As a lifelong Michigan fan, it truly hurts to say this, but I am starting to think that Rich Rodriguez was a bad hire.
I was able to overlook his betrayal of WVU at first, but the strikes against him just keep coming. For reasons unknown to me, he is fighting tooth and nail against paying his alma mater the $4 million he owes them, even when boosters from U of M offered to pay it for him.
He fired Lloyd Carr's entire staff and rehired running back coach Fred Jackson (because he probably would have lost Sam McGuffie if he didn't). Also, as if it wasn't enough to lose Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and Jake Long to name a few, he all but pushed Ryan Mallett out the door while Adrian Arrington and Mario Manningham smartly entered the draft.
I understand that he wants to implement his system and doesn't have the ideal athletes for the spread, but I'm sure those three players would have made the rebuilding year a little smoother.
Instead, he's putting all of his eggs in one basket with this Terrell Pryor kid. What if he decides not to come to Michigan? I guess coach Rod will have to settle for Steven Threet, who is pretty much a Ryan Mallett clone...just not as good (at all).
And now the plot thickens with the news of Rodriguez being accused of destroying player files at WVU. Once again it comes back to his character. If these accusations are true, it's obvious that there was something in those files that he didn't want people to see. I don't even want to know what that may be.
As much as people hate Michigan, coaches and players alike always conducted themselves with class and discipline. Lloyd Carr was, and is, one of the classiest coaches around, which was evident through the way his players conducted themselves.
So far, I haven't seen this from Rodriguez.
I for one am waiting for the truth to come out. I hope, for the sake of the University of Michigan and its players he will coach and that there is more to the story. This guy can't be that bad...I hope.
87 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
John Thomas about 1 year ago
I hate to tell you guys this, but he was known in Morgantown as quite the philanderer. Even when he was successful, many people in Morgantown doubted his moral character. You guys are hard on coaches, but down in WV the man in the seat is worshipped by the fans and local media. I'm sure there are two sides to the story, but everytime Rodriguez opens his mouth, WVU makes a counter that makes him look like a fool. He stated he had not seen the suit, he found out about it while watching ESPN, but the school served him the papers the day after he resigned. He has the papers shredded and files deleted, not thinking about the consequences of destroying government property. The guy is not very sophisticated, and the local media never punished him...but I am guessing that the national attention you guys get will make him look like a moron.
P.S. I hate to see him hurt more young athletes, but as a WVU fan I am kind of hoping he fails.
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ryan mathison about 1 year ago
Yeah, I see your point. I, as a Michigan fan, hope he learns from this and at least makes an effort to change. I have to hope for the best. I have no choice. I want my kids to grow up proud Wolverine fans like I did. I just hope he doesn't forget that these are young men that he's coaching and a lot of them most likely won't be playing football after college. He has a hand in how these players turn out as men and not just athletes. I believe he'll win, but if he compromises the reputation of the university and cripples his players for life...that in itself is a failure.
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Shane Stadtmiller about 1 year ago
I have to agree he has little class while I was in Iraq a fellow Mountaineer fan was wounded. Being a season ticket holder the WVU athletic department was great and sent me a video of all games. I wrote coach Rich Rod in 2005 and asked for a Game ball or hat letter anything taht he could send for my buddy. No response from the great Rich Rod, however, two NFL players sent signed Jerseys to him and another Soldier.
However I am blown away by this and even though some coaches win on the field they are losers in life. These men should be educators motivators and role models first not business men. God bless men like Bobby Ross, Joe Paterno, and Llyod Carr. This is a dying breed of Coaches who put there players intersts before them lead by example. I am blown away by the fact that he didn't address Ryan face to face and be unfront with him. Ryan was quoted as sayings "its not what he said but what he didn't". I real Coach will win with the players he has like Bob Huggins at WVU inheriting "smart" players who last year could play a lick of defense. Coach em up Rod make them winners thats is what Michigan is paying you for not to rebuild...... You dont rebuild a National Power you kick start it....
Shane
Pittsburgh PA
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
That makes me sick to my stomach...a WVU fan in uniform, wounded, and no response?
Maybe he didn't get the letter...then again, maybe not. I know Rod was a busy guy but surely he could have taken a moment out of his day to send something your buddy's way.
I also agree with you that the way Coach Rod has handled the Ryan Mallett situation is shameful. If you're going to shove the previous star QB aside, at least have a talk with him first and explain your perspective.
It just seems like no matter what Rich Rodriguez says, the evidence continues to reveal that he is a very inconsiderate person. We'll see what happens with this whole destroying player files scandal...like they say, innocent until proven guilty. Still though, I'm not holding my breathe.
While he's surely a master at the implementing the spread offense, in the long run having a guy with so many question marks from an attitude standpoint may very well not be in Michigan's best interest.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
As much as college football has become a “win at all costs” business there remains a lofty ideal where college football serves a greater good than that recorded on the balance sheet. Although Michigan officials must publicly stand behind Rodriguez until the accusations are proven in court, they must privately wonder just what they have in Rodriguez. Do they have an innovative coach who will lead them to the BCS promised Land, or do they have an unscrupulous coach willing to do anything to further his own agenda.
Make no mistake about it Michigan’s reputation is at stake with the Rodriguez hiring. His actions in his final days at WVU now reflect directly on them. If proven, Rodriguez’s deliberate acts to harm WVU will be used by the remaining members of the Big 10 to wage war on the Michigan football program. Potential recruits, and their mothers and fathers, will be told in exacting terms that Rodriguez is a vindictive, amoral man with very little moral fiber.
As much as Rod’s actions disturb me I am perhaps more disturbed by the alleged actions of Mike Barwis and other members of the football staff who have followed Rodriquez to Michigan. I can understand, if by no means condone, a passionate Rodriguez, fresh off a confrontation with Pastalong and Garrison, destroying documents and computer files in a fit of pique. What I cannot understand is these assistants following Rod’s examples and destroying WVU’s property days after the fact when Rodriguez had a chance to cool down and think.
These men are worse to me than Rodriguez in that they should have been disinterested parties to the Rodriguez/WVU conflict. Instead they acted as uber-sycophants and deliberately schemed to deprive WVU of assets paid for by taxpayer money. It doesn’t really matter what was deleted, the fact that anything was deleted that was relevant to the 2008 football team is reprehensible.
Here is where the plot turns very ugly. What if Rodriguez ordered them to follow his example? Would you want this man and his staff of sycophants leading your football team? I wouldn’t and I bet that Michigan wouldn’t either. If these allegations are true they are much worse than the misdeeds of George O’Leery that cost him the head-coaching job at Notre Dame after only five days. Rodriguez and Michigan could throw Barwis and Rutledge under the bus to save Rodriguez’s job and Michigan’s reputation; but such an action would only go to further undermine what little reputation and character Rodriguez has left.
If there is any shred of truth (pun intended) to these allegations they are far more serious than deleting computer files and shredding documents. They speak to a man who would harm WVU and plotted with others (Mike Barwis & Dusty Rutledge) to do the same. The right thing to do for Michigan would be to follow Notre Dame’s example and ask Rodriguez to resign.
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richard cava about 1 year ago
The previous comments are as thoughtful as I have seen on either side of the debate. WV fans responded to RR's faults as many parents do to reports of misbehavior by their troubled child....they overlooked or explained away every bad behavior. Most out of state residents can't begin to know the litany of rumors and examples of arrogant, immature, vindictive behavior. I will not begin to enumerate them here. But just take a look at what the team said and did after his departure to get an idea of what a weight was lifted from the program when he left. The players clearly did not like or respect him. As a coach he restrained the talents of his players, ignored advice from his staff on play calling and strategy, blamed his players for failing to execute when he should have accepted responsibility after losses. His player never lifted him on their shoulders even after the most glorious victory. But once he was gone they performed better than ever before. I said the day he was appointed at Michigan the he wouldn't last to the first game. I hope Michigan has the wisdom to cut bait ASAP.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I think Michigan fans need to look no farther than to your own bowl game against Florida. I think you can see the ego you are dealing with. A classy coach (as was Coach Carr) would have remained in the shadows in order to give the coaches and the kids a chance to shine on their last important day together. However, Rodriguez used this time to promote himself and his plans for UM. I think you are in for a long season in more ways than one.
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ryan mathison about 1 year ago
I think he's trying too hard to convince people that he's on board. I agree. He should have sat in the stands and not taken away from Coach Carr's last game. No class.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Youre a moron. Quit buying into all this WV B.S. This has been nothing but a smear campaign from the start. Its sad when "die hard Michigan fans" turn their back on their coach over what his former school said. You are pathetic.
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Marshall Wright about 1 year ago
wow. RR turned his back on the University that took him as a walk-on and grant a scolly. Michigan fans have good reason to 2nd guess this hire. If he would cause this much trouble to his alma-matre, what will he do when he leave UofM. Remember Rich love being rich, not Michigan.
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ryan mathison about 1 year ago
Man, I think the fact that I am concerned shows what a die hard Michigan fan I am. I care about what the Maize and Blue stand for. I hope all of this is a "smear campaign". Then I won't have to explain to my kids about how Michigan used to be a place of class, honor, and respect but then they hired Rich Rodriguez. To me, there's more to being a Michigan fan than the scoreboard.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
I totally support Ryan here anonymous. The fact that he is questioning whether or not your new head coach is a man that you guys can trust shows that he cares deeply about the Wolverines, and continuing their longstanding tradition of excellence.
Isn't it important that the die-hard fans of your programs ask the tough questions, given that Coach Rod has come under a great deal of scrutiny since leaving WVU? Sure, maybe it's all a smear campaign...in the end, it will become clear what is and is and isn't true.
In the meantime though, it seems understandable that your dedicated fanbase would speculate on whether or not Coach Rod is the right fit. I surely don't think it makes you a "bad fan" to question the hiring of a new coach...
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Mark Miller about 1 year ago
If it wasn't for Pat White. UM would never even thought of RR. RR knows that Terrell Pryor is his only shot at a successful offense.
Look at the other QB's he has had (while coaching DI)
Shaun King - Tulane
Woody Danzler - Clemson
Rasheed Marshall - WVU
Pat White - WVU
Rich needs a fast black QB to succeed and he knows that.
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Ryan T about 1 year ago
Ryan,
This is a good article, and I'm glad to see a few comments without UM and WVU fans arguing for once. I am a loyal Mounatineer fan as you are Wolverine, I'm not gonna come out and say that Rich isn't a great coach but I will say that he isn't a great person. To me it takes more than just winning to gain my respect and I'm sure WVU's new Coach Stewart will give me both, atleast I hope so. As, bad as you hate to hear all of this bad news about your new coach, you might as well get used to it. I know we had to, everything from supposedly getting a WVU cheerleader pregnant, threatning us with Alabama, leaving to Michigan and then destroying our player files. But, good luck with him.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
It's hard to believe anything that comes out of WV at this point, they just don't let go.
Having said that Lloyd was and is a great man, and 1 can only hope he remains in some capacity inside the AD department. If RR is not on the up and up, Michigan will take care of it. Michigan is beyond 1 coach or player. I would have no problem with any coach who coaches at Michigan, as long as he upholds the Michigan standard. The Michigan name alone lands top players both on and off the field. But for now, considering the sources, i will give RR the benefit of the doubt.
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ryan mathison about 1 year ago
I agree with you and I've been trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. It just looks bad. I hope it's not all true..and if it is, he needs to be fired on the spot.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
From a WVU Fan, You had to be here.....When we brought him on 7 years ago, we all feel in love with him. I, for one , do not fault a person for going after a bigger and better job. But, there are ways to leave a job . I do not think that it is ever a good thing ( or smart ) to burn the bridges of the other party. He really did burn the bridges to WV and worse, his own home state. You do not "burn " your own people. If he does this to his own, then he will not think about doing it to someone else. Character.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
If RR would have honored his buyout shred gate probably have never been public.
RR is either
1. stupid for not arranging coverage of the buyout
2. greedy- the buyout is covered and he is hoping to retain the cash for himself.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I'm a lifelong WVU fan and a WVU graduate. I bleed old gold and blue. I don't blame him for leaving. He took more money to take what he thought was a better job, I just wish he would handled it better. I also can't defend the actions of some of my fellow West Virginians against his family. All I want is to get our buyout and use it to better our football program. We feel that RRod showed his true colors in the way that he so disrespectfully left our program, but we are obviously biased. I believe that you Michigan fans would be raising hell as well had the same happened to you. Over the course of the next year or two, you will have to come up with your own opinions of the man. He is a good football coach, but there is more than that to building a good football program. Michigan has never been anything but classy when it comes to football, and we in West Virginia now know that is one area where RRod is sorely lacking.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Well, you can believe this. Rod dated his resignation to be January 3rd. He had a GA hand in his resignation letter and he immediately goes to Michigan to be introduced as the new coach. But his own resignation letter, taken at face value, means he is still the coach and that he should have been in Morgantown preparing his team.
Rod, at his UM presser, said he wasn't sure if WVU wanted him to coach the team in bowl game. Really? All he had to do was take two resignation letters with him into the AD's office and say, "I am leaving. I have two resignation letters. Which one do you want. The one that has me resigning immediately. Or the one that has me resigning after I coach the bowl game?"
But that wasn't Rod's way. He completely lacked the foresight to see that his resignation dated for January 3rd and his immediate trip to UM would constitute a serious breach of contract.
That is why, I am sure, that WVU did not name an interim coach until after Rod revised his resignation date. He was, in fact, still the head coach, but he was not performing his duties.
I am grateful for the seven seasons he gave us. But given the way he left I can confidently say that I wished he had gone to Alabama last year. This is one Mountaineer fan who is glad that he is gone.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
This is a good article. I too have been having doubts about whether he was the right hire. He is a great hire and a good coach, but the first thing that I thought when I heard that he was coming to Michigan was, what about the players and the fans at WVU? I don't like that he left them before the bowl game.
The Michigan Man thing is overblown. Les Miles would not have been a better hire. The important thing is that the coach embraces the culture and becomes a Michigan Man. The values espoused and demonstrated by Bo and Coach Carr, though, are immeasurable in their importance. Those values and class are what make the coach at Michigan. Based on RR's actions in leaving WVU, I don't think that he could ever be the next Coach Carr.
Then again, I think that there is more to the story of him leaving than greed. For one thing, you don't go to Michigan for the money. Maybe I'm wrong, but his pay increase will be less than $1m, which is still a large amount. $1.8m is a good amount to be making, especially with the lower cost-of-living in WV. I think that going to Michigan may be a career move, but UM coaches are expected to stay at UM. No coach in UM history (as far as I know) has ever left the school for a better job, be it in the NFL or another school. But I don't know how much I can trust RR.
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ryan mathison about 1 year ago
I agree totally. I was excited at first about a fresh start for Michigan, but as things have progressed, I'm beginning to wonder. There is no doubt that he is a good football coach, but can he be a mentor or maybe even a father figure to some of these kids?
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Nino Colla about 1 year ago
I have no doubt about the hire from a coaching perspective.
But let me say this.
Michigan as a community(leadership, the fans, the boosters, what not) will not put up with him if he has these antics most people are describing. He better cut the crap quick(if he has any once again, I'll wait to be the judge of that before I throw that full opinion out) or he won't last long in Ann Arbor.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I am very concerned with this hire for the U of M. It would break my heart to see our proud tradition tarnished by the antics of Rodriguez. But its beginning to look like this hiring was a mistake. Maybe he should do the honorable thing; resign from Michigan, settle with WVU, and then look to enter the coaching ranks next season.
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lynn krise about 1 year ago
I can't add much to the discussion, most everything has been said. I can only say, that in retrospect, WVU would have been better served had RR left last year for Alabama. I was a strong supporter of RR and felt (hoped) that he would be our programs version of Bo, Bear, Vince Dooley, Tom Osborne, etc. Instead he has proven that he is a man lacking character and moral fiber.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Why would WVU smear Rod? They have a pending court case and want it to be quiet so that Rod can't argue for a change of venue. The story leaked out...I'm leaking something else right here...the finances of the 1100 club need to be looked at very closely.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Why would WVU smear Rod?
So the administration can CYA its actions compelling RR's voluntary departure. Leadership screwed up and does not wish to pay a price for its mistakes.
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Eleanor Flowers about 1 year ago
RR was famous for the spread, but he is infamous now for the shred. I am a WVU grad and, along with Coach Nehlen, have always thought that Michigan was a great program. I hope RR doesn't foul up that reputation. If he doesn't get Pryor, he will be in real trouble. And even if he does get Pryor, he probably will only have him for one year. Then what?
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Will about 1 year ago
I believe that UM has a problem!
Did they ask for permission to talk to RR? If they did'nt then they have as much class as RR and deserve each other. We will be better off without RR. We now have a class act and good coaches. Good riddance to RR.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
As a WVU alum living in Ann Arbor, I was hoping I could stay proud of Coach Rod despite the questionable way he left Morgantown. It's getting increasingly difficult. I think he's the guy who can wake Michigan out of the stupor they've been in since the new wore off Coach Carr.
But geez, this has just brought the worst out in everyone. My home state is having an existential meltdown, due at least as much from the unwanted attention and yet another round of hillbilly jokes from the rest of the nation, as from losing a promising coach. Worse, the University of Michigan seems to be developing a blind spot for the qualities that made them great.
The irony is that a mere $4 Million can make this go away. I have no doubt that the alums can raise this by eight o'clock this evening. Pay my alma mater what your coach owes it and let this end. And quit blaming the fans. Put it where it belongs.
My buddies at home told me I'd start hearing the "I miss Lloyd" grumbling by the second game. Didn't think it would happen quite this quickly.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
As concerned as I am, a lot of what we have been hearing is character assassination. WVU just confirmed that all the academic records of students are safe and are not even primarily located in the AD building. I personally believe that this was just the rumbling of someone in the AD who is still pissed.
Eleanor, why would Pryor leave after a year? To play in the NBA? He's being recruited primarily to play football. Basketball comes second. I don't get why you are so sure that he would transfer.
My main issues with RR is that he left WVU before a bowl game and after saying that he would be there for a long time. I've read that he wasn't thrilled about being there to begin with and I think that he had his reasons to leave. I would also just like him to just pay up, or at least work out a deal as John Beilein did when he came to UM.
A major thing in all this is how much West Virginians had unhealthily invested in him. Sure, I would be pissed, too, but I don't think that I would still be writing columns in the Charleston Gazette a month later about how much of a traitor and deceitful person he is. I'm not saying that WVU fans should forgive him, but let it go a bit.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
"I was a strong supporter of RR and felt (hoped) that he would be our programs version of Bo, Bear, Vince Dooley, Tom Osborne, etc. Instead he has proven that he is a man lacking character and moral fiber."
I wrote the statement directly before this one ("As concerned as I am..."), but this actually explains a lot. It's a great point.
Sadly, I don't think that those exist anymore. Joe Pa and Lloyd Carr are the among the last. Jim Tressel is becoming that figure for the Buckeyes, in a way. And as excited I was about getting RR, I felt that it would be a long time before (and if) he ever becomes that for Michigan. My ideal choice would have been someone successful from FCS, like KC Keeler or Craig Bohl. (Jerry Moore is way too old.)
Tom Osborne is an asshole, btw. In the 80s, his team beat Minnesota 80-14. 80 points!!! And don't get me started on the retirement present.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I have never had any doubts since RR was first hired that Michigan would have to teach him how to be a Michigan man, and that goes beyond results on a football field. He is walking in the foot steps of a long list of not only great coaches, but great men. He will have to earn my respect as i don't give that to anyone. He has the chance, now it's up to him.
I do wish Lloyd the very best in his health and life, he is a class act. His work with charities and concern for his players and the Michigan families shows just what kind of man he is.
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richard cava about 1 year ago
Let me just add a little detail for those unfamiliar with RR history. Last year after a successful season and bowl game WVU fans had to endure the drama of his reported imminent departure for Alabama. The AD gave him every last item on his list. He didn't sign the final contract til August 07 right before the season began and got even more then including a 70% raise. The AD fulfilled every item on the contract ahead of schedule. Only new dressing rooms had to wait obviously til after the season.
After the loss to Pitt he went back to the AD with another set of demands!!!! Most of which were extremely petty nickel and dime requests for extra sideline passes and team book selling rights. He just lost the biggest game in WVU history and he was making demands. He should have been hoping to be forgiven and given another chance to redeem himself. If you were the AD would you have caved in to this bullying? He may also have been waving the offer from Michigan in their faces too. By this time they must have been happy to see him go. Who wants to deal with this drama after every season? These are examples of the kinds of antics he plays. And you can be sure the AD was aware of all of the gossip and innuendos and more the rest of us are just discovering. Pat White made him.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
RR is twice the coach Lloyd Carr is on the football field. He has half the character, if that.
I suspect that once he starts winning football games, and he will, all the questions will go away and Michigan fans will be content with finally winning again.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Whoops we found the documents :O hmmm i forgot we put them over here.. now if only he had left his playbook!
http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10580966
CHARLESTON, W.Va.
University spokeswoman Amy Neil said the WVU Office of Admissions and Records maintains grade and attendance records in a separate location, so no student-athlete's academic career is at risk.
"We're not sure what records are missing, but all student records, including those of the football team, are kept within the Office of Admissions and Records," she said. "Those records are secure."
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richard cava about 1 year ago
So if a former employee destroys official documents from his office while collecting his personal items that makes it OK because there were duplicates elsewhere in the university files. Yeah right.
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richard cava about 1 year ago
So if a former employee destroys official documents from his office while collecting his personal items that makes it OK because there were duplicates elsewhere in the university files. Yeah right.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Omigosh they are not sure what records are missing but they know records are missing? this reeks! Another drama started by WVU why does this not surprise me. I heard his demands were for high school coaches and staff you know the ones that have to struggle to survive.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
It is obvious that John that you are a disgruntled wv fan, and as a result you are displeased that
Coach Rodriguez has accepted the opportunity to coach at a college program that is far more notable than the program at wv. It is unbelievable that you people of wv forget the shape your football program f was in prior to coach Rodriguez bringing respectability to west virginia university.
True Michigan Fan
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
"True" Michigan Fan,
You don't have a clue as to the shape of the WV football program prior to RR. Hint: a Hall of Fame coach who gave us undefeated seasons and took us national championship games. Our program has flown under the radar for decades. For the most part, that was OK with us. No shortage of pride, honor, and sportsmanship.
If you think it's football that brings respectability to a university, you're not a true Michigan fan. Unless this represents current Michigan values. In that case, you must be happy as pigs in slop right now.
The teams that point the most vigorously to their traditions, I find, are the ones who have to do so because they can't point to wins. You're the next Notre Dame. The way I see it, your vaunted program peaked in 1904 and has been on a downward slide ever since. No wonder you thought you needed another West Virginian. Really not much happening up there since Fielding Yost, huh?
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
fuck you
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Arlene Napier about 1 year ago
The truth gets you a little upset doesn't it Mr. FU. Shame.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Ryan, give him a chance. This man is going to give results. He does not have time this year to deal with mixed loyalties. I totally agree with "all in, or out." I'm sorry it didn't work out for Manningham or Arrington; it was pretty shortsighted of them to leave without degrees. Mallett had a great opportunity to work with the most dynamic coach in the Big Ten and blew it. Bad call on his part. I've watched Rodriguez since he coached at my mother's alma mater, Glenville, and the man is supremely adaptable to the talent he has to work with. Both the spread option and the 3-3-5 odd stack are derived from his lack of steady access to top-drawer athletes. He takes what he can get and turns them into hardened speed machines. Now he DOES have access top drawer athletes. I totally expect him to run a more pro-like offense. The Big Ten is in for a rude shock.
I also think he's got about two weeks to show that he has the character to become a Michigan man. First off, he had better pay up, quickly. The partisan fans may thrive on this crap, but I can assure you that the donors don't.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Class
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
left the playbook? what playbook? 5 plays does not constitue a "book"
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Great. Now you're bringing Michigan down to the level you say the WVU fans have attained. Grow up people, it's football.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
if you want to read the article again, the spokeswoman from admissions and records only said that attendance and grade records are kept there, and she isn't sure what records are missing from the football office.
what is missing are football records as mentioned yesterday, community service, strength and conditioning, general football related records. when were grades ever a concern yesterday.
Of course the UM fans will all just say "consider the source" again. Well it's WV they can't be trusted. RR is the one that can't be trusted. Just wait and see and stop bashing us, while you're at it, tell him to pay what he owes.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
"True Michigan fan" has far less class than Rich Rodriguez and absolutely no knowledge about WVU football, for certain. Nehlen never quite took WVU to the heights Rodriguez did, but he built a program from the ground up and brought it national respect, if not titles. Rich runs a great system, innovates when necessary and pulls in great recruits. But he has a track record of losing many (not all) of the games that matter and will be outcoached time and again. Start with Glenville (lost NAIA national championship); while at Clemson, Bobby Bowden's crew had his offense figured out completely -- a fast defense that can tackle kills it. At WVU, South Florida won two years in a row because of their speedy defense and Pitt won because Rich was so paralyzed with fear he wouldn't open up the offense. Pat White didn't play most of that game -- but it didn't matter. Stewart opened the offense in the Fiesta Bowl with Rich's players and lit up Oklahoma. Stew didn't get flustered on the sideline; he didn't scream, bitch, or throw fits. Rich has taken teams to new heights, but never, ever to the promised land. Don't hold your breath for the next '97, U of M fans. You should be careful what you wish for.
And from a WVU grad who is very good friends with a Michigan grad, I'd ask "true Michigan fan," as my friend surely would, to show some class.
True WVU Fan
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Mike Sheridan about 1 year ago
This may be Fantasyland, but What If? What if? What if Pryor were struck with a lightening bolt of reason, went back to Square One, and decided to go ahead and enroll at WVU after all? Wouldn't that be a hoot!
And, then. What if some bigwig at UM grabbed Rod, twisted his ear, and said "Son, you better settle this thing with WVU, and right now, or you'll be out on the street? And, lo and behold, Rod whipped out his checkbook, wrote the check, and put it in the mail? Wouldn't THAT be a hoot!
And, everyone in Michigan and West Virginia would become wonderful friends and live happily ever after...
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
This is starting to make WV look bad, they should be careful of press reports that name "unnamed sources" WV fans were screaming that all records were gone and now they say they have the records and don't know what if anything is gone... sheeesh... sounds like the guy cleaned out his office and everyone in WV went nuts..
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
People outside of West Virginia, such as Colin Cowherd, like to refer to this situation as a "messy divorce", and then in the same breathe ask the WVU fans to just "let it go". However, using their same "messy divorce" metaphor, would what they ask be the same as asking the ex-wife, cheated on by her husband, not to go after him for the alimony and child support?
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
"He takes what he can get and turns them into hardened speed machines. Now he DOES have access top drawer athletes. I totally expect him to run a more pro-like offense."
Are you nuts? The spread and 3-3-5 are his babies. It has nothing to do with the talent he can get. Do you really think that he gets a job at Michigan and decides to run a different offense from what he's used year after year? If you cut diamonds and took a different approach at it that most of your competition didn't use and it helped you land an account with one of the bigger jewelry chains, would you change your approach once you got there? lol You must not like the spread and are reaching for pleasant thoughts of a pro style offense. If he were going to stray away from the 3-3-5 or spread we would still have Mallet.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
lol you people cannot leave this guy alone. It is hysterical. Most people that commit hard crimes do not get this much attention.
Michigan people since you have the guy please give him the benefit of the doubt.
WVU people quit believing everything that university tries to get in the press and move on. They rather the angry be on RR then WVU because that will cost them money please wake up and realize this and realize its a two way street.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
We had a coach, Don Nehlen, with a UM background (assistant for Bo) and he became a great coach, a great leader, a great man and a true Mountaineer. We are not returning the favor. Despiter being a native he proved to have no loyalty, no integrity, no character and no class and will never be considered a true Mountaineer. Fortunately for him, he doesn't care; he has what he wants -- more money and fame.
It's a free country and we all pursue what we desire. What we desire most of all though says more about us than all the words ever spoken.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
You got him now.... warts and all... PLEASE keep him and pay him well...at least for the next 4 years so we can get our money. We love spending your money on quality coaches..I will line our assistant's up against ROD's yes men any day.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Reminds me of when i left a woman, i took my stuff, and she flipped out over me taking my stuff, later she even whined that my lifelong friends were hers and i stole them also.
She went way beyond the old " whats mine is ours and what was hers is hers"
From the outside looking in, WV is looking petty, and childish. IF WV were smart they would just move on.
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richard cava about 1 year ago
RR claims he found out about the buyout lawsuit while watching ESPN. He said this to put WVU in a bad light and to appear as a victim . Now everyone who has ever been involved in a lawsuit knows that court papers must be served to you in person. Below you will find the facts of the matter. Sadly Michigan needs to start realizing they are dealing with a pathological liar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/200801170675
Charleston attorney Sean McGinley, one of Rodriguez's lawyers, on Wednesday sought to move the case from Monongalia County Circuit Court to federal court.
"We anticipated they might do this, so it's no surprise at all," said Flaherty, attorney for WVU and its board. "We're perfectly comfortable litigating this in any court."
Flaherty and the Board of Governors could challenge the motion and seek to keep the case in circuit court. They have 30 days to decide.
However, Flaherty said Rodriguez's basis for asking to move the case is inaccurate. Rodriguez contends federal court is the proper jurisdiction because the two parties resided in different states at the time he was served papers. He says he established Michigan residency by Dec. 29.
"He received them personally in his Morgantown home from a Kanawha County deputy sheriff," Flaherty said.
Rodriguez now has five more days to respond to the university's legal action and provide WVU with requested items. His response initially was due Friday.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Yep...and the all act like they are getting money and it will never happen. One good thing about WVU is they can put spin on any statement and these people will believe it.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Dick Rod has about as much integrity as a donkey's butt hole
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Who is worried about him leaving his playbook? Seriously, here:
http://fastandfuriousfootball.com/CollegeOffense/2005_Univ_of_West_Virginia_Offense.pdf
EVERYONE has Michigans playbook now. Im sure Tressel has already read it cover to cover.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
U of M folks....you do NOT understand us country folks very well do ya?
WE will never let it go...
It just aint in us...
We follow our hearts...always.... in all ways
If it walks like a duck.... (sorry Oregon fans)
Qwacks like a duck...
Smells like a duck...
It aint no chicken. (no ref to Michicken intended)
SO ...in closing WE(WVians) do NOT give a rats a$$ what you or anybody else thinks of us.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
He is not going to run the 3-3-5. get your facts straight. His new DC from Stanford is going to run mostly out of the 4-3 set.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
People are nuts. Why is no one blaiming WVU, but everyone is pointing fingers at RR. The are clearly attempting a smear campaign against RR like a jilted lover. they want to make him look bad for two big reasons: hurt recruting for Michigan and due to the pending lawsuit. Nice timing on your leak to the press about shreading personal documents. I do not know one single person who leaves a job and does not shread personal paperwork. That is exactly what RR did. All of the important student documents are on file with the university. Why should a coach who is leaving have to give his own personal files and work he has done to anyone replacing him? Why should Barwis hand over his own personal paperwork and training regimen? It is his training regimen and he does not need to share his trade secrets with any new S&C group.
I for one do not think RR is a saint, but quite frankly WHO CARES. He si a coach not a priest. No coach is a saint and if you think they are than you are dumb. The guy has a big ego, so what... Many times it takes someone at the top with a big ego to get the job done. As for the 4 million, I don't give a damn what people say. If you owed 4 million and knew that you had a shot to get out of paying some if not all of the 4 million, you bet your ass you would pursue not paying the money. Any WVU who says otherwise is full of crap.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Well we know where your morals are.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Well we know where your morals are.
Excuse me. How exactly are my morals bad? RR is not even remotely the first coach to leave a school under contract. It happens all the time. I think people have made a mountain out of a mole hill. I do not wish anything bad toward WVU, but it is time you moved on and left RR alone. To me WVU is starting to look more and more like a jilted lover. Have some self respect and start focusing on your own team.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Also I am sick and tired of hearing that college coaches are all about the money and they don't care about the student athletes. Excuse me again, but college atheletes should pick a school for the school not the coach. A coach is like any other employee that manages people. You have the right to be employeed any where you want at anytime. Why should it be any different for a coach. They can work for any school they want. Why should a coach not look to make more money?
Also, I do not feel bad for the college football players. They get a free ride to a University where others who are smarter and work harder have to take out loan and pay them off until they die. Many of the football players leave school early for the NFL for the big payday. Do you think they give a damn about the coach, schooo or fellow teammates they leave behind. Hell know. Football players are 18+ and are adults. they make decisions that are best for THEM, just like a coach does. By the way, RR did not sell out those close to him. He brought his staff with him. That does not look like a man who only cares about himself to me.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
PAY UP OR SHUT UP AND GROW SOME GONADS
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
PAY UP OR SHUT UP
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Russell Kincaid about 1 year ago
I am a long time WV fan and did not like RR from the beginning. However, I was starting to warm up to him because of his success here. What I did not like was that he coached by intimidation and used language that would embarass most sailors. The kids get tired of being called every 4 letter word in RR's vocabulary. Just ask the 14 starters he chased off from WV when he first started. He had a good bowl team his first year. He tried to fit his system here without the players and will do the same at Michigan. I don't begrudge the guy if he wants to better himself. Michigan would be a great job. I am still shocked that he would desert his players before the bowl game. Even if he had a spat with the administration, he should have coached his kids, in my opinion. Then, move on. I have heard all of the rummors and some are true. Michigan may be surprized at what they get. I say good riddance and too bad for Michigan. To lose Carr and get RR is almost beyond belief. I should have said RR could have had a good bowl team his first year. Instead he had his worst year. Russ
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Awesome retort Mr. FU. Michigan liberal arts degree, perhaps. Maybe a refund is in order.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I've got the playbook. Bubble screen left. Bubble screen right. When previous fail. Pat White on 2.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Morals... signed a contract...signature is your word...pay up and we might leave it alone.
Cheerleaders...need I say more?...
Real estate lady(s) need I say more?
if you do not understand, do some work like dick tracy...
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Poor Michigan fans! These WVU people are gonna be haunting you. Watch out they do not quit. Not all country people act like this. It is comical. Enjoy you new coach. My sympathies go out to you because this nonsense will last long time. FYI You will hear alot of facts that come from the newspaper which I believe is own by WVU. lol
God Bless
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Cheerleaders? Real Estate lady (s)? Your just jealous! Morals, you the big snoop like Dick Tracy... AND PLEASE YOU DONT NEED TO SAY MORE! by the way instead of the term lady (s) did you mean whore... or is it all one sided. and like he told you....funny stuff...it's killing me. You sound like the big town gossip.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
WVU hides behind the press with the "unnamed sources" story, then when they have to put a WVU name on the story all of a sudden the files are secure. WVU fans should be outraged at the WVU administration
as it easy to see they are diverting attention away from there incompetence. All the rest is just typical garbage that bad fans spout. It's good to see how the national respected press has now picked up the truth. What you have here is a complete breakdown of a school, its fans, and the state. Very sad.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
what you have is a scroundel for a coach-- enjoy!!!!
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
HOW ABOUT THAT 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER????
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
LOL did you do the Dna test? Incredible....You do believe everything don't you.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
"'He takes what he can get and turns them into hardened speed machines. Now he DOES have access top drawer athletes. I totally expect him to run a more pro-like offense.'
"Are you nuts? The spread and 3-3-5 are his babies. It has nothing to do with the talent he can get. Do you really think that he gets a job at Michigan and decides to run a different offense from what he's used year after year?"
Here's the ultimate problem with Michigan going with a spread: A pro offense college sends its grads to the pros. A spread offense college sends its grads to careers for which their degrees suit them. Michigan is a QB school with a long history and reputation for turning out pro quarterbacks. Mobile QBs have a short life expectancy in the pros. A highly ranked recruit has to analyze his chances of going pro coming from a spread school vs a pro school. This is why you see the middle-drawer schools (no offense WVU) using the spread rather than the traditional smashmouth powers that send their grads to the pros year after year. When I see the pro teams starting to use the spread I'll be more inclined to think your way. Remember, RR has always adapted to his talent. Pat White is a perfect example. Probably the best mobile QB in the past 20 years, but do you think he'll ever play an NFL down?
The problem with Michigan isn't that they've been running the wrong offense and defense. The problem is they're slow and poorly conditioned.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I disagree. Then NFL is moving to a system of having more mobile quarterbacks. Overtime the trend is going to continue and you are going to see more NFL teams looking for a Vince Young type of quarterback. If you are a good athlete with a good arm they are going to draft you, even if you are rough around the edges.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Michigan sure looked slow when they man handled Florida...........
This whole RR thing is now a NON story..
The only real story here is just how great Lloyd Carr was..
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I don't think anyone ever had real concerns about academic records being destroyed.
The shredded files more likely had to do with player development, strengths, weaknesses, potentials, injury histories, etc. How would destroying these files benefit RR? But those files could have been useful to WVU.
The second possibility is that the files concerned potential recruits, scouting reports, etc. In that case, those files were produced on WVU's dime, and therefore belonged to WVU, not RR.
As to Rod being happy to be at WVU to begin with, it was pretty much his dream job (at least, that is, until UM came along!). A WV kid, WV player, alum, and now head coach? Most people would indeed be thrilled by such a prospect.
Sure, WV folks were invested in him, probably overly so. But that isn't all that unusual. Tell me UM fans weren't similarly invested in Bo? Or OSU fans in Woody? Or Alabama fans in the Bear? Or PSU fans in JoePa?
As a WVU fan, I have already let it go, as have most of the people I know. That is, I have let it go in the sense that I'm glad he's gone. But is it dismaying to continue hearing about file shredding and the like? Absolutely.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
WVU now has bigger problems to deal with, the NAACP will be looking into the racism at and in WVU.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
The race thing sounds like a case of "he said - she said". It might get some attention, but I doubt anything will come of it.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Looks like WVU tossed a boomerang and it came back and nailed them, seems recruits are now looking elsewhere, sometimes its best to , just shut up.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Most of the accusations against Rodriguez are totally bogus.
The head coach position at Michigan isn't an entry-level job. Lloyd Carr's replacement had to be someone already coaching elsewhere at a lower-tier school. And as good as the Mountaineers have been in the last few years, WV is no Michigan. Rich Rodriguez isn't a job-hopper, like Nick Saban. Afer seven solid years at WV, he had a chance to make a positive career move, and he did. The reason coaching contracts have buyout clauses is because both sides, the schools and the coaches, anticipate they will be needed. I am sure WV and Rodriguez will reach a settlement on the $4 million he owes them.
I think Rodriguez did Ryan Mallett a huge favor. Rodriguez clearly wants to run a system in which Mallett isn't a very good fit. A kid like Mallett, with 3 solid years of elligibility remaining, ought to be at a school that features a drop-back passing attack. Whether or not the Wolverines land Pryor, Mallett no longer belonged in Ann Arbor. Let's not forget: fans were complaining about Lloyd Carr's fossilized offense and annual losses to Ohio State. If you want the program shaken up, you shouldn't complain when a new coach comes in and does just that.
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