Post by rainman on Feb 18, 2008 6:39:26 GMT -5
All posts found here are from the Detroit Free Press:
AWKWARD ADDRESS: U-M coach Rich Rodriguez addresses fans over Buckeye boos
February 18, 2008
BY MARK SNYDER
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
New Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez learned Sunday that he can't escape Ohio State.
Holding a microphone while standing with his family at center court at Crisler Arena at halftime of the Michigan-OSU basketball game, Rodriguez received a thunderous ovation from the hometown crowd.
But a small group of Ohio State fans in the last rows of the arena made the moment a bit awkward, chanting "Tressel" and holding a bedsheet with "1,548 Days" written on it -- the period since U-M's last football victory over the Buckeyes in 2003.
"I hope you guys up there enjoy your seats," Rodriguez said with a smile as U-M fans booed the scarlet-clad contingent.
Ushers moved in to quiet the OSU group, and as Rodriguez wound down his speech, the "Maize Rage" cheering section cranked up a "Beat the Buckeyes" chant.
Rodriguez, trying not to provide bulletin-board material, restrained himself the best he could: "Amen. I hear you."
"I'm not going to make any predictions," Rodriguez said, referring to when newly hired Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said fans would be proud of the Buckeyes when they played U-M in 2001. Rodriguez simply guaranteed that his Wolverines "will play hard and they will play physical" every game.
Rodriguez, who has been verbally abused by West Virginia fans for leaving to coach U-M, didn't let that subject slip by, either.
"I've been called a lot of things," he told the crowd. "But the best thing somebody called me was a former letterman who said, 'Coach Rod, you are a Michigan Man.' "
Rodriguez also introduced his assistant coaches, with holdover running backs coach Fred Jackson receiving the loudest ovation, and remarked how much he appreciated the Saturday night reunion of 278 former U-M football players in Ann Arbor.
The reunion, highlighted by speeches from four U-M eras (Jim Mandich, Stan Edwards, Steve Morrison and Eric Mayes), struck a chord with Rodriguez.
"It was just to be able to connect with them," he said. "They want to get to know me a little bit and my staff, and I think they did last night."
After leaving the court to a raucous cheer, Rodriguez handled a steady stream of well-wishers and fans lining up for photos.
"The fans are great and have been tremendously supportive," he said, pausing between photos. "I know I'm in the honeymoon stage and haven't lost a game yet, but you can see why there's so much pride in this place."
AWKWARD ADDRESS: U-M coach Rich Rodriguez addresses fans over Buckeye boos
February 18, 2008
BY MARK SNYDER
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
New Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez learned Sunday that he can't escape Ohio State.
Holding a microphone while standing with his family at center court at Crisler Arena at halftime of the Michigan-OSU basketball game, Rodriguez received a thunderous ovation from the hometown crowd.
But a small group of Ohio State fans in the last rows of the arena made the moment a bit awkward, chanting "Tressel" and holding a bedsheet with "1,548 Days" written on it -- the period since U-M's last football victory over the Buckeyes in 2003.
"I hope you guys up there enjoy your seats," Rodriguez said with a smile as U-M fans booed the scarlet-clad contingent.
Ushers moved in to quiet the OSU group, and as Rodriguez wound down his speech, the "Maize Rage" cheering section cranked up a "Beat the Buckeyes" chant.
Rodriguez, trying not to provide bulletin-board material, restrained himself the best he could: "Amen. I hear you."
"I'm not going to make any predictions," Rodriguez said, referring to when newly hired Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said fans would be proud of the Buckeyes when they played U-M in 2001. Rodriguez simply guaranteed that his Wolverines "will play hard and they will play physical" every game.
Rodriguez, who has been verbally abused by West Virginia fans for leaving to coach U-M, didn't let that subject slip by, either.
"I've been called a lot of things," he told the crowd. "But the best thing somebody called me was a former letterman who said, 'Coach Rod, you are a Michigan Man.' "
Rodriguez also introduced his assistant coaches, with holdover running backs coach Fred Jackson receiving the loudest ovation, and remarked how much he appreciated the Saturday night reunion of 278 former U-M football players in Ann Arbor.
The reunion, highlighted by speeches from four U-M eras (Jim Mandich, Stan Edwards, Steve Morrison and Eric Mayes), struck a chord with Rodriguez.
"It was just to be able to connect with them," he said. "They want to get to know me a little bit and my staff, and I think they did last night."
After leaving the court to a raucous cheer, Rodriguez handled a steady stream of well-wishers and fans lining up for photos.
"The fans are great and have been tremendously supportive," he said, pausing between photos. "I know I'm in the honeymoon stage and haven't lost a game yet, but you can see why there's so much pride in this place."
