The University of Michigan announced the hiring of Rich Rodriguez as head coach of the Wolverine’s football team. Rodriguez previously led the West Virginia Mountaineers to multiple Big East conference titles. For Michigan, this signals a drastic change in the team’s philosophy. For years, the team has played a physical, smashmouth style. Rodriguez brings a spread option system that gives the quarterback a variety of choices, between handing the ball off to the running back, throwing to various receivers, or running the ball himself. Rodriguez has had success with the system dating back to his time at Glenville State, through Tulane, and most recently with QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton at West Virginia.
The Wolverines don’t have the personnel to run this type of system, so it may take an adjustment period for Rodriguez to bring in players that fit his system. Much-hyped freshman QB Ryan Mallett has a strong arm, but as more of a pocket passer, lacks the speed, mobility, and elusiveness to run the spread option offense. Speed at the running back position is also an issue as none of the returning backs have blazing speed. However, the incoming class of recruits may come in and start immediately. Already earning a solid verbal commitment from Texas RB Sam McGuffie, who runs a 4.32 40-yard dash, the Wolverines now are among QB Terrelle Pryor’s top choices. Pryor, from Pennsylvania, is widely ranked as the #1 recruit in the nation. His combination of prototypical size (6-6, 235) and 4.4 speed has scouts (as well as fans in Ann Arbor) excited about what the future may hold. If Rodriguez can bring these two into the fold at Michigan, he may have his starting backfield set for the foreseeable future.
Pryor committing to Michigan is far from a sure thing at this point, and Rodriguez still has much work ahead of him on the recruiting trail. Rodriguez is leaning toward not coaching West Virginia for their upcoming Fiesta Bowl matchup with Oklahoma. He will more than likely remain in Ann Arbor rather than try to fit the needs of two programs into his schedule. For the players at West Virginia, this is a huge blow to the trust they placed in Coach Rodriguez. Unfortunately, NCAA rules mandate that these players sit out a year if they choose to transfer elsewhere. The transfer rule needs to be eliminated so that when coaches pursue other opportunities, the players they leave behind need not suffer further. Give them the opportunity to either follow their coach or play elsewhere. For Slaton and White, Rodriguez’s departure will presumably convince both to enter the NFL draft. All in all, Rodriguez’s hiring will lead to a much different Wolverine football team than fans have been accustomed to watching for many decades.
