Rich Rod: Let Them Eat Cake!
The coaching career of Rich Rodriguez at The University of Michigan was short-lived. It all began late in the year of 2007, when University of Michigan announced his hiring from the West Virginia Mountaineers.
His coaching record in Morgantown was stellar. He led his team to three straight eleven win seasons, including a victory in the 2006 BCS Gator Bowl against Georgia Tech. In 2007, he coached WVU to a 10-1 season. He needed a win in his last regular season game to earn a bid to the National Championship Game, but fell to lowly Pitt 13-9. His starting quarterback, Pat White, eventually set the winning record for starting quarterbacks for the Mountaineers (34-8).
On December 21st, 2007, Rich Rodriguez was introduced as the new head football coach for the Wolverines. His three year record at UM was lackluster. His 3-9 record, in his initial year (2008),was the worst in school history. Michigan did not play in a post-season bowl game for the first time in 33 years. His record gradually improved.
In 2009 the Rodriguez-led Wolverine team was 5-7 and in 2010 7-5. His 38 point loss to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, at the end of that season, was the worst loss in school history. He never beat arch rivals, Ohio State nor Michigan State. He had the lowest winning percentage of any UM head coach.
His stay at Michigan was marked by other controversy. Many of the scholarship players left the program, including offensive lineman, Justin Boren, who transferred to Ohio State. Toney Clemons left for Colorado. Quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Steven Threet left for Arkansas and Arizona State, respectively. Running back Sam McGuffie left for Rice. It was reported by the Detroit Free Press that Rich Rod’s staff used some of the most degrading language imaginable and overall that the program had lost its sense of family values.
Prior the 2009 season, it was reported that several players confessed that the football staff had continuously violated NCAA rules by attending unofficial practices. In addition, the coaches insisted that players work out more on off-season hours. Formal charges were levied against the University on February 10, 2010. This resulted in an acknowledgment by the school that it had committed four breaches of NCAA rules. Sanctions were self-imposed, but resulted in several penalties, including an extended period of probation.
Following a frustrating 2010 season, Athletic Director David Brandon, completed his review and released Rodriguez on January 5th, 2011.
Yet lingering questions remain. Was Rich Rod treated differently as he was not a “Michigan Man?” Did former coach Lloyd Carr sabotage the program by “leaving the cupboard bare?”
Let’s do an examination:
Chad Henne and Michael Hart were part of the outstanding 2004 class. Also included were future NFL players Adrian Arrington, Morgan Trent and Alan Branch.
The 2005 class was also exemplary. It ranked 6th (according to Rivals.com) and contained 23 commits, including Kevin Grady (5 star) and ten four star athletes. From that team, six athletes eventually played in the NFL, including Mario Manningham.
The 2006 class (also according to Rivals.com) was ranked 13th overall and 3rd in the Big Ten. This team included 5 star players Brandon Graham and Stephen Shilling. It also included 9 four star and 7 three star players. The 2007 class was ranked 12th overall (also according to Rivals.com) and 1st in the Big Ten. Future NFL stars Junior Hemingway and Donovan Warren formed part of this class. When he arrived, Rich Rod took over the 2008 class, chosen by the former coaching staff and finished tenth nationally. Too many big names wound up to be busts, but the class remained solid.
The cupboard was not left empty. Particularly so, when one considers the rate of attrition during Rich Rod’s first two years.
When he left Michigan, Rodriguez, spent a year as a CBS Sports analyst. According to him, this was his “redshirt year.” He was then hired as the head coach for the University of Arizona. Since arriving in Tuscon, he has had spectacular results, leading the Wildcats to an overall record of 21-11, including two bowl victories. In 2014, his team won the first five games, including an upset at No. 2 Oregon, before being edged at home by USC 28-26.
With such brilliant success in Arizona, Rich Rod’s name has been included in elite circles. It has been reported that he is the favorite for the potential vacancy at The University of Florida. With his transformation of the Wildcats’ program, there is no doubt that he will be frequently courted.
When asked about the current upheaval in Ann Arbor, he reportedly stated that there were a lot of issues at Michigan and it became more about the drama than it did about football. In addition he truly believed that his time for success was coming and he didn’t get a chance to finish the job. “It’s like you made a cake from scratch and put it in the oven. Someone else is putting the icing on and eating it.”
In fairness, he gradually improved the record of the Woverines. This is in direct contrast to the performance of Brady Hoke. Rich Rod insisted on running his spread- option offense, even though he had players more equipped for the pro-style offense. He brought Mike Barwis with him. Mike had been his strength and conditioning coach for six years. On their arrival to Ann Arbor, he convinced the Athletic Director, Bill Martin, to invest one million dollars to the strength and conditioning facility. On the face of the doors of the renovated building were these words, “Through these doors walk the best conditioned, most disciplined and hardest working football team in America.” Under his tutelage, the Wolverines did produce some hefty numbers on offense in 2009 and 2010. He has always been considered to be one of the most innovative offensive minds in the college game. By his enthusiasm and results in Arizona, the recipe for success will be assembled from scratch and devoured, one grain of flour at a time.
Shouldn’t the Wolverines offer him as much cake as he wants and serve it with his favorite ice cream?
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