TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Rich Rodriguez is making football relevant again in the desert.

After a year away from coaching, the coach called RichRod has ratcheted up excitement for football at Arizona while trying to resurrect his career after an acrimonious split with Michigan.

Rodriguez has been known as an offensive innovator since his days at tiny Glenville State and, except for those three seasons with the Wolverines, has had success everywhere he's been.

He takes over a team that struggled the past few seasons under the defensive-minded Mike Stoops, now an assistant at Oklahoma. Rodriguez has infused life into the program with his easygoing manner off the field and his unique, up-tempo schemes on it.

The Rodriguez Era opens Saturday night, when the Wildcats face Toledo at Arizona Stadium.