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Can I get a hallelujah?
The Detroit News has reported that Rich Rodriguez has been fired as Michigan head coach after three lackluster seasons with the team, they said on Tuesday.
Sources told The Detroit News that Rodriguez was expected to meet with Dave Brandon at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss his future with the program.
Looks like the meeting didn’t go so well for Rich Rod. But this is great news for Michigan fans, like myself.
This move has been long overdue. There was so much expectation with the arrival of Rodriguez which only made the disappointment of missing a bowl game for two straight seasons–as well as getting blown out in one this season–hurt that much more. We have finally been validated.
In his three seasons with Michigan, Rodriguez has mustered a 15-22 record. An embarrassing one at that. To make matters worse, the Wolverines suffered their worst bowl defeat, 52-14, in the Gator Bowl against Mississippi State on Jan. 1.
At least three Michigan coaches were on the road recruiting Tuesday. Others said they were preparing to set out recruiting on Wednesday, pending the outcome of Rodriguez’s meeting with Brandon.
“Everyone is sitting on hold right now,” one source said Tuesday afternoon.
The players have had a scheduled team meeting this afternoon with the coaches to discuss returning to school and preparing them for the start of classes. That meeting has been scheduled since Dec. 19, according to several sources.
There has been talk of former Wolverine Jim Harbaugh returning to coach the Wolverines but reports on Tuesday indicate he is leaning towards a move to the NFL or staying put at Stanford.
But fret not, Wolverines fans, it ain’t over until an official press release. Regardless, let’s just celebrate the out with Rodriguez and try to put these three embarrassing and uncharacteristic seasons behind us.
UPDATE (TUESDAY NIGHT): A source close to Rodriguez says that “He’s not fired. He’s meeting again” on Wednesday.
UPDATE (WEDNESDAY): It is now official. Rich Rodriguez has been fired.
Alyssa Barbieri can be reached at MadSportsGal06@aol.com or at Twitter.com/MadSportsGal or Facebook.com/MadSportsGal
