West Virginia University is a national leader in forensic studies. No bull. Our professors set the standard for other universities and their forensic programs. Well, a few of the young CSI's from WVU did some investigating. They found the flight number of the plane on which Rodriguez returned from Michigan—and along with other students organized a nice homecoming rally for the turncoat.
But that's not all they found.
These young CSI's, taking a break from their intensive coursework, applied what they'd learned so far and discovered the following:
The same plane that brought Rodriguez home landed at the Morgantown airport at least two times before and the night of the WVU-Pitt game.
There are no regular flights from Morgantown to Michigan.
This data sheds some new light on an already sad story.
Rich Rodriguez had a lot more on his mind than the Pitt game that night. He had to consider a move to Michigan too.
I was in the facilities building before the last home Pitt game two years ago. Rich's mom told us that Miami U was on the phone—he was getting ready to tell them NO.
I couldn't believe Miami would have the balls to call right before a football game. Michigan seems to have done them one better.
It was clear to me as I sat in the stands during the Pitt disaster that the "Grant Town Genius" had his head up his ass. Now I know why.
Even I could see the Panthers were loading up the box to stop the run—but did Rich throw any curl passes to keep the linebackers honest? No—nor did he properly use Owen Schmitt, who was instrumental in WVU's running success all year.
That's just the tip of the iceberg, of course—there were so many things Rodriguez could have done to get just one more touchdown or kick two more field goals.
Instead, he blew the game. HE blew it—not the players.
Now, I know Rich, and I know he's an intense competitor and would never lose a game on purpose. So don't even go there.
But he was in a fog that night.
The key to this nightmare comes AFTER THE GAME. Besides the realization that he just blew a chance at the national title, Rodriguez had to endure the anger and admonishment of the WVU administration.
Several sources report that Mike Garrison, WVU's new president, was so intense that he screamed at his former football coach to the point of having to be physically restrained.
After having his ears filled with that kind of crap, Rodriguez signed with the Wolverines. So there's the rest of the story, er rumors...
It was never about the money, nor the tradition nor the programs nor any other bullshit.
It was about poor communication—anger and bad decisions. The same stuff that causes divorces, murder, and war.
The victim this time was the WVU football program.
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9 months ago
Rodriguez DID NOT FINISH THE JOB he supposedly set out to do-- bring a national championship to West Virginia. What good is a job unfinished? Don't say he "left it in better shape than before he came". HE and his pocketbook LEFT IN BETTER SHAPE, than before he came. What good is a great incision for surgery when the surgery is cancelled? Leave an open wound is all! Which is what Rodriguez did to the state of West Virginia.
And as far as the "expert analysts" at ESPN- questioning the positon of a governor in such a matter. They say "where is the governor when a coach gets fired". I say "WHERE IS THE COACH YOU PAID MILLIONS TO HIRE?". He should be preparing for a BCS game, but he is out recruiting players for another program. In your narrow minded eyes- ESPN it is also a business when a drug addict breaks into your home for money for drugs-- is it not. To the drug addict- it is a business. So it all depends on what side you are looking from!
WE OWE RICH RODRIGUEZ NOTHING-- but a PERSONALIZED EXIT SIGN THAT READS "CAN'T SPELL TRAITOR WITHOUT R R."
And as far as Ken Kendrick and his lame excuse about Fraud's departure; I say this:
"ask not what your university can do for you-- but rather ask what you can do for your university'
WE DON'T NEED YOUR BRIBE MONEY--- A MOUNTAINEER YOU NEVER WERE AND NEVER WILL BE! YOU AEE A SPOILED BRAT LIKE THE OTHER TRAITOR. A surgeon does not not cut off a whole leg for a flesh wound---- and that is what you have done! Don't come back either!!!
9 months ago
If RR wanted to be at WVU - he would still be here. Not about $$$$- and a large RR ego ? Please!!! Give me a break!
9 months ago
I am wanting to know if the above "plane" story is true. Please respond Frank! Thanks.
from 9 months ago
He did return to Morgantown after his speech at Michigan. They did have the plane number and was there. This info comes from within the WVU community. I will check with my sources and ask for more details.
The Miami call I witnessed in person.
I am not making excuses for Rodriquez, what he personally did was wrong.
I am trying to find out exactly what happened without the bullshit, without the lawyers, without lies.
How does a coach go from saying he is here for the rest of his career to leaving like he did?!
9 months ago
Thanks Frank...
My concern is if this plane from Michigan was in Morgantown BEFORE and THE NIGHT OF the Pitt loss.
If that Michigan plane was in Morgantown anytime BEFORE the Pitt game... that speaks volumes!
David M. Coe
Morgantown, WV.
9 months ago
You guys are going way TOO FAR. It's time to stop the soap opera stuff. Stop being obsessed with this and move on - you're acting like jilted boyfriends.
from 9 months ago
I wouldn't know... I have never been jilted.
Anyway... there are a lot of unanswered questions.
Some of us are interested in what is true and what is false.
The truth has the ability to set someone free...
If we know the truth, we can deal with it and move on.
Dave
9 months ago
A BIG HOUSE FOR A BIG EGO-- HE SHOULD FIT RIGHT IN!
9 months ago
From the Wvsports.com message board today...
http://westvirginia.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=33&mid=108805535&sid=891&tid=108805535&style=1
"The plane that picked DickFraud up on Friday to take him to Toledo and Sunday to take him to Michigan has landed at the Morgantown Airport on some other interesting days. The plane's ID number is N150TK.
If you register at FlightAware you can obtain flight information for the past four months. The first record I found involed 10-3 and it looks like the plane was in Motown for the day.
The next most interesting date...............December 1.........the day of the pitt game. Plane landed at 3:39 PM and left at 11:13 PM. Coincidence?? Or were they here talking to DickFraud? Could this be the reason his head was up his a$$ during the game?
Next arrival of the plane 12-14, picked him up at 7:50 am and returned at 5:07. Same plane here on 12-16 and 12-17."
Someone else chimes in that the plane belongs to a company in Tiffin, OH that may run a charter service into Morgantown on occasion.
9 months ago
WVU BLOWS
BIG LEAST BALL
9 months ago
he's gone......he will never be back. ding dong the rich is gone. other than steve spurrier and doc holiday, rich rodriquez is the last guy i'd want to coach my mountaineers again. i dont care if they hire tom osborne, terry bowden, bobby bowden, or tommy bowden, the facts remain the same.....rich is now richer and screw the rest of this God forsaken state. this just proves that once again this state is so close to having been recognized for something so wonderful to then have the rug pulled out from under us again. the sad part of the story was that rich was one of us. he watched countless wvu games growing up just hoping for a victory like the rest of us. now we dont hope for victories, we expect them. rich did bring that....but at what cost to the rest of us. enjoy your michigan, enjoy your ohio state thrashing, and enjoy your life away from the rest of us Mountaineers. this is our state now mr. rodriquez and because you are now gone, we are even closer to something really positive happening to us again. roll out the red carpet for mr rodriquez departure and lets bring on the real Mountaineers.
terry wants to be here...win or lose that should count for something. i dont care if he's coached since 1812. terry wants to be here.
LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 months ago
"Hold the Rope". Old coach rod's rallying cry this season. You must depend on one another and never let go of that rope! Well guess who let go of The Rope? Abandons State, School, Team, Fans and Recruits. Well WE won't let go of the rope. God bless our Beloved State, School and Team
9 months ago
You can verify all of the flight information by signing up for a free account at www.flightaware.com. The ID # of the plane is N150TK. There is no doubt this plane flew RR to Toledo on 12-14, picked him up on 12-16 for the Monday morning press conference, and landed in Morgantown at 3:39 on 12-1.
If you read comments from the AD at Michigan, he indicates the contacts with RR were ongoing for a while, but he would not specify the initial date of contact. I believe he also indicated RR contacted UM and offered his services.
Les Miles held a national press conference on 12-1 stating he was not taking the job at UM, and then said he had a game to play that afternoon against R-Kansas. The timing is interesting.
9 months ago
How did UM keep it under wraps for almost two weeks while 10 other guys were supposedly the top guy for the job? I've already heard of 100 different things about the WVU coaching vacancy in 4 days. You're telling me they were able to talk to Rod several times in those two weeks without anybody anywhere picking up on the story?
from 9 months ago
you answered your first question with your question
if there were ten higher guys, then that created a smokescreen for michigan to sneak around
9 months ago
Well now the Bham Alabama talk shows are reporting that Nick Saban's agent has been in touch with West Virginia. Isnt he from up there?
9 months ago
Yeah, Nick will leave Alabama for WV! And Bill Parcells is leaving Miami to be the waterboy. Get real.
from 9 months ago
Saban is from Marion co. West Virginia.
About 5 miles from where Rodriquez lived.
Another famous coach from Marion co was one of Michigan's greatest coaches in history.
Did you forget Huggins left Kansas State for WV
You just don't understand how much our WVU teams mean to us.
They are like our kids. Ask the players who are on the team and how well they are treated here.
And Coaches are like celebrities.
My cousin put braces on Rich's kids and didn't charge him a penny.
Rich ate free at any restaurant, he was like a king.
9 months ago
LOL! I hope all you hillbillies realize just how much entertainment us VT fans down here in Virginia are deriving from all this. Thanks ever so much! There's just one thing more we'd like to ask: Please hire Terry Bowden. Please. It would be the cherry on top of the sundae for us. Take a good look at the shape Syracuse's program is in now, because that's where WVU is headed. In the meantime, enjoy being methodically taken apart piece by piece by Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
from 9 months ago
It is funny that you make rude comments about West Virginia.
One of your greatest players in Virginia Tech Football history was from Clarksburg, WEST VIRGINIA.
I hope Frank Loria's ghost follows you around campus and kicks your ass!
from 9 months ago
I can't think of any greatest things to come out of WV. Wait there was one thing--the toothbrush. In any other state it would have been called a teethbrush.
from 9 months ago
before u open your hillbilly mouth......think for one second....when was the last time the ACC won a BCS bowl.....NNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR.......how smart are we now prick.....last count i have we had two......like twice as many as the ACC........what for a hillbilly is my math right....man thats including your whole conference......say something again dumb ass.....VT couldnt ever beat Kansas....i could go all day chump...........they were overrated all season......its best VT left the the Big East you guys would have ended up getting the GMAC bowl..........
9 months ago
How can you blame Rich for leaving? Michigan is one of the top tier schools in the nation. WVU is not even close to the caliber and tradition of Michigan. You guys in WV are a bunch of screw balls. Good move on Rich's part IMO.
from 9 months ago
you had a good argument up until the 'you guys in WV are a bunch of screw balls...' but that is true...for the most part
as for WV im sorry what happened but you need to not act like youve just been stood up at the altar
from 9 months ago
Top tier. right under Appalachian State, Illinois, and of course Ohio State.
Anonymous Asshole. Don't you have any balls to put your name to your comments.
And by the way check your history - one of your previous greatest coaches was from guess....
WEST VIRGINIA.
By the way, how do like that Rodriquez just fired all of your coaches.
Get used to Rich's temper. That is another aspect besides his lies that no one misses, especially his former team.
9 months ago
Going to Blacksburg and watching the Mountaineeers kick your ass was always a lot of fun. Remember those great VT running backs that couldn't score on four fries from the 2 yard line? I sure do!
9 months ago
yea vt could not wipe the sweat off pats nutsack so go lay down
9 months ago
Hey VT fan, how about your defensive coordinator wanting our HC job, I know it is killing the VT fans that I know that your Bud Foster has told national press and had his agent call our AD wanting the job. So I know why your pushing for terry bowden so hard, jackass.
9 months ago
by mdh
when wv hires Bud Foster to head the mountaineers your moronic ass will be singing the blues. Too
bad the crazy asian didnt take your sorry excuse for a human being with him this summer.
9 months ago
The Pitt game was very wierd to watch. Coach Rod never showed any sense of urgency until the last two possessions. As poorly coached a big game as I can remember. If Michigan or really anything else was on his mind he deserves all of the shame and grief that is being directed at him. If WVU can keep White, Slaton and Devine they can make another run. The offense will thrive whoever is the coach. Let's find the best coach and motivator for next year...and if win it all or get close again recuiting will take care of itself.
9 months ago
Rumors from inside WVU
Dingle is thinking about the NFL
Slaton is also weighing his chances
Devine was going to leave, now is staying after an inspiring speech from the governor of WV
9 months ago
Today's Charleston Gazettehas more investigation into it; the plane's owner in part is the financial advisor for RR, so that explains game day arrivals/but the failure of the owner to own up is terribly troubling. RR has extremely poor PR skills. He will get eaten up at Michigan with his arrogance. Why not just say I came to the game, unlkess you are afraid of further reporter's questions, like, Ok, so when did Michigan first contact RR? And what is in it for RR to fight the 4 mil. Was he so stupid as to think it would disappear? Didn't he make Michigan agree to pay it?
9 months ago
You're an idiot. What was entertaining was watching LSU methodically take YOU apart. Shouldn't throw stones if you live in a glass house.
9 months ago
he is an EMOTIONAL, ARROGANT, STUBBORN, STUPID, DISHONERABLE FRAUD.
THE MORE HE TALKS, THE MORE PEOPLE SEE WHAT A P.O.S. he really is. WVU IS BETTER W/OUT FRAUD!
9 months ago
Thank you Mich. for taking a problem child off of our hands. Now you've done s favor and made room for us to get a good football coach like you did for us to get a good bball coach. For us the sky is the limit with all the trash out of our way. Mich. you did for us what we could not do for ourselves,,,,,thank you thank you thank you,,,,, Now we hear all kinds of rumours going around. There are only a few that are tru that have not made thier rounds yet. 1) Coach Rod sure does like that black pussy. 2) WVU is run by a buch of queers. 3) Whoever gives those queers the best blowjobs will be our next head coach. How do I know all this?? Because I work there and see how screwedup that place is,,,,very political. WVU will never win the Natl Champ. That's just the way it is. For an institution of higher learning why is there so many retarded and emotionally disturbed individuals working there?
9 months ago
Why didn't the players do to Rich Rod what Major Harris used to do to Nehlen and say "Fuck You Coach" and call his own damn plays. Major won alot of games doing that. So, why didn't Pat White and Brown grow a set of balls and looked at Coach Rod and shake thier head up and down at his plays he called and proceed to say "Fuck You Coach" and call passing plays to the other players and keep passing and won the damn game?? What could Coach Rod do?? Throw them in jail??
9 months ago
reply to the vt asshole!typical vt tactic, to pile on after the whistle. wvu has and will continue to conduct itslf with more class than michigan, boston college, miami fla and vt will ever understand!!! you should spend your time doing something positive. like going directly to jail and visit the vick brothers...busg@webtv.net
9 months ago
What is wrong with you people? Cursing, racism ? all over a football coach. You all must live for fantasy football huh? It's over and done with. Somebody took your coach because of this that or the other. Who cares? It all comes back to what have you done for me lately. The saddest stat in all of sports! Get a life...Jerry's dead.
9 months ago
It's Obvious to anyone with any common sense that Rod Threw the Pitt game in an attempt to get fired
so he could get out of the four Million dollar buyout for breaking his contract. he tried the second time by setting a mid january termination date, then when he found out that wouldn't work he quit immediately so he could try to pull new WVU recruits to Michigan with him (scuttlebut has it that he made calls while still technically working for WVU which if true is a recruiting violation). WVU put it all together and promptly sued him. Good for WVU
9 months ago
I really enjoyed the article. Too bad Rodriguez couldn't overcome his fateful "testosterone drop" after losing to Pitt. This is a real issue - especially for "super competitors." FYI - check out: http://www.physorg.com/news84473710.html. No wonder he walked out before the Fiesta bowl. You probably feel it too after losing - we (men) all do to some degree. Thats why it feels so crappy after losing at anything. For Rodriguez: imagine this feeling X 100. Ken Kendrick even reported Rodriguez fell into a depression after the Pitt loss.
If you noticed, he almost couldn't talk after the Pitt game and was close to needing oxygen as a result of his physiological reaction to losing.
Did he over-ride Magee with his play calling, leading to the Pitt loss? I think he got caught up in the moment with his ego. He is a better long-term offensive planner and recruiter than a real-time play caller - he should have left the Pitt play calling to Magee.
Turns out as reports have surfaced, the Rodriguez plane from Michigan was owned by his financial advisor - a guest of WVU for the Pitt game. Does not appear to be a conspiracy with Michigan coaching offer prior to Pitt, although at first glance it did appear that way.
8 months 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.
8 months ago
I do not believe anyone should be shocked. As we all know by now Rodriguez has no character or conscience or christianity or so it seems. Of course he took the files. My question is how or why did he or anyone leaving WVU still have keys to anything on campus? I believe WVU should pursue jail time for whoever took the files paid for by tax payers and a full NCAA investigation should be made into the recruiting Rodriguez did on WVU's dime while he was courting Michigan with scholarship penalties against Michigan for every recruit Rodriguez talked to who now feel led to go to Michigan and sign. I was born in Michigan but have lived most of my life in WV. Most importantly I'm a christian but Rodriguez is a catholic and there is a difference. He believes he can do anything he wants and just confess to his priest, who I hope he takes with him to Michigan also, and everything is O K. He will find out and his priest too if they die without Jesus Christ as their Saviour they will go to hell no matter how many confessions to their priest, Hail Marys they say, candles they light or how much money they pay the Catholic Church. I hate to bring his religion into play but he is the one strutting his priest around poluting the football team. And what is the truth about the rumor of Rodriguez and the cheerleader with Mrs. Rodriguez demanding he leave WVU or else. If that is true it would help us all understand this whole bizzarre affair (no pun intended).
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