UPDATE: Uh-oh! CMU, EMU and now WMU in big trouble thanks to Rich Rod!

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

The bottom line is this: Michigan sucks. It is tied for last place in the Big Ten with Indiana, the only conference team it beat this year.

Michigan did not suck in the 39 years under Bo-Mo-Lloyd. It went to a bowl game every year from 1975-2007, and that streak would have dated to 1968 had the Big Ten not had the rule about only one team going to a bowl before 1975. Of those 39 teams, 38 had winning records (U-M was 6-6 in 1984).

RichRod has led Michigan to two straight losing seasons after inheriting a 9-4 team that was coming off beating Florida and Tim Tebow. The program is being investigated by the NCAA, something that has never happened in program history.

Is that clinging to the past? Sure. Guilty as charged. But the present situation, well ...

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Oh, and a cool side note: Austin White's father, Mike, is the principal at Ann Arbor Pioneer, which is across the street from Michigan Stadium. Mike's a cool guy - I covered him at a previous administrative assignment.

And, watch out for this Gardner kid from Inkster. From all I hear, he's either going to really give Forcier a run for his money or beat him out for the starting job.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

You actually think they should fire the guy? After two years and all the mitigating circumstances? Because that's the "bottom line."

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

What mitigating circumstances? Lack of talent, which is part of a college coach's job?

I don't know about firing a guy just for two losing seasons, but when you throw in all of the other issues, that might not be the worst idea for Michigan.

The example of Amaker is interesting. Michigan made a mistake hanging with him so long, so it probably isn't the best comparison for somebody to make in support of giving Rodriguez more time.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Amaker got six years. That's too long. But two years should have been too short.

Yes, talent acquisition is a huge part of a college coach's job, although the same people who argue that on this board will go to another thread and rant about how recruiting is "bogus."

But experience is enormous in college football. Absolutely enormous. And Michigan doesn't have any.

Barring train wreck circumstances, like single-digit recruiting classes or major violations, coaches should get four years. Especially a guy with a track record like Rodriguez has. Does that not count for something? No benefit of the doubt?

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

Mike used to run with my high school cross country team. One summer evening after he got done kicking our ass in a run by turning in a sub 5-minute mile at tail end of a 5k, he chased down a guy who was trying to break into one of our cars.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

LSU belongs on that second tier. As does probably Penn State whenever Joe Pa decides to let it go.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

On wins and losses alone, he needs more than two years. The NCAA investigation, however, clouds the issue.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

See I think Michigan's defense sucks. I think the offense is fine, save for a few ball control issues.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

This comment pertains to Michigan's suffocating defense...

For those of you who continue to talk about too little talent and too much youth, perhaps you can explain why the all-league defensive coordinator, hired by RR, continues to play one high safety (a walk-on who is one of those non-athlete types) and requires him to cover an inordinate amount of territory, in part because the "shitty" linebackers can't get deep enough in their pass drops.

Teams have been exploiting that area of the field, as well as others, for 11 games now and the defensive staff still can't figure out why.

There may be a lack of talent on the defensive side but that staff is not putting those kids in good position to succeeed. It's a joke.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

His track record isn't really that long. Three great years in different circumstances. And if it was only a matter of on-field problems, I would agree that two years is too short. But the problems with Rodriguez go beyond that. If you are going to be a dirtbag, you better win. So far, he isn't doing that.

 

Re: Uh-oh! Cental Michigan, or some other smaller football program, in trouble

If you use Reggie Bush as an example of a pro who played in a "spread" offense in college, you haven't watched very much USC football.