The rumors connecting former West Virginia and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez to Tulane can probably be put to bed.
A few weeks ago, the Wave Report tweeted that Rodriguez was seen as a top candidate for the open job following the firing of Bob Toledo. Rodriguez was an offensive coordinator at Tulane under Tommy Bowden from 1997-98. Word then spread that Rodriguez was reportedly in attendance to see the Green Wave get housed by Houston 73-17 on Nov. 10.
However, it doesn’t look like Rodriguez will return to his former employer. Football Rumor Mill’s Twttier account reports “Multiple sources indicate former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez unlikely to accept Tulane job”, noting also that focus may be shifting to former Minnesota coach Tim Brewster.
Regardless of how interested either side really was, Rodriguez -- and this is not to say Tulane is a bad job -- can do better than Tulane. He had a successful run at West Virginia (although his overall W/L record shows he’s a .500 coach without Pat White), and truthfully, didn’t fit in at Michigan from Day 1. His scheme didn’t translate to success in the Big Ten and it probably wouldn’t mesh in the SEC.
But there will be job openings at BCS programs at season’s end and it’s hard to imagine RichRod won’t be on the short list of at least a few of them. He’s only been out of coaching for one year. Trust us, his name is still hot.