Dick Rod instillin' family values up north

[Dr. Whiplash]

Rich Rodriguez, Family Guy
By Bill Radinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

Chicago -- Rich Rodriguez described his last seven months as having had "a little bit of drama."

You don't say.

"If I paid a whole lot of attention to a lot of the stuff that was written, it probably would have been a little bit tougher," the embattled new Michigan coach said yesterday at the Big Ten preseason meeting. "But after a while, it was like, 'Just stand in line and throw some darts our way.' "

Rodriguez has had plenty of reasons to duck. West Virginia sued Rodriguez for breaking his contract. He finally reached a settlement July 9 to pay his former school $4 million, most of which came out of Michigan's pocket. Rodriguez drew the wrath of Purdue coach Joe Tiller on signing day when a coveted recruit reneged on an oral commitment and signed with Michigan. A furious Tiller described Rodriguez as a "guy in a wizard hat selling snake oil." Later, prized recruit Terrelle Pryor picked Ohio State over Michigan, even though Rodriguez's spread offense was considered an ideal fit for the quarterback.

Perhaps the crowning blow came when starting guard Justin Boren of Pickerington left the Wolverines for the Buckeyes, saying "family values had eroded" under the new coach.

Rodriguez tried to make light of some of the turmoil.

"I've been working all summer on my snake-oil concoction that I've been trying to give to Joe," he joked, saying the two have been friends for a long time.

The Boren family-values comment clearly stung Rodriguez, though. "That was the one that really upset me the most because that's the one we take the most pride in," Rodriguez said. "Any player who's ever played for us in my 15 years as a head coach will tell you it's just the opposite, not only on our team but also amongst our staff or anyone who's touched our program. We feel that there's nobody that's going to have a family-type unit more than our football program."

Rodriguez was the last coach to speak yesterday and clearly the marquee attraction. When two of the first four questions directed toward Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema were about the Wolverines, he ended his answer by saying, "It's good to be at a Michigan press conference."

But for the most part, his new Big Ten brethren had no interest in tossing more darts at Rodriguez. Tiller chastised a reporter for mentioning the snake-oil comment, saying he did not specifically mention Michigan or Rodriguez.

"I've talked to Rich and said I never said 'Rich Rodriguez,' " Tiller said. "We've known each other for a long time and had good discussions this spring, so to me it's a moot point."

Asked whether he thinks he needs to rebuild his image, Rodriguez said he wasn't the best person to ask.

"I've not changed who I am, but I never have," he said. "It just seems that what was portrayed was changed. That was probably the most disappointing part about it. I mean, what have I done wrong, imagewise? Did I cause anybody to leave? Just ask the players. Everybody wants to talk about a guy who leaves, not about the 99 who stayed. I still have my health. I still have my family. I'm at a great place. If the reputation has been damaged, that is upsetting because I've just changed jobs and done things the way I've done them everywhere else."


Days since Michigan's last football victory over Ohio State: 1707

[The People's DJ]

Piss on him. He'll be out of a job in 3 years.

*edit* I take that back. What will happen is that a rumor will start up with him heading to some NFL team. He'll coach the team right up to the chance to play for the BCS and screw over the team and run to whatever NFL team wants him.

[Bar Rat]

Rich is a foul-mouthed, vile kinda guy. I've seen several of ESPN's behind-the-scenes views of programs. Rich's were by far the most censored. It was a bleep fest. I realize most coaches aren't saints, but he's a special snowflake when it comes to being an asshole.

[jag]

but he's a special snowflake when it comes to being an asshole.

LOL! That's a great line! May I use it? I'll see that you're credited!

[Bar Rat]

but he's a special snowflake when it comes to being an asshole.

LOL! That's a great line! May I use it? I'll see that you're credited!

Have at it I'm glad I finally said something worth quoting!