July 9, 2008
WVU issues news release to hail settlement with Rodriguez

Here is the news release West Virginia University sent out to describe today's settlement with former Mountaineer football Coach Rich Rodriguez: 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University will receive the full $4 million owed to the institution by former football coach Rich Rodriguez in an agreement reached today (July 9) and approved by WVU's Board of Governors in an emergency meeting. 

"We felt from the beginning that we had a solid and valid contract that all parties understood and agreed to, including the liquidated damages clause," WVU President Mike Garrison said. "From the outset of this matter, we believed it was very important to protect the financial interests of our great University."

Newly elected BOG Chairwoman Carolyn Long praised Garrison and WVU's legal team for bringing the matter to a successful conclusion.

"As a board, we are pleased that President Garrison and his executive and legal teams did the right and fair thing by pursuing this matter," she said. "It became clear through documentation and other evidence that Mr. Rodriguez, his agent, financial adviser and University of Michigan officials were also keenly aware of all contract details. I am pleased that they have agreed to abide by the signed contract."

She added, "After all, a contract is a contract, and once signed, individuals are obligated to honor the clear written terms of that agreement. I am glad we can now close the chapter on that book."

Officials said terms of the full value settlement agreement include a timetable for payments, with the first payment of $2.5 million due by the end of July, and the remaining $1.5 million to be paid in three equal installments (January 2010, January 2011 and January 2012). There will be no further legal action or claims.

Rodriguez resigned Dec. 18 to accept the head coaching job at Michigan.

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Peach State Fan (3:13pm 07-12-2008)
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Do we have any other coaches we could package and sell to Michigan? It looks like a great business opportunity.


roanecokid (8:16am 07-11-2008)
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THE FUTURE WILL TELL IF IT IS A WIN AND WHOM FOR! Mr. Garrison, you are a puppet, for Manchin! Watch your BACK!!!!!


Michael (4:17pm 07-10-2008)
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The media and many others involved need to make an apology to Mike Garrison for the way they have acted against him. Mike Garrison has shown he has a lot more class than many of the faculty, alumni, and the news media. Garrison made the correct decisions and exercised good judgment in the entire RICH Rodriguez mess. I will also add that he basically inherited a mess that should have been resolved before he became the President of WVU. Also, Mike Parsons deserves a bonus - he has been unjustly portrayed in the press as well and his decision ability is far better than some members of the board or the big contributors. Mike Garrison would have been a good President for WVU in the long-run. Many the faculty should be ashamed of their self for the manner in which they treated Mr. Garrison. If he is to take the full 100% of the blame on the degree mess; then don't you think the faculty and the media should bestow 100% of the credit for getting rid of a major problem - RICH Rodriguez.


finally! (10:33pm 07-09-2008)
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Now, let's goooooooooo, mout'n'eers!...and starting this year, Let's go Bucks! And maybe, just maybe, we could hire a career educator as president, not a lawyer this time. They filth-up everything they do.