Derek

November 7th, 2011 at 4:42 PM ^

Yet you don't recall the strong defenses he fielded while at West Virginia? Check out the rankings assembled here. (Sorry: Bleacher Report. I know, I know, but they had the goods.)

Besides, offensive-minded coaches have been successful in the SEC. One need look no further than the other coach that is brought up on this board as a candidate for every prominent HC opening: Urban Meyer. Then, of course, there are Steve Spurrier, Gene Chizik, and Bobby Petrino.

Gorgeous Borges

November 7th, 2011 at 8:12 PM ^

This might be off-topic, but why did Rich Rod struggle defensively in 2008? He probably had more talent on that roster than he was used to having at West Virginia, Rich Rod's 2008 defense, which had 8 returning starters, including future NFL guys Brandon Graham and Jonas Mouton, gave up 347 points during the 2008 season, whereas in 2007, the defense gave up 243 points. Was it all just because Shawn Crable, Chris Graham, and Jamar Adams graduated? I don't think the defensive breakdown in 2008 can be attributed to a lack of talent on the field.

I think Rich Rod's ability on defense is majorly in question after his record at Michigan. Right after he got to Michigan, the defense got way worse; right after he left, it's gotten way better. I see comments like "Rich Rod is the best coach out there with the exception of Urban Meyer" and I just don't really see it. Maybe he's one of the best offensive minds out there, but the record of his defenses at Michigan is terrible and cannot simply be explained by lack of talent on the field.

BigBlue02

November 7th, 2011 at 9:04 PM ^

Could be because all of that returning talent didn't give a shit and actively worked against RR.  I am not saying that RR was a good defensive coach, but when your senior leadership is called out by current players after they graduated for giving up and not really caring, that doesn't sound like a good situation to walk into.  Players buying into what the new coach is teaching plays a big role in the makeup of your defense.

Also, the depth sucked ass.

WolvinLA2

November 7th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^

RR would be a good fit at Ole Miss. Mississippi isn't going to win SEC games by out-talenting their opponents, but an RR offense might get it done. He likes recruiting in the south, and a lot of kids from AL, MS, FL, etc who go snubbed by the big boys would love to go play for RR.

ATLWolverine

November 7th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^

My college football knowledge does not extend earlier than 2005; what succesful CFB head coaches have ever used Ole Miss as an effective springboard? I suspect 0 in recent history, so perhaps RR would be better off at a school in an easier conference. UCLA or Arizona really seem like an amazing fit. RR with a Cali recruiting backyard plus his connections in the Southeast would be a bonanza for talent.

BlueintheLou

November 7th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^

BREAKING NEWS: RICH RODRIGUEZ TO COACH EVERY DIVISION I FOOTBALL TEAM WITH A JOB OPENING IN 2012

THIS COULD CAUSE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WHEN UCLA PLAYS ARIZONA IN PAC-12 GAMES. RICH RODRIGUEZ HAS SAID, HOWEVER, "MY STAFF AND I WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OBJECTIVITY AND COACH A FAIR GAME FROM BOTH SIDELINES."

 

WreckingCrew

November 7th, 2011 at 1:52 PM ^

Disclaimer--I haven't read the book yet! Only the excerpts published here. There's just not enough time for pleasure reading before xmas break. I do feel, though, that I have an adequate understanding of how the relevant actors (RR included) are portrayed.

Does anyone else think 3 and Out might hurt RR's chances at a big-time gig? It doesn't seem like Bacon paints RR as a bad guy or even necessarily a bad football coach. It does seem, however, that he shows RR as unready for a high pressure/high exposure position. I would think that's why RR was so pissed about the final product.

It's unclear as to whether AD's across the country would pay attention to a book like this, but you never know. Ole Miss is a definite pressure-cooker environment. Does anyone think the publication of this idea that RR wasn't cut out for the pressure and hostility of a program of this caliber might hurt him?

I certainly hope not.

 

ATLWolverine

November 7th, 2011 at 3:45 PM ^

I really feel like everyone (Brian included) is blowing the "RR reacts badly under presssure" meme out of proportion. Yes, he swears when he loses. Sometimes he throws chairs after a field goal kicker misses and we lose to Toledo. Is that really outside the norm? Perhaps the Groban incident was the only thing that was actually damaging, but nothing else in 3 And Out even made me raise an eyebrow. Though unless I read incorrectly, it was weird that he was screaming "FUCK" in the shower after a game while Dave Brandon was waiting in the locker room for him to get out and discuss his job security.

All 3 and Out tells an AD thinking about RR is that he needs some Belichick PR training: The answer to every question is either "I don't worry about ___, just the games," or "Credit to the ____, they do a great job," or "We're just focused on ___, all that other stuff is just noise," etc. etc.

No humor, no banter, no getting things off your chest in front of the national media. Just bone-dry answers. Let your win record do the talking-- it will in the end anyways.

robpollard

November 7th, 2011 at 2:05 PM ^

Why would he want to go play Alabama and LSU every year in the SEC West?  I know every program has their up's & down's, but it seems real likely that those 2 teams will be elite for at least the next five years, barring a Tressel-like scandal.  Those would v likely be two automatic losses every year.

Beyond them, Arkansas (a team that does well in the SEC sans-defense) is probably the third best team in the whole conference.  Oh, and the defending National champion, Auburn, also is in that division.

I think RR would be better for Arizona (out of the likely BCS jobs opening up if he HAD to take a job and he was offered all of them, hypothetically).  He got Lewan and Roh from there, and the competition, while tough, wouldn't be literally the toughest in college football.

ken725

November 7th, 2011 at 2:36 PM ^

I can see RR having success at his next stop at any school if three things happens.

1.  Hire Casteel

2.  Don't meddle with the defense (I guess that would be if #1 doesn't happen)

3.  Don't hire Tony Gibson

BlueinLansing

November 7th, 2011 at 3:22 PM ^

I think RR is going to have a hard time getting any job at a major because of the M debacle.

 

Where would he get a staff, all of his WVU crew has moved on or is selling insurance (as they should be).  It was pretty clear in his hiring of staff that not many outside of his circle want to work with him or enjoy it.

ATLWolverine

November 7th, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^

Is that clear? Why do you say that? After firing Schafer in 2010 it wasn't a cultural fit; people didn't want to work with RR because he had gone 3-9 in his first year and was being referred openly to by a U of M regent as "Dead Man Walking," among other reasons.

I think RR could get a fine staff, but history does tell us that he should be careful to select the right people for the job...

Yeoman

November 7th, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^

I suspect a bigger reason people didn't want the DC job after Schafer is that they weren't interested in having their job security and future career propects tied to the performance of Tony Gibson and Jay Hopson.

SwordDancer710

November 7th, 2011 at 3:22 PM ^

RR might not want to take a job that has as much drama around it as SEC football, especially at Ole Miss. The drama is what doomed his job here, and I don't think he's going to jump into a similar situation.

bronxblue

November 7th, 2011 at 3:31 PM ^

Give RR a good DC and he'd be a tough out for any team in the SEC.  He's a good coach, and with that talent from Nutt he should be able to win quickly.  Plus, the Ole Miss crowd seems more accepting of outsiders than RR, if for no other reason than the team has consistently struggled to stay competitive.

LSAClassOf2000

November 7th, 2011 at 5:07 PM ^

I actually think that might be a good fit for him. It's close to a talent base he knows and I see him as adequate in the SEC. I wonder, however, if he wouldn't prefer a quieter corner of the world to make his re-entry though - the SEC is like "Friday Night Lights" except at college and sometimes on Thursday or Saturday. 

panthers5

November 7th, 2011 at 6:20 PM ^

IF Rich Rod learned anything from his experience at Michigan it's that he needs to fit the culture. UCLA would be an awful fit for him. Another top academic institution with an alumni base that is as conceded as Michigans. No way that would be a good fit for him.

He would fit right in at Mississippi. The people in Mississippi are as uneducated as his fan base in West Virginia. Sorry I hate WVU had to take the shot.

I really do believe he will end up in the ACC.

EJG

November 7th, 2011 at 7:42 PM ^

RR is not a "great" coach.  He is an excellent offensive mind; however, he is very flawed as a coach.  He continually showed poor judgement in Ann Arbor, including coach selection, poor delegation, and foot in mouth disease.  That said, I really hope he does well in his next job because I believe he is a good guy who made some mistakes. And, I loves me a good comeback story.

goblue20111

November 7th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^

Maybe he wants to collect a mid to upper 6 figure salary (maybe even 7?) doing a TV gig? Is there any indication or comments by RR that he wants to step back into coaching? I honestly don't know so if someone could point me in that direction (if it exists) it'd be appreciated. 

Look Up_See Blue

November 7th, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^

RR may not bring Ole Miss championships if he coached there but I can promise you he would get the support from administration/alumns unlike he did at Michigan.  He was set up to fail from day 1.