Simple answer here, really both should be.
I was given the heads up from a buddy today (he likes to be called, “Another Matt,” not to be confused with Matt or the other white Matt (TOWM is the official name)) about a poignant column printed today in the Detroit Free Press by columnist Michael Rosenburg. It is a good read. I suggest it.
Rosenburg is quick to point out that it certainly wasn’t Rich Rod who was eager to get the legal dogfight with West Virginia Universty settled yesterday. It turns out Michigan’s very own university President Mary Sue Coleman.
You see yesterday marked a deadline that would have required Coleman as well as Michigan AD Bill Martin to issue depositions regarding UM officials’ involvement with Rich Rod prior to him officially signing on the dotted line with the Wolverines last winter.
Obviously that was not going to happen and subsequently we now have learned Michigan will be paying $2.5 million of the $4 million buyout Rodriguez owes to WVU. Sad thing is that Michigan’s payment will be dished out to WVU more than a year in advance of any payment Rich Rod will make (2010). What school these days ends up paying for a new coach’s buyout from his previous school? Guess we now have the answer to that question?
Michigan should be embarrassed for even being associated with Rich Rodriguez.
Rich Rod should be embarrassed simply because he has been fighting a legal battle he had no chance of winning based on his own pride and selfishness. The eight month legal battle was fought based on an oral agreement Rich Rod thought he made with WVU officials, prior to signing (yes, that means in writing, Rich) on the dotted line for a contract extension (with a $4 million buyout clause) just a few months prior to leaving WVU for Michigan. When was the last time someone won a court case based on an oral vs. written agreement?
Rodgriguez should also be embarrassed (for the university) because he has managed to deter several quality athletes from his new school based on a reputation that has spoken for itself since his arrival up north. Rosenburg points out that even a returning starting lineman, Justin Boren, which we all know by now has transferred to The Ohio State University, chose to leave Michigan because he felt his dignity was being questioned. It also shows how strongly Boren feels because in transferring, he has to sit out a year before playing for the Bucks in ‘09.
Heck, once Terrelle Pryor officially decided to attend OSU (over Michigan), that pretty much has caused an exodus of top notch recruits towards the Buckeyes in what could become one of the best-ever recruiting classes for the Buckeyes in ‘09. It now looks like the state of Michigan’s top high school wide receiver will be joining the next Buckeyes recruiting class.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m loving every single minute of this soap opera. Keep it going Rich. Maybe you’ll slap a player in the face or something next week and end up back in the news. Hopefully someday soon, folks will realize what a real slimeball you are.
Michigan and Rich Rod: A miserable marriage that was truly meant for each other.
