Maize n Brew on the similarities between Penn St. and Michigan:

I’m not saying the situations are that similar or that the reason Rich Rodriguez didn’t succeed was the lack of alumni support. But that couldn’t have helped him, right? Anyone who slogged through Three and Out or followed the news at all since 2008 knows that Rodriguez wasn’t exactly welcomed. That had to have some kind of impact, right? So the Penn State administration has basically done the same thing to their alumni network – and some influential alumni are already sounding off, abandoning their alma mater 24 hours after the hiring broke. Arrington has influence and a loud microphone to make his views apparent. More will follow.

Very good point. I am suddenly concerned for my Penn St. friends.

I do think there is a fundamental difference in the circumstances though. Penn St. was forced to fire Paterno on short notice and had difficulty hiring a new coach because of the toxic situation in Happy Valley. Michigan botched the succession plan and the subsequent hiring. I think it’s far more likely PSU alumni come around at some point.