1) It was RR’s choice to force both Schaffer and Robinson to work with assistants he brought from WVU and to run his version of the 3-3-5. SS and GR had their hands tied, and there is no reason to believe that was ever going to be fixed.

2) Michigan had 8 starters returning on a defense that had been 24th in the nation in 2007 and had substantial talent percolating up (e.g., Obe Ezeh). That Ezeh and others performed so poorly subsequently is because they were so poorly coached, and we know that is the case because . . .

3) With ten starters returning in 2011 from a defense that was 110th in total defense in 2010, Michigan is 14th in the nation in total defense as of 11/20, the morning after the Nebraska game. One does not go from 110th to 14th simply due to the guys being a year older. That happens due to coaching. And the crew broadcasting the Illinois game confirmed this in their description of the defense’s performance against Miss. State last year–they described (my words) a Chinese Fire Drill. But those of us who had been in Michigan Stadium for the previous three years were not surprised by what happened in the Miss. State game. We had been seeing it for three years.

So, Mr. Bacon, I’ll not be buying your book. If this column represents your level of objectivity regarding the worse three years in the history of a storied football program, the book is not objective at all.

Not surprisingly, the UM athletic department is not unlike any other corporate organization or university academic department where politics are just as important as performance. From what I have seen, this book gives the sports fan an inside look to an organization that has been off-limits until now. Could this book be the “Ball Four” of college football?

The book sheds light on shady dealings that Rich Rodriguez publicly took the fall for, yet peoples’ opinions of Rodriguez aren’t changing in light of the facts. That, sir, is a much greater shame.

He blamed his players not taking personal responsibility for outcomes, making a variety of excuses along the way. You many notice a slight difference this year.

He played loose with the rules and got Michigan its first ever NCAA violation, then claimed innocence/ignorance. You may notice a slight difference this year.

It was about him, not the program, not the players, him. At least publicly he seemed to place his ego ahead of everything else. You may notice a slight difference this year.

MIchigan football is not JUST about winning. Winning is important, but so is playing like champions whether in defeat or victory. Coaches are expected to more a lot more than just win. Rodriguez was a full grown adult the day he set foot on campus. He should not have needed to have his entry smoothed. He should have read about the program and its history, it is not a secret. But his getting the job was only ever about him. You may notice a slight difference this year.

Make all the excuses you may, swing the hammer at MIchigan men all day long, but recognize that even had Rodriguez won as long as he did not have the character to be head coach at Michigan. You will notice a difference this year.

This is Completely Inane.

It almost appears as if LC/Brandon–who both have MarySues ear—successfully undermined the AD & football coach to get control.

Don’t shoot the messenger. Bacon has a lot more cred than either LC or Brandon

Obviously there is editorializing in your book and, based off the two columns you have now written, it seems to me, if anything, you have chosen to take it light on both Rich Rodriguez and Bill Martin. If that should prove to be true then I will be sorely disappointed, for these are two adults who clearly had the most influence as to whether or not this transition was going to happen. And, in my estimation, they both failed quite miserably.

I can surmise what some of your comments will be in regard to Lloyd’s role in Rich’s demise, if he takes as much issue with the book as you’ve led your potential readers to believe. That’s a shame. Lloyd isn’t perfect– no one is– but he is a Michigan Man… one of the greatest. And there is no doubt in my mind that whatever Lloyd’s supposed role was in Rich’s demise that it was only with the intent of doing what is best for Michigan, not for Rich. While the delineation between the Head Football Coach at Michigan and yet that which is “Michigan” is a tricky one, I tend to side with those who believe an institution to not be defined by bricks and mortar, but by the individuals of which it is comprised. And if Rich Rodriguez was not the right choice (and, honestly, who amongst us is still suggesting he was?), then would it be of bad intent, as a “Michigan Man”, to make those thoughts known? Or to use your position to gain influence in righting what you view as a wrong?

If you are truly a Michigan Man– by anyone’s definition– how do you NOT attempt to do what you believe to be in the best interest of Michigan?