In West Virginia, word of mouth often reaches people more quickly than any other form of communication. It may have something to do with our history of relying on each other for the truth—instead of the lies and myths we've had to endure from outsiders.
Now, though, the people of West Virginia feel betrayed by one of their own—Rich Rodriguez.
His defenders will say Rodriguez was only trying to better himself in jumping ship to Michigan. After all, you can find hundreds of WV families in Ohio who worked in the tire factories and steel mills, or in Pennsylvania in the steel mills and coal mines, or in Maryland in the construction industry.
But those families left because they had to—because there were no jobs available for them in West Virginia.
Rich left for personal glory.
Rodriguez has plenty of money—endorsements helped his salary reach the low seven-figures. When Mountaineer fans had to put up extra cash out of their tight budgets for tickets, and when WVU dropped other small sports to pay the football coach, we understood.
But this is more than we can stomach.
First of all, Rich, you betrayed your own Mom and Dad, who were so proud of you as the Mountaineers head coach. They loved that you were the coach of the team that they'd listened to for years on the radio on autumn Saturdays.
Now they can't go out of their house without being bombarded by questions and comments befitting the parents of Benedict Arnold.
As it stands, your folks are trying to explain to their friends and neighbors why you made the decision to coach at Michigan—from problems with scholarships at WVU to Don Nehlen's personal recommendation.
Ultimately, they're doing what you should have already done: explain why you'd throw away the West Virginia Mountaineers for the Michigan Wolverines.
And that's exactly what you did.
You've let down all the old high school friends who supported you when others questioned your ability. They're in utter disbelief that you didn't discuss the decision with them.
These are guys who played football with you on that state championship team, who grew up with you, bled with you. Lifelong friends weren't even a consideration in your poor decision—and now they're totally disgusted with you.
As I talked to one of them in the wake of the announcement, I could hear the sound of a person who'd been terribly hurt—by a blow worse than any football injury.
And don't forget the young players you abandoned—like children left on a street corner with National Championship trophy in a nearby window.
They gave their total commitment to you, Rich—and you let go of the rope.
And what about the rest of West Virginia? Even after you lost one of the biggest games in Mountaineer history, fans were still looking forward to the Fiesta Bowl and the 2008 season.
So much for that.
You could've gone down as the greatest coach in WVU history, Rich. Instead you'll be forever known as the coach who oversaw the worst loss in school history...and who abandoned his team as they were poised to achieve the greatest success the program had ever known.
Benedict Arnold was one victory away from becoming the Revolutionary's War greatest field general. You were one season away from becoming West Virginia's greatest football field general.
History, unfortunately, doesn't always go as well as it might.
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10 months ago
Everybody thought that when we lost john B that it was horrible, but now we have a much much better BB couach. So now lets show our resources, and let us get a better fb coach who will maybe just maybe throw the ball if we have too. Sure running the ball is great if were winning, but for the love of fb please when were down running the ball doesn't all get it. Or someone who isn't so caught up in his so great offense, that we can change a little when someone is shutting us down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Philip from Poca
10 months ago
Why doesn't Rodriguez let us all in on the REAL reason he fled WV? Come on Rich, tell us the truth, it's going to come out sooner or later.
10 months ago
IF Rodriguez leaves- what he does by leaving WEST VIRGINIA football, is NO BETTER than what BC,MIAMI, and VT did when they jumped ship. In fact- what Rodriguez will be doing IS WORSE. Some of those schools were forced into leaving- ROD was not. The only thing that made Rod leave was his own GREEDINESS! Must need more money for another "stove in the house".
IF ONLY BRAD PAISLEY COULD COACH-- AT LEAST HE REMEMBERS HIS ROOTS!
It's one thing to look for greener pastures- but IT'S TOTALLY ANOTHER to lie and dupe the whole state of WEST VIRGINIA. But maybe in Mega Million Man Rod, the West Virginian Nation would be too busy plowing the fields to notice HIS LIE!
I wish you NO GOOD LUCK AT MICHIGAN. In fact- I hope all your field goals go wide to the right, your fumbles get returned for touchdowns and your punts get blocked! I hope your nice beautiful new home has a roach problem and I hope you find yourself fired from your MICHIGAN job, scratching (what little hair you have left), and wondering- "why did I leave West Virginia?
WILD AND WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA- is CLOSED FOR BUSINESS!- to liars and traitors like you.
With all your new found wealth, why don't you invest in some hair transplant therapy?
10 months ago
Dear writers:
Can we PLEASE lighten up with the articles on Rich Rodriguez?
There is nothing new here. Even though it only happened a few days ago, this is OLD NEWS. Allow me to write the FINAL article, right now, and it won't take more than a single sentence.
**Rich Rodriguez' recent actions have left WVA fans upset and betrayed, while Michigan fans are cautiously optimistic.**
There you have it. That's all there is. Can we please move on?!?
10 months ago
Truthfully, I'm not surprised this rat jumped ship. He proved last year in the "negotiations" with Alabama that he could be bought. It just so happened that last year WVU satisfied his greed. He spoke to his team last year, assuring them he wasn't leaving and then nearly left. These are young men who chose to place their careers in his hands. Now, after the most ridiculous loss ever in my memory (some 47 years), he bails, choosing not to redeem that loss. A loss by the way that came (in my opinion) as a result of poor coaching. I say we're better off without him. When I started at WVU, we won one game my freshman year, and one game my sophomore year - and then came Don Nehlen. WVU football is a way of life in WV whether or not a national championship is at stake. I'd much rather have a coach with character than this guy. Go Buckeyes!
10 months ago
IF Rodriguez leaves- what he does by leaving WEST VIRGINIA football, is NO BETTER than what BC,MIAMI, and VT did when they jumped ship. In fact- what Rodriguez will be doing IS WORSE. Some of those schools were forced into leaving- ROD was not. The only thing that made Rod leave was his own GREEDINESS! Must need more money for another "stove in the house".
IF ONLY BRAD PAISLEY COULD COACH-- AT LEAST HE REMEMBERS HIS ROOTS!
It's one thing to look for greener pastures- but IT'S TOTALLY ANOTHER to lie and dupe the whole state of WEST VIRGINIA. But maybe in Mega Million Man Rod, the West Virginian Nation would be too busy plowing the fields to notice HIS LIE!
I wish you NO GOOD LUCK AT MICHIGAN. In fact- I hope all your field goals go wide to the right, your fumbles get returned for touchdowns and your punts get blocked! I hope your nice beautiful new home has a roach problem and I hope you find yourself fired from your MICHIGAN job, scratching (what little hair you have left), and wondering- "why did I leave West Virginia?
WILD AND WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA- is CLOSED FOR BUSINESS!- to liars and traitors like you.
With all your new found wealth, why don't you invest in some hair transplant therapy?
10 months ago
Thanks Michigan!!!
You came and took our basketball coach so we went out and hired a better coach. Now you take our football coach right after his team looses to our biggest rival with a national championship on the line. Doesn't this make you a little nervous. He is going to have to play Ohio State each year isn't he. Once again thank you we just have to go out and hire a better football coach. Are there any other sports you need coaches for?
10 months ago
Thanks Michigan!!!
You came and took our basketball coach so we went out and hired a better coach. Now you take our football coach right after his team looses to our biggest rival with a national championship on the line. Doesn't this make you a little nervous. He is going to have to play Ohio State each year isn't he. Once again thank you we just have to go out and hire a better football coach. Are there any other sports you need coaches for?
from 10 months ago
I just heard that Michigan is now hiring our women's soccer coach
10 months ago
Rich Rodriguez is not a traitor. The traitor is Don Nehlen. If the accounts I have read are correct, Nehlen recommended Rodriguez for the job at Michigan and thought it was a great opportunity to for him. Rodriguez deserves the credit for restoring West Virginia football to national prominence. Living in the Pittsburgh area, I have noticed more people wearing Old Gold and Blue than ever before. As a native of the Moutain State and an alum of WVU, I thought Rodriguez (a WV native and a WVU alum) was the long overdue messiah that the state and its image sorely needed. I am bitterly disappointed by Rich Rodriguez's actions. I wish him no evil in his new endeavor, but I think he will soon find that coaching at Michigan is a far different matter than coaching at West Virginia. Yes, we suffered a humiliating loss to our long time rival, Pitt, but no one was calling for his firing. Let him lose to Ohio State a few times while at Michigan, and he will disover that Wolverine fans are extremely ferocious animals. His departure and the manner in which he handled the situation are difficult to accept. To West Virginians, a person's word is a sacred bond. Rich Rodriguez neither lived up to his word nor his signed contract.
10 months ago
Will you give Coach Rod a break? Are you all living in the DARK AGES? College Football is a BUSINESS..yes, Coach Road loves the Mountaineers team...and don't you forget it, because you know it's true....BUT....as in any business....even though you love the people you worked with....and perhaps you built up that company over 7 years...as Coach Rod built up this great team for my great ALMA MATER.....there comes a time .....and very few have that opportunity...to move on to something a bit higher.......maybe the epitome of the industry's company that you work for...in this case...Michigan is about the highest attainable college football dynasty that one could hope to coach......do you NOT think that Coach Rod had a hard decision? Of COURSE he did...but he would NEVER have been offered this job if he had not attained what he did at WVU...and brought our great university's football team to prominence as he did...SHAME ON ALL OF YOU ......who put Coach Rod down!!!!!! You only wish you could attain in your own field of business what Coach Rod has in his short 7 years in HIS FIELD .....
He loves WVU...he had a hard decision...but he never would have been offered this job if he did not bring the Mountaineers to prominence the way that he has!!!! Go Mountaineers....Coach Rod will be routing for you....and I....as an alumna of WVU....salute you, Coach Rod...for all you have done for my university...perhaps the people who should GO ....are those who you reported to....perhaps....you would have stayed if they treated you better....and gave more to our football team.....shame on THEM!!!!
Susan
from 10 months ago
He never finished his job.
If you lie or break a contract in any company, you get the same treatment. Enron?
What Rodriquez did is the same thing the executives did to their employees at Enron - lie!
What credentials do you have to declare Michigan as the highest college dynasty? And you say you are a WVU alumni?
Rod will be rooting for Rod.
Move to Michigan with Rodriquez.
from 9 months ago
Susan is really Rhinestone Rita Rodriguez......no real WVU alumni would support his lies, betrayal, loss of integrity, greed, etc etc...unless you were married to the traitor....The decision was sooo hard for him it took all of a day to make the choice to leave his roots....what a freakin loser....
from 9 months ago
I think Coach Rod deserves a break. I don't think his decision to go to Michigan was anyone else's business - not his lifelong friends, not the WVU fans. The University of Michigan is a great university academically and otherwise, and it has one of the great football dynasties. Change can be hard, but change can also be good. I am not going to judge any faithful fans; I realize it's hard to let go. If Coach Rod did not make the decision with integrity, it will come back to bite him in the end.
People have to live their lives and face themselves in the mirror - this includes people who make false allegations, people who use relationships and children to control others for material gain, and people who are self-righteous (sorry, off on a tangent).
KARMA IS REAL.
10 months ago
Susan, all a man has is his word. If you give someone your word and you say you will do something, then you do no questions asked. Rich signed a contract with the University and he did not fulfill his obligation. What about all of the young men and women in the military who wish that they could be let out of their contract. A mans word is his word and that is all he has. I hope the best for him and I wish him no ill. But for myself and about 99.9% of the other WVU fans that understand what a “mans word” really is, I say “Good bye Rich!” You can’t trust someone who breaks their word.
10 months ago
get over it. he left for a better job. and the fact that you'd compare this to soldiers in Iraq is completely stupid. yeah he signed a contract but there are ways out of that contract and WV knew that he could leave if a better job opened up. if you are telling me that if you were at your job and a new, better opportunity opened up you wouldn't take it? give me a break. I hate Michigan n all but its a much better job then WV. This happens all the time in sports, better opportunities open up, you can't blame him. Oh by the way, so you've never gone against your word mr. anonymous?
from 10 months ago
Why do you say "better job?" What defines a better job? Rich Rod had celebrity status here, love of the people of WV, his mom and dad loved to talk about him and the Moutaineers.
He gave up his family, friends, a team that would do anything for him, a school that gave up some sports for him, a new improved facilities, more money and fans who paid more for tickets, followed him to bowl games despite disappointments
You can't find that in many places around the country...
from 10 months ago
It's Michigan my friend. Need I remind you that they have won a total of 14 National Titles, only two of them being wire national titles. 42 time Big 10 Champions. 3 Heismans, 76 All-Americans. West Virginia has no national title, 13 All-Americans. Sorry but the Big House is where a huge part of College Football's tradition lays. West Virginia isn't even close to the prestige of Wolverine football. People will love him in Ann Arbor just as much as they did in WV. A school that gave up some sports for him?? Um okay... every school does that to help fund their football program.
10 months ago
I just can't believe that he would leave before the bowl game. How rude!
10 months ago
The Michigan papers are saying that Michigan agreed to pay the 4 million buyout. What is in it for Rich to play games with the Jan 3 resignation date, if he doesn't want to coach and be a distraction for the bowl game? He is a pawn in some lawyer's effort to save Michigan 4 million. He is sacrificing his reputation in his home state and bringing discredit to his family name. Rich should give up the fight over the 4 million. It is not worth it.
10 months ago
ASK NOT WHAT YOUR SCHOOL CAN DO FOR YOU- but rather ASK WHAT YOU YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR SCHOOL-!!
10 months ago
WVU fans are making quite a reputation for themselves. Your coach is gone, get over it. You can talk about integrity, loyalty, etc. but if there is a consistent display of those traits in the college game anymore, I'm not seeing it. As most everyone knows, Michigan is one of the most prolific jobs in the country. You can't fault a guy for trying to better himself, especially after all he's given to WVU. The guy made a career move. Sure there was more money on the table, but the prestige and tradition of a place like Michigan is nearly impossible to overlook. So be thankful you even had a chance to be as succesful as you've been in the past few years with Coach Rodriguez and move along to the next chapter of WVU football.
10 months ago
Atleast we have one loyal coach in the Area that's sticking with his Alma Mater .... Go TERPS!!!
10 months ago
WVU fans = Wahhhhhhhhh
9 months ago
Your football program sucks!!!
9 months ago
CAN'T SPELL TRAITOR WITHOUT RR----- ONCE AN ASS ALWAYS AN ASS-- KIND OF LIKE YOU!!
9 months ago
No worries Michigan, he is your problem child now.
9 months ago
I am a Michigan fan, but the way I see it WVU will win more football games than UM this year and the next few possibly too. They have good talent, no doubt. The Wolverines are big and slow with a coach who wants to run a fast paced/up tempo offense. So buyer beware, this could be a big blue disappointment.
9 months ago
OK if anyone was to really look at the time line of the events that led up to RR departure you can see that thsi was the greatest bluff of all times that got called. RR tried to use his initial talk with Michigan to force the AD to give in to his new demands. He more than likely went into the AD said Ed we need to talk about these additional requests I have and Ed said we have an off season to discuss them we need you to me more concerned about the Fiesta Gowl Prep, RR said well I met with Michigan Officials on Friday, and if we dont discuss these items I will take that Job Offer and Ed good Go, Rich said fine stormed out of the AD's Office and headed to the Colleger Presidents office thinking he could get him to budge but the President said Im backing the AD so nive knowing you. Which ultimatelly made this a lose-lose situation If RR gave in, the administration would own him and If the Admin gave in RR would know he can pull this hostage thing anytime he wanted some new demands
9 months ago
Some of us were at WVU when both Rod and Rita were students. Their behavior is really no surprise; they are what they've always been. There are other reasons besides career advancement that the RR family is leaving, and many people know what they are. I, too, believe in karma and I think the pain of the real reasons they are leaving is the result. As a fan, I am glad to see them leave. They were an embarrassment to the university and its alumni. I think I can live a full life without ever having to hear the phrase "spot the ball" again. As a human being, I feel very sorry for the turmoil they've brought on their family--their children as well as their extended family--by their behavior inside and outside of Mountaineer Field. Now let's move on and get someone who can inspire our beloved Mounties to win, and who can do so with the class befitting a nationally ranked institution of higher learning.
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