Rodriguez plans to stay committed
Paul Rodriguez and his father asked coach Brady Hoke during their recruiting visit to San Diego State whether there were any jobs he would leave the Aztecs for and Hoke had only one school: Michigan.
That became a reality earlier this week when Hoke was named the new Michigan coach so Rodriguez, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound offensive tackle from San Bernardino (Calif.) San Gorgonio, wasn't surprised by the news but was still a little disappointed.
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"Right when I saw his name up for that job I thought he might leave," Rodriguez said.
"It's kind of a surprise because I really didn't think he would leave but he left. My dad and I talked last week as soon as we saw his name in the papers and we decided I'm still going to stay at San Diego State. It's the best fit for me and it's on the rise because coach Hoke turned it around.
"Whoever is the head coach next will continue on this path and maintain the winning program."
The next coach will be San Diego State defensive coordinator Rocky Long, according to reports, and Rodriguez said that's good news because Long mainly recruited him for the Aztecs.
There is already a relationship built there so Rodriguez is more comfortable in his decision to stay committed.
"Coach Rocky Long is the one who recruited me at San Diego," Rodriguez said. "We have a really good relationship. That would be cool for him to be the head coach.
"I'm bummed about it because I really wanted to be coached by a really good coach like coach Hoke. I'm glad I got to meet him on my trip but he saw an opportunity and wanted to hop on it."
Rodriguez, a two-star prospect by Rivals.com, also claimed offers from Arizona State, Colorado State, Fresno State, New Mexico, New Mexico State and Washington State.