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Afternoon Notes Laughs At Rodriguez's Tears
David ThurmanDec 3, 2010
Real Michigan men cry...okay? (Lon Horwedel/AnnArbor.com)
Drew Thurman (3:03 pm)
1) Things just keep getting more awkward and emotional up in Ann Arbor. Last night was the annual football banquet for the Wolverines, and of course Rodriguez used the stage to fight for his job in his own unique way. Apparently his voice cracked several times and he had tears rolling down his face as he described the struggles of the past three years. Then, he closed with maybe his best quote ever.
“My name is Rich Rodriguez,” he said. “I’m honored to be the football coach at Michigan. I hope you realize I want to be a Michigan man.”
If that wasn't already enough, he decided to read the lyrics to Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up," which apparently helped give him strength in the midst of all this hardship. Then the song was actually played for all those in attendance, which led to an even more uncomfortable scene.
"As the song concluded, Rodriguez grabbed the hands of his wife, Rita, and the night's emcee, Frank Beckmann, and raised them above his head. Several seconds passed before others on the dais, including [athletic director Dave] Brandon and the entire Wolverines team, followed suit."
I can't help but laugh at the fact that Rodriguez really thinks this is the way to rally the alumni. I don't think he realizes the demographic of football fans, especially in the places where he has coached. West Virginia and Michigan are full of men (and women who could be confused for men) that hunt, fish, kill and love the outdoors. They don't cry, and they certainly don't listen to Josh Groban. Those types of football fans find themselves in the Pac-10 or watching Arena Football! Bo Schembechler just rolled over in his grave!
1) Things just keep getting more awkward and emotional up in Ann Arbor. Last night was the annual football banquet for the Wolverines, and of course Rodriguez used the stage to fight for his job in his own unique way. Apparently his voice cracked several times and he had tears rolling down his face as he described the struggles of the past three years. Then, he closed with maybe his best quote ever.
“My name is Rich Rodriguez,” he said. “I’m honored to be the football coach at Michigan. I hope you realize I want to be a Michigan man.”
If that wasn't already enough, he decided to read the lyrics to Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up," which apparently helped give him strength in the midst of all this hardship. Then the song was actually played for all those in attendance, which led to an even more uncomfortable scene.
"As the song concluded, Rodriguez grabbed the hands of his wife, Rita, and the night's emcee, Frank Beckmann, and raised them above his head. Several seconds passed before others on the dais, including [athletic director Dave] Brandon and the entire Wolverines team, followed suit."
I can't help but laugh at the fact that Rodriguez really thinks this is the way to rally the alumni. I don't think he realizes the demographic of football fans, especially in the places where he has coached. West Virginia and Michigan are full of men (and women who could be confused for men) that hunt, fish, kill and love the outdoors. They don't cry, and they certainly don't listen to Josh Groban. Those types of football fans find themselves in the Pac-10 or watching Arena Football! Bo Schembechler just rolled over in his grave!
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
2) Once again, leave it to Phil Steele to actually help the world gain some common sense. His Postseason All-Big Ten Team actually went the way I expected the real honors to go earlier this week. By creating a RB/All-Purpose category for Denard Robinson on the first team, he allowed the more prototypical quarterbacks in the league to get their due. He named Dan Persa the first team quarterback, followed by Terrelle Pryor. The other Buckeyes on his first team included Dane Sanzenbacher, Justin Boren, Mike Adams, Brian Rolle, Chimdi Chekwa, and Jermale Hines. The second team included Pryor, Dan Herron, Mike Brewster, Jordan Hall (PR) and Cameron Heyward. Ross Homan and Devin Barclay made the third team. I like Steele's list, my only beef is that John Simon and DeVier Posey didn't make the cut.
3) Speaking of postseason awards, Mark Hasty of AOL Fanhouse has named Tressel Big Ten Coach of the Year. His argument throws the team under the bus, but at least it's some respect for the Sweater Vest...
"Coach of the Year: Jim Tressel. No, not Mark Dantonio. Not Bret Bielema either. Both finished as tri-champions with Tressel's Buckeyes, but they did it with the most talented teams they've coached. This year's Buckeyes are not the most talented team Tressel has had, but he got the same kind of results out of them that he always gets. Michigan State fans can argue it should be their team and not his that gets the BCS bid (sorry, Sparty, but the choice is not between you and Wisconsin), but they can't argue that Tressel remains the 500-pound gorilla of Big Ten coaches."
Gorilla, eh?
4) Like the rest of the college football world, I am a little baffled by the Cam Newton ruling. I expected there to be some clarity after the outrage from the public, but after reading NCAA President Mark Emmert's response to the criticism, that doesn't seem to be happening.
"We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could 'shop around' a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete's eligibility," Emmert said in a statement on the NCAA's website.
The solution? Well, they plan on clarifying and strengthening their recruiting and amateurism rules so they promote appropriate behavior by students, parents, coaches and third parties. So pretty much banning this in the future, but not truly handing out any real repercussions in the current situation. All in all, the NCAA wants this situation to go away and doesn't want to deal with a Heisman candidate and national title contender.
5) Finally, I leave you with a little Groban (HT The Buckeye Battle Cry). I sure wish Buckeye fans would have beat Sparty to this!
3) Speaking of postseason awards, Mark Hasty of AOL Fanhouse has named Tressel Big Ten Coach of the Year. His argument throws the team under the bus, but at least it's some respect for the Sweater Vest...
"Coach of the Year: Jim Tressel. No, not Mark Dantonio. Not Bret Bielema either. Both finished as tri-champions with Tressel's Buckeyes, but they did it with the most talented teams they've coached. This year's Buckeyes are not the most talented team Tressel has had, but he got the same kind of results out of them that he always gets. Michigan State fans can argue it should be their team and not his that gets the BCS bid (sorry, Sparty, but the choice is not between you and Wisconsin), but they can't argue that Tressel remains the 500-pound gorilla of Big Ten coaches."
Gorilla, eh?
4) Like the rest of the college football world, I am a little baffled by the Cam Newton ruling. I expected there to be some clarity after the outrage from the public, but after reading NCAA President Mark Emmert's response to the criticism, that doesn't seem to be happening.
"We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could 'shop around' a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete's eligibility," Emmert said in a statement on the NCAA's website.
The solution? Well, they plan on clarifying and strengthening their recruiting and amateurism rules so they promote appropriate behavior by students, parents, coaches and third parties. So pretty much banning this in the future, but not truly handing out any real repercussions in the current situation. All in all, the NCAA wants this situation to go away and doesn't want to deal with a Heisman candidate and national title contender.
5) Finally, I leave you with a little Groban (HT The Buckeye Battle Cry). I sure wish Buckeye fans would have beat Sparty to this!
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
