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Michigan Wolverines
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich. | Founded: 1817 | Enrollment: 39,993 | Colors: Maize and Blue | Stadium: Michigan
Capacity: 107,501 | Coach: Rich Rodriguez

Record: (5-7, 1-7 Big Ten)
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Wolverines report: Inside slant
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Inside slant · Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel
 

 

Apparently, when the University of Michigan announced its "All In For Michigan" promotional campaign in mid-August, not everyone signed on. As another disappointing football season came to a close, there were more signs that forces in and around the once-hallowed program are not only lacking the commitment to be considered "all in" but even tugging in the opposite direction.

In his postgame remarks following a 21-10 season-ending defeat by rival Ohio State, Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez addressed publicly for the first time what had been a very active topic behind the shroud -- that people inside UM are hoping he fails.

Rodriguez is just 8-16 after two seasons, and went just 1-7 in the Big Ten this year. As he overhauls the program and converts Michigan to the dangerous spread offense he ran so well at West Virginia, inexperience, lack of depth, and not having the right players for the offense have hurt. What hurts more, Rodriguez said, is having to fight internal forces, as well as everything else.

"I just think there's a faction creating a negative type of environment that wants to create drama and wants to see people pointing fingers," Rodriguez said. "There's nobody in that locker room that's going to point any fingers. Everybody in that locker room is all in."

Well-placed sources have said repeatedly that some in Michigan's brie and burgundy crowd have never accepted the choice of Rodriguez to replace the popular and grandfatherly Lloyd Carr, saying Rodriguez was not "a Michigan man" and even sniping about his Appalachian accent.

Rodriguez, 5-7 this season, would not divulge specifics on the campaign of negativity, saying he gets "overtones" and messages from people about it. Senior punter and team captain Zoltan Mesko was not as diplomatic.

"There are people out there who don't want us to succeed or the coaching staff to succeed," Mesko said. "I could write a book about it. There are a lot of guys that don't see what goes on inside the program of how much love there is for the players. It's a shame they don't see how close we are to being one of the best programs in the nation."

Michigan moves on, into a recruiting season that will be vital to Rodriguez having success in his third season, and saving his job. But Wolverines fans are left to wonder if great recruiting and more hard work will be enough to overcome the powerful, nameless entities that are not "all in" and never will be.

Copyright (C) 2009 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

 
 

Michigan Wolverines Message Board
Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 26, 2006

November 22, 2009 10:43 pm
After watching Rods press conference after the game and reading Doyels' column, who I usually do not agree with, I really cannot stand Rod. His finger pointing and putting the blame on everyone else is really not the guy I want at the helm of Michigan University. Of course it does not matter what I want. But boy this is a real shame that the HC is trying to put blame on Carr, one of the greatest c ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jun 14, 2009

November 22, 2009 7:22 am
I have always wondered why it seems as though RR's offense is struggling in the big ten. If you look at the numbers from year one to year two in both the be and b10, it just seemed easier in the BE, it could be qb play, but imo its his philosophy on offensive lineman. Can someone explain to me why we need undersized, lean, quick 0-lineman? Watching the game yesterday we just get overmatched on the ...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 6, 2006

November 28, 2009 10:51 am
I realize RR is coming back and there is no changing that. I do, however, have a question for those that support this move regardless of the product RR has put on the field over the last two years. I very well be missing something here so this is an honest question. If I am missing something, I'm certain one of you guys can help me out.
I'm going to list some coaches at major programs and how
...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 9, 2008

November 22, 2009 1:57 am
I was a little skeptical of Forcier to begin with, but the guy has completely regressed the second half of the season.  Freshman will make some mistakes, but after 11 starts to turn the ball over in your end zone without being touched and throwing three bad picks in the fourth quarter after your defense keeps giving you a chance to win is just inexcusable.  The kid just killed us today a ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 9, 2008

November 21, 2009 9:55 am
Had an interesting conversation w/ a dyed in the wool buckeye.  We'll be watching today's game together in different houses.  Tongue out

He noted that when Cooper was coaching the bucks, they were supremely talented (I hadn't realized until be pointed 
...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 8, 2008

November 22, 2009 11:01 am
I guess I did it to my self when they started 4-0 and I started think we have a chance in this league. Then reality set in.  All I know is I'm just pissed and not to sure when it's gonna get any better. I don't have much faith in Gardner coming as true freshmen to save this team. I think you gotta stick with Tate, maybe the game will start to slow down for him in his soph. season. All I know ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jun 14, 2009

November 24, 2009 8:55 am
and only 2 buckeyes make it..hey theres something.

Disclaimer: This does turn into a knock on RR post.

But what I find more interesting is who from our team made it. Graham, Warren, Mesko...all D/ST players. In fact, not one offensive guy is even given an honorable mention...oh and who recruited these players? (cough...Lloyd Carr...cough).

Im not saying RR inherite
...(more)
Reputation:80
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 11, 2009

September 17, 2009 3:57 pm
Ok all you Michigan fans here it is....Just thinking out loud and thinking ahead.  I read some comments on here about Tate Forcier and Devin Gardner piloting the Michigan ship for the next 6 or 7 years. But I believe the better Tate gets each week the less likely it will be that Devin Gardner actually signs with the Wolverines.  Why would he want to come and redshirt or sit and wait when ...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 28, 2007

November 25, 2009 3:07 pm
This is the lowest point UofM football has been in my lifetime. The team has questions on top of questions and everywhere I look nothing is certain. Who will QB this team next year...I do not want to see another true freshmen lineup under center. Can the defense get any better without their best player?

It easy to say look at RR's record at WVU and see the improvement in his third year
...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 30, 2006

November 25, 2009 5:25 pm

            Michigan coaching staff and fans can expect some fierce battles this off-season at the corner positions. There is a strong possibility Donovan Warren may enter the NFL draft and forgo his senior season. This all depends what he hears back from the NFL committee on his draft po ...(more)

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 28, 2007

November 25, 2009 3:17 pm
I have always disliked Weis as a head coach. I think this was the worst direction the Irish could have gone. Tom Brady makes alot of O-Coordinators look good. Weis was over his head from day one and never did get what it takes to run a program like the Irish. Much like we currently hear from other fans keep RR he is just what OSU fans want out of UofM, I truly felt that way about Weis.

...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 29, 2008

November 24, 2009 8:37 pm
http://michigan.scout.com/

Most already knew it was coming. It is still nice to hear it straight up. Now who will be the next to hop onboard?

Go Blue!
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jun 14, 2009

November 30, 2009 12:49 pm
The more coverage there is about the impending coaching change in south bend, the more I notice some similarities between the Rich Rodriguez hiring/situation at Michigan, and the Charlie Weis experiment at Notre Dame.

First off, both programs are remarkably similar...top educational programs, rich in tradition and a history of winning, mid-western collegiate football powerhouses (at a t
...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 29, 2007

November 21, 2009 11:39 am

Hypothetically speaking if we were to get blown out today I have to say Rich has to go and the top of the list to replace has to be Jim Harbaugh undoubtedly its time to get back to being the powerhouse we all know Michigan should be and Harbaugh would restore that along with some old fashioned power running game ! Not only that but the guy is fiery I like his attitude type of coach we can win w ...(more)

Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:May 15, 2008

November 21, 2009 11:06 pm
I want to know, how come everytime Denard comes in we run right up the middle. What about bringing him in a put him at one of the rb spots, then we could pitch to him and get Denard on the edge where he can do something with that 4.3 speed. Everyone knows when he is in the game it is going to be a run, it is so obvious. I cant stand when I see 1 and 10, Tate goes out for a few plays and all we do ...(more)
 
 
 
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