Rich Rodriguez move to Michigan leaves some hard feelings and a mess behind in West Virginia
Rich Rodriguez might have gotten an inkling that this was not going to end well when, less than 24 hours after leaving for Michigan, the folks in tiny Grant Town had removed the highway signs advertising the West Virginia hamlet as the football coach's hometown.
If that wasn't enough, some unhappy fans gave him more clues when they hung disparaging signs on a fence at his home and tossed a mailbox into the yard. There were death threats against some of his relatives, and online communities were formed simply for the pleasure of being able to write expletives in front of his name.
People heckled him at the airport, the governor expressed outrage, and the state filed suit asking for the $4 million Rodriguez promised to pay back if he should ever leave the University of West Virginia.
Hell apparently has no fury like a state scorned, and the people of West Virginia are especially furious with Rodriguez, a native son who always proclaimed his fidelity to his alma mater. On the verge of playing for a national title one moment, the school was left standing at the altar the next when Rodriguez succumbed to the lure of coaching the Wolverines.
Now things are really starting to get nasty.
The revelation by the Charleston Gazette the other day that files kept in Rodriguez's private office disappeared after he signed with Michigan adds a new level of intrigue to a story that already encompasses angry fans, baffled boosters and a coach who can't understand why an entire state should be unhappy when he was just trying to better himself.
Details are murky, but the paper cited anonymous sources as saying the missing documents included personal information about players, including strength and conditioning charts and records of their class attendance. The documents went missing about the same time Rodriguez cleaned out his office, and cleaned West Virginia out of the remaining assistant coaches he took with him to Michigan.
Just what happened to the documents will be the subject of debate for some time among the taxpayers of West Virginia, who live in one of the poorest states in the country but still managed to scrape up $1.78 million a year for their football coach.
Maybe he was just looking for Taylor Hill's cell phone number. Hill, a highly regarded linebacker from Youngstown, Ohio, was all but signed to go to West Virginia but announced a few days ago that he would follow Rodriguez to Michigan.
Missing files aside, the whole Rodriguez mess is a classic case study about all that is wrong in college football these days, where players get by on room and board while the coaches who lead them become multimillionaires.
The money is so big and the pressure to win so huge that contracts and commitments mean nothing and schools such as Michigan don't think twice about raiding another school if it has a coach that might be able to beat Ohio State.
In the business world, that's just business as usual. But on the campus of West Virginia it meant Rodriguez was not only stepping out on some 80 kids he recruited to play for him, but also that he would abandon them just before they played in the Fiesta Bowl.
At least June Jones waited until after his Hawaii team was badly beaten in the Sugar Bowl before leaving the islands for $2 million a year at SMU, a move that so upset the school that it fired the athletic director for not keeping Jones.
No wonder more and more top players can't wait until the end of their junior seasons to turn pro. They see what's going on and understand that loyalty can be a one-way street.
A lot of this could be stopped, of course, if the NCAA had any power in controlling the great excesses in college sports, which it has long since ceded to boosters and television networks. Either that, or it simply doesn't care about the players who are left behind when a coach leaves or might transfer or lose a scholarship with a new coach coming in.
The people in West Virginia have every right to be upset, because they had a coach under a long-term contract that they expected him to fulfill. The football players at West Virginia should be equally upset because most committed four years of their lives to promises that weren't kept.
Getting Rodriguez to pay the $4 million buyout in his contract won't solve that.
But making him dig into his pocket for the money might make the whole thing a bit easier to take.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Willingham elected president of American Football Coaches Association
SEATTLE (AP) -- Washington coach Tyrone Willingham has been elected president of the American Football Coaches Association.
Willingham moves up from first vice president of the organization, which was founded in 1922 and has more than 10,000 members. He succeeds Ken Sparks of Carson-Newman College, the result of a vote taken this week among those attending the AFCA's annual convention in Anaheim, Calif.
Football is man's greatest game. And if there is any capacity that we can serve or do something for this game, then it is a tremendous honor for that person to say that he did something to help and promote the game of football," Willingham said.
"The reason I am president of the AFCA is because of other people, so my focus will be to help the game of football and help our membership enjoy the game of football better. Whether that means have a voice or carry their wishes in a certain agenda, it should be one year of service to help them have a better life at the game of football."
Joining Willingham as AFCA officers for this year: first vice president Dick Tomey of San Jose State, second vice president Larry Kehres of Mount Union College and third vice president Rob Ash of Montana State.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Williams feels vindicated with Illini in Rose Bowl
CARSON, Calif. -- Vindication? Juice Williams feels some.
He heard and read the calls for a quarterback change, but with No. 13 Illinois preparing for the Rose Bowl, it's safe to say that his job is, well, safe.
He's not the same player he was last season or even early this year. He's not the same man, actually.
"I have a different view on life now," he said.
It comes from the perspective of fatherhood, a view he discovered when his daughter LaChez was born in September. She lives near Williams with her mother.
"It's another responsibility," he said. "It changes my perspective of life and the game of football. It makes me appreciate the opportunities that I have and try to make the most of it for my daughter. It's some added motivation."
With fatherhood came confidence and focus, a sense of direction that also helped him become an all-around threat at quarterback as a sophomore and a leader on a team looking to surprise No. 6 Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Williams' development is a big reason why Illinois is 9-3 after five straight losing seasons.
Wild as a true freshman a year ago, Williams completed 56.9 percent of his passes this season and emerged as one of the Illini's leaders. When he wasn't throwing the ball, he was making big gains on the ground. He ran for 774 yards.
But his speed and arm strength never were concerns. His accuracy and confidence were.
One of the nation's top recruits out of Chicago Vocational, the same school where Illini Hall of Famer Dick Butkus played, Williams chose Illinois over other top programs around the country. That made him a rarity among Chicago prospects and put him directly under the spotlight, since his signing was seen as an indication that coach Ron Zook would be able to attract talented players.
Anointed as a program savior, Williams heard criticism last year when he struggled.
He completed just 39.5 percent of his passes and threw as many interceptions as touchdowns (nine), and the calls for a change continued into this season.
"He took a lot of lumps, but that's all part of the process," All-America guard Martin O'Donnell said. "I can't imagine how good he'll be playing next season and his senior year."
While Williams absorbed the lumps, Zook and offensive coordinator Mike Locksley kept pushing him to work hard, stay confident and tune out the criticism. They wanted him to stop pressing, stop trying to do too much, and view things from a different perspective.
"Juice had to learn that to play quarterback in the Big Ten conference is a way of life," Zook said. "You have to live it. You have to think it. You have to do the extra work off the field."
Gradually, Williams began to understand what that meant.
He started spending about 15 extra minutes a day watching video. Then, about 25 to 30, and it kept increasing from there. He dedicated himself, learning how to read defenses and find the open man and the results began to show as this season wore on.
"It's almost like being a doctor," he said. "A doctor is not a doctor from 9 to 5; he's a doctor no matter where he goes. ... It's the same with being a quarterback. It's something that you've got to do 24 hours a day, something that you go to sleep thinking about, something that you think about while you're eating. I know that now."
Williams threw for seven touchdowns and ran for three in the final three weeks. He passed for more than 200 yards twice in that span -- at Minnesota and against Northwestern. And in the game where he didn't, Williams delivered the performance of his life and lifted Illinois to its biggest victory in decades.
He threw for four touchdowns to lead the Illini to a shocking 28-21 victory at No. 1 Ohio State on Nov. 10 and their first win over a top-ranked team since 1956. He also ran for three key first downs, allowing Illinois to keep the ball for the final 8:09.
Williams played so well in that game that linemen were telling him, "Juice, we really need this. We're looking up to you."
"I'm willing to take the role of being a leader out there and putting this team on my back," Williams said.
He showed it against Ohio State. And now, no one's calling for a change -- not with Illinois in its first Rose Bowl since 1984.
"Juice shouldn't be the starter -- that really hit me hard," he said. "That's something that I've never experienced throughout my career, being a quarterback ever since fifth grade. That was a comment I never received, and I wanted to change that. I wanted to put people in the mind-set that I can actually come out here and be successful. I can be a great player. It really motivated me to be successful."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Titans offensive coordinator Chow withdraws name from UCLA consideration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow pulled his name from consideration for UCLA's head coaching job Thursday.
Chow interviewed for the job last weekend while in Kansas City, the night before the Titans' 26-17 victory over the Chiefs. He said he appreciated UCLA's interest and the chance to speak about the job.
"While I was told that our meeting went very well, I was given no indication as to what their final decision will be, or what their timing is to make that decision," he said in a statement.
"Nevertheless, I have decided not to pursue things further with UCLA at this time. My focus is on the Tennessee Titans and preparing our team for a chance at the playoffs."
The Titans (8-6) must win their final two games and need help elsewhere to clinch their first playoff berth since 2003.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Navy promotes Niumatalolo to coach
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (Ticker) - Navy turned to one its own to replace Paul Johnson.
The service academy announced Saturday that longtime assistant Ken Niumatalolo has been promoted to coach.
The 42-year-old becomes the 38th coach in Navy's history. Navy said it believes the Hawaii graduate to be the first Polynesian coach in NCAA history.
Niumatalolo replaces Johnson, who left to become Georgia Tech coach on Friday.
"It's an honor and a privilege to be named head football coach at the Naval Academy," Niumatalolo said.
"I would like to thank Adm. Fowler and (Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet) Gladchuk for supporting me and I am excited about the future of the Navy football program. I am in the process of putting together a coaching staff that will give us a every opportunity to continue the winning tradition at the Naval Academy."
Niumatalolo is an offensive specialist, who worked as offensive coordinator for Navy in 1997-98 before leaving to work at UNLV as an assistant coach . He returned to Annapolis as assistant head coach in 2002.
Since that time, Navy has compiled a 43-19 record and won five straight Commander-In-Chief's Trophies.
Navy (8-4) will play Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl on December 20.
Copyright 2007 PA SportsTicker. All Rights Reserved
LSU extends Les Miles' contract to 2012
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- LSU head football coach Les Miles signed a contract extension Thursday to keep him at the university through 2012, apparently ending speculation that he might leave for a job at the University of Michigan.
"I'm thrilled to be here. I'm thrilled to be LSU's head coach. I'm thrilled to be on the campus," Miles told the LSU Board of Supervisors before signing the deal. "I look forward to many years as the LSU head coach."
The deal was approved Thursday by the LSU board's athletic committee, but needs the approval of the full board, which meets Friday. That vote is considered a formality.
The contract doesn't change Miles' salary, which already will rise to at least $2.8 million annually based on LSU's Southeastern Conference championship this year. An SEC championship win requires Miles' salary to be at least the third highest in the conference.
If LSU wins the national championship, the contract provides Miles would become among the nation's top-earning college football coaches. University officials estimate that would put his annual earnings somewhere between $3.2 million and $3.5 million.
LSU (11-2) faces Ohio State (11-1) in the BCS national championship game Jan. 7 at the Louisiana Superdome.
Also remaining unchanged is the $1.25 million penalty Miles must pay to LSU if he leaves for Michigan, a contract clause that college football fans became well acquainted with after Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr announced his retirement in November.
Just before his team played Tennessee in the SEC championship game on Dec. 1, Miles effectively stopped predictions he would bolt Baton Rouge for Michigan, announcing his intention to remain at LSU.
Miles wouldn't talk about the speculation that had dogged him for the past weeks about a return to Michigan, where he played, worked as an assistant coach and met his wife.
LSU officials praised Miles' coaching, his straightforwardness and his integrity.
"He told the people in this room he wasn't going to Michigan, and he never was. He never leveraged it," LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman said.
During his three years at LSU, Miles has amassed impressive statistics that set records at the university. His overall record of 33-6 is the best three-year span in LSU history, and his 14 wins over teams ranked in the top 25 is a school record, Bertman said.
Miles also deflected concerns about the distractions the uproar over his tenure at LSU may have caused, saying he and his team were focused on the championship game.
"I can promise you we're at the task at hand," he said.
The contract extension signed Thursday added a series of financial incentive clauses to recognize players' academic achievements. If players hit certain academic benchmarks, Miles is given a pool of $150,000 to $250,000 to disburse to his coaching staff.
Also, the contract termination clause was changed. If LSU fires Miles without cause, the coach could be owed as much as $15 million, up from $10 million.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Florida's Tebow practices with cast for 1st time
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was the first player to arrive at practice Thursday and the last to leave, working overtime to figure out how to deal with the blue cast on his non-throwing hand.
Tebow broke his right hand during last Saturday's 45-12 victory against rival Florida State. He injured it on a 5-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the third quarter and played the rest of the way with a non-displaced fracture.
I guess I hit someone going in," Tebow said. "It's painful. It's a broken hand, but I was too excited beating Florida State to worry about that."
Tebow's cast got plenty of attention Thursday as No. 10 Florida (9-3) practiced for the first time this week.
Television crews, photographers and a horde of reporters got their first glimpse of Tebow's cast, and the sophomore answered as many questions about his injury as he did about his Heisman Trophy chances.
Why blue? Why no signatures? How many casts have you had in your life? Will you still be wearing it during the Heisman Trophy presentation?
He answered them all. He chose Gators blue. It's his third cast since the injury, and the other two had plenty of signatures. The only other time he had a cast was after he finished a high school game on a broken leg.
And, assuming he's invited to New York, he expects to wear the cast to Times Square for the Dec. 8 announcement.
In the meantime, he will keep trying to deal with it in practice.
"We're going to protect him, but these are kind of light practices right now," offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said. "By the time we get into our game-week preparations, he's going to be ready to go."
Tebow said the cast prevents him from pitching with his right hand on option plays, forces him to catch snaps one-handed and makes it nearly impossible for him to rotate the laces into the right position before throwing passes.
"But I can throw with it," said Tebow, who expects to wear the cast for two or three weeks. "I just don't have this hand on the ball. I'm going to make a few adjustments with it. Handing off is tough, but honestly I'll be able to manage."
Tebow managed just fine with the broken hand. He was 9-of-13 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown after the injury and ran six times for 14 yards.
And it didn't surprise Mullen that Tebow stayed in the game.
"No, not at all," Mullen said. "Shoot, he played with a broken leg in high school, so that was something that was pretty minor. They grabbed me after the game and said, 'Hey, take a look at this.' I said, 'What hand is it?' They said his right. I said, 'It's no big deal then. We're good to go."'
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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