From: FoxNews.com — Rich Rodriguez was fired as head coach of the University of Michigan football team Tuesday, sources told MyFoxDetroit.com.

The decision came just three days after his team suffered the worst bowl loss in school history, a 52-14 trouncing at the hands of Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl.

Rodriguez was 15-22 during three seasons in Ann Arbor. He lost a school-record nine games in his debut with the Wolverines two years ago, was 5-7 after starting 4-0 last season and turned a 5-0 start into a 7-5 finish this fall.

The Wolverines were also 1-10 against ranked teams during Rodriguez’s tenure and were 0-3 this season against rivals Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Athletic Director David Brandon would not immediately name a replacement.

Rumors have swirled that Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh, a former Wolverine quarterback, and San Diego State’s Brady Hoke, a former U-M coach, are on the list of possible candidates.

Reports Tuesday said Harbaugh’s return to Michigan, however, is highly unlikely. He is reportedly deciding on staying at Stanford or pursuing a head coaching position in the NFL.

Rodriguez, 47, arrived at Michigan after a stint at West Virginia from 2001 to 2007 in which he won four Big East conference titles.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/01/04/michigan-fires-head-football-coach-rich-rodriguez/#ixzz1A7RP4jhl

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