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Like a lot of West Virginia fans, I'm greatly concerned about the coaching situation in Morgantown.Coach Rich Rodriguez's statements about the Michigan job (or lack of them) certainly ...

Memo to Rich Rodriguez: Make a Choice, Coach

by RG Yoho (Scribe)

24

4283 reads

Sports

December 15, 2007

Rich Rodriguez

IconLike a lot of West Virginia fans, I'm greatly concerned about the coaching situation in Morgantown.

Coach Rich Rodriguez's statements about the Michigan job (or lack of them) certainly don't contradict any of the statements he's made in the past—he's told us before that he would hear other offers, and didn't care to talk about them.

I understand that position, and at one level, I respect it. That said, I'm more than a little disgusted with Rodriguez's arrogance in handling the situation with the press.

Richie is supposed to be a "big boy" now—so he must know something about the media.

"It may be disappointing to you, but I'm not going to talk about any rumors or innuendoes or jobs or whatever else is floating out there," Rodriguez told reporters. "I'm not talking about anything other than this year's team, this season, and this year's bowl preparations."

When pressed, Rodriguez told reporters, "You all have not understood what I just said. One more question and unfortunately this conference will end."

Get serious, Rich.

This is not a story because the media made it a story. This is not a story because the people of West Virginia made it a story. This is a story because Rich Rodriguez chose to make it a story.

Moreover, it's a story that could be ended with two simple words:

"I'm staying."

When he signed his contract last year, Rodriguez said he wanted to be the coach at West Virginia as long they wanted him on board. Well, I've missed only one game in Morgantown this year, and I've yet to see any fans holding signs calling for Rich's dismissal.

During coach Don Nehlen's final years, someone flew a banner over the stadium that implied a need for his removal or replacement. Nothing like that has happened to Coach Rod.

Sure, maybe there was an occasional "boo" hurled his way over some questionable or conservative playcalling, but it wasn't completely unwarranted.

As I recall, when my season ticket order came in the mail, I had to pony up extra money to keep the coach in Morgantown. Although it was something of a hardship, I realized that such was the price of success—and I was grudgingly willing to pay it.

That financial sacrifice ought to entitle every Mountaineer fan to express his approval or displeasure at the games in the way he sees fit.

And if Rodriguez insists on making these employment questions a yearly occurrence, the booing from the fans is going to get worse, not better.

I certainly don't know what's going on here—and the one guy who does isn't talking.

In fact, he's becoming outright belligerent with those whose jobs require them to get the information to a public who definitely has the right to know.

I'm trying to do the right thing by keeping my powder dry and waiting for Rich to give us a definite answer. But my patience is wearing mighty thin.

The fans at West Virginia University certainly deserve better th

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24 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Jesse B about 1 year ago

    In the end I think he stays. The 8$ million required to buy out his contract just seems like too much. We'll see.

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  2. Bobby Burdette about 1 year ago

    I also think he will stay. And I'm about 99% confident about that. I too blogged all day yesterday and went through the whole range of emotions that most Mountaineer fans probably went through yesterday.

    I woke up today thinking 'Are we as Mountaineer Fans this insecure??' We are acting like an insecure highschool girl about her popular boyfriend.

    If the fans, bloggers and the insiders would all just step back take a deep breath, relax and wait for everything to play out it would play out better for us. We sound like a bunch of whinning bitches.

    I think RR knew this was going to happen, that's why he was so tight lipped. We acted like this with Belein and last year with the Alabama situation.

    Maybe he didn't know what to say yet? Maybe he didn't want to say the wrong thing and get someone in trouble. Maybe he is using this to help create some buzz about the program and get the fact that he's going to turn down the job a bigger story that it really is.

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  3. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    I'm over Rich, and this annual debacle. Bring on Terry Bowden! Someone who wants to come home to his alma mater.

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  4. J.C. Hagan about 1 year ago

    You're over a coach who's made you the program that you are?

    Wow.

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    • Rodney Richmond about 1 year ago

      Yes, I we are all over him! Coach Rod didn't even accomlish what Don Nehlen did. Nehlen had two UNDEFEATED seasons over better teams than Rod coached against, and Nehlen coached the team in two national champsionship games. All the facilities...the flying WV logo...it all came through Don Nehlen's efforts. Sure, it was exciting but don't give Rod too much credit.

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  5. Roger Gee about 1 year ago

    Once he wouldn't make a comment --it was over. Now, he's finally announced he's leaving. Thanks, Coach Rod for jumping the ship as WVU prepares to face Oklahoma. It's puts a huge damper on the Fiesta Bowl. But, do fans a favor ---get out now!!! Go on to Michigan. Don't be anywhere near an
    Arizona casctus in January. You are a deserter, anyway ---and shame on you for not biding your time. It's all about money --take it ---and run!!! Jerk!!!

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  6. Dan Beard about 1 year ago

    I am so tired of all these prostitute coaches lying about staying. For the most part it is all about money and has very little to about the school or the state that it is in. Coach Rod is no better than an A-Rod. Take the money and leave and good riddings to you and your family. But the next time you are asked a question be honest to the fans and yourself or you might find yourself on the street without a job.

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  7. John Kersey about 1 year ago

    I don't know what to say except that Coach Rod is unlike any caoch I have every heard about. He comes back from a meeting Friday and won't talk to anyone in the media about the meeting with Michgian, then puts his players under orders not to talk to anyone about it, then this afternoon drops the bomb (that most were expecting). What kind of coach are you anyway? You came back to WV saying that you wanted to retire here. Flirted with Alabama to get a new contract then go behind the people that trusted you and you get a new job. If I were one of your coaches, I would be afraid to go anywhere with you, if you asked. You have lied to your players, to your coaches, to the university, and to the fans from the state of WV. Go on to Michigan, and leave tomorrow.

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  8. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Just a quick word. Coach Rod, I hope you have the season you deserve next year. And when you do, and you are tossed out on your rear, don't come back here hoping to be comforted by those you lied to and betrayed. GO! And GO NOW! Don't wait for January. No one in West Virginia needs you.

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  9. roger full about 1 year ago

    As a loyal, loving Mountianeer fan, I want to thank Pitt for uncovering the true identity of our coaching Superman. May he have Kryptonite on his cornflakes.

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  10. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Coach Rod,

    You have proven to all in the state of WV that money talks and loyalty means nothing to you. I feel sorry for the players that you lied to all season long, I feel sorry for your wife and kids, how can they ever believe anything that you tell them. You have proven to everyone that your ego is all that matters. I hope that you fall flat on your face at Michigan. How can you sleep at night. WVU, the team, the alumni and the fans deserve better than you. LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!! Shove it up your ass Rich.

    A pissed off Alumnus.

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  11. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Hey coach rod, what was it...the money? The loss to Pitt? We thought you were it....a true WV at heart..thought you found your place and were happy. Worst of all, now we have to back Ohio State. Go Mountaineers and I guess for at least one game a year, Go Buckeyes.

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  12. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    CAN YOU SAY, 'BYE, BYE ROD?'

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  13. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    wow... were you ever wrong.

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  14. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    OK, Rich, you betrayed a lot of people; the fans of WVU, the state of West Virginia, the University and, especially your players. But worst of all you destroyed the dreams of some fine young men---the seniors who would be playing their last game for the Mountaineers in a national bowl game. Now, the program is a shamble because their coach, "who wanted to retire here", walked away. And shame on the NCAA for permitting this to happen when a bowl appearance is on the line.

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  15. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    CAN'T SPELL TRAITOR WITHOUT RR

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  1. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    ns wondr why everyne else call us dumb, ignorant hillbillies?? Well, can't blame them 'cause they're on Natl TV doing dumb ignorant shit for everyone to see. Michigan get ready for the good Ole' Bo days,,,,they're returning. Have fun getting beat by Wisc and Ohio St and whover else with that great spread O. And if you happen to make it to the Rose Bowl you'll get beat by a West Coast team like Bo always did. GO BLUE.....go pound sand up your ass. And Again thank you from the bottom of my heart fo taking that ignorant spic out of here~~

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  2. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    ns wondr why everyne else call us dumb, ignorant hillbillies?? Well, can't blame them 'cause they're on Natl TV doing dumb ignorant shit for everyone to see. Michigan get ready for the good Ole' Bo days,,,,they're returning. Have fun getting beat by Wisc and Ohio St and whover else with that great spread O. And if you happen to make it to the Rose Bowl you'll get beat by a West Coast team like Bo always did. GO BLUE.....go pound sand up your ass. And Again thank you from the bottom of my heart fo taking that ignorant spic out of here~~

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  3. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    ns wondr why everyne else call us dumb, ignorant hillbillies?? Well, can't blame them 'cause they're on Natl TV doing dumb ignorant shit for everyone to see. Michigan get ready for the good Ole' Bo days,,,,they're returning. Have fun getting beat by Wisc and Ohio St and whover else with that great spread O. And if you happen to make it to the Rose Bowl you'll get beat by a West Coast team like Bo always did. GO BLUE.....go pound sand up your ass. And Again thank you from the bottom of my heart fo taking that ignorant spic out of here~~

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  4. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    WOW,,,,he sure hurt alot of people and has everyone pissed. Well,,,what do you expect from a deceitful, arrogant, selfish jerk like Coach Rod. Everyone overlooked him as he was winning. But now the truth cmes out. Michigan I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a problem from our hands. You are our savior!! Now we can get a real coach who can take us to Glory Road. Let's be realistic,,,,the Big East has been down plus the Eastern Mich and Western Potato Pickers have give Rod an easy schedule. A good coach would have had us sitting here with a 12-0 record and trip to the Big Easy to play for Natl Champ. I'm tired of all this Don Nehlen bullshit. When they stack the line and blitz Rod can't coach against that and he looses. Too arrogant and stupid to change game plan and throw the ball when the run is shut down. We pay 2mil per year for that idiocy?? Thank You Michigan. Have fun with O State and Wisc and Penn St. And keep you checkbook handy!!!

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  5. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    YEAH MOUNTAINEERS! I hope with all of my heart that Rich was watching the Fiesta Bowl. I guess WV sure showed him what they can do. I just wish that we could have a crack at playing MIchigan so we could whip his ***. West Virginia gave up on him but never lost faith in our team. I hope that he at least feels a little bit of shame as he sits on his pile of money.

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  6. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    January 15, 2008

    Football player files missing
    Fingers point to Rodriguez
    By Dave Hickman
    Staff writer
    MORGANTOWN — West Virginia officials are wondering if assistant coaches aren’t all that Rich Rodriguez took with him to Michigan. They believe he may also have destroyed all or most of the paperwork files relating to every player on the current Mountaineer roster and virtually all of the activities conducted by the program over the past seven years.
    Soon after returning to work after the Fiesta Bowl a little more than a week ago, the staff at the Puskar Center found that most of the files — including all of the player files — that had been stored in Rodriguez’s private office were missing. In addition, all of the players’ strength and conditioning files in the weight room were gone.

    “It’s unbelievable. Everything is gone, like it never existed,’’ said a source within the athletic department, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Good, bad or indifferent, we don’t have a record of anything that has happened.’’

    According to the source, the files in Rodriguez’s office that are now missing included everything from records regarding summer camps — financial and otherwise — to data on boosters, recruiting and most everything related to activities within the program during Rodriguez’s seven years at WVU.

    Most disturbing, though, is the absence of all of the players’ personal files, which included, among other things, contact information, scholarship money awarded, class attendance records and records on personal conduct and community service, be it positive or negative.

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  7. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=grxNSfpB0os

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