None denied departed junior guard Justin Boren his right to his opinion, and all of the players interviewed said they harbored no hard feelings toward the 310-pounder after he left the team. They did, however, insist their own experiences with the new coaching staff have been much different.

Wolverine Photo
Rich Rodriguez

"I don't question [our family values]," said redshirt freshman quarterback Steve Threet. "We are a family; we are the Michigan football family. We have signs up in the room that say 'hold the rope.' That's big with us. Everybody on the team, everybody on the coaching staff, hold the rope. It's really about having each other's backs and fighting for each other on and off the field. Everybody in this building is in the family. 

"When comments like that are made, you go with what you know and keep working. I know what it's like transferring, and everybody has their reasons. I was questioned for transferring [from Georgia Tech] just like [Boren] was. I'm in no position to talk [about his reasons]."

Former U-M safety Ryan Mundy, a four-year letterman who started at West Virginia in his fifth year, said several weeks ago that the family atmosphere was as prevalent under Rodriguez as it was under Lloyd Carr, insisting Rodriguez and his family would be a great fit in Ann Arbor. Former NFL quarterback Shaun King, Rodriguez's quarterback at Tulane, said it takes time with a new staff, but predicted the bond would eventually become strong.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback David Cone called Boren a friend but respectfully disagreed with his opinion, while walk-on signal caller Nick Sheridan refused to comment beyond an "I don't think so – I'll just leave it at that."

Rodriguez was much more pointed in his response.

"That's ridiculous," he said. "I've been a head coach for 15 years, and this system has been in place. I think we have as close a family unit - coaches, staff members and team - as anybody in the country. Always has been, always will be.

"Family is pretty important to all of us, and any coach would tell you that. You can ask anybody who has played for me for the last 15 years. Don't ask somebody who has left with a different agenda. We don't spend a lot of time on people who don't play for Michigan, but it seems to me the rest of the guys are working extremely hard, holding the rope for each other and seem to be excited about getting better every day. That's what I see."

So far, Boren's comments haven't done anything to hinder recruiting efforts (other than all but assure Boren's younger brother Zach, a multi-position athlete at Pickerington Central, won't be wearing maize and blue). The Wolverines have landed three commitments since last week – two from the state of Ohio in cornerback/safety Justin Turner of Massillon Washington (Rivals.com's No. 42 player) and Youngstown Liberty safety Isaiah Bell, one from Detroit in speedy running back Teric Jones of Cass Tech – and seem to be closing in on a few others. Each has echoed a similar sentiment.

''They remind me of the coaching staff here [at my school],'' Bell said yesterday, commenting on his observations from a practice last week. ''It wasn't just a coaching staff - they work like a family in terms of looking out for each other.''