The view out there:
Five reasons Michigan should fire Rich Rodriguez. Nick Meyer, Yahoo!
ESPN Analysts weigh in on Rich Rodriguez, Michigan. Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press.
Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh isn't the only answer should Michigan fire Rich Rodriguez., Pete Bigelow, Ann Arbor.com
Four seasons ago, when coach Lloyd Carr was on the way out, I opined to some friends that what Michigan needed wasn't a full overhaul, rather just some tweaking on defense and some tweaking of the old Wolverine offensive model. Instead, based on a fluke loss to Appalachian State, the administration panicked and decided that a major re-working of the winningest football program in NCAA history was in order.
What people forget about Lloyd Carr's last season (and I was among his most vocal critics) was that the 2007 team finished the season 9-4 beating the 9th ranked, Tim Tebow-led Florida Gators 41-35 in the Capitol One Bowl. Michigan was led by current NFL players Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Jake Long and Mario Manningham. The defense, while sub-standard for Michigan, had All-Conference talent on the roster including Brandon Graham, Morgan Trent & Shawn Crable. What Michigan needed was an infusion of team speed, not an abandonment of the entire system that Bo built.
Instead of tweaking the winning formula, the powers that be at Michigan decided to revamp the entire program, and brought in a coach who was successful in the Big East, but had a less than average record against the top teams in the country. Rich Rod was a hot name, but there was precious little evidence that he could recruit the defensive talent necessary to compete in the talent-rich Big Tenleven (XII). As a result, Michigan is falling behind along with the rest of the conference, which is behind the times, mired in mediocrity and (in many cases) forgetful of what got them there in the first place.
Is Jim Harbaugh the answer? Possibly, but I remember four years ago that he was not too keen on returning to his alma mater considering the way Michigan is currently running things. What Michigan needs now is their own version of Bob Stoops, a coach that understands the great history and traditions of the University and works to bring them back. Whoever the coach is can start by hanging the #1 jersey on the back of Junior Hemingway for 2011.
Then go recruit some defensive ends, hire Jarrett Irons to coach and recruit linebackers and you're on your way.
