The coach's job security is in doubt after his Michigan team falls to Ohio State for a third straight season. But Rodriguez said change takes time, and he needs more of it.
View full sizeFor Rich Rodriguez, finding success at Michigan has "been a lot slower than I want it. A lot slower than our fans want it, I don't blame them for that. But I'm not deterred by that."COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rich Rodriguez was simmering. His lips were pulled tight into a thin line, his jaw was set in an unbreakable square.
Minutes after watching his Michigan team get walloped by Ohio State for the third time in his three years in charge of the Wolverines -- this time, a 37-7 pounding -- Rodriguez was smoldering and ready to begin his public plea that he should keep his job as the Michigan head coach.
Despite the fact that Michigan lost to OSU for the seventh straight year, despite his team's 7-5 record is his first winning season in Ann Arbor, and despite being outscored by the Buckeyes, 100-24, in the past three years.
"I'm ticked," Rodriguez said. "What, do you want me to go jump out there and hold hands with all the Buckeyes fans and sing Kumbaya? I mean, I wish we'd played better. Our guys played hard, and that's to be expected. But I wish we'd executed better. As coaches, we've got to try to put them in a position so they can make some plays. I'm gonna be mad for a while."
Whether Rodriguez will have an opportunity to erase his anger and gain some measure of revenge on the Buckeyes next season is the question, however. Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he had nothing to report as he walked from Ohio Stadium. Rodriguez said he shared "some things" with his players after the game, but wouldn't divulge specifics.
Rodriguez made clear that he has felt the pressure of fans who have voiced displeasure, those who have created a "firerrod.com" Web site and lobbied against him as he's stumbled to 15-21 in three seasons with the Wolverines.
Ohio State fans, on the other hand, created a large, red banner that they held behind the Michigan bench in the game's closing moments that read, "Viva Rodriguez!" It was a nod to the OSU dominance in this rivalry of late, including Saturday's 30-point victory, which was the second-most lopsided Buckeyes win since 1968.
"We made progress, but not as much as some folks want, not as much as I want," Rodriguez said. "Are you kidding me? I'm not used to this either, you know. I'm not used to this. These coaches aren't used to this. We're used to playing for championships and BCS bowls and all that, too.
"It's been frustrating as heck. But I'm not deterred because I know where we're at, I know what we're doing and I know what we have in the program and I know what we need to do to fix it."
Rodriguez, of course, came from a successful West Virginia program that was 32-5 in his final three seasons there. Rodriguez reminded that his Michigan starting defensive unit includes three true freshmen, and that he's had only two recruiting classes since he arrived at Michigan. Change takes time, he said.
"Sometimes it takes a little longer to mold the program the way you want to mold it," he said. "Sometimes you get more obstacles in your way. ... That doesn't mean you can't do it. I'm not deterred one bit.
"I think the worst is behind us. I know it is. But everybody's going to have their own opinion on that, and that's fine. Everybody's welcome to. But I feel as confident today, and I think there's 100-some players and coaches and people who truly follow our program closely who feel as confident as I do, that it's gonna happen. It's been a lot slower than I want it. A lot slower than our fans want it, I don't blame them for that. But I'm not deterred by that."
Asked whether he expects to be back next season or "hopes" to return, Rodriguez gave a simple answer.
"I'm going to work tomorrow, as always," he said.