Rich Rodriguez Fired: 10 Best Fits for the Former Wolverines Coach

Michigan has divorced Rich Rod. They are keeping the kids, but Rodriguez gets to keep all of his intellectual properties. The question is: What is that worth for Rich Rodriguez? It was just three seasons ago that Rodriquez was on of the hottest names in coaching. 

That's life in the coaching world. With a 15-22 record, an embarrassing 52-14 Gator Bowl loss to Mississippi State and a few questionable comments and rules violations now on his resume, Rodriguez's star is diminished.

Despite all of this, there is no doubt he will be roaming the sidelines again next year. Here are 10 likely destinations for Rich Rod.

No. 10: Washington State University

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Paul Wulff of the Washington State Cougars paces the sidelines during the game against the Washington Huskies on November 28, 2009 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Cougars 30-0. (Photo by

Paul Wulff has had a dismal run at WSU. They are one season removed from a winless outing. They showed improvement as the season went on, and he received word from the university that he would return.

It would reflect badly on the University if they fired Wulff after giving him a vote of confidence, but Rich Rod would be a big hire for a University that struggles with relevancy and recruiting.

No. 9: Nebraska

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Bo Pelini of the Nebraska Cornhuskers leads his team against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Sooners beat the Cornhuskers 23-20. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty

I have not heard of any rumors that Bo Pelini's job is in jeopardy. However, after Nebraska's sluggish finish and an embarrassing and thorough loss to the University of Washington in the Holiday Bowl, it is reasonable to assume that Nebraska is entertaining the idea of making a change.

Rodriguez's spread offense would fit in with the players Nebraska currently has, and he would certainly shake up a high-profile program that crumbled at the end of the season.

No. 8: UCLA Offensive Coordinator

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Offensive Coordinatorm Norm Chow of the UCLA Bruins watches warm ups before the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl on September 13, 2008 in Pasadena, California. The Wildcats defeated the Brui

Offensive Coordinator would be a step back for Rodriguez, but this particular OC job would only be a slight step back. UCLA would pay him well and offer him the chance to, once again, have his star shining brightly.

UCLAs offense has struggled under Rick Neuheisal and his well paid staff. Neuheisal will be looking for a job himself if the fortunes of his team do not reverse. Rodriguez could give the UCLA offense the jolt it deserves while giving him his chance to get a lot of the credit in the bright lights of LA.

No. 7: Nevada

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Nevada Reno Wolf Pack head coach Chris Ault watches his players take on the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Chris Ault is in the position that Rich Rodriguez was three seasons ago. He is a sought after commodity. While he has not voiced any intention of leaving, he may find an opportunity too great to pass.

If this happens, Nevada will be looking to do something to keep the momentum going. Rich Rod would give them the name power and system to help them capitalize on their success in the recruiting season. 

No. 6: Florida Athletic University

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NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Howard Schnellenberger of the Florida Atlantic University Owls calls a play against the Memphis University Tigers in the New Orleans Bowl on December 21, 2007 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Schellenberger has had an amazing coaching career, but he certainly has begun to show signs that his grasp on the game is slipping. He is still currently employed and there are no rumblings of change, but it certainly is not beyond the realm of possibility.

This job would mean a big decrease in pay and profile for Rich Rod, but it would give him a low risk/high reward opportunity while he attempted to once again raise his value.

No. 5: Texas A&M

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Mike Sherman of the Texas A&M Aggies leads his team against the Colorado Buffaloes during NCAA college football action at Folsom Field on November 7, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Texas A&M 35-34. (Ph

Mike Sherman has recently been linked to the Cleveland Browns. He has worked as Mike Holmgren's Offensive Coordinator in the past and he might be tempted to again. That's assuming Holmgren names himself the next Browns' coach. If he doesn't, chances are Sherman would be a possible Head Coach candidate. 

A&M would have to undergo a change in offensive philosophies with Rodriguez, but it would give them a big name in the recruiting battlefield that is the state of Texas. I imagine Rodriguez would take this job in a heartbeat.

No. 4: Pitt

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 16: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach, Mike Haywood, speaks during a press conference on December 16, 2010 at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo

Pitt is looking to make their second coaching hire in two months. They will be anxious to put the brief and disastrous Mike Haywood era behind them by making a splash with their next coaching hire.

The hiring of Rich Rod would immediately place the spotlight of Pitt back in the future and away from their recent past. It would give Rodriguez a chance to rebuild in program in a major conference.

No. 3: UAB

Neil Callaway is an underwhelming 15-33 in his four seasons as UABs head football coach. He still has a job, but likely wouldn't if the University could land someone of Rodriguez's caliber.

While being a step back for Rodriguez, it is another high reward/low risk moves that could give him the chance to build up a low profile program while rebuilding his reputation.

No. 2: Ole Miss

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Houston Nutt of the Ole Miss Rebels against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Houston Nutt is still the Head Coach of Ole Miss, but there are rumors of discontent on both sides of this relationship. There is a good chance that Nutt will be looking at other coaching opportunities and that Ole Miss may hasten his search by replacing him.

Ole Miss has the players to slide right into Rich Rod's system. Ole Miss would provide Rich Rod a slight step back in profile, but give him the conference and name power to prove he can be a successful major college football coach.

No. 1: Uconn

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EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 27: Fans cheer on the Connecticut Huskies as they face the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 27, 2010 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the Bearcats 38-17. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Randy Edsall recently left the young UConn football program to take over the University of Maryland's football team. UConn is hungry to prove they are a player in college football, and they have recently been linked to former Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini.

It is obvious that Uconn wants to bring in a name coach. Someone that can lead their program to prominence. Look for Uconn to ask Rich Rodriguez to replicate his Big East success at West Virginia for the blue and white Huskies.

Rich Rod knows the conference and the recruiting hot-spots. This could be a match made in...well, that last part is to be determined, but a could definitely be a match made.