Rich Rodriguez turns down South Carolina job, Arizona AD says
South Carolina’s athletics director isn’t talking, but Arizona’s is.
Wildcats athletics director Greg Byrne tweeted late Saturday night that Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez did not accept an “offer” to become the Gamecocks’ head coach. Rodriguez is one of a long list of candidates who have interviewed with or been investigated by the Gamecocks. The list includes Houston head coach Tom Herman, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and reportedly South Florida head coach Willie Taggart and former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano.
“Great news @CoachRodAZ did not commit to the offer from S. Carolina. He's an Arizona Wildcat,” Byrne tweeted at 11:02 p.m.
Rodriguez, a 52-year-old considered one of the creators of the zone read run game, is 152-104-2 as a head coach at West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona. The Wildcats were 10-4 in 2014 but fell to 6-6 this year. He was Clemson’s offensive coordinator in 1999 and 2000.
Sunday will be Day 54 of South Carolina’s search to replace Steve Spurrier, who announced his retirement on Oct. 13. The Gamecocks are not expected to make an announcement about the job Sunday.
Great news! @CoachRodAZ did not commit to the offer from S. Carolina. He's an Arizona Wildcat. #BearDown
— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) December 6, 2015Happy and honored to be an Arizona Wildcat!! Bear Down!!
— Rich Rodriguez (@CoachRodAZ) December 6, 2015Not sure you needed more confirmation than the AD saying it; but am told same, Rich Rod turned down offer to be South Carolina’s HC. Wow.
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) December 6, 2015SOURCE: RichRod was offered #Gamecock job. Mulled it over the flight home. Realized he wanted to stay at #Zona & has more work to do there.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 6, 2015South Carolina did not offer Rich Rodriguez its head coaching job. All signs continue to point toward Will Muschamp.
— JC Shurburtt (@jcshurburtt) December 6, 2015Ray Tanner is not having a good three months
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 6, 2015Seriously on one of the greatest nights in Clemson history, South Carolina gets publicly shamed by Arizona's coach and AD. That isn't good.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 6, 2015This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 11:16 PM with the headline "Rich Rodriguez turns down South Carolina job, Arizona AD says."