Viewooillt-a The Tulane Hullabaloo • January 22, 1999 • 9 Rodriguez a Tularie football class act Tulane football: an ary does a college football season stick with his kids until the "It's for the kids," Rodriguez responded begin its ebb tO\\ ards perpetual Sport· CUZ I CAN eason was over. He took off with when asked \\ hy he wasn't in Clemson with American tragedy Center basement highlight reels the Liberty Bowl still on the Bowden several days before the Liberty Bowl. without one note\\Orth) tale. This Alex Ross horizon, leaving his bowl-bound Not for the school that humiliated him, that "It was the best of IF I ONLY HAD character in Titanic. ' season isn ·t any different. There is team without a general for their cast him to the gutter, but for the players. For times, it was the we were also on one tale \\Orth) of admiration and last game. his kids. A BRAIN worst of times ... " sinking ship. " smiles from all. even individuals who hate Rodriguez, Bowden's offensive And so a man named Rodriguez led his Now that the Andrew Pickett This is where the football. But exactly what is this tale of the coordinator, seemed the logical replacement band of un-respected warriors against BYU's adrenaline of the tragedy starts. 1998-99 college football sea on? for the coaching vacancy. He preached high- fifth-ranked defense. He adorned the colors of Miracle on the All throughout Many fans would just!) claim it paced football and Jed Tulane's under-sized, Tulane against the Cougars and found it in his Mississippi is the season Tennes ee · rise to the national championship. under-talented offense to the top of college heart to work alongside Scelfo, the man who beginning to wear off, and Tulane something seemed not quite right Perhap one day v.hen this year is football. Could a better coaching candidate be took his job. And like any good epic, athletics are returning to their about this amazing tum-around. It remembered. a Vols fan with nostalgia seeping asked for? Rodriguez and his kids did the impossible. usual ho-hum existence here on seemed too good to be ｴ ｲ ｵ ･ ｾ from his eyes might remark. .. How 'bout those Arriving at the press conference in which They completed perfection. campus, one can look back over undefeated, the number one rated bomb::. ｾ Ｑ ｡ ｲ ｴ ｩ ｮ threw in the ·99 Fiesta Bowl?" Sandy Barbour announced the new head Then. with the Mormons wondering what the last three months of equal quarterback in the country, a ' Friend v.ould nod. adorning half-smile faces. coach of the football team. Rodriguez was hit them and the national media proclaiming, parts insanity and utter disbelief coach who is considered a· ··Whar a year... " and he'd knock down his certain he'd take the reigns and guide Tulane "The King is Back in Memphis." Rodriguez and read an amazing story equally standard of how to do the job, and Bud. to not only Liberty Bowl victory, but also slipped from the limelight and let his kids, and as sad as it is happy, as sorrowful a generous #9 ranking before the- No doubt Tennessee could be considered success in seasons to come. them alone, revel in the victory. as it is joyful. Texas A&M win over Kansas the story of the year. It wasn't to be, however. Barbour gave the In a day when Tommy Bowden can ditch For years the laughing stock of State. Maybe it just seemed too If not the Vols. perhaps the demise of job to Chris Scelfo. an assistant at Georgia. his team who believed in him, Rick Neuheisel college football, the Green Wave precious to let all slip by; it; Kan a State to Texas A&M, Ricky Williams "I was so sure. I brought in my green coat of Colorado can lie and report to recruits that rose like ... well, a wave out of the grimly appeared to many that this. • and his Heisman. or even TCU's Cinderella and tie this morning;' Rodriguez lamented at he'll be at Colorado for years to come then the seas of mediocrity and surged couldn't last. 1, finish. A southerner might fleetingly whisper. the press conference. After giving so much to followmg day announce he'll be coaching for over the American continent. There was a sense of having tq "Tulane had a great year." but of cour e. he'd Tulane, bleeding green for the past two Washington, and numerous other coaches pull confounding and intriguing hold on to this season and- be . \\ept mer with the usual · ·rrength of seasons, Rodriguez was thrown out the front deceitful and shameful things on their players millions of diehards, like my squeeze it for all it was worth- chedule' and ·conference USA' hullabaloo. door. no doubt a tear sliding down his face. and schools, it's nice to hear the tale of a friends and relatives, who because it wouldn't be the ｳ ｡ ｭ ｾ With the Tulane community's focus But none of the e is the story of this year. small-school offensive coordinator who wondered just who the hell we next year. 'ot a one. directed on Scelfo and the Liberty Bowl, refused to abandon his kids. were. Reading the articles off ESPN The tale of thi year is that of an assistant Rodriguez was all but forgotten. At Clemson, I hope Clemson treats you well, Rich If they could see us play. Sportszone. out of USA Today,. coach from a small southern _chool cast aside. Bowden extended a hand to his old friend and Rodriguez. We rolled over our Conference and watching SportsCenter, it offered him the ame position he formerly If the tale of a man v.ho pulled one of the It sure was nice to see you ride into the USA opponents la few close ones appeared as though the whole clas iesc move ever in college football. held at Tulane. Rodriguez accepted. and plane sunset. - Louisville, Army) to the tune of football establishment turned It· the tale of Rich Rodriguez. tickets were bought. Alex Ross is a Tulane College freshman an 11-0 season and a number 10 against us. Bur Shaun King and the rest of the Tulane And God, "hat a tale. and can be reached at [email protected]. ranking in the country. As much Their attitude was one of'. After pulling Tulane from the depths of the team. already dropped like dead weight by controversy as surrounded us ''Well, you've had your chance to' Bowden, couldn't bear to lose Rodriguez too. NCA football. former head coach Tommy concerning our schedule. we play with the big boys; now itf Bowden high-tailed it to Clem. on to coach in Speaking on behalf of the players. King continued to crush our time to shrink back down to the the SCC., lo_. Tommy didn't have the class to swayed Rodriguez to stay for the final game. competitors with a Heisman realm of powerhouse wannabe's worthy quarterback and a trio of and assorted one-hit wonders. receivers who could start at any You had your 15 minutes. Thank school. you for your interest. Don't let the Discarding the word "perfect" and redefining "best" ｾ ｯ ｴ to mention a coach who door hit you on your way out." hailed from a family where 11-0 Within a week of trouncing. seasons and national Tech 63-30 to complete our So I got my fall grade THE ORANGE CLOUDS This includes asserting if one down the logic path. Let's Sa) I want to be the championships are daily routine. dream season, once savior; We sat in groups in our rooms Tommy Bowden was on a plane back: three A· for effort IN MY HEAD needs external assistance. perfect person. What does that mean? and one C for cookie. One of the bener things I ｣ ｾ Well, first of all, it's not going to mean the on rainy Saturday afternoons to Clemson to take over the helm And let me tell you. Iattheu· Cardinale sa) about Tulane is that there are same thmg to you as it does to me. watching the road games and sat of a proud team that had suffered that' good enough for many people who are willing to Secondly, we're constantly changing through marathon sessions of through an un-Clemson like 3-8 SponsCenter, College Gameday, season. me. help if you ask them. people, so my ideals are going to change from '• Tv.o all-nighter- into So that's my definition of day to day. Literally. from moment to and ABC college football And this before the bowl final exams I resolved that I do the best I can. "best." moment. coverage awaiting that one game. and that's all that I can do. 'o sleep for five You ·u notice that a 4.0 GPA is not included Finally, let's say I want to be the perfect fleeting mention of our name Nice work Tommy; way to days wa<> an unrealistic expectation that I in that definition. To me, winning first prize, student. If I do, then I'm going to have less (usually in passing. like an screw us over. would not facilitate. getting a promotion, making a lot of money: time to be the perfect athlete. ru have even afterthought,) from guys like Joe ESPN's take on the whole Oddly enough.