The Lightening Rod Moves to the Desert

Rich Rodriquez is one of those college coaches that seem to receive the tag of lighting rod.

It all started when Rodriquez left his alma mater West Virginia in a messy divorce. Things didn’t improve at Michigan where the national spotlight of a national program magnified the losing. So, Rodriquez departed one program voluntarily and was shown the door with the other.

To say the guy received some heat and backlash over those two jobs is like someone telling you it becomes hot in Dallas, Texas in July.

Rodriquez took a year off from coaching and broke down some football as a TV as a commentator. But now the lighting rod is back at the University of Arizona.

The Wildcats aren’t exactly a hotbed of college football. You don’t read or see much attention placed on the program. But Rodriquez wanted and probably need the opportunity to show the college football world he can still successfully coach.

Rodriquez brings a 75-48 career record to Tucson. He’s known as an “offensive mind” and the Pac-12 Conference is a great league to display that. Translation: the conference doesn’t play much defense. Contrary to belief, there isn’t a rule in the league declaring the first team to score 70 points as winner. The goal in the Pac-12 is to literally and figuratively outscore your opponent.

I have no doubt Rodriquez will accomplish that task. The question becomes can he do it consistently and in the meantime quiet the lighting rod tag.

Rich Rodriquez Back in Coaching

It didn’t take long for Rich Rodriquez to leave the TV booth and return to coaching.

Rodriquez left CBS College Sports to try to resurrect the Arizona Wildcats. His official appointment was announced this week.

When I first heard the news, I thought another Rodriquez was moving to Arizona—Alex. But then I thought why would A-Rod leave the New York Yankees to go to the Arizona Diamondbacks?

The other Rodriquez is trying to repair his coaching reputation. First, Rich-Rod as he is called, suffered a nasty divorce with West Virginia as he departed his alma mater to go to Michigan. I think Rich-Rod looked at Michigan as his dream job. It was a dream alright—a bad one. Many of the Michigan fans just plain disliked the guy. He also ran into trouble with the NCAA and couldn’t win enough games to satisfy the Michigan faithful. All these factors led to his firing

His spread offense should do fine in the offensive-happy Pac-12. His defenses were generous at Michigan, but defense doesn’t seem to be a problem in the Pac-12. The key is to just literally outscore the other opponent like say, 60-52. Plus, Rodriquez should be in a much lower-key job than the bright lights at Michigan. Despite what the league says, the Pac-12 still suffers from an exposure problem. The time zone factor is the major culprit. Lots of the games start too late for Midwest and East Coast viewers.

So, it will be interesting to see how Rich-Rod plays out in the Southwest. He’s at a basketball school but he no doubt was hired to elevate the importance of the football program. Hopefully, Rich-Rod has learned from his mistakes and will do well in Tucson.

Michigan's Rich Rodriquez in Limbo

As of Wednesday morning, Michigan coach Rich Rodriquez’s head is still on the chopping block.

The word on his fate is supposedly coming down later today in Ann Arbor.

Media reports yesterday said he was fired. Michigan denied the rumors.

So this is developing into a soap opera. What is Michigan actually doing? Are they working out the severance package with Rodriquez’s lawyer? Are they waiting for Jim Harbaugh to say yes to a coaching offer? Do they have someone else in mind to take the job immediately after the Rodriquez clearance?

A national sports guy said that Michigan would do Rodriquez a favor by firing him because of the constant speculation.

Rodriquez and Michigan were a terrible marriage. According to rumors, he was Michigan’s third or fourth choice. It played like a third or fourth choice.

Michigan is Michigan. It doesn’t do the spread offense. The Wolverines run the football and mix in the pass. They play solid defense. They play old style Big Ten football.

Rodriquez will be fine. He will find another coaching job and resume his success.

On the other hand, Michigan is a troubled place. The Wolverines need some counseling and probably a Michigan guy. At least then, we will recognize the style of football in Ann Arbor.

Iowa and Michigan Really Need This Game

When Iowa and Michigan tangle in the Big House tomorrow (Saturday), the stakes are high.

Can Iowa defeat a quality opponent on the road? It’s only the Hawks second road game of the season and they failed miserably against Arizona earlier. Iowa should become a Big Ten title contender this season but a slipup at Michigan will greatly hinder that quest.

With its running game under siege due to injury, look for the Hawks to throw the ball more and put the game in the hands of senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Their strong defense must contain an athletic and potent Michigan offense.

But a Michigan question is a big one. What Wolverine team shows up this week? Will it be the club that Michigan State humbled in Ann Arbor last Saturday? Or will it be the team that exploded on offense in their previous victories.

Despite the winning start this season, Michigan fans are not in love with coach Rich Rodriquez yet? It’s been a rocky marriage and would get worse with a loss to Iowa.

Iowa wants a good old fashioned grind it out Big Ten game. Michigan wants lots of offense and a high score. It’s essentially the old vs the new in the Big Ten this week.

It sounds like a great match up.

Big Game in the Big Ten

Any year the Michigan-Michigan State football game is a big one especially in the motor state. But Saturday’s game is a big, big one.

Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor and puts its 5-0 mark up against Michigan’s 5-0 record. Both teams have had hiccups, but have moved beyond them. Now, we will see what team has real chops.

The Spartan’s main story has been the heart health of coach Mark Dantonio. He plans to be in the press box on Saturday. Michigan’s main story is quarterback Denard Robinson. This guy is lighting up college football. The question is can this youngster keep it up. This game should provide a stern test.

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez’s job is probably safe with the Wolverine’s undefeated start. His offensive style of play with the multiple-style quarterback is finally clicking. Just don’t tell the old Michigan traditionalists.

My Michigan relatives are huge Wolverine fans, but I’m cheering for the visitors in this one. It’s hard not to like Michigan State with the Dantonio story and a class act quarterback in Kirk Cousins.

Who is your favorite?

The Michigan Mess

Media reports out of Michigan stated today that the University of Michigan is placing self-imposed penalties on its football program. It apparently stems from too much training and practice time.

Well, the Rich Rodriquez era at Michigan hasn't lacked for controversy has it?

Michigan is now acting like a kid caught in the act of stealing cookies. Michigan knows something is definitely wrong, the NCAA knows something is definitely wrong and Michigan is throwing itself at the mercy of the NCAA. The old line, we'll discipline ourselves before Dad can do it when he gets home.

Rodriquez doesn't act like he is pleading for much mercy. If you listening closely, he hasn't said much. Is he just trying to save his neck or what? I know the NCAA rules manual is thick, but shouldn't a coach understand too much practice time? Isn't this like simple addition? Any calculator could handle this one.

Because Michigan has a history-rich football program, I wonder what the NCAA will do. Will that body come down hard on the Wolverines or give them grace based on Michigan's tradition? Supposedly in August, the NCAA will decide/announce its ruling.

If I was Rodriquez I would keep my eyes on the job openings and real estate listings. They might come in handy down the road.

What do you think about the Michigan situation? Who is to blame? What will happen?