Because of recent comments I found on www.foxsports.com in regards to what Rich Rodriguez said about Michigan fans, I decided to hold court and find out if he was in the wrong for what he said. So today's court is now in session. The Dysfunctional Ron Johnson presiding.
Rich Rodriguez
He was once considered the man that would succeed Lloyd Carr and lead the Wolverines to a National Championship. He was going to be the one that gave The Big House their biggest season ever. Now he is just the scapegoat that will burn alone in the fiery pits of the Big Ten hell.
Why is he going to be the only one? Because he has singled himself out as the Antichrist of Ann Arbor. He called several blog posts by the fans of Michigan, "petty and obscene." He even went as far as telling the fans to "get a life." In his defense, he was thrown into an awkward situation. He had to take over a program that needed someone with enough skills to make it happen for them.
He had such promise, but his debut as Michigan coach has been anything but promising. He lost eight straight games, and for the first time since 1974, the Michigan Wolverines will have to watch other Big Ten teams (including cross state rival Michigan State) play in the bowl games that they wish they were at. Now comes the bad news: They got Ohio State this weekend. Rich has lost the respect of the team, the school and the fans. In that aspect, the only thing going for him is maybe he'll land a gig with some local school out west or something.
The Fans of Michigan
The Fans of Michigan have a natural gripe. Every year they expect their team to win games and win bowls. They expect championships every season. But most of all, they expect a victory over Ohio State.
This year, they didn't get wins. They don't get bowls. And they most likely won't win against Ohio State. The fans have a right to be a little pissed off at him, and thanks to the Internet, they have a place to vent their voice. From MySpace to Facebook, Digg to Bleacher Report, fans all over the world have made it their business to vent about the miscues that have plagued the Wolverines this season.
Now everyone here knows that I'm not Michigan's biggest fan, and they know that I am the last person to come to Michigan's defense. But I had to hear both sides of the story before I could render a legitimate verdict. In all actuality, the Wolverines are built on success as well as failures. The fans are the reason that teams are talked about constantly. The fans are the true heart of a successful sports team. Just ask the past champions if you don't believe it.
My Verdict
Rich Rodriguez is a great coach in a bad situation. He was thrown into the Michigan job because he thought he could make a difference. He thought he could do something big for this team right off the bat. But the problem is that he jumped too soon at a very lucrative offer. Now he has to reap what he sow, and it may come sooner than he thinks.
In life, it's called karma. In football, it's also called karma...but with a different name that can't be said on this network. Rich dug his hole and has to officially lie in it after this weekend. I don't feel bad for the guy because he managed to accomplish something that hasn't been done in a long time: Decimate a winning program in just one season.
So my verdict is this: I find in favor of the fans of Michigan because everyone who knows football knows that you can't have that without fans. Fans in Austin, Gainesville, Tuscaloosa and Norman know that without the fans, football isn't worth squat. Rich Rodriguez made his bed, and now he has to lie in it with the filthy greenback whores that brought him there in the first place.
In closing, I would like to make this clear: Rich, you told the people of Ann Arbor to get a life. You obviously didn't get the message or the memo when you accepted the job: In Michigan Wolverines Football, for the fans at least, this is their life. This is their wife, their husband, their kids, their livelihood. After Saturday, you might be out of a job...and you might not get another position anywhere else for a good while.
Rich: Sorry about your damn luck!
This court is adjourned. See you next time.
5 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ryan Jelley 7 months ago
Good article except after Saturday there isn't a chance he will be out of a job and he didn't jump at this offer excpecting to be successful right away. He knew there would be a painful transition period. Many Die-hard Michigan fans were aware of this too. Those asking for his head are the ones who didn't do a little research before the season and saw that evry team Rodriguez has been to has this happen.
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Randy Warner 7 months ago
Hey Ron! Nice article.
I would only disagree with you on one point. RR was not "thrown into" any situation at Michigan. He ran out of Morgantown and jumped in with both feet.
It should be obvious to all by now that everything RR is all about ego. That's a fire stoked by an oportunistic wife and an equally egomaniacal business agent.
If you remember, he was also critisized in WV. After blowing the Pitt game and hearing the wrath of the fans he decided "it's not such a great f@#$ing place to be" according to the former WVU President Mike Garrison.
It's an eerily similar scenario. "Why is everyone blaming me?"
He signed his contract after what...the 4th or 5th loss? Do you think that was a show of loyalty or a "protect my @$$" move considering the reciprocal buyout terms?
I think we can all agree that Michigan didn't need saved and "Product Rodriguez" has really turned things around!!
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Anthony Orlando 7 months ago
he didn't tell all fans to get a life. just the ones taking non-football related cheap shorts.
RR is a very good coach and I applaud him on what he said.
True UM fans should give him time.
If he doesn't have at least 6 wins next year, then we can give him crap.
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kevin wanger 7 months ago
I live in central Nebraska right in the heart of Husker Nation but since I was four years old I have loved The Maize and Blue. From August until January Michigan football is the only thing on my mind. Having said that I think this article is pretty lame. In my opinion all this boils down to is the implementation of a new system without the athletes needed to run said system. I'm not sure Rich needed to be so gung ho with the implementation of the spread offense. Perhaps he should have run a bit of an amalgam more suited to the athletes that he has. But the sad truth is that this situation reminds me too much of what happend here in Nebraska when they brought in stupid Bill Callahan. We all know that a once mighty Husker team has been reduced to a second to third tier team here in Big Twelve country. I have to wonder is this the same road that my Wolverines are headed down.
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HD Handshoe -- BlockONation.com 7 months ago
The MOTHER of ALL Rivalries
http://blockonation.com/OhioState-Michigan
Check it out -- It's AWESOME!
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