Rich Rodriguez (official thread of last laughs)

[jwinslow]

Oh, and when I mentioned to my bro-in-law that T-Force is a bit smallish to endure a Big Ten season, let alone Div I-A college football in general, his response was that everyone said that about Bike Hart, too.

Mike Hart was a short bowling ball. Tate is still a string bean.

 

[goblue15]

I gotta throw this out there, hopefully to get some of the resident scUM fans' opinions. This weekend the two scUM fans closest to me, my wife's brother and her close friend's husband (Michigan native) were at my house. And to qualify, I consider both of them reasonable fans of the opposition and I can maintain a civil, respectful, and fairly objective conversation with either of them with regards to college football and tOSU vs. scUM.

My brother asked the Mich. native how long it would be until they fired DRod. His reply was something to the effect that he was the best scUM hire, in any sport, in a long time if not ever. I ran this by my brother-in-law and he said that his assessment was pretty close.

Now I'll be fair and give the guy his three years to either turn their program it around or bury it further in the ground before I deem him the worst scUM hire in a long time if not ever. I honestly was expecting something biased, naturally, but certainly more objective from this person. I can't imagine any tOSU fan would have said something that bold about JT after his first season and it wasn't a train wreck.

Oh, and when I mentioned to my bro-in-law that T-Force is a bit smallish to endure a Big Ten season, let alone Div I-A college football in general, his response was that everyone said that about Bike Hart, too.

Is this blind faith on their part, denial, disillusion, or desperation? Or, will they prove to be college football visionaries when all is said and done?

Depends on what kind of program you want. For the Michigan crowd that thinks we will be winning national titles in 2 or 3 years that is not happening you can throw that out the door. The program is not that far off from going back to it's normal 9 or 10 wins, but then again I don't think many Michigan fans would be happy with more of the same. It's very simple, if we want to be a player on the national seen we have to recruit elite defensive players which we are not doing right now. The talent gap between Michigan and OSU right now is down right scary. Only recruiting will change that!

 

[buckeyboy]

Depends on what kind of program you want. For the Michigan crowd that thinks we will be winning national titles in 2 or 3 years that is not happening you can throw that out the door. The program is not that far off from going back to it's normal 9 or 10 wins, but then again I don't think many Michigan fans would be happy with more of the same. It's very simple, if we want to be a player on the national seen we have to recruit elite defensive players which we are not doing right now. The talent gap between Michigan and OSU right now is down right scary. Only recruiting will change that!

I thought I saw it all, but do you guys seriously have fans that think an NC is in the horizon??

 

[buckandguinfan]

Yes

Yeah, I know, kind of a dumb question, but I am perplexed by their response. I've seen others on here provide what I think is a much more sensible opinion.

Mike Hart was an undersized bowling ball. Tate is still a string bean.

Yeah, I thought of this, too. Different player and position. Guess it wasn't worth the pissing match with a relative that I really like, save for the scUM allegiance.

We all are always amped up for the scUM game every year, but this year I really can't wait because of how it seems that some scUM fans are grabbing for straws. I'm not sure what my reaction or many Buckeye fans' reactions would be in a similar situation, so I'll just be thankful and enjoy one of the best eras of Buckeye football and scUM dominance.

 

[goblue15]

I thought I saw it all, but do you guys seriously have fans that think an NC is in the horizon??

Kinda 50/50 right now... alot of people think an NC is on the horizon and alot think hiring Rich was a mistake. Then again we have another group of fans that would be happy with 6-6 this year. Leaders and Best?

 

[buckandguinfan]

Kinda 50/50 right now... alot of people think an NC is on the horizon and alot think hiring Rich was a mistake.

Thanks for the insight. That's what I expected from these two - good guys and down-to-earth fans - hence my surprise. I know they're excited to see Rodriguez get his offensive machine rolling, but expected a little more skepticism at this point. I think a factor in their feelings is that they are in the belly of the beast living here in Columbus, bombarded by everything Buckeye.

 

[zincfinger]

Is this blind faith on their part, denial, disillusion, or desperation? Or, will they prove to be college football visionaries when all is said and done?

I won't pretend to have an answer to that question, but I will say that individual stories like this will yield a huge amount of variation, from person-to-person. In the past month, I've talked to a couple of UM alums/UM football fans, and both of their views were decidedly more negative than what you've described. Overall, it seems to me that UM fan views of Rodriguez fall into three general categories:

1) Rodriguez will soon dominate the BigTen, and likely win multiple national championships.
2) I'm nervous about what I've seen thus far, but still hopeful that Rodriguez will have UM playing at its traditional level (almost always contending for a conference title, occasionally contending for a national championship) soon.
3) I never liked this hire, I feel that last year's result supports me in that view, and I look forward to the next hire which I expect to be coming in 2-3 years after Rodriguez flames out.

I'd suspect that view 2 is the majority view, and that a large proportion of those who claim view 1 are actually closer to view 2.

 

[goblue15]

Thanks for the insight. That's what I expected from these two - good guys and down-to-earth fans - hence my surprise. I know they're excited to see Rodriguez get his offensive machine rolling, but expected a little more skepticism at this point. I think a factor in their feelings is that they are in the belly of the beast living here in Columbus, bombarded by everything Buckeye.

No problem.

 

[Airon89]

All I know is that I call them scUM and that my finger gets tired everytime I drive past Ann Arbor.

 

[NFBuck]

Still an ass.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

...Is this blind faith on their part, denial, disillusion, or desperation?

Denial and Desperation

Disillusion comes later

Still an ass.

Fitting that this was the 4000th post of the thread (and NF's 255th). GPA

 

[jimotis4heisman]

apparently the last time i looked at this thread was early 2009.
ill reiterate my point, this is the worst hiring of a big ten institution since iu hired kelvin sanction. no idea why a program of such prestige would take a flier on a skeezball....

 

[martinss01]

I'm not sure what my reaction or many Buckeye fans' reactions would be in a similar situation, so I'll just be thankful and enjoy one of the best eras of Buckeye football and scUM dominance.

you could always go back to the archives and check out some of the posts from the 2004 season... what was that "smilie" for the 04 season again?

oh yeah!:2004:


i don't recall many putting nc or bust stickers on their cars that year and we finished a far cry from 3-9 with an ape rapping from our rival...

 

[smithlabs]

Denial and Desperation

Disillusion comes later



Fitting that this was the 4000th post of the thread (and NF's 255th). GPA

From 7 STAGES OF GRIEF
1. SHOCK & DENIAL-
You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for nine weeks. How can we loose to a lower tier MAC school? How can we loose to Ap. State? 3-9 isn't Michigan football. It's LLLLoyd's fault. Our savoir .... will make everything better. Barwis!!!11!!!1!!!

2. PAIN & GUILT-
As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs.
You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn't do with your loved one. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase. Guilt == Those who stay will be Champions

3. ANGER & BARGAINING-
Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the death on someone else. Please try to control this, as permanent damage to your relationships may result. This is a time for the release of bottled up emotion.
You may rail against fate, questioning "Why me?" You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair ("I will never drink again if you just bring him back").
I will trade acadimic integrity for a good recruit. Boren was soft. If I put three slot dots in the same jersey can they play d-line. All in for Michigan.
4. "DEPRESSION", REFLECTION, LONELINESS-
Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. This is a normal stage of grief, so do not be "talked out of it" by well-meaning outsiders. Encouragement from others is not helpful to you during this stage of grieving.
During this time, you finally realize the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did with your lost one, and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.

Expect this the third week of November...

5. THE UPWARD TURN-
As you start to adjust to life without your dear one, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized. Your physical symptoms lessen, and your "depression" begins to lift slightly.

I can get tickets for the Motor City Bowl.


6. RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH-
As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without your loved one. You will start to work on practical and financial problems and reconstructing yourself and your life without him or her.

It's going to take years to bridge the talent gap between scUM and OSU. Rome wasn't built in a day. These slot dots grow when you put them in water don't they?


7. ACCEPTANCE & HOPE-
During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness. Given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled YOU that existed before this tragedy. But you will find a way forward.

At least we can get tickets now. Tressel will retire some day. Our next true Frosh QB will save us...

 

[Jaxbuck]

From 7 STAGES OF GRIEF
1. SHOCK & DENIAL-
You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for nine weeks. How can we loose to a lower tier MAC school? How can we loose to Ap. State? 3-9 isn't Michigan football. It's LLLLoyd's fault. Our savoir .... will make everything better. Barwis!!!11!!!1!!!

2. PAIN & GUILT-
As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs.
You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn't do with your loved one. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase. Guilt == Those who stay will be Champions

3. ANGER & BARGAINING-
Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the death on someone else. Please try to control this, as permanent damage to your relationships may result. This is a time for the release of bottled up emotion.
You may rail against fate, questioning "Why me?" You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair ("I will never drink again if you just bring him back").
I will trade acadimic integrity for a good recruit. Boren was soft. If I put three slot dots in the same jersey can they play d-line. All in for Michigan.
4. "DEPRESSION", REFLECTION, LONELINESS-
Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. This is a normal stage of grief, so do not be "talked out of it" by well-meaning outsiders. Encouragement from others is not helpful to you during this stage of grieving.
During this time, you finally realize the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did with your lost one, and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.

Expect this the third week of November...

5. THE UPWARD TURN-
As you start to adjust to life without your dear one, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized. Your physical symptoms lessen, and your "depression" begins to lift slightly.

I can get tickets for the Motor City Bowl.


6. RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH-
As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without your loved one. You will start to work on practical and financial problems and reconstructing yourself and your life without him or her.

It's going to take years to bridge the talent gap between scUM and OSU. Rome wasn't built in a day. These slot dots grow when you put them in water don't they?


7. ACCEPTANCE & HOPE-
During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness. Given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled YOU that existed before this tragedy. But you will find a way forward.

At least we can get tickets now. Tressel will retire some day. Our next true Frosh QB will save us...

GPA time.