Many will no doubt be amused that the HC of Iowa St. moves to the head job at Auburn, followed by the DC of Auburn becoming HC of Iowa State, Pitt fans are just celebrating the elimination of any return of Rhoads to Pitt.
Seriously? Five years, $5.75 million plus incentives? For a recently unemployed DC and no other competition for his services as a HC? Hire Rhoads’ agent.
The AD of Iowa State echoed what everyone else has said about Rhoads.
“In my two face-to-face meetings with Paul this week, it was obvious that his enthusiasm, energy and warm personality would be well received by our players, fans and university community,” Pollard said. “He has a presence with a ‘look-you-in-the-eye’ style that makes you feel comfortable.”
And makes you want to overlook all the faults with his actual coaching.
I too am thrilled by this move. Especially since, as suspected, DC Phil Bennett could be on the move.
I wasn’t sure how serious ISU would be over Rhoads. Especially with the Auburn connection. So, I was actually hoping that there was something to the rumor of Mike Stoops of Arizona being interested.
“I have no comment,” Stoops said. “I am getting ready to play a game.” Iowa State has been bombarded with coaching rumors since Gene Chizik accepted on Monday the head coaching position at Auburn.
Not even a denial. Just a no comment.
On its face, moving from Arizona to ISU would seem to be at best a lateral move, but more like a step back. The thing for Mike Stoops is that he was on the second hottest seat in the Pac-10 coming into the season. Getting to a bowl saved his job. He knew it, the AD knew it. Everyone knew it.
If he moved to ISU, the Wildcats would have had to make a new hire in football as well. Likely costing them significantly more money to get someone with a proven track record. Especially given the fact that they had been bowl-free since 1998. The more money they would have to throw at football, at least in theory, would somewhat limit the money they could throw at a head coach in basketball in the spring.
Oh, well. Good luck to Mr. Rhoads. Have at least moderate success so you can be there for quite a while.
