"Do you have to be a Michigan man to be a Michigan coach? Gosh, I hope not."

- Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez at his Dec. 17 introductory press conference

Although Rodriguez didn't understand what the term 'Michigan man' meant when he was hired, his message was clear - he wanted to do things his way.

There's been a give-and-take between the Michigan way and the Rodriguez way ever since.

Rodriguez fired each of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr's assistants - point Rodriguez way.

Then he rehired running backs coach Fred Jackson - point Michigan way.

Both were smart moves. Rodriguez needs his guys to teach his schemes, but keeping some continuity and a fine coach like Jackson is sensible, too.

Now, six months in, the Rich-Mich. partnership is settling into equilibrium.

Rodriguez was the offensive coordinator at Clemson in 2000 during the first Tommy Bowden's Ladies Football Clinic. Rodriguez told the women about the Tigers' plan to wear white jerseys at home to beat the heat, but their opponents had to agree to wearing dark jerseys.

"There's one team that said they would do it - South Carolina," Rodriguez said of Clemson's biggest rival. "How stupid are they?"

Clemson-South Carolina is a heated rivalry, but it probably needs a bit of stirring up every once in a while if it's to attract extra attention, and that's just what Rodriguez did. (By the way, the brouhaha led to Rodriguez sending then-Gamecock coach Lou Holtz a letter of apology. South Carolina wore white.)

Rodriguez wisely avoided knocking his team's biggest rival this time around at the Women's Football Academy on Saturday.

Michigan-Ohio State doesn't need any fuel added to its fire. People try all the time, but the rivalry doesn't need a push.

In many ways, the same is true of the Michigan football program.

The Wolverines haven't had a losing season in 41 years and boast the nation's best bowl streak (33). Michigan's facilities will be top of the line when the construction on Michigan Stadium is completed, and the new indoor practice facility opens. And the winged helmet brings a uniqueness that attracts limitless attention.

And you know what? Rodriguez doesn't need to push, either.

He charmed the crowd with his one-liners - offensive coordinator Calvin Magee works with tight ends, but he doesn't have one; the only time his teams huddle is if one of the offensive lineman has a funny joke - and he didn't need to stir the pot with anti-Buckeye barbs. That same natural charisma inspires his player and, coupled with excellent coaching, produces. West Virginia won four of the last five Big East Championships.

Michigan is a great program, and Rodriguez is a great coach. As they blend together, the future is bright.

"As soon as I took the job, I became a Michigan man," Rodriguez said Saturday.

Point Michigan way. Point Rodriguez way.

- Dan Feldman can be reached at danfeld@umich.edu.