Rodriguez: WVU coerced me
Posted: Thursday May 15, 2008 09:04AM ET
The ongoing saga of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez and West Virginia University's lawsuit against him took a public turn Tuesday. Rodriguez's deposition was released. Rodriguez's primary contention, that he was coerced into signing the agreement with a $4-million buyout clause in August 2007, became more specific as he stated that West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and three members of the WVU Board of Governors pressured him into signing the document. Rodriguez said he felt the individuals, notably board member Steve Farmer, were well-connected because Farmer told him months earlier that Mike Garrison would be WVU's new president, well before it was public knowledge. They wanted him to sign the document to get Garrison's tenure off to a good start.
Rich Rodriguez, AP
Comments (40)
I am sick to death of seeing RR in the news. I hope Michigan fans know what they are getting into with him.
Der Dutchman | 05/15/08, 09:11 AM
Report Offensive CommentDerrrrr Dutchman,
1. UM fans know what we are getting. This idiotic mantra of " I hope Michigan fans know what they are getting" by people who only glance at this story but who have not followed what RR has already done for UM football need to be more worried about your own life than what happens with a team you obviously despise.
2. I am not sure how a man like Rodriguez can get coerced. He's not naive. I don't think he's stupid. But the line of defense his lawyers have crafted seems to be one that will surely be swatted down in court, imho. It doesn't seem this will end well for RR.
The Warden | 05/15/08, 09:41 AM
Report Offensive CommentPlease thank people like Der Dutchmen, who although they are "sick of the RR saga" keep posting, giving motivation for FN to keep posting such stories when they become available. Last time I checked Michigan is getting a hell of a coach who took a nothing team and turned them into a contender and also someone who should have contacted his lawyer BEFORE signing the contract, not after.
biminator | 05/15/08, 09:43 AM
Report Offensive CommentIf you're bitter and you know it, rip on Rich.
If you're bitter and you know it, rip on Rich.
If you're bitter and you know it, then your posts will surely show it.
If you're bitter and you know it, rip on Rich.
biminator | 05/15/08, 09:52 AM
Report Offensive CommentWarden - how in the he!! do you know what I "glance" at and what I follow? Exactly, you don't, so eat it. Biminator - I don't dislike RR or UM, just get tired of the saga between RR and West Va. FN is going to post whatever they want regardless. They focus on petty crap like this, so no ripping of RR on my end jag-off.
Der Dutchman | 05/15/08, 10:08 AM
Report Offensive CommentWarden - how in the he!! do you know what I "glance" at and what I follow? Exactly, you don't, so eat it. Biminator - I don't dislike RR or UM, just get tired of the saga between RR and West Va. FN is going to post whatever they want regardless. They focus on petty crap like this, so no ripping of RR on my end jag-off.
Der Dutchman | 05/15/08, 10:08 AM
I think he can tell what you glance at by what you are posting on.
You are half the traffic on this post, apparently you care about this more than most other people...
I am guessing he assumed you only glanced at it, because if you really hate this news, you probably were smart enough not to open up every news story about RR, and read it in depth... but who knows, I might be way off...
Do you post on every story that you don't care about? There are a ton of golf and nascar stories that would love more traffic...
biminator | 05/15/08, 10:13 AM
Report Offensive CommentHow do you get outsmarted by someone from West Virginia???????
BUCKGUY | 05/15/08, 10:16 AM
Report Offensive Commentbiminator - you missed the point. Not shocking though. Golf and NASCAR? Do they have as much traffic as your mom's bedroom?
Der Dutchman | 05/15/08, 10:17 AM
Report Offensive CommentDer Dutchman:
Oh...we KNOW what you glance at. We also know that besides glancing at Michigan rumors you also delight in Naughty Weeblows Monthly
THE TRUTH is Pauly Walnuts | 05/15/08, 10:21 AM
Report Offensive CommentYou publicly express 4 times that you're sick of a story (thus propagating the story) and somehow I missed the point? If, like you said, FN is going to focus on petty stuff like this, dont go to FN. Dont open the story. Why let yourself get so worked up about it?
How do I avoid getting worked up about stuff like this? I just sit here with a smug, Michigan smile on my face, thinking about how good looking my mom really is. But seriously, please stop glancing at her, people like you creep her out...
As a man who happens to be Dutch, your antics confuse me. The Dutch are some of the most laid back people in the world. If you don't believe me fly to Amsterdam and share a smoke with your fellow pepole.
biminator | 05/15/08, 10:23 AM
Report Offensive CommentThose Hollanders switch back and forth quicker than Jeff Garcia at men's only cruise
THE TRUTH is Pauly Walnuts | 05/15/08, 10:31 AM
Report Offensive CommentBiminator - I'm not worked up at all. You started on me. My point was that I would like to hear more about what RR is doing to help UM f-ball, not this petty crap. Get a grip homey. Don't you as a UM fan get tired of the negative publicity? That 's all I am trying to say.
Der Dutchman | 05/15/08, 10:32 AM
Report Offensive CommentThat Garcia can sure grow a fine beard
THE TRUTH is Pauly Walnuts | 05/15/08, 10:52 AM
Report Offensive CommentMy point was that I would like to hear more about what RR is doing to help UM f-ball, not this petty crap. Don't you as a UM fan get tired of the negative publicity? That 's all I am trying to say.
Der Dutchman | 05/15/08, 10:32 AM
I can't argue with that. It just seemed from your first post that you questioned RR integrity or coaching ability or something. In all honesty, I believe RR when he said he felt pressured, and I think we can all associate doing irrational things when we feel under pressure. I am ready to move on, because I think with time RR and UM could be a hell of a match.
biminator | 05/15/08, 11:13 AM
Report Offensive CommentYou drink all of his moonshine before he can, that's how.
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How do you get outsmarted by someone from West Virginia???????
BUCKGUY | 05/15/08, 10:16 AM
The Warden | 05/15/08, 11:19 AM
Report Offensive CommentThey do make it strong down there.
biminator | 05/15/08, 11:40 AM
Report Offensive CommentIt gets better wevery day for WVU. I though they may have a hard time showing what an idiot and snake Fraudriguez is but he is doing all the work for them. What a complete donkey! How in Paulie Shores' good name did Touchdown City ever follow this guy and believe in him?! What a joke!
Mountaineer005 | 05/15/08, 12:07 PM
Report Offensive CommentTouchdown City ever follow this guy and believe in him?! What a joke!
Mountaineer005 | 05/15/08, 12:07 PM
Touchdown City? You must've spent too much time sippin whiskey with your sister under the table.
I EFFIN RULE | 05/15/08, 12:40 PM
Report Offensive CommentI'm not a UM fan but I think RR will be a refreshing start for UM. For UM's sake, I hope this controversy that keeps coming up from West Va. goes away. Enough already. West Va. won't be near as good in the years to come.
Der Dutchman | 05/15/08, 01:01 PM
Report Offensive CommentThey put a shoulder lock on him too, that wasn't reported, and hurt so bad, RR signed left-handed, lol.
rhymeister | 05/15/08, 02:27 PM
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