I'm sure Michigan and WVU fans are probably relieved that this is over, but I'm terribly disappointed.West Virginia University says ex-football coach Rich Rodriguez has agreed to pay a $4 million buyout clause after breaking his contract.The past few months have been a fun time to watch -- as long as you are on the outside. The depositions being taken then released to the public for mocking. Rodriguez's lawyer equating the buyout to "slavery" even as Rodriguez's present contract with Michigan just happens to have a $4 million buyout. Good stuff.
That would settle WVU's lawsuit that had been set for trial this fall. WVU attorney Tom Flaherty says the tentative agreement was reached late Tuesday night.
FanHouse never even got a chance to
It remains to be seen if Rodriguez is paying the money himself or if Michigan and/or a wealthy donor is ponying up the money to end this before training camp opens in Ann Arbor.
UPDATE: It appears that Michigan will pay at least part of the money owed.
Sources today said Rodriguez will pay $1.5 million over a three-year span that begins in two-and-a-half years, with $500,000 due at the end of each 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Michigan will pay $2.5 million immediately, and additionally is expected to pick up Mr. Rodriguez's legal fees.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-09-2008 @ 10:12AM
Ryan Ferguson said...
Indeed - very disappointing! I was looking forward to where this circus would take us next.
I've lost a ton of respect for Rich Rodriguez in the process, though. What a loser... he should never have allowed this to get dragged into court because a) he signed the freaking contract which bound him to pay the money and b) it showcased all the well-hidden neuroses lurking under that blue baseball cap. Dude's straaaaange in the membrane.
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7-09-2008 @ 10:25AM
cfbbcs said...
It had to end...UM and RR were ordered to produce some very damaging documents, thus he pays the entire amount.....and his buyout at UM?...$4 million...bet he stays
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7-09-2008 @ 10:45AM
Aztecsfan said...
Rich Rodriguez is beginning to give Bobby Petrino a run for his money. Something tells me that Rodriguez doesn't last two or three years until he starts looking for what he perceives as a better gig.
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7-09-2008 @ 12:33PM
jallotta said...
Rodriguez wasn't the one who filed the lawsuit. WVU filed it before the first payment was even due...
All of the negotiations apparently came down to a timeframe on when the money would get paid back. That and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. What a waste.
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7-09-2008 @ 4:05PM
Andy said...
Let me get this straight. UM steals WVU coaches, coaches take financial pounding because of big egos,
UM fires wants to fire both coaches ASAP Current UM president wipes egg off face. WVU win 7mil and NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. WVU president kicks UM president #$%@ on youtube for being a slime ball.
UM president looses job for getting UM in such a %^$#*(& mess.Sound like a good start for college football
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7-10-2008 @ 10:19AM
Dave said...
Well, lets see. I'm assuming WVU will buy a lot of lottery tickets to get the extra $3 million, even if you factor in Beilein's payout.
U-M's president, Mary Sue Coleman is all of 5'0. Your president, while not awarding awesomely fake masters degrees can spend his time on youtube kicking her ass while not looking like a slimeball. Also, since U-M is still somewhat known for academics, I doubt MSC would lose her job because of football coaches.
Good luck on your national title
7-09-2008 @ 11:13PM
Jim said...
No doubt the creative accountants at UM will shift the cost to the poor Michigan taxpayer and/or the students at UM with a "modest" tuition hike. They will deny it of course and the accountants will be sure to hide where the money came from. Good day for WVU, bad day for Michigan taxpayers.
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7-17-2008 @ 7:04AM
PeterM said...
Jim, The Michigan athletic department is completely self-supporting and gets no general University fund or state support. They have more than enough money to pay for it.
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7-29-2008 @ 5:11PM
Norma Pauley said...
Rodriguez should have stayed with Pat White, the quarterback, all the way; guess he just wanted to sell himself to the one with the most money. Rich wanted to be rich and didn't care about his team.
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7-29-2008 @ 9:37PM
Steve Borkowski said...
The whole thing stinks, even from the perspective of a life long U-M fan. This whole sorry episode has been a huge step down for a once fine football traditon. perhaps one of the last.
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