MOBILE, Ala. ? University of South Alabama head football coach Joey Jones officially announced Friday afternoon that Mitch Rodrigue (pronounced Rod-reeg) has joined the inaugural Jaguar coaching staff. Rodrigue becomes the eighth member of the assistant coaching staff at USA and the second this month to join the program, joining Kurt Crain who came aboard last week.
“Coach Rodrigue brings a wealth of experience with him having been in the collegiate coaching profession for over 20 years,” Jones said. “While at Southern Miss, he was known as their best recruiter and was mainly responsible for recruiting the southern Mississippi and Louisiana areas. His familiarity with this area will really help us in recruiting.”
In total, Rodrigue has spent 21 years coaching at the collegiate level. He will team up with assistant coach Brian Turner to coach the offensive line and oversee the tackle and tight end positions.
Prior to his arrival a South Alabama, Rodrigue spent the last nine seasons at Southern Miss where he coached the offensive line (2003-07), tight ends (2000-02) and running backs (1999). During his tenure, he was a valuable member of the staff, not only on the field, but also as a recruiter, as he was named one of rivals.com Top-10 recruiters from a non-BCS conference in 2006. That same season, Rodrigue’s offensive line allowed just 10 sacks all season, ranking 18th nationally, while the Golden Eagles rush for an average of 169.9 yards a game, which ranked first in Conference USA and 25th nationally. The unit also collected its first two All-Americans since the 1950s, with the naming of George Batiste and Travis Cooley to different squads, and led the Golden Eagles to a school-record 4,635 yards of total offense, over 2,000 yards rushing, the first time since 1987, and the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2002.
In 2005, Rodrigue guided the offensive line to another strong season, as the offense finished with 4,288 yards of total offense, the sixth-best performance in school history. The offensive line, led by All-Conference USA performers Batiste and Cooley, only allowed nine sacks that season, ranking No. 12 in the nation, and did not allow a sack in six games on the year.
In 2004, the offensive line, led by linemen Jeremy Parquet (All-Conference USA Second Team) and Chris Clark (All-CUSA Freshman Team) was just as strong, surrendering only seven sacks for the season. Parquet was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Draft. During his first season leading the USM offensive line (2003), Rodrigue helped the Golden Eagles win their fourth Conference USA title and earn an invitation to the Liberty Bowl. The program lost three starting offensive lineman to the National Football League from the 2002 squad, and Rodrigue was charged with retooling the line. All Rodrigue did was have three players garner all-league honors, Parquet (First Team), Jim Hicks (Second Team) and Chris White (Third Team). Cooley was also named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2002.
Before taking over as the offensive line coach in 2003, Rodrigue coached the running backs in 1999 and the tight ends from 2000-02. He also assisted with the offensive line during his initial stint at Southern Miss, serving as the program’s graduate assistant in 1989 and 1990 under former head coach Curley Hallman. During his 11 seasons at USM, the Golden Eagles made eight bowl trips; 2007 ? GMAC Bowl, 2005 ? New Orleans Bowl, 2004 ? Wyndham New Orleans Bowl, 2003 ? AXA Liberty Bowl, 2002 ? Houston Bowl, 2000 ? GMAC Bowl, 1999 ? AXA Liberty Bowl and 1990 ? All-American Bowl.
A native of Thibodaux, La., Rodrigue also coached several seasons at Nicholls State (1993-98), serving as tight ends, offensive line coach and offensive coordinator during his time at his alma mater. While at NSU, Rodrigue helped the Colonels lead the Southland Conference in passing. In addition to his time as the Colonels’ offensive coordinator, he also served at various times as recruiting coordinator and, after the resignation of Rick Rhoades in 1995, interim head coach. As offensive line coach, Rodrigue’s linemen blocked for the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 1996. Rodrigue was also a student assistant coach 1987-88.
Prior to his coaching stint at Nicholls State, Rodrigue worked for two seasons as an assistant coach at Pearl River Community College (1991-92) where he served as offensive line coach, as well as strength and conditioning coach.
Rodrigue played at Nicholls State and helped the Colonels reach the second round of the Division I -
AA playoffs in 1986, as well as win the 1984 Gulf Star Conference title. He also played one season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College prior to his career at Nicholls State. He was an all-district performer at Thibodaux High School.
Rodrigue and his wife, Deidi, have three children, Maci, Madden, and Mallori.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
