I know this is yesterday's news, but I was traveling, and I wanted to make sure my first reaction was the right one. With that being said, how can you fire a coach after only three years? He brought in a whole new system; that takes time. Everyone knew (or should have known) his first year was going to be rough. Each year since then has been an improvement. What more could you ask for? Literally?
He was finally getting some pieces in place, and now you cut the cord? At a minimum he needed one more year. It took him a couple of years to get the offense in place, so now he needs a year or two to get the defense in place. Michigan fans that are in favor of his firing look like spoiled, little cry babies that didn't "win enough". I'm sure these were the same fans that cried when Lloyd Carr was "only" winning nine games a year, too. You should be ashamed. (Bet you miss Carr, now, don't you?)
By firing Rodriguez now, Michigan is part of everything that is wrong with the college football coaching carousel. The last thing we need is another example of a coach bailing early, or a school that gets "tired of waiting to win" so they fire the coach early. We already contributed to the coach leaving early part of the equation by somehow convincing Rich Rod to leave a good thing at West Virginia. Now, we get impatient and ditch him after three years? Right. And what's the point of having a contract?!? Clearly, the main reason for contracts now-a-days is to have a buyout in place. It's surely no guarantee for job security. He signed a six-year, $15-million dollar contract when he started. Michigan only honored half of that. Wow, way to stand behind your decision to hire him. Why not have him sign only a three year contract and save yourself millions of dollars? Nice show of character, by the way. *cough* Sarcasm *cough, cough*
All I can say is Michigan better hire a coach that runs the spread. If not, they'll be losing for another three years; if not longer. If/when a spread offense coach is hired, and if/when he wins next year, just remember who to thank for the recruits and putting the system in place.
I have never been embarrassed to be a Michigan fan, until now. I've always been a U of M fan for as long as I can remember. I pulled for them through thick-and-thin; even when they were 3-9, but I hope we keep losing for three more years, just as a matter of principle for not giving the guy a chance and fulfilling his contract. What a poor example to set for everyone else.
