ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Rich Rodriguez nearly went to Tulane, wants Michigan on schedule

Nov 29, 2011, 9:39 PM | Updated: 9:55 pm

Rich Rodriguez has been the head coach of the Arizona
Wildcats for a week now, though he was close to taking the
same job with Tulane.

In a speech given to Tulane
boosters
, John Curtis
Christian
School head coach J.T. Curtis said Rodriguez told him the
decision to take the job in Tucson was tougher than some
might think.

“My understanding is, in talking to coach Rich Rodriguez,
and I was involved in that just a little bit, is that it
was
a much closer decision than people realize between Tulane
and Arizona,” he said. “I think Tulane did all they could
do
to give him an opportunity to come there and a chance to
coach, and I think his expression to me was that he felt
like he had a better chance to win the national
championship
at Arizona if he recruited properly and they promised him
they’d put Michigan on the schedule in three years.”

Curtis may have been trying to do a sales job on possible
boosters, giving the impression that the school is going
to do whatever it takes to win. Landing a coach like
Rodriguez — who was the school’s offensive coordinator
from 1997-98 — would have been a step in that direction,
and losing him to Arizona may have instilled some doubt.

However, this also spoke of where Rodriguez stood in
coaching circles (Tulane isn’t exactly a destination job),
as well as the fact that Arizona’s new coach really thinks
he can win in the Old Pueblo.

Arizona Football

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrates with Noah Fifita #11 after ca...

Arizona Sports

ESPN’s Rittenberg: Arizona Wildcats’ QB room ranks 10th in nation

Led by the final Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Noah Fifita, the Arizona Wildcats' quarterback room was ranked 10th in the nation.

12 days ago

Grand Canyon forward Duke Brennan...

Vincent DeAngelis

Duke Brennan uses inspiration from family and high motor to propel GCU basketball

Grand Canyon's Duke Brennan has strong Arizona connections and comes from a family of athletes in Colt and Brent Brennan.

20 days ago

Jordan Morgan...

Arizona Sports

Arizona OL, potential 1st-round pick Jordan Morgan shows off speed at NFL Draft Combine

Arizona left tackle Jordan Morgan had the opportunity to show off his speed and athleticism at the NFL Combine on Sunday.

25 days ago

Jacob Cowing...

Arizona Sports

Arizona’s Jacob Cowing shows off elite speed at NFL Scouting Combine

NFL Draft prospect Jacob Cowing from Arizona put up one of the fastest 40-yard dash times among wide receivers at the combine.

26 days ago

An empty podium is seen at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by...

David Veenstra

What to watch for: 2024 NFL Scouting Combine schedule, preview and more

The NFL Scouting Combine begins this week in Indianapolis. Here's a complete guide for college and professional fans across Arizona.

1 month ago

Quarterback Jayden de Laura #7 prepares for a game at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Tucson...

Tom Kuebel

Former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura declares for NFL Draft

Jayden de Laura declared for the NFL Draft and will forego his fifth season of college football eligibility.

1 month ago

Rich Rodriguez nearly went to Tulane, wants Michigan on schedule