4A - Thursday, January 6, 2011 4 Th d Jnr ,0The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com J11E 1Jidiigan &a11j Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com STEPHANIE STEINBERG EDITOR IN CHIEF MICHELLE DEWITT and EMILY ORLEY EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS KYLE SWANSON MANAGING EDITOR I don't think Rich Rodriguez has had a peaceful night(s) sleep since he arrived in Ann Arbor.' - Michigan Athletic Director David Brandon when asked about his thoughts on Rich Rodriguez's career on Wednesday, as reported by The Michigan Daily. Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solelythe views of their authors. (Re)raising the bar The new coach must meet 'U' football standards The Michigan football program is undoubtedly one of the most important institutions at the University. Many displays of school spirit involve sporting a football jer- sey around.campus or cheering on the football team at the Big House. But lately, being a Michigan fan hasn't maintained its appeal. The team has been shrouded in issues of NCAA viola- tions, lack of public support for the coach and serious concerns about the future of the program. And with coach Rich Rodriguez heading out of Ann Arbor, it's crucial that decisions about the team's future are centered on restoring public perception of the program to a level consistent with the winngingest program in college football. Fit not flair Rodriguez was fired yesterday afternoon - a decision that was announced at a press conference by University Athletic Direc- tor David Brandon. Rodriguez's overall record, Big Ten record and bowl game per- formance were all concerns that have been subject to much recent discussion. At the press conference, Brandon talked about the variety of factors that went into his deci- sion and the need for a change within the program. No decision has been made yet about who the next coach will be - though many names have been tossed around - but Brandon has criteria in mind. He also wants to return the team to its former status of Big Ten champions and national championship contenders. Football at the University is a culture in and of itself. With one of the largest alumni bases of any school, Michigan football fans can be found around the world. And while fans want the team to win games and be associated with success, it's equally impor- tant that the team is associated with a positive image. Lately, this hasn't been the case. It's unfair to blame this entirely on Rodriguez, but when a new coach'comes in he is going to need to change more than just the defense. Brandon spoke at the press conference about fan expectations and the importance of the team meeting these expectations. The new coach needs to restore the program to the level that fans expect of Michigan football and regain the support of the University community. While football is important for the spirit of the school, the reality is that it's a busi- ness. The team generates millions of dol- lars in revenue each year, and Rodriguez was one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport, making more than $2.5 million in 2009, according to a USA Today report. Additionally, a large portion of the team's funding comes from alumni donations and many alumni have expressed their dissat- isfaction with the program's downturn. Michigan football can't continue to gen- erate money for itself, and the city of Ann Arbor if an unsuccessful team turns off fans. An underperforming team is bad for the business of Michigan football, which makes finding a successful coach that much more important. Big Ten schools are about sports, and the University is no exception. While athletics is by no means the most important focus on campus, it's indisputably part of the campus culture. Whether the new"coach is a "Michigan Man" or someone less famil- iar, he needs to understand what football means to the school, and he must meet expectations. ,602. 22. And 38. Those were the numbers it took to finally sink now former Michigan foot- ball coach Rich Rodriguez. It's - been 2,602 days since Michigan has won a game against Ohio State; 22 losses in his ten- - ure (18 in the Big Ten); and perhaps" most damning, the 38-point loss in the RYAN Gator Bowl, which marked the larg- KNAPP est defeat in a bowl game for Michigan in the football pro- gram's history. Simply put, Rodriguez wasn't a good fit for Michigan. Let's not sugar coat what happened in the three years that Rodriguez has been here at the University. Though his Michigan career was pockmarked by back-to-back losing seasons and NCAA violations, Rodriguez was doomed from the start. Inheriting a team that lost its starting quarterback, its all-time leading rusher and a pair of receivers - coupled with a completely revamped style of offense - Rodriguez had his work cut out for him. Along with drawingthe ireofalum- ni and former players for not being a "Michigan Man," Rodriguez strug- gled at first to morph the team from the three yards and a cloud of dust into a high-octane, quick-pace, run-first spread offense. For fans and alumni that were clamoring to win immedi- ately, he was rebuilding the Michigan program at aless than acceptable pace. While a lot went wrong in his three years here, Rodriguez, as he detailed in a November press conference, didn't suddenly become "stupid over- night." He has a great offensive mind and was loyal to his players and staff - almost to a fault. Players remained loyal to Rodriguez even when they knew the end was coming. He never once blamed the failures of the team on any individual player or staff mem- ber, even when it may have been clear that the defensive side of the ball wasn'tgetting the job done. But instead of rectifying the prob- lem or making changes, Rodriguez simply sat back and kept things at sta- tus quo. I refuse to believe after sev- eral weeks of watching the sieve of a defense be shred by opponents, that the 3-3-5 defense was the best scheme for the team to run. Instead of adapt- ing his scheme to the players and per- sonnel, Rodriguez and his staff were stubborn - trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Rodriguez went with what was successful for him in the past, and in the end it burned him. If you believe that a Michigan defensive unit starting a former stu- dent walk-on, two true freshmen and a nomadic senior - who was flipping between offensive and defense during his first three years in the secondary - could be successful, then you are either nuts or defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. Something needs to be done before Michigan becomes like Notre Dame - scrambling after every three or four years of mediocrity to look for the next hot name coach out there. I hope David Brandon will make the decision that is best for the program and not placate the masses that are hollering for the names being bandied by the press. However, I do hope that whoev- er takes over will have full support of the fans, alumni and administration - something I'm not too sure Rodriguez had during his three years here at the University. Let's get one thing straight, the myth that the coach needs to be a Michigan Man should be put to rest. Bo Schembechler came to the Univer- sity after serving as the head coach of MiamiOhioandevenspenttimeon the staff of Woody Hayes and that team down to the south. Michigan needs to hire the best-fitting coach possible. We need a coach that can embrace the tradition of Michigan, but also fix the decline of a program that may be one more coaching mistake from becom- ing a has-been program. Rodriguez was a square peg in a round hole. Michigan needs a coach who will command the respect of players, stu- dents, alumni and former Wolverine players. We've tried the hot name coach tactic, and it ultimately didn't work out. Fans clamoring for Jim Har- baugh or even Les Miles may be disap- pointed if either of the two Michigan Men fail to leave their already stable jobs to come to Michigan. But that doesn't mean there aren't competent candidates that can return the pro- gram to the top. Goodbye, Rich Rodriguez, it cer- tainly has been a roller coaster ride. You've definitely had good moments with the last-minute wins against Notre Dame last season and thethrill- ing overtime win against Illinois this season. While you may not be forever known as a Michigan Man, you gave it your best shot, and I have no doubt that you and your offense will catch on somewhere else. - Ryan Knapp can be reached at rknapp@umich.edu. The Daily is looking for a diverse group of strong, informed, passionate writers to be columnists for the winter semester. Columnists write a 700-800 word column every other week on a topic of their choosing. If you are an opinionated and talented writer, consider applying. E-MAIL MICHELLE DEWITT AT DEWITTM@MICHIGANDAILY.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Aida Ali, Will Butler, Eaghan Davis, Michelle DeWitt, Ashley Griesshammer, Erika Mayer, Harsha Nahata, Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga, Teddy Papes, Roger Sauerhaft, Andrew Weiner MICHAEL BERTENTHAL The "Michigan Man" curse ATHREY KRISHNAKUMAR| Support is essential for success 0 I hear a lot of talking heads say that the Rich Rodriguez experiment has failed at Michigan because he and his audience failed to see eye to eye "culturally." Whether or not the common fans or the true stakeholders (big boosters) have led this upris- ing, we'll never know. After all, which came first: the chicken or the egg? You and I both know Rodriguez was never given a fair shake since he landed in Ann Arbor more than three years ago. The skep- tics grumbled initially, then probably helped expose his faults just one disappointing season into the rebuilding process. This all boiled over into "self-imposed sanctions." Whatever that means, many claim it was the first big, black- and-blue eye for the program. He's not a "Michigan Man." He's more of a bro - anativeson from aplace where "wild and won- derful" once constituted a state slogan. I'm pretty sure I heard the student section start chanting "read a book!" as he walked the periphery of Michigan Stadium during the Big Chill, his prize quarterback at the flank, his head lowered. The point is that, apparently, there are great expectations on this campus. I must say, however, that there is no short, results-based list of why Rich Rod's Blue never crossed our particular hype threshold. Holisti- cally, however, the football team under Rodri- guez just never satisfied our personal taste for the top self Here are a few reasons: He made few con- cessions. He consistently neglected two sides of the ball - special teams and defense. He didn't recruit defensive players well enough. He perhaps insisted on a 3-3-5, when that won't cut it in the Big Ten without the accompany- ing talent - or ever. His offensive play calling in the red zone was ineffective. Perhaps he also lacks in the equivocation department. Some have argued that the consummate Michigan Man is one of unusual integrity. But maybe this criterion is either too tall an order or a dying breed these days. Today's NCAA and its member athletic departments, all hankering for a piece of the TV revenue pie, make honesty a rare corporate commodity. A local barber of all people initially told me that Rodriguez is scantly visible within the Ann Arbor community. This came in stark contrast to sightings of former football coach Lloyd Carr making keynote speeches at worthy student organization events, such as a fund- raising banquet for Camp Kesem - a student- run summer camp for children with parents who have or had cancer. I swear, even Michigan basketball coach John Beilein, a fellow West Virginian, has been seen roaming the Michigan Union, helping student-athletes pick out the perfect computer from the computer Showcase and leading tours for recruits at the second-floor Billiards and Games Room. These persons, and some of their predecessors, most likely approach Michigan Man status. Coaches are traditionally supposed to emblazon the University. Despite our sky boxes and future night games, Ann Arbor may still be a place where these values matter. Attention to corporate social responsibility, therefore, can be checked and affected by the consumer - in this case the ardent fans - as well as less con- spicuous financial boosters. Surely, the time is now for the University's Athletic Director David Brandon to find a new head football coach, justified alone by that abysmal win-loss record in importantgames. A fitting conclusion to a historic, if suddenly infa- mous, stint for Michigan's student body. Interestingly, we will never know if Rich Rod could have silenced the critics by just spit- ting out a winning product. Which comes first, egg or chicken? Michael Berthenthal is a Ford School of Public Policy senior. No less than three years ago, as the head coach of West Virginia University, Rich Rodriguez spearheaded argu- ably the nation's best team to a Fiesta Bowl victory over the No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners. Though the Mountaineers were led on the field by then-interim coach Bill Stewart, there was no denying that the team and its performance on the field, an absolute white-wash of the perennial power Sooners, was a product solely that of Rodriguez's handiwork. My, what a difference three short - and for many very, very long - years can make. Once one of the most highly sought-after and respect- ed coaches in the nation, Rodriguez is now unemployed, relieved from his head coaching duties after three turbu- lent years at the University of Michigan. Based on pure results, it's hard to argue with Athletic Director David Brandon's decision to fire Rodriguez. Three seasons that fell well below the expectations held in Ann Arbor, no noticeable development on the defensive side of the ball and of course the embarrassing NCAA investigation that has left a blemish on the once - pristine program, all occurred with Rodriguez at the helm. Many feel, however, that the entire mess could have been avoided by not hiring Rodriguez in the first place. From sport pundits to alumni, many criticized Rodri- guez's move to Ann Arbor, stating that it was a clash of game philosophies and, at an underlying level, a mismatch of cultures. Simply put, he was not a "Michigan Man." As a result of this not-so-discrete elitism, Rodriguez never got the 100 percent support that a coach with a 10th of his accolades would elsewhere. From day one on the job, Rodriguez faced an uphill bat- tle not only on the field but off it as well. The roster he was left with was in absolute shambles after former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr's retirement. This was painfully evident during the Wolverines' abysmal 2008 campaign in which the Maize and Blue only notched three victories while setting a slew of school records that no athlete wants to be a part of. Meanwhile, as soon as he set foot on cam- pus, Rodriguez had to contend with an underground faction within the University communitythat resented the fact that he was allowed into the hallowed fraternity of Michigan coaches. The faction resented this interloper with his spread schemes and smaller, speedy players who buzzed around like flies. This was not "Michigan football," they cried. Rodriguez, by all means, did not share many qualities with his predecessors. He never had any prior connec- tion with the University; he played college ball at West Virginia and held a variety of coaching positions at other small schools before making it big with the Mountain- eers. He lacked the stoic demeanor that characterized those before him. He was visibly emotional during press conferences and perhaps was not as articulate as Lloyd or Bo. He brought a new, fast-paced offensive mindset that challenged all that those before him stood for. These rea- sons, which many may deem trivial, prevented Rodriguez from gaining full support from the community and, one may argue, led to his downfall at the University. At the end of the day, Brandon had no choice but to let Rodriguez go. The Wolverines have not been competitive with their Big Ten counterparts, and a coach's job status is directly linked to results on the field. After three con- secutive years of losing to the Buckeyes and Spartans, it was time for a change. However, it's hard to argue that Rodriguez got a fair chance to turn things around here in Ann Arbor. He never received the support that most coaches are guar- anteed simply because he didn't fit, which is strangely hypocritical at a school that prides diversity. Who knows what might have been had he received genuine support? Perhaps we would be in the same situation we are now. Or maybe, without the constant pressure, Rodriguez would have been able to lead the Wolverines to become national championship contenders. There's no denying the fact that he is a quality coach or that he put every ounce of his soul into this job. It's unfortunate the way things trans- pired, both for Rodriguez and the University, but it is a situation that could have been, and should be, avoided in the future. As the football program searches for its next head coach, it's important that no matter who is selected, we as fans give the coach as much support as he needs in order to succeed. It would be great if we land a certain former Wolverine and recent Orange Bowl victor. But if things don't pan out quite as well as we'd like them to, then we should move on and still truly be"'all in" for the Maize and Blue. As we can see, if we don't do so, the results can be disastrous. Athrey Krishnakumar is an Engineering junior. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor. Letters should be fewer than 300 words and must include the writer's full name and University affiliation. All submissions become property of the Daily. We do not print anonymous letters. Send letters to tothedaily@umich.edu. 0 Want to be an opinion cartoonist? The Daily is looking for creative, artistic and opinionated people to draw weekly cartoons. E-MAIL EMILY ORLEY AT EHORLEY@MICHIGANDAILY.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. 0