Breaking News: Michigan Hires Rodriguez

by The Beast

According to ESPN and the Associated Press, the University of Michigan has hired West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez as its next football coach. The Wolverines intend to introduce Rodriguez at a news conference tomorrow morning at the Junge Family Champions Center on campus.

In an e-mail to the Associated Press, Michigan athletic director Bill Martin said, "I am thrilled to have Rich Rodriguez as Michigan's new coach. Rich brings an exciting brand of football to Michigan Stadium. We welcome the entire Rodriguez family to Ann Arbor."

Rodriguez will take over the Michigan program from Lloyd Carr, who spent thirteen seasons in Ann Arbor and announced his retirement November 19th. Carr plans to coach the Wolverines in the Capital One Bowl on January 1st against ninth ranked Florida.

Rodriguez compiled a 60-26 record after seven seasons at West Virginia. This season he led the Mountaineers (10-2) to their second Big East title in the past three seasons. While coaching All-Americans Pat White and Steve Slaton, Rodriguez and the Mountaineers appeared in three major bowl games, 2006 Sugar Bowl, 2007 Gator Bowl, and the 2008 Fiesta Bowl.

ChachiOSUDraft Pick

694 days ago

Score 1

I think Rodriguez was a moron to take this job. At WV he was getting good talent, had a fan base that loved him, had a conference he could easily win every year and expectations weren't sky high. Hey Rich, 9-3 at Michigan is not the same as 9-3 at West Virginia! Just wait, you'll see.

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The BeastAAA-er

694 days ago

Score 0

I wouldn't call it a moronic move though. He had taken West Virginia about as far as WV could go. Now, head is headed for a new challenge Michigan. As far as expectations, they aren't too high. Carr never won a BCS title and had a bunch of 10-3 and 9-4 seasons in Ann Arbor so its not like Michigan will ax him after a few 9-3 seasons.

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ChachiOSUDraft Pick

694 days ago

Score 0

Yeah, but Lloyd had those seasons after winning a National Championship in '97. Also, in '05 they were calling for his head after they went 7-5 and even going into this season there was rampant speculation that they wanted him gone.

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The BeastAAA-er

694 days ago

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Compared to places like Alabama and Ole Miss, Michigan isn't that bad. Those schools fire coaches after 7-5 seasons just years after the coach went 10-3 or aomsething.

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HappyskinnyAll-American

694 days ago

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I don't know how you can say he took WV as far as they can go. They were 1 game away from being in the National Championship game. 9 times out of 10 WV wins that game against Pitt.

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MsbcourtJV Squad

693 days ago

Score 0

I don't think Rodriguez is a moron for taking the job. He's just like 99.9% of college football coaches...$ signs overshadow the "family" they build over however many years. He's a WVU alum! Boo RR, boo!!

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