How much time does Coach Rodriguez have?

[bighousemike84]

In my opinion he has another 2-3 years. It is reasonable to assume that Bill Martin will give Coach Rod 4-5 years and then depending on the teams performance fire him. Also I dont think Coach needs to win a NC to keep his job. What he needs to do is put M in the running for the NC and beat UOS, ND and FYS on a regular basis and he maintains his job.

I know fans who didnt like him to begin with and will never let this 3-9 season go but ,much like Bill Martin knows, Rich Rodriguez is different than anything M has had and it wasnt going to be a perfectly smooth transition.

[RealSchool]

Another season with no bowl game and he is gone. Not that I agree with that I just think that is the reality. As far as winning the NC, I think that is so far off the radar right now for the next 4 seasons. He must beat OSU and fight for the Big Ten by the 2010 season to keep my support however. You just can't roll into Ann Arbor and lose to OSU your first 3 years.

[bigboyBlue]

If he doesn't make a bowl game next year, he gets another year max. If he does, its a free ride for the next 5 years to get this program to be competitive nationally.

[bighousemike84]

If he doesn't make a bowl game next year, he gets another year max. If he does, its a free ride for the next 5 years to get this program to be competitive nationally.

yeah thats about right.

[mgobev]

Id say 2010 is a big season, if that goes well then I think the team and his job security will be smooth sailing after that. If we still struggle in 2010 then the fire RR propoganda will be overwhelming, but regardless I think he will be here in 2011 though seeing as his first recruiting class will only be juniors then.

[Wolvrin704]

I think he has 4 years minimum. This is UM where they don't change coaches like people change hats.

[rickyleach]

years , because the man is going to win at michigan....

[wolverine]

If RR does not beat at least one rival and win enough games to make it to a bowl,,hes gone

[ironhide]

The team is going to be called the Tampacks

However, they only are good for one period and they have no second string!

[amazinblue]

I think Michigan will honor the entire term of his contract - and, the expectation is that we'll improve season over season from now on. Without doubt, last season was the most painful, by far, in memory - and, I don't see it happening again this year. IF we were to have another losing record this season, the heat will be on "high" - but, he'll still be here in 2010.

My expectations (2009) - this year - winning record, bowl game.

Next year (2010) - challenge for the Big 10.

2011 - challenge for / win the Big 10 - BCS game, increased national visibility.

2012 - now, we're looking at Amazing - NC considered / talked about teams.

[tpilews]

I think Michigan will honor the entire term of his contract - and, the expectation is that we'll improve season over season from now on. Without doubt, last season was the most painful, by far, in memory - and, I don't see it happening again this year. IF we were to have another losing record this season, the heat will be on "high" - but, he'll still be here in 2010.

My expectations (2009) - this year - winning record, bowl game.

Next year (2010) - challenge for the Big 10.

2011 - challenge for / win the Big 10 - BCS game, increased national visibility.

2012 - now, we're looking at Amazing - NC considered / talked about teams.


Yeah, I pretty much agree with that timetable. I wouldn't mind seeing all that move up a year so that 2009 is challenging for the big10. The big10 is pretty down this year. Right now, it seems like tuos and psu top 2, and iowa, illinois, minnesota, nwu, and UM thrown in the middle. UM has a pretty favorable schedule this year considering the big, big games like tuos and psu are at home.

Well, even if that doesn't happen I think you are right on for 2011 and 2012, but I'd add NC considered to 2011.

I think that is a pretty realistic with a bit of optimism.

[blueisbetterthanred]

I agree that it might move up a year, I think it comes down to the QB. If whoever wins the starting spot gets hot, the big 10 is ours to lose this year with the schedule we have. With 6 redshirts coming on the OL and a year under everyone else's belt, our offense is definitely going to look better this year. The only question remains if they can play all 4 quarters, which I'm betting another season under Barwis makes that an emphatic yes.

[Sten Carlson]

I think anyone that thinks that RR is going to be fired based on this year's performance doesn't seem to have their finger on the pulse of Michigan football, IMO.

We had basically the same regime running the program since 1969! There is no way that I can see, barring something completely extraordinary, that RR's job isn't safe for at least the full term of his contract.

Yes, Michigan wants to win, and yes there are rumblings from certain circles of that may or may not be influential. But, Michigan continues to sell out the Big House, and continues to be one of the biggest merchandise licensees in the world, and like it or not, MONEY TALKS. I am by no means suggesting (RTB) that anyone in the Michigan Administration is willing to allow RR to destroy the program, but Michigan, at least from what I have seen over the past 32 years of being involved with it, has a great deal of patience.

I think Martin and the people that will ultimately make such a decision are NOT prone to snap judgments, nor are they looking (like many fans) at only the W's and L's. Yes, those are important, to an extent, but I know for a fact that Martin has a great deal of faith in RR and believes that given time and support, he will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time at Michigan!

I tend to agree with him. I think, in a hundred years, when people are looking back at the history of Michigan football, the annals are going to go from the Bo Era, to the RR era, with the only mention of Carr being the 1997 National Championship squad -- if it weren't for that, his legacy would be blended in with Bo's like so many minor Roman Emperors of antiquity that are known only to scholars, but lost to common knowledge.

Just my two cents!

[MoellerLover69(LloydCarr)]

Keeping the boosters happy is too much of a key element in RR''s longevity. If there is no bowl game this year he will be gone. You can't have better talent than 90 percent of the teams in college football and go two years with under six wins in the Big 10 at Michigan and hope to keep your job. I think he will win at least six this year and am really excited about the recruiting class, but Rich is coaching at the greatest program in history and with that comes expectations and standards. The world doesn't stop for Rich Rodriguez.

[bighousemike84]

The boosters and fans railed on Carr when the team went 7-5. They railed on him for not beating the sweatervested ninny. They railed on him for losing to App. State and Oregon. Sights like this one here where created and ESPN analysts questioned the coaching abilitys of an aging Carr. Yet through all that Bill Martin continually stood by Coach and proclaimed his unending support. You can be sure he will do the same with Coach Rodriguez.

I cant imagine UM going the way of Notre Dame and taking what was once a great program and trashing it in the name of success. ND let there belief in the almighty W cloud there judgment and in only 6 years have become a laughingstock of college football (to everyone but ESPN of course)

[RealSchool]

but........ Carr did win a NC and that gives someone a lot of time. He also was a long time Michigan coach and that means everything at Michigan. RR is from West Virginia has no past with Michigan and the boosters will eat him alive if they miss another bowl.

Didn't even Desmond say something similiar to what I wrote above?

[deltguy2]

I think the football program is going to mirror the basketball program a lot in its 2nd year under a new coach who came in and implemented a whole new system. Think about it, both Belein and RichRod had the worst records in their respective sports their first year (10-22 for b-ball and 3-9 in football). The basketball team has made vast improvements from last season. After the win today, they are 16-10 and have a decent shot to make the NCAA tourny. They started out hot, and then in the middle of the season got into a rut. I can see the football program doing the same thing. Getting hot early, and then hitting a small rut in the middle of the season. But overall, a major improvement from RichRod's first year. I see us going 7-5 or 8-4.

The following season we should be competing for a Big10 Championship with Tate having a full season under his belt. RichRod will be in Michigan as long as he wants to be if you ask me, when he leaves I feel like it will be on his own decision. He will have success in Ann Arbor.

[LAMfan]

I cant imagine UM going the way of Notre Dame and taking what was once a great program and trashing it in the name of success. ND let there belief in the almighty W cloud there judgment and in only 6 years have become a laughingstock of college football (to everyone but ESPN of course)

I thought the love for ND, in the $hade of $hamrock green, came most from NBC, the Notredame Broadcasting Company.

[RichRodriguez]

another 3-9 year and hes gone

[MoellerLover69(LloydCarr)]

The only way I see him staying and winning under six games is if he beats OSU or the team shows remarkable improvement in most capacities, but injuries leave him with Threet/Sheridan at the helm for most of the season.

[goblue]

My deadline is after the 2010 season. I'm willing to be patient for two full recruiting years before I'm willing to judge. But if we have lousy seasons in 2009 and 2010, I would like to see Rodriguez leave.

As far as beating Ohio State, it all depends. If Ohio State has an off year but still beats us, but we still win the Big Ten, then that's not failure to me. If we have a good year, they beat us and win the Big Ten, it will depend on how we do in a bowl game. If we continue losing to Ohio State and either not making it to a bowl game or losing in a bowl game, then that's failure to me.

[Buzz]

Keeping the boosters happy is too much of a key element in RR''s longevity. If there is no bowl game this year he will be gone. You can't have better talent than 90 percent of the teams in college football and go two years with under six wins in the Big 10 at Michigan and hope to keep your job. I think he will win at least six this year and am really excited about the recruiting class, but Rich is coaching at the greatest program in history and with that comes expectations and standards. The world doesn't stop for Rich Rodriguez.

I agree....I want to add that if people think that last year's record isn't being looked upon by the top administrators, and boosters alike with an evil eye, then I think you're fooling yourself....no offense.

I think Michigan will win at least 100% percent more games than last season, maybe one or two more. RichRod has to make a bowl this season, or he'll turn into a coach that can do nothing right.

[Rockie]

but........ Carr did win a NC and that gives someone a lot of time. He also was a long time Michigan coach and that means everything at Michigan. RR is from West Virginia has no past with Michigan and the boosters will eat him alive if they miss another bowl.

Didn't even Desmond say something similiar to what I wrote above?

But there were rumblings in 97, that that could of been Carr's last year, because he just came off two 8-4 seasons and people were wonderring if he was in over his head.

[NCBLUE]

My two cents -

First off what I think should happen and what the administration will do are two seperate things.

I think RR needs to make a bowl game this season and unless their are some unique circumstances that occur, if he does not then the seat should starting warming up for RR. In general he should make a bowls game this season. Year 3 he should be able to compete for the Big Ten (hopefully beat oSU within his first 3 years. Year 4 Win the Big Ten. Year 5 be in the NC discussion (not neccessarily be in it or win it, but be one of the teams in consideration).

However Michigan does not react swiftly nor do they make knee jerk reactions in terms of coaches. So unless he does something off the field to embarass UofM he will be given plenty of time.

[Mike Furley]

i think UM goes 10-2 this season so I think he stays for awhile - 5 more years beyond this season. By then though, he may just be 2-5 against Ohio State and that won't cut it. I think the only thing that could lessen it would be his record against Sparty. I think 4 losses to Sparty - without a BCS win thrown in there, and he'd be done.