Dick Rod: "It's just a game"

SpartanGreen78 · 11-03-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Grant

Is it what psychologists/psychiatrist call the bargaining/rationalization stage? I agree with you a hundred percent. The perspective line is his way of dealing with what seems to him to be the inevitable...

Let's not commit this guy to a rubber room at the asylum just yet. As I see it, there are two things going on with RichRod:

1) He's not an articulate or skilled orator
2) He's obviously in over his head, in terms of culture and expectations, at Michigan.

Most of his faux pas comments throughout the past two years are signals that he's treading water with a brick attached to his leg. At WVU or Tulane or Clemson, the down-home hick approach worked well at minimizing any difficulties he had along the way. The expectations weren't so high and the boosters/fans not so rabid, so a little down-home glibness went a long way.

At Michigan, where the hippies sip their Chardonnay during tailgate and expect the championship program they were promised, you can't ask for patience or tell the fans/boosters to keep things in perspective.

You don't have to be on the verge of a mental breakdown to react like he does...you only need to have absolutely no prior experience or ability to handle the situation he's in. The downward spiral takes over from there.

Pablo Fanque · 11-03-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitownsparty86

I honestly have gotten little enjoyment out of Michigan sucking this year with our recent demise.

This is the definition of "demise"

Quote:

(d

-m

z

)n.1. a. Death.
b. The end of existence or activity; termination: the demise of the streetcar.

2. Law Transfer of an estate by lease or will.
3. The transfer of a ruler's authority by death or abdication.

There has been no demise of Spartan football. Not even close. If you want to call this season a setback or even say regression, fine. That's debatable but would seem to fit. But stop exaggerating what's happened this season. State can still make a bowl, which is hardly "demise."

kubrickfan · 11-03-2009, 10:45 AM

It may be just a game, but it's also his profession and he gets paid millions to do it. If he was my coach, I'd be

with that kind of attitude. I agree that you need perspective in life and sports is not everything, but it is his job. IMO, unless something changes soon he won't last much longer there. My prediction: I think they go 6-6 this year and next year, they'll be get b/w 5 and 7 wins and fire him after next season. While the offense may get somewhat better they are losing some of the few good players that they have on that defense and there's not that much there right now to replace them; the defense will be bad yet again. Just my guess but one more .500 season and he's done.

Rule Spartannia · 11-03-2009, 11:34 AM

Even Rodriguez isn't stupid enough to believe that anyone will buy the "It's only a game" snake oil. What he's trying to do is convince the UM faithful that he is attempting to make his players "better people, not just better football players." Yes, it's a feeble attempt, but it's really just about all he has left. This is just a continuation of his (false) statement that his UM team has the highest GPA in the history of UM football.

When he does get fired (hopefully not for several more years), he can go to his next prospective employer and say, "Look, I was trying to make these kids winners at life, not just football. But the University of Michigan doesn't share my values, so we decided to part ways." And some fool of an AD at some misguided program will take a chance on RR and his flashy spread offense.

GreenRamma · 11-03-2009, 11:41 AM

Dickrod was brought in to beat OSU and win championships! This is not going to happen! Expect to see Harbaugh as their next coach after next year.

SpartanGreen78 · 11-03-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rule Spartannia

Even Rodriguez isn't stupid enough to believe that anyone will buy the "It's only a game" snake oil. What he's trying to do is convince the UM faithful that he is attempting to make his players "better people, not just better football players." Yes, it's a feeble attempt, but it's really just about all he has left. This is just a continuation of his (false) statement that his UM team has the highest GPA in the history of UM football.

When he does get fired (hopefully not for several more years), he can go to his next prospective employer and say, "Look, I was trying to make these kids winners at life, not just football. But the University of Michigan doesn't share my values, so we decided to part ways." And some fool of an AD at some misguided program will take a chance on RR and his flashy spread offense.

You're giving him a LOT of credit. He comes across to me to be an opportunistic bull****ter, not a premeditated one.

SpartanGreen78 · 11-03-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenRamma

Dickrod was brought in to beat OSU and win championships! This is not going to happen! Expect to see Harbaugh as their next coach after next year.

But...but...but...Harbaugh's not a real Michigan Man.

If I were Jim Harbaugh, after those Mike Hart comments (which were not, mind you, reigned in by Lloyd Carr), i'd tell Michigan to go **** themselves twice.

GreenRamma · 11-03-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanGreen78

But...but...but...Harbaugh's not a real Michigan Man.

If I were Jim Harbaugh, after those Mike Hart comments (which were not, mind you, reigned in by Lloyd Carr), i'd tell Michigan to go **** themselves twice.

They'll give him a transfusion of maize and cornblew, throw some cash at him and all will be forgotten. Maybe they will start a graduate program called MIchigan Men and have him teach a class.

SpartanStu · 11-03-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichState04

He sounds more like Johnelle everyday. If you look at the similarities between John L and Dickrod starting from the conference they came from to the botched hiring processes that got them hired to the results on the field...it's stunning.

You're a little short.

RR is the culmination of our last 5 coaches all rolled into one.

JLS: spread offense no defense
BW: Not that bright
Saban: Will jet at the sight of $$$$
Perles: NCAA roaming the halls
Waters: No chance of getting to the Rose Bowl.

blanch32 · 11-03-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPMadMSU

Ahh...but we forget....A John L team never won less than 4 games.

FTR, JLS WAS a better coach than RR--amazing as that is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenRamma

They'll give him a transfusion of maize and cornblew, throw some cash at him and all will be forgotten. Maybe they will start a graduate program called MIchigan Men and have him teach a class.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanStu

You're a little short.

RR is the culmination of our last 5 coaches all rolled into one.

JLS: spread offense no defense
BW: Not that bright
Saban: Will jet at the sight of $$$$
Perles: NCAA roaming the halls
Waters: No chance of getting to the Rose Bowl.

Now what about Morris Watts?

Pablo Fanque · 11-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanGreen78

But...but...but...Harbaugh's not a real Michigan Man.

If I were Jim Harbaugh, after those Mike Hart comments (which were not, mind you, reigned in by Lloyd Carr), i'd tell Michigan to go **** themselves twice.

I have a hunch that Floyd talked to Bike Hart a few times and told him to shut his yap. He just didn't call him out publicly. Didn't Lloyd kind of distance the school/team from Bike's "little brother" comments?

MSUofM man · 11-03-2009, 02:41 PM

The comment was really taken out of context and clearly he was paying respects to a friend and University colleague who died suddenly at an age we all agree is way too young. I'm also a friend of the deceased and it's just been terrible since we learned of this Sunday.

That being said--I agree Rich Rod is fair game for criticism and questioning but I think this instance, under the circumstances and in this context, is a bit unfair.

Anyway--Go Blue and Go Green.

Link to full quote:
Much-beloved Ross School of Business academic advisor Robert Koonce dies suddenly | The Michigan Daily

MasterShake · 11-03-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 419Spartan08

After the Purdue loss what will the response be to "Have you lost this team?"

I don't know.

SpartanGreen78 · 11-03-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo Fanque

I have a hunch that Floyd talked to Bike Hart a few times and told him to shut his yap. He just didn't call him out publicly. Didn't Lloyd kind of distance the school/team from Bike's "little brother" comments?

Since when did Lloyd ever let his players off the leash to begin with? In the 10 or whatever years of Lloyd's tenure prior to that, I never recall any players mouthing off like Hart did, and he did it repeatedly. My first thought when hearing the Harbaugh comments is that "Lloyd is going to rip him a new *******". But then, he mouthed off again and at best, Lloyd just brushed it all off.

If there's anything that characterized Lloyd's and Bo's management of the team and of the "Michigan Man" brand is iron-fisted control. I don't know what Lloyd was up to with letting Hart go off the reservation and alienate someone like Harbaugh, but that is not the hallmark of Wolverine alumni relations.

However, FWIW, I find it hilarious that Rick Leach is now the "Michigan Man" spokesmodel for U-M.

blanch32 · 11-03-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo Fanque

I have a hunch that Floyd talked to Bike Hart a few times and told him to shut his yap. He just didn't call him out publicly. Didn't Lloyd kind of distance the school/team from Bike's "little brother" comments?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanGreen78

Since when did Lloyd ever let his players off the leash to begin with? In the 10 or whatever years of Lloyd's tenure prior to that, I never recall any players mouthing off like Hart did, and he did it repeatedly. My first thought when hearing the Harbaugh comments is that "Lloyd is going to rip him a new *******". But then, he mouthed off again and at best, Lloyd just brushed it all off.

If there's anything that characterized Lloyd's and Bo's management of the team and of the "Michigan Man" brand is iron-fisted control. I don't know what Lloyd was up to with letting Hart go off the reservation and alienate someone like Harbaugh, but that is not the hallmark of Wolverine alumni relations.

However, FWIW, I find it hilarious that Rick Leach is now the "Michigan Man" spokesmodel for U-M.

B/c uofm's "moment of silence" + "sssh" gestures + "what time is it?" gesture was oh so classy & in control in Lloyd's last MSU/uofm game.

SpartanGreen78 · 11-03-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blanch32

B/c uofm's "moment of silence" + "sssh" gestures + "what time is it?" gesture was oh so classy & in control in Lloyd's last MSU/uofm game.

Thanks for proving my point. We can always count on your genius to set things straight.

Up until the point he knew he was retiring, he kept a pretty tight leash on the team. Then Hart starts mouthing off, the team starts getting cocky and it's just left how it was?

Bruce Banner Ad · 11-03-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Now what about Morris Watts?

Got rolled vs. PSU?

GoBlueFromOhio · 11-03-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUofM man

The comment was really taken out of context and clearly he was paying respects to a friend and University colleague who died suddenly at an age we all agree is way too young. I'm also a friend of the deceased and it's just been terrible since we learned of this Sunday.

That being said--I agree Rich Rod is fair game for criticism and questioning but I think this instance, under the circumstances and in this context, is a bit unfair.

Anyway--Go Blue and Go Green.

Link to full quote:
Much-beloved Ross School of Business academic advisor Robert Koonce dies suddenly | The Michigan Daily

Facts are clearly not relevant in this thread, but appreciate the perspective.

RPMadMSU · 11-03-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoBlueFromOhio

Facts are clearly not relevant in this thread, but appreciate the perspective.

It's just a game!

Signed

RichRod with Love.

Gary in Bradenton · 11-03-2009, 05:20 PM

DickRod is getting his ass kicked by none other than Ron Zook. Hell even JLS could beat Zook. That should tell you all you need to know about DickRod. He can't even beat Ron Zook.

SpartanGreen78 · 11-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary in Bradenton

DickRod is getting his ass kicked by none other than Ron Zook. Hell even JLS could beat Zook. That should tell you all you need to know about DickRod. He can't even beat Ron Zook.

Um...sorry Gary...

2006 MSU vs. Illinois

Venice Spartan · 11-03-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPMadMSU

It's just a game!

Signed

RichRod with Love.

Hopefully he'll be reminded of this quote tOSU week

blanch32 · 11-03-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanGreen78

Thanks for proving my point. We can always count on your genius to set things straight.

Up until the point he knew he was retiring, he kept a pretty tight leash on the team. Then Hart starts mouthing off, the team starts getting cocky and it's just left how it was?

BF then, they were too busy stealing from K Mart & Busting up people w/ different kinds of glass.

GatorBill · 11-03-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blanch32

FTR, JLS WAS a better coach than RR--amazing as that is.

Now what about Morris Watts?

short term assignment. No Temp to Perm agreement offered.

JoeSpartyFan · 11-03-2009, 07:18 PM

Perhaps RRod should tell Charles Woodson "it's just a game." He appears to be taking the season pretty hard:

Heisman winner Charles Woodson 'not excited' about Wolverines | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Quote:

When asked his impressions of the current program, now in the second year under Rich Rodriguez, Woodson didn't mince words.

"I'm not excited about it ... I'm not excited about losing," Woodson said Tuesday during a visit to Ann Arbor. "It started out on fire (this season) and looked good for a short period, but it's hard to watch.