Before we get to the regular Arizona Wildcats football quick hits, here’s some interesting information on UA coach Rich Rodriguez’s salary:
Rodriguez ranks 41st among FBS coaches in total pay, according to a report released Wednesday by USA Today.
Rodriguez’s total compensation for the 2015-16 fiscal year was $2,860,000. That figure ranked ninth among Pac-12 coaches. USA Today did not have salary information for USC’s Clay Helton and eight other coaches who work for private institutions.
Rodriguez’s compensation includes an FBS-high $360,000 in “other pay,” which USA Today defines as “income from sources listed on the coach’s most recently available, self-reported athletically related outside income report.”
Rodriguez, basketball coach Sean Miller and AD Greg Byrne have retention bonuses in their contracts tied to a stock deal.
Rodriguez’s base salary, or “school play,” includes a $125,000 payment that Rodriguez will receive only if he remains coach on Nov. 30, according to USA Today.
Rodriguez’s total compensation was down almost $400,000 from the previous fiscal year, when he received a $650,000 performance bonus.
USA Today also calculated buyouts for coaches if fired without cause on Dec. 1. Rodriguez’s buyout, according to the report, would be $8,912,500.
And now to the quick hits from Arizona’s post-practice media availability Wednesday morning:
* Rodriguez said new Stanford QB Keller Chryst might be more apt to run than Ryan Burns, something the UA defense needs to be mindful of Saturday.
* The basic approach for the struggling Arizona defense vs. the struggling Stanford offense, per Rodriguez: "You’ve got get off blocks, and you’ve got to tackle."
* Rodriguez said every offense Arizona faces is different, including the spread-based attacks. The biggest difference with Stanford is its frequent use of tight ends, fullbacks and extra offensive linemen.
* Rodriguez said one of the biggest challenges Stanford presents with Christian McCaffrey is how much he moves around. Sometimes he’s in the backfield, sometimes he’s in the slot and sometimes he’s all the way outside.
* Arizona spent part of its bye week self-evaluating the defense, especially from a personnel standpoint, but don't expect significant scheme changes.
* Rodriguez and his staff envisioned Samajie Grant as a slot wide receiver coming out of high school and he became a good one. Four years later, he's returning to running back. I’ll have more on Grant later in the week.
* Rodriguez doesn't consider Grant's move unselfish; rather, it’s typical of UA players' team-first attitude. "They’ll do whatever we ask them to do,” Rodriguez said. Arizona seeks players who can play multiple positions in case situations arise like this season's spate of injuries at running back and quarterback.
* Arizona’s defensive line faces a size deficit every week. Getting bigger along the D-line remains a big point of emphasis in recruiting. In the meantime, the undersized linemen have to be extremely active and play with leverage to be effective. I’ll have more on this topic later today.
