[rjt721]

Great hire.

Michigan has a new football coach.

West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez, who met with U-M president Mary Sue Coleman and athletic director Bill Martin on Friday in Toledo, has accepted the Michigan coaching job, replacing retiring coach Lloyd Carr.

Associate athletic director Bruce Madej confirmed to a Free Press report this afternoon that Rodriguez would be the Wolverines' 17th football coach.

U-M has scheduled a news conference for 9 a.m. Monday on campus.

Rodriguez had a 10-minute meeting with his team early this afternoon, told the 11th-ranked Mountaineers that he was leaving for Michigan and went back to his office, according to West Virginia media reports.

His players had little comment but looked downtrodden.

Also, the country's top quarterbacking prospect told Superprep.com this afternoon that Rodriguez had called with similar news.

“I just spoke to Coach Rodriguez about 10 minutes ago and he told me he is going to Michigan,” the QB, Terrelle Pryor, told Superprep.com. “He said they made him an offer he can't refuse.”

Pryor, from Jeannette, Pa., told the recruiting site that he wanted to add Michigan to his list of finalists. West Virginia had been on the list.

Rodriguez's decision came after nearly two days of pondering Friday's discussion and, according to the Charleston Gazette, two meetings with West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong on Saturday.

Although Rodriguez did not comment about the U-M job at his previously scheduled Saturday morning news conference, instead talking about his team's impeding Fiesta Bowl date against Oklahoma, his lack of a denial kept hope alive for many Wolverines fans. Combined with his decision to cancel an afternoon practice, a move seemed possible.

Rodriguez made nearly $1.8 million this season, according to a recent USA Today survey of college coaches.

A 44-year-old coach who has won at least 10 games in each of the past three seasons, including two BCS bowl trips, seemed to fit many of Martin's criteria.

He recruits the Midwest well, he is young enough that he could be a long-term fixture at U-M and brings the dynamic spread offense that has thrived everywhere he has been as a coordinator (Tulane and Clemson) and a head coach (Glenville State and, since 2001, West Virginia.)

His 60-26 record at West Virginia is sterling, although procuring him appeared costly with a $4 million buyout added in a contract amendment signed in August 2007.

Carr is still expected to coach Michigan in the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl against ninth-ranked Florida.

Martin attended the Michigan basketball game Saturday but refused comment on anything related to the search, which began officially when Carr announced his retirement on Nov. 19.

Rodriguez's acceptance would brings to an end the long and winding process to replace Carr.

Michigan had reached deep discussions with Rutgers coach Greg Schiano before he pulled out of the race on Dec. 7. There were extensive discussions between LSU coach Les Miles' representatives and U-M. Miles officially spoke to Coleman and Martin on Dec. 7, although released a statement saying it was just in an advisory capacity.

Like Schiano, Rodriguez was in his second major job flirtation in 12 months, having spurned Alabama last December.

Rodriguez also has a tenuous tie to Ann Arbor in his former West Virginia coach Don Nehlen, who was one of Bo Schemebchler's assistants before leaving to build the Mountaineers' program.

There have been 16 Division I-A coaching changes since the regular season ended and Michigan was one of three - UCLA and SMU - that had not been filled.

[Illusion]

It's about time. I was so sick of hearing about Les Miles heading to Michigan after signing his extension.

[djeffectz]

You guys think it will affect Slaton decision to bolt to the NFL this year?

[rjt721]

Originally Posted by djeffectz

You guys think it will affect Slaton decision to bolt to the NFL this year?

With the way Slaton performed this year (not well) I don't think it matters. Slaton's nothing more than a mid-round draft pick, and his departure would allow Devine to get the carries he needs and deserves. If I'm a WVU fan, I'd be hopeful that Slaton enters the draft.

[HAPPY BOY]

wow, I know you have to look out for your financial future and your families welfare, but now a days a coach has basically no word as a man!

[djeffectz]

You guys think that the line for the game will go up?

[Louisvillekid1]

Going to be very strange watching Michigan run the spread Offense, instead of their tradtional NFL style O

[jackpot269]

didnt think he would leave his home state as long as he was winning!!! but he may have seen the writing on the wall!!!

[astro61200]

Originally Posted by rjt721

With the way Slaton performed this year (not well) I don't think it matters. Slaton's nothing more than a mid-round draft pick, and his departure would allow Devine to get the carries he needs and deserves. If I'm a WVU fan, I'd be hopeful that Slaton enters the draft.

Is that a joke? The way he performed? His stats are pretty close to Adrian Peterson's from the past 2 years, if you were a WVU fan and you wanted Slaton to enter the draft, then you would need your head examined

Slaton will go top 10

[rjt721]

Originally Posted by astro61200

Is that a joke? The way he performed? His stats are pretty close to Adrian Peterson's from the past 2 years, if you were a WVU fan and you wanted Slaton to enter the draft, then you would need your head examined

Slaton will go top 10

No, I’m not joking at all. And yes, Slaton had a poor season – 700 fewer rushing yards than ’06, only 5 YPC (very mediocre in that offense). He also failed to show up in WVU’s 2 losses, particularly the Pitt game when, with White injured, his team needed him the most.

Comparing Slaton to A.P. is laughable.

There’s no chance Slaton goes in the top 10 in the draft, nor in the first round for that matter. He’s at best a third-rounder… undersized, not an every-down back, can’t rush up the middle consistently, doesn’t break tackles, etc.

RB’s that will be drafted ahead of Slaton, in no particular order (granted, it’s likely not all will enter the draft):

McFadden
Felix Jones
Jonathan Stewart
Justin Forsett
Tashard Choice
Yvenson Bernard
Rashard Mendenhall

Others that could potentially be picked ahead of Slaton include – Mike Hart, Kevin Smith, James Davis, Cory Boyd and Jamaal Charles.

I admit, saying WVU fans should hope he turn pro was a bit harsh, but the point I was making is that Devine is the best back on that team, and Slaton's presence will only cut into Devine's number of carries. In retrospect, having both surely won't hurt and it was a poor choice of words on my part, but it doesn't change the fact Slaton vastly underperformed this season.

[hawk 5]

Originally Posted by Louisvillekid1

Going to be very strange watching Michigan run the spread Offense, instead of their tradtional NFL style O

I suppose they will run the spread, but Mich isn't set up for it. Will be some growing pains, wonder how patient the Mich fans will be?

[Doc JS]

Originally Posted by HAPPY BOY

wow, I know you have to look out for your financial future and your families welfare, but now a days a coach has basically no word as a man!

HB,

I have no problem with a man (or woman) making a decent living for their family but damn, you're right about the word (or contracts) for major college coaches.

Their word means nothing and their contracts are not worth the paper they are printed on.

I wonder if he'd be pulling this sh*t if WVU had beaten Pitt and was playing for a national championship?

Doc

[cashflow50]

feel good about my okla play. wv kids wont be up for this game.

[awhitejackson]

Sellout. All for the money . Rich Rod Will Be FOREVER HATED IN THE MOUNTAIN STATE.....Hope he finds his new home pleasant....he will never be welcomed back...Maybe we can get a real play caller anyway. Just because you now have the inventer of the running spread offense dosen't mean there arent 20 coaches who can outplay him with his own stlye...He is by far not the smartest coach in history. FU ROD!!!!!

[tblues2005]

They got a good head coach from West Virgina, they may turn the corner against Ohio State now.

[onlòóker]

He will not coach West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

[tryintogetpaid]

Good, now the Les Miles talk can end :-)

I am glad for Rich, Michigan needs him and he needs Michigan. WV is back to the toilet :-)