Reading Book On Rich Rod's Three Years @ Michigan

[OrangePA]

The author, a local sports writer, is very sympathetic to Rodriguez.

Suggests that he was undercut by many Michigan Men, including Carr who apparently called RR and convinced him to take the job. He calls out a writer, Rosenberger, for targeting RR unfairly and documents the constant stream of investigations that took place at least during the first two years.

Surprising stuff. I actually now feel badly for RR. I didn't think that was possible.

Now reading about the second year - Robinson's defense is playing very badly - not hitting or tackling well or with any intensity. So, far very little comment about GRob other than an quick observation that Rodriguez had a great deal of respect for him. Presumably more will be said as the book goes on.

It should be noted that during Year No. 2, Michigan had only 14 seniors - the team was very young.

I am getting the feeling as I read that the 2011 performance of the team may very well be a function of the players having more experience and the elimination of all the side show stuff that dogged RR during his three years.

 

[SU2NASA]

As a Michigan alum, I lived through it and a lot of what Bacon writes was pretty much the rumors on the street. The former players and alumni were out for Rich Rod from Day 1. He wasn't a "Michigan Man" and came to the school without what they thought was an appropriate knowledge and appreciation for Michigan traditions.

The epic terrible first season just made it worse, missing out on a bowl in year 2 pretty much made it a foregone conclusion that without winning at least eight games, Rodriguez would be done. Not firing Rodriguez before the bowl game vs. Mississippi State in year 3 was so he would hang himself, knowing that they would likely get their ass kicked.

Rosenberg is a douchebag who had an axe to grind with Rodriguez for some reason (some reasons speculated). His "investigation" was bullshit and the investigation into his charges showed as much. Michigan took penalties to make it go away.

What happened after Carr left is fascinating. If you're so inclined, go back through MGoBlog from during that time.

 

[OrangePA]

As a Michigan alum, I lived through it and a lot of what Bacon writes was pretty much the rumors on the street. The former players and alumni were out for Rich Rod from Day 1. He wasn't a "Michigan Man" and came to the school without what they thought was an appropriate knowledge and appreciation for Michigan traditions.

The epic terrible first season just made it worse, missing out on a bowl in year 2 pretty much made it a foregone conclusion that without winning at least eight games, Rodriguez would be done. Not firing Rodriguez before the bowl game vs. Mississippi State in year 3 was so he would hang himself, knowing that they would likely get their ass kicked.

Rosenberg is a douchebag who had an axe to grind with Rodriguez for some reason (some reasons speculated). His "investigation" was bullshit and the investigation into his charges showed as much. Michigan took penalties to make it go away.

What happened after Carr left is fascinating. If you're so inclined, go back through MGoBlog from during that time.

Yeah, Rosenberg comes off very badly, as do many Michigan folks, including the Administration, which refused to allow him to defend himself.

The ironic thing that the book reveals is that Fielding Yost, the legendary Michigan coach, was from West Virginia! So much for being a "Michigan Man"!

I find myself hoping that RR does well at Arizona.

Heading into Year 3, RR and GRob only had 24 scholarship players on defense. That is, 24 out of about 65-70. They just didn't have enough players to run an effective defense.

 

[Pyle]

"Heading into Year 3, RR and GRob only had 24 scholarship players on defense. That is, 24 out of about 65-70. They just didn't have enough players to run an effective defense."​

How is that possible? Michigan isn't Akron. It's freaking Michigan who recruits in the top 25 EVERY year. Even with a few graduations and defections am I really supposed to believe that Michigan had to rely on walk-ons to field half of their defense? If that is really the case then they both deserved to be fired anyway for not recruiting any defensive players in their first two years.​

Also, I don't care who called and talked him into the job, he still stuck a knife in WV's back and violated his contract, stole files, etc. Rrod is a complete douche and I hope he goes 0-36 just so I can see it happen.​

 

[OrangePA]

"Heading into Year 3, RR and GRob only had 24 scholarship players on defense. That is, 24 out of about 65-70. They just didn't have enough players to run an effective defense."​

How is that possible? Michigan isn't Akron. It's freaking Michigan who recruits in the top 25 EVERY year. Even with a few graduations and defections am I really supposed to believe that Michigan had to rely on walk-ons to field half of their defense? If that is really the case then they both deserved to be fired anyway for not recruiting any defensive players in their first two years.​

Also, I don't care who called and talked him into the job, he still stuck a knife in WV's back and violated his contract, stole files, etc. Rrod is a complete douche and I hope he goes 0-36 just so I can see it happen.​

I don't know the answer to that question. It is amazing that a program like that could face a shortage of players, but apparently that's what happened.

The answer to your question could be that when RR took over at Michigan he had to replace nearly the entire offensive unit - he did not have a QB who had ever taken a snap in college football.

And, with respect to WVU, you learn in the book that when he tried to obtain pay increases for his assistants - not for himself - and tried to obtain some additional money for recruiting, he was basically told to go pound salt.

The WVU administration squeezed him for no good reason.

He does not come off badly in the book. WVU comes off very badly and the Michigan infrastructure, including the writer, Rosenberg, comes off very badly as well.

I look forward to reading about Robinson in Year 3.

 

[Pyle]

DM took over with a similar situation at QB. Hence the Paulus experiment.

P got squeezed too, he didn't break contract though.

The fact that he hired Robinson justifies his firing to the nth degree anyway IMO.

 

[Pyle]

That beaver said it all about Grob. Guy's completely off the deep end.

 

[OrangePA]

That beaver said it all about Grob. Guy's completely off the deep end.

No doubt, the beaver was a bad moment.