DREW SHARP: Michigan coach must beat Ohio State to nation's No. 1 recruit Terrelle Pryor
It looked a little Larry Brown-ish, the new outsider facing the cameras and microphones wearing a Michigan hockey sweater.
Rich Rodriguez showed up in the sweater to prove he's comfortably fitting into the greater Maize and Blue family while still adjusting to his unfamiliar surroundings.
"Do you know anything about hockey?" a reporter asked Rodriguez.
"I'm about to," he answered.
He has studied the lyrics to "The Victors," although he wouldn't share a quick chorus during Friday's introduction of his football staff. But there's no research required to understand Rodriguez's most important challenge.
He must beat Ohio State -- every day, in every way.
Rodriguez didn't officially take over Michigan until Jan. 2, but already he faces his first win-or-else test against the Buckeyes. And the prize is Terrelle Pryor, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound high school quarterback from western Pennsylvania who's arguably the No. 1 recruiting prospect in the country.
The odds are that Pryor, a Vince Young-wannabe, will never match the enormous hype attached to his potential, but Rodriguez nonetheless must bring him to Ann Arbor.
He must keep Pryor away from Jim Tressel.
He must do whatever it takes.
Failure is not an option. Rodriguez came here with a decisive mandate of implementing change, lifting the successful yet institutionally archaic Michigan football program into the 21st Century. He's creating a strength and conditioning program long overdue at Michigan that he says will "enhance speed." He maintains that he's targeting "fast guys who play fast."
But it's essential that he get Pryor, even if Rodriguez must guarantee him the starting job this fall, no matter the problems of playing a true freshman.
Pryor is a YouTube star. Videos of his high school exploits have made the Internet rounds, fluttering the hearts and accelerating the breathing patterns of recruiting geeks who believe national championships are won on the first Wednesday of February, the official signing day.
Common sense suggests Rodriguez wouldn't have so casually dismissed freshman Ryan Mallett's reticence about returning unless he was certain Pryor would join him in Ann Arbor. Rodriguez told Pryor of his intention to leave for Michigan before he told his West Virginia players.
Rodriguez was evasive when asked Friday if the odds were strong that a true freshman would take the snaps for the Wolverines next season. Mallett's departure leaves Rodriguez with two scholarship quarterbacks. He said he would prefer to have as many as five.
The talent cupboard isn't bare, but it isn't as deep as you might expect from a program that consistently recruits among the top 20 players ranked in the nation. Michigan is thin not only at quarterback, but also at wide receiver and in the secondary.
Among the offensive players Michigan is losing are Jake Long, Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington and Adam Kraus.
"If there's one thing that concerns me," Rodriguez said, it's "that our numbers at certain positions may be a little more difficult to work with. It may require a little more time. But I'm not using the word 'rebuilding.' There are certain national programs that don't take that route, and Michigan is certainly one of them. But there's going to be some growing pains."
It may sound contradictory, but change demands patience.
There is no snap of the finger and -- voila! -- an immediate invitation to the BCS championship game emerges. There will be steps backward before any leaps forward.
Is the Michigan family prepared for that culture shock? Are fans prepared that the Wolverines' 34-year bowl streak could end? A true freshman quarterback leading an offense that's already confused learning a new philosophy is a tough combination.
But give Rodriguez credit for not backing down to the immense challenges awaiting him.
"I've got to be my own guy," he said. "I can't coach or do something that I don't know. If we have success on and off the field, everybody will be happy."
Not exactly, Coach. If you have success against the Buckeyes, everybody will be happy.
He's still learning. It takes time.
See more
at www.freep.com
| 
