first, hopefully.
Yes...And with that, this is a great hire...good things will come. no doubt.
Brian, thanks for everything, keep it up.
Besides Pryor, any big news on the recruiting front, either reactions from UM commitments/targets or players Rodriguez might sway towards Ann Arbor?
YAY! Thanks Brian for the PIH!
I just hope that no matter what happens they recruit QB's that have the ability to throw. I will be disappointed if we turn into a complete running team and a QB that can't throw worth a crap. I still want to see UM QB's in the NFL. I don't mind a guy that can run a little, that would be a nice change, but to be able to throw as well would be good. There are guys like Dixon out there that can do both. I also hope we don't completely remove the vertical passing game, I have always liked that part of our offense. Mallet would have to run an offense w/ a lot of throwing and no option running, but he has done it before, so I would like to see that. I think they do have a few RB's that fit. It may not take as long as some people think to run this offense, especially if Pryor comes and provides some competition.
I'm so happy I actually seriously thought about dancing along to the Peanut Butter & Jelly song in my office.
And now I wait anxiously to see if the PiH has jinxed us once again...hopefully, RR is out buying houses and not second guessing anything
and is a true outsider who will bring Michigan into the 21st century.
This is exactly why even though I personally don't like the spread offense, I'm very happy about the hire. It was so necessary to get someone who would do just that. It was so very necessary for someone to come in and make the program theirs, and not just a continuation of what Bo started here. It was time for Bo's coaching lineage to be broken here and go in a new direction.
Hey, let's quit worrying and enjoy this ride! It's peanut butter and jelly time! (brilliant brian!)
Good work Brian, you certainly did not leave out the potential negatives, and the recruiting ties to PA and OH to me are very very key in this hire.
Let the good times roll....I know you are happy to be now focused on assistants/recruiting/football games instead of debating whether Hoke or Ferentz are real candidates.
GO BLUE!
on the bowl game:
I think we need a profile on the UF-LSU, UF-Auburn, and UF-UGA games....I feel that they will reveal a pretty consistent notion in controlling the clock to beat the mighty Urban Meyer's spread offense (stolen from our very own RichRod---that feels good to say)
I don't understand the concern about Mallett bolting. How many yards has Tom Brady rushed for this season? The Pats use a spread-style offense, too. Of course you're going to run if you have White as your QB, but you're going to pass if you have Mallett. RR's biggest asset is that he adapts the system to his players, not the other way around.
Ron,
He's technically a member of the cadet branch of Bo's coaching lineage.
TX, I don't know why, but I feel like the PB&J videos have deterred any jinx the PiH could have had.
10th
I think we need a t-shirt what says "In Rod We Trust." Complete with the picture.
Question, if Mallett were to transfer, he would have to sit out next year right?
Idea, I like your idea!
PBJ > PIH jinx !!
New Shirt !!!
PBJ >PiH
I would have to think that this PiH was written before the hire, but that Brian was smart enough submit to the Jinx and not post it until now. Bravo...
I feel so happy inside.
@Zack,
I agree...I actually don't even like the spread offense. It's a college only offense and I personally like a pro style offense. I wanted Michigan to stop grabbing big, monolithic qbs that were merely pocket passers and go after someone who was a passer that could put pressure on a defense with his legs...I don't want Michigan's qb to actually be a half back that can throw a little, however I am pretty stoked about the hire. I just believe that he is the breath of fresh air that this program has been needing over the last decade.
Do you think Rod would be willing to teach our defense how to stop Tim Teabag?
Peanut Butter and Jelly Time:
You know I watched those clips a few times yesterday. First sober, then the second time, maybe kinda a little stoned. Guess which time I enjoyed the clips more?
Brian, you must be a nerd, a stoner or both.....either way, I still like you. Keep up the great work and thanks for keep us updated through this whole confusing process.
Seriously, back to the PB&J, did I miss the boat here? When and how did that become part of our cultural lexicon. I had never seen those before yesterday.
I'm so happy I actually seriously thought about dancing along to the Peanut Butter & Jelly song in my office.
i just figured out what my daughter will be for halloween next year.
I wanted him to say "We will spread out defenses, we will have mobile quarterbacks, and most of all since this is Michigan, we will throw rock".
Sigh
Ha...that's a great Simpsons reference with the Time Mag cover.
I, for one, welcome our two new West Virginian overlords!
i had seen PBJ before...but i don't get how it got to be so big.
Brian, PLEASE make a PBJ shirt for this upcoming season!
@Ryan,
Yea, I know about the connection to Bo through RR's coach at WVU when he played and then coached under there at WVU...I believe his name is Nehlen or something like that...but there is more than plenty enough degrees of separation between them that everyone can be assured that this isn't going to be a variation of what's been here. This is a whole new thing, and I'm glad about it.
Can't we come up with something better then PBJ? I mean ok, it's fun but as the tag line to the crème de la crème of Michigan blogs?
I'm so happy I actually seriously thought about dancing along to the Peanut Butter & Jelly song in my office.
i just figured out what my daughter will be for halloween next year.
DanK | 12.17.07 - 11:57 am | #
as a fellow father... LOL ROTFL
(just don't let the missus on to your plan...)
Am I the only one expecting Mallett to transfer to Arkansas before not too long? Petrio is the newly hired QB guru without a QB, Mallett's school just hired a coach who has an offense that doesn't work for him, and Mallett's family actually lives on the Arkansas side of the Texas border in Texarcana.
Put me down for predcting Tyrelle Pryor starting as a true freshman while Mallett exits stage left.
Excuse me, I just woke up from a medically induced coma.
Was The Knowledge right? Is Sarkisian our new coach?
What about Tenuta as the DC still? Any word on that stuff?
Ron,
I was just pointing out that the lineage isn't dead. It's like when the Stuart's became the Royal House of England... sure the connection was 3 generations back through a female line, and sure they were Scottish Catholics, but the lineage was there.
"Michigan likes its high graduation rates"
YOU ARE DELUSIONAL. I'm sure Michigan likes its high graduation rates like I like dating supermodels. Just cause I likes it don't mean its actually happening. Keep churning your "student-athletes" through the general studies programs and let half of your AA players never see graduation day. Its like Jim Harbaugh was lying or something...
Hey Brian...if you throw out Carr's worse year he won at as great a clip as RR. If you compare them head to head in their first 7 years, Carr comes out on top as well.
I'm happy with this hire but it's a fact the RR is now in uncharted territory. He hasn't seen any kind of pressure like he will see in Ann Arbor, from the size crowds, to the number of boosters, to the budget, to recruiting against the top tier, to the Big 10, to the rivalries.
Can we get the "In Rod We Trust" shirt? Can we get the R2A2 shirt? The Maize and Blue version of Rowdy Roddy Piper's "Hot Rod" shirt.
Yes, I am excited. Can you tell?
Most importantly, can we get required registration comments and ignore buttons?
Did Elno die?
Rowdy Roddy Piper referenced. I LIKE IT!
Now if we can only get RR to dress up like the Ultimate Warrior on the sidelines, we will be all set!
Brian - At this point I have to commend your dedication to this blog and the University of Michigan. I can't imagine anyone else would have dressed up in a banana outfit and danced around like that.
It's peanut butter jelly time!!!
"I'm happy with this hire but it's a fact the RR is now in uncharted territory. He hasn't seen any kind of pressure like he will see in Ann Arbor, from the size crowds, to the number of boosters, to the budget, to recruiting against the top tier, to the Big 10, to the rivalries."
Michigan fans are also in an unchartered territory. When Mallett looks at the side for signal, changes the play and Sam McGuffie starts running parallel to the line of scrimmage and finds his first seam and takes it 20 odd yards, I'll be jumping like a little girl.
.
AS I SAID YESTERDAY, THE KNOWLEDGE SHALL NEVER POST ON THESE THREADS AGAIN
.
The THE KNOWLEDGE will ocassionally read some of these threads
.
And it appears that there have been a couple of posters impersonating THE KNOWLEDGE
.
Thus, THIS IS THE LAST POST FROM THE KNOWLEDGE
.
To confirm that ANYONE ELSE CLAIMING AS THE KNOWLEDGE in the posts is an IMPOSTER, A LIAR, A HANDLE-STEALER
.
Yes
.
THE KNOWLEDGE shall post no more
.
As promised. THE KNOWLEDGE is a man of his word
.
Yes
.
At least. THE KNOWLEDGE got a good laugh out of people who said the HC will not be announced on a Sunday - thr EXACT date that THE KNOWLEDGE predicted
.
Yes
.
If Mallett xfers, he plays depending on where he goes. If he xfers to Ark., then he'll have to sit a season (like Threet did this year). Considering the fact that he seems to be semi-mobile, I would think he'd stay. But, you never know. Is it possible that Threet is the better fit (for RichRod's O)?
RHammer, i think i'd have trouble explaining to my wife why a banana would need maracas. or a baseball bat. or why i was teaching her to sing the PBJ song.
THE KNOWLEDGE, ... aren't you just gonna change your name to THE WISDOM?
Dick Rod had a great line in his press conference at the very end when asked what he thought about being Michigan's "third choice" - [read first sentence with sarcasm] "Really? Boy I wish you'd have told me that before. I think I was my wife's third choice, too."
I like this guy!
Think we can get Brian to make any t-shirts for next year that say:
"Bill Martin hearts WVU"?
Just a thought...
A coach with a personality? Lloyd is at home right now reading poetry and frowning.
I wanted trailer trash Rita to speak, I was ready to laugh!
POST OF THE YEAR: @ BigJim | 12.11.07 - 11:30 pm |
" There is a guy out there somewhere who no one thought was even remotely unhappy where he is - who no one dreamed was "in play" - who is going to surface.
An old saying: "Discretion is the better part of valor". All the other schools did it quick - we didn't. Some coach out there is going to appreciate that, even though it pisses all of us off since we want a quick fix. Somebody we haven't thought of yet who no one thoght was a player here is going to surface.
Today sucked. My email and text traffic is for shit. I'm the guy that sent Brian that Woodson Heisman youtube - I needed something positive to balance things out. He's out there, and we're gonna get him. The sun will rise, maybe not until January, but we will all be happy in the end. Those who stay will be Champions.
Go Blue! "
@ Ron
Don't get me wrong I am very happy w/ the hire. There are just some things I would like to see and that is more of a mix between the Pats and the current WVU offense. Lets put it like this, I would not want Pat White at UM. I just don't think he is an NFL QB and when D's are able to stop the option it is very diffcult for them to move the ball through the air. Not to bring this up too much, but Dixon is what I would like to see, more like him.
Most scouts have Dixon rated highly, as far as an NFL prospect, but he can run and gives their offense some serious explosiveness.
Zack who gives a F about NFL prospects? Let's win some college football games!
Yeah...why exactly do we care about how the QB does in the NFL after he graduates?
That Chris Leak guy is sure tearing up the NFL. And Craig Krenzel, perennial pro bowler. How could I forget the multiple MVP of the Super Bowl, Gino Torretta? And Danny Wuerffel, redefining NFL records as we speak.
NFL prospects will help us bring in top talent. I know it's Michigan and guys want to come here cuz of helmets or whatever...but our send offs to the NFL mean just as much to recruiting as anything.
RR to Michigan. I'm really not sure how to respond. One side of me says, hell yes, this is just what the doctor ordered for Michigan. On the other hand, this guy did lose to PITT as 28 point favorite.
Also, can the spread offense really work here? I mean, Callahan's offense didn't really work at Nebraska. All Michigan needed was more creative playcalling and a faster defense. A whole change in the type of offense? I don't know man.
What do you all think?
Well, the one thing I'm going to miss the most on the message board is THE KNOWLEDGE. He was an idiot, but that guy was fun. And he did nail down the eaxct date (that "Sunday going to church" comment was hilarious - AND he was right). Too bad he has decided to never post again.
Can you please fix Shaun King's name so it's spelled corretly?
Also, I think his history is screwed up. I don't think he was the OC @ Clemson in 2005, which is what it says now.
I was just pointing out that the lineage isn't dead. It's like when the Stuart's became the Royal House of England... sure the connection was 3 generations back through a female line, and sure they were Scottish Catholics, but the lineage was there.
Ryan | 12.17.07 - 12:04 pm | #
A British royal history analogy--and a good one at that. Two bravos!
Callahan's offense didn't really work at Nebraska.
this statement is equivalent to
'the kid doesn't like apples, she'll never like oranges.'
the west coast offense != the spread
NFL prospects are nice. NFL QBs are not necessary.
Plenty of programs win NCs and bring in top talent while putting stinkboms like the ones I mentioned before into the draft.
Achieving NFL success as a QB is ridiculously hard and how often does it translate directly to college team success? We didn't win a title with Brady. UT didn't win with Peyton. Favre is from frickin' Southern Miss or some shit.
The idea we need to bring in highly rated NFL QBs in order to win is absurd. Michigan can produce NFL quality players at other positions and win with a good college QB.
I want to make sure I understand this correctly. If I want to be a coach a Michigan, I first have to coach at West Virginia?
In lieu of this P of H, here's my take on the RR era at WVA.
He did not inherit a down in the dumps program, but it was very similar to KF at Iowa. Fry's days as year in year out contenders had left him and seemed to alternate winning a losing seasons. Thats what Nehlen was doing at WVA when he stepped away. RR's run of consistency is a high point for WVA football.
RR's first year was awful, but he was making big time waves his second year. In years 2 and 3, with Miami, VT and BC still in the league, WVA covered the spread at an 11-3 clip in conference game, won every game straight up except for the Miami games. Two of the games he did not cover, he was laying a big big # to doormants Temple and Rutgers. He upset a top 5 VT team in consecutive seasons and nearly toppled #1 ranked Miami in a thursday night game in his third year. Remember Otis Wilson's kid was his lead RB at the time and RR's teams were known for a physical dominance that only the Canes had in the league. Looking back on how quickly he turned WVA into a physically dominant force in the Big East w/ Miami, VT and BC still in the league, really opens up a lot of possibilities for our football players once he gets even one season with them, dont you think?
2004 was a disappointment. As big favorites nearly every game, they underperformed. They had Pac Man and Henry and committed dumb penalties, dropped easy passes and me and my football/gambling buddies derided them as the dumbest football team in the land. It is no surprise to us how Henry and PacMan have "performed" thus far in their NFL career.
We have seen no such craziness from WVA since then, so maybe he had some rotten apples and learned his lesson.
But, while Brian is right about the power vaccuum in the Big East, it was Louisville, not WVA that was expected to fill that. It was the Card who were the Big East team in 2005 that was the supposed national contender. After an early non league loss to VT, WVA ran the table including an upset as 7-point dogs against Louisville with a BCS bowl bid on the line.....with freshmen playing key spots in the lineup, no less....they won and covered all their league games that year, plus beat the SEC champ in the Sugar Bowl.
Basically, the Pitt debacle aside from last month....RR has been a huge success at WVA, and if he can manage with less at WVA and still rip off monster seasons, especially vs league foes, against the number, I am giddy at the prospects at what he can do with more at Michigan.
Folks, this will be a fun ride. And, I really dont expect a rocky transition....i do expect a more in shape, aggressive and physically stronger team next year, and that alone will help us overcome whatever transition issues there are vis a vis the spread offense.
also, this general statement is nuts:
"yea, RR & WV just has a knack of dropping a game they shouldn't"
that statement describes EVERY team/coach in the nation.
So if Mike Hart won't get to play under RR, and he's not from WVU, does he have a chance at HC?
Guess not.
Dale Price,
Thank you, my generally useless knowledge of British history occasionally allows me to make such apt comparisons.
The idea that people can even BEGIN to say that "the spread may not work at Michigan" is lunacy.
The location of the school and the color of the uniforms doesn't make it more/less effective. Why can't it work here? There isn't something in the water in A2 that stops innovation - it was a coaching staff that preferred to play close to the vest.
I still miss SwayzeHowellSheen
mgobleu - Hart clearly needs to become a Grad Assistant at WVU ASAP.
Still waiting for someone to blow me, since we got a good coach.
No takers?
Bueller?
Aw nuts.
Back to the bottle...
Are flowers blooming,even when its 17 degrees and 10 inches of snow??
Lets all drink to 10 MNCs in a row!!
Okay back to reality...extremely good hire. Lets Let 'er Rip boys!!
GO BLUE!!
Chunks, you were dead yesterday... what happened?
Dex - elno isn't dead. He came on yesterday to talk about how RR is a shitty coach.
Show of hands:
How many of the maize and blue faithful showed up to the office today with Michigan regalia proudly displayed?
This is a great day for our school!
Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Just because a guy is lying face down in the snow, motionless, in the middle of the night doesn't mean he's dead. It just means he's a hobo.
Also, people need to remember that this history of Michigan football is one of innovation. Yost was an innovator using the forward pass (though more credit goes to the Pop Warner-coached Carlisle Indian School teams), and Crisler invented two-platoon substitution, among other examples.
Tressel adapted and used the spread when he had the talent (see Smiff, Troy) to do so. And by the way, do you know where Tessel sent his staff to learn a bunch of shit about the spread following the 2002 season? Morgantown!
Smiff, Troy.
Hehe.
What will we do without our legacy of NFL greats like Elvis Grbac, Scott Diresbach and Drew Henson?
Anyone else thinking about how awesome McGuffie will be in RR's offense? Oh good god yes.
Pat White leaving Alabama to play QB for at West Virginia is all you need to know about RichRod's ability as a recruiter.
He told him he'd be able to play QB, that he'd be starting within his first year, and WVU went to the Sugar Bowl and spanked Georgia (in Atlanta, it must be reiterated).
RichRod has got MAJOR recruiting cred.
For those of you worried about the pressure and stage that RRod is walking into, don't forget that he participated in the Backward Brawl with Pitt each year and look how he did there...
Listen to Coach Rich Rod's interview at www.danpatrick.com. This interview was conducted on 11/26/2007.
Its lot harder to take a school like Nebraska where it was option, option, option, run, run, run and make it a west coast passing first offense than it is to take a school like Michigan and run an adapted version of the spread offense with the personnel it currently has.
We have the personnel to spread the field out right now, whereas Nebraska did not even have close to the personnel to run the west coast offense when Callahan took over.
RR is a prime innovator for the spread. He'll get it done and wont struggle with the talent on hand.
RR has major recruiting cred, and Michigan gives a kid max exposure. All our games will be televised nationally (granted the whole BTN v. Comcast thing isn't worked out yet). Large media market for Metro Detroit. Big stadium crowd. Will draw major market media coverage in Chicago (due to coverge of ILL, NU and ND by Chicago media).
What will we do without our legacy of NFL greats like Elvis Grbac, Scott Diresbach and Drew Henson?
But Todd Collins kicked Eli Manning's ass last night. Well, ok, Eli's receivers kicked Eli's ass. But Collins did a decent job.
Chunks - lay off AMani Toomer!
I love how Brian completely ignores any conversation about whether RR can win the big game. Clearly this is the most concerning part of the hire and he doesn't address it at all in his critique. I just felt like Brian's analysis was always trying to find the silver lining in things about RR that might be problem areas. The questionable recruiting targets was the biggest one, though that doesn't bother as much as not even addressing whether this guy can win a big game.
You all might want to add this to your Christmas lists this year:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-SUGAR-
B...ksid=p1638.m118
Just sayin'.
@Threet Feet-
The fact that RR got WVU TO the big game is an achievement.
@Zack
I agree with you one hundred percent.
@Ryan
yea, I understand
Okay...no more impersonating an NFL HOFer.
Yeah, Toomer missed a big one. But it was cool seeing Plexiglasswhatever Burress knocked on his ass a lot.
I understand the big game concern....but what coach out there could we have brought in that would not have that tag?
Reality check... outside of the bubble that is the Big Ten neither Bo nor Lloyd performed well when competing nationally in bowl games.
For God's sake, Bo lost his first seven in a row (six straight Rose Bowls and an Orange) and didn't win a bowl until the early '80s. He sported a rather oxidized 5-12 career record at Michigan.
And Lloyd, after a pretty good start is 5-7. That's where it matters... on the national stage.
Hope that RR can rectify this situation. If Michigan is the "winningest" D-1 program why hasn't it won on the national stage?
At the very least there will be no further rebreathing of fetid exhalation that has characterized the inbred Michigan football program for the past 40 years. We can all cheer that and a sense of promise at last.
Full marks for that.
Roget's suggests the following for "ecstatic":
athrill, beatific, blissful, cool, crazy, delirious, dreamy, elated, enraptured, enthusiastic, entranced, euphoric, far out, fervent, flipped out, floating, flying high, frenzied, gone, high, hopped up, in exaltation, joyful, joyous, mad, out, overjoyed, rapturous, ravished, rhapsodic, sent, spaced out, stoned, sunny, thrilled, tickled pink, transported, turned on, upbeat, weird, weirded out, wigged out, wild.
Please excuse me while I become accustomed to using all of these.
Especially "athrill".
Threet Feet - did Brian not talk about WV beating Georgia last year? The vaunted SEC! OMG that speed! In a bowl game! I think you can list that as a "Big Game".
@Jamie Mac: Any coach that had won a national championship at the D1, DII or DIII levels. There are several of those coaches but to my knowledge absolutely zero of them were interviewed.
The loss to Pitt & the back-to-back losses to S. Florida - both who didn't finish in the Top 25 is very concerning. "Can't win the big game" is the major knock WVU fans had against the guy...
thank god we're going to get a new S&C coach!! Maybe RR will even follow tressel down the roids path?
@ DetUMICH
Yes, Mallett would have to sit out a year it he went to another Div. I school. He could play right away if he went to a team in a lower division.
On that note, count me, for what it's worth, as unconcerned w/ Rodriguez's ability to use Mallett. Rodriguez is an offensive innovator and Mallett might be a top five NFL pick someday. I think they'll learn to live together just fine.
since when is SFla a big game?
Fellas, all you need to do is look at the Pitt game this year: significantly limit your sample size and make broad and overarching predictions based on said sample size.
What coaches out there ALWAYS won the Big Game? Pete Carrol? Nope. Stoops? Nope. Les Miles? Nope. Tressel? Nope. Spurrier? Nope. Saban? Nope. Weiss? HA HA!! Nope. Meyer? Nope.
There is no perfect coach. We are not going to ever have a "Hurry Up Yost" type of dynasty where we just smash the shit out of everyone for years on end.
I think that Carr (who won the big one and who has more undefeated seasons than Spurrier) was, this last year and 2005, the floor for our program. Even when we suck, we still win and go to a bowl game. The ceiling with RR is non-existent (within the bounds of realism).
I'm very pleased with the RR hire. However, I am not ready to let Martin off the hook for the botched coaching search either. Michigan still looked like a bunch of buffoons for the better part of the last 4 weeks.
All's well that ends well but I'm still holding a little grudge. If we beat OSU next year, I might let go of it.
@Dank, USF & WVU become a big game when both teams are in the Top 10, it's being billed as the game of the week, and the buildup and hype is significant. That's not the case every week.
Beating up on RR for his loss to Pitt is kinda funny when you consider that without that loss, Michigan probably has no shot at him.
Everyone realizes, of course, that the "can't win the big game" tag can be used against any coach who has ever: (a) been in contention for the MNC, and (b) lost any game.
See also ... well let's see ... every current head coach.
Something I have not seen commented upon here... RR's defensive performance at WV. Currently #4 in nation in total D; #16 rushing D; #12 passing. This is a strong Big East with some fairly potent offenses.
Bo couldn't win the big games either.
well i can say this about the spread, and its different manifestations...
I had to coordinate against 7 different spread teams this year.
there were maybe 2 common plays....
its is more adabtable to personel, then any other offense, by FAR!!
gsimmons85 | 12.17.07 - 12:50 pm | #
--------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
2 powers around here are ragsdale and mt tabor.
ragsdale, spread pass....
mt tabor, spread, no pass....
gsimmons85 | 12.17.07 - 12:52 pm | #
Just talked to Elno. He likes the RR hire and is geeked.
Says he won't be impersonating Brian any more but that it was fun while it lasted.
Man, if we get Pryor, this could be really something special.
Wonder if Christian Wilson will keep is commit.
Hey guys, remember me?
Hello?
Hello? Guys?
@Chunks
I told you, if RichRod was coach when I came back today I'd do the deed.
Name the time and place, I'll be there.
Threet Feet: Admit it, you're a member of the GVSU mafia, right!?!?! lol.....well you're right about that as far as the lower levels go, but UM obviously did not want to go in that direction..had we gone that route, wouldn't we be questioning thats guys ability to step it up at this level....I feel better getting a proven commodity at the BCS level who has a system thats proven to work at the BCS level, than an unknown....frankly, I am surprised RR was available and that we got him ..the USF loss this year is not bad. I would have switched defenses with them in a heart beat this season as they were better than us....RR is a young coach. Its not a stretch to think that he is a work in progress and will learn from whatever strategic mistakes he has made in the past.....and now he has more talent than ever before at his disposal.
He could run a very, very cool spread that combines pro style formations with spread formations. Similar to OSU in 2006 and 2005. Would rock the Big Ten.
as you say, perhaps an apology ought to be forthcoming- from a lot of people. BM doesn't seem as cheap, clueless, incompetent, etc. that he was made out to be was he?
Michigan went out, apparently spent the big bucks, looked beyond one of the strongest selling point for recruits over the last 15 years (a truly pro-style offense), and pulled a hometown hero away from home. this was a bold move, even a bit risky. let's hope it pays off.
I thought we were friends.
If it makes the anti-spread option crowd feel any better, please remember that U-M's pro-style tradition is itself hardly an eternal tradition. Bo's teams always were led by quarterbacks who ran some option, whose feet typically were their best asset. He threw more as time went on, but his last quarterback was still Michael Taylor. The pro-style approach is a Moeller/Carr "tradition," not a Schembechler one.
Although it might be a while before U-M runs as much and as well as West Virginia does, one could look at this eventual transformation as a return to our roots -- just updated for the 21st century. I can't wait. Hopefully someone will tell RR to bring back the back-of-the-helmet stickers ...
Brady,
Hey... we opened up the WVU job for you!
Am very excited at the new S&C coach coming in.
Hoke, you're my best friend.
/obvious
BTW a show of hands- how many think this hire was better than getting Miles? (more than Les)
Richard,
Bo and Woody's teams were heavily run oriented. And Moeller was certainly a pioneer running the no huddle sets, he may have experimented with the spread if he'd been around longer.
Helmet Sticker?
YES!
At least equal to Les
Does Rodriguez need a water boy?
I think that RR is a better coach than LM. However, I did like that LM is loyal to UM and understands the things about the university that make it special.
actually, yost had trouble against the only big games we had on the schedule those years: Minn, Chicago, and some eastern powers. he couldn't win the big game either, apparently.
gsimmons,
Thats a very good point about the different types of spread....i wonder which sort gave you more fits.....not a coach myself, but have covered high school sports during my journalism days and the best game i covered was a state playoff game in Illinois between Joilet Catholic and Riverside Brookfield....cleary the top 2 teams in the state that year, but because of geographic locale played early on in the tourney....anyway, JC ran a running spread and RB did nothing but pass....game was amazing 55-51 final, in regulation time, w/ JC winning only after tackling an RB WR just shy of the goal line as time ran out.....both spreads. Two distinct styles. The one similarity was that nobody could stop either one.
I could be head of towel services, right?
RR beats les, 31-28, whatever that means.
dahanginturd is back!!
I'm so happy today, I took the day off from work!!
Today is Coach Rod day!! A new holiday
RR>Les
NFL prospects will help us bring in top talent. I know it's Michigan and guys want to come here cuz of helmets or whatever...but our send offs to the NFL mean just as much to recruiting as anything.
I understand that the NFL cred helps recruiting, but to what end? Michigan's first priority is to win games, not groom QBs for the NFL. Grooming QBs for the NFL is nice, but only if it helps Michigan win games. Otherwise we're just a farm system for the NFL, and I don't support that.
Grooming QBs for the NFL for the express purpose of helping recruit more QBs for the NFL seems a little circular, IMO. If a QB runalot spread option offense gives Michigan a better chance at winning, then f--k the NFL. Winning games takes priority over whatever the NFL wants from us.
We're not a farm system.
the real ? is who would you take: RR + ??? or Miles + tenuta?
Well, the good news other than the fabulous coaching hire is that this board is settling down.
Now if only that person who thinks its funny to post as different coaches/AD people would go away....
Dear Brian,
not to nit-pick, but Rodriguez was the OC at Tulane only 1997-1998, and the OC at Clemson from 1999-2000. Your chart at the top says something completely different.
Rodriguez became HC of WVU in 2001 following the 21 year stint of amazingness by Don "nifty" Nehlen.
Go Blue!
Rodriguez sounds oddly like Beilein: inventor of a unique offense, little to no mention of his defense, comes from a place where his success may or may not translate at a higher level (well, coming from the same place), and questions about ability to recruit v. find diamonds in the rough.
RichRod >>>>> Les Miles.
Waaaaaay better. I loved Les, but I always assumed RichRod was "off the board" after Alabama last year. Wow.
And WTF is up with the WFV fans trashing him, now that he's leaving? Do they honestly believe they can do better than RichRod...that he was holding WFV back? Or, more likely, did they believe they were entitled to keep RichRod, simply because a Mountain Man?
Ridiculous either way. WFV is about to fall hard. It couldn't have happened to a nicer group of fans, IMO.
I know that Rodriguez had some questionable guys. However, were they a problem before they hit the NFL or did he control them well while they were at WVU. I think that Henry and Pacman Jones became worse as NFL players than in college. I could be wrong, anyone have better info?
It is more impressive to me to be a leader and make questionable people fall in line, than to avoid the risk all together. Particularly when you are in a situation where you have to make due based on a disadvantaged recruiting situation.
Big game? Let's see, Lloyd Carr actually has won as many "big games" as anyone during his tenure except maybe Pete Carroll and Tom Osborne. In fact, if you count AP national championships, only Carroll has more than Carr during his 13-year tenure.
That stuff is so overrated. Better teams (and better-coached teams) usually win anyway. RichRod will do fine against OSU.
my vote - RR > Les
Les didn't show me much in his handling of UM's interest. I am convinced that he really did want the job, but was his own worst enemy. Les would have been good for UM especially since he would have hired very good coordinators. But, the upside potential of RR is way higher than Les and this is the really exciting thing about this hire.
There is no perfect coach. We are not going to ever have a "Hurry Up Yost" type of dynasty where we just smash the shit out of everyone for years on end.
It really comes down to expectations. I expect the Michigan coach to go .500 against OSU, .500 in the bowl games, and consistently win(.750+) against everyone else. Lloyd fell below those expectations in the past few years, and thus it really was time for him to go.
RichRod is 4-3 against Pitt, WFV's main rival. Who on here wouldn't take 4-3 against OSU the last 7 years?
IMO RR = Les Miles
I don't think either one would have been a bad hire here. The only thing I like about RR more is that he will bring an entirely new offense, which I am excited about. The tradition thing he will see after the first game and will be just as into it as WVU traditions.
And seriously, I cant stop listening to that youtube video. That song is awesome
Country Roads Remix > Country Roads Original.
Wawaweewah!!!!!!!!!!!!1
My, how things have changed around here.
cfaller96:
I think you are right on. To be better than .500 against your rival is good. To be better than .500 against your rival is especially good if your rival is one of the national powers--which no one can deny is the case for us in OSU.
I WANT him to dominate, I EXPECT him to compete/get the better of OSU in the next 5 years.
SO FREAKING EXCITED! PBJ Time.....
00goblue00,
You dare dis John Denver!?!?!?!
Blasphemy!
Les=RR.....should we inform Mrs. RR of your interest?
"i just figured out what my daughter will be for halloween next year."
You're having her dress up as Coach Rod? I didn't think he was that unpresentable.
Does anyone know if/are they are going to have construction photos of the renovation.
"
Country Roads Remix > Country Roads Original.
00goblue00 | 12.17.07 - 1:17 pm | # "
@00goblue00
Have you ever heard the Toots & The Maytals version of "Country Roads?" It's surprisingly good. Great, if you like reggae.
I am not yet sure what to make of this, but I just received a call from my contact in the AD, and I have to say that he sounded a bit frantic.
He is saying that there are some major hurdles in the contract negotiation process now, that were completely unexpected. it turns out that RichRod has been told that he needs a 'liaison' to Carr's office!!!
It also turns out that RichRod's wife is having some major issues....not sure of what type (homesickness? My own speculation only).
Is anyone else hearing this?
Damn, I miss Lloyd already. I was hoping for [insert Carr crony] as head coach.
If you're excited, imagine how the AA realtors are feeling! Can't imagine he won't do some major housecleaning quickly.
I think he was a good hire for you and we look forward to next November!!
Does anybody else think it's weird that you can't buy a recruit a hamburger but 2 "donors" can pay $2 mil each for a buyout?
People are telling me at work that RichRod is leaving???
WTF?????
Updates?
Let's not go overboard on blaming WVU's loss to Pitt solely on White's dislocated thumb. He and the WVU offense were ineffective before he hurt his thumb and after he returned to the game. WVU (and Rodriguez) choked. Not saying he won't be a great coach at UM, but Brian's post is incorrect in its desire to put a gloss on that horrific defeat to a 4 TD underdog.
That's a fake BILG if I've ever heard one...
Is it true that Scout is saying RR's not coming?????????????????????????????????
oldfan
I think that Henry and Pacman Jones became worse as NFL players than in college. I could be wrong, anyone have better info?
IIRC, Henry and Pacman were constantly getting disciplined by RichRod, to no effect. Before they got to the NFL, they already had the "discipline problem" label on them. I'm not sure how much of their behavior is on RichRod.
But there's no beating around the bush or apologizing here- the pattern of discipline problems that went through the WFV program is the only red flag to the RichRod hire. We can only have faith that this was addressed by Martin and Coleman. And really, if there was one thing that you could rely on those two to emphasize in their coaching search, it would be integrity/cleanliness. If they're satisfied, then so am I.
Also, the hope is that RichRod won't be so "desperate" for talent that he'll stoop to the Pacmans and Henrys of the world. That's the hope, at least...
thanks for the profile
did rodriguez really "invent" the spread offense? anybody have some research on that?
\how many think this hire was better than getting Miles?//
::Raises hand::
Les is a fiery guy who "gets" (and loves) Michigan, and I know he'd be a kick in the pants to the spirit of the UM/OSU thing, but...watching those WVU highlights and thinking (*THIS COULD BE US*) is like waking up Christmas morning with Adriana Lima under the tree twirling the keys to a Ferrari around her finger.
Wow.
Cheering for Michigan lately has been like what Nick Hornby wrote that cheering for Arsenal was like in "Fever Pitch" (A much better book than movie, BTW). We didn't play sexy football, there was no "OMFGDIDYOUJUSTSEETHAT?!" buzz about our game like there was with other programs.
I really can't even begin to express how jacked up I am about this. RichRod...in Maize & Blue.
VRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!
@Jamie Mac-
I'm a youngin remember. BTW I looked these guys up on myspace music (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=42243307), they are nerdy looking white guys who wear bandanas with LV esq symbols and West Virginia on them lol. I like the original version no doubt, but I dunno there is something about this one that is catchy.
Rita doesn't need to worry about her hubby, I'm sure he is a nice man but he just doesn't do it for me like Les does. Kathy on the other hand still has to worry even with them staying in Baton Rouge :)
Fake...agreed
The best version of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.
Take it from a hobo.
the real questions are:
1. How will the better talent/facilities , etc. on the one hand and the pressure, expectations on the other, how will these "hands" affect RR.
[My guess is that he might appear or become slightly more conventional than he is now.]
2. How will he adapt to the evolution of the game- when defenses become more used to handling the spread...where then?
[hearing him talk as a coach, he sounds quite intelligent, in spite of the folksy, 'aw shucks' speaking style]
highly amusing to read the rationalization of certain categories when it comes to the Dick Rod. Categories which, when other B10 coaching success is mentioned, are always used as factors to down play success.
The Big Least is a roaring fraud of a conference. Your new hero just got out-coached by the Wannstache. He is bringing in an O system that is used to level the playing field for those without talent when playing those with talent. In the case of Michigan I sure hope it works.
Enjoy Dick Rod's new learning curve.
NOT FAKE!!!! 1
Is it on Scout? Does anyone have a link?
sooooo, the MtMM is oficially dead?
I hope RR fins success. I don't want to be forced to start a "MtMin3yearsM"
^^ Fake
O/U on how long it takes for "Dick Rod" to be as played out as "LLLLoyd"
2 days
3. Has to be said: how long will he stay, for sure?
chillmodious,
Good call on the Toots and Mayall....I endorse that version as well.
Pecos,
Whats are you saying that there might be some backwards, archaic and hypercritical standards in the NCAA rule book??? Shocked, I am!!!!
And, I'd tease you about that effort vs SF, but I think Fred Taylor just ripped off another 15 yards against the Steelers? Both are pro football suck right now.
"how long will he stay, for sure?"
^^Until the Chargers job opens up and he moves his family down to Sunny So Cal.
@Chill
I will have to check that one out.
"RichRod is 4-3 against Pitt, WFV's main rival. Who on here wouldn't take 4-3 against OSU the last 7 years?"
and it really should have been more like 3 out of 7 even with Carr--2005 was inexcusable as was the defensive meltdown in 2001 (all at home, btw). And we were a play away even in 2002.
sure, we have lost too many to them---but it has not been a never-ending ass-kicking each time we played this opponent--(USC took care of that)
Bottom line--beat OSU and we will usually go the Rose Bowl. Couple that with actually be prepared to play football in September (and winning our non-conf schedule)--and voila! we are right in the thick of Nat'l Title consideration.
And that is why this hire was so f-ing important and spiritually consuming.
Wow, someone posted a fake message as me...I feel like I've made it on the Mgoblog comments thread.
@TX
welcome to the club!! haha.
I was going to say there is no way that it could be possible. All of the contract stuff would have been negotiated and hammered out signed etc before the press conference today.
It's not like he has anywhere to go back to either, no one in WV wants him anymore. Which is fine, we'll take good care of him!
I was born in Columbus, so I have no problem shedding the stripes for something in Orange & Brown. Not that they have a shot once the playoff start, but what the hell. They're more fun to watch anyway.
I think they use a ouija board to determine NCAA rules. Or they drink a lot. Likely both.
"I will have to check that one out.
00goblue00 | 12.17.07 - 1:29 pm | # "
^^Post-haste. Your iPod will thank you.
Peter Lee QB
The Big Least is a roaring fraud of a conference. Your new hero just got out-coached by the Wannstache. He is bringing in an O system that is used to level the playing field for those without talent when playing those with talent.
Yeah, I'm real worried now, because did everyone see how Florida's O nosedived since that other spread guru took over?
Oh yeah, we all know the spread only works at programs with no talent. This sounds like a WFV troll...
Nice to see that all this blather about ethical standards and Bo's "wining right" goes out the window when desperation sets in.
You just hired a guy who left in the middle of the night and dispatched a grad assistant to hand in his resignation letter to the AD.
He sounds like the Kelvin Sampson of football coaches. Good luck with that.
lmfao... at all of you.
All these coaches avalable at some point or other:
Miles
Kelly
Meyer
Martin
Venables
Tenuta
AND WE GO AND HIRE RODRIGUEZ? A HISPANIC??
YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.
Dang, Michigan sucks!@
"The Big Least is a roaring fraud of a conference. Your new hero just got out-coached by the Wannstache."
^^Name ANY successful D-1 coach, and I can find one shitty D-1 coach he has lost to. Losing to the Wannstache would be problematic if is happened all the time. Hell, the only reason we got him is because he lost to Wannstache! Soooo, THANK YOU PITT! THANK YOU!
@Chill
I like it! It reminds me of being in the Cayman Islands.
Thanks! :)
I thought hiring a coach would get rid of the rampant idiocy.
Apparently Elno has decided to stay though, but just be a little sneakier.
Oh, and when Brian posts a blog entry apologizing to Bill Martin (and Mary Sue, if applicable), I'll definitely add my signature to that comment thread's guestbook while enjoying a slice of the humble pie he just baked...possibly with Bill Belechick's own recipe.
Well-played, sir.
When do the OSU, WFV, Sparty, and Domer trolls leave us so we can talk about Michigan football in peace? Or is that like a "never" thing...?
"He sounds like the Kelvin Sampson of football coaches. Good luck with that."
Sweet. So I guess we get Eric Gordon then, right? I'll take it. And thanks for the good luck wishes. Although, you'll need them more than us...stupid WVU troll.
Who knew that Rodriguez wasn't qualified to coach Michigan on the basis of his ethnicity.
"Yeah, I'm real worried now, because did everyone see how Florida's O nosedived since that other spread guru took over?
Oh yeah, we all know the spread only works at programs with no talent. This sounds like a WFV troll..."
with Mallett in the Tebow role. Good luck with that.
Pecos,
You crack me up. Hope the bungles can somehow beat the browns on sunday, steelers need the help or else they'll choke the division away.
Whats worse....me having to cheer for Cincy or you knowing that a Cincy win really helps the Steelers. Tough call.
@dex
you had to know that not everyone was going to be thrilled with the hire, which is a shame because this one is great.
Just ignore it, there are some people UofM will never please, or, it could be a WVU troll posing as a Michigan fan.
i expect a cartoon, too...perhaps BM as a dignified Naval Admiral standing over a kneeling Brian whose LM trapper keeper is being tossed overboard?
let's be real here. RR will lose some games, all good coaches do. But, we'll win a heck of a lot more than he'll lose.
with Mallett in the Tebow role. Good luck with that.
Even if Mallett does suck in the spread (and the jury is still out on that), you do realize that Michigan will recruit other QBs who may actually be good in the spread, right?
not sure if this was mentioned already, but i thought it was interesting how martin made it sound like coleman was talking to rodriguez by herself; maybe martin really was pushed to the side after he screwed up the search so bad initially. if so, good for msc for stepping in, and no apology is necessary on our part for doubting the man's "process".
so happy...
BTW a show of hands- how many think this hire was better than getting Miles? (more than Les)
kurokawa
Me. RR is a better game day coach on both sides of the ball. He also has the potential to recruit better. RR can be a bigger prick to his players, too, which is something a person like Super Mario can benefit from. His strength and conditioning trumps Les. OTOH I would've expected Les to finish his career at Michigan. I anticipate that RR will eventually depart for the NFL.
i can't wait until spring ball now and for next season to begin
DanK--
Maize n Brew latest post has BM as a Viking. Sailing is just a way that Vikings raid.
Any chance the Coner beats out Mallett in RR's system?
Does this mean that they'll be an acutal "SPRING GAME" (gasp!)
It's a never thing.
Who does UM have scheduled for NonConference next season?
@ Williams,
I think it'll be the frosh from PA (Pryor). I think he'll come to AA now.
Aaron, i saw that. M&Bdave is a good read.
williams...no
We'll run a pass spread and as our receivers compile tons of RAC and highlights and our QB tosses 35 TD passes, all these WVA trolls will be even more pissed when they find out that RR likes to pass when the personnel dictates that he can.....those Mallett as Tebow comments fall on deaf ears.....they'll be even more pissed at him then as they are now.
BTW, for all the WVA folks out there....are you buying the talk that Saban's reps have contacted WVA about your HC vacancy....see, its not all bad for you, maybe go and see what your own message boards have to say about that!?!?!
dahanginturd,
should be a classic UM OSU showdown for Pryor....I'll be keeping a close eye on that situation.
What if Mallett transfers? Does the Coner start then?
I've heard that Terry Bowden has called WVU. Man that guy is desprate.
Nabbing Pryor would induce nationwide UofM wet-dreams. And I fully plan on participating.
@Aaron G
They all want him there, they think he will be better than RR.
I like the hire! I would have preferred U. Meyer, he does the same on offense, and his teams actually play defense as well (case in point FLA 41 tOSU 14).
As much as I like R. English, I think a new DC is in order. Fla has two: Charlie Strong and that guy who built our NC defense - Greg Matteson. I would be very impressed with RR if he hires one of those guys.
I think there needs to be a t shirt for the Coner similar to Reed Baker Rainmaker....any ideas?
To the WFV trolls on here:
Do you really think you're going to do better than RichRod? Really?
If not, then why trash him on his way out the door? The entitlement attitude is unbecoming, IMO.
I w/n be surprised if Mallett stays and starts for two years then leaves for the NFL. Pryor would meld nicely into the wake of Mallett, assuming both accept this.
"
I like it! It reminds me of being in the Cayman Islands.
Thanks! :)
00goblue00 | 12.17.07 - 1:35 pm | # "
A bit late on the reply here, but glad you like it. Barrington Levy is a good listen too...though I don't think he ever did a version of 'Country Roads.'
I like that some posters assume Ryan Mallett will be playing the Pat White/Tim Tebow "role", as if a man smart enough to be a college football head coach was incapable of deciphering that Maverick doesn't exactly have the greatest speed in the world.
For those who do think he is just going to wily nily plug Mallett into the exact same playbook he used this year and expect him to be Pat White 2.0, I'd like to remind you of the simple fact that, yes as hard as it may be to believe, every single football coach in every program at every coaching position above HS football knows more about the game than you do and Rich Rod is not some sort of Rain Man level savant unable to adjust his routine in the slightest manner.
Could this have any impact on keeping Manningham and Arrington from going PRO. Seems to me they could both use another year before the NFL draft.
WVU got a gift in RR leaving. Clearly he was temptable, and no happy with his big time potential kept under the WVU ceiling.
Now Chris Petersen is out there and would know exactly what to do with all that speed. Could be what WVU needs to get over their pain.
00goblue00,
Country Roads Remix is my new favorite song. lol
i don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet--haven't read through the thread fully.
but, i think English should spend some quality time with RR before the bowl game to get his perspective on how best to stop Tebow and Florida. RR's would have some great insight on how to stop them given his experience with White/Slayton.
@Ryan
I know! It's catchy, but go check out the guys myspace music page. It's hilarious. He's hard to take seriously, but the song is still catchy none the less..
http://profile.myspace.com/
index...iendID=42243307
Hey guys, The Ultimate Wordsmith here.
How about this you all?
F - Ferentz = Fuck
S - Schiano = Shit
R - Rodriguez = Rules!
What do y'all think? What a way to get back at those suckers who didn't want to coach at Michigan, huh?
BTW, can we get a moratorium on all the "Let's cheer up the WVU people and tell them why they're still in good shape" talk? Maybe we can focus on OUR program a bit more?
@jersey
Heard off of rivals or scout (something like that) that MM will probably follow AA. But nobody knows yet...
English spend time with RR to stop the spread. What RR did was create and perfect the spread-option. What he never did, was figure a way to stop it.
If you want to see how to do it, watch the last two Fla-Aub game tapes, then go get Aub DC Muschamp, because he knows how to stop it.
Has anyone ever been to West Virginia?
The whole place smells like sulfur and sewage. The people are hideous. I stopped in a gas station and was certain I was about to be gang raped by a band of roving mutants. It's a hell hole.
We saved Rich Rod from it. There is nothing to be ashamed of.
Ryan -
I was just pointing out that the lineage isn't dead. It's like when the Stuart's became the Royal House of England... sure the connection was 3 generations back through a female line, and sure they were Scottish Catholics, but the lineage was there.
James VI of Scotland (who became James I of England) was a Calvinist - about the polar opposite of a Catholic.
@ 00goblue00,
Saw the myspace page. Funny stuff. He needs to put out more material.
D-WHY >>> Soulja Boy
Not to nit-pick, but now you're going after our women's soccer coach too?!
C'mon already.
P.S. RR was not the OC at Clemson from 01-05. He was HC at WVU.
It would be sad to see AA and MM go, but I stopped worrying about who be catching the ball at UM years ago....we have plenty of guys ready in the wings to step forward....in the past, there might have been a harder transition as they get used to being the #1 and #2 guys, but if we spread the field w/ 4 WR's for example, their learning curve wont be as much and they'll be matched up against lesser defenders.....just not worried about their possible early departure into the NFL.....but, if they stay, I will be excited!!
"James VI of Scotland (who became James I of England) was a Calvinist - about the polar opposite of a Catholic."
Yeah, but they both start with the letter "C." Eh? Eh?
hat,
Shit, I got him confused with Charles. I'm a worthless history major.
Next year's schedule:
Aug. 30 UTAH
Sept. 6 MIAMI (OHIO)
Sept. 13 at Notre Dame
Sept. 27 WISCONSIN
Oct. 4 ILLINOIS (HC)
Oct. 11 TOLEDO
Oct. 18 at Penn State
Oct. 25 MICHIGAN STATE
Nov. 1 at Purdue
Nov. 8 at Minnesota
Nov. 15 NORTHWESTERN
Nov. 22 at Ohio State
I anticipate winning the Notre Dame (teh suck) and Wisconsin (at home) games, which means that we could actually get out of September undefeated! Wow.
Seriously, though, I anticipate a 9-3 campaign next year. The loss of personnel on offense combined with adjusting to the new offense will be too much to expect more than that. Hopefully the defense will gel and dominate, but there were too many up and down games for the D this year for me to really see where it's going.
Thoughts?
I'm putting 3-1 odds that Mario falls to the Lions in the draft, and Millen takes him.
Am I the only who thinks MM is Charles Rogers, the Michigan version?
@Chill and Ryan
I had to laugh at the Louis Vuitton esq background. Cracks me up. Then Dub V U anthem "If you ain't from around here we hold it down here we some Mountaineers" lmao.
I'm tempted to add him and thank him for his coach, but I won't be that mean! :)
cfaller,
Go Redhawks....can you get me tickets to that game?
RR plans to stick around A^2. He and Carr will collaborate on a defense against Florida. Whether we can execute it given the timing, who knows.
@dex
Am I the only who thinks MM is Charles Rogers, the Michigan version?
I kind of agree. I think he should stay and finish out his final year.
Dex said "Has anyone ever been to West Virginia... (lame crude insult clipped)"
How about you insert your favorite Detroit joke and we'll call it even?
Hey guys, The Ultimate Wordsmith here again.
How about this you all?
F - Ferentz = Fuck
S - Schiano = Shit
R - Rodriguez = Rules!
What do y'all think? What a way to get back at those suckers who didn't want to coach at Michigan, huh?
dex-
you must not be a fan of natrue/outdoors becuase actually west virginia is beautiful. i used to drive I-79 and I-64 through WVa a couple of times a year and you catch it right on a fall or spring day and it's really breathtaking.
cfaller,
the Illini game should be good with Juice and Mendenhall back...I expect a Michigan win there....it looks like the season boils down to at PSU and at OSU....hope you don't have to play PSU at night....the fans are insufferable.
00goblue00,
Did you listen to Holla At Ya? Brilliance.
In WVU Anthem he calls Morgantown "Motown"... OH NO HE DINT!
@oogoblue00:
^^I bet the REAL reason Rita was seen crying the other day was because she had to turn in her customized, 1-of-1, Limited Edition, WVU Louis Vuitton handbag.
If I liked the outdoors, I wouldn't be commenting on a college football blog right now.
West Virginia is awesome to drive through....unless it's snowing and you have to navigate the treacherous hills and mountains....downright scary.
Concur that WV has scenic beauty. However Forbes ranked it #1 as the most polluted state. Not even the most brilliant legal team could win an environmental action in WV.
"In WVU Anthem he calls Morgantown "Motown"... OH NO HE DINT!"
@Ryan:
I had the same reaction!
9-3 is about right.
'.the(ir) fans are insufferable.' says the osu guy.
He also mentions Beilien in it lol
@ Chill
Good point. I want one with the murder mitt on it. That would be hot haha.
@Ryan
Thats what I'm saying, It's hard to take this guy seriously (lookin like a dime, i'm tryin to holla at cha!) but Country Roads is nothing short of amazing haha.
What is the word with RR getting hired in regards to Shane Hale??????????
In the interest of fairness there is one WV joke that you may like...
Q. What's the thin line that separates West Virginians from a bunch of crazy redneck idiots?
A. The Ohio River.
Dex
Gotta be honest with you. West Virginia's not that bad of a place.
Now, Ohio and especially Columbus, OTOH, is pretty disgusting.
DanK,
lol...that works doesn't it?
Agree w/ everyone that it is important to win games and not just be an NFL farm team. I think that we can do both, win games and get a QB that can throw as well as run the spread. Thats all I'm saying, I hope we go that route and don't just become a run happy offense. For 2 reasons, first is I don't think 1 dimensional offenses work in many big games, especially against teams that are disciplined and have speed. If they can stop the run, game over. The 2nd reason is more selfish, I just enjoy the passing game and particularly the vertical passing game. I hope to still see UM using that in their offense.
On a side note, I really hated the old Nebraska teams. I could not stand that gimmick offense and I don't think it would work well at the higher levels today. I guess we will find out w/ GT.
Cfaller,
Dont sleep on Utah. They go bowling every year. Run the spread. Will have a lot of returning starters. Check them out on Thursday vs Navy. Pretty solid first test, but we'll get it done.
Despite the last two years, I never, ever put the ND game in the W column especially at south bend....i've seen way too many weird ass events happen in that series, so I'll be nervous about that, even if I am the only one.
Ilinois can go either way....thats a big swing game for us.....driver's seat if we win, chasing a big tiebreaker if we lose.
Penn State....look, at some point they will stop the streak, so thats making me nervous, but I dont think they will be all that good next year unless Morelli is a major addition by subraction.
MSU....dont laugh.....but the last four Michigan coaches lost to Sparty in their first year.....all but Moeller, though, was on the road....and we all know what happened in that game!?!!?
OSU, home or away, can go either way. Thats just how the series is. Wonder how many NFL defections they will have, especially on D. Even if they have a lot Tresell will have the team rolling come November.
I see ND, Wisco, Illini, PSU, MSU and OSU as swing games, and expect a 4-2 record against them....if we can avoid a south bend trap, I feel we can get to the OSU with no less than 2 losses, or better.
Mlive has audio of press conf and also of interviews of Martin, Lloyd and Beilein.
RR is very personable, and I think fans and more importantly recruits will like him. I truly get the sense that Nehlen and the two buddies he mentioned convinced him that if he wanted to soar like an eagle he had to leave westbygod. He does love that place, but you can really get a sense that he felt limited there. This place (UM) is just special. etc.
The LLoyd is great, and I will miss his dynamic with the press. The clip ends with a reporter asking him if RR can help him stop Tebow. Lloyd with a chuckle" "I hops so." Lloyd will give him full access during bowl prep, and whatever he needs. Lloyd did mention that his staff will be distracted during bowl prep because many of them will be looking for new jobs next year. You can tell that he care deeply about his staff as we have always known. Did not get the sense that he was pushing his cronies other than making it known to Martin that he thinks highly of them.
Lloyd is clearly behind RR.
Martin clip is great too. Apart from the whole process stuff, Martin stated that RR has a great track record, is an innovator and that new blood is good for organizations and frankly needed in this one.
Great stuff if you have an hour.
"The Knowledge" reminds me of Jimmy from Seinfeld: Don't...touch...Jimmy! I wonder if the Knowledge owns shoes that make you jump real high too...
WV is fun to visit. I go to Snowshoe every year, a 12 hour drive from FL. Driving there is half the fun, seeing how people live there is a definite eye opener. Houses built allong the sides of highways with tarps on the roof, etc, puts my life in perspective. the people that I've run into there are generally friendly and mild mannered.
I sure as hell won't wear any UM stuff there this year.
00goblue00,
Go to my MySpace profile when you get a chance and see what song I have lol
@Williams
I also anticipate beating Toledo, Purdue, and Northwestern. The swing games that will dictate how the season turns out will be:
- Illinois (dangerous, but at home)
- at Penn State (not awesome, but away)
- Michigan State (NOW it's personal)
- at Minnesota (always tougher than expected, on the road)
- at Ohio State (on the road)
I just have trouble believing Michigan is going to go 3-2 in there. There are three losses somewhere in next season, and I think they're going to come in those 5 games...
Objections to WFV bashing heard and contemplated.
I stand by my perceptions from my first two trips their, however. You are all freaks.
But seriously, I'm just having fun. I'm sure West Virginia is a fine place to live. And I, for one, admire your hell raising fandom. Hopefully Rich Rod brings a blowtorch and spare couch with him because I've always wanted to riot after a Michigan win.
I suggest you not wear UofM stuff there ever. I think they might be bitter forever.
But I too have driven through it and stayed one night, It is pretty there very scenic but definitely different from Michigan or other states in terms of standard of living (which is fine nothing wrong with that).
I hear it's almost heaven.
@Ryan
Hahahah thats awesome. I was tempted to add it to my profile. I just may. I just may.
West Virginia is incredibly beautiful.
BM isn't the reason we got RR. It's Mary Sue Coleman. BM was in way over his head in this search. It took Mary Sue to come in and get the job done!
"I hear it's almost heaven.
Filliam H Muffman | 12.17.07 - 2:08 pm | # "
^^^WEST VIRGINIA: ALMOST HEAVEN, PRETTY DARN CLOSE TO HELL.
unless Morelli is a major addition by subraction.
unless? ? ? ? ?
hell=Virginia?
I have a T-shirt that says that. True story.
Why no reponse to this?
-------------------------
Hey guys, The Ultimate Wordsmith here.
How about this you all?
F - Ferentz = Fuck
S - Schiano = Shit
R - Rodriguez = Rules!
What do y'all think? What a way to get back at those suckers who didn't want to coach at Michigan, huh?
Does Michigan need a new chess coach? B/C I hear the WVU chess coach is knocking out rooks and bishops like they're going out of style. Buyout written into his contract=2 Big Macs and a large order of fries.
If anyone ever wrote a song like Country Roads about Michigan, I'd immediately do a Country Roads Remix rap over it.
DanK,
Too funny....i just dont know who they have waiting the wings.....they have some high end talent at WR, all eligible for the draft, wonder if those guys bolt at all....PSU might be completely rebuilding an offense that was not any good to begin with.....i am actually more nervous about @south bend than I am @happy valley on next year's schedule.
Not to join in the bashing of WFV, but...the beauty of the Appalachians can be seen elsewhere, and with much less, um, "local color," IMO. Tennessee and western North Carolina are equally pretty, for example, and there's little to no strip mining of coal in those areas.
Personally, I love the Asheville, NC area. Now that's some heaven.
Ryan, this just in: Kid Rock and Eminem are interested. Meet them on the scenic side of 8 Mile.
@Ryan
D-town Roads...take Rich Rod home...to the place he belongs...to the Big House...Barton Hills...take him home...D-Town Roads...
now you can come back with Mutha F-er..I need a dime etc etc as you see fit.
WVU>TN. Reason? Simple. NO DAMN ROCKY TOP.
WVU>TN. Reason? Simple. NO DAMN ROCKY TOP.
Filliam H Muffman | 12.17.07 - 2:15 pm | #
^^Good point. I hate rocky top. Fullmer too.
Country Roads Remix should be WVU's fight song.
My favorites:
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/wes...pt_/pg_/c_/
fpt_
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/wes...pt_/fpt_/c_666/
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/wes...pt_/fpt_/c_666/
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/wes...pt_/fpt_/c_666/
Phil Fulmer-never, never, will I ever agree to call him Phillip. Just out of spite. No other reason.
00goblue00,
You should do it! Like that girl who did the response to "Dick in a Box" on YouTube lol
Mac, i'm worried about PSU alot...they have to break the hex at some point, and a young team (on offense) on the road in a new system == me worried.
even ND worries me....at home, they really sucked. but they can't get worse, right?
MSU too, those games have been tight no matter where they are played and they can run the ball now. plus, they don't lose a lot on offense. (maybe 3OLs and the TE?). i can't believe cfaller included minnesota in that list. if you're including minn, you better include utah and NW.
@Ryan
lol. I would but I don't think I could make myself sound as official as D-Why. Plus I have a feeling I would get a giant backlash from the WVU fans which I don't feel like dealing with.
@ CFaller
I disagree, I lived in NC for about 7 years(damn you 82D Airborne), and went snowboarding in Boone/Asheville area frequently. I found it to be full of hippies and rednecks that try to be preppy. I would go to Snowshoe, and rather than descibe the people there as rednecks, I would call them down to earth. I met some really interesting people there(no sarcasm intended). Where else could you stop at a general store and see a digital picture of a pig for sale on the bulletin board?
Truth is, no one is going to know what to expect next year, so I think many of those games could be close. I'm just looking forward to something different, and possibly innovative in the Big House. Now, when's the last time you could say THAT with a straight face???
So, does the hiring of RichRod put on ice the various T-shirt ideas that we had going? To refresh the memory:
- Member of the GVSU Mafia
- Les Miles Banged My Wife and Daughter
- Victim of the Psychology of Entrapment
- Zone Left Doesn't Even Work in Playstation!
- Bill Martin Hearts West Virginia
Any others? I'm nixing the FSR (Fuck!Shit!Rules!) T-shirt- I just don't "get" it, I guess.
At this point, we should probably have new ideas drafted. Off the top of my head:
- In Rod We Trust
- Member of the DickRod Mafia
- Mallett =/= Pat White
- Viking Bill Martin...Sailing, Raping, and Pillaging Appalachia Since 2007
I like the first one, 'eh' on the rest...
Wait wait wait, Minnesota is still in the Big 10? I thought they got relegated for losing to 1AA NDState at home....
oh. We did what?
Huh.
Nevermind.
@Filliam
as D-Why would say...True Dat. Seriously though, next season is going to be awesome to watch. I can deal with a few losses just because it is going to be such a huge change!
Les Miles Banged My Wife and Daughter = Best Tee Shirt Ever
I'm going to make one for myself.
@Ryan
I would wear one that says
"Les Miles banged me"
But we all already kinda knew that lol.
I have to say, I really, really liked R2 after the presser following the recent loss, even b4 he was a candidate in A2. Taking a college football game that hard...I felt like I was looking in the mirror.
cfaller96,
Hail, Hail To Michigan the Champions of the West... Virginia?
"Les Miles Banged My Wife and Daughter = Best Tee Shirt Ever
I'm going to make one for myself.
Ryan | 12.17.07 - 2:23 pm | # "
^^Wait, that's a T-shirt idea? What if he did ACTUALLY bang my wife and daughter? And me too? What do I wear then...a crown?
Instead of "Maize-Outs," can we start having "Rod-Outs?" I bet a lot more women would start watching football...
Les
@scalz1
Well, while I would never describe myself as a hippie, at this point in my life I like living in an area infested with them. Years of Burlington, VT and Ann Arbor, MI will do that to you!
Now I'm in Charleston, SC, and there really aren't any hippies. It's a strangely hippy-free town, and I kind of miss the patchouli and the hemp and the body odor and the...
Instead of "Maize-Outs," can we start having "Rod-Outs?" I bet a lot more women would start watching football....
Les < 3 Laurie forever!!1!
Take out the space between the < and the 3 to make a heart, I can't here because of the HTML.
cfaller--you lucky bastard...I moved from Charleston to Durham. I can't think of stronger opposites except for...I don't know...Lloyd Carr and Rich Rodriguez. I HOPE. GOD PLEASE MAKE IT SO.
I vote for a shirt about stealing their coaches since (insert year)
But I would def wear a shirt that Said In Rod We Trust to the first game.
\western North Carolina are equally pretty//
The shine from App State's three successive 1-AA championships keeps that whole side of the state illuminated.
I drove through West Virginia once when I road tripped to Pittsburgh for the 1992 NLCS. All I remember was that I wished I was driving during the day, because we were driving throught the mountains, it was dark, and the lighting on the roads was slim to none. It was probably really pretty in daylight...it was pretty scary at night.
We stopped at a diner for breakfast and had some of the best biscuits & sausage gravy I've ever tasted, though. Wish I could remember the name of the place.
To the inanimate carbon rod (aka our new coach)
Chillmodious
Instead of "Maize-Outs," can we start having "Rod-Outs?" I bet a lot more women would start watching football...
OMFGROTFLMFAO! Wow, dude, just wow. Somehow I was able to picture 75K+ guys with their wangs hanging out of their pants at a Michigan game, and 35K+ women feeling awkward and creeped out at the same Michigan game...and it just left me laughing uncontrollably.
Question for the crowd: would a "Rod-Out" be a louder or quieter game? The women would be quiet (because of the icky, creepy thing), but the guys might feel "liberated" enough to yell their f--king heads off to compensate. Thoughts?
Yeah, driving to Snowshoe is ... well .... an adventure. Switchbacks, semis, and no lighting. Will definitely keep you on your toes.
And I forgot to mention the venison chili. Damn, that stuff is good. We only have little scrwny, tough deer here in Fl.
@Cfaller
I think regardless of your thought about the rod-out (which would bring me to uncontrollable laughter to see) the Big House is going to be significantly louder next year...new offense...new coach. People are going to be excited. I'm sure it will last for two games and go back to the same old. I hope it stays loud though. It will be nice.
Chill-hilarious. Usually I only have to do that when I can't get the ball past the ladies' tee. This will be a nice change in the name of alumni spirit.
@cfaller:
The more well-endowed, the BIGger the HOUSE.
I've been doing Rod-outs at Michigan Stadium for years...
Instead of Zombie Nation we could pump a rousing verse of "Strokin" into the Big House for the Rod Out.
I think I unwittingly sparked something genius. Anyone down with a Rod-Out Mafia? "R-OM" ???
And for the Big House Herbstreit Salute, everyone could just turn around and bend over. 2 cheers for the price of one. That's worth a contract buyout right there.
00goblue00,
I'll give you $100 to go to the games dressed like Rita. Hair and all.
@Ryan
I would totally do it. She is on purpose looking, but I bet she is fabulous. I want to go shopping with her at Scumerset. Me and Rita Rod bff's.
Agree. I'll make it $200 if you sport a T-shirt that says "You can't spell WHITE TRASH without RITA"
RE: Rod-outs: SOMEONE e-mailed a picture that someone else took of this chick in a crowd, presumably either going to or leaving from a WVU game...and some dude was clearly taking a leak in the background.
I don't know about everyone else, but now that this is all said and done, I am going to cheer like a bastard against Les Miles next year. Even if he wasn't entirely (or even perhaps mostly) at fault, all I have to do is remember the UM-OSU presser comment. Can't do it in January however--for me, that game will be like watching 2 mules fight over a turnip. There will be no winners, only losers.
@Chill
Seriously, I want to know why you keep calling her White Trash? I don't get it. Please explain lol.
@Filliam
Well he was right....and we will beat OSU..this year hopefully. So he was right in saying eventually we would.
I live in West Virginia (actually in Morgantown) and it's not a bad state, in the fall it's beautiful. Hilly state but beautiful in the fall.
but I'm a die hard MICHIGAN FAN! have been since 76.
We better--it's all I want for Christmas--that and some high quality late night food from the Fleetwood. That's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.
Not really sure, to be honest. Just the way she strikes me--lots of hair and makeup, poor choices in jewelry and accessories. Dunno...maybe it's the effect of having been essentially raised by my older sister, who made it her personal mission to ensure that her straight-little-brother could tell classy chicks from, well, one's like Rita. Then again, my sister clearly did NOTHING to abate my predilection for Les Miles Man-crushes.
@ Wabi-Sabi:
Nevermind WVU's women's soccer coach; send us Amanda Cicchini.
She be HAWT.
new post
Opening Day idea at the Big House: 2 for 1 hot dogs in honor of the 1st Rod Out.
@Chill
lol. Well that was nice of her.
But, Rita is not White Trash, she may dress a little tacky (but a lot of classy rich women do), she will fit in nicely with all of the snobbies in Oakland County...I would know, I live amongst them and can be one at times :)
"But, Rita is not White Trash, she may dress a little tacky (but a lot of classy rich women do), she will fit in nicely with all of the snobbies in Oakland County...I would know, I live amongst them and can be one at times :)
00goblue00 | 12.17.07 - 2:52 pm | # "
Yeah, you're probably right. Like I said, it was just how she struck me. That said, I dated plenty of those Oakland-county-snob types while living in Michigan, so I totally hear where you're coming from.
Ah, my Oakland county dating days...That just made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
@Chill
She actually reminds me a lot of my best friend, who is not WT in the slightest.
My favorite thing to do is go to scummers and have stare downs with all the snobby ladies there. They hate nothing more than younger people who have what they have so it's fun. (I know random comment, but it makes me laugh)
Not random. Very appropriate. I'm all about overt public dissent.
"Michigan likes its high graduation rates."
Hilarious! You are too funny!!!
OK, I like your blog. I read it before this shit with Rod and after. I like Michigan. But your post is very inaccurate in pissing on WVU and praising Rod. The Big East is a VASTLY superior conference to the Big Ten and no one with any brains denies that. Michigan has the history, the tradition. Michigan is great. Ohio State is a great program. The Big East doesn't have that. But the Big East is a better conference. Hands down.
Brian:
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, hankyou,thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,thanky
ou,thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,thankyou, for not running the PiH on Rodriguez until AFTER the presser.
And, nice post.
jamie mac,
sorry so late in getting back to you...
we shut donw mt tabor's offense... (they went on to play in the 4-a state cahmpionship) becasue i had an easier time playing the spread-zone read option run stuff....
i could we were a great technique football team, and we had a good idea of team football. I could put my corners on islands, and sell out.
we shut out ragsdale, but they had droped balls all over the field. It is much more difficult to play zone pass, than zone run... RR will pass the ball if he has recievers that can make big plays, i bleieve becasue it is much harder to prepare for... you still have the same play action read zone with the tailback, the only difference is the run threat of the qb. im excited about what michigan will do next year... even if it is mallett... it will be hard to stop that zone read playaction pass...
Terrelle Pryor threw for 83 yards and one touchdown, rushed for 209 yards and three scores (two, 41, 49 yards), and caught a 28-yard touchdown pass in Jeannette's 49-21 PIAA Class AA championship win over Dunmore, Pa., the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
"Our fans expected us to win it and we did. I really can't believe it. This is so great," said Pryor, who also punted once and handled kickoffs in the contest.
I'm getting wood.
This turned out way, way better than most of us could have imagined. We wanted some change in the program, and we got it, big time.
Brian... Man, I've always held you in high regard for your willingness to ask the tough questions and do the tough analysis. However, I feel like your RichRod Erection is preventing you from even bringing up some tough questions here. For example:
- To pin the Pitt upset of '07 on the thumb is over-simplification to the tenth power. There were issues before that.
- More to the point, what do you make of him being 4-3 vs. Pitt, WV's chief rival? I mean, Pitt isn't a piece of shit, but they're not exactly world beaters either. I don't know if the WV rivalries with 'Cuse and VT are because of the trophy only (ala UM vs. Minny), but he was 2-3 vs. VT. Against Syracuse, he was 6-1. But, well... Syracuse is a piece of shit.
- How about the defenses? Your x's and o's section addresses offense, but makes no mention of defense - one of the areas that I am most unsatisfied with at UM right now.
I mean - honestly... if you were to hold a gun to my head and say choose whether or not you want Michigan to go back to the drawing board and fix their offensive or defensive units, I'd most definitely choose defensive.
RichRod's super-fantasma-gizmo whizbang offense is exciting on one hand. However I cannot help but think that our offense isn't the worst thing that's broken. I don't think that there is anything on our existing offense that couldn't be fixed with an ass kicker S&C coach, and a willingness to take what the defense gives you. Who knows... maybe I am the one who's too conservative and gets the heebies at the thought of UM running a spread.
But our defense... man. I can't think of an area where we have more systemic issues. Maybe RichRod will change our defense wholesale too. Maybe the S&C will make a difference. I don't know. But your sheer ignorance of the other side of the ball have me wondering if your true opinion is something you'd rather not discuss?
As always - great blog. Go Blue.
Any chancem of students doing peanut butter jelly time at the end of the third quarter, similar to Wisconson, Junp around?
That entire profile ... and not a single mention of the absolute gag job RR coached against Pittsburgh just 16 days ago. I'm not quite drinking the Kool-Aid here.
"...and one really ill-timed thumb dislocation..."
You obviously have no idea. How 'bout watching some games before you comment on them.
Good luck with that. You think choking against Pitt was bad? You might not know this either, but OSU is your last game each year. I give him 3 or 4 years before he's fired - although you guys will be complaining after 2.
Hey, but at least you won't be losing to App State anymore. Now that i think about it, his choke-job will fit right in with your program.
Rodriquez's Pass Offense rankings:
1999: 31st in NCAA
2000: 63rd in NCAA
2001: 96th in NCAA
2002: 108th in NCAA
2003: 105th in NCAA
2004: 104th in NCAA
2005: 115th in NCAA
2006: 100th in NCAA
2007: 113th in NCAA
I'm just saying.
But the Big East is a better conference. Hands down.
sam | 12.17.07 - 3:08 pm | #
LMAO. Then why did he leave?
The only thing the sUGAr Bowl fake punt proves is that he isn't an idiot.
Everyone watching that game knew that if D.J. Shockley got his hands on the ball again, WVU would blow the biggest lead ever in a major bowl.
It was the only call.
A couple comments that I think are a little off the mark. In general a good breakdown though.
WVU does have only 7 conference games but tries to schedule at least two BCS OOC games. Not comparable to MI but many BCS schools (SEC) play 8 conference games and a 3 to 1 Non-BCS to BCS OOC schedule. If they weren't forced to play Marshall it could be different.
Crap facilities would be overstated. They are/were pretty good and of course RR has helped to get them better.
WVU has had virtually no problems with the team since Henry and Pac Man left in 2004. Their current group is a very classy bunch with excellent upper classmen leadership. It would be a stereotype to say that WVU's players have any less character then MI players at this stage. I'm sure Mundy could verify this.
Rodriguez should do well in MI fans give him a little time.
Go Blue!
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