Michigan Launches 'Full Investigation' of Rodriguez Allegations

Sunday's Detroit Free Press included allegations of NCAA violations against Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez. Current and former players are alleging that Rodriguez overworks his players, calling for mandatory workouts that exceed limits mandated by the NCAA.

The university, which could be facing serious sanctions to a program that has for years prided itself on being clean, was quick to respond to the report Sunday.

Michigan's response came via a statement from athletic director Bill Martin.

"We are committed to following both the letter and the intent of the NCAA rules and we take any allegations of violations seriously.

"We believe we have been compliant with NCAA rules but nonetheless we have launched a full investigation of the allegations in today's newspaper.

"We have already reached out to both the Big Ten and the NCAA and we will have more to say on this as soon as we have completed our assessment."

For the Wolverines, it's an unnecessary distraction heading into their opener, Saturday at home against Western Michigan. They were 3-9 last year, but Rodriguez had reason for higher hopes entering this season, thanks to a full year of recruiting and the addition of two spread-style quarterbacks, both of whom are expected to play Saturday.

The school may be able to lessen a potential blow from the NCAA by conducting its own investigation and self-reporting any violations. Given how accustomed fans and alumni are to a program that is considered "squeaky-clean," it stands to reason that the university will do all in its power to uncover what is really going on with the football program.

Allegations of players being overworked and required to stay long past NCAA-mandated limits may not seem like a big deal, but any intentional and willing breaking of the NCAA rules will not be looked at kindly.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

8-30-2009 @ 8:22PM

The Great Raider said...

The biggest reason Michigan was 3-9 last year is because they have too many prima donnas on the team. They whine about everything - practice being too long, too hot, too hard, too complicated. . . and the games they play during the regular season reflects their pansy attitude. I hope they go 0 - 12 this year. Players, if you can't handle the heat - get off the team!

8-30-2009 @ 8:43PM

Hey their Boski said...

I am not surprised, I'm sure on the heels of these complaints we will here a lot more out of West Virginia, and probably a lot deeper. While I feel bad for the athlete, these coaches must be fired and banned for a few years before they can coach at this level again.

8-30-2009 @ 8:48PM

plaudenbach said...

Gee, why don't we just save time and STRING RICH ROD UP BY THE NECK UNTIL HE'S DEAD right now! Have you people ever heard of DUE PROCESS? Did it ever occur to you that these platers may be making the whole thing up? How about we wait until the investigation is complete before we find him guilty. Losers...

8-30-2009 @ 8:59PM

fishlover said...

NO Pain NOOOO gain no rose bowls.

8-30-2009 @ 9:25PM

rjkofnovi said...

"Allegations of players being overworked and required to stay long past NCAA-mandated limits may not seem like a big deal, but any intentional and willing breaking of the NCAA rules will not be looked at kindly."

You've got to be joking with this remark? If the NCAA does anything about this whole incident, everyone top program will be shut down.

8-30-2009 @ 11:35PM

tpshuellc said...

Rich Rod Should be fired If Allegations are correcton If fired for violations he should have to forfeit remainder of his contract,and be forced fo reimburse University.This Coach has singlehandedly destroyed the great tradition that once was Michigan Football.

8-31-2009 @ 12:22AM

skoolbeans said...

AS A OHIO STATE FAN, THIS SADDENS ME.
WE WANT TO WIN, BUT NOT THIS WAY. I THINK MICHIGAN MAD A BIG MISTAKE IN HIRING THIS GUY.
AS A COACH OF RUTGERS, IF IT WASN'T FOR THE GREAT BACK RICE, WOULDN'T OF EVEN BE CONSIDERED AS COACH... I HOPE BEST FOR MICHIGAN AND PLAYERS.

8-31-2009 @ 12:58AM

Aztecsfan said...

Rodriguez never coached at Rutgers. He was head coach at WVU and previously OC at Clemson.

8-31-2009 @ 12:34AM

Mr.G said...

I don't know if the allegations are true or not,but it is current players that are saying this,not a former player that holds a grudge.Whether true or not,I just can't figure why a team such as Michigan would hire this guy to begin with.I mean the way he weasled out of WVU and into this job before WVU's Bowl Game,that he didn't honor his contract with WVU and then refusing to pay back the portion of his salary that he didn't earn.He has no ties to the state of Mich. whatsoever and he runs a spread offense of all things,which to him,required a total gut job of the entire team and program.I mean no disrespect to UM fans,but WHY would they hire this less than honorable,unproven coach to begin with?

8-31-2009 @ 12:35AM

butchwhitt said...

Dick Rod cheating? This should surprise NO One. This scum showed his lack of class and ethics when he stole from WVA and slithered off to Meeeeechigun.

8-31-2009 @ 12:50AM

Supposibly 5 out of the 6 are former players. One of them now plays for Ohio State and one is a cousin of a quarterback who plays for Ohio State.

8-31-2009 @ 5:36PM

"Supposibly 5 out of the 6 are former players. One of them now plays for Ohio State and one is a cousin of a quarterback who plays for Ohio State" - You're refering to Justin Boren? Whatever comments he made were while he was leaving UM,well over a year ago.I have not read anything about him commenting on this situation whatsoever.I have no idea who a cousin of an OSU QB is.No,I don't think this has anything to do with OSU players at all.

8-31-2009 @ 1:35AM

ttublu said...

Well if U of M cheated, SO DID MSU!!! Click this link to hear from their own player how many hours they practiced! HAHAHA!!!

http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081609aaa.html

8-31-2009 @ 1:45AM

thetrutheh said...

before rodriguez gets fired hopefully their ad bill martin goes first, he is the skunk that hired rodriguez in the first place. he is a disgrace.

8-31-2009 @ 1:50AM

the worst part of all this, is if their is truth to the story, the players are going to be the one's to suffer. what a disaster created by bill martin.

8-31-2009 @ 3:49AM

Ed said...

Maybe the folks up at Michigan just realized what a mistake they made when they dumped Carr for Rodriguez and are looking for an excuse to dump him. Carr went 11-2 in 2006 and 9-4 and Rodriguez turned the Wolverines into a 3-9 powderpuff overnight. I'm a long time Wolverine fan, but I'm torn between hoping that the Wolverines dump Rodriguez and get back on track and thinking that maybe they got exactly what they deserved for dumping a Carr.

8-31-2009 @ 9:35AM

Dumbass said...

The problem here is that nobody in Michigan or the Big Ten wants to play the spread. Give 4 years Rich Rodriguez can do to the Big Ten what Steve Spurrier did to the SEC. Once the 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Now the most prolific league. Change is hard for the stubborn tradition rich Big Ten but Ohio State coming in 2nd every year is going to get old to them after a while. And as long as change is coming they should man up and add 1 more team and have a championship game instead of crying that its not there fault there season is over earlier than the SEC.

8-31-2009 @ 9:54AM

furrsher said...

It is absolutely disgusting what Rodriguez did,it sickens me. These players wanted to get back to their dorm rooms and library to start hitting the books, but oh no the coach deprived them of higher learning.

8-31-2009 @ 3:49PM

Dumbass - I'm pretty sure the Big10 would love to add another team and have a Conference Championship Game.They have tried to get ND to join for years.What other team out there do you see as a viable newcomer?

8-31-2009 @ 7:13PM

Mr. G. Sadly the Big Ten has refused to take a twelfe team. When the BCS contract runs out Id like to see the new one include the fact that ND has to join them and give up all their special perks they get now. What have they done lately to deserve them? As long as UM and OSU are on opposite sides I dont really see a negative to the championship unless more money bothers them

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