Arizona fired Rich Rodriguez as head football coach tonight after a former athletics department employee accused him of sexual harassment; a university investigation into those accusations found “information” that led the department to be “concerned,” according to a statement from the university.
Per the university, the investigation was closed last week after specific harassment claims could not be proven with the given evidence. “However, Arizona Athletics did become aware of information, both before and during the investigation, which caused it to be concerned with the direction and climate of the football program,” the statement goes on to say.
The former employee who accused Rodriguez has filed a notice of claim with the state, saying she intends to sue the university. The Arizona Daily Star has an excerpt of that document:
The notice of claim alleges, among other things, that Rodriguez and his closest aides followed a “hideaway book” that detailed such sayings as “Title IX doesn’t exist in our office.” Those who had the most interaction with Rodriguez — the former employee and two assistant coaches — referred to themselves as the “Triangle of Secrecy,” according to the claim. The three were charged with lying to Rodriguez’s wife on his behalf, according to the claim.
Former Arizona football coach Rich Rodriguez serially harassed his assistant, including grabbing his penis in front of her, trying to kiss her, telling her “I love you” in a text message, and making her cover for his extramarital affair, according to a notice of claim she filed last month with the state attorney general’s office. After Rodriguez grabbed his penis in front of her, the woman and another employee nicknamed Rodriguez “the predator,” according to the claim. When she tried to transfer to another department, she was told by another university official that Rodriguez wouldn’t allow that to happen.
The woman left in July of last year, when she got a new job outside the university. The claim was filed on Dec. 28, but wasn’t reported on until the Arizona Daily Star said it had obtained part of it last night. Deadspin obtained the full claim today. Filing a notice of claim is an early step in the process of suing a public university in Arizona.
The fact that there's a lawsuit pending explains the university's terse comment on the firing.
Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
The four schools involved with this years playoffs were within ~1050 miles of each other.
Just for the sake of a comparison, Bandit and Snowman only had to go a combined 1334 miles to win their competition.
Also, for trivia, the last time there was an all-SEC CFCG (LSU/Alabama, 2012...ugh) it was the third lowest rated CFCG in the BCS era was the likely impetus for the playoff. And the rating this year are expected to be relatively low, too.
Munkus BeaverYou don't have to attend every argument you are invited to.Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPAregular
Roll tide!
Instant classic
Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
I didn't watch the game, but I saw the clip of the Bama player who threw the punch and then started something on the sidelines?
What happened with that besides the Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty?
He made a big tackle on a later kickoff coverage play.
Ugh that's just like the James Harrison Super Bowl thing all over again
If you're not going to throw a player out for punching someone on the field during the Big Game, what is even the point of the rule book
I find it more problematic he wasn’t at least benched after the sideline bullshit. Looked like he went after a coach.
I mean, to me, I expect a coach to do his best to give his team a chance to win. So if part of that was getting his guy to calm down, and save that anger for the field, then I can't really fault the coach - that's his job
But the damn refs are there to enforce the rules - that's their jobs. And apparently they didn't do it
I watched the Super Bowl with my buddy from Atlanta... a loyal Bulldog supporter. He spent all of halftime explaining how the Falcons were going to blow the lead, and nothing we could do could convince him that their lead was insurmountable. He was convinced that teams from Georgia just can't close out games, and spent the second half spouting gloom and doom.
I saw the score at halftime and then the final, and haven't had the heart to reach out to him today. God must really hate Georgia football.
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They have been in the NC game three years in a row. That has to feel awesome for Bama fans but it can get boring to people outside that bubble.
That's why I gotta cheer for UGA. I want variety!
(Nothing but Sherman jokes for the next week )
Followup: More details from the notice of claim:
The fact that there's a lawsuit pending explains the university's terse comment on the firing.
UCF is paying their coaches "winning the national championship" bonuses.
-Indiana Solo, runner of blades
I agree. Good on Danny White to try to make them admit they have a problem.
:V
Shots fired, Auburn circa 2004.
Just for the sake of a comparison, Bandit and Snowman only had to go a combined 1334 miles to win their competition.
Also, for trivia, the last time there was an all-SEC CFCG (LSU/Alabama, 2012...ugh) it was the third lowest rated CFCG in the BCS era was the likely impetus for the playoff. And the rating this year are expected to be relatively low, too.
This should be good.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
I too love constant buffering. Any big game streams like shit.
Buffers on everything and I have a 100mbit connection. Guess I'm not watching the game.
It inexplicably works 100000% better.
Ill try it out, thanks for the recommendation!
-Indiana Solo, runner of blades
-Indiana Solo, runner of blades
Instant classic
That's some whiplash.
In FG range with no time left. Win? No, missed FG.
Sack Fromm and put them out of FG range. Win? No, made FG.
Tua sacked, 2 and 25, Loss? No, 41 yard TD pass.
Craziest ups and downs. Especially being down at half and subbing in the freshman. Saban is a genius.
What happened with that besides the Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty?
He made a big tackle on a later kickoff coverage play.
Ugh that's just like the James Harrison Super Bowl thing all over again
If you're not going to throw a player out for punching someone on the field during the Big Game, what is even the point of the rule book
I find it more problematic he wasn’t at least benched after the sideline bullshit. Looked like he went after a coach.
I mean, to me, I expect a coach to do his best to give his team a chance to win. So if part of that was getting his guy to calm down, and save that anger for the field, then I can't really fault the coach - that's his job
But the damn refs are there to enforce the rules - that's their jobs. And apparently they didn't do it
I saw the score at halftime and then the final, and haven't had the heart to reach out to him today. God must really hate Georgia football.
Man. Maaan
Used to love that guy calling games.
RIP
-Indiana Solo, runner of blades