Bronco Sports First
by Dan Cash
WKZO.COM Sports
Throughout the Michigan Football coaching search a season ago Michigan fans and former players argued that Michigan had to find a “Michigan Man”. Convinced that the Michigan Wolverines football team could not survive without someone who understood the true culture associated with Wolverines football.
I have consistently argued against the need for a “Michigan Man”. As you can imagine when Rich Rodriguez was hired last season, I welcomed it. I felt, and still do that Rich was going to be a welcome change to the win a “Big Ten Title and be happy philosophy” that permeated throughout the Michigan program.
So now that Rodriguez job seems to be getting hotter by the day, with a 3-9 season (Michigan's 1st non-bowl season since 1985) a newly formed player accusation of overworking under NCAA rules and of course that 3-9 season (It doesn't do it justice to only mention it once) some are calling for Rodriguez to be fired.
These allegations may very well cripple Rodriguez' coaching tenure at Michigan, however player accusations from former and current players to the Detroit Free Press signal a deeper problem at Michigan.
Justin Boren and Ryan Mallet jumped ship and transferred almost immediately. Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington decided the NFL was their best route and now players are beginning to signal friction at an alarming rate.
I give you one question to consider...is this a Rich Rodriguez problem? Or is this a “Michigan Man” problem.
It appears to me that anything that deviated from the original Michigan system of heavy running Big Ten football was going to cause a problem and rift within the Michigan Football family. If Athletic Director Bill Martin had chosen anyone else as Head Coach it would have been a better transition than Rodriguez.
It was...to say the least...the most 180 degree hire he could have made. I see this however as a player problem.
Maybe Rodriguez' coaching staff was pushing the players too hard. Maybe the players were simply overworked from the coaching staff they used to know. It would be interesting to find out exactly why they chose to speak.
I just can't imagine the Florida Gators, USC Trojans or Ohio State Buckeyes players running to the press complaining of “preparing too hard” for their next opponent. Which signals the change that Rodriguez is trying to bring.
He wants to win National Championships. Rodriguez is not happy with 8 win trips to the Alamo Bowl. (No offense Alamo Bowl, it's just not what Michigan should be used too)
Rodriguez left his home state to win a National Title at one of the best programs in the history of College Football. That may never happen now, but Michigan players need to learn one thing from these allegations...they do nothing to help anyone. All they do is cause problems for you, the program and the Head Coach.
It's not going to get you more playing time, it's not going to get you a new coach that will tolerate you after a mutiny like that. The one thing we can learn from this is that Rodriguez tenure at Michigan will most likely be decided by this season, and in saying that I guess nothing has really changed.
He had to win this season to generate some solid press, he had to show major promise anyways, so the allegations are just another piece he needs to overcome.
On second thought, I guess he is a “Michigan Man”...trying once again just like Lloyd Carr and Gary Moeller that he was worthy of coaching mighty Michigan.
Too bad for Rodriguez...the Western Michigan Bronco football program may pull off the biggest win in their history at “The Big House” on September 5th.
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