Rich Rodriguez - great or overrated?

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:47 pm

Do you consider Rich Rodriguez one of the elite coaches in the game today? I think a lot of people turn their heads from what he has been able to accomplish at WVU, which when you look at it on paper is quite remarkable, simply because the 'Neers can't play defense. Or don't care to play defense. I'm not sure which. It seems as though Rodriguez would have a greater appreciation for the defensive side of the ball, considering he played defensive back throughout college where he walked on to WVU.

My answer is yes, great coach. Obviously winning is part of what makes a coach great, and Rodriguez still has to win some big ball games. But I think another key factor is influence. This guy has pioneered an offense that is now being used and studied at multiple programs. I think that's ultimately what can really define a coach. When he has designed an offense or a defense that other teams use as a model or foundation for their own programs. Also, I think his ability to recruit players to fit his offenses to a tee is oustanding.

WolverineSteve · Post by **WolverineSteve** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:51 pm

I'll let you know when he gets to AA next season ala Bielein.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:57 pm

Stick Rodriguez on a team that can play some defense, and that's a scary thought. Although in the Big Ten, he'd likely only put up 35 a game instead of 60.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:03 pm

RR has been somewhat innovative on defense, warming up the Stram Era stack defense. Last year, all kinds of coaches were visiting to see how he ran it. There is scheme, and there is gameday, though. WVU has been like warmed butter with this scheme. The WVU defense has seemed lackadaisical under RR. Nice scheme, poor execution (reflecting ultimately on the HC).

WVU doesn't get a lot of depth in place behind their starters. When Slaton and White and now Devine are tearing through defenses and scoring quickly, the defense is on the field a lot.

WVU has lost some games that they should have won under RR. Perhaps he's a coordinator in a HC's skin. I'd sure as hell want him as PSU's OC - he'd be great there.

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:29 pm

He's a good coach no doubt, but WVU struggles against teams that can play defense. When Slaton and White aren't the fastest guys on the field they struggle. White's passing seems to be better this season so far, but Reynaud is his only real target. WVU's D is very suspect at best.

Rodriguez has done a great job building WVU, but he does need a D to go with that offense.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:36 pm

His name should be in the mix with guys like Les Miles, Weis, Saban, etc., at the very least. He built this program into a national title contender, and with that, brought schemes that are being used around the country. To me that's a bit more impressive than inheriting a powerhouse, and looking to maintain.

Terry in Crapchester · Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:41 pm

In fairness to Rodriguez, I think his team's defense is at least partly a function of the situation he is in right now.

A little trip down memory lane: as recently as two years ago, many people, including the majority of this board, had the Big East all but dead and buried. The Big East has made quite a comeback since then. But none of the current Big East schools has a long tradition as a national power -- Pitt did at one time, but that pretty much ended in the early 80's. To the extent the Big East still lags behind some of the other conferences, I think that is most prevalent in terms of the depth of the talent the Big East schools attract.

As it is, the Big East has evolved into an offense-first conference, and most of the more talented players on most of the teams in that conference are on the offensive side of the ball. West Virginia is hardly the only Big East school as to whom that's true. Perhaps Rodriguez thinks that it's necessary to put his more talented players on the offensive side of the ball in order to be competitive in conference.

Of course, continued success should only improve recruiting over the long haul. I have no idea if Rodriguez plans to stay at West Virginia (although he turned down the 'Bama job, and his status as a WVU alum makes it more likely that he'll stay than otherwise might be the case), but if he does, the next 2-3 years could be telling as to his ability to coach defense.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:17 pm

The D does need to improve for WV to become a legit national power but dude is an offensive genius. WV is just starting to get big-time recruits so that side of the ball should improve with the talent-upgrade. I'd likely put him in the national top10 coaches.

Cicero · Post by **Cicero** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:07 am

He is definitely a Top 10 coach. His offense is electric.

RadioFan · Post by **RadioFan** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:30 am

PSUFAN wrote:I'd sure as hell want him as PSU's OC - he'd be great there.

We'd like him as our OC as well,

-- The NFL and every other team in D1.

Mgo, I think the question of "great" depends on how many blown opportunities WVa manages. This is the highest they've been ranked, this early in the season, no? This year will tell a lot.

I'd say if they are a 1-2 loss team over the next 5 years with RR at the helm -- even without a great defense -- I'd put him in that category. He's close now, given how much fun they are to watch, as Sissyroo said.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:14 am

I've always said that NU screwed up by not hiring him. He would have been MUCH better than Callahan. I think they danced w/him a bit, but nothing materialized. They shoulda thrown the World Bank at him.

Apart from his occasional temper tantrums on the sidelines, I like RR... and frequent those tantrums were his first year as HC. He tried instilling a pass-happy offense which summarily flopped. It took him an entire year, but he eventually scrapped it, reasessed his players and each of their strengths, then changed the offense entirely the following season to what you have now. The guy is good.

NU screwed up big time.

RadioFan · Post by **RadioFan** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:19 am

Btw, what was the spread on this game tonight?

WV is taking the Terps apart like a Friday Night in CrownSissyCoo.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:26 am

Devine gets over 100 yards on TWO rushes?

Jaysus. The weapons don't come close to ending at just Slaton and White.

RadioFan · Post by **RadioFan** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:28 am

Carries: 3

Ave: 41.7

Ridiculous.

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:32 am

Let's see what they do against a good D.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:32 am

RadioFan wrote:Carries: 3

Ave: 49

I believe that translates into a national title.

S,

da troof

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:35 am

MuchoBulls wrote:Let's see what they do against a good D.

WVU has put up points against good D's. Whether their D holds up enough to get the W is another story...

RadioFan · Post by **RadioFan** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:37 am

If WV were playing in Boise, the score would be reversed, and our new RB would have 3 TDs and a 50+yard rushing average.

Amateurs.

Sin,

Dog and Felix

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:40 am

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:WVU has put up points against good D's. Whether their D holds up enough to get the W is another story...

Their D is very suspect to say the least. Surprised Maryland didn't try to throw more.

We've held WVU pretty well both times we've played them. Slaton has done nothing against us. Our D is looking stronger this season. I am more worried about Devine after seeing what he has done the last couple of games.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:53 am

Ahhh yes, I almost forgot your boys' win over WVU last year. I do remember WVU running it up pretty good on Rutgers last year, and that second half comeback against Georgia two bowl seasons ago was quite impressive as well.

The fact I have to extend the discussion back to '05 probably doesn't bode well for WVU though.

A.C. Crut · Post by **A.C. Crut** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:25 pm

Great recruiter for sure, he's got some serious speed on his team.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:27 pm

I have Devine on my fantasy-squad, fucker came two freaking yards away from twelve more points for me. But the kid is definitely electric, Rodriquez has to get him on the field more. I don't care if they do have Slaton you gotta get this kid some legit reps.