When Rich Rodriguez recently withdrew his name from consideration for the University of Alabama's vacant head-coaching position, legions of football people across of America likely scratched their heads. After all, 'Bama is one of the nation's most storied football schools, and leading the Tide is considered to be one of the premiere coaching opportunities in all of collegiate athletics. Why is it, then, that an on-the-rise coach in his early forties would turn down this high-profile SEC job in favor of remaining with his Big East-stigmatized (albeit successful) West Virginia team?
First and foremost, Rodriguez seems to recognize that he has developed something special in Morgantown. The Mountaineers just completed their fifth consecutive winning season (10-2), and will go on to play Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. Quite conceivably, this could have been an even more prestigious year for West Virginia. Their first loss came in a 44-34 barnburner at Louisville (a game that may have well swung the other way had it been played in Morgantown), while their second defeat occurred in a rare look-ahead slip-up against South Florida. For what its worth, Rodriguez led his team to a huge win in the very game to which they were looking ahead--a 41-39 season-ending thriller against Rutgers. Not only did this victory give the Mountaineers an impressive 10th win, but it also denied Rutgers what would have been a shocking Big East crown. Instead, the title went to Louisville, meaning that West Virginia does not have to feel so bad about losing a close game on the road... against the BCS-bound Cardinals. When you add this year's 10-win effort to last season's Big East title/Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia/final #5 AP ranking combo, it's hard to question the growing impressiveness of the West Virginia program.
Even though the majority of onlookers may duly respect this rise to legitimacy, others will no doubt question Rodriguez's decision on the grounds that Alabama is, well, Alabama. Residing in the same pantheon as Notre Dame, Michigan, Oklahoma, and the like, Alabama carries a near holy sense of mystique about it. Bear Bryant, who won a staggering six national titles and went 232-46-9 during his 25-year tenure with the program, is perhaps the most famous figure in Alabama history. Considering his 24 consecutive bowl appearances and the reputation that he created, it's no wonder that all subsequent Tide coaches are expected to carry on a tradition of first-class greatness.
Despite this historical allure, Alabama's program has slipped over the past 10-15 years. Since upsetting Miami to win the 1992 national championship, the Crimson Tide have experienced up-and-down stretches. In 1999 they won the SEC championship; in 2000, they went 3-8. In 2005, they jumped out to an impressive 9-0 start and finished the season at 10-2; in 2006, Mike Shula was fired after a 6-6 season. There was Franchione; there were sanctions; there was Mike Price. Mike Price. Oye.
Indeed, the once revered Alabama football program has fallen upon hard times. It's really no surprise that Rich Rodriguez would choose to stay with his booming West Virginia team. At this point in time, the prospects for strong recruiting, conference titles (a.k.a. BCS berths), and national championship contention are, to be honest, stronger in Morgantown than they are in Tuscaloosa. Only an old-school, out-of-touch SEC apologist would argue otherwise.
In the end, Rich Rodriguez's decision to stay on at West Virginia represents both a commendable (and rare) show of loyalty and a demonstration of sound sense. Why would he leave a now-perennial contender and go to a struggling program where one medicore season could cost him his job? Why not stay at West Virginia and try to create the kind of hallowed mystique there that continues (perhaps undeservedly) to surround the University of Alabama? Indeed, by the time Rich Rodriguez leaves Morgantown, the WV job may very well occupy the same pedestal upon which storied programs such as 'Bama currently sit.
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