FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Clairification:
When I said "fair" regarding the ESPN announcing, I meant fair as opposed to good or great, and that was with a veteran crew, which their performance IMO was surprising given that fact.  They did redeem themselves quite a bit at the end of the game.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

formerd3db:

Why not a fan of Rich Rodriguez?  I think he would mark a huge change for the program, many things would be different and there would be some huge changes in terms of personnel and style of play.  The West Virginia offense is one that with the right players and speed the Big Ten would have a hard time contending with, also one that you dont see to often.  Rodriguez has shown a great ability to recruit some very talented players as well as a ton of speed to WVU, something that is sorely lacking at U of M these days.  The Pro Style offense that Michigan has been running is good, but lacks imagination and creativity which in the end is its undoing, the stubborn insistence that they can run the ball on anyone and the lack of any real game breakers has hurt Michigan for years.  Even though I am not a Michigan fan persay I was excited to hear that Rodriguez's name was being mentioned for the job, I think he would bring a new attitude and a complete change of system and style in Ann Arbor. 

On another note, I think the coach that Michigan would really liked to have had is Mike D'Antonio.  If Lloyd had opted out one year earlier I think he would have been there man.  He is a Big Ten guy who understands what needs to be done to win, he has great midwestern roots and has proven to be a successful coach.  Michigan State got a great hire in him and I think he will do a fine job of turning MSU around over the next several seasons.

[formerd3db]

DAWG:
It goes beyond the "X's and O's".  I know someone whose brother was an assistant coach with him at several schools, including on his staff at WV, and from what I was told, he is not very nice to work with.  Some would say..."well it was that way with Bo and Woody", however, there is a trust issue apparently.  While his enthusiasm and style would be something that Michigan could use as you mention, IMO, I don't think he is a good fit for them in regards to the personality aspect.  I won't say more.  We'll see what plays out.  Personally, I hope Mich takes a little more time and interviews more candidates - while obviously you wouldn't want this to drag on into late January due to the recruiting aspects, they do have a little time yet, I would say through the holidays.  Why rush just to make a decision?  No need to.  They obviously want to (at least that has been their tradition) look for a coach who will be there a long, long time so certainly one would want to take whatever time is necessary to evaluate all parameters in a coach.  On the other hand, that does not seem to be how it works these days in the football coaching profession.

D'Antonio would have been a good choice.  Do you think, however, that they would have taken a former OSU coach (and former Mich State assist??!)  :)Just kidding, as one of their current assistants is a former Michg State assistant as you know.

[sac]

If Dantonio were available this season, and Bill Martin called to talk to Dantonio, the conversation would have gone like this.

Mark Dantonio:  Hello

Bill Martin:  Hello Mark, this is Bill Martin from Michi.....

Mark Dantonio:<click>

No way in haddes that man would ever have coached at Michigan.

Why not a fan of Rich Rodriguez?  I think he would mark a huge change for the program, many things would be different and there would be some huge changes in terms of personnel and style of play. 

Mike Mundy transferred from Michigan to WV this past season and he said the biggest difference was in the off-season training program.   Judging by UM's lineman and such, I take that to mean WVU has one, UM doesn't.   Rodriguez's players are always in shape, very physical to go along with his progressive offensive philosophy.   

The only knock I think I've heard about him is #1) He's had success vs a Big East schedule and lost the 2 biggest games in WVU history that both would have put them in the BCS  #2)  He's recruited some less than character kids to WVU, not sure he'll get away with that at Michigan, but then he probably won't have to take as many recruiting risks.  Other than that I think he'd be an acceptable hire at UM.  Its not as if Bo, Moeller and Carr were sunshine on a cloudy day to deal with.

If Rodriguez does get the job, there will be a whole bunch of out of shape Michigan players getting very nervous......and they won't play soft under him.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

formerd3db:

Bo was an OSU guy, thats worth noting so I dont think that would deter them, MSU may have more so.  I know from a story Coach Lyall once told me about Les Miles, who actually was thinking of interviewing for the MSU job when it was open, however U of M made it clear to him that if he even interviewed for the job he would never coach at U of M. 

I think the biggest thing that will hinder Michigan in its search is that I dont feel that it is willing to open the wallet.  They have gotten by for years underpaying Lloyd Carr and I dont know that they necesarilly want to pay the market rate (4million for Saban) for top level coaches. 

Sac:

I agree with you on the physical condition of the players at WVU vs. U of M.  West Virginia's players down to the OL are lean and fast, while Michigans OL have leaned up the last several years they still seem drastically outmatched by top level DL's.  The Big East schedule and the losses are a detrement, but that is something that any coach (except Kheres) has on their resume.  The character is an interesting topic but I agree the low charecter kids he has taken in are a result of him having to recruit Morgantown West Virginia and that schools amazing tradition(sarcasm).  Needless to say even with the slight decline(public perception) of Michigan players still want to be there.

Your comment about alot of out of shape Michigan players getting nervous reminds me of something Dan Dierdorff said during Bo's memorial service.  It was in regards to Bo taking over at U of M, Dierdorff saw him in the offices for the first time and walked up with a big smile and hand out to shake and said "coach Schembechler its great to have you. Bo responded by grabbing Dierdorff around the waist and saying "Youre fat, youre lazy and youre mine." That was when Dierdorff knew things were going to change.

[formerd3db]

Sac:
That is true (re: Bo, Moeller, and Carr), however, when you have assistant coaches who are colleagues with a guy making some comments about character, that raises a some questions for sure.  I'm just saying that if I were running the search, I would look around a bit more as I mentioned.

DAWG:

Great stories.  Also, Bo was more of a Miami OH guy thatn OSU, but you are right there have been connections before.  But if they said that about Miles, then would they have said the same thing about D'Antonio if he had ever been interested in the job?  On the other hand, he was somewhat removed from his OSU and MSU days being the head man at Cincy.  But alas, all that is a mute point right now.

BTW, what did you guys think about the Appal. St/Delaware game last night and the situation(s) that happened?

Also, predictions for todays Stagg anyone?

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

formerd3db:

I didnt catch much of the App St game, all I saw was a little bit before halftime at which time App St was up big and it wasnt looking good for Delaware.  The crowd situation is a problem at that level or any level, even high level DI I just dont think that there is any way for the limited security staffs to maintain order if the students and fans in the stand choose to come on the field.  There are just to great of numbers for that to happen, however by the same token I dont understand the infatuation with rushing the field, it is the teams win let them enjoy it let them celebrate its not about you.

Today for the Stagg Bowl:

Id love to say that I thought the third time was going to be the charm for UWW but I just dont think it is.  Mount is to strong, to experienced and to confident.  I think it will be a good game, not a blowout as some finals have been in the past, but in the end I think Mount will win by about 14-17 pts to secure their third back to back to back set of championship under Kehres.

[sac]

I've had enough Appalachian State for my lifetime, thanks.

[formerd3db]

sac and DAWG:

Newspapers report today that WVa's president says that he and administration have no knowledge (at least as of earlier this AM) of Rodriguez talking to Michigan officials about the head coach position.  He also said that they had not been asked by Michigan officials for permission to talk with Rodriquez nor had Rodriquez said anything to them about permission to talk with Michigan and if he had already talked with them, then they would be really surprised at such an action by Rodriquez.  Rodriquez said today in a pre-bowl game practice press conference that if any reporters asked about the Michigan situation, he would immediately end the press conference.

Humm...what does that tell you about Rodriquez?  I think my coaching source colleague might have some credibility in what was related about Rodriguez (not that I doubted him, however).  The saga continues...

[formerd3db]

I should have clarified my post to say that..."if that is true, what does that tell you about Rodriquez?"  On the other hand, if it is not true, what does that tell you about WVa's president?   And what then, was Rodriquez doing in Toledo?  Perhaps he was visiting some relatives .

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Just got done watching the Stagg Bowl on DVR after getting out of a terrible day of work.  I was very happy to see that UWW was able to get over the hump and get that team a win after falling short so close to the top the last two years!  I will be on the road off to florida in about 3.5 hours which should be nice, hopefully the snow isnt to bad and things go well, if they do I may be making a move to Florida which isnt so bad!

[formerd3db]

DAWG:

Yes, the Staff outcome was a surprise to many, but a very good game.  Nice to see UWW finally come out on top, especially for those who were on the team and came in 2nd the past two years.  Anyway, drive safe and be careful with the weather.  Hope you have a good time down there and good luck with your job search.  Keep us posted. 

[sac]

Michigan has a new coach

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2007/12/breaking_news_rodriguez_to_be.html

[Oval]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to add hockey as a varsity sport Hope, Calvin and Albion would have to add a women's varsity sport.........correct?

Calvin has more women's sports than men's right now (no football).  I see indoor T&F and Lacrosse as the next sports added to the MIAA.

[Flea]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but to add hockey as a varsity sport Hope, Calvin and Albion would have to add a women's varsity sport.........correct?

Calvin has more women's sports than men's right now (no football).  I see indoor T&F and Lacrosse as the next sports added to the MIAA.

Indoor track?  No way in the MIAA.  Calvin is adding a competition track but Hope skipped it when they build their new place and Albion's is 180m three or four lanes.  I see hockey before indoor t&f.