RICH RODRIGUEZ TO FANS, " GET A LIFE "

Ah yes, it's that time of year college football fans look forward to. Rivalry week. The time of year we bring up time honored traditions such as the Axe, The Apple Cup, The Victory Bell, etc.... It's also that time of year we bring up our favorite rivalry games. The time of year friendships and houses are divided. And what better way to welcome rivalry week than to call out your fan base, such as what University of Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez did this past week.




ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Rich Rodriguez loves to win -- and he hates to lose as much as anyone.



It's amazing some of the things that people would say [on a message board] or yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them, 'Get a life.'
-- Rich Rodriguez

Michigan's coach, though, tries to keep as much perspective as he can.

Rodriguez has his wife and kids around him after practices, at the team hotel and on bus trips to the stadium. His office door is always wide open, allowing visitors to say hello.

Heading into his first Michigan-Ohio State game -- where the Wolverines are expected to extend their dubious record with a ninth loss -- he tried to deliver a message to fans who have lost touch.

"It's amazing some of the things that people would say [on a message board] or yell at you of a personal nature," Rodriguez said Monday. "You almost want to tell them, 'Get a life.'

"There's a whole lot bigger problems. Look at the economy."

College football's winningest team has tumbled like the stock market, losing a school-record eight games and getting beat a Michigan Stadium-record five times at home.

For the first time since 1974, the Wolverines will be relegated to watching bowl games.


Way to endear yourself to your public Rich. While I may not be the most ardent supporter of the Maize and Blue ( Though I do love " The Victors " ), and though Rich's comments may not have been directed toward all Michigan supporters, and though there is plenty of truth behind his comments, whom some feel were taken out of context, Richs comments have probably done nothing more than tighten his leash on what was already expected to be a rebuilding year in Ann Arbor.

Yes, we fans tend to spend too much time in our passion for our teams. It's what we do. That's why we are, FANS. And yeah, most fans in the world are not insane enough to think that they can outperform some of the most elite athletes in their profession. And yeah, as a fan, I am guilty of throwing good money away to watch my favorite teams, especially this past decade when it's come to UCLA Football and the 49ERS. Loyal to a fault, yeah. And yes, while it is true that the average coach knows more on the field than Joe Fan, no matter how much we criticize his playcalling, again Rich, you're leash as UM coach, how loose it may have been this first season, has only tightened.

One of the first rules in any business, never bite the hand that feeds you. And in bringing up the economy as a reference, when you take into account your , what, $2mil a year salery, who is the primary source for your dough ? That's right, the FAN. You know, the people who scurtinize your every move, the people who make fools of themselves singing all 500 versions of " The Victors " after every UM victory. The alums that contribute heavily to the athletic departments donor program, much of which probably goes to the football program.

When I bring up the leash, my point is that yeah, while fans expect nothing but success, especially in a succesful football program as the UOFM, every now and then, most fans come to the realization that there comes a time when even the best must go through rebuilding. Case in point, out here in Westwood, the Bruin Faithful have had to endure some growing pains this year under 1st year head coach Rick Neuheisel. Yeah, we were aware he had some past baggage , and of course it probably helped that he is a former Bruin QB, but considering UCLA football has not been up to par since 1998 ( More on that later ) and we went into the season with a 3rd string JC transfer as our starting QB, and we are playing over 20 freshman, yeah, we knew this was going to be a rough year. ( And we still got the SC game on Dec 6 ). But since his arrival here, Neuheisel has done what he can to endear himself to the Bruin Faithful, even fessing up to past mistakes.

Of course sports and the economy are two seperate beasts. Sports is one of the many things in life that takes our minds off reality every now and then. If we wanted to deal with reality 24/7, we'd all probably be miserable. Even this blogger knows it. And i'm sure most sports fans know it too. Rich, by making your comments, you've not only ostracized the UOFM fans, but you may have also shortened your grace period too in terms of returning the program back to glory. And should that not work out, as for future coaching jobs, you may have also , you may have also jeopardized any future jobs as well. Because when it's time to go job hunting, dont think for one minute you're comments will not be replayed over and over again, especially in the eyes of , of course, the FANS.

Oh yeah, Rich, how 'bout an apology to, the FANS ? Imagine if he were the head coach of the Raiders and he said this ? Now that I'm done, I'm going to continue on with my life now and debate with my uncle now, a die-hard Cowboys fan, not one of those bandwagon fans, 'till im Red and Gold in the face on why the 49ERS will upset Dallas this weekend.

'Drei