Some college coaches lead by example.  They take responsibility.  They soothe the hysterical.  They show a blend of tact and vision that exudes confidence.  Rich Rodriguez is not one of them.

Reporters asked Rodriguez what it will take for Michigan to improve.  “Having a better team,” he said.  “We’ll win more of these games and other games when we have a better team than the team we’re playing.”

When prompted for specifics, Rodriguez responded, “We had one full recruiting class, which are now our true freshman.  Those guys are 18, they’re 19.  When those guys are 20 or 21, they’ll be more like men.”

Rodriguez is right.  Michigan’s talent level is not where it needs to be, because of lean recruiting before he arrived.  Besides Brandon Graham, Michigan’s upperclassmen are subpar.  It’s clear.  What is gained by saying it?

Those comments tell everyone he does not trust anyone he didn’t recruit.  They’re bums.  This program will be better when they leave.  They deserve the blame.

Michigan may be short on Charles Woodson types, but they are competing.  They outscored teams 64-57 in the first half of the past four games.  In the second half where adjustments and conditioning (both the coaching staff’s responsibility) take precedence, Michigan has been outscored 99-19.

Rodriguez napalmed locker room morale unnecessarily, trying to absolve blame from himself.  He could not have been more lame or more transparent.  His statements scream of egotism and disloyalty.  Players remember that.

He does not exude confidence, because he’s insecure.  His response to a question about the importance of Michigan-Ohio State shows that.

“Just because I did not coach here before, I did not play here, I’m not from the state of Michigan, does not mean I don’t understand the rivalry,” Rodriguez said.  “I understand the rivalry as well as any coach could possibly understand it.  I’ve only played in it in one game.  Trust me, I understand the importance for the rivalry.”

Boiled down, Rodriguez says, “I understand, I understand, I understand, I understand.”  Confident people don’t reemphasize.

Rodriguez feels under siege.  There may be a reason.  Citing a source close to Rich-Rod, Mike Wilbon called Rich-Rod “done” on Tony Kornheiser’s radio show.

“I had a solo conversation with someone who is affiliated with the current coach at Michigan, and he does not believe for a second that he’ll be back,” Wilbon said.

“I was stunned by this conversation, which was Saturday, an hour-and-a-half after that (Wisconsin) game,” Wilbon said. “And he says that he would bet me right now — took his wallet out and threw it down — that this is not going to happen.

“I’ll just tell you, this guy played for Rich Rod.”

Michigan is rebuilding.  Talent and depth issues are not Rodriguez’ fault.  He deserves at least another year to show progress.  However, with every game, press conference and news release the justification shifts.

The argument for keeping Rodriguez was the forthcoming greatness.  Now, it’s because the expected utility of keeping him seems greater than that of blowing up the program for a second time.