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Rodriguez Refuses to Talk About Michigan During News Conference

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Posted: 1:02 PM Dec 15, 2007
Last Updated: 4:20 PM Dec 15, 2007
Reporter: John Mulvaney
Email Address: john.mulvaney@wsaz.com

22 comments

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Morgantown, W.V. – Rich Rodriquez may be the only one not talking about a possible move to Michigan. Less than twenty-four hours after meeting with Michigan officials, Rodriguez held his scheduled 11 a.m. press conference Saturday morning, where he refused to address what happened Friday.

Rodriguez opened his remarks to reporters by saying he would not discuss the rumors about his interest in the Wolverine's coaching vacancy. After the first two questions from reporters concerned the Michigan job, Rodriguez reiterated he would only discuss West Virginia's upcoming Fiesta Bowl matchup with Oklahoma.

The third question of the press conference asked if Rodriguez would be the coach of West Virginia for the Fiesta Bowl. Rodriguez then threatened to end the press conference immediately if questions about a possible move to Ann Arbor continued.

Stay tuned to WSAZ.com for updates throughout the day. More on the Rich Rodriguez story coming up on Newschannel Three at Six.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: WVU Concerned on Dec 26, 2007 at 02:20 PM
I am a friend of a close friend of Coach Rod. It really annoys me how the administration has let Rod take the fall for their shortcomings. I encourge all REAL WVU fans to dig for the truth. Go to Michigan's website and listen to the press conference again. Listen how many times Coach Rod says that Michigan AD was a class act and was honest and upfront about everthing. He was implying that WVU administration like EDDIEP is hiding behind their rhetoric. They knew Rod was leaving, cause he told them after the counteroffer was off the table. The truth is coming out. Ask the donors. Go ahead listen to the press conference again - you'll see. Shame on you guys for being anti-Rich. He was good for the Univ. We need a replacement, not as coach but further up the chain. My money goes elsewhere. No blue and gold in my closet anymore.

Posted by: anonymous on Dec 20, 2007 at 06:03 AM
Poor Michigan is getting a coach that knows no loyalty. Go Ohio State!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 18, 2007 at 11:24 PM
CAN'T SPELL TRAITOR WITHOUT RR

Posted by: seth morris on Dec 16, 2007 at 08:39 PM
what a trader, hes been an awesome coach for wvu and now showing that MONEY REALLY DOES TALK!!! i hope they have a losing season with thier new coach!!!

Posted by: Charles on Dec 16, 2007 at 07:47 PM
It's all about money , thats all . Money is what makes people do stuff that the would not ordinarly do. It's all about money.

Posted by: Angry on Dec 16, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Coach Rod is taking a private plane from Morgantown airport (tail number N150TK) at about 4 pm, and traveling to Ann Arbor to officially take the job. The deal is done.

Posted by: ANON on Dec 16, 2007 at 08:02 AM
LET HIM GO, THAT WAY OHIO STATE'S WINNING STREAK AGAINST MICHIGAN WILL CONTINUE. IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT RODRIGUEZ CANNOT COACH THE BIG GAME.

Posted by: steve on Dec 16, 2007 at 02:25 AM
I'm just not surprised by this at all. The only reason he came back this year was that the Alabama job was poison. However, he couldn't be picking a worse conference to go into. He's getting slow big ten players and is going to a school that loves its linebackers. The porous 3-1-2-3-2 or whatever it is, won't gel with the maize and blue. Maybe we can lure Patrino in to coach for us now. He has sure been a Razorback for a long time. He's due for another contract any day.

Posted by: Mac on Dec 16, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Just go Rod, Just go...what kind of coach would hang everyone out there waiting to see if he will go or not? If you're considering it tell everyone that-if not, tell everyone that. At least Coach Miles took his name off the table so as not to distract his players. This is getting really old. WVU is close to being a National contender every year. Maybe Rod can't get to that next level. I heard Tommy Bowden is looking for a job. Just Go Rod, Just Go

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 15, 2007 at 09:42 PM
If I was Rich I would leave in a heartbeat. Michigan is one on the legendary schools of college football. Looking at what he has done with the limited resources at WVU just imagine what he could do at UM. I don't think WVU fans should be so hard on him. Most people (including those commenting on this board) would love to advance their career.

Posted by: mark on Dec 15, 2007 at 08:20 PM
i hope he goes..

Posted by: Alicia on Dec 15, 2007 at 06:00 PM
As a proud WVU supporter, I would hate to see Coach Rod leave. However, you can't blame him for checking out every opportunity to advance in his career. It's not about fair...it's about knowing what's best for him. Unfortunately, if Michigan is what's best for Coach Rod, we should wish him well and look forward to a better opportunity with another coach.

Posted by: JOSH on Dec 15, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Last year I was literally sick about Rich leaving...This year I say SHINE ON RICH !! Don't let the door hit you in the butt. WVU Football has given me a lot pleasure, but this on again off again coach. SHAPE UP RICH OR YOU WILL BE BENCHED !!!

Posted by: Jan Ferguson on Dec 15, 2007 at 04:15 PM
In my opinion concerning Coach Rodriquez,,,,Something went terribly wrong concerning losing the same would have took to the playoffs. Since this is a country of Freedom of Speech, I feel strongly that Coach Rodriquez sold the game out for his own advantage after the dedication of each of the young men playing their hearts out to win this game. Bad coaching lost the game and I feel he should move on, in my opionion this is what he had planned to do from the beginning which hurts the fairness of Sports with such great players for a Wonderful Unitveristy such as WVU!

Posted by: Tim on Dec 15, 2007 at 04:13 PM
It's starting to add up. The Nat. Champ. Game is big business. I think that having WV in it would have hurt all the sponserships and the TV ratings. So why not offer Rich a lot of money and the Michigan job to throw a game(as in Pitt). If you watched the Pitt game you know what I mean. There was absolutely no emotion from that man, I've seen him so mad at other games (even while they were leading) that he was doing the Cowher Spit. No spit in the Pitt game, even eith so much on the line! He sold out our Great State.....where's Nehlen?

Posted by: JW on Dec 15, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Being a big supporter of WVU, it pains me to see him thinking of leaving again. Especially after everything that the university did for him last year. In addition, his refusal to even discuss this issue speaks volumes of his dishonesty. If a person wants to leave a job for a better opportunity (which I do not believe this is) then it is their right to do so. However, misleading everyone and refusing to discuss the issue is extremely childish. It would definitely hurt to see him go, but if he thinks this is a better deal for him, then just go and stop playing games. Loyalty is obviously not one of Rich's strong points. He should be more concerned about how he let everyone in the state down with with his poor coaching performance against Pitt and a chance at a national championship and get ready for Oklahoma. But if he does go, I will finally cheer for Ohio State when they play Michigan.

Posted by: Jeff on Dec 15, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Offer Don enough, maybe he'll come back

Posted by: Jason on Dec 15, 2007 at 02:40 PM
You know, Don Nehlen never did this sort of stuff. For all of his faults he was loyal to WVU. Rich Rod shops his name around every offseason. It's getting really old. If you want to leave, just leave. If you want to stay, then stay....just stop the madness please!

Posted by: CG on Dec 15, 2007 at 02:00 PM
I agree. He signed a huge contract to coach WVU. Why sign it if you do not intend to honor it? He throws his name in the hat for a coaching job every off season. Maybe his intentions are to get as much money from WVU as he can and as much publicity for himself that he possibly can. Who knows? But if he is going to do this every time a top coaching job becomes available, go ahead and leave. He obvioulsy doesn't want to be here. This kind of thing messes up recruiting too. What kid will sign with him if he attempts to leave every year? What kid's parents would let him sign not knowing if Rod will be there or not? First Beilien(SP) to Michigan, now Rodriquez. Maybe we will get an even better football coach to come in here like we did in hoops with Huggins!!

Posted by: c on Dec 15, 2007 at 01:56 PM
let him go id rather wv lose every game than to have that piece of crap coaching if he hates wv that bad and i hope wvu turns around and sues him for breach of contract after all they let belein go without a fight

Posted by: JIMMIE on Dec 15, 2007 at 01:51 PM
LET HIM GO HE WILL NOT BEAT OHIO STATE AND WILL NOT LAST LONG UNTIL THE MICHIGAN BUNCH WILL BE WANTING HIM OUT HE WILL NOT BE THE RECRUITER THERE THAT THEY WILL NEED.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 15, 2007 at 01:35 PM
I hope that he does leave. If being in West Virginia is such a terrible thing for him that every year he shops around for another job then he should definitely go. I'm tired of the drama.

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