[Lefty Noob]

It's a rumor no longer. ESPN is reporting that West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez will leave the Mountaineers to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide next season. Now begins WVU's search for a new head coach. I'm both sorry and relieved to see him go - I hate to lose such a good coach, but I won't miss the drama that seems to surround him every offseason. So now can we get a coach 100% committed to the 'Neers?

[ncsu guest]

Heres just a fleeting thought, since it seems to have been just that at NCSU. What about Jimbo Fisher as your next head coach? I have a sneaky suspicion the reason he wasn't seriously considered here, much to my displeasure, is that he didn't have any HC expirience, and that he would leave State in a heart beat for West Virginia since that is where he is from. The man seems like the perfect fitfor you folks, and he will be one hell'uv a great HC. Hey, good luck with who ever you guys get, we are sure going to need some.

[mervinout]

shows ya alot about a man when he cant even complete the first year of his contract. im sure in the next two weeks we will know what coaches were looking at. I will be very ☻☻☻☻ed if he coaches in the gator bowl. Well id hide the alabama cheerleaders

[Lefty Noob]

Yeah, somehow I don't think they players will want him to coach the bowl game. They ran a few quotes from some of the guys on Mike & Mike today, and there was a mix of disappointment and bitterness in the comments. So here's a team with White and Slaton, in prime shape to be a BCS team next year. There will be a lot of coaches who will want this job, of that I'm certain.

[blevig54]

Being from WV and living in the Birmingham-Tuscaloosa area this is tough. I like wathing UA play football but I LOVE my Mountaineers! Coach Rod has done a terrific job at WVU. But what I've learned living here is that UA has very deep pockets, especially dealings with the football program. WVU just doesn't have those same pockets.

And whether a person is for or against Coach Rod leaving he's making decisions for the betterment of his family, not WVU or you or me. I'll hate seeing him coach somewhere esle if he does go (The Birmingham News is always a little suspect but wish him luck. Coach Rod brought our program into the spotlight again and hopefully, whoever takes the reins from here can continue the trend.

[blevig54]

Although I'm torn about CRR coaching in the GATOR BOWL but as someone who played ome college football, if my coach kept saying he "was staying as long as the Mountaineers would have him" and then came back to say I'm going to Bama boys sorry, I would not want him calling the shots on the field.

[mervinout]

Originally Posted by blevig54

Although I'm torn about CRR coaching in the GATOR BOWL but as someone who played ome college football, if my coach kept saying he "was staying as long as the Mountaineers would have him" and then came back to say I'm going to Bama boys sorry, I would not want him calling the shots on the field.

exactly, but heres my question, i pay attetion to alot off football but not really the assitant coaches, what assitant coaches do you guys think are ready for a big coaching job. Id honestly perfer a defensive coach, i think the offense their is fine. And what head coaches at small programs might be ready for the job. is it time to give george o'leary another chance at a big program?

[Bamaboy11]

As a Bama fan I'm excited he decided to accept the job, however I hate how everytime coaches always say there not going anywhere then all of a suddon end up somewhere else. I have a friend who plays for WVU Warren Young (D.E. #90) and Pat White is from down here. I wish both of them good luck next year.

[mervinout]

see i dont understand why everyone is saying he has accepted the job. No where has it been announced besides sports forums like this. On the raido i morgantown it sounds like wvu is spending up till the 3 pm deadline to sign him. At this point it sounds like he might go, and at this point i think he needs to go im tired of this everyseason just like lefty said. with my like ill be stuck with rich rod and isiah thomas at wvu lol

[rmjvol]

Originally Posted by mervinout

see i dont understand why everyone is saying he has accepted the job. No where has it been announced besides sports forums like this.

I think The Birmingham News newspaper was the 1st to report it this morning. I saw when they had cited "2 sources close to the search" and then an hour or 2 later they were saying "several" and "various" sources as confirming that Coach Rod had agreed in principle to the offer.

It's now on CBS Sportsline and various other big media sites.

OTOH, ESPN radio just came out with this:

ESPN Radio is reporting that West Virginia is mounting a late charge to keep head coach Rich Rodriguez:
Rodriguez has been offered around $2 million per year to coach at Alabama and West Virginia will likely try and match the salary to keep their head coach from leaving. Rodriguez is a West Virginia native and former player at the school so it won't be a complete shock if he decides to remain in Morgantown

[rmjvol]

Here's what the AP said about 90 minutes ago:

Does Alabama have a new head football coach? It depends on who you ask.

Three newspapers in Alabama along with ESPN reported on Thursday night that Alabama officials and Rodriguez’s agent, Mike Brown, had agreed in principle to the terms of a contract.

[Bamaboy11]

Its all over ESPN that Alabama and him has agreed to a six year deal for 12 million. But they have not had any press confrenceces yet for an official announcement

[mervinout]

i guess you have your the only one with fantasyland espn. cause if you read the articles on their website, and listen to them on tv they say he is been in the office all day negoiting with wvu,and i told you people from the begining he did this with nebraska to, so dont count your chickens before they hatch thats all im saying. People if you remember your school paper in bama said he had signed last week so i dont take your sources as credible

[mervinout]

however at this time i do belive its best for him to go. i think he has worn out his welcome and became greedy in a state that wont settle for it

[Bamaboy11]

I just now heard that on there but since about 11:00 last night untill now that is all they were saying.