As I sit here and wonder what happens next — and I doubt it’s anything much more “major” than what we’ve already witnessed — it occurs to me that we’re beginning to become desensitized to all of this.

For example, we learned this week that WVU was basically feeding football players with money from the 1100 Club and it hardly resonated with people. Look, I wasn’t expecting an invitation to speak with Hoppy Kercheval and, please, do not misconstrue this as sour grapes, but I happen to think the reaction was rather tepid. There is nothing criminal or bombshellish in nature to the admitted actions, but to me, at least, it’s a little weird that a multi-million dollar institution often needs to secretly dip into a football recruiting account to pay some bills. It’s not Watergate, but isn’t it more than water under the bridge?

Now, have people clearly chosen sides in this battle? Absolutely. And is this an indication that WVU’s soldiers are willing to accept some flaws as a way to disarm Rich Rodriguez? Absofreakinglutely. The concern, though, is that we cannot be shocked anymore. Face it, we’ve been hit so many times and from so many angles now that there’s a likelihod it will take something major for us to be surprised or appalled in the future. And I think that’s dangerous because the vigilance of the people is often the most significant factor in revealing and deciding issues that matter. If nothing else, that’s what’s been established the past few weeks and we cannot lose that.

As I step off the soapbox, let’s jump into the Friday Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, I still haven’t figured out how to install a spell-check tool for your use.

X-Rayted said:

Wow, this has gotten Venus Williams ugly hasn’t it! I guess I can buy the voicemail explanation, although I find it strange that the University’s voicemail system wasn’t adequate enough for old Rich. Secondly, just when I thought I couldn’t despise this guy anymore, he started referring to himself in the third person! Are you kidding me? Roy Jones Jr. finds that ridiculous. Muhammad Ali & Terrell Owens think this guy’s ego is out of control. Who does this guy think he is? Well X-Rayted has one thing to say about this jerk that up until now, was reserved only for Brad Lewis…Boo this man, & boo him often!!

Well, we finally found someone who benefited from this, and it only took the exit of the coach who turned a bowl game hero into a villain, but Brad Lewis is off the hook! Let me ask this question: Since Rich clearly holds the title now, what West Virginia figure had been as widely and passionately hated prior to all of this? I’m going with Arch Moore.

Rich (but not Rodriguez) says:

Bring in a university president without a true search, bing in a college basketball coach without a true search, bring in a college football coach without a true search, give the governor’s daughter a degree without having to take courses…Makes a WV’er proud.

Eh, all good points, ones we dust off every time the news recycles here. They’re not going away, either, unless there is change, and my hunch is WVU has operated under the if-it-ain’t-broke business model. … Just curious, Rich, but are people threatening you and your family because of your name? Do you introduce yourself as Rich (but not Rodriguez) at social engagements?

thacker said:

I want to know one thing. Has there been a “Rich Rodriguez Payoff the Buyout Fund” established? If so, please post the address and contact information.

Thacker, Mike Garrison would like to speak with you…

jmbwvu said: 

THAT is going to be the case he will make for refusing to pay the buyout monies? Hahahaha, get out your deposit slip WVU, because if that’s the case your account is about to get $4,000,000 fatter.

Another point, and Mr. C you and I have discussed this. Rodriguez was contractually obligated (if that means anything) to notify the university in writing of anything that he deemed to be unsatisfactory and the University subsequently had 30 days to cure (maybe 90, but I think it said 30). I wonder, and highly doubt, that he made the University aware of his concern over the way some of the 1100 Club monies were being spent, in writing.

So even if the 1100 Club funds were spent in question the fact that he did not raise concern with WVU, in writing, seems like an extremely weak argument.

My 2 cents.

…which leaves Rich searching for $3,999,999.98. The misuse of the 1100 Club was a point of contention with Rodriguez, who said when he first discovered the problem, the account was $200,000 light, even though I was told the sum of the withdrawals was no more than $200,000 over two-plus years. So, you see, there were serious issues there, but that was not the bombshell. It’s ammunition, to be sure, and it forced Rodriguez to push for more control. Speaking of which, everyone should read Dave Hickman today.

Shannon said:

Misappropriation or misuse of funding by a state institution is a serious concern. However, it does not raise to the level that would justify a reduction in a $4 million buyout.

An investigative audit is probably needed within the athletics department to determine if proper controls are in place to ensure that funds are used for what they were raised to support.

Perhaps when WVU is done with the investigations into Heather Bresch’s master’s degree and the Calvin Magee incident, there will be enough money left to look into the handling of all donor accounts. One wonders how they’ll pay that bill, though… 

Erinn said:

If Rod wants to delve into how WVU spent his 1100 club money (feeding the team in a timely manner seems OK in my book), can we ask how Rod spent it? I’m interested to know what expenses fall under his definition of “recruiting.”

Sadly, the beauty of a 501(c)(3) — basic non-profit organization — is found in its confidentiality. Specific records of the 1100 Club or any WVU Foundation account are not attainable by the Freedom of Information Act. Now, if someone were to (ahem) leak them, well, there’s nothing anyone can do about that. Of course, if there were some fuzzy numbers in there, I’m certain we’d know by now.

JJ said:

What worries me is that you have someone in charge who obviously is unable to run the program in a fiscally responsible manner. Why are there cash flow crunches? I really hope that after all this is overwith, we have a new Athletic Director that actually knows how run the department like it is a multi-million dollar business. Kendrick, although I don’t believe in his methods, is right on in his assessment of the ADs office.

I mean not to tease JJ here and, in fact, he adds his own disclaimer, but ladies and gentlemen, we’ve arrived at the point now where Ken Kendrick seems reasonable.

Homer:

Respectfully disagree. I see no humor in rich people trying to skate out of contract law when it suits them — in any situation. I see no humor in questionable-or-false claims of racial insensitivity. I see no humor in the swift and necessary punishment should those charges be proven true. I am willing to dig in for the long haul. Sometimes justice takes longer than the 24-hour news cycle will bear, but I have a feeling I have company in the willingness to wait.

Homer comments in response to a post from earlier in the week that I probably should have given a little more thought. It was sarcastic and I tend to agree in that there needs to be some serious institutional introspection.

glibglub said:

Mike, looks like your disclaimer did not work.

In other news, a draft bill is making its way through legislative circles. The bill would finance, through bond sales, the construction of a barrier around the Marion County and Monongalia County borders, in order to prevent the emigration of coaching talent. A provision for the establishment of antiaircraft batteries is said to have been eliminated from an earlier draft of the bill. . .

Anonymous sources, right? 

Boothe Davis said:

Scientists at have identified the the Mayflower Moving Van gene and are investigating the high occurrence of this genetic oddity in Marion County, e.g.; Nick “Dolfin safe” Saban and Rich “Bubble screen” Rodriguez.

In related news, Bobby Petrino denied reports that he was actually adopted as an infant after being abandoned in a basket somewhere near Barackville.

Screw attribution! 

john said:

I would think this falls, along with the littany of ill-conceived decisions outlined in the stories regarding 1100 club money misuse, at the feet of the AD. The list of contributors to “the Golden Age of Mountaineer Athletics” who have left the school in the last 12-18 months is long and distinguished. Mike Carey may be the next one….FIRE ED PASTALONG NOW!!!!!

A few things. First, since I know university officials reads this, I am in no way endorsing the firing of Eddie. Also, John comments in regard to Mike Carey’s concerns with how his women’s basketball team is perceived and marketed by the university — and that’s not entirely Eddie’s responsibility; he has marketing people for that. Nevertheless, I gave that a run this week because I felt Mike deserved a little more attention than he was getting — the poor guy went out on a limb and no one really noticed because of all the Rodriguez shenanigans.

jmbwvu said:

Ok I’m going to be the one to make this comment because noone else has the audacity to do it. In response to M. Carey’s plea and women’s basketball in general: If a tree falls in the forest….

But if there was a laser show in the forest before the tree fell, would you attend? 

thacker said:

According to Shel Silverstein, before he became an author for children’s books, when that tree falls and no one is around to here it, the tree, during its fall, simply says, “oh, shit.”

Is this where the sidewalk ends?

Rob W. said:

Trust me, I am no fan of women’s basketball. I probably should show an interest with the success that they are having, but I’ll admit I don’t beyond checking a score every now and then. But, I do believe that there are things that they could do from a promotional perspective that could generate some increased level of interest. But I would think it is gonna be a tough sell no matter what….

Carey wants to see effort first before he’s told promotion does not work. In my line of work, we’d say “Let’s watch the game before we write the story.” Carey, in a manner of speaking, hasn’t watched the game yet.

Mack said:

You could increase attendance by promoting it. But would you be bringing in more additional money than you’re spending on promotion? Probably not. I think everyone knows that WVU’s athletic department is 100% bottom line driven… for better or worse.

I think that’s the larger point here and there are unfortunate and unintended consequences for being financially responsible. Of course, when the women go to the NCAA Tournament this year and make the school some money, how will that money be used? 

BeeZee said:

awesome… nothin else to say but awesome. i wonder if the pranker asked Crean if his refrigerator was running…

Hey, is it wrong to say that the highlight of my week was clearly the prank calling that invaded yesterday’s Big East coaches’ teleconference? I say no because it reminded us all of not just the pranks perpetuated on and by the Simpsons — Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Homer and, of course, O.J. — but of our own childhood endeavors into the art of prank calls. In fact, it’s a good bet I prank someone I know tonight.

philip said:

which coach would be the best person to reply, “when i find out who you are, i’m going to shove a sausage down your throat and stick starving dogs in your butt! ”

i don’t think there’s a big east coach who could do it. and the only guy i can think of would be former temple coach john chaney.

Excellent question. My five picks in order: Knight, Mike Jarvis, Chaney, Mark Few and Bruce Pearl (because he’d probably get the joke). No. 319? Mike Krizooski. I’ll open this to discussion…

Boothe Davis:

Huggs is pretty blunt and to the point, he’d come out with something good, I’m sure.
I mean this is the man who made “as many rebounds as a dead man” into a new cliche.

This having been said. Darn, it would be just a crying rotten shame if say somebody were to crash the party on the Ann Arbor Institute of Arrogance’s football teleconference, or the Big Eleven a.k.a. Jim Delaney Arrogance Federation teleconference come football season. As long as they did so in a pithy, not x-rated way. Such as asking whether the coach rescued that brilliant Pitt game plan from the shredder so he can reprise it vs. the Buckeyes…

When — not if — this happens, you know from where the idea originated. Enjoy the weekend!