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Rich Rodriguez

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For the baseball player, see Rich Rodriguez (baseball).
Rich Rodriguez

Rich "Rod" Rodriguez (born May 24, 1963 in Grant Town, West Virginia.) Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).[1]

Playing career

He graduated from North Marion High School in 1981 where he had played four sports and was an all state football and basketball player. After high school, Rodriguez attended West Virginia University (WVU) where he first walked on to the football team and later earned a scholarship under coach Don Nehlen. Playing as a defensive back, Rodriguez recorded 54 career tackles over three seasons.[citation needed]

Early coaching career

WVU and Salem

During the 1985-1986 season, Rodriguez served as a student assistant coach under head coach Don Nehlen and graduated with a Physical Education and Safety degree. In 1986, he moved to what was then Salem College (now Salem International University) where he served as special teams coordinator and secondary coach. In 1987, he became Salem’s defensive coordinator and in 1988 took over as head coach. At 24 years old, he was the youngest college head coach in the country. He was 2-8 in his first season as head coach, after which the college announced it was dropping its football program.

In 1989, he returned to West Virginia University as a volunteer assistant.

Glenville State, Tulane, and Clemson

After Rodriguez's return to WVU as a volunteer coach with the outside linebackers for the 1989 football season, he left again to take over as head coach at Glenville State College. During his stay from 1990 to 1996, the team earned three consecutive West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and competed in the 1993 NAIA national championship. His first season, 1990, he led the team to a 1-7-1 record. In 1991, Glenville improved to 4-5-1. 1992 showed a 6-4 season; however in 1993, Rich Rodriguez led Glenville to a 10-3 record and the WVIAC Championship and NAIA runner-up. The next two years, 1994 and 1995, Glenville finished as WVIAC Co-Champions. In Rodriguez's final season at Glenville, 1996, he led them to a Co-Championship once again. While at Glenville, Rodriguez compiled a record of 43-28-2 and was named WVIAC Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994, NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1993, and West Virginia State College Coach of the Year in 1993 by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. Glenville State's four championships under Rodriguez were their first since 1959 while his players' set five national career records for Division II. He also coached three players who earned WVIAC Player of the Year honors.

Rodriguez left Glenville State at the end of the 1996 season to serve as assistant coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback coach for Tulane University from 1997 to 1998, under head coach Tommy Bowden. Rodriguez was essential in Tulane's success, including their 12-0 season in Rodriguez's last season at Tulane, mainly for his spread offense with quarterback Shaun King. When Bowden was hired as the head coach at Clemson University, he retained Rodriguez on his staff. Rodriguez served as the offensive coordinator and associate head coach until the end of the 2000 season, traveling to a Peach Bowl and Gator Bowl.

WVU head coach

On November 26, 2000, WVU's athletic department announced that Rodriguez would again return to West Virginia, this time as head coach to replace the retiring legend Don Nehlen. Rodriguez's first season at West Virginia, 2001, was a disappointing 3-8 season. However, Rodriguez's turn-around of the 2002 team is the greatest turn-around in Big East history with a 9-4 record,[citation needed] Big East runner-up finish, back-to-back road wins against ranked Virginia Tech and Pitt, and a Continental Tire Bowl berth. The Mountaineers finished second in the nation rushing with 283 yards per game and fourth in turnover margin. In 2003, the Mountaineers started the season 1-4, and after losing to #2 Miami 22-20, the Mountaineers posted a 6-1 Big East record and tied for the Big East championship with Miami, earning a Gator Bowl berth. That season, the Mountaineers replaced 22 seniors, eleven of which were starters. In 2004, the Mountaineers posted a 8-4 record with a talented team of seniors and juniors, but were ranked as high as sixth during the regular season.

Following the 2002 season, Rodriguez was awarded the Big East Coach of the Year by Sporting News and state college coach of the year for all sports by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. He also received the 2003 Frank Loria Award from the West Virginia chapter of the National Football Foundation, and also earned Big East Coach of the Year that season. In 2005, he was offered to join the AFCA Board of Directors, and that same season was against given Big East Coach of the Year honors. Despite Rodriguez's success at WVU he was unable to eclipse some of his predecessor Don Nehlen's accomplishments, which included teams that played for the National Championship in 1988 and 1993. In 2005, Rodriguez and the Mountaineers won the Big East title with freshman tandem Steve Slaton and Patrick White, thus claiming the conference's automatic berth in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), where they defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in the Nokia Sugar Bowl and a final Associated Press ranking of fifth, tying the highest in school history (other in 1988).

Repeating off of their 2005 success, West Virginia posted another 11-win season, which was the first consecutive 10-win seasons in school history. The Mountaineers defeated Georgia Tech, 38-35, in the Gator Bowl and finished 10th in the final polls. Rodriguez also had two consensus All-Americans, running back Steve Slaton and center Dan Mozes (who also Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center).

On December 7, 2006, Rodriguez received an offer from the University of Alabama to be the next Alabama Crimson Tide head coach. Despite reports that he had agreed in principle to coach at Alabama,[2] which Rodriguez described as totally incorrect,[3][4] on December 8, 2006, Rodriguez announced he would remain as head coach at West Virginia.[5]

The Mountaineers started the 2007 season ranked #3 in the AP poll and #6 in the Coaches' poll. They were #5 in the nation, before losing to #18 South Florida for the second consecutive time. South Florida eventually moved to #2, before dropping out of the Top 25 after losses (though USF would end the regular season ranked at #21). West Virginia dropped to #12 and #13 in the AP and Coaches' poll, respectively, before rebounding with wins against Syracuse, Mississippi State, #25 Rutgers, Louisville, and #21 Cincinnati. The Mountaineers eventually defeated #20 Connecticut to clinch the Big East Championship and move to #2 in the BCS standings and #1 in the Coaches' poll, both the highest position ever for a Mountaineer football team. WVU's regular season ended at home with a crushing loss in the Backyard Brawl against Pittsburgh. After the departure of Rodriguez, the Mountaineers went on to defeat University of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl under interim head coach Bill Stewart.

Rodriguez was one of the most successful coaches in West Virginia history.[citation needed] He was credited with the first back-to-back Top 10 finishes in school history, four consecutive New Year's bowl appearances (joining USC as the only program at the time to do so), the school's first BCS bowl win, three Big East championships, eight wins over Top 25 teams, twenty-six straight weeks in the Top 25, a 30-6 record from 2005-2007, and a home-attendance average of 98% of capacity. [citation needed] Rodriguez brought his unique offensive style to WVU and after a disappointing first year, led the Mountaineers to four straight winning years, in three of which (2003, 2004, & 2005) the Mountaineers won or shared the Big East Conference championship. Rodriguez led the team to six straight bowl appearances (the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl the 2004 and 2005 Gator Bowls, the 2006 Nokia Sugar Bowl, the 2007 Gator Bowl, and the 2008 Fiesta Bowl).

Departure from West Virginia University

On December 16, 2007, Rodriguez informed players at West Virginia that he was leaving to succeed Lloyd Carr as the University of Michigan head football coach.[6] Rodriguez's decision came on the heels of a loss to the unranked Pittsburgh Panthers, which eliminated WVU from National Championship contention.[7] Rodriguez's original resignation letter listed January 3, 2008, as his resignation date, but he subsequently made it clear that he would not be coaching WVU in its January 2 appearance in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl vs the University of Oklahoma. On December 18, 2007, Rodriguez informed the university that his resignation would instead be effective at midnight that night[8] and was replaced by his former assistant coach Bill Stewart, who was selected as head coach after the Mountaineers won the Fiesta Bowl.[9]

The announcement of his departure came just four months after Rodriguez last renegotiated his contract with West Virginia, and was made despite his stated long-term commitment to the Mountaineers. The contract included a $4 million buyout if he left WVU within one year of the August 2007 signing date. It has since been speculated that Rodriguez's departure was triggered by conflicts with the new President of WVU, Mike Garrison.[10] [11]

Some insight into the discontent between Rodriguez and West Virginia University is evidenced in a compendium of emails that were released to the Associated Press on January 23, 2008. [12] An Associated Press story indicates that Rodriguez's agent Mike Brown was threatening to take his client elsewhere early in the 2007 Football season. [13] Less than 24 hours after Rodriguez announced he was leaving WVU to take a job as Michigan’s new football coach, Mayor Robert Riggs ordered two signs taken down that proclaim Grant Town as the “Home of WVU Head Football Coach Rich Rodriguez.”[14]

On December 27, 2007, West Virginia University filed a motion for declaratory judgment in Monongalia County Circuit Court, asking the Court to find that Rodriguez's contract with the University was valid, that WVU had not breached that contract, and that Rodriguez had breached it. Subsequently, on January 18, 2008, WVU added a count of breach of contract after Rodriguez allegedly failed to pay the first installment of the $4 million liquidated damages clause (often referred to as a "buyout clause" by the media) when due. [15] [16] [12][17]

On July 9, 2008 Rodriguez and WVU agreed to settle the lawsuit. The terms of the settlement state the University of Michigan will pay $2.5 million of the settlement by the end of July 2008. Rodriguez will pay WVU the remaining $1.5 million in three installments of $500,000 each, spread over three years starting in January, 2010. [18]

The resolution of the lawsuit provoked mixed reactions from the media. Some in the Michigan media have been critical of Rodriguez in light of the lawsuit. [citation needed]

University of Michigan

Rodriguez was introduced by Michigan as their new coach at a news conference held on December 17, 2007 at the Junge Family Champions Center on the University of Michigan campus. WVU recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson and offensive coordinator Calvin Magee accompanied Rich Rodriguez and were introduced as members of his new Michigan staff. Since arriving at the University of Michigan, Rodriguez has installed an entirely new staff, with selected holdovers from outgoing Coach Lloyd Carr's staff, upgraded the strength and conditioning facilities, completed a top 10 incoming recruiting class (which was recruited mainly by the previous coach, Lloyd Carr) and initiated aggressive recruiting for future years which more closely fits the spread offense Michigan is expected to run.[6]

Rodriguez began his Michigan coaching career on August 30, 2008 with a 25-23 loss to University of Utah. Michigan then lost at home to Illinois 45-20 on October 4, 2008 in a game where Juice Williams compiled 431 offensive yards, the most ever by a player against Michigan, eclipsing legendary player Red Grange. [19] Rodriguez coached the Wolverines to a loss to Michigan State, 35-21, on October 25, 2008. In 50 years preceding 2008, only one coach in that rivalry game has won in his first year of coaching (in 1995 when the game featured 2 first year coaches, Lloyd Carr and Nick Saban. Michigan State won that game 28-25). Michigan's loss at Purdue on November 1, 2008 guaranteed Michigan's first losing season since 1967, and ended their streak of 33 consecutive bowl appearances. [20] On November 15, Michigan lost to Northwestern University which, with 8 losses on the season to date, ensured their worst season record, in terms of total losses, in 129 years of football. [21] On November 22, the Wolverines lost to rival Ohio State, finishing 3–9, the worst season in school history.[22]

Spread option

Rodriguez has been considered the pioneer/creator of the no huddle spread option offense (although a pass-first version was already being implemented),[23][24][25] while at Glenville State, which he refined through his stops at Tulane with Shaun King, Clemson with Woodrow Dantzler, and West Virginia, most recently with dual-threat quarterback Pat White. This strategy features frequent use of the shotgun formation.

In 1997 with Tulane he called 366 passes vs. 424 runs (54% Run). In 1998 he called 375 passes vs. 518 runs (58% Run) with Tulane. In 1999 with Clemson he called 422 passes vs. 486 runs (54% Run).

With West Virginia his playcalling continued to center around the run.
2001: 355 passes vs. 474 runs (57% Run)
2002: 279 passes vs. 714 runs (72% Run)
2003: 252 passes vs. 600 runs (70% Run)
2004: 259 passes vs. 589 runs (69% Run)
2005: 193 passes vs. 625 runs (76% Run)
2006: 233 passes vs. 590 runs (72% Run)
2007: 265 passes vs. 628 runs (70% Run)

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Salem Tigers (WVIAC) (1988)
1988 Salem 2-8 2-5 T-5th
Glenville State Pioneers (WVIAC) (1990–1996)
1990 Glenville State 1-7-1 1-5 T-6th
1991 Glenville State 4-5-1 3-4 T-5th
1992 Glenville State 6-4 5-2 3rd
1993 Glenville State 10-3 6-1 1st
1994 Glenville State 8-3 5-1 T-1st
1995 Glenville State 8-2 6-1 T-1st
1996 Glenville State 6-4 6-1 T-1st
Glenville State: 43-28-2 32-15
West Virginia Mountaineers (Big East) (2001–2007)
2001 West Virginia 3-8 1-6 7th
2002 West Virginia 9-4 6-1 2nd L Continental Tire 20 25
2003 West Virginia 8-5 6-1 T-1st L Gator
2004 West Virginia 8-4 4-2 T-1st L Gator
2005 West Virginia 11-1 7-0 1st W Sugar† 6 5
2006 West Virginia 11-2 5-2 T-2nd W Gator 10 10
2007 West Virginia 10-2* 5-2 T-1st * Invited to Fiesta 9* 11*
West Virginia: 60-26 34-14 *Indicates record/standing before the Fiesta Bowl game.
Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten) (2008–present)
2008 Michigan 3-9 2-6 T-9th
Michigan: 3-9 2-6
Total: 108-71-2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
Preceded by West Virginia Head Football Coach
2001-2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Michigan Head Football Coach
2008-Current 		Succeeded by
Incumbent

References

  1. ^ Climbing the Mountain Top | Scholastic.com
  2. ^ Rapoport, Ian (2006-12-07). "Rodriguez agrees to become Alabama's next football coach". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) The article stated, "University of Alabama officials and West Virginia’s Rich Rodriguez have reached an agreement in principle for Rodriguez to become the Crimson Tide’s next head football coach, two sources close to the search told The Birmingham News tonight."
  3. ^ Barnhart, Tony (2006-12-09). "Rodriguez leaves Alabama red-faced". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2006-12-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Hickman, Dave (2006-12-08). "Rich, Alabama still talking". The Charleston Gazette. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ News, ESPN (2006-12-08). "Rodriguez turns down 'Bama, will stay in Morgantown". ESPN.com. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b ESPN - Rodriguez leaving West Virginia to coach Michigan - College Football
  7. ^ ESPN - Pitt throws curveball at BCS with win over No. 2 WVU - NCAA College Football Recap
  8. ^ Associated Press. "Rodriguez Officially Finished". WSAZ. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
  9. ^ "Bill Stewart selected as West Virginia football coach". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  10. ^ Detroit Free Press. "SPECIAL REPORT: How and Why Rich Rodriguez Left West Virginia For Michigan". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  11. ^ Charleston Daily Mail
  12. ^ a b West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio
  13. ^ Rift developed before Rodriguez resigned 012408 - The Augusta Chronicle
  14. ^ Grant Town removes signs proclaiming it WVU coach’s hometown - Huntington, WV - The Herald-Dispatch
  15. ^ ESPN - WVU's suit against Rich Rodriguez moves to federal court - College Football
  16. ^ The Ironton Tribune > Archives > Sports > WVU hurls more allegations at Rodriguez
  17. ^ Federal Judge Remands Suit to Circuit Court
  18. ^ Michigan will pay $2.5 million toward Rodriguez's buyout - Michigan Wolverines Football: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio & Video - MLive.com
  19. ^ http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/100408aaa.html
  20. ^ http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/27488084/
  21. ^ http://www.freep.com/article/20081115/SPORTS06/81115034/1054/SPORTS06
  22. ^ "Oklahoma messes up BCS picture even more".
  23. ^ Lang, Arne. "College Coaching Award". Retrieved 2006-10-18.
  24. ^ Davie, Bob. "Football 101: Mountaineers spread the wealth". Retrieved 2006-10-18.
  25. ^ May, Tim. "College football: Spread option remains in vogue". Retrieved 2007-08-09.

External links

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