University of Michigan football fans have mixed reactions to news that Rich Rodriguez has been fired
Michigan fans attending the Gator Bowl were vocal in their desire for a coaching change, giving the nod to Stanford's Jim Harbaugh.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
University of Michigan football fans aren’t unanimously rejoicing the end of Rich Rodriguez's tenure as head coach, but many are hoping the move means a return to a winning program.
Ahmad Aggour, an Ann Arbor resident and lifelong Michigan football fan, said many fans he’s been talking to have mixed feelings about the move. He said speculation was rampant Tuesday when Athletic Director Dave Brandon was reportedly meeting with Rodriguez.
“I was talking yesterday with some people, and they were actually pretty upset and they think Michigan will be terrible again for the next three years if Rich Rod is gone,” he said. “But I think the majority of people are happy to see him go.”
Matt Madion, a junior at U-M, said before the decision was announced this morning that he hoped Brandon would give Rodriguez one more year to prove he could win at Michigan.
“My personal opinion is that we should give him one more year because our home football schedule is really good next year, and it would be bad to have a really (bad) team,” he said. “As opposed to a mediocre team like this year.”
Some fans appeared to be unhappy at the prolonged process to make the decision on Rodriguez’s future.
Jim Carson, a Dexter Village council member and Michigan football fan, said he supported Rodriguez until the 37-7 defeat to Ohio State University. He said a decision should have been made right after the Gator Bowl defeat to Mississippi State University.
“There is no way U-M loses to OSU by 30 points. Then, after the embarrassing loss in the Gator Bowl — I would have called a press conference and fired him right then,” he said.
Carson said he doesn’t have a preference on a new coach, but many fans have their sights set on former Michigan quarterback and Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Chelsea Mayor Jason Lindauer said he knew Harbaugh when he played at Michigan and would love to see him take over as head coach.
However, he said the most important thing is finding the right fit.
“I’m sure that Dave Brandon and his staff will do an excellent job of finding a replacement,” he said.
John Dunn of Sylvan Township said he thought hiring Rodriguez was a mistake and then-athletic director Bill Martin should have picked someone from within the “Michigan Man” tradition.
He said he felt for Rodriguez and thought he could have improved had he been given more time.
“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.”
Now that the decision is made, the most important thing to Aggour is making sure the upcoming recruiting class is up to the university’s standards.
Waiting for an announcement of a new head coach will be difficult, he said.
“I’m just anxious to find out and see who the new coach is so we can start recruiting,” he said.
Reporter Lisa Allmendinger contributed to this report
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com.
Comments
missionbrazil
Thu, Jan 6, 2011 : 8:36 a.m.
az & Blu-n-Tpa... sanity and calm will return once DB completes the new hire. The effects of the RR Kool-Aid are still lingering, but will diminish in time. By the 2nd half of the 2011 season we will be seeing definite improvement on the field, and by 2012 we will be ready to take off again. I have absolutely no doubt that we are doing it right this time. tater "To all of the trolls, OSU fans, and MSU fans: laugh heartily at the University of Michigan today. You have every right to. If he handles the next decision as poorly as he has this one, you will get to laugh for at least two more years, and probably a lot longer... I hereby nominate today as Anti-UM Troll Day. You are all invited to the Troll dinner and are welcome to help yourself to some Wolverine schadenfreude for the main entree." Of course Tater everyone is expecting you to be at the main troll table. You'll make a great host. Any Groban songs planned for the evening?
azwolverine
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
missionbrazil, blu-n-tpa, Thank you for some sanity on this blog. DB has, so far done the right thing: he fired RR. That was a necessary first step in righting the Michigan football ship. IF Brandon had retained RR, UM would have been a national laughingstock, as we had become over the past three years. Because of this move, the laughter will soon stop. I do wish Fred Jackson had been retained, though, and hope he will be invited back by the next coach. I trust DB knows what he is doing, and UM will be a stronger program for it, not only in the long run, but in the short term as well. All of the coaches I have heard mentioned are tough minded, defensive coaches...just what we need. Next year will be tough, as it would have been under RR, but the groundwork for the future resurgence of Michigan football will be laid. Go Blue!
beanie wells
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 5 p.m.
@Blu-N-Tpa: i agree. coaching is a tough business. jackson had an unusually long tenure. he can't be terribly surprised. @Cash: just because jackson is currently unemployed doesn't mean he won't be re-employed when the next coach comes to town. i don't know much about him, but it seems as though he's a good recruiter (true?). if that's the case, i wouldn't be surprised to see him back. to your point, though, it IS a shame when loyalty appears to be thrown out the window. BUT, loyalty in sports is a rare thing these days... and again, this type of thing comes with the territory. i'm sure jackson knows that.
missionbrazil
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
AceDeuce "I still feel bad for Rich and his family, I mean I know he had his problems, and maybe he wasn't the best fit for Michigan, but I remember when he left WVU and how his family had to start their lives over b/c all the family friends they made at WVU turned their back on them." Ask the people who lived in WV at that time in 2007 and they will tell you exactly the opposite... it was RR who turned his back on his alma mater, his players, and the fans of WV. And he did it in an ugly way. He demanded many things from WVU (such as upgrades to facilities,...) and they were going along with the majority of his demands, and yet he still bolted. It is amazing how much mis-information is floating around about RR.
Blu-n-Tpa
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.
Cash Coach Jackson was paid right? He stayed on his own free will, is that correct? He hasn't made a single negative statement about coaching at Michigan in 20 years but you somehow feel he's being slighted. I don't get it.
pb
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 4:13 p.m.
The, by now very tired, kudos given to Brandon for "doing what he said he would" is something akin to saying of a thief, "Well, he robbed me, just as he said he would." The fact that Brandon stuck to an ill- conceived and corporate-style "plan" is not cause for commendation, but quite the opposite. It is impossible to point out all the flaws in the way he has carried out this process and, unless there is a new, national-caliber coach in the wings, to be announced in a day or two, we are looking at two or more years of downward momentum. While it may be impossible to say with certainty that 2011 would have been an improvement with Rodriguez at the helm, along with new defensive staff, I would venture to say that next year is much more likely to be a regression. This ain't Dominos (not that that worked out so well).
lumberg48108
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 4:10 p.m.
Rather than take make a sexy pic like Harbough or a average pick like Hoke, why not dig deep and find the next Jim Tressel or Urban Meyer? Tressel was from Youngstown State - and had new how to build. Same with Meyer -- lets find the next one! Brian Kelly was that guy years ago (and should have been at U-M) and he will soon rebuild Notre Dame... but what about the next hidden gem... why do they have to be a Michigan guy? Cant they be someone who simply understands U-M football? RR did not - obviously If Bo can come from Ohio State - anything is possible. I think finding a guy from an established D1-A school in Ohio (or nationally) would be a great idea...
AceDeuce
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
I still feel bad for Rich and his family, I mean I know he had his problems, and maybe he wasn't the best fit for Michigan, but I remember when he left WVU and how his family had to start their lives over b/c all the family friends they made at WVU turned their back on them. At least he's getting a big pay check and can take a year or two off. -Thanks for trying Rich, and thanks for those exciting offensive shoot-outs, we didn't always win, but it was a lot funner to watch than a 10-3 win with defense.
Cash
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
Blu-n-tpa, I do have class. Brandon wouldn't have to address anything in his "speech". He could have retained him.
lulu
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.
No coach who is reputable or capable will take a phone call from Mr. Brandon. He is an joke. He has no plan and no candidate for what should be the premier coaching job in the country. Sadly, it will be years before Michigan Football will be respected. The good news for all Michigan football fans is that the luxury box seats will be very, very reasonably priced the next few years. Coach Harbaugh will be sadly missed in what should have been a dream job/dream candidate pairing.
spikefb
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
Bo coined the phrase Michigan Man in 89 when telling Frieder that if he didnt want to be at UM, we would hire someone that does. Michigan Man means someone: - that wants to be at UM. Not looking to go elsewhere. - someone that works under the restrictions (obstacles) that the admissions office presents to bring in student athletes that belong here. - someone that teaches young people about football and life skills with a proper perspective between them. It appears that Rich broached this by leaving the punter home in OSU week or even not giving some kids their 'wings' in fall camp. Perhaps not enough examples of this? - someone that believes the importance of the team the team the team. A coach that understands that a team banquet/bust is supposed to be about the team or the UM Football family, and not an opportunity to lobby for one's job... - someone that appreciates how special UM football is. Understands tradtion. Such as: The #1 jersey, UM-OSU, UM-ND, UM-MSU rivalries. Most wins, bowl streaks, etc. Another not so commented item is that the old 'Michigan Replay' show was the longest running coaches football program in the country - and scrapped. - someone that understands that while offensive philosphies are evolving, defense is important too. (Case in point, only two UM starters were bigger than mississippi state's QB?) - finally, someone that will not harm the university's reputation as leaders and best by doing the job within the rules of the university and the NCAA. this was likely a bigger deal within the university confines than we realize. SO, as Tate Forcier said, all UM football alumni were not 'Michigan Men' when they came here, they became one after their experiences. I think that the jury is out if Rich ever 'became one' Go Blue!
Blu-n-Tpa
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
MisBraz: Can you feel it? Panic! Your last post is a calm voice in the crowded room. People are writing a lot faster than they're thinking, (which is funny to read but not very insightful). Teach the one's you can and the rest are lost.
Txmaizenblue
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
This whole "Michigan man" ridiculousness is only going to make us look like a bunch of snob-nobbled morons.
Mike Perkins
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
Bottom line is we will pay the piper. I didn't think we would as much when RichRod was hired. We did. He also started with a bare cupboard. Another thing. Any word on Barwis? Heard he was under are seperate contract but still a R.R. loyalist.
Blu-n-Tpa
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
Cash, is there some connection here? You can't expect the AD, on national TV, to stop and address every assistant coach separately. As you say, Coach Jackson has CLASS. I'm sure he would appreciate it if you did so too. Or, do you think calling out the AD in a public forum is a good career move for FJ?
missionbrazil
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
Mike Perkins "I was agreeing with the fact that he doesn't have a plan past Harbaugh. This is the second botched coaching change in 4 yrs. If not R.R. then who. Should have let him fire def. coord. and take a year to right the ship." Big surprise, RR supporters blasting DB. How is it a botched coaching change, when it hasn't even been done yet? They definitely got the 1st part exactly right - fire RR. Kudos to DB for making the right choice, and to sticking to what he said he would do, and when he said he would do it. You say the hiring of RR was a botched coaching change (which I agree with), but then you say he should stay another year and "right the ship". That does not make any sense. And where do you get the idea that a 15-22 / 6-18 BT coach can "right the ship" when he has shown the exact opposite? If JH does not come there are still plenty of other good choices out there. I personally think JH would be great for our program, but let's just wait and see what happens. We will get it right this time.
Txmaizenblue
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
I give one week before Gardner announces he's transferring...and maybe Denard
Txmaizenblue
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
Being a Michigan fan is getting more and more embarrassing by the day. I don't get DB at all? The program is shot for at least 3 more years. The only thing that makes sense is he tried to make a shot at Harbaugh and failed, and this RR firing had built up so much public steam and pressure - he felt he had to pull the plug. Pulling the plug with a solution at hand makes sense. Doing so without a definite solution makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER.
Luvdabucks
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:15 p.m.
What is with the insistance that the next coach be a "Michigan Man"? Are you all saying that someone who didn't graduate or play for Michigan couldn't possibly coach as well as someone who did? Why do so many Michigan fans feel that should be such a perogative in hiring the next coach? Considering Bo was NOT a "Michigan Man", I guess he should have been passed over for the job,(Bo graduated from Miami of Ohio, then a master's from Ohio State where he was an assistant coach) same for Lloyd Carr, who went to Missouri and then graduated from Northern Michigan. OOOPS, that's right Gary Moeller graduated from Ohio State also. You have to go back to 1947 to find a "Michigan Man" Bump Elliott, who had played at U of M after playing three years at Purdue and then joined the military. I think the priority ought to be on getting someone who not only has proven merit as far as improving the team they are currently coaching, but doesn't have to have a court involved to steal them away from their current program, such as U of M stooped to grab RichRod in desperation. I was disappointed in Brandon's comments indicating the purse was unlimited to buy a coach....but that is apparently college football today. I wonder if the purse is unlimited to buy coaches for other sports, or to provide scholarships for deserving students, etc. Sadly, the answer is no, which only highlights the strange priorities of colleges these days.
Cash
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Yes Jeremy is on the team for now. It depends on who the new coach is if they rehire Fred. In Mike's chat this noon he said that he could be rehired...or not.
spikefb
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
For those of you concerned about Fred Jackson being broomed by DB, remember that when Rich came in, he released all of Carr's staff. Only after a reconsider did he bring Fred back leaving many thinking it was just to bring in Sam McGuffie. FJ has been a loyal UM coach for a long time and I believe that he will end up back in the UM saddle with the new coach. Recall his son is actually on the team (#17).
Cash
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
Blu-N-Tpa, Sure he would say that. He is LOYAL. And how is he treated for that loyalty? He comes in off the road today and they call him in....nice. One coach who is loyal, is next-to-lowest paid of all the assistants after 20 years. If you know the man, you know there is not a better person in the Michigan program. Well, who used to be in the Michigan program. Sorry showing class would have been something nice for Brandon to do.
Jaime
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
While I am disappointed it the performance of the football team over the last 3 years I think its a sad day when our fine university decides it shouldn't honor a contract. They should never have given him a six year deal but they did. The worst part was leaving him Rich Rod dangling in the wind. The decision should have been made within a couple of days of the Gator Bowl. Who would really want to come here to coach when the AD treats you like that? I wish Rich Rod good luck and success at the next school. I bet they treat him better than we did.
Blu-n-Tpa
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
Cash I also am concerned about Coach Jackson. Let's wait to see where he lands before cutting off someone's head over a perceived slight. LC landed a job outside coaching at UM so show a little class, which I'm sure Coach Jackson is. If things don't work out, I think Coach Jackson would be the first to say, "Michigan has been great to me, and my family." Very few coaches can say they spent 20 years at the same university. VERY FEW!
Cash
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
And an article written last week in the Detroit paper shows him as the 2nd lowest paid assistant coach at UM!!!! No reward for loyalty, Fred. You could make what you are making there at EMU...go join Ron and help him out. But most importantly, Fred Jackson thank you for being so loyal and being a true role model for players all of these years. Please know that SOME people will never forget you.Big Shot Brandon will never contribute what you have! Ask any UM player for the past 20 years!
Mike Perkins
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:47 p.m.
Wow Cash....totally overlooked point. That is a shame. Definitely a Michigan Man and stuck around through the B.S. Wonder if his son will follow him out the door?
Mike Perkins
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
@Drew. I was being sacastic. I know who and what he is. I was agreeing with the fact that he doesn't have a plan past Harbaugh. This is the second botched coaching change in 4 yrs. If not R.R. then who. Should have let him fire def. coord. and take a year to right the ship. We will pay dearly for poor planning and if these players start skipping town it won't matter who we bring in. We will lose.
Cash
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
I don't care about RR...I care about Fred Jackson who is a TWENTY - YEAR Michigan man and according to WXYZ and Detroit News was fired!!! According to the Freep he had just come in from recruiting all week and was called to the office. Real nice. A man doing his job, loyal to all of the past coaches, brings his son to Michigan football program, and gets fired. Brandon you don't deserve to polish Fred's shoes!
Drew
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.
@mike perkins what does Brandon know about Michigan Football? well he was on the team for 4 years under Bo, he was born in michigan he went to michigan and has spent almost his entire life in michigan.
Blu-n-Tpa
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
ClarkLker What part of the process wasn't handled correctly? The AD called a press conference, reviewed the particulars, informed the coach after a two day meeting, and told the rest of us RR is gone. Members of the local press, which is really no longer as professional as it once was, got ahead of itself and started a media storm of bad information. So stop and think!. What did DB do that wasn't what he said he do? After the bowl? Yes. Careful review? Yes. Meet with RR? Yes. Come to a decision? Yes. Tell everyone? DONE! This is a smart man who uses language to communicate. The more closely you listen, the more you will understand what he means. Then the AD states he's launching a national search for the NC position at Michigan, it just means he's now doing it PUBLICALLY.
Mike Perkins
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
Somewhat Concerned makes a great point. What does Brandon know about Michigan Football? We should be careful what we wish for, as I have been telling friends and family for months. We were banking on the prospect of hiring J.H. That isn't going to happen. Not getting our #1 choice is how Rich got here in the first place. With the guys we have in the program currently we couldn't make a smooth transition into a "power" system. This could spell trouble in the sense of waiting for the program to purge itself of the undersized speedy players. The only hope is that the current players will stay and prove all of us wrong.
J. Dean
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.
@Somewhat Concerned, Brandon was probably not being completely forthright about that. I'll bet money that he's alredy been doing some investigations for new coaches prior to today.
81wolverine
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
I think that Rodriguez simply wasn't a good fit with Michigan. Michigan should NOT have offered him the job and Rodriguez should have done a better job researching U-M's program before accepting it. So, I think both sides were to blame for the last 3 year debacle. No Michigan fan should be happy about the prospect of several more years of turmoil as we transition over to a new coach's system. Still, I think Rodriguez is a nice, sincere person who really did try to win here. I wish him the best of luck wherever he ends up.
Somewhat Concerned
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
I'm not sure we're out of the woods. After taking either forever or a reasonable amount of time so as to do this in an orderly fashion (opinions differ), Brandon did not have a new coach lined up for the announcement. You have to wonder if he is in over his head. He has never been athletic director anywhere. Getting your first AD job at Michigan is like getting your first job singing at the Metropolitan Opera.
David Briegel
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
Bill Martin, Sailor without a phone. Tater? Theo, Job for you at FAUX News Sports, Detroit! You'll fit right in! Go Blue!!
racer
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
Well...Well...Well...So, Theo212, I guess it is safe to say that you really didn't have DB's ear on this matter. All the stories that might have led us to believe that you were in Brandon's inner circle were just that...stories. Why perpetuate this falsehood? Is this how a real "Michigan Man" conducts himself. Theo212, RichRod, Bill Martin...birds of a feather.
D21
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
Mixed reactions: I would have a mixed reaction if AD Brandon hasfired Theo212. But on the other hand, I wouldn't have one if AD Brandon has fired Tater Tot. :) To all RR kool aid drinkers, I TOLD YA SO THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN (RR dismissal).
clarklaker
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
I hope that the hiring of a new coach goes better than the firing process.
NoBowl4Blue
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
Oh happy day, oh happy day, Now can we just get a decent coach here please? You make a fool of yourself DB as much as Rich Rod aka cry baby did.
UtrespassM
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
Who will be the next coach? Will he make our fans happier? The only thing can be sure is that no one will have the interest to trespass U-M stadium again.
Somewhat Concerned
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.
My reactions are indeed mixed: hooray that the nightmare might end; how did we ever stoop to the level of bringing in someone whose approach to football and to life is so different than what makes Michigan Michigan.
J. Dean
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
I'm just glad it's over. I was hoping Brandon had somebody lined up to quell concerns, but the first step was taken.