Rodriguez running to the Big House
The month long manhunt for the next head coach at Michigan is finally over. Rich Rodriguez is now a Michigan Man. He’ll trade the Old Gold and Blue of West Virginia for the Maize and Blue of the Wolverines
Rodriguez has agreed to become the new head at the University of Michigan, replacing former head coach Lloyd Carr, who retired as Michigan’s head coach on Nov. 19th after 13 seasons at the helm in Ann Arbor.
Rodriguez amassed a 60-29 record in his seven seasons as the West Virginia head football coach. Hired by the Mountaineers in 2001, Rodriguez built West Virginia into a Big East power from the ground up. During his tenure in Morgantown, Rodriguez guided West Virginia to four Big East Conference Championships, including three straight from 2003-2005. Rodriguez guided West Virginia to their first ever BCS Bowl victory in 2006, a 38-35 win over Georgia in the Nokia Sugar Bowl.
Rodriguez had West Virginia poised to play in BCS Championship game until they were stunned on the final game of the year by Pittsburgh, a 13-9 shocker at home. During the 2007 campaign, Rodriguez led West Virginia to #2 in the BCS standings and #1 in the Coaches’ Poll, both school records.
A year ago Rodriguez was coveted by Alabama to become their next head coach, however, Rodriguez remained at West Virginia. This time around, Rodriguez jumped at the opportunity to patrol the sidelines in the Big House.
He was beloved and revered at West Virginia and for a long time, when Mountaineers football comes to mind, you’re going to think of Rich Rodriguez. You’re going to think of his suffocating no-huddle offense. But as good as West Virginia football has become, there aren’t a whole lot of ‘Michigans’ out there. When they come knocking on your door, you better let them in.
Certainly reviving the Wolverines football program will be no easy task, and where Carr has failed, Rodriguez certainly must succeed. Under Carr, Michigan has lost four of their last five meetings with Ohio State, (including three straight losses) and has dropped four straight bowl games.
Rodriguez’s spread offense will surely be a bit of a culture shock in the Big House. The Wolverines offense has largely been built around the traditional pocket-passer quarterback suck as Elvis Grbac, Tom Brady, and Brian Griesie. One thing is certain: a change was needed in Michigan. Rodriguez, and his offensive scheme, will bring just that.
He wasn’t their first choice. Les Miles was wooed multiple times, only to turn down Michigan repeatedly. Greg Schiano said thanks, but no thanks. He’s the first head coach hired by the Wolverines outside the Michigan family since Michigan coaching legend Bo Schembechler was hired from the the University of Miami-Ohio in 1969.
The path to bring a new face on the sidelines in Ann Arbor wasn’t easy, but during any journey, there are always bumps and obstacles along the way.
Rodriguez’ arrival to the Maize and Blue doesn’t mean that this time next year, we’ll see Michigan in the BCS Championship game either. But for the Michigan fanbase that has been screaming for a shakeup and aching for a new era, it won’t take long for the Big House to become Rodriguez’ house.
Tags: Big East Football, NCAA Football, Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia Mountaineers