Emotional Rodriguez cites Michigan’s toll

Associated Press

LIVONIA, MICH.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez fought back tears, talking about the toll his job has taken on his family, and used passages from the Bible and a Josh Groban song during an emotional address that closed the team’s banquet.

“I truly want to be a Michigan man,” he said Thursday.

Rodriguez might not get that chance next season.

He didn’t have to deal with the awkwardness of having Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh in the same ballroom, getting honored with the Wolverines who were honored 25 years after finishing the season ranked second, but the tension he feels about his job security was apparent.

Harbaugh, who might replace Rodriguez if he is fired, planned to attend the banquet as late as Saturday night. He ended up scheduling a practice on a day teammates such as Jamie Morris, John Kolesar and Gerald White sat at a circular table.

“Whoever is the coach at Michigan, I’m going to give him my support,” White said.

Senior guard Stephen Schilling said he and his teammates are trying to disregard the conjecture about Rodriguez’s status.

“Obviously, it’s hard to ignore when it’s out there in the news,” Schilling said. “But this team is pretty dedicated to coach Rod.”

Schilling, who was recruited to Michigan by retired coach Lloyd Carr, said he will give a good review of the Rodriguez era if athletic director Dave Brandon asks him for his opinion.