Michigan Football Off Season Discussion - Page 24

*JD* · April 28th, 2012, 11:21 AM

Yeah, only Shemp should feel the wrath.

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 06:18 AM

Will Heininger on RR:

Here's your answer: We didn't have a good defense under coach Rod because he ran the program, from a management standpoint, exactly how you're not supposed to. (I'm not trying to hurt the guy, but giving an honest assessment of what happened). In business, or in any leadership role, you should always try to surround yourself with as smart/talented individuals as you could find. They have good ideas that aren't your own, etc. Coach Rod hired his friends....except for at DC. But that creates an even bigger problem, because the assistants are supposed to listen to the DC. You don't just hire a DC and not let him hire his own position coaches, unless you want your own staff bickering and undermining each other. So our two DCs (who I respect a lot) never really got to run their own show. Combine that with what I consider non-Michigan caliber defensive recruiting, and... there you have it. For the record: I think RR is an incredible offensive mind. I just don't think he was a good manager of our program. And the deck wasn't exactly stacked for him, if you know what I mean (I'm not talking about players here).

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 06:24 AM

Couldn't really agree more, RR assembled a staff that worked pretty well at WV and in the Big East except for his DC, Casteel. I blame Martin some for not allowing RR to hire any coordinators/assistants he wanted as M's payroll for assistants was less than the average in the B10. In the end, it was largely RR's fault as he did end up hiring a decent DC in Shafer but trusted his buddies 3-3-5 over Shafer's defense.

Rob F · April 29th, 2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WM Wolverine

Will Heininger on RR:

Here's your answer: We didn't have a good defense under coach Rod because he ran the program, from a management standpoint, exactly how you're not supposed to. (I'm not trying to hurt the guy, but giving an honest assessment of what happened). In business, or in any leadership role, you should always try to surround yourself with as smart/talented individuals as you could find. They have good ideas that aren't your own, etc. Coach Rod hired his friends....except for at DC. But that creates an even bigger problem, because the assistants are supposed to listen to the DC. You don't just hire a DC and not let him hire his own position coaches, unless you want your own staff bickering and undermining each other. So our two DCs (who I respect a lot) never really got to run their own show. Combine that with what I consider non-Michigan caliber defensive recruiting, and... there you have it. For the record: I think RR is an incredible offensive mind. I just don't think he was a good manager of our program. And the deck wasn't exactly stacked for him, if you know what I mean (I'm not talking about players here).

Fantastic quote from Heininger! Where did you get it from---was there more? Who did the interview?

As for Heininger himself, does he have a chance of going anywhere as an undrafted free agent? I know he was injured (sprained ankle?) and missed the Sugar Bowl.

Jeff Buchanan · April 29th, 2012, 09:20 AM

Henninger simply cements, with an insider's view, what anyone watching the Rodriguez era closely, from the outside, understood.

Football coaching, from what I know about it as outsider, involves a lot of cronyism with guys rising to the top taking care of their buddies who may not have done as well. I would argue that sports fans who are avid watchers of their CFB teams can list guys on the staff, hired by the HC, who don't belong there for one reason or the other and are only on board because of a close realtionship with the HC.

Tony Gibson.

Did Rodriguez pick him back up off the mat at Arizona after he was let go at Pitt? Good God, I hope not.

Rob F · April 29th, 2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Tony Gibson.

Did Rodriguez pick him back up off the mat at Arizona after he was let go at Pitt? Good God, I hope not.

I'd have to look it up, Jeff, but I'm pretty sure I read some time back that Gibson was one of RR's hires at Arizona.

Rob F · April 29th, 2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob F

I'd have to look it up, Jeff, but I'm pretty sure I read some time back that Gibson was one of RR's hires at Arizona.

Yep---Gibson is at 'Zona with RR:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...SOff0Q&cad=rja

Reason enough for me to take an occasional glance at how the Wildcats are doing, especially on Special Teams and Pass Defense. Should be good for an occasional chuckle as those units implode under Gibson's guidance!

hack · April 29th, 2012, 09:35 AM

Hasn't learned, I guess. Not shocked.

For those of us interested in organisational culture, then, this is a chance to in a very rough way see how much institutional backing matters.

lineygoblue · April 29th, 2012, 09:38 AM

It confirms what I suspected all along. Rodriguez brought in two defensive coordinators, then would not allow them to coordinate. A defensive coordinator has to be allowed to at least have a voice in who the defensive assistants are. If he can't have people he knows and trusts to "coordinate", then he's starting off with one foot stuck in the mud.

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 10:27 AM

Will Heininger is a member of Rivals and last night (for the first time) did quite a bit of talking there.

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 10:33 AM

Heininger's professional prospects aren't good (he'll be lucky to make a roster), though he probably had a better senior season at M than quite a few M defensive lineman in the last decade that made NFL rosters. He never really had the size, strength he needed to be until his senior season.

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 10:38 AM

Will on Denard:

I would do anything for him. There is no one I'd rather have leading our program. He hasn't changed one bit for the worse with all the spotlight, all the fame, etc. He is the same humble, caring, smiling kid that he was when he walked in summer '09. As a teammate, he's a leader. He's tough as nails, and he doesn't complain. He comes out to practice every day with a great attitude (something that's harder than you'd think at times). He makes his teammates better, and he loves his school. One time we were at the mall with another teammate who had to get a new phone. This would've taken about 10 minutes, except that people swarmed Denard for pictures/autographs etc. We had somewhere to go, but he signed every one, and took every picture. He even went across Briarwood with a woman in a wheelchair to find her husband, who was "the biggest Michigan fan ever, and would love a picture with him." That's the kind of kid he is. So when you see him on TV at the Basketball games having a great time with his teammates, you better believe that's 100% real. The camera loves him. He doesn't love the camera. He puts up with it because he knows it comes with the territory, and he doesn't complain. I hope this settles the score on Denard.

He is one of the most special players to come through Michigan in my lifetime, and I plan on savoring his senior season, now as an alumni. I now see from the outside what he does for our university, and it is something to behold. He's a special one.

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 10:39 AM

Will speaking not just for him but from his teammates perspective too.

DennisT · April 29th, 2012, 11:52 AM

Will has a future in media or pr if nothing else. Great stuff.

Rob F · April 29th, 2012, 12:00 PM

Thanks for more on what Heininger had to say, WM. Is the stuff on Rivals from Heininger on free access or behind a paywall?

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 12:05 PM

Pay message board.

WM Wolverine · April 29th, 2012, 12:09 PM

Heininger isn't going to pursue an NFL career, he won't do workouts for NFL teams trying to make their rosters like many undrafted, unsigned graduating seniors do. He cites concern about head injuries, says he'd like a future in an NFL front office.

Rob F · April 29th, 2012, 12:20 PM

Smart kid! Best of luck to Heininger as he pursues his goals.

Knowing now that his playing career is likely over, I initially felt sorry that he ended his career injured and on the sidelines for the Sugar Bowl. Then I realized that his last game was the beatdown of ohio. Hooray for Heininger, he'll always be able to look back at his last game with fondness!

WingsFan · April 29th, 2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Reason enough for me to take an occasional glance at how the Wildcats are doing

Yes, I will definitely be watching some of the Mildcats this year since I watch a lot of late west coast games anyway. Speaking of Richrod, not sure if it was posted (or how many care

) Michael Rosenberg ‏ left the Freep, for I think SI.

WM Wolverine · May 2nd, 2012, 08:44 PM

Sounds like 2 more major bowls, in effect to replace the semifinal games and to add more revenue... Figure Cotton & Capital One are likely bowl sites to step-up.

April 28th, 2012, 11:21 AM	#461
JD Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: My bags seem to always be packed, USA Posts: 8,087	Yeah, only Shemp should feel the wrath. __________________ The poster formerly known as tin mad dog.

April 29th, 2012, 06:18 AM	#462
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Will Heininger on RR: Here's your answer: We didn't have a good defense under coach Rod because he ran the program, from a management standpoint, exactly how you're not supposed to. (I'm not trying to hurt the guy, but giving an honest assessment of what happened). In business, or in any leadership role, you should always try to surround yourself with as smart/talented individuals as you could find. They have good ideas that aren't your own, etc. Coach Rod hired his friends....except for at DC. But that creates an even bigger problem, because the assistants are supposed to listen to the DC. You don't just hire a DC and not let him hire his own position coaches, unless you want your own staff bickering and undermining each other. So our two DCs (who I respect a lot) never really got to run their own show. Combine that with what I consider non-Michigan caliber defensive recruiting, and... there you have it. For the record: I think RR is an incredible offensive mind. I just don't think he was a good manager of our program. And the deck wasn't exactly stacked for him, if you know what I mean (I'm not talking about players here). __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 06:24 AM	#463
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Couldn't really agree more, RR assembled a staff that worked pretty well at WV and in the Big East except for his DC, Casteel. I blame Martin some for not allowing RR to hire any coordinators/assistants he wanted as M's payroll for assistants was less than the average in the B10. In the end, it was largely RR's fault as he did end up hiring a decent DC in Shafer but trusted his buddies 3-3-5 over Shafer's defense. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 09:38 AM	#469
lineygoblue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Owosso, MI Posts: 5,356	It confirms what I suspected all along. Rodriguez brought in two defensive coordinators, then would not allow them to coordinate. A defensive coordinator has to be allowed to at least have a voice in who the defensive assistants are. If he can't have people he knows and trusts to "coordinate", then he's starting off with one foot stuck in the mud. __________________ "Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

April 29th, 2012, 10:27 AM	#470
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Will Heininger is a member of Rivals and last night (for the first time) did quite a bit of talking there. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 09:20 AM	#465
Jeff Buchanan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,537	Henninger simply cements, with an insider's view, what anyone watching the Rodriguez era closely, from the outside, understood. Football coaching, from what I know about it as outsider, involves a lot of cronyism with guys rising to the top taking care of their buddies who may not have done as well. I would argue that sports fans who are avid watchers of their CFB teams can list guys on the staff, hired by the HC, who don't belong there for one reason or the other and are only on board because of a close realtionship with the HC. Tony Gibson. Did Rodriguez pick him back up off the mat at Arizona after he was let go at Pitt? Good God, I hope not.

April 29th, 2012, 09:35 AM	#468
hack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,607	Hasn't learned, I guess. Not shocked. For those of us interested in organisational culture, then, this is a chance to in a very rough way see how much institutional backing matters.

April 29th, 2012, 10:33 AM	#471
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Heininger's professional prospects aren't good (he'll be lucky to make a roster), though he probably had a better senior season at M than quite a few M defensive lineman in the last decade that made NFL rosters. He never really had the size, strength he needed to be until his senior season. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 10:38 AM	#472
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Will on Denard: I would do anything for him. There is no one I'd rather have leading our program. He hasn't changed one bit for the worse with all the spotlight, all the fame, etc. He is the same humble, caring, smiling kid that he was when he walked in summer '09. As a teammate, he's a leader. He's tough as nails, and he doesn't complain. He comes out to practice every day with a great attitude (something that's harder than you'd think at times). He makes his teammates better, and he loves his school. One time we were at the mall with another teammate who had to get a new phone. This would've taken about 10 minutes, except that people swarmed Denard for pictures/autographs etc. We had somewhere to go, but he signed every one, and took every picture. He even went across Briarwood with a woman in a wheelchair to find her husband, who was "the biggest Michigan fan ever, and would love a picture with him." That's the kind of kid he is. So when you see him on TV at the Basketball games having a great time with his teammates, you better believe that's 100% real. The camera loves him. He doesn't love the camera. He puts up with it because he knows it comes with the territory, and he doesn't complain. I hope this settles the score on Denard. He is one of the most special players to come through Michigan in my lifetime, and I plan on savoring his senior season, now as an alumni. I now see from the outside what he does for our university, and it is something to behold. He's a special one. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 10:39 AM	#473
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Will speaking not just for him but from his teammates perspective too. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 11:52 AM	#474
DennisT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,178	Will has a future in media or pr if nothing else. Great stuff.

April 29th, 2012, 12:00 PM	#475
Rob F Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW Michigan. My 2nd Home is The Big House! Posts: 2,450	Thanks for more on what Heininger had to say, WM. Is the stuff on Rivals from Heininger on free access or behind a paywall?

April 29th, 2012, 12:05 PM	#476
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Pay message board. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 12:09 PM	#477
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Heininger isn't going to pursue an NFL career, he won't do workouts for NFL teams trying to make their rosters like many undrafted, unsigned graduating seniors do. He cites concern about head injuries, says he'd like a future in an NFL front office. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)

April 29th, 2012, 12:20 PM	#478
Rob F Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW Michigan. My 2nd Home is The Big House! Posts: 2,450	Smart kid! Best of luck to Heininger as he pursues his goals. Knowing now that his playing career is likely over, I initially felt sorry that he ended his career injured and on the sidelines for the Sugar Bowl. Then I realized that his last game was the beatdown of ohio. Hooray for Heininger, he'll always be able to look back at his last game with fondness! Last edited by Rob F; April 29th, 2012 at 12:23 PM.

May 2nd, 2012, 08:44 PM	#480
WM Wolverine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 4,273	Sounds like 2 more major bowls, in effect to replace the semifinal games and to add more revenue... Figure Cotton & Capital One are likely bowl sites to step-up. __________________ B10 titles: 42 - #1 all-time wins (903) #1 all-time winning percentage (.734)