I think he's gone. Early on in their bowl game today, it seemed like the commentators were addressing the topic in the thought of "you can't use one game to evaluate a coach and decide whether he keeps his job". They made the argument that "you have to look at the whole body of work". Well the whole body of work is pretty abysmal. I can see where the first year, or even two might be subpar with him changing the entire system, but at some point you have to improve, especially on defense. By the end of his second year, which would have been LAST season, you would expect that even if the offense is coming along slower, the defense would start to figure it out and become stronger. They're just not getting it mentally, and they're not getting the players they used to. I just don't see anyone on either side of the ball that will be a legit NFL prospect other than Martin and Robinson, and Robinson will likely have to switch positions due to size (like Randle El). The offense is adequate if their defense was good enough to only give up 21-28 points a game, but when you're giving up 35-40 points or more per game, and you can't beat a team with a winning record, that's not acceptable at a school like Michigan. As a Buckeye fan, I know we wouldn't accept 3 seasons in row like that, especially when it doesn't appear that the future is any brighter.

3 years in a row without a win over Ohio State (streak is much longer than that obviously, but I'm just speaking in the RichRod era), without a winning record in the Big10, not being able to beat anyone in conference with a winning record, and 3 years without a bowl win (especially with only 1 appearance, and getting blown out in that appearance to a middle-of-the-pack team from another conference) is going to be too much for the natives to stomach. Michigan has far too much pride and tradition to accept another mediocre year with RichRod. It would be one thing to hire a new coach and go 7-5 or 8-4 next year in a new coach's first year; it's a completely different argument when RichRod is basically guaranteed to struggle to reach that record again next year in his 4th year.

RichRod to Clemson!

If RR does get fired, he will not be going to some DII school. If he does not get a head coaching job at a FBS school right away, I'm sure there are suitors who would take him as an offensive coordinator.

I thought that there were some very telling things in his post game press conference.

He said that the coaches called a good game and had a good scheme and did a good job preparing the players, and he felt the players had a good month of practice, worked hard, and executed well. For all the praise he had for his staff and players all they could muster was a 38 point loss, the worst bowl loss in program history. If the staff did do a great job and if the players did execute well then it means that there is a sever lack of ability in the booth and a sever lack of talent on the field and this team will never compete under his leadership.

The way RichRod answered questions about his future after the game today were very different than he's been answering similar questions over the past year and it leads me to believe that he's resigned to the fact that he's going to get canned.

Right now, why would anyone want this job?

Also heard last night that Denard Robinson said he will leave if Rodriguez is not the coach next year.

If that is the case, again why would anyone want this job right now?

The buyout is 2.1

Rich Rod will be gone by Monday if not sooner and guess what ... Harbaugh will be the next Michigan man so we better get ready to buckle our chinstraps again because they will be back ,like when Tressle came to Ohio state ... get ready ...

Rich Rod's big mistake was trying to change the defense .. he needed to keep a 4-3 .. his offensive systems are fine but the defense needed to stay in the big east

AD Brandon says he will have nothing to say until the "back-end" of this coming week. Which aligns perfectly for a Harbaugh homecoming. I think it's up to JH at this point.

Red Saul;621416 wrote:Right now, why would anyone want this job?

Also heard last night that Denard Robinson said he will leave if Rodriguez is not the coach next year.

If that is the case, again why would anyone want this job right now?

What kills me is that you switch usernames, but you post the same way. Why don't you just keep the names instead of trying to disguise yourself. Didn't you hear too that Dan Mullen's wife was house shopping the night Urban Meyer resigned, and that the AD of Florida was on a private jet to Starksville? Give me a fucking break and QFT.

These are the 2 options I see, and Craig James said them (which is surprising that he was competent as a commentator yesterday)

1. Get Jim Harbaugh and start fresh

2. If Harbaugh isn't available, keep RR and clean out the Defensive side of the ball. Not the best idea, but I don't want some clown coming in. People were saying that guy from San Diego. He could be a good fit. I know Bo came from Miami OH, but I want someone that's going to be a little more sure thing.

Brady Hoke was successful at Ball State before taking over @ SDSU. Plus, he's a Michigan man as well

Red Saul;620564 wrote:Who?

stop embarrassing yourself, Gibby, you're fooling nobody, so please--give it a rest

After yesterday's Big 10 debacle this was the only bright spot of the day. Another 2 - 3 yrs before scUM is ready again to be competitive. And Harbaugh ain't coming anywhere near this mess.

I'm so torn on all of this right now.

Dee Hart decommitted and then committed to Alabama today. No surprise though; most expected that to happen.

Well, Maryland is out for RR, and there was really no truth to it.

But, if Michigan can't land Harbaugh, Leach is open still.
I also thought that Harbaugh burned some bridges with the Michigan alum and school officials. Are we all sure they can suck it up and make the hire?

I hope Michigan cans RR, that was a pathetic bowl game and the last 3 years have not been Michigan football. I hope they can grab Harbaugh as as an OSU fan, it would really put Michigan back in competition in two-three years and make the Game much better.

ptown_trojans_1;622276 wrote:Well, Maryland is out for RR, and there was really no truth to it.

But, if Michigan can't land Harbaugh, Leach is open still.
I also thought that Harbaugh burned some bridges with the Michigan alum and school officials. Are we all sure they can suck it up and make the hire?

I hope Michigan cans RR, that was a pathetic bowl game and the last 3 years have not been Michigan football. I hope they can grab Harbaugh as as an OSU fan, it would really put Michigan back in competition in two-three years and make the Game much better.

I truly believe the bridges are rebuilt.

ptown_trojans_1;622276 wrote:Well, Maryland is out for RR, and there was really no truth to it.

No, but UConn is open.

WebFire;622364 wrote:I truly believe the bridges are rebuilt.

Gotya. I didn't know and that's good news if true.

WebFire;622369 wrote:No, but UConn is open.

Haha. Yeah, I'm not sure RR wants to go back to the Big East. Trips to Morgantown could be rough.

vball10set;620880 wrote:I find it interesting that an OSU fan started this thread

I went to UM for grad school, so have spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor, have plenty of friends still there, my fiancee is a UM grad, and i'm always interested in what is going on at other Big 10 schools. Good enough?

karen lotz;620401 wrote:This is the third time (that I've seen) you have posted this. What is the lawyer working on? The buyout was already in the contract and its been widely reported that it dropped from $4 million to $2.5 million today.

"Buyouts" aren't as black and white as people may think. Punitive damages is a touchy situation in contracts. This is basically punitive damages, but Rodriguez will have a lawyer working on guaranteeing he sees as much of that 2.5 mill as possible (and he will use any word except punitive damages haha).

As a Buckeye fan, I would love for Hairball get the job at Meechigan. I think he would do a great job and put Meechigan back up where they belong. It will not only help the Big Ten but helps Ohio State as well.

I will miss DickRod, his gimmick offense and of course that tough 3-3-5 defense.

cbus4life;622480 wrote:I went to UM for grad school, so have spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor, have plenty of friends still there, my fiancee is a UM grad, and I'm always interested in what is going on at other Big 10 schools. Good enough?

fify, and yes, good enough

btw, as if a final nail was needed...

UM recruit sets sights on Alabama
By RYAN AUTULLO
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

JACKSONVILLE -- The residual effect from the worst beating in Michigan's bowl game history is being felt.
Coach Rich Rodriguez has not lost his job, but apparently he has lost his top recruit. Orlando Dr. Phillips High School's Dee Hart, the nation's top-rated all-purpose offensive back according to at least one recruiting Web site, withdrew his verbal commitment to the Wolverines Sunday and announced his intentions to attend Alabama. Rodriguez's shaky situation which only intensified following Saturday's 52-14 Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State swayed Hart's decision. "It's just the question marks with coach Rodriguez and just not knowing his stability," Hart told TheWolverine.com.

I'll bet the hillbilly mexican & his crypt keeper wife wish they never left WVU now. He'd still be a God down there.

Just saw a report that now says UM is not a likely landing spot for Harbaugh, that things fell through over the weekend.

Don't know much about this site or its credibility.

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/category/college-football/