RR sit down interview with Mitch Albom

I heard on the radio that Mitch Albom said that the problem with the media is that the media is not willing to call out its own members when they mess up.  Part of me wonders if Albom believes that Mark "I can't remember how many of the 6 players I interviewed were still on the team" Rosenberg did a poor job of journalism attacking Rodriguez.

Good to see this sort of exchange in a major paper. Liable to rile the haters up even more. Now their cover story will be that "everything" Rich says is lies.

Otherwise, Michigan was headed for a tough year and 2008 and it isn't his fault for "running the program into the ground". That isn't a workable cover story for them or the fans of other teams who think this program is finished.

That interview sounds pretty unfiltered to me.  Very interesting... plenty for both sides, I suppose, depending on how you read it.

... You might as well go ahead and put your stuff in and teach it."

Always my response to those who complain that he didn't change his system to suit the personnel he inherited.

"So when they said we over-practiced ... well, did you see our record?"

Those 2 Freep guys hated RR from the start and couldn't wait to try and take him down. I can't wait until the team is an asskicking machine again and RR becomes an institution in A2. Those 2 cockroaches won't say a peep against him with his clout. As for the rats in the athletic department who tried to sabotage him I picture an end of Godfather part 1 montage where the enemies are eliminated(tossed in this case) and all the family business is taken care of.

I really wish that people other than Michigan fans would read this kind of information about Rich. They don't want to hear this kind of stuff so they don't take the time to get both sides of the story. I'm sure that the REAL truth is somewhere in between what the good guy is saying and what the bad guys are, but still, the assumptions made about this guy being the spawn of Satan make me furious. It's a shame what he and his family have to deal with just because this team has struggled in the first couple years of the transition to the spread

This is an excellent first step in PR for the coach and the program and looooong overdue!!!!

Great questions, well-formed, honest answers that provide a lot of insight into the reality behind the 8-16 results, in addition to some level of insight into RR as a person.

There will always be anti-RR people, just as there were always anti-Bo people (I knew them, believe me), but this can hopefully get some people who were on the fence thinking in positive terms about the future of the program.

This has David Brandon written all over it.

Also, the mention of RR coming down on Tate for academics and that this would influence his status in terms of playing time is a clear indication of a coach that has his priorities in order.

I can't imagine having to bear the cross RR and his family/friends/coaching staff have had to bear over the last 3 years.  RR's character is starting to shine through in these articles and pressers.

For whatever reason (maybe it's the season rapidly approaching or that I'm completely fed up with the constant insults from Mediocre State University), this article has elevated my confidence in RR and the program.  I like what I'm hearing.  I like that people have written us off.  I can smell the stench of overconfidence wafting out of East Lansing. 

As usual, when the band takes the field next Saturday, I'll be fighting back my emotions.

Let's Go Blue!

In a lot of ways this is the first actual reporting or informational article in the major papers locally telling the story of Michigan football in the last 2 years with any sort of actual explanation.  Rodriguez handled it real well. He was truthful without trashing someone we respect but  who might have deserved  it. 

Until now, The Freep, Detroit News and the talk radio clowns for the most part of just worked on assumptions that fed the anti-Rodriguez mindset of the lesser informed.  "Why did he need to destroy such a solid program" and "what he does won't work in the Big Ten" were the two fog banks hanging over everything that was written or  said. Like there was no plan and Rich was some imcompetant boob or just insane.

There was  no investigation or seemingly any follow-up questions to Rodriguez asking him about the direction of this that I saw.  Angelique is a pretty good reporter but she seems to steer clear of the global questions about why things went in the direction they did.

 Albom finally asked and in a good format.

In that way, the story is groundbreaking.  I'd tell anyone totally new to the U of M Football scene  to read that first and then come here second, and ignore any of the other stuff written or said in the Detroit media.

They were at best negligent and more likely axe grinding, until this morning's story.

Tsk, tsk, tsk  Alert: 

I can't believe anyone took the bait and are commenting on the predictions from people who have shown scant ability or inclination to really understand this program. People, people, people.  You all are better than this....   

Hey if State pulls all that "great talent" together wins 10 on a light schedule, great for them. I am here to tell you that the approach and where this program is going for the next 5 to 20 years is so much more advanced from whatever they think they are doing.  I'd consider their march to greatness the pro-Dantonio media has been predicting every year single year, to be little more than really dull viewing. 

Let's focus in on the big picture and let those folks up there enjoy themselves.  They aren't a factor in where we are heading. Let October 9 do the talking and enjoy the spectable while their passive aggressive coach chirps away.

Oh and Mitch's motivation to write the article?  Mostly clicks and money for the paper. Rodriguez era Michigan stories are always the top 5 stories in their paper for views online.  Even when we stink, we are more interesting then MSU. 

Great interview. When Mitch is on, he's really fucking on.

He simply has a different tone this year

R: If we're not in the conversation as far as competing for a Big Ten championship and if we're not playing top 25 football by the end of the year.

So are we certain Mitch really even talked to RR?

Just kidding Mitch:)