ESPN Subtly Fans the Flames on Rich Rodriguez to Virginia Tech Rumor

Rodriguez might be in play in Blacksburg.

[Arizona Athletics]

ESPN staff writer Travis Haney mentioned Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez's name in conjunction with the vacant head coach position at South Carolina, and the currently occupied one at Virginia Tech.

The same extends to Virginia Tech, where Rodriguez could be in play if Frank Beamer were to retire. Additionally, Rodriguez has a connection there: Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock was on the administrative staff at West Virginia when Rodriguez coached there.

Haney's platform and limited information adds an iota of credibility to a rumor that's echoed about tailgates encompassing Lane Stadiumβ€”former West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez might be Frank Beamer's successor at Virginia Tech. In addition to Babcock's and Rodriguez's well-documented professional relationship (hey, did you know they also played pickup basketball together?), Haney also cites Rodriguez would like to live closer to his native West Virginia. Both statements combine to corroborate the information produced by the Blacksburg rumor mill. More interesting, at least to me, are Haney's assertions that Rodriguez would like to coach at a more traditional football school, and his unconventional stock option based annuity, which doesn't fully vest in the near future, won't keep him locked to the Wildcats.

[Coaches who know Rodriguez] think he would like to again coach at a school where football is a bigger deal.

From talking to those who know Rodriguez, my sense is that [the annuity payout] would not be a factor in deciding whether to interview or take a job on the East Coast.

A few financial notes: According to USA TODAY, Arizona will pay Rodriguez $2,878,844 for coaching in 2015. That's in the same ballpark as the $2,535,925 Virginia Tech will foot to Frank Beamer. Also, if Rodriguez terminates his contract prior to January 16, 2016, he owes Arizona $500,000 (unless he takes a job at WVU, then it's bumped to $1,000,000).

In August of 2014, Babcock extended Beamer's contract through January 1, 2019. Although, Babcock and Beamer issued a joint statement after Tech's 7-6 campaign last season in which both stated they have "higher expectations" for the Hokies' program.

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