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How does that saying go? "Speed kills." That is what Rich Rodriguez and his staff at the University of Arizona hope to be true as Rodriguez begins his first season at the helm of the Wildcats.
Rodriguez has had his ups and downs as a head coach. He came onto the national scene as the head coach of West Virginia, where he went 60-26 in seven seasons including two BCS Bowl births.
Rodriguez was then hired as the head coach of Michigan, and after only one winning season in three years and a record of 15-22, he was let go after the 2010 season.
Rodriquez brings with him to Tucson his no-huddle, spread offense. A scheme that did not work as well in the Big Ten as it did in the Big East.
"Schemes are sometimes overrated," said Rich Rodriguez. "I think you have to have good players that are executing well no matter what you are doing."
One of the key players for Rich Rodriguez is quarterback Matt Scott. Who returns to the field in 2012 after red-shirting in 2011. Because of Scott's duel threat capabilities, many see him as the perfect fit in Rodriguez's system.
"It was a real humbling experience for me," said Matt Scott about red-shirting last season. "It was really tough for me to sit on the sideline and watch the team play, I felt like was wasn't contributing to the team's success."
Rodriguez however, praised the former coaching staffs decision to redshirt Scott.
"Best decision that coaching staff made," said Rodriguez. "We are fortunate that he is here with us."
Rodriguez hopes to build a team similar to the Oregon Ducks, who have been the Pac-12's gold standard for the past three seasons. Linebacker Jake Fischer already seems similarities between the two teams.
"Every practice felt like we were playing against Oregon," said Fischer. "You have to kind of think on your feet and you have to to be quick with your judgement, and I believe that it will get us ready for us to play Oregon."