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gonets said 07/07, 04:07 PM
Very good choice, Porky, and yes, the buzz here in Dallas is great for june Jones. However, I must take the man who, as a Rutgers fan, I sorely despised, until he left, that is: Rich Rodriguez.

There is debate as to whether he spurned WVU or they spurned him, but regardless, he is a very smart coach that brings a very effective spread fofense to the table to introduce to Michigan.

Michigan needed this change after being embarrassed by Appy State and Oregon in the Big House back-to-back weeks, but also their inept ability to take the Big 10 conference yet again from OSU is what propelled this coaching change into action.

Rich Rod has the ability to make something out of nothing as he took a terrible WVU team and propelled them to stardom by drafting the likes of Noel Devine, Pat White, and Steve Slaton, causing dominance in the once floundering Big East not seen since the days of Miami, BC, and VT.

His ability to install the spread offense in a conference that is largely unfamiliar with it could give Michigan the edge in that conference. With PSU's coaching situation not sorted out, and the OSU inexperience with tons of froshes in the lineup, UM is sitting pretty.

gonets said 07/09, 01:39 AM
Rich Rod will NOT have a problem installing his spread offensive shceme at Michigan, whether he has recruited guys familiar with that scheme or not. Let's look at his past: he started coaching in 2000, replacing retired coach Don Nehlen. He installed his spread offense and in ONE YEAR, he had the team turned around form 3-8 to 9-4, a 6 game swing. They have been winning ever since. Michgan last year went 9-4, and that was after starting 0-2, and NOT using the spread, and having to face OSU. They came within a game of being the de facto Big 10 champs. With his spread offense, they could finally WIN the Big 10. So RR will not have trouble installing his spread offense like you think.

So RR has also PROVEN his ability to quickly turn a program around. The difference with Jones is Hawaii still isnt national championship material and West Virginia was (I doubt they are anymore). So we see the difference in the level of coaching. RR can turn a team around and make them a contender on the national level, Jones can only do it on a conference level, and doing that at SMU will be more of the same.

Jones wont SNIFF the title game. RR and Michigan are in great position to.

gonets said 07/09, 10:16 AM
Ok, if this is about a BETTER HIRE, doesnt a winning resume count? I would think it would. And yes, both have a winning resume, but RR has always had good recruiting classes as well: Pat White, Steve Slaton, Noel Devine, Darius Reynaud, Jarrett Brown...all cogs in the spread offense. So guess what RichRod brings to the table?

"- a unique talent to FIND and RECRUIT talent despite the competition
- an ability to revive a dying program"

Exactly the same. Now Michigan isnt a "dying" program, but a fledgling one, thats for sure, and with the great recruiting that RR has had over the years, the same will be expected for Michigan and in no time at all he will have that team turned around, so to speak, and contending for a national championship.

And believe me, turning around a team in the WAC is nothing to write home about. The entire conference stunk when Jones took control of Hawaii, and has NEVER enjoyed BCS status until Boise State, the FIRST of the WAC schools to do it since Jones was in Hawaii. So that undercuts Jones's accomplishments somewhat at Hawaii.

Michigan had the better hire in Rodriguez: a winning attitude and the opportunity to restore Michigan to glory.