AP source: Rodriguez, Michigan to meet Wednesday

January 04, 2011

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan and Rich Rodriguez will meet again Wednesday to discuss the embattled football coach's future, The Associated Press has learned.

A person familiar with the situation told the AP that Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has not decided whether to fire Rodriguez, who's 15-22 with college football's winningest program.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of the evaluation were supposed to remain confidential.

Defensive back James Rogers said a Tuesday night players meeting was postponed until Wednesday afternoon; Rodriguez traditionally holds the meeting the night before classes resume each semester.

Michigan officials declined comment amid reports that Rodriguez had already been fired.

"The definitive voice on this matter is Dave Brandon, and he has not and will not speak publicly until a final decision has been made," associate athletic director Dave Ablauf said in a statement.

Rodriguez's wife, Rita, left Schembechler Hall shortly before 5 p.m. and told reporters she had been told nothing about her husband's job.

If he is fired, Michigan would owe him $2.5 million to buy out the final three years of his contract.

Potential candidates to replace him include Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, a former Wolverines quarterback, and San Diego State coach and former Wolverines assistant Brady Hoke.

Michigan won its first five games, but lost six of the last eight. The season was also marred by NCAA violations tied to practices and workouts that led to three years of probation, one of the nation's worst defenses and a pair of kickers who missed 10 of 14 field goals.

Nine starters on both sides of the ball are eligible to return next season. Quarterback Denard Robinson, the Big Ten offensive player of the year, has spoke highly of Rodriguez.

"That's my coach," Robinson said after the bowl game. "That's who recruited me."

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