Rich Rodriguez: the next John L. Smith?

Folks, Andy Gamm (Your Source for Big Ten Sports) is back from his annual winter golf trip. And boy, is the scribe formerly known as "The Professor" bringing it strong this holiday season!

If you haven't bookmarked Andy's blog yet, you're missing out. Check his latest blog entry, breaking down Michigan's recent hire of Rich Rodriguez:

Rich Rodriguez will bring the same style that Illinois runs to the Big Ten. Hey,
as they say, if you can't beat 'em (spread offenses with fast QBs) join 'em. My
ony question for the ogling M fans - how is he any different than John L. Smith? Good luck coach and welcome to the Big Ten.

As usual, a real astute, objective take from Mr. Gamm. If you're not familiar with his work, Andy has achieved a cult-following in the blogosphere, mainly due to his innovative-style of journalism, attributable to being under the tutiledge of esteemed sports writer Jack Ebling. Not surprisingly, Andy is the first person to compare Rich Rodriguez to John L. Smith; he's always been at the forefront of pushing new, cutting edge ways of analyzing the Big Ten sports world. Now hear him out on this.

Coach Smith spent nine seasons combined at Louisville and Michigan State. In those nine seasons, Coach Smith won a whole one bowl game -- the prestigious Liberty Bowl. He also led his schools to a combined zero New Year's Day bowl appearances. And who will forget his near victory over Marshall in the Motor City Bowl, or his heartbreaking loss to Boise State in the Humanitarian Bowl? A gawdy track record, I know.

Meanwhile Coach Rodriguez spent seven seasons at West Virginia. He just happened to piece together a rather uneventful string of three consecutive seasons of 10 wins or more, winning only two bowl games, including a crumby BCS win over a weak Georgia program. Coach Rodriguez also managed to lead the Mountaineers to five straight bowl games, all of which coincidentally were staged on New Year's Day or later.

As you can see, these two coaches couldn't be any more similar. Andy, you've done it again. One more time, you're ahead of the curve and beat us all to the punch on this sweet comparison. Well done.