RichRod Beats USC!!

Submitted by Raback Omaba on
Gotta give him props! Great job RR!

michgoblue

October 27th, 2012 at 7:59 PM ^

Rich is doing great work up there. As many on this board know, I am happy that he is gone, but I believe that if given the right fit, with Casteel running the D, rich can have massive success at Arizona. Their offense looked seriously impressive against a stacked USC team.



Can't help but wonder what would have happened if rich had a huge win like that drink his first year at Michigan. That, coupled with a few avoided silly missteps could have paved the way for some scary success.



Oh well, happy with how it turned out for us, despite the three year of hell.



Good luck rich.

ommeethatsees

October 28th, 2012 at 8:21 AM ^

The perfect situation would have been to have RichRod coach the O and Mattison coach the D.  Damn you Rich for having absolutely no talent in identifying defensive OC's. 

Rodriguez is an offensive genius, maybe the best in the college game, and I am not the least bit surprised how he has turned the Arizona program around.  Reunited with Casteel I believe that program is in it for the long haul and they will continue to be a force in the Pac10.  Even with their built-in handicap in recruiting RichRod has proven he doesn't need top recruits to get his offense rolling.

As for us I am fearful that we may become the opposite of what we saw the last few years.  An absolutely anemic offense against better defenses.  I don't even hold out much hope until Morris is at least a sophomore and we find some decent talent at WR. 

BlueGoM

October 27th, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^

He has a d-coordinator who knows how to run the 3-3-5.

Also I'm assuming he hasn't pissed off 3/4 the former players, coaches, and athletic department employees;  so he's not being undermined.

Unless there's a Rosenberg clone at the Tuscon Free Press, he's going to do well at Arizona.

 

 

BursleysFinest

October 27th, 2012 at 8:03 PM ^

Nice job RR...I really wish the "RichRod was horrible and never did anything right" stuff would end...he was/is a good coach and for a lot of reasons (some his own, some UofM's) it didn't work, we ended up with a great fit with Brady Hoke and it looks like Az is working out for him, all is well 

Jasper

October 27th, 2012 at 8:13 PM ^

I think UMich is better off without him and vice versa. He appears to be in a better place for his overall style. After what happened from '08 to '10, then '11, I'll be more open to people who suggest that cultural fit is really important for a coach.

Arizona got smoked 49-0 by Oregon, but they've been in every other game (including -- d'oh -- UToledo, which worked out OK in *Tucson*) until the very end.

It will be interesting to see how he does with a new (and probably young) QB next year.

Humen

October 27th, 2012 at 8:16 PM ^

RR's success in his first year is definitely impressive. Plus, he put on a masterclass display of angry facial expressions today. Great cinema. 

I think that Matt Scott (Arizona QB) is an excellent decision maker. Other than Oregon, Arizona has competed with everyone (well, in the 3rd quarter it was 0-13 Oregon). Most fans were predicting 3-9 this year. 

Coldwater

October 27th, 2012 at 8:33 PM ^

RR has to be feeling really good right about now. He's is a good situation. He doesn't have to worry about things like "tradition" or "expectations"



He's just out in the desert running a spread option offense and living it up. And lovely Rita can

keep that year round tan

DonAZ

October 27th, 2012 at 11:44 PM ^

Those Arizona fans that were present.  Did you see the stands?  Lots of empty seats.  For USC.  Perhaps the biggest home game of the season.

Arizona is a basketball school.  The football enthusiasm is tepid at best.

I live in Tucson.  I have at least *some* basis of knowledge to say that.

Wolfman

October 28th, 2012 at 3:06 AM ^

To be honest, yes Az, as a sport's school become prominent in bb, but only after Lute was hired. Prior to that, Arizona wasn't really known for any specific sport.

He has done a great job this year with what amounts to a MAC level roster,with only about three blue chippers per year. That is changing fast. He has already nabbed one of the best dual threat qbs in the nation and with his choice at DC, AZ's stadium will be filled for every Saturday home game within the next three years. You have a lot to look forward to.

Danwillhor

October 28th, 2012 at 5:45 AM ^

This. Best situation he could have landed. A school that will give him time and be patient. A school that wont put him under a microscope and question his every motive. A school that wont have half the AD working against him from day 1. A school that will pay an extra 100k to get the defensive guy he absolutely begs for and says he needs. He will do well in Arizona.
Oddly, always said he ran "Spread 1.0" here in a baffled tone when guys like Kelly (both) learned the offense from him and ran "Spread 4.0". Maybe says something about some people? 8 games at Zona and he looks like the WV RR again. Something I never saw here.

NateVolk

October 27th, 2012 at 8:40 PM ^

As a USC follower who never misses a game, that was one of the 2 worst games USC has played since Paul Hackett was put out of his misery after 2000. The other being the 2009 loss to Stanford at home where Harbaugh ran it up on Carroll.  Taking nothing away from Arizona, but their defensive line literally got no push for 90% of the plays.  

For whatever reason, USC piled up unforced turnovers and double digit penalties at an alarming rate.

Arizona was actually pretty awful too, but they have a quarterback that can chuck it and they hit a couple big plays.  Arizona was doing a lot of the same bonehead penalties and weak fundamentals in areas not pertaining to his offense we all cursed when he was here at Michigan.  On the game coaching front, he almost really cost them by getting greedy going for an unnecessary 2 point conversion in the 3rd quarter. Plus he can't resist blowing up over and over again right in player's faces. The same stuff we rag on Brian Kelly for all the time. it looks just as bad and childish when he does it.

No denying that Rich is doing a pretty good job down there but he inherited a very talented quarterback and running back with experience tailor made for his system. I'll bet they take a step back when their 5th year quarterback leaves after the season. Let's see him coach some people up in the next couple years and see if we look at him with the same reverence. 

cbuswolverine

October 27th, 2012 at 11:03 PM ^

They went 4-8 last year and returned eleven starters.  They've installed a new system on both sides of the ball.  They're undersized and they lack speed and depth all over the place.  Their scholarship numbers are down.  Still, they're 5-3 and have been in every game they've played minus the second half versus Oregon.  Maybe you should look at him with at least a little reverence right now.

qbyrd

October 27th, 2012 at 9:13 PM ^

Rock on R.R.  I hope he has huge success in the PAC.  Keep winning and start beating the power houses of the PAC consistantly and that will most defentely help with recruiting on UM part.