Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Couldn't Happen to a Better Guy


Rich Rodriguez, the one-time golden boy of West Virginia University football, has been fired by the University of Michigan for being, generally, a bad coach.

And I can't say that I'm unhappy for him.

In December of 2006, I wrote this:

...any coach who leaves his team/school/employer, especially after saying he'd stay, deserves the wroth I hoped God, or Fate, or whatever, would visit upon Rodriguez if he'd left.
...
You are never too old to learn ethics, standards of behavior, and what a promise means. And while I may come across as a do-gooder idealist, I honestly believe that playing football, or any sport, is good for student athletes for the lessons they learn both from the game AND from the people who teach that game.
...
Show your students that commitments mean something.


It's worth pointing out that Rodriguez left WVU for Michigan just one year after signing a big contract extension with WVU.

Michigan fans, I know it sucks that you went 15-22 the last three years, but remember this: you are probably better off without a guy like Rich Rodriguez in charge of your team than you would have been with him.

By the way, three days before that other post, I wrote this:

So, once again: Rich Rodriguez, if you accept this offer [to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide], fuck you. And the horse you rode in on. If you take this offer, I hope your coaching career stagnates. I hope your teams fail. I hope everything in your life turns to shit. Just like I wish that for every other coach who sends this petty, self-serving message to his team, his employer, and his fans.


I guess I got what I wanted. I sorta wish I'd asked for a pony or something.