CALL A LAWYER. A WHOLE NEST OF ‘EM.
The departure of Rich Rodriguez won’t be a quiet one. Kick over a log, and you’ll find lawyers. Then, kick the lawyers over, and you’ll find clowns feeding on dead midgets. But inside those midgets? You guessed it: midget parasitic lawyers.
This abstract feeding frenzy describes the potential scene of Rodriguez’s post-departure litigationfest, beginning in earnest with the announcement that Rodriguez will contest having to pay the $4 million buyout himself for leaving for the Michigan job.
Ken Kendrick, a primary West Virginia athletics donor and close friend of Rodriguez, said Tuesday he had knowledge of lawyers’ intentions to contest the buyout.
“I will be a witness to any and all proceedings that occur,” said Kendrick, who is the managing general partner of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. “They baited and switched him. Rich was boxed in by a university and athletic department that was arrogant, mean-spirited and intellectually bankrupt.
Kendrick is the Big Name Rich Guy Donorman named in many of these rumors, but there’s a significant chunk of WVU’s boosterati who feel this way. This was one of the swirling rumors surrounding the departure of Coach DickRod: that he didn’t get along with WVU AD Pastilong because of unfulfilled promises and an overall high-handedness, including reneging on some basic, teeny little details like allowing players to keep their textbooks at the end of the semester. This doesn’t seem like big shit until you think of it in terms of say, your roommate’s inability to transport an empty coke can from the coffee table to the trash can. Do it once, and it’s an oversight; do it for six years, and it’s a testament to their complete contempt for you and themselves.
Lawyers! LET’S GET READY TO MUMBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLL….and rack up those billable hours you’ve been wasting on the internet.










1
TigerNacho says:
I can imagine that Coke can analogy could come up in my future divorce proceedings.
December 18th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
2
T-Bird, T-Bird I love you says:
You heard it from some of the players yesterday, they didn’t blame him for leaving for those exact reasons. Unfulfilled promises, shame on you WVU
December 18th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
3
The Conscience of a Nation says:
Look, I TOLD you, I FORGOT the damn yogurt container. Don’t even get me started.
December 18th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
4
Stacy Keibler Luvs Me says:
Players Dept:
The Legal Beagles should get involed and when a coach breaks a contract, his ex-players should be free to leave to greener pastures, without having to sit out a year. Is this not America? Home of the brave and the FREE? (Insert Animal House, Blutto speech here.)
December 18th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
5
Sarah says:
I’ve heard many people be referred to as “morally bankrupt” but “intellectually bankrupt”? That’s fabulous.
And whoa creepy Stacy Keibler… I’m watching Animal House right now – no joke!
December 18th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
6
Stacy Keibler Luvs Me says:
Sarah: SKLM knows all and sees all !!!!!
December 18th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
7
Will (the other one) says:
Note: the phrase “intellectually bankrupt” was invented by some paid-by-the-word egghead who wanted a longer and fancier way of telling some backwoods hillbillies they were “Stupid”.
Or I just made that up. Either way, the opening to this reminds me of an episode of Duckman (the one good thing USA Network ever ran). Cornfed was in disguise as a paranoid Russian Tsarist and ranted about wolves.
“At the drop of hat, you will find wolf in hat.”
And if you don’t remember this show at all, remember that the bad Russian accent means saying “wolves” like “vulves”
December 18th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
8
WhiteSpeedReceiver says:
SKLM, in the end you commit to a University, not a coach.
TOGA! TOGA!!!!
December 18th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
9
D-nice says:
Doesn’t the new employer school (here, Michigan) usually pay the buyout? I mean, there’s no chance that DickRod would be on the hook for $4 million personally, is there?
December 18th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
10
Chips O'Toole says:
There’s a little known constibule in the WfVU constitution that gives the dean unlimited power in the event that a Coach breaks his contract. WfVU needs the flow, Noel Devine’s grillz don’t pay for themselves.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
11
Stacy Keibler Luvs Me says:
Whitey: When I (and you probably) went to college, we could drop out anytime we wanted. Enrolling at another college was as simple as filling out the application and related materials, and getting it in on time. So, why can’t a football player or other athlete have the same freedom? Blame this one also on the “College Presidents” who are the main culprits in the mess of a bowl system we have now, or the other set of brain surgeons, “The NCAA”.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
12
Herb says:
#9, apparently Michigan’s MO is not only to hire exclusively WVU coaches, but to make those coaches pay their own buyouts. Which I suppose says something about your athletic department when people are willing to pay their own buyouts to get the heck out of dodge.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
13
Meg says:
Normally I would be all for the little man, but honestly, I find it hard to feel sympathy for millionaires who whore themselves around each year just to get better contracts. If you play the game, prepare to lose. Also, how “intellectually bankrupt” can some people be if they successfully pulled off a bait and switch on a major contract that a whole lotta lawyers should have read before Rod signed off on it? More power to them that they had the foresight to call BS on his “never leaving” speech last year and planned accordingly.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
14
jpbiscuit says:
Swindle, you should know by now that not all attorneys waste their billable hours on the internet. RCR, for example, while being a plaintiffs attorney and not having to worry about breaking his life into 6 minute intervals (on a good night, *cough* day) spends his time planning his next great headbutt and send you the newest Orgeron rumor. I plan a great jambalaya for when visiting Sporting News writers come to town. Things like that. Give us bloodsuckers some credit.
Wait, I think … yes. We got the Kendrick case? I’ve been billing on that for the last 30 minutes anyway ….
December 18th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
15
oc phil says:
Ok, I”m not a lawyer, but I didn’t realize that “I don’t like you anymore” was grounds for getting out of a contract.
Plus most of the ticky-tacky stuff mentioned in that article is covered by NCAA rules. I know the number and pay of graduate assistants is limtited by the NCAA. I thought letting students keep (sell) free books was something that has already gotten a couple of schools in trouble this year?
Is RichRod pissed because somebody at WVA was making him play by the rules?
December 18th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
16
Meg says:
I have mixed feelings about the letting players transfer with no penalty. 1st, it would absolutely F up college football. However, I do think players should be given the option to transfer without penalty if the coach leaves within one year of their arrival on campus. I think that might slow down ADs trigger fingers and keep coaches from having to rerecruit there own team each year while bringing in a new class as well. Immature, whimsical kids with nothing really to keep them in any one place should simply never be given that free a rein. I do think their schollies should be guaranteed for all 4 years as long as they keep their nose clean though.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
17
Mr Pelican Pants says:
Hell, I wouldnt put it past some WFV types to try and blackmail RR by dredging up his “exploits” with younger “coeds”…..word of his conquest are legendary, of the Rush Probst douchebaggery level…..not too well hidden….
December 18th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
18
D-nice says:
#12 wrote “#9, apparently Michigan’s MO is not only to hire exclusively WVU coaches, but to make those coaches pay their own buyouts.”
I just read that Michigan is interviewing WVU’s womens’ soccer coach, seriously. Granted, there is probably no buyout involved. But still, the poaching continues.
They just buy WVU and rename it the University of Michigan at West Virginia.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
19
oc phil says:
SKLM: Of course players have the same freedom to transfer and attend any college that will admit them. They just have to pay for it themselves and they can’t play football.
As they used to say in driver’s ed. “it’s not a right, it is a privilege”.
December 18th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
20
Kate says:
#16: TELL ME NOW.
(To be honest I’ve seen a few snide remarks about Michigan now having to “hide their cheerleaders” from RichRod, but I don’t know the whole story. So, again, TELL ME NOW.)
December 18th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
21
NDTom says:
so would it be fair to say that Dick Rod got the shaft?
December 18th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
22
Paco says:
RichRod had been meeting with Michigan for at least a week before all this broke….at least according to Urban Meyer.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071218/SPORTS/712180328/1002/SPORTS
December 18th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
23
Mr Pelican Pants says:
Point blank:
What is a contract? If an attorney can define a contract….there would be no argument? Who does it protect? Why is it there if its not enforceable? If I sign a contract to perform work for someone for 2 yrs, then change my mind 6 months into a project …I would get sued for incomplete work…Think about it…you hire a contractor to build a house w/in a year…he gets the slab poured….and then hauls ass to build a bigger house for more money 1 month into it…Note to Self:
Never hire Petrino Contracting…..
December 18th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
24
Hook'em Tide says:
“Mr. Rodriguez; 0.0 Son, fat, swarmy, and greedy is no way to go through life.”
-Dean Wormer
December 18th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
25
Mr Pelican Pants says:
#19
He is still a habitual skirt chaser….and I’ll leave it at that….
December 18th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
26
Coop says:
He avoided that “label” during his two years at Clemson, but he was merely the OC.
The reason I bring the above up is, I was is
A) I was at Clemson when RR was there, and…
B) Everyone on campus knew about Rick Barnes’ “exploits, ” while he was the basketball coach.
Texas fans, has Slick Rick been spreading his seed over Austin, as well?
December 18th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
27
Mr Pelican Pants says:
So if WFV takes some time to reorganize their thoughts , could they be labeled as
“Intellectually Chapter 13″ working towards
a “Intellectually Chapter 7″? Where they absolve all knowledge? Clean slate, just cant be intellectually bankrupt for the next 7 years?
The way you solve the Coke can vs roomate is, after a verbal warning, and in 24 hours if the Coke can isnt moved, introduce the roomate to what a trash can is via dumping said trash can on the roomate, then throw them both out……..I got issues man….
December 18th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
28
O RLY? says:
A contract is where two+ entities (RR and WVU) promise to do something in exchange for some consideration. Consideration is some benefit that can be very small. There are lots and lots of complex situations that can arise, and lots of ways you might argue that you do not have to honor your contractual obligations. I don’t know West Virginia law (and haven’t seen the contract or the applicable clause) though, so maybe there’s some loophole for coaches who decide they don’t want to pay any more money because they need to spend it buying underage co-eds peppermint schnapps.
December 18th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
29
Rook says:
Will the next Nintendo DS Phoenix Wright game be Phoenix Wright vs the Slave Wage Paying Intellectually Bankrupt Evil University Presidents Who Have The Audacity to Force Coach Dick Rod To Adhere To The Contract He Signed?
December 18th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
30
bitterhorn says:
“Midget Parasitic Lawyers” – thanks for my band’s next name, Orso.
I kind of tend to take RichRod’s side in this, but that may be prejudice against West-by-God Virginia. I can believe them nickel-and-diming the program; it’s also pretty apparent RR and the AD (not to mention the rest of the admin) had some serious personality issues to contend with.
On the other hand (this one), there’s the psycho-control-freak Mrs. Rodriguez angle that comes into play- that’s imminently believable as well. The whole thing is so sordid, I’m just going to drink another beer and watch my horns struggle against Oral U. blehhhh
December 18th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
31
David Puddy says:
PS3’s next biggest hit: Litigation Hero
December 18th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
32
Zone Left says:
Totally inappropriate for the thread…
YEEEEEEEAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
PBJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best weekend ever
The next _ years should be fun.
December 18th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
33
slap-of-WAC says:
West Virginia University is intellectually bankrupt? So that means they have to sell off their intellectual property to pay back the people to whom they are intellectually indebeted? Sounds like a job for a copyright attorney.
I also like the phrase “they baited and switched him”, because it makes it sound like WVU sent criminology professor Ricardo Rodriguez to Michigan instead of their football coach, and they’re all “AHAHAHA PSYCH!!!” about it.
Iiii’ll just show myself out…
December 18th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
34
bitterhorn says:
“Indebeted”? Nice one.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
35
Brian says:
From the Right Stuff: (for RRod): “I’m talking about the playing around that’s going on. I’m talking about the young girls. I’m talking about the cookies. I’m talking about keeping our pants zipped and our wicks dry around here!”
December 18th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
36
Mr Pelican Pants says:
The old bait and switch…….
“I’m sorry Rich, all the contracts that we had left had “4 million dollar buyout” at the bottom,oops, our bad, but hey, you signed it, a deals a deal….
I thought the car business had the phrase “bait and switch” trademarked….You too can drive a loaded 2008 Rich Rodriquez for $99 dn and $199 per month, loaded, everything must go, no coaching change denied…what? this Rich Rodriquez is a lease? 2,000 miles a year? Wait a minute….its not automatic? 84 months? W/ $8000 dn? and a balloon note for $4 million dollars? and I signed it? Your crazy….I’m calling my attorney and bringing this Rich Rodriquez back…I knew it was too good to be true…..always a catch…thats how they get you……
December 18th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
37
Domer Guy says:
As an attorney, I must say that I resemble these comments.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
38
Futbawl Fan says:
I introduce right here, right now the modern concept of how college football should be run……
coaches get to own the players during their eligible years….
that way, when a coach goes to a new school he can take ALL his players with him… just think…. if you know LSU has high quality talent and all they need is a squishy schedule to get them to the dance *voila* all them cajun boys just became Arizona Wildcats, and a shot at the title is guar-raun-teeed!!!!!!!!!!!!! yeeehawww
of course, LSU would have to steal from a respectable school, say South Florida… and SoFla being not of such financial largess will have to steal from …. say WakeForest
Pretty soon no doubt a civil war would start… something about “freeing them poor athletes from the chains of misery…”….then in another 50 yrs we would still be debating whether the east or west would have won the battle if not for those damn flying robots they got to fill in for the players
December 18th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
39
maskedavenger says:
Speaking of legalities, RR hasn’t signed him Michigan contract yet . . . no that would never happen. Would it?
December 18th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
40
Chg says:
36 I don’t know who would win that war, but I’m Sandlapper enough to know who would win the holding of a grudge and remembrance of things past that would inevitably follow. Wouldn’t even be close.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
41
bup bup bup says:
michigan’s lawyers just need to find the Contradictions in the Statements and Present Evidence.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
42
Will (the other one) says:
“Bait and switch” also makes me think of Idiocracy…
“Go away…’batin’”
Yes, I’m mature.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
43
LouHoltzLithp says:
Wait until the other side of this story breaks. Rich is covering his ass trying to get out of the buyout. That’s all it amounts to. Every demand in that contract was met or on the set schedule. Every single piece of it.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
44
Hanawi says:
Speaking of lawyers, Yahoo Sports reporting that Jim Delaney might want to start the process soon.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
45
Quack says:
Defection!
December 19th, 2007 at 12:25 am
46
Broom says:
First time I saw this I thought it said ‘Call a lawya.’
December 19th, 2007 at 3:21 am
47
TIGERinATL says:
You think Rich Rod misrepresented his current contract to Michigan and the wolverine boosters are balking at paying a buyout they were not told of beforehand? Is Sr. Rod dumb enough to not know the most significant details of his contract?
Well he is from West Virginia…
December 19th, 2007 at 8:36 am
48
Biggus Rickus says:
Didn’t everyone know about the buyout when he was first hired? It doesn’t make sense that he or the Michigan administration didn’t know when a bunch of dudes on message boards did. My question is, would he really bring this lawsuit if the administration didn’t promise him things and then not follow through? It just doesn’t make sense to do that.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:43 am
49
Brian says:
#44: “Due Diligence” You don’t become a big time booster without some understanding of the concept.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:49 am
50
Biggus Rickus says:
Oh, and reading through this post and comments I kept being reminded of this:
http://starbase.globalpc.net/~bhz/strongbad/images/litjackson.gif
December 19th, 2007 at 8:53 am