Coach Rodriguez and the Denard "Experiment"

Submitted by profitgoblue on

I was wondering whether anyone has read any articles or seen any interviews that describe how the Michigan coaching staff spots high school talent and/or their coaching philosophies.  It seems to me that Coach Rodriguez found a diamond in the rough in Denard and I am curious to learn more about how the staff got him ready for such a big jump from last year to the present.  I've always been a Rich Rodriguez supporter and Denard's start this season has to be the perfect example of Coach Rod's (or at least his coaching staff's) ability to recruit and really teach kids the game of football.

From what I've read, Coach Rod is the only coach that offered the QB position to Denard - all the other schools were recruiting him for the WR or RB position.  Not only that, but Coach Rod made it clear to him that he would be given the chance to play QB as long as he had the desire to play that position.  Thus far (knock on wood), the success Denard's had at the QB position is a great testament to Coach Rod and his coaching/recruiting.  Even the naysayers and people that don't support him have to at least admit that, right?

TheOracle6

September 14th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^

RR has always found great talent from low rated players or walk-ons.  He turned out one of the best fullbacks that the college ranks have ever seen in Owen Schmitt *walkon*.  Pat White I believe was originally a 2 star projected as a defensive back.  Denard was highly rated by espn as being one of the top 15 athletes in the country, although he was the only one that wanted Denard to play quarterback.  RR and his staff have a very solid eye for talent that seems to get passed over for whatever reason.  Plus the star system really doesn't mean as much as most people make out of it anyways.  I'd take a 3 star kid out of Florida, Texas, California, and Ohio before I'd take a 5 star from a state like Kansas or NY.

Koyote

September 14th, 2010 at 9:17 PM ^

Honestly, I can say that I don't want to know how Coach Rod finds kids like Denard (although he was a 4 star). He seems to have a knack for finding diamond in the rough type players - see Pat White, Steve Slaton, Chris Henry, etc... and I don't really want the other coaches around the country to be able to beat him to the punch.

I would guess it has something to do with hard work though.

A Sexy Otter

September 14th, 2010 at 9:13 PM ^

He is not a diamond in the rough. He may have been recruited as a cornerback/ whatever but he was a high 4* in a big program. People knew about him. People don't know about diamonds that are buried in the rough or else they would go get them

Blue in Seattle

September 15th, 2010 at 1:46 AM ^

A "diamond in the rough" refers to an uncut diamond.  Which means everyone knows that it chemically is a diamond, but since it hasn't been cut and shaped, it's beauty is hidden.

The cutting and polishing of diamonds is a rare skill, since to extract the maximum size of the diamond while still eliminating all the flaws is no easy task.  While in the rough the flaws are hidden either partially or entirely.

So I think the phrase applies exactly to Denard.  Everyone knew he was fast, but not everyone agreed what position (basic cuts of the rough diamond) would realize his maximum potential as a glittering gemstone.

one version of diamond in the rough

I think after two games, it appears promising, but the final polish has not been applied.  Also conventional wisdom is suggesting that there is still a major flaw and the diamond is too large, it should have been cut into two smaller parts.

we will see though, that is for sure, and I, as many, will be watching avidly.

Grobdelnick

September 15th, 2010 at 6:35 AM ^

Their must be a requirement for at least one pedantic rant on this board every day so one jerk off can flex his BIG BRAIN muscle for to impress us all.

The only thing missing is "When I was going to Michigan, studying engineering, I learned a lot about diamonds."

Put that in there with an edit, and your post will be perfect.

Keeeeurt

September 14th, 2010 at 9:21 PM ^

Even though Carvin Johnson hasn't had a chance to really show us what he has but the fact that he earned a starting spot as a true freshman (granted it is a very young, thin defense to begin with) and he wasn't even ranked until Coach Rod offered him.  I expect good things from both Carvin and Coach Rod's recruiting ahead.

Scott Dreisbach

September 14th, 2010 at 9:27 PM ^

If I recall correctly, he wanted to play QB, and he wanted to play with Adrian Witty.   The only school that offered him those opportunities were Kansas State and Michigan.  His decision came down to the two and it was a no brainer to go to Michigan.  I am pretty sure that Kansas State offered Denard as a QB.

SysMark

September 14th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^

Florida made a big push at the end - never know if Meyer was offering him QB but he was  recruiting him hard in the final days.  This was a huge signing for RR.  I wonder if Pryor thinks just a little of what he could have done her, though in all honesty he may have been a few years early.

jmblue

September 14th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^

We need to stop with the "I wonder what Pryor thinks of us" stuff.  It's incredibly little brother-ish.

I'm sure Pryor is happy where he is, quarterbacking a top 5 team.  And I'm happy we have Denard.  I think he's a better fit for our offense than Pryor.  It's win-win. 

PhillipFulmersPants

September 14th, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^

is right, and I agree about the slight little brother-ish tone of some comments that are made about TP from time to time (not sure SysMark meant it that way, though). Most of this board was begging for Pryor to come to Michigan back with the RR hire made it seem like a possibility. I'm fine with a little good natured ribbing at his expense because he plays for OSU (the "everybody murders" stuff, for example ... open season on gaffes, that's fair game), but let's not kid ourselves about his success. He's played in huge spotlight games for three years, has a hell of a nice record as a starter, and has a couple legit opportunities this year and next for a BSC championship trophy.  He wanted to go to OSU. He felt comforable with them more so than the Michigan opportunity. It appears he loves it there.  He's taken some heat from OSU fans, but what QB at any high profile program hasn't?  He'll have no regrets, I suspect.

08mms

September 14th, 2010 at 9:47 PM ^

I'm not sure I'd say Denard is a better fit for our offense per se.  Coach RRod seems pretty able to tweak an offense to show of QB strengths, especially when those strengths incorporate running, and TP is definately and accomplished runner.  It makes me really excited to see the play-calling when DG starts getting more quality snaps.

08mms

September 14th, 2010 at 9:49 PM ^

I'm not sure I'd say Denard is a better fit for our offense per se.  Coach RRod seems pretty able to tweak an offense to show of QB strengths, especially when those strengths incorporate running, and TP is definately and accomplished runner.  It makes me really excited to see the play-calling when DG starts getting more quality snaps.

PhillipFulmersPants

September 14th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^

or taller, a ton of schools would have been after him at the QB position. He's a freak athlete who, at least for his position (QB), doesn't fit well into a ton of systems. However, there are few he's a great fit for, RR's being one of them. The premium is more on quickness, speed and ability to make the read on guys at the point of attack rather than being able to stand tall in a pocket and sling Henne daggers from near hash mark to far sideline.

Mgobowl

September 14th, 2010 at 9:54 PM ^

is just as attributable to Denard's work ethic and drive as RR's coaching. It's not everyday you come across a person with Denard's qualities and I think RR saw that in him during his recruitment. I think what sets RR's recruit philosphy apart from many others is that he recruits the person and not the talent.

Mgobowl

September 14th, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^

one of the dumbest things you have ever read on here, then do you care to expound as to why?

It's clear RR is recruiting high character players, there are no egocentric, me first type people on the team (at least not publically).

I would much rather have a team full of players of moderate talent that are motivated to work than a team full of lazy ass "5-stars" looking to get all the glory. There are "teams" (I use the term loosely) full of talent that never live up to expectations and whose fault is that? The players, the coach, or both? RR is avoiding all those issues by recruiting the type of people he wants in his program both from a talent standpoint and from a personal standpoint.

Look no further than the three-star mafia we have had the past few years or the institution of the walk-on program. Part of it is a function of the system we run as well as the record we have had, but I also think a part of it is due to the quality of the people he wants on the team.

Wolfman

September 15th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^

Is it not just as easy to say, "Agree with all except  last sentence," or something meaning the same?  It seems to me some here either intentionally try to make an enemy with their posting or actually believe their thought process and writing ability is so superior to others that it's necessary to be vitriolic in their assessment of another's contribution. 

In either scenario, it's offensive to the third party who is not aware of a possible history of dispute. It's the only thing that immediately comes to mind when trying to comprehend the critique like response to the opinions of a fellow Michigan fan that would normally result in acceptance of intentions rather than an attack on their thinking process. . 

J. Lichty

September 14th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^

1) denard  himself.  From all of the accounts he was the hardest working guy in the weightroom and in the film room this summer;

2) Rod Smith - really deserves a lot of credit for the physical development in terms of passing accuracy not to mention grasp of the offense

3) rodrgiuez - is very involved in coaching the qb's and for the decision to keep him at QB when all roads pointed toward him being moved around the field, with the occasional wildcat formation in his favor.

6tyrone6

September 14th, 2010 at 11:38 PM ^

recruits and he kicked UMs ass. For a 3-5 year run he had better rankings than UM with 2-3 star talent, he would have 1-2, 4 stars and only after 3 or 4 years of success got a 5 star (I think that was Noel Devine). Anyway not going to go through that again but I got blasted back then by a lot of non RR supporters saying that was in the Big East and the BE sucks has no teams etc..etc...anyway, it was amazing to look back at what he was able to COACH with really bottom B10 talent and top 10 results.

michiganfanforlife

September 15th, 2010 at 12:04 AM ^

posting here is getting out of hand. Please remove your other hand from your pants and stop squirming so much. Looks like you picked the wrong week to stop taking speed. Surely, you can't be serious....Ever seen a grown man naked?

Of course RR is good at recruiting the specific skill sets that make his offense so deadly. That's why we hired him.

954Greenwood

September 15th, 2010 at 8:12 AM ^

a QB, at Michigan or elsewhere, who has shown such VAST improvement as a passer between year 1 and year 2? Last year, Denard was more like Antonio Bass or Justin Feagin, where, if he went in, the defense could stack the box and sell out against the run. As a passer, he had 31 attempts and 4 INTS!!1. Now, he is an efficient passer, and even a serviceable QB in a crunch (see last weekend). His awareness and poise is the most important improvement, as our complicated offense requires him to make multiple split second reads on most run and pass plays. This has got to be credited, at least in part, on Rodriguez and Smith.