Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez has won big wherever he has gone. At least everywhere except Michigan that is, where he was considered a bad fit during a three-year run from 2008 through 2010 in which his offensive brilliance was undermined by pitiful defenses and enemies within the program.
But as time goes on, it is now becoming more apparent that the problem may not have been Rodriguez.
Rich Rod Redemption
Rodriguez has redeemed himself and his coaching reputation at Arizona where in his third year he has led the Wildcats to a 10-2 record and the Pac 12 South Division title and a berth in Friday night’s Pac 12 Championship Game against Oregon, which can be seen on FOX stating at 9 PM ET.
Fits Like a Hand in a Glove
Unlike his days at Michigan in which many insiders worked to undermine him from day one. Rodriguez has found the warmth of the Tucson desert to be a perfect remedy for his past misery. The culture of Arizona is far more relaxed and forgiving when it comes to football as it is primarily a basketball first school.
The Wildcat faithful are so desperate for football success that they are grateful for any level of performance that exceeds what has been an era of mediocrity in which AU went to bowls just three times between 1999 and 2001 before Rodriguez arrived. Arizona will bowl for the third consecutive season since Rodriguez arrived and has posted double digit wins for the first time since 1998 and for just the third time in their history.
Mastermind of the Spread
Rodriguez has the well-earned reputation of being the Godfather of the spread offense dating back to his days as a small college coach. He led West Virginia to three consecutive 11 win seasons, a level they have not been close to reaching since his departure in 2007. His teams have always had an exciting flair to their play and have never had a problem lighting up the scoreboard. Rodriguez has schooled many other coaches throughout the nation on the fine points of the spread.
But during his days at Michigan the spread offense was seen as an assault on the tradition of running off tackle plays out of the Power I formation and was considered too exotic and foreign for a fan base that was used to a “three yards and a cloud of dust” offense.
Michigan’s refusal to pony up and pay long-time Rodriguez defensive coordinator and ally Jeff Casteel a competitive salary also doomed Rich Rod while in Ann Arbor. Desperate and humbled, Arizona had no such hesitation and wrote the check for Casteel, who has built a bend but don’t break 3-3-5 stack defense that is just good enough to complement the lethal Wildcat offense.
Wisdom of Solomon
Perhaps the ultimate argument for Rodriguez’s success is Arizona’s freshman quarterback Anu Solomon. In his first year under center Solomon has a 134.0 QB rating with a 27-7 TD-to-INT ratio. Solomon displayed cool under fire in a season making upset win at Oregon and in the Wildcats Territorial Cup win over Arizona State which clinched the Pac 12 South Division title. The freshman’s polish and poise is a direct reflection of Rodriguez outstanding leadership and brilliance at drawing up an offense that a freshman can run effectively.
Misunderstood
Many Michigan followers think of the spread offense as chucking he ball all over the field with dink and dunk passes. The opposite is in fact true. The spread is one of the most effective way to run the ball in today’s game. Running back Nick Wilson has proven to be an excellent complement to Solomon with 1263 yards rushing and 6.2 yards per attempt with 15 TD’s.
Living Well the Best Revenge
Michigan is home for the holidays with a 5-7 record and a program in free fall. Rich Rod, on the other hand, has the opportunity to lead Arizona to their first ever Pac 12 title.
Rodriguez has proven to be an elite college football coach at the highest national level. It’s safe to say that Rich Rod has been redeemed.
