I am the first to admit that the 2009 season was difficult. Lord knows 2008 was too. The football struggles Michigan is having are something I've grown all too tired of. Nevertheless, over the past few weeks there is one thing I've grown even more tired of: The nonstop absurdity spewing from the mouths of fair weather Michigan fans calling for Rich Rodriguez's head.
Yeah, I said it. And I don't care if you've been a "fan" for 35 years. Listen closely when I say this: You are and always have been a fair weather fan if you are one of the many people currently throwing a childish blame tirade because Michigan hasn't averaged 9 wins a year in the last few seasons. Do you understand how ridiculous that is? Do you? There are teams in the Big Ten that have been in the cellar of the conference for decades and you throw a hissy fit the first time Michigan struggles in...basically ever? Seriously? With fans like that who needs enemies?
This article is for you, whiners. I know it won't matter because you are spoiled and don't understand football, but please, read on anyway. Rich Rodriguez is not the problem at Michigan. In fact, it is unfathomable to me that anyone is stupid enough to say "'insert whatever here' is the problem at Michigan". It's not any one thing and it certainly isn't the coach. Tell me you're kidding saying stuff like that.
My great fear is that you'll get what you want and Michigan will cave to the pressure by letting Rodriguez go. Mark my words here: The only thing that can irrevocably destroy Michigan football is another coaching change. The process will simply repeat itself.
You don't believe me. You think I'm an idiot. I understand. You love watching Michigan win and you want whatever you mistakenly think will quick fix the program to occur. But I'm telling you it's all a red herring. Here's ten reasons why Michigan cannot fire Rich Rodriguez any time soon if they truly have the program's best interest at heart.
1. Michigan does not have a birthright to ANY type of success.
If there was one thing I could get across to disgruntled fans it would be this: It is a blessing that Michigan has had such success in college football. It is not an inevitability, nor is it a right.
The thing that needs to be shouted from the mountaintop during this difficult stretch is that Michigan was good for so many years because they had experience, talent, and a cohesive, long running system in place. They were not good, as some people seem to think, because they were Michigan.
If a team lacks any of the aforementioned variables, they cannot be expected to perform any better than the things they lack. Even if that team is Michigan. This year's team lacks a lot of these variables, plain and simple. Which leads us to number two on the list.
2. Michigan performed almost exactly as they should have if you had reasonable expectations of them for this season.
Michigan was 3-9 last year. Michigan was 3-9 last year. Michigan was 3-9 last year. Do I need to keep saying it? What did you expect them to do this year? Win ten games? Seriously? The only major difference between last year's team and this year's team is the quarterback. Did you think Tate Forcier was going to turn a 3-9 team into a 10-2 team? An 8-4 team? Really?
The worst thing that happened this year was Michigan starting the season 4-0. They beat Western Michigan, upset an overrated Notre Dame team, waxed Eastern Michigan, and hung on to beat a decent Indiana team. A reasonable person looks at this and says, "Hey, great! Michigan is off to a good start and is showing improvement." The majority of Michigan "fans" - for some reason I still cannot figure out - looked at it and said, "Michigan is going to compete for the National Championship this year!"
I am proud to say that I never once thought Michigan would win more than seven games this year. I guessed they'd win six, which ended up being off by a game. Maybe you think that makes me a bad fan. I say it makes me reasonable. They were 3-9 last year. Again, what did you expect?
Be honest, after they started 4-0 and you looked at the remainder of their schedule what teams did you look at and say Michigan was a more complete football team than? Iowa? Penn State? Ohio State? Wisconsin? Even some of the mid-level Big Ten teams are older, and more concrete in their system than our young team. People need to realize that the main reason they are so upset about this season is that they conjured up outrageous expectations after a good start instead of just being a happy fan about it.
3. You cannot blame Rich Rodriguez for his players' inexperience
If you want to blame Rich Rod for his players roughing the punter, not protecting the football when they run, blowing assignments, and overthrowing receivers, go ahead. I know there is an argument that can be made for doing so. It's something along the lines of, "He should be instilling discipline and fundamentals into these players so they don't make mistakes." That's fine. I think it's stupid, but if it helps you sleep at night then go ahead.
This fact remains though: Rich Rod isn't on the field. He's not the one who is taking the sack when he should throw the ball away. He's not the one who is giving up first downs on 3rd and 12 over and over again.
What's interesting is that the only people who Michigan fans seem to let off the hook are the people most responsible for the team's success: The players. What's even more interesting than that is that the one group of people who do seem to hold the players responsible are - and here's a shocker - the players.
They don't blame Rodriguez for what's happening. They know they have to play better. They have to learn more. They have to execute their assignments. And that is truly inspiring to me as a fan. It's what makes me believe this team will be great given time. These players know that they are the ones who have to make plays, and they are working hard to get to the point where they can do so. Blame Rodriguez if you want, but the rebuilding of this program is a process, no matter who the coach is.
4. The offense is fine...In other words, one of the two pieces is already in place.
I don't need to get the stats out here. You can check them if you want. The point is this: Michigan can score. They can score a lot. In fact, at some points, their offense looks flat out great. It needs some refinement, sure, but that will come in time.
The only thing left now is a defense. Whether it's simply lack of knowledge, experience, talent, or all three I don't know, but I do know this: The defense will get better. If solely for the fact that people will get more used to the scheme and have more experience working within it. Couple that with some new guys who can hopefully make a difference and things will start to look up. I honestly believe this year's team could have easily won 9 games if they would have had an average defense. But they didn't. And that's something people need to understand. No matter who the coach was, this year's defense was not good enough to win 9 games.
5. This is as bad as it will be
So, Michigan lost to Ohio State and finished 5-7. They missed a bowl, sure, but they still won two more games than last year. And more importantly, they are improving. You can say they're not, but I argue that those who say that are really comparing their progress to the 4-0 start they themselves embellished, and not last year's team. Compared to 2008, they ARE improving. It's undeniable. I know you wanted to see more improvement at a faster rate, but like they say, we shouldn't fear moving slowly, as long as we aren't standing still.
6. Recruiting is going well
Michigan finished the 2010 recruiting season with a top 10-20 class depending on which service you follow. On average the class was rated higher than every team in the Big Ten other than Penn State. All of this is speculation of course, but keep in mind, Rich Rod has only consistently played a few players he actually recruited over the past two years. He hasn't had time to fully utilize guys specifically suited to his needs. If he is given to the end of 2011, I foresee remarkable things.
7. There were flashes of brilliance in 2009
I know it is hard to remember. There was a lot of pain too. But at times, even against great opponents, Michigan looked really good. That is something you cannot say about 2008's team, and it is proof that the slow process toward improvement is well under way.
Think the first offensive set against Penn State. Think the final drive against Notre Dame. Think running the ball on a stout Iowa defense. Sure these are offensive memories, but even the defense showed they were capable of some three and outs in the OSU game, they just got overshadowed by the big plays they gave up. But again, all in good time. Don't forget the good that was seen this season just because the bad hurt so much.
8. Rodriguez's fully implemented spread offense will devastate the Big Ten
If you can't see it you'll just have to take my word for it. If Rich Rodriguez is given enough time to get his offense into place, both players and schemes, it will wreak havoc on the conference. Think of West Virginia's best offensive year. Now give them the recruiting power of Michigan. The results will be electrifying. I guarantee it.
9. Rodriguez wants Michigan to win more than anyone
That includes me. That includes you. The guy is dying to win. Not for money, not for fame, not even to get everyone off his back. No, he wants to win most simply to quench his own competitive thirst.
I believe wholeheartedly that Rich Rodriguez already loves Michigan football with all his heart. He is yearning to bring the fans the success they want. His emotions hinge on doing so. That's something you can't instill in a coach. They either have it or they don't. He's got it, and I think the way he's being treated is a tragedy because of how badly he's trying to bring success back to the Big House.
10. It would be a disaster if they let him go
Not because he's Rich Rodriguez and he's so great. No, it would be a disaster because a program cannot be rebuilt with a revolving door of coaches. I don't care that "this is Michigan" either. Michigan gets rebuilt the same way any program does and that is one year at a time.
If the Wolverines throw Rodriguez to the curb the whole rebuilding process will start over again. We can't let that happen. Rich Rodriguez must be given to the end of the 2011 season before the final judgment is passed.