When Michael Rosenberg and Mark Snyder’s article in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press came out it over the weekend it took me be surprise. First of all, because it takes a lot of guts to speak out about a program and a head coach as big as Michigan and Rich Rodriguez and secondly because you never hear of this type of story, EVER. After attending Rich Rodriguez’s weekly press conference this morning in Ann Arbor, I have to admit, I feel like I know more of the story. Rodriguez stands by the fact the he, his staff, and everyone involved in the Michigan Football program have abided by all the rules and complied with all NCAA hourly requirements. He spoke fondly of his long-time strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis. Rodriguez said Barwis will open up Schembechler Hall for players that want a little extra time in the gym any day of the week. He also said that Barwis goes to church with some of the players on Sundays. Rodriguez spoke about the allegations for more than 15 minutes, but in the middle of his press conference, he broke down in tears. He said how he loved his players like his family and that he would do anything to see them succeed in the classroom, more so than on the football field. He pointed out that under his staff, this team has the highest GPA (grade point average) than any other Michigan football team has ever had. His players have been fantastic in summer workouts, in study halls, and meetings. Rodriguez also mentioned the fact that two freshman had come to his office asking if what they said to these reporters was wrong. Rodriguez said, “No.” The freshman told their coach that they just told reporters they were working hard and wondering why it was being misconstrued. Rodriguez told his team to put this negative bump in the road behind them and focus on Saturday’s game against Western Michigan. The football players that spoke today said they want to win this season and that they are working hard with and without the coaches to get this program back to greatness. The University of Michigan is doing their own internal investigation on the allegations and once all the evidence is collected, they will turn it over to the NCAA.
-Katrina Hancock
WDIV sports 