College football: Michigan
No one called them auditions, but the Michigan players returning next season definitely were aware that future head coach Rich Rodriguez was watching bowl practice Wednesday and Thursday.
And no doubt, they hoped to leave a lasting -- good -- impression.
Rodriguez, introduced as Michigan's new head coach on Monday after a nearly monthlong search, was here for two days this week talking to football staff and observing practices.
Cornerback Morgan Trent, who is returning for his final season, said there has been some motivation to impress Rodriguez as Michigan continues preparations to face Florida in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1.
"I'd say so," Trent said. "It's not a voice, it's not like, 'There's Coach, let's run faster.' But I think it's probably in the back of people's minds, like, 'That is going to be my coach next year,' so I hope we play hard regardless, but maybe there's a little extra motivation, sure."
Michigan players addressed the media Thursday for the first time since the Ohio State game last month. Much has happened in the interim -- Lloyd Carr announced his retirement after 13 seasons as coach Nov. 19, athletic director Bill Martin spent 28 days searching for a new coach, and he hired Rodriguez last Sunday.
Rodriguez's first day on the U-M payroll was Wednesday, and he will take over as head coach after the bowl, Carr's final game with the Wolverines.
"He made a comment that this is our bowl game, this is Coach Carr's bowl game, which is very true," Trent said of Rodriguez. "He's in the shadows watching and not really taking the lead and doing too much.
"He (could) come in and kind of be a distraction for us and want to go ahead and talk about what he wants to do, and talk about next year, but he really hasn't, so I think that's important. He understands we're trying to win a game here."
While the player said they have tried to remain focused on Florida, they can't help but think ahead to the post-Carr regime.
"Sure we talk about it in the locker room here and there, what it's going to be like, but we try not to focus on it too much, because that time is going to comes soon enough," Trent said. "In a couple weeks, we're going to find out quickly."
Senior quarterback Chad Henne graduated this month and won't be around to see the changes Rodriguez will bring to Michigan. Rodriguez is noted as a pioneer in the spread option offense, an enormous change from the Wolverines' pro-style offense.
"Honestly, it's going to definitely be a big change for us," Henne said. "I mean us quarterbacks coming in aren't really running quarterbacks, even though I was in high school, I ran a spread. It's difficult. You're going to have to bring in the right guys for that. Obviously we have great talent here and guys are going to do what they're coached to do. It's going to be an adjustment. It's not going to happen next year, I don't think. He's going to have to work it in."
There has been considerable speculation about whether freshman Ryan Mallett, Henne's backup, will remain at Michigan.
"We'll see," Henne said. "He's pretty athletic. We're not spread quarterbacks and we'll see what they're going to do with him. If they're going to keep him here, and he wants to stay here, they're going to have to mesh around him, because he's definitely a great quarterback. It would be a waste to get rid of him."
Returning defensive lineman Will Johnson made it clear on Thursday his attention is squarely on Florida and sending out the seniors and Carr with a victory.
"I'm worried about the bowl game," Johnson said when asked about his new coach. "I'll worry about that in a couple weeks."
Outgoing offensive lineman Adam Kraus said he's relieved he does not have to go through a coaching transition.
"I think they're excited," Kraus said. "They're going to get a chance to show what they got to a new coach. They're all going to miss Coach Carr, but they're excited about new things, and I'm excited for them. Coach Rodriguez is a great coach, but I don't think you ever want to go through a change like that, but that's something they had to do."
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