right, for you and your family. Thank you!!
January 6th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^
Here's to you Coach Rod....I hope you end up at Clemson. While I'm not really a fan of the team, they are close by and on TV all the time. Plus I think you can have success there within 2 years.....and a lot more respect from the media, fans, and alumni
January 6th, 2011 at 8:26 PM ^
Not to mention that the resources there are better. They already run a similar offense, and he'll be able to get the speed a little quicker than it was taking him here. I hope he goes to Clemson and I wouldn't be surprised to see him there in 2011.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^
It was fun to watch him coach when things were clicking. Too bad it had to end this way. I wish him the best of luck.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:54 PM ^
Coach Rod is a good man and coach... All i can say is he really loved and was proud to coach michigan.. Think about it he had a chance to leave for Alabama when they offered him the world but he decided to stay at wvu. He would've fit so much better at bama than here but he stayed at wvu.. Then Michigan comes calling and he leaves his comfort zone with a team that was a drive away from the national championship. I know its killing him that he couldn't get this turned around because he's a winner. I am a long time michigan fan from west virginia thats followed the wolverines and had the honor of attending two games at the big house. My first in 2003 when michigan played purdue and my second was the ohio state game in 2005. It was truly an awesome experience and i know coach rod believed michigan was special place too or he would've never left wvu. I know I am proud of rrod and will always follow whatever team he is coaching.
January 6th, 2011 at 5:54 PM ^
Whether or not he deserved a 4th year is debatable, but I hope we can all agree that he is a good guy. I feel that he was treated poorly while he was here and I am worried that our new coach will also have half the fan base and media after him setting back the program further.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:00 PM ^
Wow. That is a classy statement. I would have probably unloaded both barrels at the media and what not. No one can deny that he is a good guy. Good luck Coach!
January 6th, 2011 at 6:05 PM ^
I hope Rich Rodriguez never plays Michigan in his career again, because I could never root against him. He's a fantastic man and upheld all the values in a football program we hold dear. It pains me that it didn't work out.
Obviously, best of luck in the future coach...
January 6th, 2011 at 6:07 PM ^
To get a message to Rich Rod, e-mail his assistant, Jennifer Maszatics, who is an awesome person, at [email protected]. She will get them to him, guaranteed.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^
for the contact info.
Coach Rodriguez, thanks for handling yourself with class through all this media drama in part compelled by a divided fan base. You did the same with Mealer, with the kids you recruited, etc. I supported you from Day 1 to the last day you were in AA. While I will always love Michigan, I'm not proud of how we as a group treated you. I wish you all the best, except if/when you play against Michigan.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:08 PM ^
I, as many of you, strongly supported you from the very beginning and appreciate the efforts you made here. I was still holding out hope that you would return after the Fox report had been determined to be premature. You are a great coach and a better man. These past 3 years have not been the greatest, but it definitely was exciting. I just wish that you had all of the support from the very beginning and throughout your tenure. Good luck and I will always be a RR fan for life.
January 6th, 2011 at 6:11 PM ^
I wish Coach Rodriguez luck in his next stop and I am confident, for whatever that is worth, that he will be successful. I am sorry it didn't work out at Michigan, but I also know that, for any "mistakes" that were made, they were not made of ill intent.
Fair winds and following seas.