Rich Rodriguez has agreed to become the next head coach of Michigan football, replacing Lloyd Carr who retired at the end of the 2007 season.
Rodriguez, 44, has a 60-26 record (34-14 in the Big East) at West Virginia. His Mountaineers have won or shared four of the last five Big East titles and are coming off their third straight 10+ win season.
“I am thrilled to have Rodriguez as Michigan’s new coach,” Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin told the AP in an e-mail. “Rich brings an exciting brand of football to Michigan Stadium. We welcome the entire Rodriguez family to Ann Arbor.”
Though unannounced, the deal is estimated to be about $2.5 million per season.
This proves the second time in less than a year that Michigan has raided the West Virginia cupboard, having hired men’s basketball coach John Beilein last summer.
Rodriguez has been considered to be a pioneer of the spread offense, which he has implemented to devastating effect with quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton at West Virginia. Fans who have been clamoring for years for Michigan to both open up their offense and stop other teams using the spread offense have gotten their wish.
Lloyd was the man to bring Michigan football into the 90’s, and Rodriguez may be the man to bring it into the 21st century.
