Michigan president admits Rich Rodriguez hire was mistake
by K_Zim on May 18, 2012 6:00 AM PDT
in Arizona Wildcats Football
There are some responsibilities better suited for athletic directors. One such thing is discussing the past hiring and subsequent firing of a football coach.
Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman did not abide by this unwritten law, and on Friday she told members of Flint, Michigan's, local Rotary Club that it was a mistake to bring in Rich Rodriguez.
It brings back the thoughts of loyal Michigan fans who were quick to announce their support for the Arizona Wildcats after Greg Byrne hired Rodriguez in November.
Her supposed reasoning for calling it a mistake brought up a complex question.
How deeply does local culture affect a football program, if at all?
1 commentArizona Football: Smooth Mike Stoops-to-Rich Rodriguez Transfer Gives Future Foundation
by Kyle Kensing on May 17, 2012 11:25 AM PDT
in Arizona Wildcats Football
Reading George Schroeder’s excellent Sports Illustrated piece on Rich Rodriguez (see FanShot link below), a few things jumped out that separate the new head coach’s integration into the program.
First, and most stark is his relationship with former UA head coach Mike Stoops. Schroeder does not bury the lead, opening the feature with discussion of a very amicable exchange of power. And why not?
Rodriguez will coach Stoops recruits initially. Furthermore, any early success the Wildcats may experience can be at least partially attributed to Stoops. The program at least has a foundation now, despite the way his tenure ended. Stoops left UA football in much better shape than he found it, and it’s Rodriguez’s job to build onto that.
SI.com: Rich Rodriguez Faces Challenges at Arizona
Sports Illustrated's George Schroeder examines Rich Rodriguez's fit at Arizona, relationship with Mike Stoops, and the challenges UA's new head coach faces.
Breaking down the Arizona Wildcats' athletic expenses, revenues
by K_Zim on May 17, 2012 6:00 AM PDT
(Courtesy USA Today)
USA Today released its yearly breakdown of NCAA athletic program revenues and expenses for 2011 on Monday, and above is the detailed account for the Arizona Wildcats athletic department.
Of course, the numbers for the Pac-12 are likely to make considerable leaps as the league enters into its massive television deal with ESPN and Fox. Back then, it was estimated that could add $13 million to Arizona's rights/licensing column in the above graphic.
Ed Rush Hired As Pac-12 Coordinator Of Men's Basketball Officials - CougCenter
A well-done analysis by CougCenter on the conference hiring former NBA referee god Ed Rush. No more complaining about Pac-12 refs!
College transfers: The sound swap of Josiah Turner and Mark Lyons
by K_Zim on May 16, 2012 11:55 AM PDT
in Arizona Wildcats Basketball
Defection in college basketball isn't a rare thing these days.
The Arizona Wildcats can tell you that from the end of the Lute Olson era until today nothing has been normal, but the national trend has been catching up with the UA program.
The Daily's Dan Wolken wrote on Monday that college basketball recruiting is about the now rather than the then.
It's a two-way street. Coaches recruit players that will be immediate impacts, knowing they could jump to the NBA. And if they aren't immediate impacts, players like former Wildcats and current Colorado State guard Daniel Bejarano might seek out school where they can, well, play.
"You can't tell a kid, ‘We're looking at you to be a role guy for us,' " said one assistant coach to Wolken. "Look, you can only play five on the floor at one time. So you have to present things in a certain way maybe knowing in your heart and your head that isn't an accurate portrayal of where the kid fits in your program."
So is it on the coaches or the players?
At Arizona, away goes Josiah Turner to play for Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown at SMU, and in comes Xavier Musketeers transfer Mark Lyons. Sean Miller has dealt with unneeded change in the swapping of Turner, a sophomore-to-be, and the incoming senior, Lyons, but it might work out for both parties.
[RELATED: SEC transfer rule hurt Lyons' chances at landing with Kentucky Wildcats]
Bruce Pascoe: Players' Off-Court Woes Hit Sean Miller Hard
A tumultuous off-season has cast a shadow over the excitement of Sean Miller landing a top recruiting class. Bruce Pascoe examines further in Wednesday's Arizona Daily Star.
Stephen Jackson, The Wildcat Who Wasn't, Chasing Another Championship
by Kyle Kensing on May 15, 2012 9:45 PM PDT
in Arizona Wildcats Basketball
Lute Olson put together more than a few outstanding recruiting classes: 2001 (Salim Stoudamire, Channing Frye, Will Bynum); 1999 (Jason Gardner, Gilbert Arenas); 1998 (Richard Jefferson, Michael Wright, Luke Walton, Rick Anderson, Ruben Douglas).
The 1996 recruiting class was historic as-is, marking the arrival of Mike Bibby. His No. 10 hangs from the rafters of McKale Center, a constant reminder of the magical national championship run he led the Wildcats on his freshman season.
Bibby was one of two McDonald's All-Americans committed to Olson for 1996. The other was basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy product Stephen Jackson.
Jackson's potential is one of the great what-ifs in Wildcat basketball history. Bibby's inking with UA was much celebrated -- he was an in-state star and son of a former NBA champion. But Jackson's play in the McD's game begged the question who the real crown jewel of the class would be.
Academic ineligibility ended Jackson's UA career before it began. The stellar class Olson had landed was still stellar between Bibby and JUCO transfer Bennett Davison. With Jackson in the fold, though?
