Rodriguez says he felt pressured
Published: Wed, May. 14, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Wed, May. 14, 2008 05:42AM
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closeFormer West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez says Gov. Joe Manchin and three members of the university's board of governors pressured him into signing a new contract before the start of the 2007 season, even though it had a $4 million buyout clause he didn't want.
In a deposition taken last month and released Tuesday in Morgantown, W.Va., Rodriguez says board members Steve Farmer, Drew Payne and Perry Petroplus also assured him that his outstanding demands for the football program would be met when Mike Garrison became WVU president.
The deposition was taken for WVU's lawsuit to recover the $4 million from Rodriguez, who quit in December to coach Michigan. Rodriguez first agreed to the buyout in a December 2006 term sheet, then accepted it again by signing an amended contract on Aug. 24, 2007.
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Rodriguez said he believed the board members partly because they were in influential positions.
"So when it occurred, it added credence to my belief that, 'Hey, these guys know what's going on,' " Rodriguez testified at the April 21 proceeding in Michigan.
The case will be heard in Monongalia County Circuit Court in Morgantown.
A trial date has not been set.
(The Associated Press)
MISCELLANY
GOLF: Kevin O'Connell of North Carolina and Nick Bova of Methodist have been chosen to the 12-member U.S. team for the Fuji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship.
The eight-man, four-woman team will compete in the 33rd annual event July 16-18 at Tokyo Golf Club.
(From College News Releases)
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