“RR was 0-3 v Miami. He was was probably around a .500 coach against the likes of Virginia Tech, Boston College, Pitt, Louisville and South Florida.”
Let the numbers do the talking. They always more accurate than off-the-top-of-the-head posts.
Rich held his own against Virginia Tech (2-2).
Rich was 4-3 against Maryland.
Rich was 2-2 against Boston College.
Rich was 4-3 against Pitt.
Rich was 2-1 against Louisville
Rich was 0-3 against Miami, his nemesis (blocked punt hurt in Mountaineer Field; I still think Hurricanes got away with a forward lateral after the recovery).
Rich was 1-2 against South Florida. Should have avoided Florida teams.
So, Rich had losing series against only Miami and South Florida, winning series against Maryland, Pitt and Louisville and broke even with Virginia Tech and Boston College. As long as he didn’t play a Florida school he more than held his own.
Vs. Boston College
0-35 in 2001, Rich’s 1st season spent cleaning house of talent that didn’t fit his system
24-14 in Rich’s 2nd season in 2002
Big East co-champ for first time since 1993 in 2003. Rich’s program is in higher gear 35-28 over Boston College
17-36 to Boston College in 2004
Vs. Pitt
17-23 vs. Pitt in 2001, Rich’s ONLY losing season
24-17 over #12 Pitt in 2002
52-31 over #16 Pitt in 2003
13-16 to Pitt in 2004. A heart-breaker
45-13 over Pitt in 2005
45-27 over Pitt in 2006
9-13 to Pitt in 2007 (that one still hurts; could have won national title that season)
Vs. Miami
3-45 vs. Miami in 2001
23-40 to #1 nationally Miami in 2002
20-22 loss to #2 Miami in 2003. Not exactly a disgrace
Vs. Louisville
46-44 over #19 Louisville in 2005
34-44 to Louisville in 2006 despite 11-2 season and #10 nationally in final poll
38-31 over Louisville in 2007
Vs. South Florida
28-13 over South Florida in 2005
19-24 to South Florida in 2006
13-21 to #18 South Florida in 2007
35-13 over Georgia in Sugar Bowl in 2005 season
38-35 over Georgia Tech in Gator Bowl in 2006 season
48-28 over Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl in 2007 season, Rich’s final at WVU (I know Bill Stewart coached but it was Rich’s team)