As I sail off into a beer-induced dreamland, my thoughts are with the Michigan football team, coaches, staff and all of their families. And I especially feel for yet another class of seniors who will graduate from University of Michigan without ever beating Ohio State.
I don't have the first clue as to what the fate of this coaching staff will be, and I do not envy the task of Dave Brandon. On one hand I completely understand the case for Rodriguez (or Greg Robinson, or both) to be fired. If Harbaugh is what the masses want, then maybe that's the best course of action. A lot of times, doing what's best for the future of the program is doing what the people who essentially fund that program want. It's not necessarily fair, but its the reality of big business college football.
But on the other hand, I think Rodriguez needs at least another year. He's had to endure maybe the biggest gap of talent Michigan has seen since the Johnson administration. Attrition, graduation and transfers have demolished this team...it's not an excuse, it's the truth. But I like Rodriguez, probably more than most, and I've never shied away from defending him publicly. But I also support the Michigan football team no matter who the coach is. And with that said, I am glad that the man making these amazingly difficult decisions is a man like Dave Brandon. I trust that no matter which way he goes, it will be because he believes it's for the best of this team and this school, and nothing more. I don't think he will make any snap judgements. He's been very methodical thus far about handling all of the speculation, and I don't see that changing.
Rich Rod has proven to be an utter failure at UM. His recruiting, particularly at defense is a debacle. Their special teams are worse than most good high school teams. This is Michigan? This is the WORST 3 years in Michigan football history. Rich Rod is an expensive mistake. He's infatuated with his big east "system" and has forgotten the basics of the game such as tackling, blocking, punting, kicking field goals, etc. The kids aren't learning during the year. They get worse as the season goes on. And Barwis and his $6M weight room? What a monumental failure. Our kids get pushed around the field and their injuries are worse than during prior coaches. What are they training for? Running a marathon or playing football? The essence of great college coach is recruiting (UM has a built in advantage), player development, discipline, and motivation. Rodriguez is a failure at all of these items. He's literally taken the UM program and destroyed it. His first impressions chased away some fine talent who have thrived elsewhere. His subsequent choices have sealed Michigan's fate as a bottom tier program. The time to end this reign of error is now, not next year. Fire Rodriguez and do it immediately. Forgo the bowl game which would be a junk bowl in any event. This team doesn't deserve this. Michigan's standards can't be allowed to slip that far.
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