Sad Day for Michigan Football

I never have liked the University of Michigan football team. Not because of the brand of football they play or for the colors of the school. You needn't look any further than my own higher education. As an Ohio State Buckeye alum you have to look long and far to find a Buckeye that likes UofM. I have always respected Michigan though because they have a traditionally tough football team and has given The Ohio State University fits in the past, although not in this century with the Buckeyes holding a 7-2 advantage dominating the last five with a 42-7 victory this past year in Columbus and a departing gift to former coach Lloyd Carr holding his Wolverines to a mere 61 total yards in the last confrontation in Ann Arbor. Despite those lopsided victories I still have respect for Michigan until today.

The once proud football tradition appears to be keeping pace with non-conference rival Notre Dame down the shameful losing path. The downfall started with the decision by Athletic Director Bill Martin to hire the wrong person to lead the team. Rich Rodriquez in his one season in Ann Arbor is already trying the patience of the University. The team lost a record 9 games last season including a woeful home loss to the MAC's Toledo Mudhens, err Rockets. On the football field Rodriquez has lost the fans, now off the field he is losing his own players. This past week players have complained to the press that the coaches are working them too hard. In a slightly enforced NCAA rule the coaches have been accused of forcing players to commit excessive time over and above the off-season NCAA limits. So not only is their decension among the players with the coaching staff but it appears the players do not want to be successful on the field.

Usually players are committed to team and will work extra to be successful on the field especially the teams that are competing to win conference or national championships. It appears though the goal in Ann Arbor this year amongst some of the players is to ease through the season and go through the emotions with "no goal involved". To make matters worse instead of Coach Rodriquez bringing his team together to explain, "why you do not talk to the press, why you do not share information with reporters or on your own on the internet", he goes to the press and cries. That's right a head coach from the University of Michigan crying. I never thought I would see the day. What recruit is going to want to play for this guy, or this University?

This is appalling for any football program but for Michigan? I wouldn't be surprised if the very quiet press conference held by RichRod jump started the breathing patterns and heart pumping of the late Bo Schembechler, who is probably yelling at the top of his lungs for anyone that can hear him to start digging because he might be the only one that can save the Wolverines from an apparent decline in Michigan football.