October 30, 2006
UNC job: Rodriguez interested, Kragthorpe not?
West Virginia Head Coach Rich Rodriguez indicated that he could be open to leaving WVU, perhaps for North Carolina or another destination.
"Anytime any coaches on our staff or myself get mentioned [for a job], it's very flattering," Rodriguez said. "It's not something I've ever viewed as a distraction."I've always said [West Virginia] is a great place to coach. You take this job as if it's the last job you'll ever have, and I think I've always taken that approach and I'm taking it now.
"I don't think you ever say never to something, particularly right now."
However, Rodriguez said those sort of decisions are not made in the middle of a season.
"I'm focused on what we're doing right now in our season," he said. "After the season I'm sure I'll sit down with our people here and discuss, with my family, if anything is interesting at that point.
"But right now I'm worried about Louisville. I'm not worried about anything else."
To me, the concept of Rodriguez leaving West Virginia to take the North Carolina job is... flabbergasting. It's just totally beyond belief. That said, it's clear that Rodriguez is positioning himself for... something beyond WVU. Wow. (Is this going to give more fire to the Rodriguez to FSU rumors??)
Another coach who has been linked to the UNC job, Steve Kragthorpe of Tulsa, indicated that he's not interested in taking the Tarheels position.
Kragthorpe read a statement Monday at his weekly media conference explaining that he is not interested in coaching North Carolina and wants to remain at Tulsa. Kragthorpe, 28-8 in four seasons at Tulsa, said on Monday’s Conference USA coaches’ teleconference that North Carolina is a great job and Chapel Hill is a great place to live.“It’s just not for Steve Kragthorpe,” he said.
Comments:
Travis said:
posted on October 31, 2006 9:42 AM — 68.115.235.69 — link — abuse?
To all who say no way...Keep in mind that in this world today, $$$ is KING! I know about Rodriguez's alma mater and childhood stompin' grounds...
I also know that UNC will out bid WVU "in a walk" if they want him badly enough!
Maybe it is some political posturing; but on Halloween: BEWARE THE BANK ROLL!Zac said:
posted on October 31, 2006 11:42 AM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Travis (Post 4.): I agree with you and Kevin. Never say "never". Sadly, money is a motivating factor in most people's decision making. Now, I would like to think Coach Rodriguez is doing what most good leaders do: He's weighing and taking into consideration all of his options. That doesn't mean he's going to NC. All it means is he's willing to give them the time to listen. Will he actually go, even if NC makes him an offer he couldn't refuse? That remains to be seen. He knows he has at least two more good seasons, given he has arguably the best backfield tandem in the country for that long (provided one or both don't jump to the NFL next year). You would think that, not to mention his pay & perks, would be enough to keep him at WVU. Yet, he may well be more interested in the challenge of building a program to prominence. For all I know, money or otherwise, this is just another one of those media type rumors, designed to stir the pot. One thing is for certain. If there is a decision to be made, it's his to make.
volstrike3 said:
posted on October 31, 2006 12:40 PM — 216.103.178.34 — link — abuse?
He would be crazy to leave the Big East for the ACC. The ACC is down this year but he is still better of from a wins/losses prospective at WVA because he will only have to play 1-2 top 25 teams each year and have a chance at a BCS bowl on a regular basis. The ACC will rebound and rival the SEC for tough conferences. When Miami VT and FSU rebound that will be one tough conference. He is better off winning the Big East title every other year than going through that meat grinder.
WVUFB97 said:
posted on October 31, 2006 1:39 PM — 68.57.171.167 — link — abuse?
Like I say! Why would any college football program want a coach that everyone says is coaching a less than div. 1A program according to the media and public. Answer is Heart! RR takes players that other prominent schools dont even look at and makes them champions. This WVU program has been changed by great coaching and players that have heart and not the ego of All-Americans that the other larger schools recruit.
WVUFB97 said:
posted on October 31, 2006 1:44 PM — 68.57.171.167 — link — abuse?
WVU will never get the respect they have worked so hard to deserve and that is just fuel to a fire that is blazing. I hope all the media and public keep disrespecting WVU's program that helps these players and coachs instill more heart into every game. Lets see what happens Thurs. college football is a wonderful game. You just never know whats going to happen.
Go EER's
Gatorpilot said:
posted on October 31, 2006 9:15 PM — 4.88.26.211 — link — abuse?
Any objective and reasonably rational person can read Rodriguez's comments and clearly see that he's positioning himself for another job down the road -- if he wanted to stay at WVU he could pull a Bobby Petrino and end all doubt. He's basically saying, "Don't get too attached, because I'm on my way outta here."
WVU fans may not want to believe it, but... book it.
easternfan said:
posted on November 1, 2006 7:42 AM — 67.72.98.93 — link — abuse?
Gatorpilot: Just because Susperior left you doesn't mean everyone works that way. If he leaves it will be the NFL, certainly not UNC. UNC is paying their coach 286,000/yr. ROD's makin' 1 million plus...bank on that. He got tripped on his own words. What he wants is more money for his assistants and hes a good enough coach to play WV for it. WV ain't no good but everybody want's the coach. HA HA
VTBobb said:
posted on November 1, 2006 10:44 AM — 208.229.147.26 — link — abuse?
WVUFB97 and easternfan - Wow, talk about an inferiority complex…How can you play the “nobody respects us” card when your team is ranked #3 in all of the polls? The only “disrespect” is coming from people who know nothing about your program and the computers (I hate being disrespected by a computer). Quit whining. My advice, sit back and let the uninformed bash you and enjoy the teams performance. Isn’t a victory that much sweeter when some people claim you don’t have a chance (can you say “Go Bulldogs”)?
As for RR, Beamer did the same thing more than once at VT. It’s called leverage, for assistants’ salaries, facilities, etc. ¾ of the state bleeds “Old Gold and Blue”. (The other ¼ bleeds Marshall green). Do you really think UNC can outbid WVU for RR after the success he’s having, particularly when the team seems to be doing it with character and class?
Big East Fan said:
posted on November 1, 2006 11:05 AM — 168.216.24.38 — link — abuse?
Gatortail.....you say book it. Do you know coach Rod? WVU AD Ed Pastilong? Assistant HC Rick Trickett? DC Jeff Castell? hmmm...my guess is you've heard of Coach Rod, maybe from Sugar Bowl fame. Well, if you know him you would know that WVU is Coach Rod...he's a god in West Virginia. He's an allumnus of WVU. Said for years his dream job was WVU...planned to make it a yearly top 10 program and National title contender on a yearly basis. This was his plan 6 years ago. He is now reaping the benefits of his hard work and fulfilling that plan. He isn't going anywhere. WVU attendance averages over 61,000 per game, (Holds only 60,000). WVU is top 5. BCS title contender. 2 sophmore Heisman Candidates (Slaton and White), Very young Defense this season, 17 total starters returning next season, and countless letterman. WVU Staff is from West Virginia. He's the next Joe Paterno if he stays....a Legend. UNC is a Basketball school, UNC football sucks on a regular basis. UNC would take a minimum of 5 years to build to a top 25 team in the ACC, if UNC is lucky. WVU was a better program when Nehlen retired than UNC is now. A crappy job to say the least. He might as well be headed to Duke.
I've said it a hundred times, the only job that Coach Rod would even consider would be Pittsburgh Steelers....I don't see that happening either, because he is a college guy. Like JoePa, Like the Bowdens, Tom Osbourne, etc.
Coach Rod is the Savior of the Big East, and the King of the Mountaineer Mountain....and he's loving it.
Enjoy the fake rumors and keep on dreaming.
Big East Fan said:
posted on November 1, 2006 11:23 AM — 168.216.24.38 — link — abuse?
Also GatorBait....You say Coach Rod could have pulled a Bobby Petrino and say he is staying.....lets see, Petrino flirted with ever opening that was offered until Louisville gave him 10 year 25 million dollar contract....Coach Rod is making 1 mill a year for 6 years...perhaps pulling a Bobby Petrino is exactly what he is doing....Some people are so uninformed its laughable. Get your Facts so you don't look like an Ass.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on November 1, 2006 11:10 PM — 4.153.250.190 — link — abuse?
All that being said, Big Easterner, my response remains... book it.
Whether it's the NFL or another NCAA team, the dude is gone. This year? Next year? Who knows. But it will happen.
EER10 said:
posted on November 2, 2006 8:18 AM — 129.71.238.253 — link — abuse?
#14 VTBobb: Good post, have not heard much from you this year. We went back and forth some last year a bit though. All in fun. Rod's Assistant Coaches were not even being paid the average last year. VTBobb, you hit it right on the nose..LEVERAGE, give him want he wants and needs to stay on top year in and year out and he will never leave.
june92y said:
posted on November 6, 2006 4:58 AM — 61.42.31.114 — link — abuse?
Look fellas money talks, the tarheels have one of the top five facilities in the country, and don't forget how much money they threw at VA Tech head coach. Maybe he's leaving or maybe not. Maybe he wants to match wits with some of the best coaches in the game, he can't do it in the big east. If WV wants to keep him they will fix the facilities. UNC pumped 20 million in their facilities thats hard to turn down. They also have a top 25 class coming in.
Big East Fan said:
posted on October 30, 2006 9:23 PM — 129.71.136.232 — link — abuse?Coach Rod will never leave WVU for another College program. His parents, extended family, and children are West Virginians born and raised. Not to mention himself and his staff (Look it up, most all from WV). He will not go to UNC, He wants better study facilities for football players and is problably tryin to bluff to get more out of administration (Who takes advantage of his loyalty) money or facilities.