Rich Rodriguez: No extra pressure in Year 2 at Michigan
As disappointing as last year's 3-9 record was, Rich Rodriguez isn't feeling any more pressure to win in his second season at Michigan.
"Maybe it’s because I’ve been doing it for a while and all that, and maybe it’s because of the times we’re in, but you talk about pressure you talk about a family of five and somebody loses his job and all his retirement and what he going to do next just to feed his family and keep his house," Rodriguez said. "That’s pressure. Pressure before, first whatever seven, eight years of my coaching career it was one-year contracts and you’re making up paying month by month. I get paid a whole lot of money now."
Rodriguez said he felt just as much pressure to win at West Virginia and Glenville State - his first two stops on the head-coaching carousel - as he does now.
"People think I’m silly when I say I felt pressure coaching at Glenville State," Rodriguez said. "I did because I felt pressure to have success to try to move up. So I think it’s all relative.
"I feel the pressure in preparing. And that’s why I feel you got to have the right people with you, players and coaches and staff members. And I really do. I’m not just giving you coach speak, I really feel I got the right people with me."
Comments
AACC
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 12:43 a.m.
At Media Day d-rod stated that he "hoped his team would be more competitive this year". No confidence in his team to actually win...just compete. 4 wins this year for the Fightin Hillbillys of Ann Arbor Community College.
MetricSU
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 9:12 a.m.
I pledge allegiance to The Blue, Of the University of DRob. And for Big Ten titles, For which it stands; One TForce, under Rod; With victory, and bowl wins for all. -Francis Scott MetricSU It truly is a great day to be a Wolverine!! (10-2 or better this year for Big Blue).
azwolverine
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 7:57 a.m.
nobowl, Interesting you put so much stock in predictions. The reason so many upsets happen so often in so many sports is that people's 'predictions' are wrong. I'm glad you, like so many others, 'predict' a 6 or 7 win season and another double digit "lost" to TOSU...it just gives Michigan an opportunity to surprise some people and score some upsets along the way...something Michigan has not had to do in the previous 40 years. I can't wait for the season to start...I'm as excited as anyone to see what Michigan can do in year 2 under RR and I have no 'predictions' because ultimately they are meaningless anyway.
NoBowl4Blue
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 7:42 a.m.
Seems all the pundits and media agree with me. Middle of the pack team and maybe a minor bowl for RR. Interesting that Spartans are picked ahead of UofM and Bucks are picked to win it all. The guy (Pryor) Michigan fans claim that hold a candle to Tate "The GREAT" is picked offensive player of the year. The spread will have limited success in Big Ten just ask Joe Tiller and you have to play "D". I look at U of M and I see not so much a need for speed as RR has recruited well there but there is no improvement on the "D". Robinson can change schemes but you need players. 6 wins in 09 maybe 7 if they can pull an upset. Another double digit lost to OSU.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 10:10 p.m.
I'm glad Coach Rodriguez has held fast and came through what must be one of the toughest periods of his career. It's we here at Michigan who were uncomfortable with the first period of uncertainty in over a generation. I think history may look back and say that Rodriguez's experience with pressures and uncertainties was a big asset which benefitted everyone in the end. But as he says himself, we'll only know after Michigan competes in this and future seasons at the championship level. It will be great if we get back to being the football power we were just a few years ago.
uminks
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 9:55 p.m.
I think he will feel much more pressure in 2010 if he finishes sub.500 again this season. It is a possibility, though if the team shows improvement through the season I won't be totally unhappy with a sub.500 year. Now if he were to finish both 2009 and 2010 sub.500, I don't think he will be around for 2011 season. This season I think 6 or 7 wins should be possible given the weak schedule, may be more wins if the freshman play well.
0SUbeBetter
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 9:37 p.m.
OHIO State fans think RR and his coaches are the perfect fit for Michigan.
eaglesandbirdies
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 9:21 p.m.
I think RR is correct on his choice of staff and players, and think that we will start to see results this season.