Weekly Press Conference: Head Coach Rich Rodriguez
11/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
"Nick (Sheridan) is fine. He got banged up a little bit, but he's good to go, and Brandon Minor is a lot better. We think he should be able to go.
"Brandon is such a tough guy if there's a chance. We've got to make sure he can protect himself and do all of that.
"We think Minor will be better. Steve is doubtful. I think those were the major ones."
On freshman super back Sam McGuffie... "Sam had a death in the family, so his availability will be questioned, too, so he may have to go home to attend to that."
On if Steve Threet is still having concussion issues... "No, I thought for some reason we were told at the time, but it was the shoulder. It wasn't a head issue either."
On the toughest environment he has experienced... "There's been a few. It was, I think, way back when games -- I mean, playing down in Blacksburg at night was one, I guess. Virginia Tech was a tough environment. Even the Sugar Bowl. It was in Georgia against Georgia with a predominant Georgia crowd.
"A lot of times those -- it's tough when you go on the road, communicating and all that kind of stuff, but that atmosphere sometimes will lift your team up a little. They sense the importance of it, I guess I should say. They understand what they're up against.
"A lot of times for young guys when they get put into tougher situations, it makes them respond in a positive way. At least that's what we're hoping."
On the players teaching him an appreciation for the rivalry... "They don't need to help me. I'm trying to -- I told them last night, I don't think I have to explain to them the importance of the game and the intensity of the rivalry. I think if you follow college football at all you understand that.
"I want them to enjoy it, but also understand that they won't play in a bigger game every year than the Michigan-Ohio State game. I know upperclassmen understand that, but we're trying to get that message across to our freshmen who are playing in this game for the first time."
On needing to improve the team more than expected... "Yeah, and there's more work to do than I anticipated. I think the local guys that cover this every week have heard me say that. There's more things we have to do and we'll continue to do.
"We're losing not a big senior class, but some valuable players there. There's always going to be more attrition. The first couple of years in transition are more difficult. It's not just year one, but year one and year two. Usually by year three and four you have more of your personality and other things in place.
"Our guys are at least hanging in there and trying to compete and get better, but it's been a longer, tougher process, I guess, in the last whatever it is, 10 months, than I think we anticipated. Again, we're not overburdened by it. I think every day I evaluate every situation, and we're identifying our problems and our issues. Some of them are going to take a little bit more time to solve, I think, than originally anticipated, but I do feel confident we'll get it done."
On convincing the team about the importance of the rivalry... "I say at least I shouldn't have to worry about it. That's the message we send to the team. I would think anybody that has an opportunity to play in this game would play as hard as they can.
"I've told the team. I said not a lot of people are going to expect you to do well and win the game, but we expect them to do well. It's a challenge, but we are capable of playing pretty good football. We just have not done it consistently.
"I know that sounds like coach speak, but if we can play consistently like we have at times this year, and you know get a few breaks in there, anything can happen.
"We know we're going to get their best effort as well. It's a huge game for them as it is for us. I do believe our guys need to get the confidence early. You train them to the point where they're not thinking about anything but the next play, you have a shot.
"I think that's what our focus has to be on. Just whatever that next play is. Not worry about the scoreboard, not worry about the environment, not even worry about the rivalry. When you start playing the game as what am I going to do in this next play and go from there."
On the pressure to play well early... "Not a whole lot. Again, I don't want to go into a situation of ever looking at the scoreboard or worrying about what just happened. That's not just because of this game, but in every game, particularly the younger team and the younger guys playing.
"I think you can be too thoughtful, so to speak, on what's going on and what the situation is. Just okay, the next play is, I'm supposed to be on this play of offense or defense and special teams. If it doesn't go my way, I move on.
"That single mindedness is something we're constantly working on. I don't think we've grasped that yet totally as a team, but that's part of our job to try to teach that."
On if a win makes up for a tough season... "Yeah, I think. It's not going to obviously salvage the season, but it at least will make you feel good for a few days, anyway, and give you some confidence.
"We talk about the team and the frustrations we've had or any disappointments we've had. A win would at least help a little bit, but it's not going to erase everything, and it shouldn't erase everything.
"It's going to take a lot more time to get all of that salvaged, so to speak, but I want our guys to feel good, and I want our seniors -- we talked about last week, making a lasting impression. This is truly their last impression as a Michigan football player, so hopefully it will play well."
On Ohio State... "They're a very talented team. You don't see them out of place. They play hard. Again, they've got some of the best talent in the country, and some of the guys are playing at a high level for them. I know that they've got a lot at stake, but I like to think that we do, too.
"That being said, for us some of our guys have played against them, have had moderate success, not a lot of success as far as winning the games. We watched last year's games and struggled offensively. I think less than 100 yards of total offense against them last year, so we know they're pretty stout.
"We're going to have to really execute. I don't want to say we have to play perfect to win, because if you say that, who can play perfect We're going to have to execute well. We'll have to take care of the football. Who knows We've got a couple of guys that can make plays. If they can make a few plays here and there and get some confidence, then who knows what will happen."
On preparing for the game... "Well, I would hope at least in particularly with rivalry games and Michigan-Ohio State, that it's easiest for them to focus on the preparation. You'd like for them to take that mindset in every week because every game is so important. That's why everybody wants to play college football.
"Right now, the regular-season games have so much importance on every game that you hope they take that championship preparation into every week.
"One thing about a rivalry game, in particular this game, you would think their intensity and preparation is at an all time high, so the coaches shouldn't have to worry about it. I can tell you better after we practice a couple of days, but yesterday was pretty good. I think our guys will be extremely focused as they should be."
On his philosophy for rivalry games... "I think you probably spend a little more time in the offseason in the summer or spring than normal. I think that most coaches will tell you that. We don't designate like we did in spring practice with Ohio State, but there are things that we would maybe work on in a practice or two that could be relevant to this game.
"Obviously, over the summer when you do your summer breakdown -- like for us, we do a little bit of off teams, but we do more for the rivalry teams as far as breaking them down. You have to do it over again in the fall because teams have changed and they may do different things, particularly Ohio State. They've got a new quarterback, and they'll do some different things with Terrelle (Pryor) than maybe they were doing before, so you have to adjust a little bit.
"Most coaches probably spend a little more time on that rivalry game than in your summer months."
On how he personally responds to a rivalry game... "I've always -- well, I think you get -- I don't know if you can get any more intense. It's so important anyways. It's not like I'm going to catch grief if we lose any game, but I do think the rivalry games are a little more intense for everybody involved in the program. They certainly are for the fans.
"I've heard the fans. I haven't been in a game in Columbus. Last time I was there was for a JV game my freshman year of college, so things are a little different now.
"I hear it's going to be a very intense atmosphere. The fans are intense and into it. That's what you expect from this type of ballgame."
On if almost signing Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor crossed his mind this week... "It's in the past. Once he got signed and he goes to another school, my focus is on the guy that's play for us. You have to do that. I don't think you can make hypotheticals and say what ifs. I think you have to say this is what reality is, and this is what we do.
"We do what ifs, hypotheticals while we're recruiting for the next class. We project guys and say this guy could be really good in our system. This guy could be good in this position. Once the signing date is over, we move ahead."
On if it is more of a challenge to move on with Terrelle Pryor... "Well, it's a challenge because we're playing against him, and the things that he does well. He's obviously a terrific athlete, and the things he does well, we have to have an answer for and try to stop him. Sometimes they make plays when the plays aren't even there. He may have good coverage and he may be defended well, but he makes somebody miss or outruns somebody.
"The challenge is focusing on trying to stop him and keep him from making big plays."
On the quarterbacks' progression this season... "I think we're probably more optimistic than normal as far as their progress. I think they have made progress and played better. I think Steve (Threet) getting banged up a little bit maybe injured him some, but Nick (Sheridan) didn't play as well in the last game as he did the game before that. But I think we have made progress.
"As coaches, we want to see more. But I think we always expect more, too, as coaches. I'm proud of the way, given the first year starters and playing for the first time in this system -- I think they've grasped it pretty well mentally and they've executed better, but this would be the biggest challenge."
On who he thinks will start at quarterback next year... "Well, everything is wide open. I know it sounds like coach speak, but we need to create more competition and oppositions. I think we have that on our team.
"Again, there's going to be some attrition with some graduation, and maybe some underclassmen. I hope they all stay, but if they don't, we have some attrition there. We'll build our roster to the point where we have competition in every position.
"Quarterback is no exception. Whoever the best quarterbacks are come next, whenever we play next September, will be the starters. I'm hoping we'll have a couple at each position.
"Part of the problem we have now is we don't have that type of competition in every position. Eventually when you build a program up, you have fourth-year, fifth-year and third-year players in your two-deep and a handful of young guys that are sprinkled in there. We're not at that point right now, but we'll be there eventually."
On if he expected Terrelle Pryor to have an immediate impact... "Sure, we thought that. Coaches and everybody have to trust their own judgment, but when we were recruiting the guy, we thought he'd have success no matter where he's at. That's the kind of guy you want to recruit.
"Sometimes you find a guy that not a lot of people are recruiting and maybe he's under the radar so to speak. You judge him as a better player than other people do, but Terrelle, everybody wanted him."
On Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor... "I have not watched. I've been watching more of the defense. I just watched a couple of games of their offense, but every quarterback as you play more and get more experience, you're going to get more comfortable and you rely more on your playbook.
"Not having broken down what they're doing offensively from the first game until now, our defensive coach could tell you more. (Terrelle) is probably doing more with the offense. They're doing more things with him scheme wise than they were in the beginning of the year.
"With a young quarterback, you're going to shrink your playbook early, and expand it as his knowledge and experience expands."
On if he knows Jim Tressel personally... "Yeah, I've known Jim for a while. I think I met him at Youngstown, but we had been for several years spent some time with an apparel company. Took a trip and got to know him a little bit. He and I are both on the AFCA, and we spend a little time with that.
"Some of his coaches came to visit us a few years back when I was at West Virginia, both offense and defense. If I knew I was going to be here, that trip wouldn't have happened. I've known several of their coaches for quite a few years now."
On when he met with the Ohio State coaches... "How long ago was that I want to say two or three years. It wasn't a long time ago. It wasn't this spring, but it was either -- it might have been one or two years in a row. I think it was a couple of years ago."
On if Ohio State used any of his schemes... "They did some of it, I think. There was some when Troy was a quarterback, Troy Smith, because he'd visit us, and they did some spread things then. They came and talked to us and our coaches.
"Usually when we had all those people visiting it was like a mutual exchange of ideas. Honestly, we always do coaches are always doing that, because we've got to try to get smarter. I'm sure a lot of our fans want me to do a lot of things to get smarter now.
"I think every year it's our responsibility to try to learn things, a few things, but we never would do that with anybody we think we were going to be playing. That's the obvious."
On why he hasn't made this game the ultimate priority of the season... "Well, I don't know, maybe I have and you all don't know it. I don't think everything that I'm thinking or telling the team is made public, but I didn't make any public statements or declarations or anything like that, because there are a whole lot of things that we're trying to do.
"I'll never diminish the importance of a Michigan-Ohio State game ever. Never have, never would. It wouldn't be smart to do that. I wouldn't do it anyway. First day I got on the job, somebody sent me a "Beat Ohio State" button, and it's sitting next to my phone. I see it every day.
"Just because I don't say something about that on my first day on the job, doesn't mean I don't understand the importance of the game. It's just we're in a process now of trying to build a championship program, and there are a whole lot of things on our plate.
"For right now, the most important thing is Ohio State. There's a lot of work we've got to do to get this program where I want it to be and where our fans want it to be.
"As important it is to Jim (Tressel) and his program and his staff, it's just as important to us."
On comparing Chris "Beanie" Wells to other running backs... "Maybe the biggest difference between Beanie and some of the other backs we've faced -- and we've faced good ones -- is just his size. He's got the speed, but he's such a big, physical player. A lot of times he just stiff arms guys and breaks out of tackles and he can outrun you, so that is probably the base of it. He's a big, big physical guy that can really run.
"You can't just go up and wrap your arms around him. You've got to actually tackle him. You can't just grab him. You have to tackle him, and there is a little difference there."
On playing a team that can run both spread and power sets on offense... "Yeah, that's part of the issue. You have to prepare for both. They're going to spread you out in space a little bit. That's where they do some speed options and some of those pro game and run game with it, the zone reads.
"They'll run it, we know that. They'll probably keep running it until we stop it, so you have to be able to have a plan defensively to do that. Whether you change personnel or whether you have a scheme for both, but I'm sure our defensive staff is working on that.
"They're playing better now, obviously, because I think of the experience that Terrelle (Pryor)'s gotten and all of that. They're probably playing their best football right now."
On if the offensive has struggled more than he anticipated... "It's been more of a struggle, I think, in all areas than we anticipated. I think that's pretty obvious, but there's also been some times where -- I knew after the spring game that, boy, this could be tough at times. We've got to be lucky.
"There is always some luck involved. You've got to try to make more luck, but us not being able to get the continuity and the consistency and some of it is obviously staying healthy and getting guys in the right spot which is the coach's job. We've been close at times, too.
"I'm disappointed, but I'm not discouraged. I've got a lot of confidence in our offensive coaches and what we're doing. Obviously, I've known the system. I've done the system for a long time.
"Some of it is we can address and get some of that depth and competition in recruiting, and some of it is we've simply got to get bigger and stronger.
"We're not strong enough and fast enough like we need to be to compete for championships, but with our strength program and with recruiting I know we can get there."
On the offensive struggles affecting the defense... "A little bit. There have been times where our offense has turned over the ball. Early in the year, particularly, when we turned the ball over and put our defense in tough situations, but there have been other times where we've been a little disappointed in our defense as well.
"Again, it's part of all the things we're evaluating and looking at them. When you're offense is playing well and scoring points and controlling the game, it helps. Like the last Minnesota game, our offense could control the ball pretty well. Our defense played the ball, too.
"There have been points where I've played all three different phases, but there have also been times where I've been encouraged about the future, too. I have to look at all of that.
"My job as a coach is to look at what can we do to get better. That's future stuff. As much as I still think about some of that now, there is so much on our plate getting ready for this game that my focus right now is predominantly on what we've got to do to compete with Ohio State and in the background what lies in the future."
On his feelings towards Pitt when he was at West Virginia... "Same thing here. When I played at West Virginia, we had the two big rivalries with Pitt and Penn State. Pitt was a backyard brawl and a big rivalry, so I understood the intensity of it. The difference was that game wasn't always the last game of the year. It could have been moved around. It's still an intense rivalry.
"The big difference is I don't know if there's any one that's more intense than Michigan-Ohio State. There is more of y'all here and some of you are probably from Columbus that are here. There's more people here for this deal than there normally is.
"I think when you look around and ask around in college football just name the greatest rivalries, this one will always be in the conversation. It's either the best or right there with it, and that's independent people saying that. I think that's the biggest difference. On a national scope, this gets more attention."
On if it's harder for fans to cope with this season knowing Bo Schembechler's success his first season... "I can't answer what people think. That was 40 years ago There are a lot of things that are different now. It's not the same thing. It's not the same thing as 10 years ago, five years ago and certainly the not the same as 40 years ago.
"If people want to make comparisons between then and now, I mean, fans are fans and that's fine. It's a whole different deal nowadays."
On previous Michigan first-year coaches' success against Ohio State... "That's in the past. You ever see the movie "The Lion King" That monkey hits the lion over the head, and the lion says, 'What did you do that for' 'Doesn't matter, it's in the past.' It's in the past.
"I don't think there's anything -- I've said this to our team, there was a time back probably when Jimmy Brandstatter back there played. There was a time when he put on that winged hat, and you come out of the Big House and that was probably worth 10 to 14 points right there. They built the program.
"Coach (Bo) Schembechler and Coach (Lloyd) Carr built the program to the point where playing at home in that Big House and coming out there with that certain feeling that, boy, it's going to be a tough game. That was worth 10 or 14 points right there. That ain't the case anymore.
"Now I'd like to build it up to that point, and that's part of our challenge and our goal, but we're not there anymore. We're just putting on the wing helmet. We've got to deserve that.
"Everybody wants to know when we're going to win more games When we deserve to win more games, we'll win more games. Simple as that. When we deserve to win more games, we'll win more games.
"Now it's our challenge as coaches and in our program and our players to get to that point. I think we'll get there. It's taken longer than I want, but we'll get there."
On if he'd like to enter his first Ohio State game with a more experienced team... "Oh, sure. I'd like to go in there and have four or five veteran receivers running 4.4 (40-yard dashes), two to three tailbacks, experienced quarterbacks and a bunch of defensive guys to be first-round picks and all of that.
"We've got guys that can compete with. Do I get nervous when I watch the film Sure I do. I watched last year's game. We had five NFL players on offense. We got less than 100 yards against them.
"Now we're going to go there with guys that are not here. We've got to go in and compete. It's a daunting challenge. If you're not a competitor as a coach or player and don't appreciate, hell, I've got guys that can play. These guys can go in this environment and compete their tails off. Who knows what happens We're not going to go down there and forfeit. We're going to go down there and play as hard as we can."
On if he can point out portions of the season to give the team confidence to win... "There are portions of it. There were times in the Penn State game. I thought coming out of that tough environment it was a very good team. We played -- at least in the first two and a half or something -- like I want our program to play, so to speak.
"On offense, defense, playing physical. Not playing perfect, but making some plays. Playing the type of football that I would hope to see on every snap.
"Then there were a lot of times in the Minnesota game, and it was moments in a lot of games, even in the last game where our defense was playing with the type of execution that if you want to be a very good team you do that all the time. You may have a lapse or player or two here or there, but the speed and the execution and intensity is there all the time.
"I'm lucky because I've been part of some of that in my career. I can sense it when it's there. I can sense it when it's there in the program. I can sense it on the team. It feeds on itself. Eventually I can say when you get to that point every year, you just recycle that.
"People say it's harder to stay at the top or get to the top. I've said it before. I've been at the bottom. I've been in both places. It's easier when you're up there. You've still got to work and make sure you're doing that, but to get to that point, which is our challenge as coaches and players in the program, we've got a little ways to go. That's pretty obvious. There's a little ways to go to it.
"It's not like we've got bad guys. Our guys aren't being bad guys. They're trying and all of that, but we're just not playing as fast and consistently and executing as well as a championship team would. Now Saturday will be a great time to do that."
On preparing for the last game of the season with no bowl game approaching... "It is a little different. For me, it's the first time in a long time and for our players as well. I hope in a way, the fine nationality of it gives our guys a little bit of extra, 'Hey, this is it. Let's do all we can.' What are we saving it for, right It's not like you're saving it for the spring game.
"What are we saving it for Let's do all we can. Not just some Saturday which should be an easy time to get them up but during our preparation.
"That was part of what we talked about last night. Hey, just whatever you have, let's have your best week of preparation to it. I would think we'd have that. I would be disappointed if we didn't."
On what he has learned about himself this year... "I've learned. I think you've got to keep learning. There's probably a lot of fans that think I'm dumber than I was a year ago or two years ago, back when we were winning games. I'd like to think I'm smarter. We showed up on Saturdays. I think you've got to learn a little about personality, about your place. I've learned more about this place. I learned a whole lot more about our team -- which I think is important -- your team, your staff.
"Obviously you've got to learn to have thick skin, I learned that a long time ago with coaches. The last 10 months, even before I started the season, we've learned the effect it can have on your family, and the things that you've got deal with as a coach.
"This is a public position. It's not like a politician. I'm not running for office. I mean, God bless them. They choose to have that public scrutiny. As coaches, we know it's part of the job, but we don't choose to have it. Most of us would rather not.
"The biggest thing that is disappointing is when somebody, not necessarily the media, but when a fan or somebody would make it personal to your coach or to your players, especially to the players, because those guys are amateurs. When they would make a personal comment or say something that's not related to coaching or not related to playing.
"I don't get on message boards. I don't think anybody, any of our players or family should, but it's amazing some of the things that people would say or amazing things people will yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them get a life. I mean, there's a whole lot bigger problems. You lose a ballgame, and then you look at the economy or after every game I usually get to meet one of our veterans or somebody. To take it personal on a coach or player to me, I don't think it's ever right.
"I'm glad fans have passion, but it's still kind of, I guess, a lot more bolder. You all would know. It's a lot more bolder what people would say and write. Not you all, but bloggers or whatever, than it used to be. We've seen it coming for a few years."
On Michigan changing Rich Rodriguez or Rich Rodriguez changing Michigan... "Yeah, there's probably too much made out of that. I think it's trying to run a football program and a successful football program. I have to find out what it is with Michigan as far as the university and traditions and all of that, and I think also the university and our fans have to understand what we're trying to do with our program.
"You don't change tradition. The championships you've had here, the things that you -- the things that are truly tradition in nature that are positive for your program, you wouldn't change.
"Now culture, I don't know what the definition of culture is. My definition of culture is the certain mentality you play with. I told them if the culture of Michigan is to get a bunch of guys to do as well as they can on and off the field and play with great passion on every snap, if they give all they can for Michigan first before themselves, then that's the culture I want. Is that the culture I'm at right now I don't know, but that's the culture that I want. If that's the culture that our fans want, then we're on the same page.
"As disappointed as I've been -- again, I'm going off here -- but as disappointed as I've been with some of the games, I know what we've got to do for the most part to have this program show up in wins and losses the way our fans want.
"That's not going to be as easily done as maybe everybody wants, but we do have a plan to get it done. It's going to take more time than I want, but if everybody will be patient, give us a little time, we'll be fine."
On if he will bring a speaker in who has beaten Ohio State... "It's been a few years. No, I don't think so. I've got guys that come around. I've got, you know, I've got some former coaches and staff. I've got former players that's helping us. I've got guys that are around all the time. Our players understand it.
"Again, I don't want to diminish it, but if our players understand the importance of Michigan-Ohio State when they sign to come here, they knew what the deal was. Again, we're talking about it all the time. Unless you play, all that stuff goes out the window. It will be a matter of us against them."
On who stands out on Ohio State's defense... "Obviously their linebackers. They're very active and they're big up front. All of their down guys can rush the passer. (Malcolm) Jenkins is a great player in the secondary.
"Their defense has been very consistent all year, and has been for a couple. They do a great job. They've got some outstanding players.
"I think obviously they have some explosiveness on offense, too. Watching their defense and seeing how consistent they've been, there's not been a lot of people that have been able to move the football on a consistent level against them. That's a great challenge for us. We'll try to put a plan together and see if we can execute it come Saturday."
