Rich Rodriguez: If Michigan Fires Him, Where Should He Coach in 2011?
Rich Rodriguez is still the head coach at Michigan...at least for now.
After three years in Ann Arbor, it might be time for the Wolverines and Rodriguez to part ways.
He's been disappointing from start to finish, compiling a 15-21 record (6-18 in the Big Ten) and failing to beat conference rivals Michigan State and Ohio State during his tenure.
Rodriguez as Michigan's head coach was an experiment. And it's failed miserably.
In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get the ax prior to bowl season after he turned one of college football's most storied programs into just another mediocre Big Ten team.
But if--no, when--Rodriguez gets canned, he'll still have plenty of suitors who could benefit from his services?
So where will he end up coaching in 2011 when Michigan kicks him to the curb?
Let's take a look.
10. Tulane
1 of 10
Bob "Holy" Toledo hasn't been fired by Tulane yet, but just wait--it's going to happen.
The Green Wave struggled to a 4-8 finish and have been about exciting as watching the grass grow.
Taking over for Toledo would obviously be about seven steps down the ladder for Rich Rodriguez, but he does have some ties to the school.
Rodriguez served as Tulane's offensive coordinator when the Green Wave finished 12-0 and had a ton of success running the spread offense with Shaun King at the helm.
Tulane probably isn't willing to spend the money to get Rodriguez, and Rodriguez's pride would probably prevent him from taking the job even if they were.
But this is college football. You never know.
9. LSU
2 of 10
Forget players transferring to different schools. How about head coaches swapping spots?
I know this is the type of stuff that happens in movies rather than real life, but work with me here.
Les Miles has been linked to the Colorado opening recently and the Michigan job for what seems like forever.
LSU fans have an intense love-hate relationship with the guy, but I'm not sure we would see any tears shed if he left the Tigers for either one of those jobs.
So just picture the irony if Les Miles ended up at Michigan (despite those constant denials) and Rich Rodriguez found his way to Baton Rouge.
The chances are pretty slim, but it's fun to think about nonetheless.
Plus, LSU needs to do something with its offense to make use of all of those four and five-star recruits it has.
8. Washington State
3 of 10
I don't know about you, but I'm thinking that Washington State probably wants to take a mulligan on its head coaching position right about now.
Paul Wulff, who's won all of five games in three seasons, has to go.
And he has to be replaced by a coach who can get something, anything, done on the offensive side of the ball.
Someone like Rich Rodriguez.
During the 2010 season, the Cougars ranked 117th in rushing yards and 109th in points scored at just 18.8 per game.
That is awful.
Washington State has to make a change before the school becomes completely irrelevant.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Clemson
4 of 10
Dabo Swinney took over Clemson midway through the 2008 season, and he had some nice initial success.
He secured himself a five-year contract and led the Tigers to a 9-5 record and a bowl victory in his first full season as head coach.
But the 2010 campaign has been a bit up and down, as Clemson has struggled to a 6-6 record.
Swinney, known as a top-notch recruiter, has brought in some great recruiting classes, but it hasn't translated to great success this season.
I personally think Swinney should be given more time, but there are some rumors--however unfounded they may be--that have Rich Rodriguez returning to Clemson, where he served as on offensive coordinator from 1999-2000.
There would be a better chance of him returning to that position in my opinion, but I guess we shall see.
Rodriguez could certainly provide a lift to a team that struggles to put points on the board.
6. Indiana
5 of 10
Indiana just gave head coach Bill Lynch the pink slip after the Hoosiers lost five of their last six and seven of their last nine games.
Why'd they play so badly down the stretch?
Well, Indiana couldn't run the ball (ranked 112th in the nation) or stop anyone from scoring (103rd in points allowed).
Enter Rich Rodriguez.
This might be a nice fit for Rodriguez, who wouldn't have to deal with the expectations that come along with some of the other schools on this list and would be given some type to turn that program around.
If he turned the Hoosiers into an offensive juggernaut, kudos to him.
If not, Indiana is still basketball territory.
I doubt Hoosiers fans would have their hearts broken if it took Rodriguez a few years to install his spread offense there.
5. Minnesota
6 of 10
Minnesota's Tim Brewster was sent packing after the Golden Gophers started the season with a 1-6 record.
But Minnesota limped to a 3-9 record, and it looks like they'll be looking out-of-house for the school's next coach.
The Golden Gophers have problems all over the place, particularly on offense where they ranked 85th in rushing yards and 89th in points scored.
Minnesota's offense doesn't just need a few tweaks. What the Golden Gophers need is a total offensive makeover
Rich Rodriguez's spread offense would obviously take some time to install there, but this team is already going nowhere fast.
He might be worth a shot.
4. Vanderbilt
7 of 10
The Robbie Caldwell era at Vanderbilt sure didn't last long.
I mean, the guy was the head coach of the Commodores for roughly six months before re-signing after the team's final regular season came.
Now the school is looking for it's third head coach in less than a year.
So why not Rich Rodriguez?
Vanderbilt is not as bad of an opportunity as you might think.
The Commodores have produced some quality NFL Players in recent years--like Chris Williams, Earl Bennett and Jay Cutler--and they play in the nation's top conference, the SEC.
Vanderbilt might not be a sexy pick for Rodriguez, but it's one that makes sense for a school that'll be looking to make a big splash in its coaching search and a coach looking for a job in a major conference.
3. Colorado
8 of 10
Anyone else think that Dan Hawkins regrets ever leaving Boise State?
After getting bounced by Colorado, I know it can't just be me.
Anyway, the Buffaloes will need a new head honcho to take over for next season, and whoever that guy is has a lot of work to do.
Colorado has faded out of contention in the Big 12, losing six of their last eight games and falling to 5-7 (2-6 in Big 12 play) on the season.
And that's had a lot to do with the Buffaloes' terrible offense, which ranks 83rd in rushing yards and 84th in points scored.
Rich Rodriguez would certainly up those numbers with his spread attack and would rejuvenate a stale recruiting landscape at Colorado.
After all, it can't get much worse for the Buffaloes.
2. UCLA
9 of 10
When your marquee win on the season comes against a bad Texas Team, you're in trouble.
I'm talking to you, Rick Neuheisel.
UCLA is nearing joke-status in the Pac-10, struggling on its way to a 4-7 record (2-6 in the Pac-10) so far this season.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Neuheisel get ousted as head coach of the Bruins, who will undoubtedly be looking to hire a big name coach.
You've got Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, Lane Kiffin at USC, Steve Sarkisian at Washington and Chip Kelly at Oregon, just to name a few.
UCLA needs someone who can draw recruits like those coaches I mentioned can.
Rich Rodriguez has the name recognition and the track record (at West Virginia at least) to be that guy.
1. Miami
10 of 10
It wasn't all that long ago when Miami was one of the most feared schools in the nation.
The Hurricanes were stacked with playmakers like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Vilma and Sean Taylor on defense and studs like Jeremy Shockey, Edgerrin James, Kellen Winslow and Andre Johnson on offense.
Now? The defense is there, but the offense struggles mightily.
Miami lost its three toughest games this year, plus another two that they had no business losing.
And the Hurricanes lost those games because its anemic offense puts up just 27.1 points per game.
Though Jacory Harris is no Pat White or Denard Robinson, Rodriguez's offensive philosophy could certainly help a Miami team that has failed to produce on that side of the ball in recent years.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
