Jump to content

Rich Rodriguez: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rescuing 2 sources and tagging 0 as dead. #IABot (v1.6.2) (Balon Greyjoy)
Line 47: Line 47:


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
A native of [[Grant Town, West Virginia]],<ref name="myth">{{cite web|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/content/rich-rodriguez-man-behind-myth |title=Rich Rodriguez: The man behind the myth |publisher=The Michigan Daily |date= |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rodriguez_rich00.html |title=Player Bio: Rich Rodriguez – University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |publisher=Mgoblue.com |date= |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://michigan.scout.com/2/712055.html |title=Scout.com: The Rich Rodriguez File |publisher=Michigan.scout.com |date=December 17, 2007 |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3157941 |title=New Michigan coach Rodriguez says leaving WVU 'difficult decision' – College Football – ESPN |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=December 18, 2007 |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2007-12-17-michigan-rodriguez_N.htm?csp=34 | work=USA Today | title=Rodriguez becomes the newest Michigan man | first=Steve | last=Wieberg | date=December 18, 2007 | accessdate=May 22, 2010}}</ref> Rodriguez graduated from [[North Marion High School (West Virginia)|North Marion High School]] in 1981 where he played four sports and was an all-state [[American football|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.
A native of [[Grant Town, West Virginia]],<ref name="myth">{{cite web|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/content/rich-rodriguez-man-behind-myth |title=Rich Rodriguez: The man behind the myth |publisher=The Michigan Daily |date= |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rodriguez_rich00.html |title=Player Bio: Rich Rodriguez – University of Michigan Official Athletic Site |publisher=Mgoblue.com |date= |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://michigan.scout.com/2/712055.html |title=Scout.com: The Rich Rodriguez File |publisher=Michigan.scout.com |date=December 17, 2007 |accessdate=September 21, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716022924/http://michigan.scout.com/2/712055.html |archivedate=July 16, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3157941 |title=New Michigan coach Rodriguez says leaving WVU 'difficult decision' – College Football – ESPN |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=December 18, 2007 |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2007-12-17-michigan-rodriguez_N.htm?csp=34 | work=USA Today | title=Rodriguez becomes the newest Michigan man | first=Steve | last=Wieberg | date=December 18, 2007 | accessdate=May 22, 2010}}</ref> Rodriguez graduated from [[North Marion High School (West Virginia)|North Marion High School]] in 1981 where he played four sports and was an all-state [[American football|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.


==Coaching career==
==Coaching career==
Line 473: Line 473:
{{Portal bar|Biography|College football|Arizona|Michigan|West Virginia}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|College football|Arizona|Michigan|West Virginia}}
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rodriguez_rich00.html Arizona profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111207101732/http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rodriguez_rich00.html Arizona profile]
* [http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rodriguez_rich00.html Michigan profile]
* [http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/rodriguez_rich00.html Michigan profile]
* {{IMDb name|id=2894556|name=Rich Rodriguez}}
* {{IMDb name|id=2894556|name=Rich Rodriguez}}

Revision as of 09:03, 16 January 2018

For the baseball player, see Rich Rodriguez (baseball).
Rich Rodriguez
Rodriguez at Michigan in 2008
Biographical details
Born (1963-05-24) May 24, 1963 (age 61)
Chicago, Illinois
Playing career
1981–1984West Virginia
Position(s)Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1985West Virginia (SA)
1986Salem (DB/ST)
1987Salem (AHC/DC)
1988Salem
1989West Virginia (OLB)
1990–1996Glenville State
1997–1998Tulane (OC/QB)
1999–2000Clemson (OC/QB)
2001–2007West Virginia
2008–2010Michigan
2012–2017Arizona
Head coaching record
Overall163–119–2
Bowls5–6
Tournaments2–1 (NAIA D-I playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
4 WVIAC (1993–1996)
4 Big East (2003–2005, 2007)
1 Pac-12 South Division (2014)
Awards
NAIA Coach of the Year (1993)
2x WVIAC Coach of the Year (1993, 1994)
2x Big East Coach of the Year (2003, 2005)
Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2014)
W.Va. State College Coach of the Year (1993, 2002)

Richard Alan Rodriguez (born May 24, 1963) is a former American football coach and player. He was most recently the head football coach for the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University (1988), Glenville State College (1990–1996), West Virginia University (2001–2007), and the University of Michigan (2008–2010). His career college football coaching record stands at 163–118–2. In 2011, Rodriguez worked as an analyst for CBS Sports.[1]

Playing career

A native of Grant Town, West Virginia,[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.

Coaching career

Starting out in coaching (West Virginia and Salem)

During the 1985 season, Rodriguez served as a student assistant under head coach Don Nehlen and graduated with a Physical Education degree. In 1986, he was hired by 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 knew Bowden's father, Bobby Bowden, because he had worked at his camps during summers. In Rodriguez's first year as offensive coordinator his innovative offense succeeded as Tulane went 7–4 and had their best season since 1980.[7] 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. Rodriguez was considered to be the frontrunner for the Tulane coaching job following Bowden's departure and was led to believe that he was going to be the next coach for Tulane. However, Chris Scelfo was hired instead.[8]

In 1999, Rodriguez interviewed for the head coaching job at Texas Tech.[9] The job went to Mike Leach.[10]

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, 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 an 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 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,[11] which Rodriguez described as totally incorrect,[12][13] on December 8, 2006, Rodriguez announced he would remain as head coach at West Virginia.[14]

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.

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.[15] Rodriguez's earlier loss to the unranked Pittsburgh Panthers eliminated WVU from national championship contention.[16] 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[17] and was replaced by his former assistant coach Bill Stewart, who was selected as head coach after the Mountaineers won the Fiesta Bowl.[18]

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.[19][20] 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.[21] An Associated Press story indicated that Rodriguez's agent Mike Brown was threatening to take his client elsewhere early in the 2007 season.[22]

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.[23][24][21][25]

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 was required to pay WVU the remaining $1.5 million in three installments of $500,000 each, spread over three years starting in January 2010.[26]

An opinion poll in September 2013 by Public Policy Polling found that 47% of West Virginia voters still had an unfavorable opinion of him, with only 11% seeing him favorably.[27]

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. After arriving at Michigan, Rodriguez installed a new staff. He brought several members of his West Virginia staff with him, including Tony Gibson and offensive coordinator Calvin Magee. Fred Jackson, the running backs coach, was the only coaching holdover from Lloyd Carr's staff. Rodriguez also 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 his spread offense.[15] Equipment manager Jon Falk also stayed with the Michigan football program; he had been with Michigan since the days of 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 in school history.[28] Michigan's losing record meant that the team did 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.

Players leaving and criticism

Several Michigan players 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.[29][30][31][32] Boren became first team all Big Ten at Ohio State University in the 2009 season.[33] Others have supported 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. This is a big part of why offensive lineman Justin Boren left the team. He felt his dignity was at stake."[34] Former Michigan player Kurt Wermers claimed to not get along with coaches after transferring following the 2008 season to Ball State University, but he was, in fact, academically ineligible at the time of his transfer, calling into question the credibility of his claim.[35]

NCAA rule violations

Rich Rodriguez gives an interview in Beaver Stadium before the day of the 2010 Michigan vs. Penn State game

Prior to the 2009 season several anonymous players told journalists (including Rosenberg) at the Detroit Free Press that Rodriguez and his coaching staff had habitually violated NCAA rules. The alleged 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.[36] 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.[37] 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 University of Michigan Athletic Department staff failed to file monthly logs that track how much players work out and practice.[38][39]

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.[40] 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 major violations in its football program.[41] This resulted in U-M self-imposing sanctions which including cutting practice time and either disciplining or terminating staff, as well as two years probation. The final NCAA report downgraded the list of violations originally investigated, agreed with Michigan's self-imposed sanctions, but added an extra year of probation.[42]

Eventual departure

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.[43]

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 36–33 win against Indiana. However, 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 and a 38–36 loss at home to Purdue. Rodriguez ended the 2009 season with a 21–10 loss to rival Ohio State. This loss eliminated the Wolverines from bowl competition for the second year in a row.

The 2010 season got off to a similar start to the 2009 campaign, with the Wolverines winning their first five games of the season. Michigan started the season off by notching a win over Connecticut, who eventually won a share of the Big East title and went on to represent the conference in a BCS bowl. By week three, the team earned a spot in the AP Top 25 at #20 and USA Today Poll at #22. Their highest AP ranking, #18, came before recording their first loss of the season against 17-ranked in-state foe and eventual Big Ten co-champion Michigan State (part of a three-way tie). The team finished Big Ten play with a 3–5 record, including a 37–7 loss against arch-rival Ohio State. This caused further criticism of Rodriguez, for failing to restore competitiveness to one of college football's greatest rivalries. Still, Michigan had earned a 7–5 record and, for the first time under Rodriguez, were bowl eligible.

The season included such highlights as a spectacular 67–65 comeback win over Illinois in triple overtime on Nov 6 and a special talent in sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson who in 12 games passed for 2,316 yards and rushed for 1,643 yards while accounting for 30 rushing and passing touchdowns. Rodriguez led Michigan to its first New Year's Day bowl since the 2007 season when Michigan accepted a bid to play in the Gator Bowl. However, Michigan's 38-point loss to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl was the worst bowl loss in school history.[44]

Due to the team's disappointing season after such a promising start, and another loss to Ohio State, Rodriguez finished the regular season campaign amidst speculation that he would not return for the 2011 season. Rumors about Rodriguez's ousting heated up after the season, when Stanford Cardinal head coach and former Michigan quarterback, Jim Harbaugh, did not attend an anniversary dinner recognizing the 1985 Michigan team.[45] Harbaugh had been rumored to replace Rodriguez in seasons past.

At Michigan, Rodriguez suffered a 20-point home loss to a Big Ten opponent in all three seasons he coached (most recently against Wisconsin, a 48–28 loss).[46] In his first two years, Rodriguez had no wins in October against Football Bowl Subdivision teams and did not record a win against such an opponent until the 2010 season, recording a road victory over Indiana.[45] At Michigan, Rodriguez had a 2–7 record against the Wolverines' three regular season rivals: Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan State,[45] recording victories against Notre Dame in the 2009 and 2010 campaigns.

Media circus outside of Schembechler Hall after news broke that Rich Rodriguez had been fired as University of Michigan head coach on Jan 5, 2011

Rodriguez was rumored to be let go as Michigan coach on January 4, 2011. School officials initially denied this, but the following day, athletic director Dave Brandon announced that Rodriguez had been dismissed.[47][48] Rodriguez has the lowest winning percentage (.405) of any coach in Michigan football's history. He also went 0–3 against Ohio State and 0–3 against Michigan State.

Rodriguez worked as an analyst for CBS Sports for most of the 2011 season before being hired to coach at Arizona. He had previously participated in CBS's 2011 Signing Day Coverage. When asked if he regretted moving to Michigan, he said: "I think it's easy to go back now and say, 'Gee, [I] made a mistake.' And you can say that now because of hindsight. But at the time, some of the things I was looking to do and the opportunity that was there, you kind of make the move....but you know hindsight is always easier to look back and say, 'it was a mistake.' Because we did have a good thing going at West Virginia, and we really enjoyed it. As you look back at it, [it] wasn't the best move. Easy to say now." When asked if he would ever return to coaching, Rodriguez said, "I'm open to another opportunity, but we'll see. Here, that window looks like it's closed, but if something comes open after this season, and it seems like it may be a good opportunity for me and someone is interested, I'm sure I'll look into it."[49]

In June 2011, Rodriguez put the family home in York Township, Michigan up for sale for an asking price of $1.9 million.[50][51]

The tumultuous three years with Michigan was chronicled in great detail in Three and Out, written by John U. Bacon. Bacon was given full insider access from the start of the 2008 season all the way through the search for Rodriguez's successor. The book also covers Rich Rodriguez's career before coming to Michigan, including the buyout from West Virginia.

Arizona

Following Rodriguez's tenure at CBS, he was hired as the 30th head coach of the Arizona Wildcats football program on November 21, 2011. His hiring was first announced by University of Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne on Twitter[52] while a press conference officially announcing him as the head coach was held a day later at McKale Center in Tucson.[53] Rodriguez's hiring ended a 41-day search for a head coach which started after Mike Stoops was dismissed after eight seasons as Wildcat head coach.

In Rodriguez's first season at Arizona, the Wildcats finished the season 8–5 with a win over Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl. The season, which included Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey breaking the school single-season records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, was Rodriguez' first winning debut season and first bowl appearance in a debut season. It also tied Jim Young for the most wins in an Arizona coach's debut season.

The Wildcats posted an 8–5 record in Rodriguez' second season as head coach. The season saw the emergence of star running back Carey and was capped with a victory over Boston College in the AdvoCare V100 Bowl.

In his third year, Rodriguez led the Wildcats to their first 5–0 start and top 10 ranking since 1998 after beating No. 2 Oregon 31–24. He then lost his first game to Southern California and subsequently lost to UCLA. After compiling an 0–2 mark against in-state arch-rival Arizona State his first two years, Rodriguez's Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils, 42–35 in 2014 to win the Pac-12 South Division, the first divisional championship in program history.

The Wildcats advanced to the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where they were defeated by their conference rivals, the Oregon Ducks, 51–13 (despite winning the regular season match-up).[54] The Wildcats then played in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl, the school's third major-bowl appearance, where they faced the Boise State Broncos. Arizona lost the game to Boise State, 38–30. Under Coach Rodriguez, the Wildcats finished the 2014 season with a record of 10–4 (7–2 Pac-12), achieving only the second 10-win regular season in program history; the Wildcats also finished the season ranked #17 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and #19 in the AP Poll.

Rodriguez was fired on January 2, 2018, after his former administrative assistant filed a multimillion-dollar claim accusing him of sexually harassing her and creating a hostile work environment.[55]

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.[56][57][58] 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. Rodriguez is also credited for inventing the zone read play run out of the shotgun formation.

Family

Rodriguez and his wife, Rita, have two children, Raquel and Rhett.[59] Rodriguez's grandfather is originally from Spain.[60]

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 L NAIA Division I Championship
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[n 1]† 9 11
West Virginia: 60–26 34–14
Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten Conference) (2008–2010)
2008 Michigan 3–9 2–6 T–9th
2009 Michigan 5–7 1–7 T–10th
2010 Michigan 7–6 3–5 T–7th L Gator
Michigan: 15–22 6–18
Arizona Wildcats (Pac-12 Conference) (2012–2017)
2012 Arizona 8–5 4–5 4th (South) W New Mexico
2013 Arizona 8–5 4–5 4th (South) W AdvoCare V100
2014 Arizona 10–4 7–2 1st (South) L Fiesta† 17 19
2015 Arizona 7–6 3–6 5th (South) W New Mexico
2016 Arizona 3–9 1–8 6th (South)
2017 Arizona 7–6 5–4 3rd (South) L Foster Farms
Arizona: 43–35 24–30
Total: 163–119–2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Coaching tree

Assistant coaches under Rich Rodriguez who became NCAA or NFL head coaches:

Notes

  1. ^ Rodriguez left for Michigan after the regular season; assistant coach Bill Stewart was appointed as interim head coach and led West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

References

  1. ^ "Rich Rodriguez joins CBS". The Huffington Post. June 14, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  2. ^ "Rich Rodriguez: The man behind the myth". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  3. ^ "Player Bio: Rich Rodriguez – University of Michigan Official Athletic Site". Mgoblue.com. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  4. ^ "Scout.com: The Rich Rodriguez File". Michigan.scout.com. December 17, 2007. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "New Michigan coach Rodriguez says leaving WVU 'difficult decision' – College Football – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. December 18, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  6. ^ Wieberg, Steve (December 18, 2007). "Rodriguez becomes the newest Michigan man". USA Today. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  7. ^ Bacon, John (2011). Three And Out. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-250-01697-3.
  8. ^ Bacon, John (2011). Three And Out. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-250-01697-3.
  9. ^ Texas Tech contacts N.M. State's Samuel – Herald Journal Google Archives
  10. ^ Texas Tech picks Leach for offense – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Google Archives
  11. ^ Rapoport, Ian (December 7, 2006). "Rodriguez agrees to become Alabama's next football coach". The Birmingham News. Retrieved December 9, 2006. 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."
  12. ^ Barnhart, Tony (December 9, 2006). "Rodriguez leaves Alabama red-faced". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2006. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Hickman, Dave (December 8, 2006). "Rich, Alabama still talking". The Charleston Gazette.
  14. ^ News, ESPN (December 8, 2006). "Rodriguez turns down 'Bama, will stay in Morgantown". ESPN.com. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ a b "ESPN – Rodriguez leaving West Virginia to coach Michigan – College Football". Sports.espn.go.com. December 17, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  16. ^ "ESPN – Pitt throws curveball at BCS with win over No. 2 WVU – NCAA College Football Recap". Sports.espn.go.com. December 1, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  17. ^ Associated Press. "Rodriguez Officially Finished". WSAZ. Retrieved December 18, 2007.
  18. ^ "Bill Stewart selected as West Virginia football coach". ESPN. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  19. ^ 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 December 27, 2007. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Mickey Furfari (January 30, 2008). "Charleston Daily Mail". Dailymail.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ a b "West Virginia Headline News and Talk Radio". Wvmetronews.com. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  22. ^ Rift developed before Rodriguez resigned 012408 – The Augusta Chronicle
  23. ^ "ESPN – WVU's suit against Rich Rodriguez moves to federal court – College Football". Sports.espn.go.com. January 16, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  24. ^ The Ironton Tribune > Archives > Sports > WVU hurls more allegations at Rodriguez
  25. ^ "Federal Judge Remands Suit to Circuit Court". Wvgazette.com. February 12, 2008. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Michigan will pay $2.5 million toward Rodriguez's buyout – Michigan Wolverines Football: News, Blogs, Photos, Audio & Video". MLive.com. July 9, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  27. ^ "Clinton behind Cruz, other potential Republican opponents in WV" (PDF). Public Policy Polling. September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  28. ^ U-M's 3–9 season is all on Rich Rodriguez | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
  29. ^ "Ohio State's Justin Boren is a player divided". July 31, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  30. ^ "Lineman Boren says he left Michigan because 'family values have eroded'". March 26, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  31. ^ "Michigan allegations suggest friction remains". August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  32. ^ "Boren to the Buckeyes". April 23, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
  33. ^ "Big Ten announces All Big-10 team". November 25, 2009.
  34. ^ Rosenberg, Michael (July 9, 2008). "West Virginia-Michigan ordeal reveals ugly truths about Rodriguez". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  35. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (August 20, 2009). "Sources: Wermer was already out at UM". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
  36. ^ "U-M's Rodriguez: 'We go by the rules'". Detroit Free Press. August 31, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
  37. ^ [1] Archived November 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ "Michigan Wolverines didn't keep workout logs, school says – ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. November 16, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  39. ^ Michigan football failed to file logs of practice time | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
  40. ^ [2] Archived February 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ^ "U-M Football admits major NCAA violations, cuts practice time, disciplines 7 people | freep.com | Detroit Free Press". freep.com. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  42. ^ "NCAA Ruling on Michigan's self-imposed sanctions" (PDF). annarbor.com. November 4, 2010.
  43. ^ Dienhart, Tom (April 7, 2009). "Kirk Ferentz claims top spot in Big Ten coaching rankings". Time Inc. p. 2. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ "Michigan suffers school's worst bowl loss to Mississippi State in Gator Bowl". ESPN.com. January 1, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  45. ^ a b c Sharp, Drew (October 3, 2010). "Drew Sharp: Jamie Morris, end the limbo, restore 'the old Michigan'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  46. ^ "Drew Sharp: Lloyd Carr's support won't save Rich Rod forever | freep.com | Detroit Free Press". freep.com. October 25, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  47. ^ "Michigan denies reports that Rich Rodriguez has been fired...as of now". The Washington Post.
  48. ^ Michigan Wolverines fire Rich Rodriguez as coach – ESPN
  49. ^ "Rodriguez admits leaving WVU may have been a mistake". ESPN (blog). April 25, 2011.
  50. ^ Rich Rodriguez puts Saline-area home up for sale for a cool $1.9 million
  51. ^ http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/rich-rodriguez's-home-for-sale,-listed-at-nearly-$1.9-million-20110705-mr
  52. ^ Greg Byrne [@Greg_Byrne] (November 22, 2011). "And the new Arizona football coach and his family is..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ^ Finley, Patrick (November 22, 2011). "UA football: Rodriguez's goal is 'win Rose Bowl'". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  54. ^ https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/12/06/oregon-arizona-pac-12-championship-game-college-football/19989479/
  55. ^ http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21946402/arizona-wildcats-fire-football-coach-rich-rodriguez
  56. ^ Lang, Arne. "College Coaching Award". Archived from the original on November 20, 2006. Retrieved October 18, 2006.
  57. ^ Davie, Bob. "Football 101: Mountaineers spread the wealth". Retrieved October 18, 2006.
  58. ^ May, Tim. "College football: Spread option remains in vogue". Retrieved August 9, 2007.[permanent dead link‍]
  59. ^ "Rodriguez bio at". Mgoblue.com. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  60. ^ Staples, Andy (November 30, 2011). "Behind the scenes look at first 48 hours of Rodriguez's Arizona tenure". Inside College Football. SI.com. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rich Rodriguez.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Rich_Rodriguez&oldid=820734895"