Rich Rodriguez pleads for patience with Michigan football program
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez shouts instructions in the first half of the against Illinois. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)
Rodriguez, who took West Virginia from 3-8 his first season to 9-3 his second, said Monday he’s not surprised the rebuilding process has taken longer at Michigan.
“Not after I got here,” Rodriguez said.
The Wolverines went 3-9 last year in Rodriguez’s first season, and after starting this year 4-0 have lost four straight games to Football Bowl Subdivision opponents.
At 5-4 overall, Michigan needs one win to qualify for a bowl. The Wolverines host Purdue this weekend (noon, Big Ten Network) and close the season at Wisconsin and home against Ohio State.
Rodriguez declined to elaborate on what problems he inherited, saying he would “sit down” with beat writers after the season “and we can talk about all the things or issues or problems that we’ve identified that we’ve got to work on to get Michigan to play at a championship level.”
“What we have to do right now is, OK, what can we fix right now?” Rodriguez said. “It comes back to us as coaches, what can we do right now as coaches to help us have success right now?
“I’m here telling you that we’re trying that, because why wouldn’t you? Every coach is going to sit there and try it. We’re not going back in the office saying woe is me or anything like that. We’re trying as hard as we can to do as well as we can right now. And so are the players. And that’s where it starts.”
Michigan’s biggest issues during its current slide have been too many turnovers on offense (14 in its four losses), a lack of takeaways on defense (none the last three weeks) and a shoddy performance in general on that side of the ball.
Illinois put up 500 yards of offense and 38 points last week after not scoring more than 17 points on an FBS team all year.
Rodriguez said he and his assistants are constantly evaluating personnel and schematic changes. Talent, however, is clearly an issue.
Michigan has few NFL-caliber players on its roster among upperclassmen - Brandon Graham and Donovan Warren - and little experience on its second teams.
Two adjustments coaches have made involve promoting walk-ons Kevin Leach and Jordan Kovacs to the starting lineup. Leach started in place of Obi Ezeh at middle linebacker Saturday and graded out the highest of any defensive player. Kovacs has started five games at safety.
Given time, Rodriguez said he'll build a championship-level program at Michigan.
"The formula for winning here is no different than anywhere in the country; it's recruiting the right student-athletes and developing them once you get them," Rodriguez said. "We've got some players, but we've got a lot of guys that need to be developed as well.
"It's not the first time that this staff or myself have been involved in this type of situation - recruiting the guys, get them in the program and develop them. There's not a magic formula for that, just hard work, identifying the right guys and getting them to play at a high level."
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
pardawg45
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 2:53 p.m.
That is true, I just get annoyed when all I read are comments from other teams, talking down to us. Yes, we don't have good team this year, but saying how we are inferior or are never going to be good again is not cool. The mear fact of it is, I would like to see tOSU win every single game they play...besides the game they play against Michigan. It makes the rivalry great, the big ten has taken a beating over the last couple of years and I want it back where it belongs, the best conference in college football. Like it or not MSU and tOSU fans, that return to greatness starts with the return of Michigan.
pardawg45
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 2:34 p.m.
Look chosen1, if you are a tOSU fan, what are you doing on AnnArbor.com? I was speaking to the Michigan fans that come to this site to read up on Michigan football, I have never and will never go to your site and comment on your articles. This is the annoying part of losing to you guys, you just won't let it go. Think about it...you are commenting on a story called "Rich Rodriguez pleads for patience with Michigan football program", why does that interest you enough to read all the comments and pick out the one thing that was said that you can argue with? In response to what I said in my previous comment about the years we could laugh at you, I was mearly commenting on the fact that we are 15 games above.500 against you, and are 67-30-5 all time vs. MSU, so YES there were MANY YEARS where we beat you and could laugh. We will be on top again, it will just take some time and patience by the Michigan fans, not only for the team but for all the MSU and tOSU fans. Go Blue.
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 10:22 a.m.
Every school in the B10 loves poor Richrod, except for the one he coaches.
michmike10
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 9:32 a.m.
I don't understand Prez Coleman's reasoning. She said she gave Tommy Amaker 6 years with the basketball program, which admittedly was suffering from major problems. The program RichRod inherited was stale but built on a 40 year foundation of recent success. Amaker inherited a mess, RichRod inherited a solid program. UM could have spun a wheel of fortune with every D-II and D-I coach on it, taken whoever happened to be at the spot where the wheel stopped, and we could not possibly have done worse the past two seasons than what we got with RR. He did not start from scratch! If season 3 isn't a dramatic turnaround, and I mean 10-win season turnaround, he needs to go. Rather than evolving what we had he blew it up and created rubble. Jeez.
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 8:46 a.m.
I have news for UM fans. Things are not going to get better in 2010. That is why ol Richy is making the excuses and blaming anybody he can find. Um's best players are seniors. They will have no O-line next year. The defense loses its only good player. Everybody thinks Gardner is going to come here and carry this team. He may eventually, but not as a freshman. No, Good coach takes 4 years to have a winning record. Saban, Carroll, Tressel (NC year 2), Myer ( NC year 2). Even Lane Kiffin at Tenessee will be 8-4 year 1. There are not enough excuses to make up for RR's lack of skill. It will take him at least 4-years before this program will win 8 games in a season. OSU, Florida, LSU etc. fired their coaches for 8 win seasons. Richrod better have los of kool-aid. Look like there is a lot of fans drinking it.
chosen1
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 6:38 p.m.
pardawg, when has ohio state had back to back years of.500 or below seasons. I cant even think of that one. Tressel's worst record is 6-6 and that was the first year. Cooper had them with good records against everyone but us....Are we talking like pre-woody days when most of us weren't alive?
bballcoachfballfan
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:15 p.m.
Other than my family and my basketball team, nothing means more to me than Michigan football. I have been a season ticket holder since 1972--when I was 7. Believe me, watching the last two weeks has been painful. But the stuff I am reading and hearing this week is outrageous. I have heard people say they hope the NCAA sanctions us, that Rodriquez can't coach, that the lack of depth is all his fault, and that Michigan should fire him now. Number one, firing Coach Rod after this season would be program suicide. Welcome to a decade in the abyss. Who are you going to hire--a old Michigan Man? That would be another 2-3 years of roster turnover. A spread offense guy? All the spread coaches around the country learned from Rodriquez--or from somebody who had learned from him. There is no one out there to hire. And I don't want anyone claiming it should be Brian Kelly. If you are in love with what he is doing in the Big East, then you have to acknowledge that Rich Rodriquez is one of the greatest coaches ever in the Big East. He didn't forget how to coach when he came here. People say we have slipped from a national contender. Come on, we hadn't really been a national contender since 1999. We lost to A-State in 2007--remember? We got crushed when we finally played a good team in 2006 in the Rose Bowl. We gave up over 40 to OSU. Our defense has been a problem since 1997. Ron English's last defense here was awful--as was his one and only at Louisville last year. This is a talent problem right now. We didn't lose a bunch of talented defensive players to attrition. They were never recruited. Is this Coach Carr's fault--no. He recruited to a system that worked--to a degree. I don't know if Coach Rod will have the same success as our previous regimes but I do know what he is trying to do. He is not satisfied being a Big Ten heavyweight that can't compete with the fast schools from the south and west. He broke it down to build it back up to be a true national championship contender. The way you do that is with speed. I also can't believe how many people think the spread system can't work in the Big Ten. That's just silly. It works everywhere else but not here? It is not a warm weather offense. Utah was undefeated with it when Urban Meyer was there (guess who he learned his offense from). I personally think it will work better in the Big Ten once we get the right players because the league lacks speed compared to the SEC. Who really knows if it will work but its time for people to recognize what is going on here--and what truly was happening over the previous 3-4 years of the prior regime. I think fans are living in a fantasy world if they think this decline just started. Lastly, I have bad news for the people who are wishing for NCAA sanctions: even if you add every allegation up and the NCAA finds Michigan guilty of every, single one--the football program will get nothing but a slap on the wrist. A letter of reprimand for Rodriquez and maybe a couple of practices taken away. There was no recruiting violation which is usually the only thing that brings heavy sanctions. And for those of you who are wishing for this--shame on you. Go Blue!
pardawg45
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 2:22 p.m.
Look, firing RR now would kill our program for years. What we have to realize is that when LC left that was truly the end of the Bo era. After every big time program loses a big time coach there is always a period of uneasiness/losing (look at Nebraska(Osborne), Iowa(Fry), Kansas State(Synder), Florida(Spurrier)) until the new system is put into place. Now I am not proclaiming RR as the savior, all I am asking for is a little patience. Now I know as well as you that listening to little bro and tOSU laugh is quite frustrating, but what we have to remember is that they both have had dozens of years like this and we have had plenty to laugh at over the years. Our time will come soon, we will be on top again we just have to have some patience. Remember, those who stay will be champions.
eL gOrDo
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 11:19 a.m.
ummmm....he needs time. At least 1 and maybe 2 more seasons. The defense it tiny, 2 true freshman QBs -one can't throw; the other carries the ball like a loaf of bread. Deseption only fools for so long. UM will struggle to get to six wins. And he is using Carr's players however, Carr didn't recruit will the last couple of years and a lot of he's players left when Rich Rod came in...as expected w/any coaching change...be patient...this is a similar offence that just took apart USC. He just needs time to recruit.
chosen1
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 11:05 a.m.
can someone please drop off a box of tissues at wtka 1050 for this ira guy.....he is the biggest whiner/baby I have ever heard....
GoblueinNE_PA
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.
So, in 4 years, we'll be back to where Carr left us? That's one helluva job we're getting out of that HC we pilfered from WVU. LMFAO!! Keep drinking the Koolaid! Look a truly good head coach takes the talent he has and coaches them to be more than they could have ever imagined they'd become. That's not what's happenning here, in fact, it's just the opposite. They are being broken down to be less than the sum of their parts. We need to end this experiment now.
81wolverine
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 8:45 a.m.
Lloyd Carr did not leave the cupboard completely bare. But, if you look at his recruiting in his last few years, the talent level at key positions had already started to fall off. Linebacker: since 2005, the only good player they signed was Brandon Graham and he immediately was switched to D-line. Other linebackers left, and so to shore up the position, they moved some safeties over. That, and wash-outs, left the safety position depleted. Recruiting at offensive line started to fall off in Carr's last few years. They signed guys, but not the talent level we're used to. Steve Schilling was a good one, but has not turned into the All Big Ten lineman people expected. And the other good one we got, Crybaby Boren, picked up his toys and headed to Columbus. Wide Receiver: Manningham was probably the last really good receiver we recruited. D-line: A lot of good players Carr recruited never cut it and left the team. A few names: Germany, Slocum, McKinney. So, the exodus of players when Carr left can't be ignored. Still, I would like to see the coaches getting more with what they DO have. I think it will take two more years before this team is a Big Ten contender again.
salineguy
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 8:36 a.m.
While the rest of the Big Ten watches, they are laughing. The team has become a joke. With the talent that Michigan pulls in every year, Shakey Jake could be the head coach and UM should still be an above.500 team. How any fan can buy the 'it takes time to implement a new system' line is preposterous! When do you declare defeat and claim the experiment of smaller, faster, and the 'best conditioned athletes' in the Big Ten was a smashing failure? Perhaps after going to the Motor City Bowl against CMU and getting crushed? By the way, I don't think UM would want to play CMU right now.
oldmanblue
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 8:13 a.m.
To fire this coach right now would be suicide. Please you need to sit back and wait. Everyone has to settle down and in the end there will be reward. The guy is a proven winner. Let him have a chance and stop being so e rational.
vi4mi4
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 7:39 a.m.
r.r.'s comments convict him of not having a clue about MICHIGAN..."not after i got here" WUT? MICHIGAN had not had a losing record or missed a bowl game in football eons! only the envious and jealous mocked 9-10 win seasons, new years day bowls, and big ten championships... scmhuckeye slide? it can happen, it is a Rivalry...for comfort check the overall head-to-head. when he " got here" Michigan Football was intact, now it is dismantled... It was Ron Englishs' job...Loyal, Competent, and Supported by players and Carr. r.r. does not get IT and does not want to get IT. he wants to change IT. pre-game entrance, captain assignment, entire playcalling concept, maybe even the helmet...he certainly likes a lttle red with his Maize N Blue, Ban The Red Wristband! Go Blue! v
zz71brian
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 3:37 a.m.
The losses and coaching is simply unacceptable for The University of Michigan. Our University was founded on the importance of success between both academics and athletics. These players, fans, and donors deserve much better than this. We are a worldwide recognized program. I have the utmost confidence that this University will take the necessary steps to see that this situation is delt with accordingly. Once more, Multiple losses = Millions of dollars lost, frustrated fans, players, and more importantly, a loss to our tradition of encompassing a strong athletic university. We are known for our greatness. Lets not lose it. Long live The University of Michigan. Go Blue!!
AmandaLea
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 12:05 a.m.
To place the blame solely on RichRod is ridiculous for starters. How bout asking Bill Martin to take some responsibility for bringing the hillbilly up here in the first place? He knew that Carr planned on leaving and didn't do nearly enough to hire another coach during the season. I just can't believe that everyone is so ready to tar and feather this guy when you haven't even given him enough time to see an entire class through. To the posting about Forcier, he's the only QB that can legitimately complete a pass, so I think you're s.o.l. for awhile.
FLWolverine
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 11:55 p.m.
As a lifelong UM fan, I'm not sure whether to admire fellow Wolverines for showing patience ("give it four years") or to wonder what we're waiting for. First, let's get the facts straight about the talent. UM's recruiting classes from 2005-2008 ranked 6th, 13th, 12th and 14th. Maybe not national title classes, but certainly enough talent to finish strong with a very winnable schedule. We've seen voids of talent and changes among assistants, and for 40 years never saw a losing record. Now, less than two years after beating Florida, the program has the following: 3-9, Toledo, a spanking at the hands of a 1-7 Illinois team, Northwestern, four games giving up 40+ points... and excuses. There are no excuses, folks. Take away the Delaware State scrimmage and UM is looking at 4-4, with razor-thin last-ditch wins against Notre Dame and Indiana (Indiana!). Without those, the record is 3-6 with D-1 wins over Eastern and Western. Remember, UM's last game before RichRod was a win over Florida, which by the way did not go through any of this type of humiliation when Urban Meyer brought his "new system" to Gainesville. As a true fan, I'm more embarrassed about talk of "bowl eligible" and "7th place in the Big Ten" than I am excited about talk of a four-year plan. Love the helmet. And if you really do, you cannot settle for this.
uminks
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 11:14 p.m.
If you don't like Michigan than don't watch them, go do something else! I'll be watching and pulling for the team right through the last game. I agree with RR! He should be given at least 4 years to turn this program around. I know the defense will continue to be the weak point next year but that won't change until we get two more recruiting classes and upgrade the overall talent and have backup talent instead of having to depend on walk-on's! The offense should continue to improve as Tate develops along with DROB. Though, I think Gardner may be needed as a freshman and not redshirted since he may be the true complete spread QB!
ronnie67
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 11:02 p.m.
When Coach Tressel went to OSU, he didn't rip Coach Cooper. He made comments like 'Cooper is a good coach' and 'Cooper left him a winning tradition'. That's class....we know what Cooper left him but he didn't throw him under the bus. When RR came here, all he did was rip Coach Carr's program and he's still doing it. I'm surprised Carr supported him the way he has....but then again, Carr is a Michigan Man.
Lemansblue
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 10:50 p.m.
Did I read that right? To many problems at Mi when he came to win. Now he insults the Mi program that was here. We hired the wrong coach.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:12 p.m.
And oh by the way, everyone was pleading for Lloyd to come out and show unity. Lloyd did. And this is how he repays him? Great unity. Great character. He's everything a 'Michigan Man' is not.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:09 p.m.
I've been saying since the Illinois debacle that RR needs to show over the next three games that he's worthy of wearing the Michigan M. Now he seems to be implying that the M is not worthy of him. I've had it with this guy. It's time to put up or shut up. Excuses are for LOSERS!
eagleman
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:07 p.m.
Macabresunset, Kates was a risk when Carr recruited him. He had weight and work ethic issues. Patterson is like many who have played--talented, but never develop for whatever reason. Cissoko- James Whitley. To criticize RR for stuff that went on with Carr, Mo and Bo is asinine.
Fresh121
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 9:03 p.m.
I like RR but i dont know whats going on there has to be some internal fighting with players we have no unity no leadership from anyone i think we could coach and play better let me enroll to play LB my god are LB are so horrible they cant get off blocks but them are LC big ten recruits steve brown and obi it seems the seniors dont care for RR i think BG dont say anything cuz he knows the nfls knocking on the door, but minor and others you can tell theres something going on. We need unity man win lose draw together we win together we lose.go blue
Furious in MI
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 8:15 p.m.
Man what a bunch of losers. To give up on a game like that is unthinkable. If you lose to the worst team in the Big Ten, that means you ARE the worst team in the Big Ten. They are so far out of the national picture it is sick. This game was the last straw for me. Until they get a new coaching staff and new players, I'm not wasting my time anymore.
TXteacher
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:48 p.m.
It's always good to see how the "other side" lives! UM fans have always taken football success for granted. Maybe now they will appreciate it when they return to prominence. Bo spoiled A2, and RR is helping bring back the appreciation for excellence when it returns. At least that's the way we see it in Spartyland! Keep RR, or let him run for mayor of East Lansing. He'll win easily!
Danny
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:40 p.m.
I can see this is a very emotional issue with good points on both sides. Some how we are going to have to come together and get this program on the right track. We as commenters will not do it, so it's up to the Michigan football staff and the AD and even the University President. Given that the University President has thrown support to RR and Loyld has given support to RR. I say we all tone it down a lot and lets see what happens. I know some of you will say "to hell with that", however you can't add anything positive to the program by constantly bashing the program. Give them a shot at bringing respect back to Michigan Football and we can always feel that we gave them a fair shot. No more negative comments from the South. Dan in Georgia "GO BLUE ALWAYS"
HENRYK
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:19 p.m.
Remember the University paid a extra 4 million to his old school to get Rich Rod here, that is what I have always had a problem with. There are children hungry in this country and you can give 4 million to get a coach here,there was no one else available to coach. Just always seemed wrong to me, Just my opinion here.
Atlas Shrugged
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:17 p.m.
Vooch is right on. I, too, expected some losses attributable to a "learning curve." I can even understand (sort of) occasional losses this season, but the underwhelming performance of Michigan for the last several weeks, and what is likely to happen as the season ends (1-2 or 0-3 if Purdue brings its OSU game here), doesn't bode well. I guess what really riles me are reports that RR "inherited" problems, and that is a contributor to (excuse for?) his problems? Sounds like RR has taken his media play book from our president (no, not Mary Sue, the guy in DC). Oh, well, I've paid tuition to OSU, MSU, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, for my kids, so at least I can be happy about someone in the Big 11 winning, even if it's not my employer.
GoblueinNE_PA
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 7:06 p.m.
Why in god's name do we want to give this idiot 2 more years? So he can further drive this team into oblivion? HTH is it that in 2 recruiting classes he couldn't find one (ONE!!!!) starting safety????? Or a freaking LB to play the middle? We got a walk on and a converted safety playing LB! That's the path to success?? This guy should go and he should go now. There are plenty of coaches that can take the talent they are given and become successful - Brian Kelly has done it twice, Paul Rhodes at ISU, Paul Johnson at GT, and there are others. These men are leaders. We don't have that, and never will as long as this sham is allowed to continue.
UofMbeWorser
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.
"It comes back to us as coaches, what can we do right now as coaches to help us have success right now?" Ooh crap, but what if the COACHES ARE THE PROBLEM? I mean everyone knows they are. Our team is too small for Big Ten Ball, and our coaches would be challenged at the middle school level. Michigan is now an excellent fit for the Big East.
hieyeq
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:54 p.m.
he wants all Michigan fans to be patient...just like he is with Forcier
hieyeq
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:51 p.m.
more time = more money, last place is a poor return on investment...
Boo
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:44 p.m.
when there are two walks on starting something is not right... i think rich just want's to give others the fairy tale story he had.. michigan defense is way undersized if you look back to the woodley Harris days you can figure that out. and i'm pretty sure they are not any faster either. so what did we gain? And fine 2 more years but how can you explain not having talent as an excuse for getting worse as the year goes on??? he has the same players now as he did at the beginning of the year but now we can't even beat illinois.. that doesn't make sense to me... anyone got an answer?
amaizenman
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:34 p.m.
Nobody has to throw Carr under the bus. If you read the article that detailed the recruiting efforts for the classes of 2005,2006,2007 and 2008(RR wasn't hired until Dec 07), there was and is no talent to speak of with the exception on Brandon Graham. Even Warren has been suspect since his freshman year. You can talk about the offensive players that would have stayed, but the defensive problems were already very evident during Carr's last few years. Look at their final records and rankings. Look at where the defense ranked and how they did against "good" teams. I am and will continue to be a true blue supporter,I am just as frustrated as everyone else, I was at Champaign last Saturday and I seen a team in the second half totally give up just like everyone else did. Why this happened, who knows. I think there is still issues going on with players from LC's days and RR recruits. I think the off field issues with the NCAA investigation have had to have an affect on the team. I think we need to give RR at least enough time to get to a point where the entire team is recruits from his tenure and then see where this thing goes. To change coaches now would set us back at least 2 years maybe 3 due to the status of the current recruiting season.
Rodie
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:27 p.m.
All I can say is, what an embarrassment. They have regressed. And all of the undeveloped but naturally talented players is just a shame. I'm not looking forward to Saturdays anymore. Well except I dont have to go to work. Look, there was so much talent there. This problem started with the selection of Rich Rod. I agree he should get more time, but at some short time a decision needs to be made. I dont think the talent he is recruiting can handle the B10. They are so small and not as fast as we were first lead to believe. I really think hes ruining one of the greatest programs in the country. Last Saturday was an awful disappointment. They werent even in the game. We are becoming a laughable.
Hogan
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:12 p.m.
I will never buy the LC left things bare argument. LC was hoping one of his Asst. would take over for him, he would have been diligent in getting talent, and he was. RR lost em, LC had underclassmen also and won.
AA Resident
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:04 p.m.
Fire him and Robinson right now and go after Brian Kelly! Love UM football but he was never right for the job and Martin screwed the program up almost as much as Goss screwed up the big house or as it was called back then the Funhouse!
aareader
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:01 p.m.
I will give him 2 more years. It is only fair and it takes a LOT of work put together a great MIchigan Football. John Beilein is having success in a shorter time frame because basketball needs just 5 to 8 players. Football needs 22 to 25 players to be at the top. More players = more coordination and complexity for success
chosen1
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 5:52 p.m.
I personally think that rich needs to give robinson full control of the defense and let him decide if the coaches there are worth keeping. I highly doubt it. Rich's buddies on the coaching staff aren't earning their keep and it's time to put the program above your friendships to these men. Let G-Rob bring in some competent coaches who will be able to teach tackling and other fundamental defensive techniques, so that our defense can keep our offense in the game when it is struggling.
peltist
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 5:51 p.m.
Clearly I am disappointed in what happened Saturday, but to suggest that RR and Robinson can't coach just doesn't make much sense. Robinson was the D coordinator at Denver when they won 2 Super Bowls, he coached with Pete Carroll, et cetera. RR has built teams at WVU with 3 star talent that beat Oklahoma and Georgia in big bowl games. The coaches definitely should take blame, but to run him out of town after 2 years is foolish. Who would want to take a job with a 2 year leash? Clearly, the main problem is talent on defense. There are only 2 NFL players on defensive and 2 walk ons. When your walk on to NFL player ratio is 1 to 1, you can't like your chances. Give RR until 2011. If we don't compete for Big 10 titles after 3 full recruiting classes and with a junior QB, then call for his head. Until then, just let him coach and support the program.
st.julian
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 5:36 p.m.
Rich it's time to go... Need help with a resume?
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 5:36 p.m.
Yes, root for the helmet. It has been a part of me since I was a toddler. This is just very sad to see, no question October's quintet of games was the low point (currently) in the history of Michigan football. The question is what to do about it. And all Martin's Folly has to say is he will rip Lloyd Carr a new one after the season. Carr recruited some good players. Understandable that the defense would drop a bit with all the changes, and some bad luck with Carr's 2005 class. But those some of those top Carr recruits are still there and not getting playing time. Why? Why was Kates dismissed? Why hasn't Patterson, an elite recruit, moved up the depth chart? Same for J.B. Fitzgerald and Kenny Demens. How did the Cissoko mess become so serious? For a guy who admittedly pays no attention to defense, why is all that talent going to waste? Carr got good athletes here. Not all will turn into Brandon Grahams. But it seems that most aren't playing at all. There shouldn't be a need to use a walk-on.
chosen1
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 5:26 p.m.
Drader, had Lloyd stayed so would have Mallet, Arrington, Boren, and the 3 O-linmen that could have been 5th yr seniors. Thats a pretty big jump in talent from what we had when they decided to just say no to rich. That would have been a 9+ win team. And we would have never had to see Sheridan and Threet playing meaningful games. God that would have been nice. But we have what we have and I support the boys but doubt the coach. Won't turn my back on the program, but enough with the incompetent coaching.
DraderOHIO
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 5:06 p.m.
HOGAN Yes and all Michigan fans should help. Carr new the recruiting was bad thats whay he got out when he did.
Kubrick66
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 5:01 p.m.
I root for the Helmet, always have, always will... From what I've seen on the field lately RR and staff are digging their own grave. Players or not, I'm not convinced these coaches can get the job done. Prove me wrong. I'll be waiting... rooting for the Helmet. As a fan what other choice do I have?
Hogan
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 4:56 p.m.
So after the season he is going to throw Carr under the bus. Lotta class there.