Rich Rodriguez (official thread of last laughs)

[Gatorubet]

When all is said and done, if Rich Rogriguez and Michigan beat tOSU next year or the next, it is all a moot point. He becomes a great hire.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

My understanding behind the whole January 3rd resignation date was that the lawyers told him that it would give him a loophole to escape paying his buyout. That's bad enough, but the guy then went straight ahead--prior to his official WVU resignation--and started recruiting for Michigan.

This guy is bad news, and once all the hype dies down, the Michigan alumni are going to find it out the hard way.

Can we have a vbet on how many seasons before RR starts entertaining job offers and tries to hold a gun to Michigan's head?

 

[BB73]

I thought coaches were in a quiet period anyways???

A quiet period, despite the name, does allow contact. This past Sunday (when R-Rod called Pryor), was a quiet period and phone calls are OK.

Monday started a "Dead period". Once again, despite the name, phone calls (1 per week initiated by the coach) are allowed.

13.02.4.3 Quiet Period.

A quiet period is that period of time when it is permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts only on the member institution's campus. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during the quiet period.

13.02.4.4 Dead Period.

A dead period is that period of time when it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the member institution's campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by prospective student-athletes to the institution's campus. The provision of complimentary admissions to a prospective student-athlete during a dead period is prohibited, except as provided in Bylaw 13.7.2.5 for a prospective student-athlete who visits an institution as part of a group. During such a dead period, a coaching staff member may not serve as a speaker at or attend a meeting or banquet at which prospective student-athletes are in attendance, except as provided in Bylaw 13.1.9.1, and may not visit the prospective student-athletes' educational institutions. It remains permissible, however, for an institutional staff member to write or telephone prospective student-athletes during such a dead period. (Revised: 1/11/94)

 

[Wingate1217]

So, coaches who continue to recruit kids after they commit to other schools (keep in mind that we do that) are unethical? Because that's exactly what Rodriguez is doing--re-recruiting from Michigan.

I believe the onerous is on the recruit. Did he commit to the school based on the coach or the school (read: tradition, education, proximity to home, etc.) I don't blame RR one bit for making the call. Having said that if the recruit told me "I still want to honor my commitment" I would wish him well and wouldn't call him again to pressure him. I would tell the recruit that my door is always open and if he changed his mind feel free to call me.....

Having said that if I was still dutifully employed by WVU till 1/3 it would be unethical for me to call a kid who I was recruiting for WVU now. I would have to wait until 1/4 when I am officially Scum's coach....

 

[Jaxbuck]

When all is said and done, if Rich Rogriguez and Michigan beat tOSU next year or the next, it is all a moot point. He becomes a great hire.

and a large percentage of his chance to do so will be tied to TP college choice imo.

Whomever took over scUM was going to have a 2-3 year period of getting them back up to speed imo. If RR has to implement his scheme with the talent on hand that might be a conservative estimate, if he manages to get TP up there it speeds it up some.

No matter what RR has to bring a team of first year starters into the Shoe next year to face a very talented, battle tested, veteran team.

 

[pokey]

My biggest problem with RichRod's actions is that I think it is unethical to coach at Michigan.

 

[ShakerBuck]

How is it wrong? A coach recruits a kid because he knows the kid is good, and the coach had already been at another school, he probably would've recruited him there also, so what's the difference. In this case, Woods himself said he committed to each of his schools because of the staff/coaches, so he essentially committed to them instead of the school or overall program itself.

gray area...

If coach said

"i'm leaving for a hc position at x school, and we have a scholarship for you if you're interested, but I think WV is a great school, and I'm confident that the new staff whoever it might be, will do a great job, and you'll have a great opportunity to contribute there if you decide to stay. If you change your mind, please call me, we'd love to have you"

and that was the end of the recruitment that would be fine.

I think actively trying to recruit away from the school that he committed to, if you were the one selling him on the original school to begin with. seems a little underhanded (not sure if that is the right word, but it doesn't smell right).

 

[Steve19]

I also think that the onus is on the recruit.

Personally, there was never any place I wanted to go but Ohio State, from the time I was six years of age. I wasn't good enough to play basketball there but if I had been, I would have gone there. It would not have mattered if I had been recruited by UNC or Duke. I would have gone to Ohio State.

If I had been good enough at football to play for Woody, I would have done so. Not USC, not Notre Dame and sure as hell not Michigan.

Michigan is a lot better rated university than West Virginia and I can understand why a recruit would want to study there. I have good friends who teach there and I know that they care as much about Michigan as I do about Ohio State. I even understand how they fall into the whole aura of "the winningest program" crap.

But truth be told, even though I have friends teaching there, I'll second the vote that if we beat them 50 times in a row, I will be eagerly going for the two-point conversion in game #51.

So, if Rodriguez is their coach, fine. We don't care who it is or whether their families look like their from the sticks or not. We don't need to draw attention to "trailer-park culture" or any other judgmental aspect of their appearance or manners to feel superior.

We just want to see the look on his face in the fourth quarter next year when it dawns on him that The Game is unwinnable.

 

[IrishBuckeye]

So is it true he actually hasn't signed a contract with Michigan yet....

:osu:

 

[Jaxbuck]

It been driving me nuts. I know Dick Rod reminds me of someone and I just couldn't place it. Now I have.


scUM has hired Herb Tarlek

 

[muffler dragon]

Here's are a couple snippets from a Bleacher Report article I read today:

link

Even before Rodriguez left, I wrote that he needed to shake up the offense, that it was killing Steve Slaton's numbers and concentrating too much firepower along the offensive line, which was getting gummed up by aggressive, penetrating defenses.

Rodriguez's offense is built on spreading the defense and getting his playmakers in space. But in recent games (UConn notwithstanding; the Huskies were outmanned) there has been no space. The Bubble Screen got poked, the spread got squeezed, the reverse got reversed and there was no downfield threat to take cornerbacks and safeties away from the line. (Where are you, Brandon Myles?)

As someone else wrote, this has meant that defenders only had to defend the first 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, essentially creating a goal-line situation and closing Rodriguez's playbook.

Which he closed plenty of times himself this season. I remember one set of downs at Mountaineer Field this season, I forget against who, where WVU had the ball inside the five. Rodriguez called Owen Schmitt up the middle, Schmitt up the middle and, just to throw the defense off-balance, Slaton up the middle. Of course it ended in a punt.

Doesn't WVU have a mobile quarterback who is adept at throwing on the run? Why wasn't one of those calls a rollout run-pass option?

Again, on a crucial fourth-down against Pitt, Rodriguez called for Slaton off-tackle. He was tripped up in the hole and didn't make the first down.

I thought: Rich Rodriguez, offensive genius, father of the spread, THAT'S your play on fourth-and-three with the season on the line? THAT'S it? Woody Hayes could have drawn that up. Worse: Fourth-and-three against Pitt AT HOME with the national championship in view and you can't pick up three yards? That is pretty much indefensible.

Too many times, Rodriguez -- even by his own admission -- got "stubborn" and stuck to his game plan when it was clear the defense had stopped it. This is a sign of arrogance; maybe it's understandable from a guy who invented a thing. But it limits the success of his team, as it did against South Florida this year and last and against Pitt this year.

 

[6-1.SUCKIT.]

Looks like there has been a lot of misinformation in this thread.

I think Rich is a great hire for several reasons.

One reason is that he's going to completely revamp the Michigan strength and conditioning program. That is a HUGE thing that cannot be overlooked.

Michigan has the personnel to run the spread in year one. Even if Manningham leaves (which looks likely) there is still enough talent at receiver to run a spread. Adrian Arrington is a fabulous receiver, Greg Mathews is a very good receiver himself. Junior Hemingway, Toney Clemons, and Darryl Stonum are all very talented young receivers. The talent at tight end is also very good with Carson Butler, Martell Webb, Kevin Koger, and Brandon Moore.

As far as Mallett goes, he ran the spread in high school at Texas High. The kid looked more comfortable this year when Michigan had him in the gun and had 4 WR sets. He looked very awkward under-center and muffed, I don't know, 11 or 12 snaps on the year.

As far as Rodriguez' system goes, it's adaptable to the players. PERIOD. Anybody who says otherwise obviously doesn't have a clue. At Glenville State he threw the ball 50-60 times a game. He had a receiver that caught 154 balls in a single season. As the offensive co-ordinator and QB's coach at Tulane he had Shaun King who lead the NCAA in passing efficiency, threw for 3,600 yards and 38 touchdown passes against only 6 interceptions.

Rodriguez is a true innovator on offense. Urban Meyer bases most of his offensive philosophy on Rodriguez. Ask Urban what he thinks of Rich.

Great hire for Michigan. The best realistic hire they could've made period, because Bob Stoops or Urban Meyer were not going to leave their respective cushy situations.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Looks like there has been a lot of misinformation in this thread.

I think Rich is a great hire for several reasons.

One reason is that he's going to completely revamp the Michigan strength and conditioning program. That is a HUGE thing that cannot be overlooked.

Michigan has the personnel to run the spread in year one. Even if Manningham leaves (which looks likely) there is still enough talent at receiver to run a spread. Adrian Arrington is a fabulous receiver, Greg Mathews is a very good receiver himself. Junior Hemingway, Toney Clemons, and Darryl Stonum are all very talented young receivers. The talent at tight end is also very good with Carson Butler, Martell Webb, Kevin Koger, and Brandon Moore.

As far as Mallett goes, he ran the spread in high school at Texas High. The kid looked more comfortable this year when Michigan had him in the gun and had 4 WR sets. He looked very awkward under-center and muffed, I don't know, 11 or 12 snaps on the year.

As far as Rodriguez' system goes, it's adaptable to the players. PERIOD. Anybody who says otherwise obviously doesn't have a clue. At Glenville State he threw the ball 50-60 times a game. He had a receiver that caught 154 balls in a single season. As the offensive co-ordinator and QB's coach at Tulane he had Shaun King who lead the NCAA in passing efficiency, threw for 3,600 yards and 38 touchdown passes against only 6 interceptions.

Rodriguez is a true innovator on offense. Urban Meyer bases most of his offensive philosophy on Rodriguez. Ask Urban what he thinks of Rich.

Great hire for Michigan. The best realistic hire they could've made period, because Bob Stoops or Urban Meyer were not going to leave their respective cushy situations.

Wow. I'm sure glad you came along and cleared up all that misinformation. What a bunch of dumbasses we are.

I guess OSU is screwed, there is another offensive genius loose in the midwest thats going to maul the B10 because they are all so slow, dumb and behind the times. Does RR have a bunch of rings to show off to recruits? Oh wait, he hasn't won anything has he. Suprising for all his offensive prowress.

When is the next installment of you litany of RR's genius coming out? The one that covers defense and why he seems to have a small issue with winning big games?

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Looks like there has been a lot of misinformation in this thread.

I think Rich is a great hire for several reasons.

One reason is that he's going to completely revamp the Michigan strength and conditioning program. That is a HUGE thing that cannot be overlooked.

Your point about S/C program is valid, as Mich does need an upgrade there.

Michigan has the personnel to run the spread in year one. Even if Manningham leaves (which looks likely) there is still enough talent at receiver to run a spread. Adrian Arrington is a fabulous receiver, Greg Mathews is a very good receiver himself. Junior Hemingway, Toney Clemons, and Darryl Stonum are all very talented young receivers. The talent at tight end is also very good with Carson Butler, Martell Webb, Kevin Koger, and Brandon Moore.

As far as Mallett goes, he ran the spread in high school at Texas High. The kid looked more comfortable this year when Michigan had him in the gun and had 4 WR sets. He looked very awkward under-center and muffed, I don't know, 11 or 12 snaps on the year.

Time will tell if Mallet's the guy. My instinct says no, but it's not fair for me to really say that comparing White (as the most recent RR product) against him.

As far as Rodriguez' system goes, it's adaptable to the players. PERIOD. Anybody who says otherwise obviously doesn't have a clue. At Glenville State he threw the ball 50-60 times a game. He had a receiver that caught 154 balls in a single season. As the offensive co-ordinator and QB's coach at Tulane he had Shaun King who lead the NCAA in passing efficiency, threw for 3,600 yards and 38 touchdown passes against only 6 interceptions.

I've really been debating this of late. The spread option is just the triple option... what I mean is, the TO had a huge degree of success inthe 70s... everyone was running it... including OSU and Mich... but... then people learned how to stop it. The SO will be "caught up to" soon enough, and I guess we'll see if it's "the only thing [RichRod] knows" cause if it is, think Nebraska under Solich.

Rodriguez is a true innovator on offense. Urban Meyer bases most of his offensive philosophy on Rodriguez. Ask Urban what he thinks of Rich.

Eh.. I think Rich Rod did a fantastic job at WVU, but I can think of another offensive Genius who plain sucks. Anyway, as I noted above, time will tell on this issue. There will come a day when people are so prepared to stop the SO, power I football will become the way to go. It's cyclical. If he's as innovative as you say, he'll be able to recognize it. If not, well.. he's a gimmick coach, a la Joe Tiller... and I like Tiller, just saying.

I think People's objections to Rich Rod have been about his Recruiting practices - risky recruits in particular - and things of that nature.

Great hire for Michigan. The best realistic hire they could've made period, because Bob Stoops or Urban Meyer were not going to leave their respective cushy situations.

I understand being optimistic. But, Michigan will have to wait a little while to proclaim this a great hire. WVU isn't known for defense, although this year's unit is pretty highly rated (but, it was against BE competition) and that is already a problem area for Mich. There may be some personell problems in running a new O... on the otehr hand, Mich is going to be breaking in new players anyway, so that will probably help. But, the real question is... if Mich struggles, especially considering the loss of Long, Hart, Henne, MM (probably) and so on.. how long will Mich fans sing the praises before frustration sets in.

I don't want to be too dramatic, but I feel like Michigan is kind of in the same position as Nebraska was after Osbourne left. Will the fall apart? Will they recover? Time will tell. At this point, I think.. being as objective as I can be.. it could go either way.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

Looks like there has been a lot of misinformation in this thread.

I think Rich is a great hire for several reasons.

One reason is that he's going to completely revamp the Michigan strength and conditioning program. That is a HUGE thing that cannot be overlooked.

Michigan has the personnel to run the spread in year one. Even if Manningham leaves (which looks likely) there is still enough talent at receiver to run a spread. Adrian Arrington is a fabulous receiver, Greg Mathews is a very good receiver himself. Junior Hemingway, Toney Clemons, and Darryl Stonum are all very talented young receivers. The talent at tight end is also very good with Carson Butler, Martell Webb, Kevin Koger, and Brandon Moore.

As far as Mallett goes, he ran the spread in high school at Texas High. The kid looked more comfortable this year when Michigan had him in the gun and had 4 WR sets. He looked very awkward under-center and muffed, I don't know, 11 or 12 snaps on the year.

As far as Rodriguez' system goes, it's adaptable to the players. PERIOD. Anybody who says otherwise obviously doesn't have a clue. At Glenville State he threw the ball 50-60 times a game. He had a receiver that caught 154 balls in a single season. As the offensive co-ordinator and QB's coach at Tulane he had Shaun King who lead the NCAA in passing efficiency, threw for 3,600 yards and 38 touchdown passes against only 6 interceptions.

Rodriguez is a true innovator on offense. Urban Meyer bases most of his offensive philosophy on Rodriguez. Ask Urban what he thinks of Rich.

Great hire for Michigan. The best realistic hire they could've made period, because Bob Stoops or Urban Meyer were not going to leave their respective cushy situations.

Just a question here, but how are you going to protect Ryan Mallett and his fumbling problems, when you are losing your best offensive lineman to the NFL and even with him you were 62nd in the country in sacks allowed? Not to mention that if you run a spread that takes away blockers and with Hart gone you don't exactly have a running back with a reputation of picking up blitzers.