There are those out there who refuse to acknowledge that, as he enters his third season as Michigan’s head coach, Rich Rodriguez‘s keister sits firmly on the hottest seat in college football.
His 8-16 overall record and 3-13 mark in Big Ten play during his two years in Ann Arbor screams it. And the words of his new boss Thursday afternoon once again quietly but resoundingly confirms it.
In the wake of West Virginia’s announcement that they have received a Notice of Inquiry from the NCAA alleging five major violations were committed by the football program from 2005-2009 — including the final two years of Rodriguez’s tenure in Morgantown — new Michigan athletic director David Brandon has released a statement.
And, yeah, Rodriguez might still want to consider winning a coupla more games in 2010. And cross any available appendage. Just in case.
“We’re not part of the inquiry at WVU and we have limited access to the information pertaining to this investigation,” Brandon said in a statement.
“We’re certainly paying close attention to the situation, but we all need to let the process – and the facts – unfold before we draw any conclusions. I’m not going to speculate about any aspect of the outcome.
“I’ve already said Rich is our coach this fall and WVU’s announcement does not change that fact.”
Rodriguez will be Michigan’s coach “this fall”, which is in the same vein as Brandon’s past proclamations that RichRod is his coach this season. Needless to say, any job security beyond “this fall” or “this season” is to be determined, but the fact that Rodriguez’s Wolverine résumé consists of a subpar-even-for-Western Michigan record combined with a “failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance” at two universities does not bode well for the coach’s future with the Wolverines.
For his part, Rodriguez also released a statement and apologized for any compliance issues that have happened on his watch.
“I have always taken compliance seriously and have sincerely felt our program was very open and transparent. I regret any mistakes that were made or rules that were misinterpreted.
“Any errors certainly weren’t made intentionally. I openly discussed my past practices with NCAA investigators and will continue to cooperate fully during this process.
“I have redoubled efforts with my staff and our compliance team to improve several processes, strengthen communications, and work to ensure these mistakes won’t happen in the future.”
Will this contriteness be too little, too late for RichRod to save his current job? Only the playing of 12 games — and how firmly the new boss believes his current coach is truly a changed and suddenly-vigilant compliance man — will likely be able to answer that question.
“I have redoubled efforts…”
Does that mean he’s giving the NCAA 4 times the cooperation?
As I’ve said before it will be a geat day in Ann Arbor when they run this cheat out of Michigan! We are into the thrid year of some of the worst( sorry not some but the worst) football ever played here. I love my team but I dont have to like the way this coach DICKROD was turned this program into the laughing stock of the Big10 let alone the all of college football!
@ blue&maze69: I’m certain I’ll get blasted for this, but oh well: college football needs storied programs like Michigan to be relevant. College football is a better game when schools like Michigan matter.
Somebody in Ann Arbor needs to turn it around, whether it’s RichRod or someone else.
blue&maze69, I loath Michigan. I’m an Ohio State fan, but it’s just not fun watching Michigan lose ALL THE TIME! I’d rather UM fight with OSU rather than Penn St or Iowa. Biggest mistake they made was not bringing in a “Michigan Man”
It’s a sad day for the Wolverines when I think Central Michigan without Lefevour could still take them.
Another RichRod hatchet piece by John Taylor. When the violations are as minor and insignificant as these, how about some reporting on SEC over signings or agent contact. Never gonna happen on your watch…
@ Tom-Chicago
Get a grip–RichRod has shown a pattern as he did the same things at BOTH West Virginia & Michigan. These aren’t secondary/minor violations. These R major ones—west Virginia is being hit with 5 — some of which were on RichRod’s watch. Noone NEEDS to do a hatchet job on RichRod—he’s doing fine without any help from anyone else! Let’s see what U have to say when he puts up a resounding 4-8 job this yr!!!!!
Yeah, JT, how come you never bag on the SEC? *snicker*
@ overratedgators: Yeah, I’m a big-time SEC homer and damn proud of it.
As an aside, and on a completely and totally unrelated note, what are your thoughts on installing Kleenex and Midol dispensers in the CFT comments section?
Well, of course. It’s just good customer service.
(Not to mention, the funniest damn thing I’ve heard all day. Thanks for that.)
To Jtaylor, you may be homer SEC, but U of M has beatin more SEC schools than you have us. Made Tebow look like a pop warner QB. SEC schools can’t keep there kids out of jail, or away from agents.
Thank god you turned the wheel in time, elintz…you just missed the point.
“I have always taken compliance seriously and have sincerely felt our program was very open and transparent. I regret any mistakes that were made or rules that were misinterpreted.
“Any errors certainly weren’t made intentionally. I openly discussed my past practices with NCAA investigators and will continue to cooperate fully during this process.
“I have redoubled efforts with my staff and our compliance team to improve several processes, strengthen communications, and work to ensure these mistakes won’t happen in the future.”
WOW – Its been a while since I’ve read this much bullshit and comedic spew in one story. Dickrod saying he takes compliance seriously is like BP saying they are serious about safety. Errors were not made intentionally – REALLY?? What year did you not cheat so if you took compliance seriously, you won’t have cheated so you’re lying again.
I redoubled efforts – HA! Since you didn’t put in effort into compliance yet, doubling zero is zero. Just hand the NCAA the write up for the shit you’re violating right now and get it over with
UM needs to unload Dick Rod, the sooner the better. Somebody like Les Miles would be a SUBSTANTAIL improvement, without all the NCAA issues.
I saw Jim Harbaugh at the Ann Arbor Bed, Bath & Beyond. He was buying curtains and assorted housewares. I wonder what that was all about.
elintz says:
August 5, 2010 11:23 PM ET
To Jtaylor, you may be homer SEC, but U of M has beatin more SEC schools than you have us. Made Tebow look like a pop warner QB. SEC schools can’t keep there kids out of jail, or away from agents.
At least SEC schools can beat Appalachian State at home (nice job versus Toledo as well). Your program has become a joke, I almost feel sorry for you. Must be sad knowing that Ohio State is 5 times the program you are right now and the gap isn’t closing.
John Taylor says: @ blue&maze69: I’m certain I’ll get blasted for this, but oh well: college football needs storied programs like Michigan to be relevant. College football is a better game when schools like Michigan matter.
John – as much as it pains me to say it – I agree.
DanClay says: blue&maze69, I loath Michigan. I’m an Ohio State fan, but it’s just not fun watching Michigan lose ALL THE TIME! I’d rather UM fight with OSU rather than Penn St or Iowa. Biggest mistake they made was not bringing in a “Michigan Man”
Dan – I have to say I agree to an extent. It’s fun, just not ALL the time.
OK , I lied. It is fun! Can you say seven straight? Whoo Hooo! Bring on the Wolverweenies!
I suspect RichRod needs at least 9 wins this year to keep his job. One of those wins MUST be against OSU. Just ask John Cooper or Lloyd Carr what happens when you can’t win “THE GAME.”
Looking @ Michigan’s schedule in the VERY BEST case scenario they go 6-6. Even that would take getting every call, no major injuries & using Mich alum as refs @ all home games!!!!
Don’t see it happening. More like a reality check of 4-8 or 5-7 is in the cards for Wolverine fans.
Maybe Mich will help West Virginia out and steal their coach again! U can bet West Virginia won’t enforce the buyout clause this time!!!!!!!
I agree with bucknut – I’m sick of watching Michigan get hammered. Okay, not sick of, but would actually like them to be good again. While watching the Scarlet and Gray slap them around every year is fun, some competition would be nice.
RichRod has taken that great program (ala Cooper) and run it into the ground. Hopefully, they’ll run his a** and get a good coach in there.
Les Miles will probably be available if he doesn’t win 9-10 games this year. Maybe UM can sign him as their coach. I hope so as this will lead to a couple of OSU wins due to poor clock management and play calling.
@WP… There is no comparison between DickRod and John Cooper. To say that Cooper ran the problem into the ground is ludicrous. His major problem was an inability to beat scUM, going 2-10-1, but otherwise he had four stellar teams that were one win away from playing a bowl game for a national title.
1993, 1995, 1996: all undefeated going into The Game.
1996: Rose Bowl champions.
1998: ranked #1 preseason with an unexpeted and devastating loss at home to the Sparties. Handily whooped Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl for BCS win #1.
I’m not sorry Cooper is gone, especially given the coach that replaced him. But to say that he ran the OSU program into the ground a la DickRod is not credible. Had he beaten scUM only a couple of those years and won the following bowl game, we’d be talking about John Cooper as the second coming of Woody Hayes.
For the record, this tOSU alum thinks that college football is much better when scUM doesn’t suck. Still, I can’t get enough of beating them.