Well this is certainly a very interesting development.
While all the signs have been pointing to Will Muschamp as the favorite to be named as South Carolina’s next head coach, Rich Rodriguez‘s place in the conversation has rapidly been growing. Friday, the Arizona head coach reportedly interviewed to become the permanent replacement for Steve Spurrier.
A day later, Rodriguez, in a tweet posted to his personal Twitter account, indicated that he would be remaining in his current position with the Wildcats.
Happy and honored to be an Arizona Wildcat!! Bear Down!!
— Rich Rodriguez (@RealCoachRod) December 6, 2015
Two minutes later, Rodriguez’s boss, athletic director Greg Byrnes, claimed in a tweet that an offer was on the table from the Gamecocks but his coach decided to return to the Wildcats.
Great news! @CoachRodAZ did not commit to the offer from S. Carolina. He's an Arizona Wildcat. #BearDown
— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) December 6, 2015
It’s going to be fascinating to see how this angle to the story develops in the coming days as USC is likely not very impressed that an offer was aired publicly.
That said, and barring something unexpected, Muschamp is expected to be named the Gamecocks’ new head coach as early as Sunday.