Rick Leach on WTKA
Anybody else hear Rick Leach this morning on WTKA?
He was all fired up. I even went into a restaurant, sat down, ate breakfast with my parents, talked to my dad about the stuff he was saying before we got there, came back out, and he was still going.
I thought his comments regarding Lloyd's silence throughout the season were quite interesting.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:15 PM ^
I'm at work and unfortunately can't spend 90 mins listening to the clips?? Any tidbits you can dole out before I head home?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:40 PM ^
about to go listen to it again, but he basically spent the entire time that I heard him defending Rodriguez against well...everything.
I always thought that he was one of the former players that wanted Les Miles hired (and he was), but he said he is fully behind Rodriguez.
He even went so far as to have Sam read a quick little article by Rosenberg, so he could rip on it.
He also said that Carr's silence speaks volumes (I'm paraphrasing of course), but that he found it odd that he hasn't come to Rodriguez's defense publicly since he is still employed by the university in some capacity.
I also think he took a veiled shot at MSC regarding Ferentz in the first segment.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:18 PM ^
Since I know somebody's going to ask, everybody can listen to the interview here (under the Michigan Insider list). Be forewarned though, it has seven parts.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:20 PM ^
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081209/SPORTS0201/8…
I liked this, I hope this ends the whole "Michigan Man" thing. Nehlen coached at Michigan and later with Rodriguez, so there's the tie back to us for those that complain.
On Rodriguez: "Once Rich Rodriguez became available in this process, I was called out of the blue from my former coach, Don Nehlen, who was my quarterback coach my last two years (at Michigan).
"After I left Michigan, he went to West Virginia and basically built that program from the ground up. Rich Rodriguez was hired on his staff and took over when Don retired.
"Don called me and shared his feelings about (Rodriguez) as a person, as a coach. That's all I needed to hear, believe me, because I know Don Nehlen is one of us. And Don Nehlen told him this opportunity only comes along once in a lifetime and if you don't take this job, you're a damn fool. God bless Don Nehlen for bringing that to us."
December 9th, 2008 at 4:32 PM ^
YES! I've been saying all along! Nehlen is the key, Rodriguez is a Michigan Man.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:17 PM ^
Yep. It's one of those things that's pretty clear with some reading. As I've said before, everyone here that considers themselves Michigan fans needs to go out read Bo's Lasting Lessons. Rodriguez learned from Nehlen who learned from Bo. The comparisons and similarities don't end there.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:19 PM ^
When Rodriguez came in already knowing the "Those who stay will be champions" mantra because Nehlen repeated it, I thought it was all pretty clear.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:30 PM ^
Oh it totally is clear, but you would surprised at how many people took issue with the comparison the last time I made it here.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:36 PM ^
i enjoyed that thoroughly
December 9th, 2008 at 4:55 PM ^
Carr is still probably ticked off that one of his guys (DeBoerd, Hoke you pick em) did not get it and that Lloyd could not name his successor.
While his silence is better than badmouthing, Lloyd owes it to the U of M to speak out in support of RR.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:35 PM ^
People don't need to speak out in support of RR because he doesn't need it. The people calling for RR's head are pretty much limited to sports columnists, who are just stirring things up to get readers. That's what they do.
I haven't seen any indication that the University brass or the influential alumni are making any kind of fuss. Expressing public support for someone's job when they don't need it kind of legitimizes the criticism of the Drew Sharps of the world. The right thing to do right now is to be quiet.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:03 PM ^
i find the carr media issue pretty silly, frankly
lloyd is retired. he doesnt need to be our media relations monkey if he doesn't want to.
anyway, lloyd's public support won't do anyone any good, except it might get the detroit news a few more clicks for a day or two
December 9th, 2008 at 5:27 PM ^
Exactly - Lloyd hated dealing the media when his job required it. You think now that he's done with all that bullshit he's going to seek out the media so he can voice his opinion. Not exactly a LC thing to do.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:30 PM ^
Though I wonder if he helps out behind the scenes (e.g., with boosters, etc.) to try to calm any uproar calling for RR's head.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:33 PM ^
Thank you CPS. You often have good points as well.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:08 PM ^
I consider that quite a compliment, considering that I'm not really a person, but rather 100 monkeys hitting keys at random on 100 computers in order to generate comments on MGoBlog.
We must say, we've have a particularly good run of luck in this endeavor.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:34 PM ^
Rick is wrong about that-- Lloyd is avoiding the media, staying out of the spotlight b/c he doesn't want to hover around and cast a shadow over Rodriguez. According to the Wolverine when RR was introduced at the bust Lloyd was quick to his feet, applauding, and the rest of the room followed his lead. I suspect in 2 or 3 years, once it has been Rodriguez has firmly established his program, LC will make more, for lack of a better phrase, public appearances.
And given how much Lloyd hated the media, I'd bet there's no one more sympathetic to Rod's experience in the past year than him
December 9th, 2008 at 5:42 PM ^
I think a lot of people assumed Lloyd was going to take the Bo role and be on TV weekend with Don Shane or whatever. And while I'd enjoy it (I loved Big Ten Ticket... I wanted Gary Moeller to do it) it's not really a Lloyd thing.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:45 PM ^
If I remember correctly, Bo was hesitant to be around after his retirement (maybe this is one reason he took on the disastrous position with the Tigers), and it was Lloyd who insisted he keep an office in Schembechler Hall.
Bo was great on Big Ten ticket, though.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:45 AM ^
"According to the Wolverine when RR was introduced at the bust Lloyd was quick to his feet, applauding, and the rest of the room followed his lead."
Hard to believe, especially given the complete lack of public support from Carr for RR. I can't quite picture an entire room waiting for Carr to stand and applaud...
Anyway, Bo hardly left Michigan and I doubt it played out like you posted below, that Carr insisted he stay around. Bo is Bo. Bo was and is Michigan. He wasn't going anywhere.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:58 PM ^
I love how Rick talks about his discussions with Don Nehlan, and other former players about the current situation...his honesty regarding Les Miles and in particular his ripping of Michael "Buy My Bo/Woody book!" Rosenberg...the hack from the Freep.
This is good stuff and long overdue.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:06 PM ^
I think the piling on Rosenberg is a little much. He's given his reasons for his criticisms and they aren't half as bad as Drew Sharp's or Mitch Albom's. Isn't Rosey a Michigan alum?
December 9th, 2008 at 7:12 PM ^
Rosenberg raved about the hiring of RR when it happened "Michigan hired a GREAT coach, not just a good one"...
but I take exception to his rash of more recent columns, starting in the summer....just ripping RR, using all of the same old regurgitated non-facts (shredding, attrition etc) that most of the media has used, without looking in to what is really going on. IMO, Rosenberg has been VERY narrow minded since the summer, very non-factual and very biased vs. RR.... just look up his columns to see this.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:26 PM ^
Just because Rosenberg praised the RR hiring when it happened doesn't mean that he's beholden to that position forever, Tom. People can change their minds about someone over a period of time.
P.S. That's not to say that i agree with everything that Rosenberg has written. From what I gather from his articles and radio interviews that he's done regarding his book , I get the feeling he wishes English or Debord had gotten the job.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:52 PM ^
I agree, anyone has their right to change their opinion on a hiring/coach or whatever...however when someone like Rosenberg goes through such a drastic change and publically lambastes (excuse me if i misspelled that word) RR for reasons which, in many cases, are either a) proven untrue (document shredding etc.) or b) based on skewed opinions of events behind closed doors (lawsuit, Boren etc)...then I have to question whether that person (Rosenberg) is using Sound Judgement...or is he simply flopping around in the breeze going which way the wind blows in the twisted court of public opinion to suit his current argument to sell newspapers..get clicks up etc. (sell books etc).
Show me a guy who looks at the facts and gives a balanced opinion of the off the field stuff...+ actually looks at what happened on the field vs. talent level this season and I will not show you a photo of Rosenberg...that is for sure...in fact im still waiting for that media member to show up.
RR is not above criticism...but if they are going to do it...they should at least do it fairly.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:29 AM ^
Hey Tom,
In the case of Rosenberg, I tend to agree with you. He ripped RR a new one for the lawsuit nonsense when it was settled, yet, ignored the fact that RR was incouraged by Bill Martin to fight the buyout. I really believe that Rosenberg thinks in his own mind that English or Debord should've been given the job to continue this "Michigan Man" myth.
December 10th, 2008 at 4:04 PM ^
Drew Sharp's an alumnus too. If a guy's a jerk, he's a jerk, regardless of school affiliation.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:09 PM ^
the only thing that I disagree with RR about and I hope he changes it...is to allow official team season captains to be elected by the the team, their peers before next season...no more of this game-captain business...they need permanent upperclassmen leadership... and season captains are the way to go... maybe if he wants to use it as a motivational factor, then have 1 game-captain and 3 permanent captains and the 1 game-captain can be selected weekly by the coaches as a motivation/reward.
That said, Im pretty sure I know why RR chose the game-captain route... apparently it was his way of doing things at WVU...but more importantly: he didnt know this roster and imo, he wanted to see how leadership shook out naturally before choosing game captains...
I hope they get 3 perm. captains for next year though...
December 9th, 2008 at 7:23 PM ^
reasons he does the captains like this already.
I don't have a problem with it, but I know some people do.
Also, I don't think officially naming captains before the season would have changed much this year. But again, I know some people feel differently about that.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:32 PM ^
attempt to make that argument.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:20 PM ^
the effect of naming captains at the beginning of the season.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:23 PM ^
Mitch Albom your on thin ice with many Michigan Fans-of all people to bash Coach Rod-you should be ashamed-Bo didn't teach you anything-I know you wrote "the book" but you might try reading it. Might I suggest, interviewing and writing about Rick Leach-"The Legend".
December 9th, 2008 at 10:40 PM ^
no one has said more than three words about rick leach since 1983 and he comes out today praising rich and everyone has a hard on for him.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:01 PM ^
Maybe because he has the right perspective about how the program should be run because he's lived through it? It's funny that those who want to continually bash coach Rod apparently can't grasp the concept that the former players who have met with him actually like him and the direction of the program and instead grasp to the juvenile complaints of those who didn't want to stay. Guys like Leach get it, that's why.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:01 PM ^
Anyone who followed Michigan in the mid to late 70's has a hard on for Rick Leach. I was twelve, running the option and pitching to my good friend, Harlan Huckleby.
If you say anything negative about my boy-crush I will join gsimms on his skull crushing tour and we will visit.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:46 AM ^
completely false
leach isnt some random dude out of nowhere. anyone who thinks that has lost the plot
December 10th, 2008 at 4:43 AM ^
notice how the Detroit News has 2 separate articles about Leach's comments posted online and probably in the morning paper as well...while the Freep, who had 2 of their poor columnists criticized by Leach, dont even touch the story.