West Virginia pays $287,000 to Rodriguez

1/19/2008

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who is being sued by West Virginia University in an attempt to collect on a $4 million buyout clause in his old contract,

received a $287,000 incentive payment from his former school yesterday for goals reached during the 2007 season.

Among the incentives was a one-time $150,000 payment for winning the Big East championship and receiving a BCS berth, and $25,000 for finishing in the Top 10.

Rodriguez's contract stipulated that West Virginia had 30 days from his resignation to make the payment. Rodriguez took over at Michigan on Dec. 16 and his resignation at the university was effective three days later.

West Virginia's lawsuit against Rodriguez was transferred from Monongalia County Circuit Court to U.S. District Court on Wednesday at the request of Rodriguez's attorneys. Attorney Marv Robon said the lawsuit in effect excuses Rodriguez from having to pay until a court decision is rendered.

The incentives payment "is unrelated to the buyout clause in the contract or the funds due to WVU under that clause," West Virginia athletics spokesman Mike Fragale said.