okay, I'll take the negbang: Rodriguez to Tennessee?
There have been rumblings on this board that Tennessee has spoken to Rich Rodriguez about their open coaching position. The first place I read it was in a comment by Ninja Football who, although he doesn't have a lot of points, has been around since the days of Haloscan.
Some comments I've seen have been of the general sentiment that "I would lose all faith in humanity if that happened," but he spurned his alma mater for seemingly greener pastures. Why wouldn't he spurn Michigan, where he's been under constant fire and has had more rigorous academic hoops to jump through?
I'm not saying it will happen, but that's the rumor going around. Anybody heard anything or have any thoughts on the matter?
January 13th, 2010 at 8:16 AM ^
But I seriously doubt this happens.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:19 AM ^
If Rodriguez were "run out of town," I would be devastated. My fandom would take a huge hit. And part of me would revel in a UT-UM bowl matchup where Rodriguez just runs it up on some "Michigan Man" that the Carr Cabal has been clamoring for.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:17 AM ^
Indeed, after all the nonsense of the past couple of years, I have to admit that part of me would enjoy seeing RichRod run up the score on some shlubby "Michigan Man." Brady Hoke (bless his little Lloyd Lite heart) would work in that role.
Aside: I don't think it's just the Carr people. I believe the Les Miles Fan Club and the murkier elements (Stapleton et al., for what those rumors are worth) should be in the discussion.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:20 AM ^
And I thought this was a serious thread....
January 13th, 2010 at 8:20 AM ^
I'll admit it. I would poop in my pants a little. Perhaps followed up by a healthy man cry.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:13 AM ^
mean "nose sweat"????
January 13th, 2010 at 8:20 AM ^
would UM hire if this happens?
January 13th, 2010 at 11:23 AM ^
Lane Kiffin
January 13th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
No, Jim Mora.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:24 AM ^
If this happens, Michigan will probably pull in Ferentz as HC.
However, I don't see it happening. Tennessee can't out-bid Michigan... unlike Tennessee, Michigan is a dream job. It's one of the few schools that any coach would look at and go "Yeah, I'd love to retire there." Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Ohio State are the others I can think of.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:30 AM ^
Tennesee is a Top Tier program almost on the level of a Michigan or OSU, IMEO.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
Tennessee is a very good coaching position but its still a rung below Michigan for several reasons. Tradition, academics, not competing in a crowded SEC.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:33 AM ^
There's no doubt that most coaches out there would regard Michigan as a "dream job." But you're fooling yourself if you don't think there aren't also large numbers of coaches who would run over their own wife, children, and grandparents for a chance to coach at UT. Frankly, given the different academic standards between Ann Arbor and Knoxville that HCs have to deal with, I think there are plenty of coaches who would regard UT as a better spot than Michigan.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
Can we banish this myth that we have lofty entrance standards for athletes once and for all? The only real difference between us and 95% of schools (UT included) is that it's hard for us to take JUCOs. That's it.
January 13th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
I don't know the specifics of any of these cases, but off the top of my head the ones in recent memory I can think of are Taylor Hill, Marcus Witherspoon who ended up at Rutgers(?), Witty, Cissoko(?), and even Slocum who may have ended up being around in 2008. I don't know if these guys could have made it in TN either, but those are a few I can think of.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
Take a drive down I-75 and once you go far enough you'll find quite a few people who don't think Michigan is exactly a dream job.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:53 AM ^
You mean, once you cross the Ohio border?
January 13th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
No, further south. See: Glenn Edward Schembechler.
January 13th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^
I understand what you're saying - it was a dream job for Bo even though he was from Ohio.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
until seeing your edited explanation.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
and if it did happen ferentz is not coming. he didn't want to come last time and there's no reason for him to come now. his players and school love him and he loves it there (i have that from friends who are former players).
les, nick, and bob would not becoming either and while some, in the middle of a dark dreary night of a dark and dreary coach search, thought that schiano would be an answer go d help us if they would try and pull him in.
i think brandon and martin would suck it up and go for harbaugh. i know there's plenty to not like about that, but he'd probably be the best hire available and despite what he has said he still bleeds blue. and , after all, he';s the Michigan Man (well, take away those derogatory remarks that brandon and martin would have to suck up) the others have always wanted.
just guessing...
January 13th, 2010 at 9:50 AM ^
I agree that Harbaugh would probably be our top candidate. After that, I would like someone like Randy Edsall or Gary Patterson who likes to focus on defense.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:53 AM ^
Harbaugh is not going to coach michigan, ever.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
I hope he doesn't, as that would mean RR is successful and is here for a long time. Otherwise, I think he would be one of the first called. I don't think he was too out of line by stating the obvious...Most athletes are pushed through easier programs so they can focus on athletics. This has a lot to do with the athletes themselves, as some of them are looking for an easy way through. He was simply stating that at a great university such as UM, academics should be a priority. Yes, he runs his mouth a little too much, but he is passionate about UM and that would be great for our declining image if we were to need a coach.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:42 AM ^
Does RR think it's a dream job?
January 13th, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^
Considering the Freep jihad and "factions", I'd say that Rodriguez would call Michigan anything but a "dream job" at this point.
Tennessee would be a step down, status-wise, but it'd probably be a breath of fresh air to Rodriguez who'd be welcomed with open arms (unlike some places I know).
I really hope it's just a b.s. rumor and Rodriguez guts out an 8 win season to go to a bowl and plow a Pac-10 school in the new year...
January 13th, 2010 at 1:30 PM ^
..for the right coach. That's why, before Kiffin, they only had two coaches in around thirty years. As for the money, their stadium is one of the five which have over 100,000 seats. In addition, UT is almost the only game in town in southern Tennessee. They don't really identify much with the Memphis teams.
That being said, I can't imagine RR going there. Also, the bullshit "reporting" by mlive and the freep might actually play in UM's favor in that RR may have to work his way back to being an attractive coach in the eyes of the football world, especially administrators who make hiring decisions.
That, of course, should happen this year, but it won't happen in the next two weeks. The "bring Fulmer back" rumor makes more sense to me than anything else at this point. They "loves them some loyalty" at UT, and I would expect them to go to coaches with a previous connection to UT at this point.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:25 AM ^
This rumor helps any school Michigan is currently competing against in recruiting right now, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the origin of this rumor was there. Regardless, there are more than a couple UM fans who actually are fervently wishing that it comes true. I'm not one of them, but what fans want or don't want is irrelevant. These days, it's naive to believe that something is literally impossible when it comes to coaching moves. Unfortunately, Magnus is right: it's not too hard to come up with some reasons why RR might find UT attractive.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
Lane Kiffin went to USC why? Because in the long term money, recruiting power & several other things were a hell of a lot more attractive than staying at Tennessee. Even if LK is readily excepting the fact that USC will go on probation its still a better job than Tennessee. Because in the short term it will take awhile to build the Tenn team into something, longer than USC's probation will be that for sure. And even if he would have turned it into a good team again the SEC is a harder conference to win in. So RR is going to have legit reasons to go to Tennessee after its taken him 2 years to start building here at a better school? That just doesn't make sense at all. Even if this rumor were true and someone made that call I guarantee RR would never think twice about it. He turned down bama right????
January 13th, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^
Though Michigan may be regarded as a better school for football (and that would be debatable) I think Magnus is mainly saying that this job has been nothing but a headache for Rodriguez and very little of that has been his fault. The reasoning for a jump to UT would probably be to alleviate most of those headaches and still have a marquee college football coaching position. Make no mistake the head coach position at UT is no joke in the college football world. If UT can welcome a guy like Kiffin with open arms I doubt they would have a smear campaign even close to what has happened to Rodriguez here were he to take the job. That alone may be awfully attractive right now.
I don't think he will go because the cost of leaving outweighs the benefits, but he definitely would have some legitimate reasons to leave.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:11 AM ^
You make some good points. The only thing I can think is that it would be a headache to start over. He's two years into the process at Michigan. There have obviously been some challenges here, but I think all things considered he's had fair treatment (Freep Jihad excluded). Would it really be worth it to live through the growing pains and all the questions that come with them again?
Edit: I should specify fair treatment from the university.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^
UT is in worse standing with the NCAA than UM, though I don't think anyone is taking the NCAA seriously until they actually, you know, punish someone.
Also, if RichRod needs to start over with QB recruiting, that'll be another two years of head ache for him.
True, he hasn't made a smooth transition at UM. However, going forward, I think staying at UM would be much smoother than switching again. And that doesn't even take into account the fact that UM can probably beat UT in resources ($$$) etc.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:27 AM ^
This is very intriguing topic and something to really look and wonder about.
If TENN offered to buy him out and pay back the loans etc. wouldn't RR at least have to give the job a real hard look? When you look at the way RR has been treated and the pressure he is under as HC here at Michigan heading into the 2010 season, I think any rational business person would be willing to listen to what the folks in Knoxville have to say.
Just my $0.02.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:31 AM ^
I'd let go and become apathetic. Oh, and I wouldn't watch college football for a few years.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^
The only way I could work up the heart to care is if they hired 1 of 2 people. Ditka or God. Well... since Ditka is God, I guess there's only 1 choice then.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^
Zombie Bo would do the trick as well.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^
we are on the same page.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:35 AM ^
If RR leaves then bring on Harbaugh/Miles/Ferentz. I am a fan of the coach of Michigan comma period
EDIT: Love me some RR though.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:47 AM ^
I am all for the guy on the sideline wearing maize and blue, done.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:40 AM ^
For those wondering where this is coming from, Ninja Football claims to know someone inside TN's sports information department. I'm glad this rumor has gotten its own thread so it can hopefully be killed dead.
If nothing else, it's an interesting hypothetical. I wonder if the sky would fall to the extent we think it might. Since we essentially have two AD's right now I can't imagine they would both be out sailing at the same time so Miles would be available. Harbaugh would jump at the opportunity as well. Sure we'd lose players and lots of recruits, but I would think Tate would stick around as would many of our best offensive players. The defense would be in shambles, but what else is new? Interesting thought experiment if nothing else...
January 13th, 2010 at 8:42 AM ^
Hands off you filthy scoundrels!
January 13th, 2010 at 8:44 AM ^
It is unclear to me why we are having this discussion.
Methinks the years of pain and woe are starting to take a toll on our collective psyche.
-An observation worth what you paid for it-
January 13th, 2010 at 8:49 AM ^
something totally baseless is perfect for the Freep to go off on.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^
I believe the Freep would manufacture the rumor without the help of this site.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^
I think maybe the forum has fallen for a prank
Just my two cents.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
Agreed though I wouldn't call it a total prank. It is consistent with the "declining newsprint industry" theory. Most newspapers are nearing the final phase of extinction - if there is a chance in hell someone will buy a newspaper to read something you can be damn sure that newspaper is going to print it.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
I haven't. It's stupid.
A: This is the ONLY place I've read it.
B: Right now, the last thing Tennessee would do is hire a flash in the pan.
C: No way in heck Tennessee is going to pony up money for a hot guy right now.
D: Would a truly elite program even want RR right now, until he shows he can be a big winner again?
January 13th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
A truly elite program just hired Lane Kiffin despite a distinct lack of accomplishments in his career ever, so point D actually sounds like a yes.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:21 AM ^
Mark May said on his radio station that he had heard Rich to Tennessee. I didn't listen to the actual audio and I can't give a link cause I'm at work but google will work for those who want to hear it themselves.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:51 AM ^
This would be interesting and I guess at this point nothing is a total shock. Reasons why he wouldn't go:
- USC is a step up from TN. No one can seriously say that about MI-TN.
- RR in the past has shown no indication of being an impulsive jumper - he turned down Alabama while at WV and only left after what was apparently a major internal squabble.