Jump to content

Rich Rodriguez

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Garkeith (talk | contribs) at 15:06, 2 October 2010 (Undid revision 388261733 by MichiganCharms (talk)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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

Richard A. Rodriguez (born May 24, 1963 in Grant Town, West Virginia is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach for the University of Michigan, a position he has held since the 2008 season. Previously, Rodriguez served as the head coach at Salem University (1988), Glenville State College (1990–1996), and West Virginia University (2001–2007).

Playing career

A native of Grant Town, West Virginia,[1][2][3][4][5][6] Rodriguez graduated from North Marion High School in 1981 where he played four sports and was an all-state football and basketball player. After high school, Rodriguez attended West Virginia University. Playing as a defensive back, Rodriguez recorded 54 career tackles over three seasons.

Early coaching career

WVU and Salem

During the 1985–1986 season, Rodriguez served as a student assistant under head coach Don Nehlen and graduated with a Physical Education 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 25 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-–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 part of 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.

West Virginia

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, where they lost to ACC runner-up and border rival Virginia. 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 again given Big East Coach of the Year honors. 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 won the 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,[7] which Rodriguez described as totally incorrect,[8][9] on December 8, 2006, Rodriguez announced he would remain as head coach at West Virginia.[10]

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 five straight bowl appearances (the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl the 2004 and 2005 Gator Bowls, the 2006 Nokia Sugar Bowl, the 2007 Gator Bowl, posting a 2-3 record in those bowl games.

Departure from West Virginia

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.[11] Rodriguez's decision came on the heels of a loss to the unranked Pittsburgh Panthers, which eliminated WVU from national championship contention.[12] 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 versus Oklahoma. On December 18, 2007, Rodriguez informed the university that his resignation would instead be effective at midnight that night[13] and was replaced by his former assistant coach Bill Stewart, who was selected as head coach after the Mountaineers won the Fiesta Bowl.[14]

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, Michael Garrison.[15] [16]

Some insight into the discontent between Rodriguez and WVU is evidenced in a compendium of emails that were released to the Associated Press on January 23, 2008.[17] An Associated Press story indicated that Rodriguez's agent Mike Brown was threatening to take his client elsewhere early in the 2007 season. [18]

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.[19] [20] [17][21]

On July 9, 2008 Rodriguez and WVU agreed to settle the lawsuit. The terms of the settlement stated that the University of Michigan would pay $2.5 million of the settlement. Rodriguez is required to pay WVU the remaining $1.5 million in three installments of $500,000 each, spread over three years starting in January, 2010.[22]

Michigan

Rodriguez & Tate Forcier during spring practice on April 11, 2009.

Rodriguez was introduced by Michigan as its 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 a single coaching holdover, Fred Jackson, from Lloyd Carr's staff, changed the strength and conditioning facilities, completed a top ten incoming recruiting class in 2008, which was recruited mainly by Carr and his staff, and installed his own recruiting to serve the spread offense that Michigan now employs.[11] Equipment manager Jon Falk also stayed with the Michigan football program as another holdover from previous coaching staffs dating back to Bo Schembechler.

Rodriguez began his Michigan coaching career on August 30, 2008 with a 25–23 loss to Utah. His 2008 team finished with a record of 3–9, the worst season [23] in school history. Michigan's losing record also assured that the team would not play in a post-season bowl game for the first time in 33 years, the longest such streak in college football up to that point. One of the few high points of the season came on September 27 when Michigan made the second-largest comeback in program history to defeat #9 Wisconsin 27–25 after trailing 19–0 late in the third quarter. That contest was also the 500th game played in Michigan Stadium.

Despite the setbacks of his inaugural season, Rodriguez compiled a recruiting class for the 2009 season which was ranked eighth nationally by Rivals.com. Tom Dienhart, writing for Sports Illustrated, named Rodriguez the second best football coach in the Big Ten Conference behind only Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and ahead of more tenured coaches such as Penn State's Joe Paterno and Ohio State's Jim Tressel.[24]

Under Rodriguez, the Wolverines opened the 2009 season with a 31–7 win against Western Michigan followed by wins over rival Notre Dame and Eastern Michigan. Following these three victories, two over weak mid-major opponents, Michigan opened its Big Ten schedule with a controversial 36-33 win against Indiana. Michigan finished the season with a 5–7 (1–7 in the Big Ten) record after road losses to Michigan State, and the Iowa Hawkeyes and a 25 point home loss to Penn State followed by a 25 point loss to the University of Illinois football team and a 38–36 loss at home to Purdue. Rodriguez ended the 2009 season with a 21–10 loss to rival Ohio State University. This loss eliminated the Wolverines from bowl competition for the second time in two years.

At Michigan, Rodriguez has suffered a 25 point home loss to a Big Ten opponent in both seasons he has coached.[25] In those two years, Rodriguez had no wins in October against Football Bowl Subdivision teams.[25] Thus far, Rodriguez has a 2-5 record against the Wolverines' three regular season rivals: Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan State.[25] In those two years, Rodriguez has not beaten Michigan's chief rival Ohio State, nor led Michigan to a bowl appearance.

Players leaving and criticism

Several Michigan players have transferred and subsequently criticized Rodriguez. Justin Boren transferred from the program to rival Ohio State citing offensive behavior and a "lack of family values" from the coaching staff.[26][27][28][29] Others have supported to the assertion about a lack of family values, including Detroit Free Press writer Michael Rosenberg, who stated "Rodriguez's staff uses some of the foulest, most degrading language imaginable. I know coaches curse, and I'm no prude, but this goes way beyond a few dirty words. He belittles his players. This is a big part of why offensive lineman Justin Boren left the team. He felt his dignity was at stake."[30] Boren became first team all Big Ten at Ohio State University in the 2009 season.[31] Former Michigan player Kurt Wermers claimed to not get along with coaches after transferring following the 2008 season.[32] Another player, Ryan Mallett, left shortly after Rodriguez became Michigan's head coach.[33][33]

NCAA rule violations

Prior to the 2009 season several anonymous players told the Detroit Free Press that Rodriguez and his coaching staff had habitually violated NCAA rules. The offenses included attending unofficial scrimmages and requiring players to work out more hours than NCAA rules permit for the off-season. Rodriguez denied the allegations.[34] On October 27, 2009, the NCAA sent a Notice of Inquiry to the University of Michigan stating the NCAA found reasonably reliable information indicating NCAA rule violations.[35] Following the Notice, the investigation into potential major violations continued. On November 16, 2009, the University of Michigan Auditors looking into the NCAA violations discovered that Rich Rodriguez and the University of Michigan Football coaching staff failed to file monthly logs that track how much players work out and practice.[36][37]

Then on February 22, 2010, the NCAA formally accused Michigan of five "major rules violations" after finding that the team and its coaching staff failed to comply with practice time rules under coach Rich Rodriguez, and used several graduate assistants in coaching position in contravention of NCAA regulations on the limits of the number of coaches.[38] This marked the first time that major violations have been alleged against the Michigan football program. All of the violations dated from January 2008 forward, which coincided with Rodriguez's arrival at Michigan. The University of Michigan has acknowledged that it committed four minor violations in its football program.[39]

Spread option

Rodriguez is considered a pioneer of a no huddle, run-oriented version of the spread offense, although a pass-first version was already being implemented by others.[40][41][42] He first developed this offensive approach at Glenville State and refined it during his stops at Tulane with Shaun King, at Clemson with Woodrow Dantzler, and at West Virginia most notably with dual-threat quarterback Pat White. This strategy features frequent use of the shotgun formation. A local legend in his home town of Grant Town attributes his origination of the idea for the spread to the need for the local boys to have to play on a field that contained a pear tree as an obstacle.

Breakdown of run versus pass

Tulane

  • 1997: 366 passes vs. 424 runs (54% run)
  • 1998: 375 passes vs. 518 runs (58% run)

Clemson

  • 1999: 422 passes vs. 486 runs (54% run)

West Virginia

  • 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)

Family

Rodriguez and his wife, Rita, have two children, Raquel and Rhett.[43]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Salem Tigers (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1988)
1988 Salem 2–8 2–5 T–5th
Salem: 2–8 2–5
Glenville State Pioneers (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (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 Conference) (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 Fiesta*† 9* 11*
West Virginia: 60–26 34–14 *Departed West Virginia for Michigan before the Fiesta Bowl
Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten Conference) (2008–present)
2008 Michigan 3–9 2–6 T–9th
2009 Michigan 5–7 1–7 T–10th
2010 Michigan 4–0 0–0
Michigan: 12–16 3–13
Total: 117–78–2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

See also

References

  1. ^ "Player Bio: Rich Rodriguez - University of Michigan Official Athletic Site". Mgoblue.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  2. ^ "Scout.com: The Rich Rodriguez File". Michigan.scout.com. 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  3. ^ "Rich Rodriguez: The man behind the myth". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  4. ^ "New Michigan coach Rodriguez says leaving WVU 'difficult decision' - College Football - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
  6. ^ Wieberg, Steve (December 18, 2007). "Rodriguez becomes the newest Michigan man". USA Today. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  7. ^ Rapoport, Ian (2006-12-07). "Rodriguez agrees to become Alabama's next football coach". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 2006-12-09. 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."
  8. ^ Barnhart, Tony (2006-12-09). "Rodriguez leaves Alabama red-faced". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
  9. ^ Hickman, Dave (2006-12-08). "Rich, Alabama still talking". The Charleston Gazette.
  10. ^ News, ESPN (2006-12-08). "Rodriguez turns down 'Bama, will stay in Morgantown". ESPN.com. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ a b "ESPN - Rodriguez leaving West Virginia to coach Michigan - College Football". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  12. ^ "ESPN - Pitt throws curveball at BCS with win over No. 2 WVU - NCAA College Football Recap". Sports.espn.go.com. 2007-12-01. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  13. ^ Associated Press. "Rodriguez Officially Finished". WSAZ. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
  14. ^ "Bill Stewart selected as West Virginia football coach". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  15. ^ Detroit Free Press. "SPECIAL REPORT: How and Why Rich Rodriguez Left West Virginia For Michigan". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  16. ^ by Mickey Furfari (2008-01-30). "Charleston Daily Mail". Dailymail.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  17. ^ a b "West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio". Wvmetronews.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  18. ^ Rift developed before Rodriguez resigned 012408 - The Augusta Chronicle
  19. ^ "ESPN - WVU's suit against Rich Rodriguez moves to federal court - College Football". Sports.espn.go.com. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  20. ^ The Ironton Tribune > Archives > Sports > WVU hurls more allegations at Rodriguez
  21. ^ "Federal Judge Remands Suit to Circuit Court". Wvgazette.com. 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  22. ^ "Michigan will pay $2.5 million toward Rodriguez's buyout - Michigan Wolverines Football: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio & Video". MLive.com. 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  23. ^ U-M's 3-9 season is all on Rich Rodriguez | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
  24. ^ Dienhart, Tom (2009-04-07). "Kirk Ferentz claims top spot in Big Ten coaching rankings". Time Inc. p. 2. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  25. ^ a b c "Drew Sharp: Lloyd Carr's support won't save Rich Rod forever | freep.com | Detroit Free Press". freep.com. 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  26. ^ "Ohio State's Justin Boren is a player divided". July 31, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  27. ^ "Lineman Boren says he left Michigan because 'family values have eroded'". March 26, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  28. ^ "Michigan allegations suggest friction remains". August 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  29. ^ "Boren to the Buckeyes". April 23, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  30. ^ Rosenberg, Michael (2008-07-09). "West Virginia-Michigan ordeal reveals ugly truths about Rodriguez". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
  31. ^ "Big Ten announces All Big-10 team". November 25, 2009.
  32. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (2009-08-20). "Sources: Wermer was already out at UM". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  33. ^ a b Silkablade, Zach. "The Blade ~ Toledo Ohio". toledoblade.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  34. ^ "U-M's Rodriguez: 'We go by the rules'". Detroit Free Press. August 31, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
  35. ^ [2][dead link]
  36. ^ "Michigan Wolverines didn't keep workout logs, school says - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2009-11-16. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  37. ^ Michigan football failed to file logs of practice time | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
  38. ^ [3][dead link]
  39. ^ "Michigan football admits major NCAA violations, cuts practice time, disciplines 7 people | freep.com | Detroit Free Press". freep.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  40. ^ Lang, Arne. "College Coaching Award". Archived from the original on 2006-11-20. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
  41. ^ Davie, Bob. "Football 101: Mountaineers spread the wealth". Retrieved 2006-10-18.
  42. ^ May, Tim. "College football: Spread option remains in vogue". Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  43. ^ "Rodriguez bio at". Mgoblue.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rich Rodriguez.
Sporting positions
Preceded by West Virginia University Head Football Coach
2001–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by University of Michigan Head Football Coach
2008–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rich_Rodriguez&oldid=388290653"