The Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette's website is reporting that a "tearful" Rich Rodriguez told his players Sunday that he is "leaving for a lot of reasons that I hope one day you will understand."
One day? Coach, when they were five years old, your players understood why you're leaving.
A five-year-old thinks like this: "I have a thing. There's a shinier thing. I want that thing."
And that's exactly how you thought and why you left.
There's no long-term wisdom that Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Co. need to accumulate to understand your decision to leave West Virginia for Michigan. Michigan is brighter and shinier, and it grabbed your attention.
Now, here's the harm you've inflicted on West Virginia—your home state, your alma mater, and the program you swore allegiance to:
- The recruits Rodriguez wooed to WVU may either follow him to Michigan or go somewhere else. The coach didn't just recruit to a team, he recruited to not one but two exotic systems: the spread-option zone-read offense and the 3-3-5 odd-stack defense.Which means he's blown a recruiting year for West Virginia.
WVU now has no head coach and who knows how many assistant coaches. There's no one to go out on the road and recruit high school players—and even if there were, who would you tell the kids they're playing for? And in what system?
As World War I erased a generation of 17-22-year-old British men, 2007-08 will mark a significant talent gap in WVU's recruiting history.
- Not only did West Virginia get abandoned by Rodriguez, former head coach Don Nehlen threw the program under the bus too.In a news report today, Nehlen is quoted as endorsing Rodriguez's flight to Ann Arbor, saying, "There are only so many Michigan'\s."
Well Coaches Nehlen and Rodriguez, West Virginia was on the way to becoming a Michigan. This was the team's third season in a row with at least 10 wins, and the Mountaineers earned their second BCS bowl invite in three years.
Had Rodriguez stayed at WVU and accumulated another dozen or so 10-win seasons and BCS appearances, WVU would have been spoken of in the same breath as Michigan, Ohio State, Southern Cal, and the SEC powerhouses.
Outsiders wonder why West Virginians sometimes think poorly of themselves. It's bad enough to be told you're not good enough by outsiders—but when your hear it from one of your own, it's difficult not to take it to heart.
For many West Virginians, Rodriguez's exit feels like, "So long, suckers!"
Now it's back to Square One. WVU will never reach a consistently elite level as long as it's considered a stepping-stone—even by its homegrown talent.
By leaving, Rodriguez has set back the program significantly.
Then again, it shouldn't be surprising. Five-year-olds usually only think of themselves and their needs.
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7 months ago
Amen!
7 months ago
We don't give a damn about the whole State of Michigan, the whole State of Michigan.....
Hey Mountaineer Fans, You can have Marshall's Coach Snyder, maybe we can get Pruitt back or even Donnan
Hey I would have left WVU too, they have run out of couches there anyway. Hey there's an idea, instead of burning a couch if you win against OK, you can burn a "coach" in effigy.
7 months ago
Hey Joe, goodluck in the big game! You just bought a very expensive choke artist!!!!!
7 months ago
Frank,
I have supported your articles all year long. You are one of the best in depth writers on this site. But now you sound like a high-school fat girl, who have given up on getting a date to the prom. I don't question your loyalty but your negativity is disconcerning. We will find a new leader (TERRY BOWDEN) and we will continue to compete on the national level. Sure he put us in a bind, but now is the time to support the program more than ever. We have a chance to shock the world in the desert. We were huge underdogs against Georgia and we prevailed. Rich Rod is not WV football. We competed on a national level before him (2 title games)and I'm sure we can do it after. Chin-up! You see what Huggins has done! Belein who?
Jay in the Nasty Nati
7 months ago
Hi, Jay:
Thanks for the note. Indeed, I am a fan of WVU. But I would not call myself a booster. (Despite the fact that I had to give the Mountaineer Athletic Club $100 to get a season ticket last year, in the full-disclosure department)
I guess it's my journalist's training to try to remain somewhat disappsionate.
As such, yes, as a WVU fan, I am upset A) that Rodriguez left B) that it seemed fans were going to have to go through his dalliances every offseason and C) about the way Rodriguez left -- by having one of his grad assistants hand a resignation letter to A.D. Ed Pastilong, per today's Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette. That's classless.
So though I am disappointed for players such as Pat White and Steve Slaton, who by all accounts seem decent young men, I cannot let Rodriguez's bad behavior go unpunished. (As much punishment as this tiny blog can mete out.)
It's just like divorce -- only the two people in a marriage know anything about the union's interior and whether it should survive or not. But what they can do is treat each other during the dissolution with respect and scruples, neither of which Rodriguez showed his team, his alma mater or the fans of West Virginia.
7 months ago
No Way No How.
Sorry but West Virginia wasn't even close to being mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Michigan and Ohio State.
It takes years and years to become them. Do you think USC became USC over night?
NO. It established winning year after year after year for DECADES.
I respect the WVU program. I respect the fact that the fans want to decapitate Coach Rod at this point in time.
But that is a woe is me attitude won't get you anywhere. You lost your coach to a more prestigious program. IT HAPPENS. That's college football in 2007.
from 7 months ago
Look, obviously Michigan and Ohio State are programs with a longer history of winning than WVU. That said, Rodriguez has put together some very solid schemes for the Mountaineers, who turned to be highly competitive this year. I can see why he left ($ and coaching for a more high profile program) , but I don't think there's anything wrong with Frank calling Rod out for being disloyal and classless, which doesn't seem too far from the reality, to me at least.
He probably could have handled this better, though I suppose no matter how you cut it, leaving a program you've spent seven years building into a powerhouse is never going to be easy.
I still am optimistic that West Virginia can hang without Rod. They have a very talented roster and the schemes that Rich put in place should be able to still work with another skilled coach at the helm.
7 months ago
"But that is a woe is me attitude won't get you anywhere. You lost your coach to a more prestigious program. IT HAPPENS. That's college football in 2007."
It happens ? IT HAPPENS ? Sure it happens... that doesn't make it right.
7 months ago
We heard all this disaster talk when Beilein blew out of town for Ann Arbor a year ago. But suddenly, the players discovered they had a new coach who actually had a care for rebounding. And Huggins won't be leaving WVU unless the fans and admin. run him out. And the program is better off now.
Anyone who worked in the same office with Rod knows that he was a crude, foul-mouthed man quick to offend decency. Had he operated in any other area of the U, he would have been taken to task by their, get this, "Office of Social Justice", but the U was willing to look the other way when it came to Rod and revenues. Now that will all become Michigan's problem, a place that is a lot more PC than WVU. It will get interesting. And just maybe, Pastilong will come home with a better fit for what is emerging as a strong program.
from 7 months ago
While I can't speak to Rich Rodriguez's manners, its important to give credit where credit is due.
Rodriguez turned this team into a widely recognized national program. The Mountaineers have won two bowl games in the last three years, and have posted a 32-5 record during this time. He inherited a team on the rise, and took them to that next level.
As Frank points out, Rod brought the spread option offense and the 3-3-5 defense to this team, two schemes that have been hugely sucessful. Can West Virginia still be competitive now that Rodriguez is gone? Perhaps...I personally hope so, because this program is so much fun to watch.
But it seems like quite a stretch to suggest that "the program is better off now." A lot remains to be seen before such a statement can be made with full confidence.
7 months ago
Dear Coach Rod,
Go blow yourself, you money hungry bastard! I just cannot believe that the University of Michigan did not realize your lack of commitment to any job that you ever have had. You are the most disloyal person that has ever called themselves a "Mountaineer".
I honestly was thinking that you would move on this year but, like you said, "Ya'll are stuck with me not matter what." So I thought there was no chance that a WVU alumni, native and past player could ever turn there back on his home state and roots. Boy was I ever wrong, but after hearing your press conference this morning in Ann Arbor I realized just how big a fake to the program that you actually were. I have never seen a coach so happy to leave their team to join another. It looked like you were a kid in a candy store, but the only candy was the WVU players and fans, we were the "suckers".
The worst thing was the way that you addressed US; the fans of the Mountaineers, "you know the ones who supported you through loses and wins." You spoke of us as the "general public" what a low blow, not as if leaving your team without a coach for one of their biggest bowl games in history wasn't enough. You had to take a blow at us too. Not "ONE" time did you refer to the FANS and show your respect towards us as we did for you so many times, but hey we would expect no less from a BACKSTABBING Wolverine like yourself.
As for your career, I wish you the best! You have worked hard to get the chance to coach the University of Michigan.......oh, you know what, "Who am I kidding?" GO FUCK YOURSELF!!
Yours Truly,
A Real Mountaineer!!
7 months ago
Hey, don't paint all of us in Michigan with that ugly shade of Maize and Blue. Many, many of us break out in a rash just at the mention of it.
You have to remember, UofM is a school where people actually wear t-shirts saying "We're not arrogant. We're just better than you" Once you see those you pretty much know the caliber of the people. The bad part is that after UofM has now gone out and poached two of your coaches (and some Asst's too) they will still maintain the "Please...we are THE University of Michigan. We are a 'special' place."
Yeah, right....
Dolly Spartan
from 7 months ago
Hey Dolly Spartan,
We are special! And you know it.
JTM
from Ann Arbor
7 months ago
Let it out man. It's ok to cry. This is hilarious!!!!! I don't understand how you guys are getting all bent out of shape over a coach. It'll be ok. If anything, you should be thanking Coach Rodriguez for completely turning your football program around and putting them on the map. Grow up.
7 months ago
Put us on the map? Rod didn't do that Pat White and Steve Slaton did.
from 7 months ago
Who recruited them?
7 months ago
I don't think I can criticize Rodriguez too much, because I'm from West Virginia, but I came all the way to California for better opportunities for my family. If Rodriguez was a bit older, I could see settling down and staying home. But at this point in his career, opportunities like this don't come often. I am still proud of him and hope he does well.
I think if WVU Football is all about our coach, then we CAN'T claim to be in the same breath as USC, Ohio State, Michigan...teams that have been good no matter who the coach was. If we're really ready, we have to do it without Coach Rod.
And players? Well, if we had delivered and won against Pitt, we would be in the BCS game, Miles would be at Michigan, and we'd have Rod for at least another year.
Now? I hope they play with a real chip on their shoulder. They could get Santa from the Morgantown Mall to coach 'em and they should go smack Oklahoma like rebels without a cause. They'll be fine.
And even with a lackluster recruiting year, we could still win the Big East next year; let's not get TOO crazy now.
A change of pace...it never hurts. Let's GOOOOO Mountaineers
7 months ago
As a Mountaineer Fan, I am extremely disappointed in the fact the Coach Rod not only broke his contract (which apparently these contracts today aren't worth the paper I used to wipe my a$$ this morning, which was rugged after eating spicy thai food last night), but also he left the team hanging just before the biggest game of the year. What does that say about his character both as a coach and a moral person? If I was a parent of a potential collegiate football athlete, I would be very hesitate with allowing my son to play for someone who justifies quitting on his team during the year to pursue another opportunity. After all is said, if Coach Quitter, I mean Rod want to go to Michigan, FINE. Atleast finish out the season for f&ck-sake!!!
7 months ago
Mountaineer Nation we should be grateful to Coach Rod and the University of Michigan...
Grateful to Coach Rod for showing his true colors as weak, unimaginative person who lacks the courage and fortitude to build a program from the ground up. To be great you have to do great things and I think most college football coaches today don't understand that concept. That winning at a program with all the odds stacked in your favor (Michigan) doesn't make you great, but winning a national championship at WVU would make you great, and winning a national championship at Temple would make you immortal.
Grateful to Michigan for taking a coach that choked in every big game except for one (Georgia) off our hands. I would rather root for an 8-4 that lives up to its potential than suffer the annual delusions of granduer inherent in Coach Rod's tenure. Let's get a real coach who throws the ball occasionally on first down and doesn't play a crap defense.
Finally, although I am upset bc we recruited players for his "genius" schemes that actually suck, but happy because we don't have to suffer through a long tenure of a coach in his creative death throes.
May our Eer's make us proud for years to come!
7 months ago
All it takes to be in the same breath as USC, Ohio State and Michigan is a national championship.
West Virginia will do that next year without Rodriquez. While he is getting his a$$ beat by the Buckeyes, Spartans and the Illini.
West Virginians are always known for their resiliance, hard work and integrity.
Unfortunately, those qualities were not in rodriquez. He belongs with that other cartoon rat - Speedy Gonzalez- running away from everything.
We thought Belien was so terrible - we got an even better basketball coach - Hudkins.
We will do the same with football.
Let Michigan take our trash. Both coaches they got always blew the big one
Belein in the NCAA's and Rodriquez in losses to Louisville last year.. Pitt this year.
Thanks Michigan for getting rid of our rats and paying us a few million in the process.
7 months ago
Rich Rodriguez' move to Michigan is a shock to me. As a Michigan rooter, I skeptical of this signing and feel the same way WVU fans feel. Why did he leave a program such as WVU for Michigan? They are desperate in Ann Arbor for a name. Les Miles was the choice, but he took the manly road and is standing by his commitment to LSU. Greg Schiano is doing the same at Rutgers. I thought for sure that Rodriguez would do the same in Morgantown.
I don't like this coaching carousel one bit. In fact, it stinks. Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino et al. They will all end up in hell. Make room for Rich Rodriguez. He just made WVU the new Pitt.
7 months ago
Shame on Rich Rodrequez himself!! He supposedly declared his love and commitment last year after he turned Alabama down and WVU gave him all he wanted. Now, he's abandoned his state and team for Michigan and the money (Don't believe a word he says about it NOT being about the money.) He loses to Pitt and faced a very possible loss to Oklahoma. The captain abandoned ship!! Period. I'll always root for WVU and now, I'll always root for ANY team Michigan opposes. "Coach Rod" deserves no respect. He has shown his true colors --it's not blue and gold -- only a solid bright yellow!! Good riddance!!
7 months ago
Rodriguez has the right to do whatever he likes with his career, but he has shown himself to be a lying sack of crap with all of this "I'll be here as long as they'll have me" bull.
Good riddens.
7 months ago
Welcome to Ann Arbor Rich...you and your family will find the culture and intelligence here to be quite the upgrade from what you are accustomed to, back in lil' ole' Morgantown. To put it in Morgan-speak: You should be tickled to death ;-)
7 months ago
You can buy anything or anyone at the USA church of $$$. Don't worry, our kids are watching and learning. As for this coach and the game... don't you know these games are just to keep the masses busy. When Rome was burning...
7 months ago
I can only assume that you have learned that when a Mountaineer beats you'd better hire one to find out how to win.
7 months ago
Wow. You people act like someone just stole your girlfriend. Grow up. It's a big person's world. You talk about loyalty. How loyal would WVU have been to their home-grown coach if he had gone 3-8 the last 2 seasons? They would have fired him in a heartbeat, with all of you screaming for his head, and you know it. There is no such thing as loyalty in business, and college athletics is BIG BUSINESS. Ask Ted Roof, Chan Gailey, Bill Callahan, Guy Morriss, Dennis Franchione, Jeff Bower, and all the other coaches that have been fired about how loyal their universities were to them. He was offered a better job at a better school, with a better football tradition, a huge step up for him in his life, and HE ACCEPTED THE PROMOTION! You want a coach with no personal goals or aspirations? Good luck finding one that's any good. The only people RR needs to be loyal to are his family and friends, and it sounds like he is. Be thankful for all he and Don Nehlen have done for you, think about where you would be without them, and move on. You'll get a new girlfriend.
7 months ago
Bob's got it. USA church of "Big Buisness". Those are the values we must all strive for... right Bob. Isn't that what you want your kids to learn.
7 months ago
Jay,
Rodriguez is obviously a self centered snake. Be glad he's gone! No TEAM needs that kind of leadership! Nick Saban, Bobby Williams and John L Smith put the Michigan State Spartans in a bind, too, and now we have Mark Dantonio and things are looking up, FINALLY! You'll find the RIGHT coach for WVU, and Rich Rodriguez will be lucky to make it through 3 seasons at U of M before they "can him." He's going to be eaten alive in the Big Ten. He's never had to answer to the "good ole boys" and the arrogant fans at U of M or recruited for a school like U of M before. This ought to be quite amusing. These athletes are smart and when it comes to protectiing their athletic futures, looking at the way he bolted after lying about loving and retiring from WVU they will definitely have reservatuions. This will NOT be in his favor. I predict recruits will be more cautious than ever in selecting a school with a coach who has no integrity or any true bond to the team and the players (Rodriguez and many others in the past few years), and no doubt many of them will remember his choke (or was it a thrown game???) against Pitt! This should bode well for Michigan State for recruiting. GO SPARTANS! GO BUCKEYES! GO BLOW, U of M! Good luck to WVU in finding the RIGHT coach!
7 months ago
I have been a WVU fan for as long as I knew college football existed. I appreciate the good years that Rodriguez gave us, but am glad to see him go. How can you play Pitt for the chance to play in a national title game, have your star QB get hurt and then give the ball SOLELY to the back up QB. The star RB, Slayton touched the ball one time in the second half. Wasn't he mentioned with the Heisman candidates in the beginning of the year? Hasn't he busted 50+ yard TD runs regularly over the last couple of seasoons? Only a moron wouldn't put the game on his shoulders......oh wait.....that is what happened and now we get to say good bye to the moron. He did a great job of building a concept, but Michigan is going to find out the hard way that when it comes to crunch time, good ol Rod is just plain stupid. I am excited to find out who his replacement is going to be now that WVU is seen as a good place to coach. We have several native West Virginians looking to step in and do what Rod would never have been able to do.....take us to the next step. So thank you UofM for being our dumping grounds for coaches we already used up.
John in WV
7 months ago
Everybody is saying we should not be mad...coaches leave all the time....he has to do whats right for his
family.....I would agree with those comments, however he's from W.Va..walked onto W.V.U ...wanted to coach @ W.V.U for the rest of his career and left the team hangin in the wind for their bowl game. That my friends is the reason everybody would lynch him from the goal posts if they got the chance!!!
LET'S GO EER'S!!!!!
Don
7 months ago
Five-year-olds usually only think of themselves and their needs.
Yep Frank and what are you doing.
If he had losing teams for the last 4 years you would have been the first to call for his hide.
It's only because you are losing a shiny coach that you are upset.
Five-year-olds usually only think of themselves and their needs. Join the crowd Frank.
7 months ago
Really, WVU is better off without this kind of person running the team. Let's hope and pray that integrity is more important the next time to the selection committee. As for Michigan, they got what they deserved and will eventually pay a similar price for making a big mistake. What goes around comes around. The quality Michigan fan cannot be real happy with their school and the choice they made. GO MOUNTAINEERS ! GIVE RODRIQUEZ SOMETHING GOOD TO READ ABOUT WHEN HE PICKS UP THE PAPER ON JANUARY 3. On second thought, if it were good news for a Mountaineer, it would be bad news for a Rodriquez.
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