This will be last ever post on this subject. Quite frankly, I'm tired. I've made my point of view well-known over the past three years. Yet, people continue to find a way to spin everything in a negative fashion. The people opposing Rich Rodriguez have seemingly unlimited energy. At this point, I'm running on fumes.
The thing that irritates me the most is the idea that Michigan deserves better. I got into an argument this Saturday, and the opposition always seemed to resort to getting a Michigan Man in, or "get rid of that hillbilly."
The thing that irritates me the most is the idea that Michigan deserves better. I got into an argument this Saturday, and the opposition always seemed to resort to getting a Michigan Man in, or "get rid of that hillbilly."
The Future is the Key
What Michigan really deserves is the decision that is best for its future. You may not like what has happened over the past three years (I sure as hell haven't), but a huge decision like this should not be based on emotion. It should be based on sound logic and reason. If Michigan fires Rich Rodriguez, it should be because Michigan's future is best without him. If that is true, then I have no problem with firing him. I do have a problem firing Rich Rodriguez if Michigan is doing it simply because the last three years aren't "acceptable."
What does this mean?
You better have a damn good replacement that you know is going to take the job. Firing Rich Rodriguez without having a good replacement in mind would be an absolute disaster. Now, of course, we have a pretty good idea who that replacement might be.
Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh is apparently the next big thing. It's natural for his name to come up, I guess. He was a hero at Michigan for beating Ohio State and he's won a lot of games in 2010. He's won a lot of games in his fourth year as head coach at Stanford. His record in his first three years?
2007: 4-8
2008: 5-7
2009: 8-5
Man, those numbers look familiar. Now, in 2010, with a highly regarded (and recruited) upperclassman at quarterback, Stanford is 11-1. Now, I realize that Harbaugh inherited Walt Harris's mess. But, Rich Rodriguez inherited a situation that was equally messy. Ryan Mallett was never staying so he was stuck with Nick Sheridan and virtually no returning starters on offense.
Maybe Jim Harbaugh is the answer. Maybe he's not. If we've learned anything in the past three years, it's that no new head coach is guaranteed success, especially when dramatically changing the style of the current team.
Michigan in 2011
What I do know is that Michigan will be worse off in 2011 if Rich Rodriguez is fired. For the first time in the Rich Rod era, he will have two things at quarterback: a returning starter and an upperclassman. If Rich Rodriguez is fired, Devin Gardner is probably the guy. It's a vicious cycle.
The offense will be returning every significant starter and adding the #1 running back in the country.
The defense gets rid of its weak link (Obi Ezeh) and adds depth. It's sucked watching the true freshmen in the secondary learning on the job, but these guys are getting quality playing time that will provide great depth in 2011. These guys are starting now and will be back-ups next year. That difference can't be overstated.
At linebacker, Obi is finally gone! Kenny Demens has looked great in the middle, and guys like Thomas Gordon and Cam Gordon are getting lots of playing time at linebacker. Projected starter Mike Jones (who?) will be healthy and starting in 2011, and big-time prospect Marvin Robinson will have had plenty of time to learn his new position.
The defensive line will be a year older and healthier. Mike Martin, RVB, Craig Roh, and Jibreel Black provide an excellent starting group.
The defense will get better just by getting a year of experience and getting starters back from injury. The offense will be one of the best in the country. Michigan has every opportunity to win a bunch of games in 2011. It's not like they're getting worse. From 3 to 5 to 7 wins... 9-10 seems like a realistic goal in 2011. They have the potential to win even more.
So, What To Do?
You can sacrifice 2011, risk 20+ defections, and kill recruiting to hire a coach who may or may not have more long-term success than Rich Rodriguez. Or, you can take your chances with Rich Rodriguez, and fire him if he doesn't win 9 or 10 games in 2011.
Me? I'll take my chances with the latter. I respect a guy who sits out his Heisman Trophy candidate who exhibits concussion symptoms in a game that could get him fired. I respect a guy who does the same with his starting left tackle, outside linebacker, and wide receiver a couple games later. I respect a guy who suspended his only punter before the Ohio State game with his job on the line. I'm willing to take a chance on that guy. I'm not willing to sacrifice the future for someone who may or may not have long term success at Michigan. You can have the guy who sold out his alma mater a couple years ago and showed the same improvement that Rich Rodriguez has in his first three years. Frankly, it shows where your priorities are.
