Note that this post does not depend on the previous posts in the RichRod at Michigan series: How to Fire a Head Coach, Journey Into the Abyss, Westward Ho!, and Circling the Wagons. Reading one or more of those might provide an additional sense of continuity for those who wish to make the effort.
On November 15, 2008 the Michigan Wolverines hosted the Northwestern Wildcats at the Big House in Ann Arbor. Northwestern was not considered a collegiate powerhouse, and demonstrated it by beating the once mighty Wolverines by only 21 - 14. But for Michigan, it was only another nail in the coffin of a disastrous season. They were not going to a bowl for the first time since 1974 and had the worst W - L (3 - 8 and counting) record in the history of football there.
The next game on the schedule (and clearly the last of the season) was at the Horseshoe against Ohio State. While there are those who might argue that this rivalry falls short of being the most intense in college sports, even those who favor such classic rivalries as Texas-Oklahoma or Notre Dame-USC (and, of course, many others) are likely to rank Michigan-Ohio State in the top five.
The hype leading up to the game was as intense as always. It was on November 18 that RichRod was quoted as saying (in reference to some?) fans, "Get a life." Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News went on to quote him further on whether he understood the importance of the Ohio State game, "Maybe I have and you all don't know it. I didn't make any public statements, because there are whole lot of things we're trying to do. I'll never diminish the importance of the Michigan-Ohio State game, ever. Never have, never would. Just because I don't say something my first day on the job doesn't mean I don't understand the importance of the game."
And with that, town marshall RichRod had drawn his weapons and began firing, seemingly at random. It is not clear whether he hit any targets. Many followers of BigBlue scrambled for cover, drawing the curtains, sending the children to safety, and hiding under the bed. But the Clanton gang began to return fire with gusto. The reaction was swift and terrible - a counteroffensive of shock and awe. A bit of a sampling follows.
LZ Granderson of ESPN's Page 2 wrote on November 19, "...Rodriguez's sin isn't thinking that some of the Michigan fans need to get a life. His sin was being stupid enough to say it. That's the equivalent of doing the worst job performance anyone in the history of the company has ever done, and then flipping the boss the finger for being overly critical. Especially when you and everyone else in the world knows you were not the company's first or even second choice for the job...."
MCNEGROPOD of firerichrod.blogspot.com, also on November 19, wrote, "Get a life? ...coaching Michigan football isn't your job. It's your life!"
But perhaps the unkindest cut of all came from Detroit Free Press sports commentator Mitch Albom. Maybe you remember his book Tuesdays with Morrie which topped the New York Times nonfiction list for over a year. On November 20, he wrote, "At this point, Rich Rodriguez is like the guy who gets too drunk at the bar, goes staggering through the wrong neighborhood, gets knocked down, kicked around and now just wants to crawl home safely."
Thus occurred the Shootout at the Big House. While the bullets were still flying, the hopeful looked toward one last game. The game at the Horseshoe in Columbus would likely not be a shootout - at least not for the Wolverines. But maybe the season was not beyond the pale. A win against Ohio State - or even a gutty loss - might salvage some fan support and provide a platform to build on for the coming season. Ohio State had only two losses on the season, a blowout at USC early on and a closer loss to Penn State more recently. Michigan went into the game with emotion. Emotion is absolutely necessary to win a game that has the intensity of Michigan-Ohio State. But wining it also takes skills which fit a game plan.
The outcome was as predicted. Michigan's "moral victory" was a 42 - 7 loss to the Buckeyes. The season wasn't saved, but instead suffered what was arguably the worst loss of 2008. The animal from which the Michigan team name originated is said to be the most vicious animal on earth when considered pound-for-pound. But the football Wolverines weren't even close to that description.
Michigan fans have emerged from behind their curtains and from under their beds. Occasional bullets still fly, but the sense of the times is now kind of like the quiet before a really big storm. The black clouds are gathering in the west and heat lightning brightens the horizon from time to time. RichRod has made it this far, but it is clear now that he is in survival mode.
We have picked up his journey from West Virginia where he seems to have gone through much of what he has since experienced at Michigan. He has lost some players here from the team as well as "decommitments" and marginal recruiting (as he did at West Virginia). He has also landed a few players who he feels have the skills he wants for his team. He continues his inability to accept criticism and his ability to dis those who do offer constructive comments.
An assessment of his future at the Big House will be the subject of the next post on this subject. It will be in the form of an open letter to RichRod. Whether it will be the final post in this series or whether there will be more that needs to be said down the line depends in large part on how effectively RichRod will be able to perform during the coming season.
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Comments (18) Add A Comment
Hey congrats! You got a mention in FanNation Speaks. I'll be back to read this one more closely, probably tomorrow.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
Total Comments (3616)
Excellent job once again. You perfectly capture the spirit of the entire debacle.
Redwing19: retired
Halifax, NS
Total Comments (35449)
Thanks, wt. Even a poor orchardist from the midwest can make the big time once in a while. Is this my fifteen minutes of fame?
And with only one semester of technical French, all I can do to render the second commenter's screen name into English is "(The) Redwing Nineteen." But you have my appreciation for your comments.
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
Total Comments (947)
Well written article here. I agree with it, and would like to say, based on your suggestion of the same, that Coach Rod's track with Michigan so far is remarkably similar to the beginning of his tenure. If so, you should see a good turn-around year this year, followed by some great teams. Unfortunately, the game plan will pretty much revolve around up-the-middle running. And when the team faces a game in which it hasn't taken the lead by a few scores in the first half, you will get a surprisingly extra-conservative approach, with not much variance in the play-calling. But he should rebound, that is, if he is given the chance.
Trav: Say No to…
Sw, VA
Total Comments (4853)
*beginning of his tenure at West Virginia.
Trav: Say No to…
Sw, VA
Total Comments (4853)
Thanks, Trav. I think you have pinpointed one of RichRod's strengths and at the same time one of his weaknesses.
In another few weeks, I will post the final installment in this season's commentary. Stay tuned.
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
Total Comments (947)
Read the article, no arguement here. To use a military phrase, the 2008 was nothing but a old fashioned "goat screw". Lets hope RR has learned a few things from last year, he and us (the fans) do not need a repeat!
Airborne72
Houston, TX
Total Comments (218)
Thanks for your comments, Airborne. I too hope that RichRod has learned some things. But the patterns of the past suggest that he has tunnel vision when he looks to the future. That does not bode well for his career at Michigan or for the football program.
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
Total Comments (947)
"marginal recruiting"?
Is this the same class that Scouts has rated as 10th in the nation and Rivals has at #7 in RRs first full year?
"decommitments"?
No mention of the highly touted last minute pick ups?How many big programs had decommits at the last minute?Is anyone questioning their recruiting prowess based on this?
"lost players"?
You mean with a new coach and totally new systems some players might bolt?...Unheard of.Or are you talking about Mcguffie(the only recent transfer of note),with his 3 concussions keeping him out most of last year and his family issues...RRs fault?
The "get a life" comments shouldnt be constantly repeated without context.When i first heard it i too was shocked and offended.Then i took the time to find out the "UM fans" at who they were directed and i think he showed more restraint under the circumstances than i would have.
Dont like RR?...im not sold either.Last season was abysmal and im not sure i like the idea of going away from "Michigan Football" myself.NTM the mess that came with his divorce from WV(although i think theres plenty of blame to go arround there).But i still hope for the best(rather than rooting for more failure) and feel he deserves a shot.How about we keep things reasonable rather than rooting for failure out of spite?
Comments repeatedly taken out of context and attacking even what RR has done well(recruit) doesnt strike me a "constructive" at all...It strikes me as sour grapes.
BTW-Not all of my comments are directed directly at the writer,but the tone of many writers and "fans" in general.
MI UM
Sandusky , OH
Total Comments (25)
Thanks for you comments, MI UM. My feeling is that the comments RichRod made (including the "Get a life." comment) are inappropriate in any context. That is why in previous posts I have included background and lengthly quotes.
Here is a coach who has tremendously underperformed and cannot stand the heat. That is not to excuse those who personally attacked him or his family, but neither is it to excuse his attack of fans. Granted some of what RichRod reacted to was not "constructive," but much of it was.
Regardless of how others rank his recruiting, it has not lived up to the expectations we were told to expect after a dismal first year. I do expect this coming season to be an improvement, but the long-term damage to the program is, in my opinion, substantial.
In the previous posts, I indicated how I was willing to give RichRod the benefit of the doubt. But his performance - off the field as well as on - has led me to reconsider. No first-year coach - or other coach for that matter - has has as dismal a season as RichRod. Nor has any dissed the fans as much. Even if he goes on to have five undefeated seasons and wins five national championships, he will not be a "Michigan man" in my opinion.
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
Total Comments (947)
How did RR "tremendously under perform"? He took over a team that lost most of its' skill players and was unable to recruit for 2008.....at best he may have gotten 5 or 6 wins, but 3-9 wasn't out of the realm of possibilities. Do you really think Carr could have done any better with the abysmal talent that HE recruited? Why do you suppose he retired when he did? While RR may not have been the top choice he was clearly the best available coach to fill the position. This mess is going to take a few years to clean up and RR should be given ample opportunity to do the job. GO BLUE!
SluggerMike
Portland , OR
Total Comments (1)
"Here is a coach who has tremendously underperformed and cannot stand the heat."
I think this is where we differ.
I feel last year was a confluence of events.Many(if not most) of which were out of his control.Sure he has stumbled at times and maybe not handled the pressure as well as he could of through out.
I still believe he is a good coach with an exciting system and if given the chance could lead the Wolverines to great things...even if it doesnt look just like the greatness of the past.
MI UM
Sandusky , OH
Total Comments (25)
To SluggerMike and MI UM: Thanks for your comments. They impress me as well reasoned and knowledgible. I think you have outlined the area of disagreement. While a lot of players left the Wolverines after the bowl win over Florida, I do not feel the team was gutted. In particular, the defense was left relatively intact. Yet the Wolverines failed as much on defense as in the inability to execute the spread offense.
The assessment of RichRod is ultimately a matter of opinion, of course. I respect your outlooks and hope that you are correct. It would make me happy indeed for BigBlue to return to its rightful place among the nation's elite programs.
But I still feel that RichRod has underperformed in a big way. No other coach in M's history has done such a miserable job in his first year - or any year for that matter. And his commitment to a style of offense for which he acknowledges that he didn't have the personnel to execute is evidence to me that he is less than the great coach some claim.
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
Total Comments (947)
The defense sure wasnt given much to work with.I think most of their problems began on the other side of the ball.
RR can definately be a stubborn man.Much of that i think comes from a strong belief in himself and the system.That can be a coaches downfall or their ticket to the top...and it can definately rub folks the wrong way when things are going poorly.
Bottom line...
If he does well enough this year to keep his job(whatever that may be),i see a much brighter future for him at UM.If they arent much improved this year(at least a bowl)...i may join the chorus.
MI UM
Sandusky , OH
Total Comments (25)
Appleseed, Great Series! I have enjoyed reading each of the posts and look forward to reading the end of the series.
I think I am in the MI UM/Slugger Mike camp and am not really ready to assign too much blame to RR. I think that alot of the fault for the 'misunderstanding' and bad karma between coach and fans lies also on the side of fans who expect a coach who automatically lives up to the 'Michigan tradition' in terms of respect for traditions and integrity, etc. RR is definitiely not (yet) this coach and may never be. On the other hand, we all have known from the very start that he is not Bo Schembechler (a Michigan man through and through from early on) and yet - -he may still lead us to the promised land.
Some of the greatest coaches in the league are not fan/institutional loyalists but instead tactical and game geniuses. I think unfortunately for us diehard fans of the Big Blue, RR seems to fit into this mold. We have to get used to the fact - this is a NEW GUY! I think if we openly embrace him without conditions and let him win, eventually he will embrace us.
Raimundo2A
Alzey, DE
Total Comments (3)
MI UM wrote....."RR can definately be a stubborn man.Much of that i think comes from a strong belief in himself and the system".......or it comes from being egotystical.....
That was one of his biggest problems at WVU and with the AD and staff....but others called it being like a little spoiled kid...."If I can't have EVERYTHING my way, then I'm taking my ball and I'm going home !!"..........
WVU's AD bent over backwards to give RR everything that he wanted...problem was, that as soon as one demand was met, another would arise...........Advertising in the stadium, private boxes for family and friends, unlimited facilities access to family and friends, personal pay web site, players be able to sell their books (after receiving them for free)...and the story goes on and on. .......Soon enough, UM will have his personal demands put onto them......unless they give in to his every whim......
Bottom line....UM gave in and paid RR $4mil to WVU due to the fact that the lawyers were getting to the point of asking RR about when he talked to the AD at UM (against ncaa rules)..... and they were about to get to the real nitty gritty about RR, and dealings through his accountant/ lawyer/ agent Mike Brown. Also about calling commits (Pryor) while still on WVU's payroll and using their cell phone....he told his recruits BEFORE even telling his own players that he was leaving......Class act , Huh !!
3 reasons that RR did so well at WVU....1) Casteel, 2) Kirelawich, 3) Dunlap......all Defensive coaches that RR tried to lure with him to UM, but decided to stay at WVU when coach Stewart was hired...something about " THOSE WHO STAY WILL BE CHAMPIONS !"........
During RR rein at WVU........the Defense was ranked in the top 10 every year...and at times pulled the offense......and until he gets a good defense at UM, he will still only avg. a 5-7 win season..at best.
English..gone, Shafer...after one season, gone...now the hiring of Robinson...who incidently went 3-9 in '08..what a coincedence! Robinsons '08 team gave up 347 points...most in Syracuse history ! Robinsons overall record at Syr. was 10-37...Uh, oh !!
Sure he was good in the NFL, but guess what...THIS AIN"T THE NFL !!!!!!
I've always been a Wolverine fan (over 30 yrs.), but as long as RR is at the helm, there will always be 5 loss seasons, and all everyone will hear is excuses, excuses, excuses............
then he'll say that UM didn't meet his demands, that people were threatening his family, that there were racial inuendoes, and that people were vandalizing his hotel room....hahaha !!
Get rid of this clown and start talking to Les Miles....that's the only way that UM is gonna make it back to the Big Dance !!!! just sayin !!
shelldawv
Total Comments (50)
Raimundo - Thanks for the good words. The posts from "How to Fire a Head Coach" to this is an attempt to document my changing attitude to skeptical acceptance of RichRod to believing he is more destructive than constructive. I think it likely that he will (eventually) build a winning program at BigBlue, but I think there is more to the story than that. I do appreciate your opinion.
shelldawv - Your points are well-taken. RichRod now impresses me as one who cannot accept responsibility for his actions. When things go wrong, it is always someone else's fault. I understand he has rubbed fans the wrong way at both UVW and UM. That is no excuse for those fans to attack him or his family personally, but it is also no excuse for RichRod to strike out in public, either.
I've been a Wolverine fan for almost 60 years. I've seen 'em come and I've seen 'em go. I've never seen any Michigan coach get off to such a bad start - and I don't mean just on the field. When talking with reporters, he was downright irrational at times. I think the quotes along the way show this, but not as well as some of the video clips I have seen.
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
Total Comments (947)
please replace UVW with UWV in the previous post. (Fat fingers!)
Appleseed
Detroit, MI
Total Comments (947)
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