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Rodriguez: Big improvement came during second year at West Virginia
by Philip Zaroo | MLive.com
Wednesday October 08, 2008, 1:16 PM
Comparing the implentation of his spread offense at West Virginia and at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez says the main difference between the two scenarios was the return of some veterans from the year prior to his arrival. This year's Wolverines have little in the way of returning vets.
"Even though it hadn't shown up in results on the field," Rodriguez says during his weekly teleconference, "we felt we had done it in the first year. It was the same thing as I feel now in that there's things that are happening that I feel are going to bode well for the future.
"It's just not showing up in wins and losses the way we want it to. But I see stuff in the work ethic in some of the things we've been implementing and things like that.
"As far as on the field, it didn't show up until the second year at West Virginia. Hopefully, here, it'll turn as quickly."
Listen to the whole teleconference to hear Rodriguez talk about how he expects the Wolverines to react to charges of being soft during this week's practices:
Click here to download this file
As a WVU grad, you bought him and now you own him. He will make more excuses, then he will use Michigan to get a better job!
Rich Rod is now your problem. He will have more excuses as the looses rise. Rich Rod will use Michigan to get another job!
LOL oh my Mr Perfect sure isnt doing his job so well now is he?
You are right wvu1981 they paid for him and PAID WELL!
OH wait until the Ohio State game talk about excuses and choking!! I can see it now
But that will be the last game of the season
so he will be hunting for another school by then.
At the end of every season is when he starts looking.
Hey Tater ITS ME A TROLL AND PROUD OF IT!
JUST LOOKING TO SEE HOW BAD RICHY ROD GREEDY GUT IS DOING.
Its funny to see the WV trolls coming around for this article. I may have been skeptical at first about RichRod but I must say with as sad as West Virgina is now he must know what hes doing, so I will give him some time....Where did all those WVU fans go who said that Pat White made RichRod...
Were you guys a product of cousins??
The whole subject matter is about the first year being a bumpy road - as it was at WV. Therefore your comments are as retarded as you showing up on a Michigan football website to talk trash.
Go kiss your cousin....
If your so proud of him leaving, why do you come in here and cry about him? hmmmmmmmm?
lol at the pathetic WVU trolls that only come around here when "the gettin' is good" (as they say out thar in West Virginia)... but were no where to be found after Michigan beat Wisc.
lol at WVU trolls still not over it...still struggling with their inexperienced, weak coach Stew. But, Stew is such a nice guy....
non-realist
take a long walk on a short pier
take all your user names with you
nobody cares about your opinion or you
good bye
No Rich, this year. I agree with my fellow Mountaineer alums, focus this year and hit us with the excuses later. No one said it would be easy. I sent my support check in, now get us to a bowl game.
As far as WVU, I KNEW Stewart and his style would not work for WVU this year. And then they extend his (meager) contract. I wonder what young and upcoming coach they could have gotten if they would have just waited a week or two. Possibly some recruits, too, along with said coach.
I would love to meet these trolls. I'll bet they're a couple of stoned 14 yr. olds laughing at how they get us all riled up. Based on the comments they make, 14 may be too old though.
Remember trolls. You can't touch what makes Michigan great, and you can't change what we are as a fan base. So go ahead and get your jollies because it makes it feel better when we win.
Realist is on here every day. That's what's really funny about the trolling thing. A WVU person pretending to be a MI fan, making it the first/most important part of their day. Heck, you even got the first post here.
WVU fans, it's sad that you seem to think we are dissapointed. I don't hear excuses. On the contrary, MI fans knew that the team was going to be inexperienced prior to Lloyd announcing his retirement. With seniors like Long, Henne, Hart, etc... leaving, and no experienced replacements, well, do the math. A tough year no matter who is coaching. As a MI fan, I am still enjoying some aspects of what I've seen. I didn't have any unrealistic expectations of what RR or MI would do. I'll even accept that they probably won't make it to a bowl game. When the team is competitive it is fun to watch. It's also fun to see FR grow and think that we get to see them for 3-4 more years. And, throw on all the great (on paper) recruits committing. The future is bright in MI. Not so bright in WV. Too bad we took your coach from you. Just keep crying your toothless face off into your possum stew.
WVUgrad,
my comments do not apply to you as you consistently post well thought out, non mud slinging thoughts.
WVU fans, why would RR want to go somewhere after MI? This is one of the pinnacle's of coaching. WVU was a perfect fit for RR and I couldn't believe he would leave. That alone shows what it means to be at the U of M.
I cant wait to get this year over. Our boys stink this year. I understand this is a rebuilding year, but man time isn't moving fast enough. After watching Juice for Illionis I saw the potential of how good the offense will be when we get a mobile QB and a QB that is more accurate.
Every other pass Threet over throws. So far this year some of the passes he throws Odoms who is proabably 5'8 and so high who do he think throwing to Ranndy Moss or Calvin Johnson.
Threet is not consinstant enough to keep drives going. With his lack of mobility and unaccuarte arm is one of the reason why the offense struggles.
I feel sorry for the RB on the read option plays because everyone know that Threet is probably going to give the ball to RB and the defenses have been eating those plays up. When Threet does run ball I hold my breathe.
I would would like to see more pass thrown down the field instead always seeing passing going east and west that haven't been working and when they do comple those types of passes they only gain 2-3 yards.
Man i wished RR would have played Justin Feagin this year, the offense would have moved much better. Michigan in my opionion could be 5-0 if they had more production from the offense. But for what ever reason he redshirted him.
The defense havn't been great but they have held their own and the team has had a chance to win.
I will watch Michigan games for the rest of the year like the true Michigan fan I am, but I almiost positve I wont like what I see.
Get this year over with ASAP
how many coaches have used Michigan as a springboard to another head coaching job?
I really don't know what a troll is,and don't care.I'm from WVU,and proud of it.I'm also a huge college football fan,and played the game on the college level,so i know a little bit about what i'm talking about.Rich is a friend of mine,sad to see him go but he went to UM.You know it is possible in this day and time to root for more than one team,and i do,I like the Mazie and Blue,like the winged helmets from when i was a little kid watching the Rose Bowl,remember it was called by Keith Jackson,the grand daddy of them all.2 weeks ago when Rich had historic come back against the Badgers at the Big House,everybody loved him,what a great coach,great comeback.One week later,what happened.What happened, you got beat by a better team that day,Rich coached the same way.What i'm trying to say, you new age football fans have no clue whats going on at your school.Rich will win,he may not win fast enough for new age football fans.Like i said you haven't a clue whats going on.I'm also glad i don't live in Mchigan
MifanMN
Did you ever read RR's deposition?
I assume you did not as Michigan was not RR's first choice. His agent believes Alabama is the pinnacle.
Before he called Michigan, he called Arkansas in 2007. I do believe you know RR at one time was headed to Alabama in December 2006.
To think RR is at the perfect fit for him is hilarious.
Even after Michigan offered on a Friday ( I believe it was 12-14-07), the next night, Saturday the 15th, RR still went to the President of WVU's house to negotiate a way that he could stay at WVU. The President said no, no, no and slammed the door in his face. Imagine that priceless Gone With The Wind moment.
These are all facts and come straight from the horses mouth. Read it, educate yourself about the man, and your opinion of him might just change a little.
His agent, prior to the Alabama offer in 2006, had called North Carolina and LSU. North Carolina was smart enough to have a policy not to interview coaches with buy out clauses.
Read it. Need help with any words, just ask me.
I love how all Michigan fans cling to the myth that RR was pursuing Michigan, and Michigan only as it was his dream in life to coach at Michigan. Truly hilarious. Nothing is further from the truth.
Now, do I think Michigan is a better opportunity and position than WVU, yes I do, absolutely. But like I said, RR still went back that Saturday to talk to the President of WVU so that he could stay.
In response to cutty240:
Posted by cutty240 on 10/08/08 at 5:07PM
I really don't know what a troll is,and don't care.I'm from WVU,and proud of it.I'm also a huge college football fan,and played the game on the college level,so i know a little bit about what i'm talking about.Rich is a friend of mine,sad to see him go but he went to UM.You know it is possible in this day and time to root for more than one team,and i do,I like the Mazie and Blue,like the winged helmets from when i was a little kid watching the Rose Bowl,remember it was called by Keith Jackson,the grand daddy of them all.2 weeks ago when Rich had historic come back against the Badgers at the Big House,everybody loved him,what a great coach,great comeback.One week later,what happened.What happened, you got beat by a better team that day,Rich coached the same way.What i'm trying to say, you new age football fans have no clue whats going on at your school.Rich will win,he may not win fast enough for new age football fans.Like i said you haven't a clue whats going on.I'm also glad i don't live in Mchigan......
Could you please put a space at the end of your sentences? I don't have a clue, but I am glad you don't live in Michigan either.Thanks.
KinkoGoBiue,At least you read it,Buckethead.Your right you have no clue.Your Welcome
What is going on at Michigan is comparable to a bad real estate decision. We are upside down. In other words, we bought a house at a price that we can't sell it for right now. We're going to have to give it time to appreciate and hope that the market goes bullish again so our investment regains its value. Unless you live in Flint or Detroit. You go bankrupt, the property becomes filled with weeds and rats, the city buys the eyesore and demolishes it.
In regards to RR, we paid big bucks to buy out his contract. I don't know the amount but I think I heard millions thrown around. How did the legal department at UM not know that? Would anybody buy RR right now after ND, the first half of WI and the Illinois smack down? Certainly not at the price we paid. I would say no. We are upside down as a football team. I guess we'll wait 'till next year to see if our investment becomes worthwhile.
I just listened to RR.
He is the biggest troll ever. He said obviously we are not a very good team. He said our offense, defense and special teams are not good.
Go back to West Virginia you troll!!
The rest of us Soccer Mom Wolverines will be content to watch the Victors Walk, see the band and sing The Victors. We love Michigan and do not care if the football team ever wins again.
All true fans knew you were not a good coach, and that this year would be a disaster. But we did not care. We love the team.
As a matter of fact , this is the perfect year for us to practice new excuses for feeling good about ourselves even thought the football team is once again irrelevant on a national basis.
It has been sice one year ago that we could use the line that a non BCS team that beat us would be competing for the Big Ten title.
After we lose to MSU, we can use our "there is your once a decade win" line.
Same with PSU when they crush us. Also can say , "about time this was not even a big game anymore".
As for OSU and Pryor when they crush us, we can use all those "paying the players" lines we have not been able to use since Clarett and Smith.
I can't wait.
GO BLUE!!!!!!
What excuses are you talking about? An excuse is blaming a loss on rain. Or blaming it on the team bus being late. Or fans pulling the fire alarm in your hotel and getting no sleep the night before. Or the grass on the field was too long/short. Or the refs suck. These are lame excuses!
RR has stated quite clearly that the losses fall first on the coaching staff and second on execution. He knows that this is on him and he's determined to fix it.
Mlive is becoming the Freep.
He blamed it on not having returning veterans.
Big excuse, and the reason for the excuse is him.
Hilarious.
Where is the improvement? Then he talks injuries. That is part of the game.
Anyone hear Tressel use not having Beanie as a reason he lost to USC?
Quit making excuses and start coaching these kids. Quit talking about fixing things that you say are easily fixable and FIX THEM for crissakes.
If you wouldn't have wasted the entire Spring on your law suit, things might be a whloe lot different.
Oh, but don't have any reporter bring that up. RR might get mad at them. He wasted two whole days in depostions, and God knows how much other time on the dumb law suit.
Could that be a reason this is the most poorly coached Michigan team in 40 years?
It is your comments, not you're. Could we please stick to commenting on the article. I do not want to have to report you for not abiding by the agreement and policies on posting. Thank you.
Back to the article. I would think there would be improvement with RR in year two. In year one he was 2-8 at Salem (and then they shut the program down, hilarious), 1-7-1 at Glenville State, and 3-8 at WVU. Hard to be worse.
Ty -
realist is profoundly (still) upset because he wanted Les Miles to be the head coach...as did I! But in the end, Les is the only one to blame for him not being at Michigan.
I like RR and I believe that Michigan will be among the elite again under him. He is recruiting extremely well in his first year. And considering the state of the season, I am truly amazed at the recruits he's getting and will land in Feb. 2009. As such, I am willing to give the man a chance to build his program.
I must say that this is one of the more interesting seasons I have ever seen. I would certainly hate to be in Las Vegas setting betting lines.
No only do I not have any idea which team will show up fot the game, I have no idea from quarter to quarter.
Shows how important coaching and continuity are in college football.
I do like the press conferences. They are very entertaining.
To realist and RR both. Chill out, this is not life of death. U of M football is important, but no reason to ruin ones day. When you get to my age, you will know what I mean.
How is our OC? Anyone know. They said he fell and one story referenced something about his heart.
Like I said , take it easy gentlemen, this is not life or death.
I sincerely hope Martin is meeting with Coach Rodriguez to impart this advice. Sometimes one can get too wound up to be effective.
To GEE. Who will be on the DL next year? And the OL? Will McGuffie and Shaw ever be the "men"?
The offense is befuddled! They seem so focused on just running the play. The best post I read today is the one that said all the play action only to give it to the running back is fooling no one. A running QB is a huge if not the key part of the spread and we are not there. Kind of like banging your head against the wall.
Coach Rich, we love you.
Hail to the Maize and Blue.
Put in Carlos right away,
Be in Rose Bowl New Year's Day.
-Theo Seuss '08
To my dear friend (choke) Realist,
Did I ever read RR's deposition? No. If you have that much time on your hands, well... I followed the story in the papers, forums and on tv. I don't think any fan really needs to read it.
I never stated MI was his first choice. If he or his agent believes Alabama is the pinnacle then yeah, there would be some concern should AL look to someday replace a winning coach (Saban). Until then... My statement about pinnacles, is MI is considered one of the pinnacles for college coaching. Get it right before you start slinging.
I honostly don't care if he was looking to go somewhere (ARK) prior to MI asking him to come here. Is there a coach that doesn't explore his options? When was the last MI coach that didn't retire? That backs up my point regarding MI being one of the top programs to END up at.
And why wouldn't RR want to stay at his Alma Mater? He did the right thing by going to his AD to let him know someone else was wanting him. It's his former AD that screwed up, not him.
"These are all facts and come straight from the horses mouth. Read it, educate yourself about the man, and your opinion of him might just change a little." My opinion is based on how the student athletes regard him, how many graduate, how he disciplines players, his sportsmanship, etc... It will not be based on what you obviously base your opinions on. I think you just let everyone know you are a disgruntled WVU fan there.
"Read it. Need help with any words, just ask me." There's not much I think I'd want to know from you friend. You haven't done anything but spew hatred since you've started posting. And, I think I know how to read.
"I love how all Michigan fans cling to the myth that RR was pursuing Michigan, and Michigan only as it was his dream in life to coach at Michigan. Truly hilarious. Nothing is further from the truth." Who said that? The majority are glad he's here. 99.9% of the fans know it was MI who pursued him. That statement is one of your best.
Realist, it would be nice to actually have a conversation with regarding MI football but, it is blatently obvious you are not a MI fan. You are a spiteful WVU fan that can't get over the fact your coach left. I feel for you.
I'm presently watching a documentary about the New York Dolls. Your post is as tragic and depressing. Please use drugs responsibly.
mifanmn
Thanks for an adult response. I am not a WVU fan. You implied that he had a dream job at WVU and left for Michigan, and then said that shows what it means to be at U of M.
I was just pointing out that it did not. He left WVU because he was not given total power over football. It is obvious and clear if you read teh deposition.
You choose to stay ignorant. That is your right. However, I did educate myself on the new coach. I had no posts on here until the deposition came out. Some of the things were truly giant red flags about his character.
How do the WVU players feel about him? How many of his kids graduated at WVU? Baloney. All you want is for him to win. I saw zero articles on what his former players thought of hem or graduation rates.
He may do well here but I doubt it. I base that on two things I learned when reading his deposition. I have the right to those opinions, just as you do to stay ignorant. I do not target your posts to point out how you are ridiculously biased about RR. Why target me? There is a difference between Michigan football and RR. I am not a fan of RR whatsoever.
wvu1981 on 10/08/08 at 3:24PM:
"Rich Rod is now your problem. He will have more excuses as the looses rise. Rich Rod will use Michigan to get another job!"
Still PO'd at RR? You should be PO'd at the WVU administration for breaking promises and running off the coach who took their program from parochial poobahs to national prominence.
You can come here and troll all you want, but your anger is sadly misplaced. Besides, WVU will always be the kind of program that any truly successful coach uses to find another job. If they can't keep someone who grew up there to stay, why in the bleep would anyone else want to?
BTW, what do you mean by "looses?" Are you talking about WVU cheerleaders?
I am guessing that you didn't major in English, unless what you posted here is how WVU grads write.
As for excuses, I haven't heard RR make any yet.
Maybe you need to go back to those WVU English books and find out the difference between a reason and an excuse.
Please, though, don't burn the furniture in the library when you are finished.
Lastly, have a great day.
wvu1981,
Hmmmmm...I'm slightly confused about the point you are TRYING to make. First you say that RR will have more excuses as the "looses" rise. Then you say he will use Michigan to get another job. I don't understand how he will do that unless he begins to win. No one else will hire him unless he wins at Michigan. So please explain to me which is it. Either he will continue to lose here, or he will use Michigan to get another job. It can't be both.
realist33 -
Your last paragraph proves that you are full of it. You target pro-RR posts ALL THE TIME! And you wonder why people post negatively about you? You reap what you sow, my friend.
realist33/apauto/loverr/salinegoblue/truthitis/etc on 10/08/08 at 8:08PM:
" He left WVU because he was not given total power over football. It is obvious and clear if you read teh deposition."
Any coach worth his salt would do the same thing RR did. It worked for Nick Saban when the MSU administration wanted to run the football team.
"You choose to stay ignorant. That is your right. However, I did educate myself on the new coach."
If by "ignorant" you mean not spending eight hours a day looking up so-called "facts" to put RR in a bad light, the rest of the world is officially ignorant. Gee, I guess that makes you THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE WHOLE WORLD! Must be quite a burden.....
"I had no posts on here until the deposition came out. Some of the things were truly giant red flags about his character."
SCAM ALERT!!! SCAM ALERT!!! SCAM ALERT!!!
You have been posting here and at the freep under NUMEROUS MULTIPLE IDENTITIES for AT LEAST TWO YEARS NOW. I don't know what pity card you are trying to play, but it won't work here because almost everyone here is tired of your constant trolling.
"How do the WVU players feel about him? How many of his kids graduated at WVU? Baloney. All you want is for him to win. I saw zero articles on what his former players thought of hem or graduation rates."
Wow. All the professional trolls out of work and we get Sherlock Holmes. Why should UM fans care about what jilted psycho-ex WVU anythings think about RR? And of course we want RR to win. Are we supposed to want him to LOSE?
"He may do well here but I doubt it. I base that on two things I learned when reading his deposition."
So, lemme get this straight: you read eight hours of depositions and formlate an opinion on TWO THINGS YOU LEARNED in those eight hours? I wish I was that bleeping brilliant.
"I have the right to those opinions, just as you do to stay ignorant."
This is trolling at its most arrogant. In other words, anyone who disagrees with you is "ignorant." Do you actually believe any of what you post?
Also, are you saying that you are entitled to YOUR OPINIONS, but those who disagree with your trolling aren't?
"I do not target your posts to point out how you are ridiculously biased about RR. Why target me?"
Oh, I dunno. Maybe because you have been trolling here under multiple identities at least ten times a day for the last two years that I know of.
Maybe this question needs to be "hot potatoed:"
Why do YOU target RR and UM?
"There is a difference between Michigan football and RR. I am not a fan of RR whatsoever."
And you are not a fan of the University of Michigan, either. You also troll basketball posts about John Beilein and never say anything positive about UM.
AAMOF, the only time I ever see you post positive things is when you post in MSU forums at freep.com as "spartanalyst."
Apauto= Little Sister. Somehow, I find that strangely appropriate.
A few weeks ago, I formed a UM fan community on Yahoogroups; it is called The Maize Page. It is for discussion of not only UM but pretty much anything in a troll-free environment. We have a small but lively group so far.
If anyone is interested, please send an email here:
Themaizepage-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Have a troll-free day.
WoooHEEE!!!!
relist, ya gots em all foolt! yoo hooo! yoos a michigan fan, alrighty! yoon me both! go blew! yee haw! us michigan fans jist upset at rr fer bein sukky an fer ar teem bein eeven mor sukky. we wish we had erselves a reel koach. mebbe lik that koach from west vaginia, stew. now that's a koach! w. vaginia's only gettin bettur an ar teem's only gettin worser. i don like rr an i hates michigan, but i do luv michigan. right realiste ;). Yee haw!
go blew!
If you are a MI fan you make it very difficult to believe it. All you do is bash everyone and everything surrounding MI.
I believe that when he took the job @ WVU, RR did have his dream job. It was his school. Were you behind the scenes and saw/heard everything? How do we know that it was/wasn't his dream to be the WVU head coach? There are probably factors that were "behind the scenes" and that is why his agent was fishing for opportunities. He left for Michigan because of the history and opportunity to be the next great MI coach. If you're not understanding what it means to be the MI football coach, you are not a MI fan. There are a handful of colleges that guys want to "hang their hat on". MI is one of them.
I don't "choose to stay ignorant" because I didn't read a deposition. There must have been a ton of information that the media didn't cover for you to be the one person who picked up on his true character.
Unless you know me it is not safe for you to assume I am not truly concerned about his graduation rates, discipline skills, etc... As I coached little league for nearly 15 years, and am an ex-drill sargeant, it is very important to teach young adults the right way to do things. These kids are probably away from their security net for the first time. From the things I have heard and read, it appears to me that he is doing things the right way.
You can form your opinion based on reading the deposition. If that's the only thing you used to form your opinion then that is being ignorant. Why not talk to his colleagues, former student athletes and current athletes. I'm sure that they may have some negatives to say about him. If not reading a deposition makes me "stay ignorant", based on your opinion, then I truly am not worried. I don't see what makes you think I am "ridiculously biased" about RR. Maybe I just chose to give a person a chance.
"Why target me?" Because even if you aren't a RR fan, as you have stated, you also make it obvious that you hate MI football with all your other posts. You hate McGuffie. You hate (insert the next player, coach, tradition)... You are a very negative person. That is what is sad.
The "second year" thing certainly held true at Florida when Urban Meyer got there. And Meyer not only had more talent and experience there, but didn't introduce the spread as completely as RR has.
If you are a MI fan, why do bash everything regarding MI? ALL of your posts talk down the program, it's players and coaches, it's fans, it's history... Seriously, you are a MI fan? We don't want you if that's the case. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing about the hire, about starting a player over another, etc... It's called debating. If I told you I was gonna vote for McCain, you'd bash me for it and tell me why I was ignorant. You'd also do it if I said I was voting for Obama. Am I wrong? Or do you just stick to trying to sway everyone's opinions regarding MI football? Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to express it. That's what the veterans of this great country fight for. It just appears that your opinions are circled around your hatred of everything MI. I'm not picking on you. I'm trying to grasp the same straw you're holding onto. I just cannot understand why you are here trying to tell MI fans the color of your straw, why it's the wrong straw, why or straw has a hole in it, and that we shouldn't like our straw. I think I'm gonna give it some time before I decide if this is the wrong straw. (Go ahead and make fun of the whole straw thing)
Mifan
YOu again ask how do we know what RR thought. Well it is in black and white in his deposition. You keep right on going about not knowing what he was thinking,while those of us who have read the thing will know.
There you go again saying why he picked U of M. It is all addressed why he left for Michigan. Like I say, stay ignorant and believe what you want.
RR is doing great. Progress is obvious. 2-3 is awesome. I agree. I am so happy with the team myself. Love giving up 45 points, love losing to ND by 18. This is awesome. We are so lucky to have RR. There were so many coaches just beating the door down to be the next great coach. Martin could not interview all the candidates that were calling him.
Tater
You ask why any U of am fan wants to know about ex players? Read Mimanmn's post that I was responding to. He bought it up , not me.
As I stated , no coach in Michigan history has inherited a winning team and had a losing record with it. RR is on pace to be the first.
He is jamming an offense on a team that is not prepared nor has the skill set needed to run it. Is that so hard to understand.
McGuffie is too small to break tackles, something needed with an inexperienced line, and cannot pass block, something also essential with an inexperienced line.
I have stated I admire Sam's toughness and that he does not fumble more. I stated I do admire that RR shakes hand like a man after a game, win or lose. I also have given him credit for having a team that does not quit.
I do not like him blaming thngs on execution, when this offense is not made for the players. To me that is sheer insanity and all falls on him.
You say kids should learn. Well why are we still fumbling kick offs? We do the all return team members carry the ball in the wrong hand? Where is the improvement on one single position group? Tell me which one is getting better. I do not see it. They had a bye.
Why should he not face criticism for the waste of time on the law suit. That blame also extends to Martin for letting it drag on. It should have been settled day ONE. Agree of disagree.
The reason it was not settled is RR's stubborness. Same stubborness that has hem running this stupid offense with Threet. Tell me how that is not the dumbest thing ever. Tell me what other coach in this country would come in , see what he had, and decide to run a spread
option offense.
The deposition revealed this character flaw loud and clear.
Many WVU fans came on this board and said the exact same thing. They said he continued to run the same failed plays at Pitt.
Well, I guess we ALL are ignorant. Tater put it best. Woa is me who formed an initial opinion on someone I have never met, solely based upon a paper document. Please don't ever sit on a jury.
Um, oh speaker of everything real, what don't you understand about "being a fly on the wall"? RR's conversations behind closed doors are just that. That is the point. You, me, the rest of the world, I don't recall any of us being there. WVU may have started as his dream. At some point, it appears that the dream wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
Haven't you ever been in a position where you are tired of where you are? Your buddy @ Wendy's is making $8.50 and you're still stuck @ $7.00? Wendy's wants you. Your buddy @ Wendy's put in the good word for you. I guess it's time to go. Wait. I'll let me boss know so that he can counter. He laughed at my. The nerve. I'm gone. Now that you're @ Wendy's everythings different. Gotta acclimate. It takes time.
Maybe not the best comparison for someone as brilliant as you but you should be able to get the jest of it. It happens in real life situations every day. If this message cannot help you to understand why I'd give RR time, then I will stop trying. Best of luck.
i's a michigun fan, butt like realiste, i wish'n michigun wuz more lik msu. then we culd sneek up on teems cuz no wun wuld kare bout us cuz we alweez loose big gamez. wait a minnit, msu aint nevur in big gamez. ummm...but a leest we culd talk alot even tho we alweez loose to michigun. who suks by the way eeven tho i'm a michigun fan. rite realiste;) but rr suks an i hate'im an michigun eeven tho i'm a michigun fan like realiste.
go blew
Wow Both Beaver and McNeal are going to de commit.
Word is Beaver to Texas Tech or Oklahoma State, and McNeal to Minnesota.
Execution, as RR is stating, is not turning the ball over. Last I knew, coaches didn't fumble or throw int's. They also didn't miss blocks, etc...
Look up the records. MI's coaches in their first year had a worse win-loss % than the previous coach.
You are right about one thing.
He and Martin are to blame for letting it drag on. It should definitely have been settled day one.
mifanmn
Yes New first year coaches have had slightly worse records. None have ever inherited a winning team and had a losing record.
If RR does not win 4 more games he will be the first.
Hey he could win out and win the same amount 9 as last year.
These de commits are why I do not like to rely on only southern kids. When January arrives they get cold feet, literally.
mifanmn
I am turning over a new leaf this minute.
I am serious. Please tell me how you would evaluate RR this year if you were AD.
Please inform me as to what an excellent job , a good one, an average one and a poor one to you.
I am serious.
I have been under the impression it is poor. I am willing to look at it from a different perspective.
Same for you Tater. How would you evaluate him?
Bump Elliot finished his last season @ 8-2. 8-2 is a .800 winning %.
Bo replaced Bump. Bo went 8-3. That's a .727 winning %.
Mo replaced Bo. Mo was 9-3. That's lightly better @ .750 but would have been identical had his team not won the Gator Bowl that year. Bo's team did not play in a bowl in his first season.
Lloyd replaced Mo and went 9-4 with a loss in the Alamo Bowl. That's a winning percentage of .692 %.
It's splitting hairs to compare but your point is not correct. It's not valid either because each of the aforementioned coaches maintained the previous regimes philosophy. RR's scheme is completely different and being run by underclassmen.
Does it matter if RR inherited a winning team and had a losing record? Not to me. It won't be a good year, no doubt. But if there are moments like the WI comeback, I will have enjoyed the season still. I will anxiously await next year.
Realist33...
Please do not take a part in spreading rumors that are not true...
"Wow Both Beaver and McNeal are going to de commit."
"Word is Beaver to Texas Tech or Oklahoma State, and McNeal to Minnesota."
These are both random internet rumors that have no bases in reality. In fact both players have stated as such.
While we appreciate all the time and effort you put into "dissecting" Michigan football, it is only sporting for you to share with us where your true football alliance lies? While we're being honest I'll go first...
MEEECHIGAN!!!
If RR's team wins no more games, but loses the remainder of the games in a competitive fashion, then why couldn't you be optimistic about the future with RR at the helm?
If some of the young guys step up and "get it", then how can you not be optimistic?
If you see improvements in every aspect of the game, how can you not be optimistic?
RR has proven he can win at every level. IMO, your comparisons with him losing to VaTech and MI are not valid because those teams were loaded and competed every year for the NC. As a noutsider to the WVU program, I knew nothing about them until he was their coach. He brought them to where they are today. They are on a National level due to him. They are showing they cannot compete without him. Is it because Stew is trying to run a scheme that is not able to be run based upon the skill guys? Could the same not be said here? IMO, the guys this year will learn. It doesn't mean they will be "the man" next year and it also doesn't mean they will be replaced by guys coming in. RR's getting guys he wants, not just guys he inherited. It doesn't mean he will succeed. All I ask is, if you truly are a MI fan, take a step back and evaluate the progress. It hasn't been pretty so far. There's still 7 games to play. Anything can happen. After the year is over, evaluate. When next year starts, let's see if this year, spring ball, summer programs, etc... have helped develop MI football into something than can compete with anyone. Even if they start slow, I still give it time. By the end of next season, that will be where I place my "bar".
RR doesn't seem to understand. This team has NEVER misssed a Bowl game since it has been elegible to attend bowls other than the Rose. This is a NCAA Bowl eligible record. We really don't need excuses. All you half glass full fans need to understand that he will be gone by this time next year if he continues to lose. Money talks and the the whispers have already started.
Snaved...
I think he understands all that. Probably why he's in such a bad mood. The guy doesn't like to lose. I'm no football expert but I think the first step is to settle on a OL and stick with it until injury forces anything different. These guys are never going to get it together playing a new position, next to a new guy each week. They desperately need continuity.
And no, RR will not be fired anytime soon. And even if you don't like him you should realize that firing him under the present situation would crush the entire Michigan program for years to come.
Hey MifaninMN,
Bo's team didn't play in a Bowl game his first year? As I recall, he did. I believe they called it the Rose Bowl, which UM went to after beating tosu (and Woody's best team) to become Big Ten co-champions. And Bo had a heart attack the night before the game. I thought you had been making good points until then, but that season was so historic in turning around Michigan football, and setting the standard around here for the last 40 yrs. that for you to post as having a valid opinion on Michigan coaching is ludicrous. You lost every last bit of your credibility in my eyes.
And, BTW, we lost to an undefeated USC team (featuring, among others, Al Cowlings, the world's most famous White Bronco driver) 10-3 that year. The regular season was 10 games. The Rose Bowl was the 11th that made us 8-3.
In short, if you're going to spout history here, get it right.
The main reason I am willing to give RR a chance is, if he is truly a bad coach, or the wrong coach for Michigan, it will show on the field even AFTER he gets his guys. And at a school like Michigan, with the huge following and intense fan and media spotlight, losing is not taken lightly. Not being a Michigan Man, he will be out of a job quickly. Plain and simple. And I'm sure he knows this by now.
At the end of the day, Michigan is still Michigan and it will be successful.
And I, too, take a lot of pride in that consecutive bowl streak, and will NOT be amused if it ends this year. Rebuilding, having the "wrong" players for the system, whatever the reason is, Michigan football should NEVER be so poor that it doesn't go to a bowl game. And a coach that doesn't get us to a bowl game ANY year isn't getting the job done. To me, the Alamo Bowl is a down year. A losing record and not going to a bowl is a disaster of major proportions, and reflects on the coach and the AD who hired him. If that makes me impatient, that's too damned bad.
Kubrick66...
I think that if he tanks the rest of this year and starts the first 5 games 2-3 next year he will be gone. If by some chance he even still wants to stay under that pressure you will start to see some empty seats in the Big House. Any off field problems will make the problem even worse for RR. I don't like the cop out of "wait until next year. We can stop coughing up the football 5-6 times a game now! This team could just as easy be 0-5 right now and what would people be saying? We beat a Mac team by 10 points and pulled off a prayer against UW. So far thats all we've seen.
hmbgoblue -
I'd rather have a down year with no bowl game with the upside potential of consistent national championship contention, than a 40-year bowl streak and ONE national championship during that time. But that's just one alum's point of view.
realist33 or any Michigan fan that doesn't like RR:
You say you love Michigan and a soccer mom that doesn't care if Michigan wins another game, but will walk the Victors Walk singing Hail to the Victors. Yet you bash RR like he's not a good coach. Are you for real? If you love Michigan you'll stand by RR. Anyone who said it wasn't going to be a challenging year playing a bunch of inexperienced players needs to get their head examined. RR called out this team to play harder and that's what Michigan football is about. Bo would do the same. He called out his team when the captain came in his office and whined about him practicing them too hard. Well he set him straight and that team and went on that year to not losing another game. Will it happen this year?....hard to tell. But what I do know is we landed a top notch coach and if any Michigan fan that does not like RR, they are not true Michigan fans.
I say stand by RR and Michigan. He is our future. If you don't like it, well I guess you need to find a different team to cheer for. Go Blue!
hmbgoblue on 10/08/08 at 11:42PM:
"[Blah, blah, blah]....[Indignant pontification].... A losing record and not going to a bowl is a disaster of major proportions, and reflects on the coach and the AD who hired him. If that makes me impatient, that's too damned bad."
Katrina was a disaster of major proportions.
Iraq is a disaster of major proportions; no matter what side of the fence you are on concerning the war, ask the family of someone who didn't make it back. I can name more real disasters, but you get the point.
Michigan not making a bowl one year is NOT a disaster of even minor proportions. Nobody has lost their lives or their homes or their way of life here.
Football, as much as we love it, is a game. Disaster is life and death. Remember that.
As for this season, if Lloyd Carr was still here, it would be just as bad. Too many people are gone. Justin "Human Twinkie" Boren would not have made a difference. Ryan Mallett was homesick and was running home to Mommy and Daddy (mostly mommy)this summer no matter who was coach; RR was just a convenient excuse.
And about ninety percent of the posters here would be screaming for Carr's head even worse than we all were after the Oregon and OSU games last year.
RR hasn't yet been able to grow his eggs into chickens this year. Big deal. Get over it.
Unless you are even ANOTHER of the vile troll's identities. We know she will NEVER get over it.
MIfaninMN wrote:
"As I coached little league for nearly 15 years, and am an ex-drill sargeant, it is very important to teach young adults the right way to do things."
Will you please, please, please take Theo/loverr/realist/truthitis/etc ad nauseum to boot camp and teach her the right way to do things?
I will take up a collection from both here and freep.com to make it worth your while.
Kubrick66 on 10/08/08 at 11:30PM
"Snaved...
And no, RR will not be fired anytime soon. And even if you don't like him you should realize that firing him under the present situation would crush the entire Michigan program for years to come."
Of course it would; "snaved" is yet another of the vile troll's identities, and there is nothing she wants more than for UM to fail.
That's why she posted about how much she was "loving life" after the ND game.
wrong guy tat.....I would never post that I was loving life after any loss.
tater, goblue, michengin94
Please direct me to the link of the press conference when RR took over that stated he was going to run the spread option offense exclusively, and that any player that did not fit should leave as soon as possilbe.
The one where Martin introduced RR and said we are bringing in RR to re build this program. This process will take at least three years so I hope everyone is patient. As everyone knows it is impossible to win with the players we have coming back on D. Not with a young offense that will not improve over the course of this year.
Please do not expect wins this year. We believe this total rebuild of the offense will pay off in the future though.
I missed it.
tater -
realist33 and his/her friends/family is indeed most of the anti-RR crowd you see here at mlive. He/she is also most of the anti-RR crowd over at freep as well. He/she is trying to make it seem like there are many people upset with RR, when in fact, most people are in fact realistic and willing to give RR a chance to succeed. Go Blue!
Nobody outside of the extremely delusional assumed this season was going to be easy. When was the last time you saw most Michigan fans everyone predict 4, 5 or 6 losses for Michigan in one season?
It isn't RR's offense that has concerned me (kinda expected with 2 offensive returnees, don't you think?) but rather the defense, particularly the secondary which is in a state of confusion.
There's an excuse for the offense; none for the defense.
michengin
Vast majority had 4 losses tops. VAST. I am positive as everyone was quoting The Big Ten Network where they all said 8 wins. EVERYONE.
There is a HUGE difference between 4 and 8 losses, and 8 losses looks possible.
Agree or disagree?
That is all I am saying. By the way I said 6 wins. I also said 7 good , 8 excellent, more that 8 an unbelievable coaching job.
I also said 5 is a disappointment and less than 5 very poor.
Why should expectations or a grading system be thrown out?
I will repeat this. It is not as if the entire team left and he was left with walk ons. There is plenty of talent on D, and some on the offense.
I expect 4-3 or 5-2 from here on out with improvement each week. Why should I expect less?
realist33...
Your posts are growing more scattered by the minute. You make it nearly impossible to follow your reasoning. Are you really a Michigan fan? Really? Seriously? For real? Because like or dislike RR he is the head coach at Michigan and no matter what anyone tells you, Michigan makes the coach, not the other way around.
Me, I live and die by who's in charge because in the end coaches will come and go but, the Maize and Blue shall always remain true.
michenginin94,
I was a student at UM during that period in Bo's early years when, over a 3 yr period our record was 30-2-1, and we went nowhere. And I don't see how keeping up the bowl streak that began the next year (1975) has ANYTHING to do with harming the upside potential of future national championships and contention for them. There is a great deal of value in consistency.
But I guess from your perspective, Bo wasn't a very good coach because he never won a national championship (which makes him even w/ RR). What I worry about is that not making a bowl this year tells me that RR doesn't have the flexibility to make the most out of what he has. If you've got square pegs, don't try to fit them into round holes. And it just seems to me that a school that has gone to bowl games for 34 consecutive years is NOT in need of a complete rebuilding, no matter what the Lloyd bashers believed. I believe, as Bo did, that a national championship isn't, and should not be, the primary goal every year. The primary goals are the Big Ten championship (which will mean the NC game or the Rose Bowl) and beating Ohio State. Always has been at Michigan, and probably always will be. I'm sorry if that's not good enough for people out there. The way the BCS is set up now, winning the Big Ten championship will usually get you into the NC game, and we can deal with that when we get there. I believe value comes from those things that last over a long period of time; not the hot new thing. Anyway, that's how this old fart alumnus sees it.
Why should I believe anything you say?
I said 8-4 or 7-5. But why can't I adjust my expectations? I never saw Threet or Sheridan play. I never saw any of the O line play, except Schilling. I never saw McGuffie or Shaw carry the ball in college. I knew the secondary was suspect based on last year's results. I knew the LB's were going to struggle but I wasn't sure how badly. I knew the DL would be great. On top of that we were implementing the spread. I am an eternal Michigan optimist, as are most Michigan fans. Is it unfair to adjust expectations based on what we see.
If we are having the same debates after 6 or 7 games next year then I will seriously consider coaching as an issue. Until then, all this argumentative banter is pointless.
hmbgoblue -
Bo was a great coach. As were Mo and Carr. Consistency is what Michigan fans hang their hats on nowadays. And it's great to lay claim to arguably the most consistent college football program of the last 35+ years.
But it seems that a small minority of people are being very irrational about what I believe to be a very short term aberration. RR will build his program and near the end of every season we will once again be mentioned along with USC, Oklahoma, or whoever else is considered to be the NC contenders. I don't understand why