Rich Rodriguez addresses the Big 12 Conference on
media day.
By Bill Nestor
The Big 12 Conference held its Media Day last week in Frisco, Texas. The rumor is that everything is bigger in Texas and this media Day felt like the biggest one the Big 12 has had in a very long time.
The major reason for the significance surrounding this football kickoff event was the re-emergence of former West Virginia University head football Coach Rich Rodriguez as the new Mountaineer Head Man! It is Rod’s first media Day with the program as a member of the Big 12 Conference, but you could quickly tell that this was not his first rodeo. The biggest issue faced during the day was locating exactly where the individuals asking the questions were located.
Everyone remembers the fire that Rich Rod coached with his first time around. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and he wasn’t afraid to verbalize any thought he had. Mountaineer Nation held its collective breath when he was asked about the advantages and difficulties of returning back to WVU. How would he respond?
Ever since his return, Rod has taken the high road answering questions with the most positive of answers. This would be the stage to be heard upon if he had anything special that he would like to get out to those around the Big 12. Rod started with a fact stressing his knowledge of the lay of the land. Other new coaches would take six to nine months, but it only took him six to nine minutes.
Then he hit ‘em with a joke. He said coming back home, he knew where all the bodies are buried and the traps are laid and he understood the environment which made for an easier transition.
Then he hit them with the education. He talked about his tour of the football facility when he returned and how blown away he was with the $50 million in improvements in the past five or six years. A lot of stuff that you wanted to have here as a program, we were able to have coming back a second time, he explained.
If he would have had these improvements back then, it is hard to say if he would have ever left and, if not, just how far the program would have climbed.
His demeanor was calm and he looked at home behind the podium. Rod was prepared for every question that was asked of him. That is nothing new; he preaches preparedness and a press conference is old hat for a seasoned veteran.
He took the time to build up his quarterbacks as well as the overall signal caller situation in the conference. He talked differences between Jacksonville State and WVU in terms of roster building and he also touched on another homecoming. Being in the same conference as Arizona, another former coaching stop for the Mountaineer Coach. He talked a little money and how revenue sharing could heap the haring surrounding the transfer portal.
When asked why he keeps coaching, Rod replied it’s a lot easier than working in the coal mines or digging a ditch. He could have done the latter in the big presser, but Rod stayed out of the ditch and on course. Next stop, the start of the season where WVU looks to mine some wins en route to a big season.
That will do it for now! Until next week… take care and God Bless!!!
This week’s edition focuses on the Granddaddy of them all, Clarksburg Country Club. The CCC has stood the test of time and has grown throughout the years, providing additional top notch amenities along the way.
The roots of the Club go back to 1912 when it was designed as a nine hole course. Now it is home for a challenging 6,000 yard 18 hole tract that offers a tale of two sides. The front wraps around the clubhouse and tight, placing a premium on tee shot placement. A trip across the bridge takes you to a more open back side that allows more aggressive play. The course layout is fun, fair, and challenging for golfers of all skill levels.
It’s often said that it is people that make the difference and that is the case here. Director of Golf Doug Comer and the entire staff go above and beyond with a level of effort that goes unmatched. The entire staff is friendly and knowledgeable, providing a feeling of being home, as they offer several types of memberships tailored to meet your needs.
A 25-meter, six lane, heated Junior Olympic swimming pool with a baby pool and newly opened Birdie’s Bistro and Social Pub are top shelf features at the club. Everyone in the family loves pool time and here you can even have your favorite foods from Birdie’s waterside. The Social Pub provides one of the best 19th holes around. It’s in the perfect place to recap your round and make plans for the next one.
Everything that you need for your round can be purchased in the fully stocked updated pro shop. As a matter of fact, everything that you and your family need for a great summer can be found at the Clarksburg Country Club.
