Top Ten Offseason Stories: Part 2
5. June Jones signs with SMU–After leading Hawaii to the greatest season in history, and launching the Warriors all the way to the BCS promised land, a rout at the hands of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, the Run and Shoot Guru himself was lured away by the SMU Alumni who were willing to Pony Up the cash. Jones inherits a fairly talented, but downtrodden program which he will make a contender in the Conference USA. Jones, after moving to SMU, moved Katy, TX QB commit Bo Levi Mitchell to Dallas as well (from a commit to Hawaii), and he, subsequently, went on to be named the starter for the opener against Rice. June Cometh.
4. Interesting Coaching Changes–Every year coaching changes happen. Many happen before the bowl season, therefore, they are not technically offseason. However, the consequences are felt throughout the offseason as the new staff comes in to their first Spring practices, first recruiting class, etc. Some of the more interesting hires this year are Houston Nutt from Arkansas to Ole Miss, Rick Neuheisel to UCLA, Paul Johsnon from Navy to Georgia Tech, Bobby Petrino from Atlanta (NFL) to Arkansas, Art Briles from Houston to Baylor, June Jones (see Above) and Rich Rodriguez from West Virginia to Michigan (see Below).
3. Terrelle Pryor signs with Ohio State–Every year it seems as some kid is the coveted prize of the recruiting world. Pryor seemed to be wined and dined by the programs and fans who wanted him to sign with their school. A photo even surfaced of Pryor at a Michigan basketball game talking with Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez. Pryor delayed his signing, he remained uncommitted, until after he finished his basketball season which went deep because his team won the state championship. Pryor considered Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State where his father lobbied for him to play. In the end, the Buckeyes won the prize. Think Vince Young, only bigger. Buckeye fans are thinking National Title!
2. Ryan Perrilloux dismissed from LSU–The highly recruited QB who waited his turn at LSU struggled with off the field probelms. No need to rehash all of that. Head Coach Les Miles gave him several opportunities to remain on the team. Perrilloux showed his abilities last season leading LSU to a win over Tennessee in the SEC Championship game with starting QB Matt Flynn injured. Without Perrilloux, the Tigers go from defending national champions with a proven QB to defending national champions with no proven QB.
1. Rich Rodriguez to Michigan and Saga–Rodriguez bailed on the Mountaineer fans. At least that is how they feel about it. Rodriguez, a West Virginia Alum, was poised to stay for many years in Morgantown and lead them to the elusive national title. However, when it was all over, Rodriguez took the Michigan job feeling as if he had been cheated by his employers. The Hawaii athletic director apologized to fans when June Jones left, no such action from the West Virginia AD. He and WVU sued Rodriguez for the $4 Million buy out in his contract which Rodriguez claimed was void due to an oral agreement between he and the AD to take out the clause. Of course, we know, contracts don’t mean anything. Meanwhile, in Ann Arbor, Rodriguez wasn’t a hit with every player. QB Ryan Mallet decided to transfer to Arkansas to play in Spread Offense that doesn’t need the QB to run the option like in Rich Rod’s offense. And, Michigan lineman Justin Boren transferred saying that the “family values” have left under Rich Rod. And that was only Spring!
