Chris Scelfo.
Rich Rodriguez’s coaching career almost went down a wildly different path 19 years ago, and Houston offensive line coach Chris Scelfo had something to do with it.
Rodriguez was an assistant on Tommy Bowden’s staff at Tulane when, in 1998, Bowden bolted for Clemson just before the Liberty Bowl.
Many considered Rodriguez the logical choice to at least replace Bowden.
Instead, then-Tulane AD Sandy Barbour tabbed Scelfo as Bowden’s permanent replacement before the bowl game. Scelfo, a Georgia assistant, was born and raised in New Orleans.
Rodriguez wasn’t exactly happy with the decision, telling reporters at the time: “This is a shock. I was so sure, I brought in my green coat and tie this morning (for a news conference). This is so discouraging. I’m disappointed. I thought I’d done all I could to prove myself. I’m worried about the kids.”
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Rodriguez, 35, explored his options, speaking with Middle Tennessee State and Southwestern Louisiana before ultimately joining Bowden’s staff at Clemson.
But the Scelfo hire still stung.
“I’ll get a chance to show them they were wrong,” Rodriguez said at the time.
He sure did. Rodriguez went on to coach seven years at West Virginia, three at Michigan and is now in his sixth year at Arizona.
