Coach Rumors

Ah, it's that time of year...every coach is leaving for every job whether there's any evidence of that or not. Of course, the biggest of those rumors for us is that Rich Rodriguez is leaving for Alabama. The blogs "Run Up The Score" and "Cock & Fire" are all over this story. But, as EDSBS point out, there are ZERO sources quoted in the article. Obviously if RUTS were correct and 'Bama offered Rich a deal in the 5-7 year range for well over $2,000,000 a year, it would be tough for any person to turn down. But there is no hard evidence this is true and Rich Rod's statement yesterday basically said he hadn't met or talked with anyone from Alabama and there's no reason I see to not believe him. Here's what Rod said:

“I don’t know how rumors get started, and that’s all it is — rumors. I haven’t talked to anybody at any other schools. The way it is nowadays, anyone can put something on the Internet and people think it’s gospel. ... It’s unfortunate. But that’s technology.”

That sounds kinda clear to me. But that denial wasn't enough for the Beckley Register-Herald. They have flight logs. Some mysterious person flew into Greenbrier County and left and went back to Alabama. They were picking up Rod maybe? Maybe Beamer? Maybe they were just flying around for the fun of it? Doesn't matter...that's good enough for a story in Beckley. It's becoming a bit ridiculous.

It's so easy to start rumors, I think I'll start a few myself with unnamed sources -- here goes:

• Florida State alumni are finally fed up with Bobby Bowden. I've heard it from good sources that the coach will be asked to resign or be fired after an embarassing year in which his son Jeff was released as offensive coordinator. Sources say the new coach has already been contacted and is willing to accept the job. Folks, welcome Lee Corso back to the sidelines.
• Many thought Alabama would be looking for a high-profile coach to take over the disappointing program. Not so says a source close to the coach search. The leading candidates are J.L. Abbott of Fairmont Senior High School and Billy Haddix of East Fairmont High School. The Tide Boosters are leaning toward Haddix because "he would probably cost less."
• Notre Dame fans will rejoice as Jabba the Weis has signed a 40-year, $800 billion dollar contract with the University. "We'll need to get to a lot of BCS games," joked the large coach. In addition, Weis told reporters Lou Holtz is coming back to Notre Dame to give speech classes.
• Miami has decided one coach is not enough. Sources tell me that they currently have received verbal commitments from Bobby Petrino, Dave Wannstedt, Greg Schiano, Rand Edsell, Greg Robinson and Jim Leavitt. Paul Dee was quoted as saying, "If one coach is good, six is going to be the awesomest."
• Ending much speculation, Rich Rodriguez will announce he is leaving WVU after the Rutgers game. The unorthodox coach will not be taking over a single program but every and all programs that still need a coach. A source says that Rodriguez believes he can still coach part-time at WVU too if they will let him. As of now, it appears Coach Rod will be coaching at Arizona State, Florida International, North Carolina Sate, North Texas and Tulane. He will also be assisting his Big East brethren at Miami. A friend of Coach Rod said, "He knows it will be tough but there's a lot of money and, if anyone can do it, Coach Rod can."

So, you can quote those to your friends...I have sources somewhere. As for Coach Rod, maybe he'll leave WVU at the end of the season...maybe not. But if you're going to say he's leaving, you better have more than just a rumor and a flight record with no names.