The discussion of Alabama football scheduling in-state games pops up from time to time. Rich Rodriguez gave the conversation some life recently.
During his radio show over a week ago, the Jacksonville State coach fielded a question about in-state matchups between teams in Alabama, rather than facing out-of-state non-Power 4 opponents.
“If (Alabama wants) to pay me $2 million, I’ll be down there on Saturday and Sunday, I’ll play them twice, get $4 million and help our budget,” Rodriguez said. “They can beat our brains in for a couple million dollars, for sure.”
Rodriguez mentioned he would even call his “buddy Greg Byrne,” who is Alabama’s athletics director.
“‘Listen Greg, we’ll go down there for $2 million, and if you want to do the back-to-back, we’ll go for $4 million and have a great time,’” Rodriguez said. “I’ll even sing ‘Roll Tide’ for them, if they want.”
Byrne let out a hearty laugh in response to Rodriguez saying he would sing “Roll Tide” when it was brought up to Byrne during a sit down with AL.com.
“Rich has got a great sense of humor,” Byrne said.
Byrne had seen the comments from Rodriguez, whom he hired at Arizona. Byrne called Rodriguez a good friend.
AL.com asked Byrne if Alabama would have any interest, with a new era of football under Kalen DeBoer, in scheduling in-state matchups with schools not named Auburn.
“We have a scheduling model we’re comfortable with at this time,” Byrne replied.
The Crimson Tide last played an in-state team in 1944 when it faced Samford (then Howard College).
The answer Byrne provided mirrors what he has always said, going back to when he took the job in 2017.
Alabama might have a new football coach, but it doesn’t appear it will be taking a new approach to in-state football scheduling anytime soon.
Sorry, Rich Rod. You’ll have to sing something else.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
