I'll let Pete, John, and our expert crew of Bama fans, critics and West Virginia fans dissect this. But, it's official.
University of Alabama officials and West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez have reached an agreement in principle for Rodriguez to become the Crimson Tide's next head football coach, two sources close to the search told The Birmingham News tonight.So after a whirlwind coaching search that saw nearly every big name coach in consideration for the job, Alabama found its man.
Personally I'll call this a good save, as most of the prominent coaches mentioned balked at the opportunity. Rodriguez was literally the last available first-rate coach before Alabama would have had to refine its search and start trolling fallback candidates like Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey. They've done well here, although West Virginia has to be devastated.
If it's any consolation, Steve Slaton and Pat White will return for their junior seasons in 2007. The next coach will inherit a ready-built team and the tough coaching job won't have to really begin until his second season.
As for compensation:
Sources close to the search said Rodriguez will make over $2 million per year with incentives and will have one of the highest-paid coaching staffs in the Southeastern Conference.I was hearing the next coach could net upwards of $3 million given Alabama's stature and expectations but Rodriguez may just be a downright bargain all things considered.
One thing we already know about him: he can beat Georgia.
More to come later, so be sure and check the Alabama and West Virginia FanHouses tomorrow.
UPDATE: I'm... Ron Burgandy?!
The
Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Hates to smack a loser in the face, but a hoopie has called you out , son you suck!
We got em' We got em' We got em'
ROLL TIDE
We have all of the tools to win the BCS in two years with the stadium, players, and $$$$
IVE SAID ALL ALONG IT WAS HIM,IT WAS LIKE WAVING A DONUT IN FRONT OF A COP.I THINK HE WILL DO GOOD HERE IF NOT WILL BE GONE IN 3 IF WE DONT BEAT AUBURN,AND HE KNOWS THIS.
Does anyone really believe that Alabama football is still relevant anymore? They have been a second tier football program for over 20 years who might have one good year every decade or so. The college football landscape is all about the USC, Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame, etc. Heck, even Louisville is a better program than Alabama.
"He will do good here" I trust the writer is not a graduate of Alabama. If so, did he/she ever take english 1-2 ?
FAT Phil's buddies at the NCAA almost destroyed
the program. Shula had zero disciplinary skills.
WERE BACK! ROLL TIDE
Greg- Apparently that 1992 National Championship was a mirage(meaning of this word could be located in a dictionary if you own one). The tradition is what makes the program great. Two ten-win seasons in the last five years. Cannot even count how many NFL stars that are connected to this program. Recognize the greatness and shut-up!!!
ABSOLUTE "GREAT NEWS" FOR THOSE OF US WHO HATE WEST VIRGINIA FOOTBALL. THIS COULD, AND WE HOPE IT WILL BRING THIS PROGRAM TO IT'S KNEES NEXT YEAR AND FOR YEARS TO COME. THIS IS A PROGRAM WITH SOME "ETHICS" ISSUES ON RECRUITING WHICH WE HOPE WILL BE MADE PUBLIC SOON..LETS SEE WHO WILL BE NEXT TO COACH WVU, BILL COWER, CHUCK AMATO, MIKE SHULA, WALT HARRIS, LARRY COKER?????
............................................................................YEP.
The rotation of outstanding coaches continues at Alabama. Destroy a college football tradition 101. Its taken 25 years but the program at Alabama has been significantly damaged. The better question is when will we get a new president, better fans, a less "for sale" athletics program, less meddlesome board, and perhaps athletics director. If West Virginia has coming ethics issues we need to fire President Witt immediately and Mal Moore - if not sooner. A side issue is whether or not Rich Rod will still be at Alabama when his contracts time limit ends.
FAMOUS LAST QUOTES BY RICH RODRIGUES:
Rodriguez, who is 49-24 in six seasons at West Virginia, said last week that he planned on being at WVU the remainder of his career if theyll have me." He is a West Virginia alumnus and a former Mountaineer football player.
SO MUCH FOR LOYALTY
What ever happened to your word meaning something? Rich just said last week he was coaching at WVU the rest of his career then this happens!! He just signed a 7 year contract in June for god sake. I played with Rich and I for one feel this is a black day for WVU football and the University itself! He did a tremendous job with the program and im sure will do a great job at Alabama...or at least until Notre Dame or USC come calling... what a sell out!!
I'M GLAD WE FINALLY WENT OUTSIDE THE "ALABAMA" FAMILY AND FOUND A COACH. IT WAS ALWAYS DIFFICULT FOR ONE OF COACH BRYANT'S "BOYS" TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS. EVEN HIS HAND-PICKED CHOICE, RAY PERKINS, COULD NOT DELIVER. GOOD THINGS ARE ON THE HORIZON FOR THE TIDE. RICH RODRIGUES IS A GREAT SELECTION TO LEAD ALABAMA FOOTBALL BACK TO A STORIED TRADITION. ROLL TIDE!
MONEY TALKS !!!!! Coach Rod now has the talent and the resources to play for his FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. IT IS ALL ABOUT TRADITION ROLL TIDE ROLL
He must be tired of coaching. He'll take Alabama's money and in three years he'll retire to Maui
GEE, OTHER THAN DON NEHLEN COACHES AT WVU DON'T STAY TO LONG ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING LIST........
List of West Virginia University head football coaches
# Name Term
1 Frederick Lincoln Emory 1891
2 F. William "John" Rane 18931894
3 Harry McCrory 1895
4 Thomas G. "Doggy" Trenchard 1896
5 George R. Krebs 1897
6 Harry M. Anderson 1898
7 Louis Yeager 1899
8 Dr. John E. Hill 1900
9 Louis Yeager 19011902
10 Harry E. Trout 1903
11 Anthony Chez 1904
12 Carl S. Forkum 19051906
13 Clarence W. Russell 1907
14 C.A. Leuder 19081911
15 William P. Edmunds 1912
16 Edwin R. Sweetland 1913
17 Sol S. Metzger 19141915
18 Mont H. McIntire 19161920
19 Clarence W. "Doc" Spears 19211924
20 Ira Errett "Rodg" Rogers 19251930
21 Greasy Neale 19311933
22 Charles C. "Trusty" Tallman 19341936
23 Marshall "Little Sleepy" Glenn 19371939
24 William F. "Bill" Kern 19401942
25 Ira Errett "Rodg" Rogers 19431945
26 William F. "Bill" Kern 19461947
27 Dudley S. "Dud" DeGroot 19481949
28 Art "Pappy" Lewis 19501959
29 Gene Corum 19601965
30 Jim Carlen 19661969
31 Bobby Bowden 19701975
32 Frank Cignetti 19761979
33 Don Nehlen 19802000
34 Rich Rodriguez 20012006
Well the haters are coming out...
Greg... College football is cyclical... and if history proves right, the powers will always rise again. Oklahoma and USC weren't all that "relevant" 10 years ago either... but they are back in full swing. What are your colors mate? My first guess is barn or ut... but you kinda sound like a gator (gator fans think football started when SOS started coaching).
On Rod... Good hire I think... eh, I am not overly excited but I will support for sure. Jury is out til he wins though. I know the team will be tough.
I think Coach Rodriguez should be lucky that he dont have anymore home games with WVU. I am a huge WVU fan that lives in the heart of WVU, and this is a good thing for us. The only thing WVU is going to miss is his recurrting factor. But he is worthless. I hate people that lie and dont stand by there word. So goodbye Coach "Lier" Rodriguez and dont ever come back. I hope Alabama loses every game until Rodriguez is fired. Lets go WVU!!!!
Well, I hope Rodriquez likes the dirty tactics of Alabama football. So what if they haven't beat Auburn for the last 5 games. POOR BABIES!!!! My heart BLEEDS for them....NOT!!!!!! They are a big bunch of CRY BABIES, always whimpering if they lose a game, who want to live in the PAST when Bear Bryant was their "dream" coach...It's no wonder they get NCAA probation as dirty as they run their football program...I hope they STILL can't do well because evil never wins!!!!!!
BAMA Football much like Penn State and Notre Dame...lots of tradition but currently not BCS worthy...hopefully RR hire will renew the fires like Weis has done at ND