Rich Rodriguez Is Misunderstood, Still Learning Michigan Tradition

Cut the new guy a break!

If it's not one thing, it's another with embattled, recently hired Michigan coach, Rich Rodriguez. Has there ever been a coach that's come under this much heat before a single down was played?

I'm sure by this point Rodriguez can't wait for the first loss of the season, because at least he'll be able to answer the questions that come after that.

Recently Rodriguez came under fire from Michigan fans, alumni, and former players for an incident involving the coveted and sacred No. 1 jersey.

In the past the No. 1 jersey at Michigan has gone only to receivers—and not just any receivers. Only the best of the best earn this honor. Talent alone does not get you the jersey. Conduct, both on the field and off, and leadership ability are also big requirements for wearing No. 1. A freshman has never worn the jersey.

That changed briefly last month when Rodriguez gave the No. 1 jersey to a freshman defensive back named J.T. Floyd.

There were a multitude of problems with this. Floyd wasn't a receiver and he's a freshman. He obviously doesn't yet have the leadership skills necessary to be a captain of the team, he hasn't had a chance to exhibit on or off the field conduct, and it's unknown whether he even has the talent.

(Floyd was a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com.)

Former Michigan receiver and No. 1 jersey owner Braylon Edwards felt slighted. He had to earn that jersey, and when he got it he enjoyed it so much that he created a scholarship for it.

Edwards talked to whomever would listen about how Rodriguez was destroying a sacred Michigan tradition. He was going to have a talk with the new coach about that one.

Turns out Rodriguez didn't have a clue about the meaning and significance of the No. 1 jersey and, after talking with Braylon Edwards and hearing the outcry of the Michigan faithful, stripped JT Floyd of the No. 1. He declared that no one would wear it this season.

Problem solved. Gee, that's all it took?

Let's think about this. Rodriguez came from the south. Big East, bordering SEC and ACC country. Michigan football was probably not on his radar until he was hired there.

You take most young coaches from the SEC or ACC and they probably wouldn't know either. We can put to rest that Rodriguez is out to eliminate Michigan tradition and do things his way, because it's simply not true.

Or is it? Recently it has come out that Rodriguez is making changes to the captaincy at Michigan. Previously, captains at Michigan have been chosen before the season starts and retain that captaincy throughout the season.

Rodriguez has elected to name different captains each week, judging them on a week-to-week basis before settling on official captains at the end of the season. According to Rodriguez, sometimes when you pick captains at the beginning of the season, they don't work out how you'd like them to, and then you're stuck with them.

An honorary captain (usually a former player) will also be chosen each week under the new captain guidelines.

In this case, I don't see a tradition being destroyed, but a tradition being updated and improved. Rodriguez's philosophy in this case makes perfect sense. And although it remains to be seen how it will work on the field, I like this change.

Obviously there will be those who are taken aback by this change, and they'll call for the new coach's head once again. Before that happens, stop and remember that this is a new coach in unfamiliar territory. Give him time, give him space, and he'll learn as he goes.

If every now and then Rodriguez needs a tap on the shoulder to remind and educate him on Michigan's rich tradition, so be it.

I see a fine coach in Rich Rodriguez. Not one looking to re-write tradition, but one looking to improve upon the on-field product—the legendary Michigan Wolverines football team.