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Michigan has hired West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez as its next football coach following a search that featured two other top prospects deciding to stay put.
Rodriguez, whose Mountaineers (No. 9 BCS, No. 11 AP) are preparing for their second BCS game in three seasons, will take over Michigan's program from Lloyd Carr, Michigan athletic department spokesman Bruce Madej said Sunday.
Rodriguez, who informed his players at a 1:30 p.m. ET meeting Sunday that he was leaving for Michigan, will formally be introduced by the Wolverines at a news conference on Monday at 9 a.m. at the Junge Family Champions Center on campus.
"The players are upset because he said he's going to leave before the bowl game," James Dykes, the father of West Virginia defensive tackle Keilen Dykes said. "At least coach them in the bowl game. James just called to tell us and I know he is very upset about this."
Rodriguez, who has a 60-26 record at West Virginia, led the Mountaineers (10-2) to their fourth Big East title in five seasons.
Carr plans to coach the Wolverines in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1 against No. 9 Florida.
Rodriguez's West Virginia contract, which runs through the 2013 season, has a $4 million buyout clause if he leaves before next September.
When Michigan lured basketball coach John Beilein away from West Virginia last April, Beilein's contract had a $2.5 million buyout clause. Under an agreement with West Virginia, he agreed to pay $1.5 million to the WVU Foundation.
During Michigan's search, LSU's Les Miles and Rutgers' Greg Schiano both said they were staying put at their schools.
Rodriguez met with Michigan athletic director Bill Martin on Friday to talk about the Wolverines' coaching job.
Rodriguez, 44, was back in Morgantown on Friday after taking a flight from Ohio, and unwilling to talk about any possible interest in the Michigan job.
"Going to practice. I'm going to practice," he told The Associated Press on Friday, getting into his car after a trip to Toledo.
Rodriguez again refused to discuss Michigan's vacant coaching job on Saturday.
At the opening of a previously scheduled news conference about West Virginia's trip to the Fiesta Bowl, Rodriguez said he would only talk about the game against Oklahoma (No. 4 BCS, No. 3 AP).
"It may be disappointing to you, but I am not going to talk about any rumors or innuendo or jobs or what else is floating out there," Rodriguez said.
"I'm not going to address the rumors or anything of that nature," Rodriguez said. "If any questions are asked about that, the press conference will be over."
The questions about Michigan persisted, and Rodriguez fired back.
"You all have not understood what I just said. One more question and this conference, unfortunately, and you all have been super, but if the questions persist outside of that then this thing will be over," he said.
A reporter then asked whether Rodriguez would coach the team in the Fiesta Bowl.
"You're a tricky guy," Rodriguez said.
Some players indicated Rodriguez hadn't spoken to them about Michigan and that they were under orders to keep quiet.
"I'm not supposed to talk about that. I'm sorry," offensive lineman Ryan Stanchek said Saturday.
West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong spoke with Rodriguez on Saturday.
"We talked about general issues within the football program," Pastilong told The Charleston Gazette, declining to be more specific.
Source: AP
Rodriguez, whose Mountaineers (No. 9 BCS, No. 11 AP) are preparing for their second BCS game in three seasons, will take over Michigan's program from Lloyd Carr, Michigan athletic department spokesman Bruce Madej said Sunday.
Rodriguez, who informed his players at a 1:30 p.m. ET meeting Sunday that he was leaving for Michigan, will formally be introduced by the Wolverines at a news conference on Monday at 9 a.m. at the Junge Family Champions Center on campus.
"The players are upset because he said he's going to leave before the bowl game," James Dykes, the father of West Virginia defensive tackle Keilen Dykes said. "At least coach them in the bowl game. James just called to tell us and I know he is very upset about this."
Rodriguez, who has a 60-26 record at West Virginia, led the Mountaineers (10-2) to their fourth Big East title in five seasons.
Carr plans to coach the Wolverines in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1 against No. 9 Florida.
Rodriguez's West Virginia contract, which runs through the 2013 season, has a $4 million buyout clause if he leaves before next September.
When Michigan lured basketball coach John Beilein away from West Virginia last April, Beilein's contract had a $2.5 million buyout clause. Under an agreement with West Virginia, he agreed to pay $1.5 million to the WVU Foundation.
During Michigan's search, LSU's Les Miles and Rutgers' Greg Schiano both said they were staying put at their schools.
Rodriguez met with Michigan athletic director Bill Martin on Friday to talk about the Wolverines' coaching job.
Rodriguez, 44, was back in Morgantown on Friday after taking a flight from Ohio, and unwilling to talk about any possible interest in the Michigan job.
"Going to practice. I'm going to practice," he told The Associated Press on Friday, getting into his car after a trip to Toledo.
Rodriguez again refused to discuss Michigan's vacant coaching job on Saturday.
At the opening of a previously scheduled news conference about West Virginia's trip to the Fiesta Bowl, Rodriguez said he would only talk about the game against Oklahoma (No. 4 BCS, No. 3 AP).
"It may be disappointing to you, but I am not going to talk about any rumors or innuendo or jobs or what else is floating out there," Rodriguez said.
"I'm not going to address the rumors or anything of that nature," Rodriguez said. "If any questions are asked about that, the press conference will be over."
The questions about Michigan persisted, and Rodriguez fired back.
"You all have not understood what I just said. One more question and this conference, unfortunately, and you all have been super, but if the questions persist outside of that then this thing will be over," he said.
A reporter then asked whether Rodriguez would coach the team in the Fiesta Bowl.
"You're a tricky guy," Rodriguez said.
Some players indicated Rodriguez hadn't spoken to them about Michigan and that they were under orders to keep quiet.
"I'm not supposed to talk about that. I'm sorry," offensive lineman Ryan Stanchek said Saturday.
West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong spoke with Rodriguez on Saturday.
"We talked about general issues within the football program," Pastilong told The Charleston Gazette, declining to be more specific.
Source: AP