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4B - Kickoff - Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008 - Kickoff - 9B
BIG TEN PREVIEW
The Daily writers compared notes, research and opinions before the
season,.talked to players and coaches at Big Ten Media Day in
Chicago and compiled a team-by-team conference preview.
Based on returning players, last year's finish, new recruits and instinct,
here are the rankings for the conference's other 10 teams.
- Courtney Ratkowiak and Nate Sandals, Daily Sports Editors
RODRIGUEZ
From Page 7B
GrahamcoachedunderRodriguez
at West Virginia. Last year, he led
Tulsa to the nation's best total
offense.
The roots of Rodriguez's trek
to the top of college coaching
developed early.
In aboutsixth grade, Rodriguez
wrote a paper about what he
wanted to be when grew up. His
first choice wastoplayprofessional
football, but that dream vanished
when he didn't become a starter at
West Virginia.
His second choice was to be a
Division-I football ,coach. When
Rodriguez's offense was taking
off, he appeared well on his way to
reaching that goal when Bowden
left Tulane for Clemson at the
end of the 1998 regular season.
Sports Illustrated had just named
him one of the nation's top-10
assistants in waiting.
The race for Tulane's top spot
was initially between Rodriguez
and then-Louisiana Tech coach
Gary Crowton.
ChrisScelfo, who was the
offensive line coach at Georgia,
eventually emerged as a distant
third candidate. Crowton dropped
out of the race, all but leaving the
job to Rodriguez.
"I told Chris, I said, 'You don't
want this job,"' said Frank Scelfo,
who was Chris's brother and
already on the Tulane staff. "And
he said, 'Why not?' And I said
'Because Rich is the guy for this
job. Rich has earned this job. He's
going to do a great job here."'
Tulane's presidentwassupposed
to call Rodriguez at 3 p~m. the day
before the hiring to discuss the job
but didn't until 7 p.m.
Rita had a bad feeling, but
everyone was sure Rodriguez
would get the job.
Rodriguez brought a green
coat and tie to work that day
in preparation for the press
conference. Although the athletic
director, Sandy Barbour, and
others implied he would get the
job, Chris Scelfo was hired.
When King walked into
Rodriguez's office after the
announcement, he saw' a look of
"disbelief" on Rodriguez's face.
"He was almost in tears, and I
was like 'uh-oh,' "King said. "I felt
so bad. I didn't even know what to
say. I was filled with anger. It was
a bad time."
Rodriguez was bitter, and
he considered taking the
Southwestern Louisiana (flow
Louisiana-Lafayette) job that he
had previously turned down.
"He was so mad and so upset,
disappointed with the way this
situation at Tulane was handled
that he just wanted to go to any
school, put them on the schedule,
and beat them," Rita said.
Rita reminded him that Tulane
beat Southwestern Louisiana
72-20 that year, and Rodriguez
decided to follow Bowden to
Clemson to be his offensive
coordinator.
The next offseason, Rodriguez
almost went to Texas Tech. After
both sides agreed to terms, they
had to wait a week to finalize the
contract because of a state law
regarding public jobs.
Rodriguez backed out but
said he probably would have
taken the job had he been able
to immediately. Some suspect
Rodriguez found out he would
take over at West Virginia after
the next season.
WEST VIRGINIA MAN
Page 20 of Rodriguez's 2005
offensive playbook contains the
lyrics to John Denver's "Country
See RODRIGUEZ, Page 11B
ROBINSON.
From Page 3B
Ann Arbor and in the hearts of
Michigan fans.
With football, regardless of the
opponent, there is never a question
whether fewer than 107,000 people
will attend. And The Big House will
always be The Big House.
For the next two years, the con-
course willlookmorelike aconstruc-
tion site. And the parking lot across
the street willbe dominated by trail-
ers. But that doesn't change what
happens once toe meets leather.
Two teams still battle on the
gridiron with more than 100,000
fans bearing witness. During con-
struction, it might not be the biggest
stadium in the country. Brazilians
have handled that change - they
pretty much disregard it. Wolverine
fans are on their way to accepting
this fact. Three times last season
Penn State's Beaver Stadium packed
more fans in than Michigan. No one
seemed to care.
Afterlastweek'slossto Utah,fans
were talking about quarterbacks,
pregame half-circles, inept offense.
Basically, everything but the stadi-
um - except those who were grate- won't be affected either.
ful forthe extra shade.
Like Maracana, Michigan Stadi- - Robinson wants togo back to
um memories won't change because Rio. Hecan be reached at irobi@
of construction. And future ones umich.edu.
Michigan Head*Pain & Neurological Institute is
conducting a research study evaluating an investigational
medication for the treatment of migraines.
Participants must:
Be 18 years or older
Experience 1to 8 headaches per month for the past 2 months
4c,