Brady Hoke vs. Rich Rodriguez? Dave Brandon says that's 'false'
Brady Hoke vs. Rich Rodriguez?
Rodriguez, a former Michigan football coach, made some waves shortly after being hired at Arizona last winter when he reportedly suggested he'd like a chance to take on his old team.
The former Wolverine boss admitted he was "just teasing" about that idea, but if it did happen, then that would be "great."
Earlier this week on "The Huge Show" with host Bill Simonson, Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon officially squashed any Hoke-Rodriguez matchup talk.
"False," Brandon said when asked if he'd been in any discussions with Arizona for a non-conference game down the road. "We have other teams we want to play."
Last December, Rodriguez said if he did have a chance to play Michigan, it'd have to be at least four or five years down the road, as he didn't want to play against anyone he personally recruited and signed.
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said there are no plans to schedule a game against former Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez, above, who is now at Arizona.
AnnArbor.com file photo
"I wouldn't want to play against the guys I recruited," he said at the time. "Because I think we recruited some pretty good players."
As far as current future non-conference scheduling plans go, Brandon told Simonson that he expects to have more news on 2014 and 2015 scheduling dates very soon, but declined to mention who might be on the slate.
In 2014, Michigan has a non-conference home game against Appalachian State and a road contest with Notre Dame, leaving two open spots. Michigan has not announced any non-league games for the 2015 or 2016 seasons.
While he wouldn't hint at who Michigan might be playing down the line, he did say it's been fun working alongside Hoke to plan future schedules -- as Michigan's second-year coach isn't one to shy away from large-scale challenges.
"It's really refreshing to have coaches that want to play good teams," Brandon said. "They want to play brand names. They want to be challenged. They want to play games that are not only exciting for our fans, but also our players."
As far as his expectations for next season and beyond? Brandon told Simonson that he has faith Hoke will be able to not only bring Michigan back to the top of the Big Ten, but also put the Wolverines back in the hunt for a national title as well.
"If I didn't believe Brady had that ability, he wouldn't be here," Brandon said. "Brady impressed me, from day one, as a guy who came in and could re-establish Michigan culture, Michigan values and Michigan expectations.
"I think he's well on his way in doing that, whether you look at his first season in terms of on-field performance, but even more importantly, if you just look at the mindset of the program and the young people who are participating. If you look at the pipeline of recruits that we've signed as well as the commits -- it's very obvious that Brady and his staff are putting us in a position to be very relevant in the national picture. And that's where Michigan belongs."
More playoff talk
Brandon was also asked for his take on the current college football playoff debate.
He said he was initially concerned about the possibility of introducing playoff models featuring eight or more teams due to the wear and tear that would come with so many more added games.
However, Brandon says he feels comfortable with a "plus-one" system, as it'll only likely add one more contest to the end of the year.
"What we've done is kind of retreated to this plus-one concept, and I'm fine with it," he said. "That's one more football game. At the end of the day, what we're calling a playoff is one more football game.
"It looks like it's going to (involve the bowls), which is great. We're going to extend the season a little bit, it looks like we're going to ask two teams to play 15 games -- which I think is a lot. Probably too many, but it's two teams that's going to create academic pressure -- but if it's two teams, I'm sure we can manage it."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
OldBittyBates
Mon, Jun 4, 2012 : 11:13 a.m.
Since they've got two open dates in 2014, it would make little sense NOT to include the Rich Rod Devils. Let's find out who's the better all around team. This match-up would increase interest for both schools. And while we are at it - include Toledo as an opponent during that year as well.
7718
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
Hailmary...you mean he didn't adapt to the lack of talent he inherited from Lloyd Carr.
Hailmary
Mon, Jun 4, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
Bitty, even if we invited RR's team to play us in 2014 it is my opinion RR will play us when he, RR thinks he's ready to beat us with a decent team. RR has an inflated ego and it is my opinion that RR is not yet ready to be embarrassed again by Mich. Now if RR thinks his 2014 team is up to whipping our Wolverines then I think RR will try to initiate a game. All these coaches have large ego's in my opinion RR's is just a bit larger than most. I observed this when in RR's first season as head coach at Mich. he did not adapt to the talent he inherited from Lloyd Carr but rather had an attitude of, "I'll be damned, full steam ahead". I'm referring to his spread attack that Mich. did not have the talent to operate especially at QB. Who knows Bitty, with Dave Brandon at the helm anything is possible.
7718
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 : 1:36 p.m.
There goes Brandon talking about brands again. I would think Hoke would rather play against a football team...not a brand. I don't know, I guess I'm just tired of hearing about "the brand" all the time. I'd prefer Brandon to call it " the Michigan Wolverine football team" but that's just my opinion.
Hailmary
Sun, Jun 3, 2012 : 11:53 a.m.
That's your opinion Fred and in part true now on the other hand they are the Mich. Wolverines to the fans and the televised audiance that support them and they do in fact lend credibility to their institutions. Comments made about Brandon always trying to be center stage are made on the basis that sometimes less is better in Brandons case.
FRED
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
Like it or not, Michigan Football is a brand. The mission of any college or university is to provide education. They use athletic contests to promote their institutions. In fact, all college sports are nothing more than marketing tools for the universities. This is no different than Harvard or Ivy League touting the number of politicians, economist or scientists they produce. The only difference is that the contest is not as clearly defined as one sport team against the other. The bottom line is enhance the brand of the institution. Brandon's statement is nothing more than stating the fact - stating the purpose of his job as the CEO of University of Michigan's Athletic Marketing arm.
Paco12054
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 : 4:22 a.m.
Will WCIMFH even be coach in AZ in 4-5 years?
Hailmary
Sun, Jun 3, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.
I'd bet money on it.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
Lets play South Carolina before the old ball coach retires.
Meangoblue
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
COACH Hoke and the BEEEFY Boyzzz Vs Richrod and the MCC. Oh do you know the man crush crowd!!! They fired coach whatshisname!! (WcIMFH)
Hailmary
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
I wouldn't mind seeing a matchup between Mich. and Arizona but if you were Dave Brandon with everything going so well would you want to take a chance at this point ?
GoBlue1984
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 5:33 p.m.
Rich Rod would destroy this Michigan team. David Brandon is right to be too scared to schedule the match-up.
Steve McQueen
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 : 3 a.m.
haha AZ you crack me up man.
GoBigBlue
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
Haha! Nice one AZ
azwolverine
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
Rich Rod already did destroy this Michigan team.
BornInA2
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
Bah hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Goofus
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
David Brandon is just no fun.
garrisondyer
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
Start playing U Dub! There are so many Michigan fans here in Seattle. We'd love to take over the stadium. Go Blue!
Yost Ghost
Mon, Jun 4, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
I lived in Seattle for 15 years and I was amazed at how many Michigan fans lived there. I have a lot of respect for UW and part of me would like to see the Huskies duplicate the success they enjoyed under Don James. I'd also like to see Hoke beat them on Montlake.
BornInA2
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
I haven't been down there, but it sounds fun. I could even break out the old trombone and join the pep band!
garrisondyer
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 7:10 p.m.
Hey, sounds good! Have you ever gone to the get togethers at Buckley's on 2nd Ave in Belltown? It's been a pretty consistently good time. I thought the place was going to start falling apart from how loud it got during the Notre Dame and Ohio State games last year. Some of the faithful even put together three-piece band for the Ohio State game. It was nice to hear The Victors played over and over again.
BornInA2
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 6:17 p.m.
Me, too! We need to get together for some games this year- I'm tired of watching them alone. 120" projector and beverages on ice at my place!
heartbreakM
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
Glad to see that Hoke is willing and eager to play marquee teams. That is the way to prove whether or not you belong in any national talk, and while the schools are piling on fee after fee to be at the games, they better give us meaningful games (rather than another UMass or App State game). Look at the excitement that Bama and Air Force are drawing from the fans and these games are months away. Reminds me of the excitement that the 1997 schedule with #1 Colorado opening the season, and many other challenging schedules.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jun 4, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
I agree with your overall take: finally, Michigan is taking responsibility for its own reputation with a put up or shut up scheduling scheme. But where did you get the 1997 Colorado ranking at No.1? I haven't tried looking it up but my possibly-faulty-memory tells me they were ranked #5 preseason when Michigan hosted them and humiliated them. (I DO remember watching that game.)
heartbreakM
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 : 1:46 a.m.
Sorry to disappoint you but App State should not be scheduled at Michigan. Yes, they beat us--we all know that (though I argue that the game should not have been scheduled at that point either, Michigan had nothing to gain and everything to lose, and yes they did that--lost forever). Air Force is a challenging team who usually is above .500. I think playing 1 service academy per year is worthy. But look at Air Force--didn't they go to a bowl game last year? ANd defending them can be tough given their running attack.
SEC Fan
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.
Why is the match up with Air Force exciting?
Bogie
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL! What's wrong with Appalachian State??? Don't you guys want a rematch??? LLLLLLOOOOOLLLL!