Dateline, ANN ARBOR, January 30, 2008.
RODRIGUEZ DENIES MOTHER’S ACCUSATIONS OF COOKIE THEFT—Says Hand in Cookie Jar Was “Mere Coincidence”
New Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez denied reports today that his mother found him stealing cookies from a jar in her kitchen.
Arlene Rodriguez said she found the former WVU head coach with his hand “up to his elbow” in a glass jar of coconut-chocolate chip cookies with "brown smudges on his chin.” The younger Rodriguez said the accusations are a smear campaign.
“I made three dozen of those cookies just the night before, but after Rich scurried away when I surprised him, I counted only twenty-four,” said the Rodriguez matriarch. “What happened to the other twelve?”
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The accusations first appeared in a story Wednesday in the Home and Hearth section of the Charleston (WV) Gazette.
Rodriguez broke his silence in an interview with the Toledo Bee-Sentinel and attributed the reports to jealous rivals.
“Look at the timing. All this nonsense comes right in the middle of recruiting season, when I have to go into kids’ homes and talk to their parents. And now their moms have to worry about leaving me alone near the kitchen? That’s not right. And furthermore, why would I snack? Anyone who has followed my career knows that I like to stay hungry, stay humble.”
Rodriguez’ agent, Mike Brown, issued a press release asserting that the story was false and that the public should not pass judgment until all the facts are out.
Brown stated: "After all, how do we know that Coach Rodriguez ate the cookies just because he was the last person seen near them? He’s a hard worker, and those brown smudges on his face could have been from perspiration and the toil of a long day’s labor. And how do we know that the cookies are actually missing. And just who is this 'Arlene' woman and what is her agenda?”
Brown suggested the story was planted by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, WVU President Mike Garrison, WVU Athletic Direct Ed Pastilong, WVU Mascot Gregory Foster, WVU Student Union night janitor Purvis Steele, 9-year old Mountaineer fan Jimmy Potts, and his dog Skippy.
ESPN.com featured Brown’s release in a story entitled “West Virginia Picking on Rodriguez Again,” which appeared just above a column lauding SEC football dominance and an editorial calling for more institutional oversight over major college athletics.
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7 months ago
Crystal Clear. You dislike Rich Rodriguez.
Seriously this stuff is still going on? How many Rich Rodriguez articles have you published already? 3? Plus one about Michigan.
You WVU fans really need to get over it. This is beginning to become one huge annoyance and it's you guys who won't let it die.
Start a Rich Rodriguez website or a blog, I'm really getting sick of this garbage.. It's almost February.
from 6 months ago
Nino,
As americans we are given free rights to do about whatever we want. So if you don't like it, than simply don't read and comment on the articles. Perhaps it is the dominance of WVU fans on this blog that is truely annoying to you.
FYI! there is countless sports websites in the world, maybe you should spread your knowledge (or ablity to comment on every article ever written for any sport on bleacher) elswhere.
from 6 months ago
Just as he has a free right to post his article, I have the free right to complain about it.
Uh I was the first to comment, what do you mean in "Dominance of WVU Fans"?
I was overall annoyed by the 4 posts he made on the matter in one day, and at such a long time after as well. It's my right to question him on that, is it not? He explained himself. I'm rather okay with it. I just found it absolutely annoying that you WVU fans are STILL going on about this stuff and STILL making fun of the guy.
I know there are plenty of other websites out there, I post on a lot of them and I've echoed the same sentiments that I have here. It's annoying, get over it and move on. You have a new coach and from my understanding most of you are pretty happy about it.
7 months ago
Check Mike Brown's pockets, if Rich Rod took 12 cookies, Brown has half of them.
7 months ago
funny
7 months ago
Nino, I wrote these articles over a few weeks then posted them all at once after I discovered Bleacher Report. Don't worry, my productivity will drop off.
7 months ago
The guy who has all the cookies is Mike Brown. How do I become an agent?
7 months ago
Just..."Hold The Rope!"
7 months ago
hahaha, hilarious. i love it
7 months ago
Nino, if you are so sick of reading about RR, then why are you reading the articles???!
7 months ago
Last week I took a blue berry pie fresh out of the oven and put it on my window sill to cool. When I went to retrieve it, all that remained was the sweet smell of berries lingering in the air and an empty window sill.
For the longest time I thought it was those pesky ginger O'Doyle twins who live next door, but now I'm beginning to wonder if it wasn't one Michigan football coach with a sweet tooth and sticky fingers...
Thanks for the lead DePlume.
6 months ago
In response, RR said that he had spoken with his mother about the cookies and there were several changes to the recipie that she agreed to make and then never followed up on.
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