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Coach Rich Rod Changing Things Up, It’s All Good

By Shereen Rayan

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Arizona Wildcats Spring Football: Coach Rich Rodriguez and his football team had some fun last Friday night during Spring Fling weekend playing the spring Blue and White game.

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Lately we have seen some changes from head football coach Rich Rodriguez, positive changes.

Some of you may have noticed, Coach Rodriguez had attended some late season Basketball games with his family. He sat in court side seats at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the Pac-12 tournament, and I actually crossed paths with him after the UCLA vs. Arizona basketball game, he is very tall!  I was in awe!

Fox Sports Anthony Gimino had a chance to catch up with Coach Rich Rod after a game to get his thoughts on the game of basketball what he enjoys and learns from fellow Coach Sean miller as they have formed a stronger bond as of late.

"“I’m a big college basketball fan, but what Sean has done … one, they have recruited really talented guys, but it’s more than that. It’s the way they play, how unselfish they are, how hard they play on every possession.“I’ve told Sean this, ‘When you play us in basketball, you have to literally earn everything you get when we’re on defense.’ Good defense travels well, and that’s what’s fun to watch. I learn a lot from watching Sean and them coach, and I learn a lot from watching our guys play.”"

Coach Rich Rodriguez was so impressed with Coach Sean Miller and his basketball season that he decided to follow suit on “The Twitter” and in social media and promised us he would be better at communicating with us with this announcement (follow him @CoachRodAZ on Twitter):

He paid homage to his fellow coach with this tweet:

I got exceedingly more excited about next years football season when I wrote our article on signing day and Coach Rid Rodriguez’s “Our Kind of Guys.”

“I’m a big college basketball fan, but what Sean has done… I learn a lot from watching Sean and them coach, and I learn a lot from watching our guys play.”

He is continuing and enhancing last years strategy for recruiting JUCO transfers along with hungry underrated freshman. It was fascinating researching where these incoming freshman for next season were coming from and what their stories were, and I kept finding a recurring theme: these young men were hungry to prove themselves to the world, they felt underrated, and they cannot wait to come to Tucson for a new life.

Check out or posts on Antonio Parks and Kendal “Almighty K” Franklin, both coming from the state of Louisiana, they already represent the school by wearing their future school gear and Kendal had a sic tatoo (is that how you say it?) on his arm, now this is committment if I’ve ever seen it.

This year at the Spring Game, Coach Rich Rod allowed fans in the stands to call some plays, can you say bucket list? I had friends and family wondering why I didn’t fly to Tucson for the chance.  Here is one of the highlights:

Highlights of the game:

Football spring practice concluded on Friday night with the Spring Blue and White game played in front of fans during the schools Spring Fling weekend. The Quarterbacks seem to do pretty well according to their coach Rich Rodriguez, “He was pretty sharp. There were a couple of times he probably could’ve been a little more decisive in his throws but Anu is a smart guy. He’s gotten better and, with a great summer, I think he will be even better come this fall.”  

Here is an excerpt from ArizonaWildcats.com on their performance:

"On offense, redshirt sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon led the way by completing 19 of his 25 pass attempts for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt senior quarterback Jerrard Randall also threw a touchdown pass Trevor Wood and finished 6-12 for 77 yards. Redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Dawkins did his damage on the ground as he rushed for 20 yards on nine carries with a touchdown."

Anu Solomon also summed up what he has been working on in the offseason, “Game management and making sure I am keeping an eye on the down and distance, and what kind of situation it is. If we are down by eight on fourth-and-15, and I throw the ball away, that is something I have to work on. I am still struggling with that, but what I am doing now is getting in the film room with Coach (Rod Smith) and working. On the practice field, it just takes repetition.”

And the defense? Our special JUCO transfer Paul Magliore proved that he meant what he said, “I am “all in” and is just plain happy to be playing in Tucson.”

"Defensively, junior transfer Paul Magloire Jr. was all over the field as he finished the game with nine tackles. Redshirt freshman Marcus Griffin added four tackles and recovered a fumble. Redshirt senior Sir Thomas Jackson also added four tackles with two for a loss and a sack."

On a special note, ZonaZealots follows #96 Marcus Griffin, who asked us to come support his team last night, had a fantastic play which you can catch in the video highlights earlier in this post. His opposing QB #13 Brandon Dawkins coughed up the ball, Griffin caught it, ran 20 or so yards, Dawkins caught up with Griffin who punch the football out of his hands, Griffin then scooped up the ball and ran for a few more yards (at 1:15 in highlight video).

One last tidbit I don’t know if most of you are aware of, Coach Rich Rod’s daughter Raquel Rodriguez is a cheerleader for the University of Arizona! This isn’t the best photo, but was taken after winning the Territorial Cup from Arizona State. Brett McMurphy of ESPN quoted the coach as saying this about his daughter:“If you see me hugging kissing cheerleader after game don’t worry. If it’s 2 or 3 there’s a problem”

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez (left) celebrates as he leaves the field with cheerleader daughter Raquel Rodriguez following the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

All-in-all, things are looking good from a fans perspective, I am liking what I am seeing.  Looking forward to informing all of you as the summer is upon us.

BEARDOWN ARIZONA!

Next: Read about JUCO transfer Paul Magliore?

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