Following his months-in-the-making dismissal as Michigan’s head football coach Wednesday afternoon, Rich Rodriguez did not speak to the media to address his firing.
While he still has yet to talk publicly about the decision, he did release a statement addressing his situation Thursday afternoon. What was most interesting, though, was who wasn’t mentioned in his farewell note to the masses.
In the statement, Rodriguez thanked the Wolverine faithful and the student body for their “tremendous support” (huh?), but did not mention athletic director David Brandon. Nor anyone else in the school’s administration, for that matter.
“I am proud of the dedication and commitment exhibited by the coaching staff and student-athletes who have represented the University of Michigan football program over the last three seasons,” Rodriguez said. “While I am disappointed to depart Ann Arbor before we were able to reach the level of success we had in our sights, I am confident that the players who remain have the potential to do great things and to return the Wolverines to greatness.
“I would like to thank our fans and our student body for their tremendous support. There is great passion for Michigan football and I have made lifelong friends through this experience.”
It makes complete and total sense that Rodriguez would not exactly be thrilled as to how this all played out, and thus chose not to extend any type of nod toward his former boss; after all, Rodriguez’s head was firmly locked in place underneath the guillotine for a month as Brandon did his evaluation.
Then again, given Rodriguez’s ugly departure from West Virginia for Michigan? Karma, she can be a nasty, vindictive wench sometimes.
Or, ye reap what ye sow, Rich. Take your pick.
