Rich Rodriguez is a good football coach, but his personal ethics could be worse than Nick Saban or Bobby Petrino—the latest media whipping boys.

Rodriguez lied at worst, and misled Alabama at best. But if he truly followed his heart, and stayed at WVU who could blame him. In fact, doing what would make him happy would be commendable.

Rodriguez signed a contract extension with more pay, and a four million dollar buyout.

The people of West Virginia rejoiced.

For a year.

Then West Virginia’s faithful son bolted to the University of Michigan. Along the way, he decided his contractual $4 million buyout shouldn’t apply to him because he is…well, Rich Rodriguez.

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Of course, that wasn’t even enough treachery for Rodriguez. He ran off a potentially superb quarterback in Ryan Mallett. Mallett transfered to tutor under Petrino at Arkansas. The reason? Rodriguez ran Mallett off in hopes of luring Terrelle Pryor.

The Detroit Free Press provides a little more information on how Mallett was treated by Rodriguez.

Karma’s a bitch. As Pryor decided to keep Rodriguez waiting. And who knows if Pryor will ever arrive in Ann Arbor.

He shafted the people of West Virginia, and ultimately, the treatment of Mallett is further proof that Rodriguez is scum. Probably more of a scum than other football coaches out there.

2 thoughts on “Rodriguez is scum”

  1. From everything I’ve read, the WVU athletic department mishandled a lot of things that led to his departure and none of those things had to do with his salary. As he proved by not going to Alabama, he wanted to stay home in WVU. When he didn’t get the support he felt he needed and deserved from the admin, he did what he thought was best for him and any person in their right mind would pick Michigan over WVU. The only thing that makes it a story at all is the fact that Rich Rod is from WV.

    As for Mallett, he knew just as well as Rodriguez knew that he is not and never will be a fit for Rodriguez’s system. A tall, pocket passer isn’t what Rod wants so Mallett likely would have transferred regardless of the communication between he and Rodriguez. If he stayed, he might have started for a few games(or more than that) next year, but as soon as a running and passing threat(Pryor or someone else) was groomed, Mallett would have been out. So, from the young man’s perspective, why not get out now and go to a program where you might be able to start for 3 years?

  2. That is the best possible spin on the situation.

    Here is what I think. Rodriguez wanted the Alabama job, but got worried about the pressure—and when WVU sweetened his offer then he jumped at the option to stay.

    I don’t buy the WVU people bungled so much. I think Rodriguez is a lot like Tommy Tuberville—clever and smooth with the media. I think it is his spin, and WVU should feel betrayed by the guy who said he was a WVU guy but turned out not to be one.

    As for Mallett, I think the kid was smart to leave. However, without a quarterback UM is going to have a rough time.

    Seems like justice for the treacherous Rodriguez. 🙂

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