Welcome to the Big House Court Room. I'm Judge BigHouse Bob, I will hear arguments today on whose to blame for the Michigan season of record 2008. Will each defendant please identfy yourself and quickly state your case?
Good Morning your honor, I'm former head coach Lloyd Carr: I recruited Sam McGuffie and a number of this years freshman. I also left a team full of talent that really hadn't seen any playing time. I ran a Pro Style offense and had a coaching philosophy to not lose games, which constantly got Michigan 8-9 wins a year. We would have struggled this year if I had stayed on as head coach with a trip to the Music City Bowl. I'm clearly innocent of this crime against the Michigan Program.
Hello your honor, I'm current head coach Rich Rodriguez: I have only been here 11 months and just recently found the best route to get to the stadium from my house. When I took over this team, we didn't have a QB and a bunch of guys suited for another system. I have won at every school I have been at but always had a terrible record in year 1. I do have to be honest, I did make some mistakes in play calling and with the current talent level but we will have that fixed next year for sure. I have had two really good recruiting classes and the future is bright. I'm for sure not guilty of this crime against the Michigan fan base.
What up your honor! I'm Ryan Mallett: Oops I just dropped the good book (sorry). I transferred in January because Mike Barwis really scared me. The only thing that I lift is beers with my buddies. I prefer a system that throws the ball 80% of the time and considers a good work out a trip to the whirlpool. How can I be guilty, I wasn't even on the team?
Sorry, I'm late your honor, I wasn't aware which side of the room I was supposed to sit on. I'm defensive coordinator, Scott Shafer: I took this job last winter and was really excited to have a chance to lead a defensive group with an experienced defensive line, young linebackers, and talented defensive backs. I expected this unit to dominate this year and we really haven't, due to some formation changes and some personnel mental lapses. We were just on the field too much. Of course, It's not my fault the offense didn't score enough points.
Judge BHB: Calvin Magee, Stevie Brown, Nick Sheridan, anyone who turned the ball over on specials teams, Stephen Threet, and The offensive line. You all are excused from this hearing and free to go due to the lack of experience and evidence (I guess there was some type of shredder incident?).
Judge BHB: Now on to my final verdict: After reviewing all 11 games so far, it's easy to say this team at times has looked lost on both sides of the ball. The offense is somewhat understandable but there is no excuse for the defense. Michigan at one point or another was winning every game (except against Notre Dame) but couldn't hold a lead or score when they needed to. There is also no excuse for losses against Toledo and Purdue.
So this leads me to my final verdict on whose to blame for the worst year in the history of Michigan Football. The above defendants all played a role in this ridiculous win loss record of 2008. But at the end of the day there has to be one person holding the bag for everything that went wrong this season. That person is head coach Rich Rodriguez, as I'm sure you have implemented a lot of good things this year, I feel you have mis-managed your talent and your team has underachieved.
This court understands that the above defendants and conditions did not equal a championship team or even a top 25 team, but it is expected that Michigan will be in a bowl game every year. Losing records are not permitted in these parts and a bowl game in 2009 is not only expected but required.
This court is requiring you to recruit your backside off from today until signing today, use snake oil if you have to. You also need to reflect on this past season and learn from your mistakes, make sure your defense is in position to make plays and not give games away as you slowly implement another new Freshman QB. Make sure Scott Shafer is the man for the job, his unit was supposed to be the strength of the team and it clearly wasn't. There is no excuse for 3-9 ever in Ann Arbor, this is not West Virgina, or Tulane, it's the win-est program in the history of college football. You sir are now in the Michigan family where winning is the only option.
This case is adjured. Now start your off season.
On a side note, I will clear this judgement if there is some way you can make magic happen on Saturday. If not, you will be required to stay at Hotel 6 and Red Roof Inn's on every recruiting trip. They will keep the light on for you.
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