O.K., why in the hell is the Gov. of WV weighing in on this? So a politician is going to say something about ethics? That's rich!!!! I guess being the Gov of WV you don't have anthing to do? Get a life dumb dumb. Do you think if Mich's coach did that to them, fat chance by the way of that ever happening, the Gov would wine about it to the press? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Hell no, they'd move on, hire another big name and be done with it. I understand the anger from WVU fans and supporters but SHIT HAPPENS, shut up, move on and quit crying.
Yeah -- I think I inadvertently hijacked this thread with an aside about Charlie Weis. Sorry about that, but it was the only example that came to mind. If you repeatedly told your employer and customers that you weren't going to leave that first company, maybe the situations would be more similar, but this isn't really a comparable situation. And nothing much of what goes on in the realm of private employment is similar to what goes on the realm of big-time athletics. My argument was not so much that the situations are comparable per se, but that the standards of "loyalty" that we apply to professional athletes and coaches are not often reflected or applied to the standards we set for ourselves and our peers. I do agree, however, that the two realms are not similar - for example, in the example I gave and Holden expanded on, there would be no media corps constantly asking if you were going to stay with your company and essentially forcing you to repeatedly declare your loyalty. That's really the only legitimate beef against Rodriguez - he said he'd stay and he didn't. But did he really have any choice in the matter? In many cases, coaches are caught in a catch-22, wherein they have to state their loyalty every time a better job opens up, exposing themselves to attacks on their integrity if they later take a different job, or else risk being portrayed as having one foot out the door. What are you supposed to do in that situation? Certainly we'd all agree that a coach should have a right to change jobs, at the very least when his contract expires, but if a coach says "I'm probably out of here when this contract runs out," his team will start tuning him out and the media will go nuts with speculation. If he voices some platitude about how he's totally happy, everyone calms down, but then he's demonized if he ever leaves. Total no-win situation. Rodriguez and others may be at risk of being fired, but guess what -- he's going to get paid even if he gets fired. Now that's a pretty good little set up, if you ask me. As I understand it, most football college coaching salaries (at least at big-name programs) are guaranteed, so the coach will be paid even if he's fired. While a coach that gets fired will often still get paid by his previous employer, a coach that leaves for a better job will leave the cupboard stocked with his recruits (WVU still has some insanely good athletes to bank on, thanks to Rodriguez' recruiting efforts). In other words, regardless of who dumps who, the dump-ee is not totally screwed. A fired coach can find another job, and WVU can find another coach. I'm not sure a string quartet playing sad songs is called for in either situation.
What do you all think about that Rodriguez isn't going to coach WVU in the bowl game? As a player I think it would suck. Carr is going to coach the Wolverines, so what's the difference?
What do you all think about that Rodriguez isn't going to coach WVU in the bowl game? Yea, I really don't get that part. I mean, he can still announce he'll coach Michigan next year and finish out this year at WVU, no? As a player, I can understand my coach leaving next year. But to leave before the bowl game? I'd be pissed. Hell, it's not like they're playing the the Outback Alamo.com bubble burst game.
I mean, he can still announce he'll coach Michigan next year and finish out this year at WVU, no? NO. Come on now. If he loses that game fans will say his heads not in it and he shouldn't have coached in it. The fact is that he is no longer employed by WVU. His interersts, obviously, are elsewhere. Why in the hell would you want a coach on the field that left? That makes no sense to me. The bottom line is his contract was fulfilled and he's done. He either coached through 2013 OR if he left before September there is a 4MIL $ buy out. This isn't rocket science. since the buy out is being paid is contract was fulfilled. Carr is going to coach the Wolverines, so what's the difference? Carr is retiring, that example is not even close to what Rod did.
As close as West Virginia came to possibly playing in the national championship, and even with all the talented players they have, especially on offense, their 2007 season hasn't really been that impressive. The terrible loss to Pittsburgh the final game only reinforces that fact. That being said, I think the Mountaineers are going to have a big problem competing with Oklahoma with or without Rodriguez on the sideline. He's really in a no-win situation, though. If he stays and coaches the team and they lose, people will assume the team lacked motivation and possibly preparation due to their coach taking another job. Now that he's decided not to coach the team in the Fiesta Bowl, if they lose, his not being there would be the reason they lost, too. At least now, it they do manage to beat the Sooners, they move into the post-Rodriguez era with the feeling the program will be OK.
B10, what I meant was Carr could have said no to coaching the team through the bowl game, but didn't. Yes, this could be his swan song if Michigan wins, but if they lose, it could be the same as Rodriguez coaching WVu and losing...he was already retired/resigned. So in that case what is the difference. As a WVU player, I would want the consistency of the 'coach' being there and yes dyams, he is in a catch-22, but he put himself in that situation. I still think colleges should not recruit a coach until after the bowl season. It is not fair to the players and fans.
Yes, this could be his swan song if Michigan wins I still think it's a different story. Carr has been with Mich since the 80's. Win or lose his legacy at Mich is stable. There is a HUGE difference between retiring and resigning. Carr will hold a position in the front offices and be a consultant to Rod. As for his Swan Song only if he wins, well you don't understand Michigan Football. Don't take that as a shot but Mich is different than a lot of schools. Like I said, Carrs legacy is fine, win or lose this game. Carr could have said no to coaching the team through the bowl game Not really. everyone knew this was his last year. It wasn't a suprise at all. The team knew, the fans knew, the administration knew. The situation at Mich is so different than WVU's that it's not even a fair comparison. Retiring and resigning aren't really the same thing to a program. Resigning means you are done coaching at that school, (Rod). Retiring means you are done coaching. Ask the folks at WVU and they'll tell you it's a big difference. If Rod would have retired and went nowhere feelings in Morgantown would be a lot different.
he is in a catch 22, but he put himself in that situation What catch 22 is he in? He resigned....job over. There in no catch at all. He has a new job, period. He quit his old job, period. It is not his team anymore, period. He wanted it that way, period. I just don't understand what the debate about him coaching the bowl game is. Why in the Hell would ANY WVu fan want him to coach their team at this point. HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE THERE! In my opinion, there is no catch 22, no controversy, no nothing, HE QUIT WVU. As a fan, if the coach of my team did that, be it pro or college....I would want his ass ran out of town. In thyis case they don't have to because he got the Hell out on his own. Here is the bottom line: HE IS NOT COACHING THE BOWL GAME BECAUSE HE IS NOT THEIR COACH ANYMORE.
Whoa! Here's a turn of events I hadn't counted on... ESPN: "Source: Attorneys to contest ex-coach having to pay $4m to WVU" A primary WVU donor and close friend of Rodriguez says in the article, "They baited and switched him. Rich was boxed in by a university and athletic department that was arrogant, mean-spirited and intellectually bankrupt. How can someone like me now commit money to this university?"
Whoa! Here's a turn of events I hadn't counted on... ESPN: "Source: Attorneys to contest ex-coach having to pay $4m to WVU" Sounds pretty ridiculous to me -- the University didn't deliver on promises such as giving Rodriguez more authority over VIP sideline passes, so he doesn't have to pay the $4MM due to the school when he breaks his contract to leave? I imagine that unless the University has some major balls and is willing to spend the legal fees to drive home a point, that this will just result in his buyout being negotiated downward. Sleazy move by Rodriguez.
ESPN: "Source: Attorneys to contest ex-coach having to pay $4m to WVU" LOL So much for the big "Family"atmosphere they had down there in Morgantown.
Agreed, Holden -- the article notes that a similar fracas led to Coach Beilein negotiating his buyout downwards by $1m when HE left for Michigan. Coincidence? Doubtful.
Boy I Love u of M. LOL
I feel that Rodriguez's actions in his matter PALE in comparison to the true SLEAZE that is Bobby Petrino. Arkansas welcomes these hi-jinx ( in case anyone has forgotten about Lou Holtz in 1977 with the Jets - he was 3-10 as well and went to where?). If the unversities shortcomings are factual - I feel that Coach Rod is well within his right to get the buy-out fine reduced. WVU Adminstration should be wary of fighting this TOO much - if it comes at the expense of losing a major donor (they tend to follow one anothers leads). I suspect this will go away quickly, and a reasonable agreement reached.
Allowing players to keep textbooks for resale, a practice that occurs at some other schools. Waiving a $5 charge for high school coaches to attend Mountaineers games. Having authority over distribution of sideline passes. Kendrick said Rodriguez "negotiated" one for his wife, Rita. Having authority to allocate funds from the 1100 Club for coaches. A committment to increase pay for his assistant coaches. Additional money to pay graduate assistants. Hiring an additional recruiting assistant. This is why he left? If WVU was making an honest effort to do these things, what's his beef? Am I missing something here? B10, I see what you are saying and I may have been wrong to compare Rod and Carr. Carr has class.
This is why he left? If WVU was making an honest effort to do these things, what's his beef? Am I missing something here? No lil'red that is NOT why he left. All those things, as trivial as they are, were just adding up. He left for a better opportunity, a better conference, better recruiting, more money....shall I go on? That's it, all this other trivial stuff is just a smoke screen to get his buyout reduced. What you call classless I call shrewed on the part of Michigan. Do you really think that Rod is complaining that bad about those things? No, Michigan is trying to find a way to get the $4Mil buy out down.
Rich Rod.....a class act. Just like another one of our other idiots from WV....Randy Moss. No class, Rich Rod. A true Mountaineer bleeds blue and gold. Well, I guess in his case, blue and maize.
