Now is the time for Michigan football fans to unite, university alumni association president says
Now that the dust is settling from Wednesday's announcement that Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez is out, it's time for fans to unite, said Steve Grafton, president and CEO of the University of Michigan Alumni Association.
And it's essential that they embrace the next coach, Grafton said.
“Dave (Brandon, U-M athletic director) likes to say we need to make sure all the parts of the family are together, and I think that’s exactly right,” he said. “Especially having alumni come together around a coach, and a lot of that will depend on the kinds of things said about that person and what they say when they accept the position here at Michigan.”
Matthew Rockwell of Saline hopes Michigan returns to a winning program.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
Grafton said alumni are expecting a return to the Michigan ways of the Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr era — not just winning, but representing the university positively on and off the field.
He said he believes fan support for the program will remain high no matter who ends up as the next coach. He said it’s rare that a few seasons will impact alumni interest, with the exception of 1997 when Michigan split a national championship with the University of Nebraska.
“Michigan was being talked about all the time and it became a source of pride, and people wanted to be connected to the university,” Grafton said. “Getting back on the winning track (now) will make it easier and better for everybody.”
That sentiment was expressed by other fans on Wednesday. While some were disappointed at Rodriguez's exit and others were happy, none were surprised.
Matthew Rockwell, a Michigan fan from Saline, is hoping for a return to the tradition forged before Rodriguez arrived. He said he anticipates positive changes for the program.
“Now they can find somebody that will … bring Michigan back to what they need,” he said. “I think we’re going to have someone like the Lions’ coach step up … to say 'I want this job' and it’s going to work better than ever.”
Many fans expressed sympathy for Rodriguez after the protracted process the university went through to fire him.
Diana Rusz, a psychology and international studies junior, feels sorry for Rich Rodriguez.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
Diana Rusz, a psychology and international studies junior at Michigan, said she doesn't follow football but feels bad for Rodriguez. She said when a professor informed the students in one of her classes of the decision to fire Rodriguez, a couple people started clapping.
“People were very happy and they clapped, and I felt kind of weird about that reaction,” she said. “It just made me feel kind of sad for him. At the end of the day, (Rodriguez) is losing a job.”
John Dunn of Sylvan Township said he wonders what would have happened if Rodriguez was given a few more years to coach at U-M.
“I think Rich Rod can coach football, but the talent levels weren’t what he thought when he got here,” he said. “The defense is what cost him his job. I feel bad for Rich Rod. If he’d been here five or six years, he might have been able to compete in the Big Ten.”
Grafton said he doesn’t believe the choice of a new coach or the decision to fire Rodriguez will have a significant impact on donating to the university and its football program. He said scandals are what affects donations more than anything else.
Grafton said a number of alumni feel some of the shine and luster has come off the football program in recent years, and it’ll be important to get the sterling reputation of Michigan football back.
“It’s a hallmark of Michigan football, and those are the kinds of things that make alumni proud and want to be connected,” he said.
Reporters Lisa Allmendinger and Heather Lockwood contributed to this story.
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com.
Comments
BlueInBama
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
Rich Rod's.... so beautiful.... To me... Rich Rod's.... so beautiful.... To me... Can't you see....eeeeeeeeeee
Blu-dogg97
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
Can't we all get along here?? DB is doing a great job,he's following his time line,and trying to the best for the University,I trust in him,and you should also,seeing he has more business experience than you and I.. unite is right!! OH don't look now but the BB team is up 28 to 26 at half against Wisky!! GO Blue and Good night & Unite!!
tzgoblue
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
tater I have to disagree with your impression of DB. I believe he has handled this mess outstanding and actually gave RR every chance to succeed. It is too bad RR failed as he did, it was his own stubborness and refusal to be flexible that created this mess.
aareader
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
WOW! Reading these posts gives me the feeling I am observing two political parties and their philosophies. One party was just voted out and the other will soon be voted in. In this case the common denominator is getting a winning team. If that happens the factions will come together. Hopefully this will happen in spite of inexperience of the AD and enough time for the "new guy" to get the team up to speed to create a winner. In all cases GO BLUE.
Joe
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
Theo...if that is what it will take for you to unite....see ya. Tater...I agree with you on the next hire. I feel that Gary Patterson would be a great hire, if for no other reason than the man does understand the importance of defense and special teams play. But regardless of who DB brings in, I will continue to support the team!! Intergrity needs to return to UM!
heartbreakM
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:33 p.m.
Tater: David Brandon is a representative of the university who deserves your support. As did LC who you were very publicly critical of. Let's not be hypocritical. If you love RR so much, go follow his career while the rest of us get back to rooting for a team and coach who can make us feel proud. The coach must represent the ideals of the University of Michigan, as espoused by Bo and his continuum. RR did not, plain and simple. Bo is loyal, RR left his own team and treated his school like junk. Bo was great at defensive coaching and fundamentals. RR? Well.. Bo had respect of coaches he faced. RR? Well, let's just say snake oil salesman. Need I go on?
scott
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
Look for Brady Hoke to be the next coach. JH looks to be a bad fit. If he comes in and has instant success it will just add to the nfl rumors. At some point it looks certain thats where he wants to end up. If he comes in and it takes 3-4 years to rebuild and convert this team to a pro team this university and fan base shows no patience. Either case I cant see him being here long. Les Miles wasn't wanted the last time we went through a coaching change I dont think he is wanted this time either. At this point Brady Hoke seems to be the best fit that can somewhat unify this program.
GoBlue1984
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
Tater, I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I think we could actually be friends in real life -- you basically write what I'm thinking. It's nice to see there is some intelligence in the comment section of Annarbor.com.
MetricSU
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:56 p.m.
tater: Took you up on your suggestion to look at your blog. Of course, there was nothing new. Still spewing venom at MSU -- and, BTW, noticed that you were scarce on the MSU sites during the 11-1 run and co-Big10 championship. Luckily Alabama took it to the Spartans to give you something to live for. Oh, yeah, and the same predictions about Izzo "losing his Mojo." A continuation of "MSU will lose in the first round. MSU will lose in the second round. MSU will never make the Final Four." That was for the past 2 1/2 years. Why not try it again this year? You're bound to be eventually right. Anyone, congratulations on your audience of one.
GoBlue1984
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
Unfortunately, the "fans" who couldn't stop laying into Rich Rodriguez will now become the tireless advocates of the next head coach while people like me (who thought Rich Rodriguez was worth keeping), will now become the criticizers who just can't get enough. Personally, I'm looking forward to the change. It will be nice to sit back and take pot shots at the new coach all day. I just hope Denard and crew transfer so that the new guy doesn't get to win off of Rodriguez's hard work. Cut and run kids, cut and run.
leathercouch
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
for those that were calling for him to be running out of town before he stepped on campus to be calling for us to unite now, after hes gone....wow. I have lost a LOT of respect over the last 4 years for a large number of Michigan Football "fans" and alumni. First they call for Lloyd to go, he was beyond his time and they were fed up with the conservative play calling and the rest of the big time programs being faster and better than us. WE NEEDED CHANGE. The they got change. It is disgusting how they treated our last coach from the day he stepped on campus, He stood no chance, not because he wasnt a talented coach, it was because his name wasnt Les Miles. I surely hope that they take a good look in the mirror. NO COACH will want to come here with that huge gauntlet to run through. It appears it even scared thier dream boy JH away. as his brother said he "wanted no part of that" I really hope they are proud of themselves for everything they have done over the last 4 years. I know for a fact that I am not. I am not even remotely happy with this decision.
azwolverine
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:31 p.m.
I think many fans supported RR in the beginning because we were simply hoping for the best. I know I did. What happened, imo, was not only the losses, but the other things that piled up (sanctions, excuses, lack of competitiveness, regressing defense) that got under the skin of many fans. If a new coach, whoever he might be, comes in and takes accountability, plays by the rules, and provides toughness and leadership, UM fans will support him. With those things, the winning will come. By the way, I like Patterson and Whttingham, but I'm leery of BSU's Chris Petersen...not because I don't think he's a good coach, it's just that BSU coaches have a horrible track record when they leave that program. Look at Dirk Koetter at ASU and Dan Hawkins at Colorado. He would not be on my short list. Either way, I trust Brandon knows what he's doing. Go Blue!
obama from kenya
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
Psychology and International Studies?
Papabear151
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:28 p.m.
She just successfully deflect blame twice with these comments. 1) It was lack of fan unity that caused RR to fail (probably had an effect, though if he was a winner noone wouldve been divided) 2) They dropped the ball yet again, dont have a coach lined up, missed the window with Harbaugh, and are now basically begging forgiveness and saying that if things go wrong this time (read: again) its the fans fault for not being united ahead of time.
Somewhat Concerned
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
Brandon doesn't seem like a buffoon. He seems like a bright guy with experience running a large company and no experience being an athletic director or running even a community college athletic program. Picking him to be A.D. was a bigger surprise than picking Rodriguez to be head coach. In any case, we should unite behind the players, the university, the tradition, and a coach to be named later. It's an odd call to arms.
KenCooper
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
To suggest Moeller represented UM in a positive manner off the field is to blindly disregard what got him fired. Rich Rodriguez was hired under a dark cloud following the last search, and it never lifted and never provided him or the program with a fair fight. RR will be successful elsewhere, as he would've been in Ann Arbor had folks been supportive from the start. I hope and pray their next coach isn't brought in under a similar cloud, but it certainly appears headed in that direction. For so-called fans to suggest anybody other than Harbaugh is a failure by Brandon will lead to continued factions and a further mess. The whole thing is shameful.
razzberry
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
yeah Diana, poor rich-rod now he is going to have to go to the unemployment office and file a claim. It will be weeks before he gets his first check. How will he survive?
BlueGator
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.
tater, I don't agree with your assessment of DB, but that's okay. I do like your short list, though. However, I suspect that all three of them are firmly committed to their respective programs. But, who knows?
kidmich
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 6:12 p.m.
BS! The time to unite, as Michigan fans, was three years ago. And that did not happen. Having set that precedent, I doubt there will be total unity, on any head coaching candidate, until Michigan has won the Big Ten, and are in a BCS bowl.