Michigan's Waiting Game Backfires: Why Rich Rodriguez Must Stay Another Year

Ten months since my last article. Time to shake off the rust and voice some feelings.

Three years, two losing records, a 15-22 overall record and a 6-18 Big Ten record after he was hired, Rich Rodriguez is reportedly out or on the way out as Michigan's head coach.

There are big names on the market, such as Jim Harbaugh or Les Miles, that some believe might take Rodriguez' spot as coach; Harbaugh has denied these rumors.

When you look at this article, you say, hmmm, just like everything else I've read so far. Well, yeah; another writer saying that Rich Rodriguez should be fired now.

But wait, there's more.

By waiting until now, January 5th, 2011, to fire (or keep) Coach Rodriguez, Michigan has dug themselves an even deeper hole than anyone could have possibly imagined.

The man is a complete embarrassment to Big Ten coaching and Michigan football.

He subjected the program to the first NCAA rules violation in program history. He has been far beyond awful with his defensive tactics. He has been terrible as far as overall records go. He has the worst overall winning percentage in the 131 year history of Michigan football.

He has "disrespected" Michigan tradition.

I could go on, but I'll save you the trouble of reading what you have already read. The fact is folks. As much as I hate to say it, and as much as I HATE to admit it:

Rich Rodriguez has to stay.

*shocked gasp from the crowd*

"BUT, BUT, BUT, he hasn't beaten Ohio State OR Michigan State."

"BUT, BUT, BUT he has had the first two losing seasons since the 1960s!"

Okay. Forget the "buts" for one second here.

Remember after Lloyd Carr retired? Remember the change we went through then?

If Michigan fires Rich Rodriguez, they will lose all of his recruits. And despite the fact that the recruiting class isn't that great, at only #37 per rivals.com, quite a few of Michigan's recruits would reconsider going to Michigan if Rodriguez is fired.

Just like you other Michigan fans, I would like to see Michigan right the ship, both in the winning respect and going back to BCS bowls.

Unfortunately, Michigan has waited far too long to fire Rodriguez. I would think that the end of the regular season, marked by a humiliating 30 point loss to rival Ohio State, would be enough for Dave Brandon to dismiss Rodriguez and start looking for a new coach. However, Brandon ultimately and erroneously decided to wait until the end of the bowl game to decide the coach's fate.

Having waited this long, he has not even officially made a move yet.

Rumors from earlier today that Rodriguez HAD already been fired have been denied, at least until tomorrow's final decision.

To fire Rodriguez now would be nothing less than insane. Michigan would have to start over, with a fraction of the recruits, a new offense and defense (although most, including myself, cannot wait for that new defense) and a possibility of not making a bowl game YET again.

Dave Brandon has the easiest decision he will ever make on his hands: To keep or fire Rich Rodriguez.

To keep him (at least until the midpoint or later point of next season) would be the smart move.

To fire Rodriguez as of RIGHT now, could, in all reality, backfire on Brandon and end up costing him HIS job if the next coach does not produce.

I guess we will find out which move he makes in the next 24 hours.