Mailbag Question: Previous players leaving

Been getting many e-mails regarding players leaving previously and currently. Many people have stated that they want all these “bad apples” gone or the ones that do not buy into the program.

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In a normal year, I bet the “text” thing would not be that big of deal, but when your losing and you are trying to keep the players together, you try and not let anybody slip out.

Still stand by that it was not that bad “the foundation”. It just did not have the right “mix” that Coach Rod wanted so he tore it down and started over instead of patching it up and fixing it.

The real question will be what does the kids that might leave say once they are away from the program. That could be key to the success of future recruiting for Michigan.

Players who have already left, like Boren making fun of and talking about lack of family values, and number of others Mallet, etc. have had big effect on product on field. Coach Rod has caused many distractions that have come back to bite him. Agree when winning these things do not hurt as much, when losing them escalates in a hurry. Coach Rod has small window of time to turn this around and show some positive results.

The funny thing is this whole player’s do not like Mallett thing started over an argument with Mario and truth be told the players did not like Mario!

Not many disliked Mallett, he was just a cocky young rookie, that is always going to rub some players the wrong way especially the upperclassmen, but for the most part players actually respect players for being like mallett, and they become the leader. Players such as Adrian, Mike, Chad all loved Mallett’s approach and new he was a future leader, and visiting recruits ALWAYS spent their Saturday night with Mallett and loved the kid).

On offense, it is just Coach Rod decision to run Mallett off that cost the program this year and especially a bowl game, practice time, etc.
You cannot dismantle things and then cry about things being dismantled, but he learned that from Bush-Iraq if nowhere else.

It works because people do not pay close enough attention.
He treated the situation as if he was entering a losing program, which is what his story was elsewhere such as West Virginia dismantling everything. This was not the case here though until he created it.

Now people are hoping for 6-6 or 7-5 for next year just to get into one of the 26 bowl games out there. If he does not make a bowl game next year, we will be looking for a new coach all over again. This program does not have patients or time to wait 4-5 years down the road.

You can say the “foundation” was cracked, etc… but it sure didn’t need dismantled … maybe tweaked such as getting the players in a S&C program and demanding they be there along with player developement.

What we mean by this is fixing the S&C program in which it was a voluntary program in the past especially in the off-season. Making the players held accountable for their actions and getting the coaches involved. Getting a S&C coach that makes it known that if you do not participate you will not play in the fall and that was backed up by Coach Rod.

Also like his openness to the media, but some of the things with so many more media covering Michigan Coach Rod needs to be more careful what he says. At West Virginia, he was in a smaller area and not as much national exposure and most of those media had a personal relationship with him for awhile as the head coach there along with being a player and living in West Virginia.

I think people need to stop referring Bo to Coach Rod from here on out.

There are other people around as well that believe this as well.

Doesn’t really matter now, but Coach Rod is off his pedestal for most with people with doing nothing wrong and next year is “make or break” (IMO) for him.

He (IMO) will have to at least show improvement and at least get to a bowl game (6-7 wins) for him to see what he can do with the 2010 season which should be a lot better when we open up Michigan Stadium and all those expensive boxes as well that are not sold yet.

Are we saying we do not like what Coach Rod has done? No not at, but we believe he has made some mistakes that have hurt the program short term. Will this effect us? Not sure we will find out next year along with how recruiting goes the next several years.

In addition, another kid to keep an eye on is what Brandon Graham has to say about the program if he says anything. Of course, if he leaves now to me that means he was not fond of the coaches and the direction of the program and looking to move on with the NFL, but if he stays that can only help the situation and tell recruits that the program is moving in the right direction. The one catch is does he risk saying anything and then not being able to come back and work out with Barwis in the off seasons once he gets to the NFL.

Have to look at players like Babb, Banks, Butler (GVSU), Chambers, Clemons, Cox, Grady (GVSU), B. Graham (NFL), Herron, Horn, Kates, McGuffie, Patterson, Savoy, Watson and Webb who might all look at their options of being back on this team, asked to leave or will not be granted their fifth year. Some of these players have already gone public so the wait will be for the rest. One thing to keep in mind with the off-season so long this year the kids have several chances to leave. Right now since the season is over, their exams are coming up in early December when they can leave and make it public, not show up for the January school session, can come to spring ball and see how they fit in this year and then decide.

Again NOT saying all will go, but you have to think that almost everyone of them will look at their options and see where they stack up and if they want to be on the team and sit the bench or if they might be able to play next year. I have been told that many of the players I mentioned are goners and not by their choice either.

This team was not this bad or it did not need to be this bad, but Coach Rod decided to tear it down to the ground and start all over. Coach Rod needs to take the heat for that and also he better win at least 6-7 games next year or the “natives” will be restless especially with a remodeled stadium completed for the 2010 season and boxes need to be filled.

That is another point I have heard they have not sold any or many of the boxes since the spring. I have heard they are still in the forty’s. They were at forty-two I believe when we were at the spring coach’s clinic. Also heard that several have or will be asking for their money back since it is all based off points system anyway and if they want back in points for the given areas of the boxes will structure it all. In addition, when the boxes cost as much as they do what does a $5,000.00 deposit matter.

Written by CoachBt, MaizeMan, AAir16 and ErocWolverine