West Virginia University must be feeling like Michigan's Triple-A club these days.
First WVU loses it basketball coach to the Wolverines, then it loses its football coach.
Rich Rodriguez followed John Beilein's footsteps in beating a path from Morgantown to Ann Arbor—with big dreams and a fat wallet.
The coach told the football world that "it took an opportunity of Michigan's caliber" for him to leave his home state and alma mater.
Most of the football world assumed Rodriguez was referencing Michigan's tradition.
I assume he was talking about money.
Tradition is fine—but as the Irish would say, it doesn't buy potatoes.
I've been told by many self-proclaimed experts both personally and via my television that tradition makes recruiting easier. Recruiting in turn makes winning easier. And winning buys potatoes.
I agree—if you're recruiting middle-aged guys who know every detail about every major program.
I disagree if you're recruiting young men who can't remember when Miami ruled college football—much less when Michigan was on top.
So it must be recent tradition of which the experts speak. I looked at the basketball polls and I couldn't find Michigan. I saw West Virginia ranked with an 8-1 record—but Beilein's Wolverines were nowhere to be found.
How can that be? Michigan is all about tradition!
I finally went to the Wolverines' website and found they're 4-8 this year. My first thought:
That's an odd tradition.
Of course Rodriguez was obviously talking about football. I checked the latest ranking—again no Michigan, again there was West Virginia.
It's clear to me that someone needs to tell the school of Jerry West and Sam Huff to back off and bow to tradition.
Here's the experts' logic:
Michigan has been a national power in both basketball and football—and that's why the recruits will flock to Ann Arbor.
18-year-olds will vividly remember Michigan's winning the NCAA basketball championship...just a short 19 years ago.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, can sit in living rooms and tell the story of Michigan tradition. He can describe the feeling of watching the Wolverines win their last uncontested college football championship.
"I remember it well," he'll say. "It was the winter of 1948..."
Selling ancient history to middle-aged guys like Beilein and Rodriguez is easy, because like all middle-aged people they long for the good old days—when Michigan was king and gas was 29 cents a gallon.
I have a feeling the sophisticated kids they try to recruit will check the facts and find out Michigan hasn't been a power for a long long time.
If you don't believe me, just ask Jim Tressel.
J Pat
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7 months ago
Why is Bleacher Report so absurdly partisan?
Michigan hasn't had a losing season in 40 years. No other program can match that consistency.
Michigan has been in a bowl game for the last 33 years. The four years before that? they were 37-2-1 and robbed by the Big Ten's antiquated no-bowls rule.
7 months ago
Bleacher Report absurdly partisan? Bleacher Report is an open source sports network where anyone can write anything. I think because some of us sign our name to our thoughts people get confused that we represent the web site. I assure you, I do not nor have I ever been employed by Bleacher Report.
Great stats ! I think you have proven Michigan is traditionally consistent.
Here is a couple for you;
Rich Rodriguez's record his first year as head coach of a program -
Conference play 4-16
Overall play 6-23-1
7 months ago
Dude thats is one of the best columns I have read in a while. You are right and Jim Tressel will dominate Rich Rod just like he did Carr. I mean Rich got out coached by Dave Wannstedt. How in the world does he think that he will out smart Tressel?
7 months ago
As a WVU fan, I was sorry to see Belein go. But we hired another coach and we're doing better than ever.
I was sorry to see Rodriguez leave too. But we'll hire another coach and do better.
7 months ago
I don't think Belein came to UM for tradition. If he did, I'd like to see the quote b/c I agree, that would be crazy. I think he came more for the opportunity to rebuild a once strong program. That's why coaches coach, to show they have the ability to improve players and recruit. Look at Gillespie at Kentucky. TAMU is a much better team right now. But, like Belein, if he can come in and have success, it will be much more recognized than it would at a program like A&M or WVU.
As for Rich Rod, yes he came for money. But also for tradition and opportunity. UM is the winningest college football program. As said above, they have not missed a bowl in 33 years and have not had a losing season in 40 years. They have fantastic booster support and top-notch facilities. Recruiting is easier because of this. And like you said, recruiting=wins, wins=money. But wins also equal respect and recognition, something every coach strives for and is easier to obtain at a program like Michigan. Recruits aren't looking for tradition, but maintaining a winning standard is much easier at a school with a winning history. Every coach expects to win, so from their mindset, where would you rather win, at Michigan or at West Virginia? I know some will disagree, but to me the choice is easy.
7 months ago
If someone offered you 2x your current salary to do the same job at a more widely recognized place, how could you not accept that?
7 months ago
Coach Rod knows nothing about tradition or he would have stayed in his home state with his alma mater. He grew up in WV and knows the entire state depends on that football team for financial support and entertainment. He also knows that the university would have given him anything under the sun to keep him. He became demanding and greedy. The only tradition he gives a crap about is his weekly call to his investment counselor. That Big Jerk hurt a lot of people.
7 months ago
We will do better. I hope Coach Rod screws up at Michigan so all of WV can enjoy it!
7 months ago
What a dumb-assed column, with its circular reasoning.
To say that anyone is unaware of tradition because that tradition began BEFORE his time is, um..STUPID, unless the definition of "tradition" changed since I last checked.
And only one who is truly ignorant of just what "tradition" means, could rustle up such a glorious breeze from such an incomparable swing & miss.
7 months ago
Michigan's bowl record is nothing to brag about - they lose about 59% of their bowls! They did win a contested national champioship in '97, at least they claim they - but WVU claims that they won a national championship last year also in basketball! No kidding - check it out - the NIT was a national tournament - now that is spin. Hey the auto industry is in the dumps, how much longer can Michigan last? They are running on fumes. Coal is in as much demand as ever and when they turn it into gasoline WVU won't be able to spend the money they get.
Fisher will be introduced as WVU's coach Monday, if things go well, otherwise it is a Bowden in the wings. Either way, Michigan will have to poney up 2.5 - 4 mill to the hillbillies or have a pauper as their headcoach. B/t/w he didn't double his salary, it only went up about 600-700k/yr. and he owes 4 mil!
from 7 months ago
mich is 18-20 in bowls btw....
7 months ago
If you really want to screw over Michigan, get OH-IO state fans to fund a litigation strategy for WVU in a breach of contract suit to tie up Rich Rod for MANY YEARS!!!! Litigation grinds up the litigants (i.e. - RR). It is very distracting. Have some claims in there about his disloyalty to his employer - the stories were even in the paper from recruits that he was calling them telling them to go to UM! Even if it were hearsay - because of the effect on the programs and other recruits - it is still admissable! SO you have a PUNITIVE damage claim against him - even if it is not likely, just the allegations that he has to face - depositions, explaining his subterfuge, it will not be pleasant for the WVU grad/player/coach to rehash his disgraceful conduct. Sleepless nights. Can only help THE Ohio University, hurt Michigan and help WVU. Brutal, with malice aforethought, but who could deserve it more than him? The guy thought nothing of his family back home - he is a real scumbag, ungrateful and an SOB.
7 months ago
Rich Rod will have tax problems. Remember there is a 10% finder's fee for IRS squealers. Anyone know RR's SS #?
Don't know if this has been posted before. My apologizes if it has, but according to a Michigan blog, if UM pays the buyout for Fraud, he will have to play plenty in taxes.
here's the link to the blog:
www.michiganzone.blogspot.com/
Here's the entry.
I am a CPA and a tax lawyer as well as a football fan. RR has a famous $4,000,000 buy-out in his West by God Virginia contract. It is rumored that UM will directly or indirectly pay this.
This brings up what tax professionals call: "Phantom Income". Money he will have to pay taxes on that he never gets.
If anyone other that RR pays it, RR will owe income taxes on the $4,000,000. In his bracket, that going to hit at 45% to 50% including state and local tax. So that $1,800,000 to $2,000,000 in AFTER TAX cash that he will need to come up with. If UM pays it or it is paid on UM's behalf, he and UM will also have to pay 1.45% Medicare taxes.
Even if WBGV agrees to just drop it, it is "forgiveness of indebtedness" and he will be liable for the taxes on the money.
RR is making money that most people have difficulty imagining and has probably put a nice chunk aside by now (he has had little opportunity to spend much in Morgantown -- how much can a double-wide cost? and Bentley doesn't make a pick-up.) but after paying his taxes in 2008, he will probably have -0- take home pay.
Lots of times, phantom income gets ignored because the IRS doesn't learn of it. But RR's phantom income has got a lot of media attention and there are probably some Mount Near (to use their pronunciation) fans in Compliance and Audit that hold a bit of grudge against Rich.
7 months ago
I'm not going to argue about something none of us know. It's easy to say he accepted the job for the money or tradition. Fact of the matter is we will never really know the real answer, because Rodriguez isn't going to tell us his real feelings. It's unfair to doubt him though. If it was about money I'm sure he would have taken the Alabama job last year though.
Tradition is something everyone appreciates. It's not all history. You say a college name like Ohio State or Michigan and most of those "kids" know the name. People know the school. If someone from Michigan comes in and says, I want you to play for our football team, that HAS to get something out of them. Of course they might know the full history, but really who cares about the details?
My problem here is with your comparison to the basketball program. I'm not a Wolverine Basketball fan by the least bit, I follow them when I can but I don't particularly take interest in them.
But I do know that it has nothing to do with this except for the fact that both coaches came from WVU. Of course they are 4-8, they weren't very good to begin with and if I do remember right, they have to install a new system and Beilein needs time to recruit his guys.
7 months ago
I'm not going to argue about something none of us know. It's easy to say he accepted the job for the money or tradition. Fact of the matter is we will never really know the real answer, because Rodriguez isn't going to tell us his real feelings. It's unfair to doubt him though. If it was about money I'm sure he would have taken the Alabama job last year though.
Tradition is something everyone appreciates. It's not all history. You say a college name like Ohio State or Michigan and most of those "kids" know the name. People know the school. If someone from Michigan comes in and says, I want you to play for our football team, that HAS to get something out of them. Of course they might know the full history, but really who cares about the details?
My problem here is with your comparison to the basketball program. I'm not a Wolverine Basketball fan by the least bit, I follow them when I can but I don't particularly take interest in them.
But I do know that it has nothing to do with this except for the fact that both coaches came from WVU. Of course they are 4-8, they weren't very good to begin with and if I do remember right, they have to install a new system and Beilein needs time to recruit his guys.
7 months ago
MU'S true colors...Just Yella......
7 months ago
Silly nonsense.
Consider the following: The Big House is the largest football stadium in America, with a capacity of 107,501, it is likely the fifth largest sports stadium in the world and is being expanded again. Michigan's football building, and indoor practice facilities are state of the art, rival the best in the nation, and are always being improved. Michigan has won more college football games than any other university (860), has the highest winning percentage (about .745), and has a winning record against every school it has ever competed with except USC (4-5), Army (4-5), Cornell (6-12), North Carolina (1-2) and .....................Appalachian State. LOL
Lloyd Carr's record stands at 121-42, for a .7423 winning percentage.
Michigan has been, and will continue to be a national recruiting presence because Michigan wins, and Michigan will continue to win because Michigan is always doing what it takes to win. Best recent example , Rodriguez.
7 months ago
WVU will be fine, they have great players coming back and they will be a top ten team in 2008.........Rod's year was special at WVU, but that does not guarantee him anything at UM without the right talent.
7 months ago
It is amazing how so-called major programs live in the past. Unless you were alive for Michigans 1948 championship (you must be 59 years or older) than all you have is a shared co-championship in 1997. The power house prospective has changed in college football. There is no dominanting teams year in and year out. Strength of schedule and media bias is what produces national championships. That is why we are in need of the playoff system. It will cast out the so-called national powers like Michigan and OSU (2007 blowout to Floida).
What have you done for me lately is the american way.
from 6 months ago
33 straight bowl appearances for Michigan. Second place is at 25. I am 62 and understand that only the young make snap judgments based on the immediate or recent past. That's not living in the past; that's understanding reality.
7 months ago
J Pat Dyer is a bitter ass. Your circular reasoning and biased writing has only one place for me - avoid any article written by J Pat Dyer because this is no logic to these articles. J Pat Dyer appeals to bitter WVU fans and morons who cheer for Ohio State.
7 months ago
New Years Resolution - do not read any articles by J Pat Dyer.
6 months ago
The article is silly and based on childish bias.
For the most part the comments cover all the important points, but also remember that placing players in the NFL is a tradition that is very important to the best recruits. Arguably, it is the most important tradition that a top recruit would care about.
The fact is that programs develop football players and going to Michigan places are recruit in a good position to get to the NFL.
I doubt there are more than 5 or so schools with the record Michigan has of active players in the NFL.......and if you just look at the quarterback position the last 15 years, nobody touches Michigan in terms of placement in the NFL.
If the author really wants to learn about tradition, he can as Terrelle Pryor in February why he chose Michigan !
He may not get all the reasons, but tradition will be high on the list, and even if it's not spoken it's tradition of sending players to the NFL.
Comprendes, Bonehead ?
John
from 6 months ago
Bonehead is that your idea of a logical argument?
Why does this guy anonymous always call people names, never writes articles and spends his time showing his ignorance by explaining to the world that he missed the point of every article? By the way Mr. Anonymous that was sarcasm mixed with facetiousness and blended into rhetorical questions. I thought it was necessary to explain those writing elements because obviously many of you missed that in the original article.
I take full fault.
I apologize.
My only excuse is that I am accustomed to writing for an educated audience. I will remember in the future to "dumb it down" for you Mr. Anonymous.
If NFL is all recruits care about then Michigan is going to be sad to learn if your logic proves out Florida State or Notre Dame will obviously sign Terrelle Pryor. They lead all colleges with 41 active NFL players. Although after reading your comment I now realize Pryor may attend the University of Washington who leads all schools with 5 NFL quarterbacks.
Go Huskies! ( more sarcasm )
6 months ago
Will Michigan pay 3 of the 4 million buy out, as reported or is that hogwash? How about the taxes, if they are in fact due (some issue as there is a handwritten insertion in the 1st amendment to the employment contract that says he will pay it "/andor some other party" e.g. Michigan!). Is there any money left in Michigan with the auto industry moving South?
Will the litigation be a distraction? Imagine RR having to eat his words from the initial press conference at Michigan where he praised the support for the WVU program! He has to backtrack in order to support his claim that WVU failed to honor its obligations. He will squirm or have to admit that he started off lying to the Michigan fans/press/etc.! It will be sweet.
6 months ago
Ask Urban Meyer what he thinks about Michigan after today's game.
I think it might debunk most of the above arguments....
Yes, Michigan is notorious for overspending for coaches, but everyone can play this game, so what's the big deal?
I agree Rodriguez made a bold move. He does not realize the amount of pressure he is under now.
Why do you think Greg Schiano did not take the job? He's got it made at Rutgers. He knows that Ohio State has the upper hand right now, and any new coach will be judged primarily on how they fare against Ohio State. It may be a no win situation.
6 months ago
Question answered! With more to come.
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