Back at WVU, Rodriguez laments leaving for UM
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — New West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez admitted Friday he made a mistake by leaving West Virginia for Michigan 17 years ago.
Based on the welcome he got from the thousands of fans who attended his introductory news conference Friday, much seemed to be forgiven — except for one man who yelled at Rodriguez just as he started speaking. The crowd quickly drowned out the heckler, who was escorted from the campus arena.
Rodriguez took the jeers in stride, responding with a joke aimed at West Virginia’s biggest rival: “OK, any other Pitt fans can leave the building.”
The crowd, which included Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen and former players such as Avon Cobourne and Owen Schmitt, roared in response.
And that’s how the second tour of Rodriguez at his alma mater got started.
“This is really surreal,” said Rodriguez, who got emotional and paused a few times during his speech. “I never should have left.”
Rodriguez went 60-26 from 2001 to 2007. The fanbase was devastated, first when West Virginia bungled a chance to play for the BCS national championship by losing to heavy underdog Pittsburgh 13-9 in the 2007 season finale at home, and again when Rodriguez was gone two weeks later for Ann Arbor.
Rodriguez, 61, who was named coach on Thursday after spending three seasons at Jacksonville State, said he has grown both as a person and a coach throughout his long career, “and in particular in the 17 years since I made the mistake of leaving.”
Rodriguez carries some baggage. His three years at Michigan, where he was fired after the 2010 season, were marred by NCAA violations for exceeding limits on practice and training time at college football’s winningest program.
He was fired after six years at Arizona in January 2018 after his former administrative assistant filed a claim with the Arizona attorney general’s office accusing him of sexually harassing her and creating a hostile work environment. The university said it couldn’t substantiate the claims but was concerned about the “direction and climate of the football program.” The lawsuit was later dismissed.
Without going into detail, athletic director Wren Baker said Rodriguez was “sincere and genuine in owning those mistakes and the subsequent lessons he learned from them.”
In 2000, Rodriguez took his first major college head coaching job after being a Clemson assistant, and several dozen people attended his introduction at West Virginia in a room overlooking Mountaineer Field.
On Friday, West Virginia went all-out. Concession stands sold beer, the marching band played and fans packed the stands.
ESPN personality Pat McAfee, a kicker and punter on the 2007 team, aired his daily show live from the arena floor, including an interview with Rodriguez prior to the start of the main event.
“We’re about to go get some championships, and that’s what today is all about,” McAfee said.
Head coaches who come back for a second stint at a school aren’t so rare.
Scott Frost recently returned to UCF. Among other coaches who made repeat visits over the past decade include Mack Brown at North Carolina, Greg Schiano at Rutgers, Brady Hoke at San Diego State, Jeff Tedford at Fresno State, Bill Snyder at Kansas State, and Randy Edsall at UConn.
Bobby Petrino twice was head coach at Louisville and served as coach and later offensive coordinator at Arkansas.
Sports
Keys to the NHL offseason: Free agency and draft plans for Rangers, Bruins, every other eliminated team
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Ryan S. Clark
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Kristen Shilton
The 2024-25 NHL regular season will end Thursday, with exciting races for playoff seeding and the draft lottery order right until the final horn.
But not every team gets to participate in the postseason. This is the place where we look ahead to the offseason for all the teams eliminated from contention: Who will those teams try to add via free agency, trades and the draft? How much better will the team be in 2025-26?
Read on for a look at what went wrong for each eliminated team, along with a breakdown of the biggest keys this offseason and realistic expectations for next season. Note that more teams will be added to this story as they are eliminated.
Note: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metro teams were written by Kristen Shilton, and Ryan S. Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific teams. Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Projected cap space per PuckPedia. Dates listed with each team are when the entry was published. Teams are listed alphabetically by publication date.
For those who want to know the identities of the 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams, this was quite a productive weekend. As the games begin Monday, 14 of 16 clubs have punched their tickets, though a variety of seeds remain in contention.
With the end of the regular season approaching on Thursday, here’s what’s at stake in the six games taking place Monday:
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ win on Sunday kept them in the playoff race for at least one more day; a win by the Canadiens in this one will clinch a berth (and eliminate the Blue Jackets). On the other side, the Blackhawks are locked in to the No. 2 spot in the draft lottery order.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings
7 p.m. (NHL Network)
The Stars can no longer catch the Jets or be caught by the Avalanche, so they will begin their first-round playoff series against the Avs at home. The Red Wings enter the evening 11th in the draft lottery order, tied in points with the Rangers, three points behind the Ducks (and the Penguins, but they have only one game left) and one point ahead of the Islanders.
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
As noted above, the Rangers are right in the mix for a top-10 draft pick, but they could finish as low in the order as 13th if they win out. On the other side, the Panthers cannot catch the Maple Leafs for first in the Atlantic Division, but they can potentially move ahead of the Lightning into second in the final week. They are four points ahead of the Senators, but hold a three-regulation win advantage with just two games left for both clubs, so Ottawa cannot catch them.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. (ESPN+)
These two teams enter the evening 14th and 3rd, respectively, in the draft lottery order. Nashville is locked in at No. 3, but the Hockey Club (with 87 points) can potentially move up a spot to No. 13 (currently the Blue Jackets, 85 points), or down to No. 15 (currently the Canucks, 88 points).
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m. (ESPN+, NHL Network)
Here’s your No. 2 vs. No. 3 series in the Pacific Division, but it remains to be seen which team gets home-ice advantage. The Kings enter the evening in the second spot, with 101 points and 41 regulation wins (and a game in hand). The Oilers have 99 points and 35 RW, so this is essentially a must-win for them (and in regulation, too).
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks
10 p.m. (ESPN+)
In the nightcap, it’s two lottery-bound teams, though at the two ends of the table. The Sharks have clinched the No. 1 spot in the lottery, while the Canucks are 15th heading into this matchup. The Canucks can potentially switch spots with the Hockey Club at No. 14, and could also flip with the Calgary Flames at No. 16.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Yesterday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Monday’s games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Sunday’s scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)
New York Islanders 1, New Jersey Devils 0
Boston Bruins 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Buffalo Sabres 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 1
Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Calgary Flames 5, San Jose Sharks 2
Colorado Avalanche 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 106.6
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 100.5
Next game: vs. NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 96.4
Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 97.8%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 78.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Metro Division
Points: 109
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 111.7
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ MTL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 91.2
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.2%
Tragic number: 2
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 83.0
Next game: @ FLA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 79.0
Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 77.9
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
Points: 114
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 1
Points pace: 115.4
Next game: vs. ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 108.7
Next game: @ DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 0
Points pace: 102
Next game: N/A
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 1
Points pace: 96.2
Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 1
Points pace: 95.2
Next game: vs. UTA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 94%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 89.2
Next game: @ NSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 67.7
Next game: vs. UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 58.4
Next game: @ MTL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 107
Regulation wins: 45
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 109.7
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 101
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 104.8
Next game: @ EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: vs. LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 94.3
Next game: s. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 7%
Tragic number: 3
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 80.0
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 1
Points pace: 76.9
Next game: vs. LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 52.3
Next game: @ VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: A “p” means that the team has clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team in the regular season. A “z” means that the team has clinched the top record in the conference. A “y” means that the team has clinched the division title. An “x” means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An “e” means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. More details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
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