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Rodriguez To Replace Nehlen

November 26, 2000 / 6:36 PM EST / CBS/AP

West Virginia hired Clemson offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez, a former Mountaineers player, as football coach Sunday to succeed the retiring Don Nehlen.

Rodriguez helped Clemson to a 9-2 record and Gator Bowl bid this season. He served two years at Clemson after coming with coach Tommy Bowden from Tulane.

Rodriguez was given a five-year contract at $402,600 annually, including a $150,000 base salary, $63,000 from the school's Athletic Endowment Fund and $189,600 from radio, television, internet and endorsements.

He can earn an additional $100,000 in incentives.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to come home and coach at my alma mater," Rodriguez said. "West Virginia is home to me and very dear to my heart."

Rodriguez will start Friday. Nehlen, who is retiring at the end of the season, would coach the Mountaineers if they earn a bowl trip. West Virginia (6-5) finished the regular season with a 38-28 loss to Pittsburgh Friday.

Rodriguez talked several times with West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong after Nehlen announced his retirement Nov. 4.

"I'm so pleased that we have one of our own to continue the Mountaineer tradition," Pastilong said. "I feel our players will like playing for Rich."

Rodriguez played under Nehlen as a defensive back and on special teams from 1982-84.

At 24, Rodriguez became the nation's youngest college coach at Salem. He later coached at Glenville State, where he won at least a share of four West Virginia Conference titles before going to Tulane in 1997 as offensive coordinator.

"Rich Rodriguez has made a name for himself as a dynamic and innovative coach," West Virginia President David Hardesty said. "In my conversations with him, I have been impressed with his ideas for building on Don Nehlen's legacy. His enthusiasm is infectious. He knows the state and university well and we look forward to his successful tenure with the Mountaineers."

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