Rich Rodriguez tearfully defends Michigan program

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Rich Rodriguez gripped the podium, bowed his head, paused and appeared to fight back tears. The click-click-click of cameras was the only sound.

Instead of being peppered with quarterback questions five days days before the season opener, the Michigan coach on Monday found himself addressing allegations that the Wolverines have been violating NCAA rules relating to how much time they spend training and practicing.

He insisted, repeatedly, that college football’s winningest program has followed the rules since he was put in charge 20 months ago.

Rodriguez became very emotional when he talked about the perception that he and his staff do not care about their players.

“That is disheartening,” he said, then paused before looking up to finish his thought for dozens of reporters and a long line of TV cameras. “To say that is misleading, inaccurate and goes against everything that I have ever believed in coaching.”

The school launched an investigation on Sunday after the Detroit Free Press published a report in which players from the 2008 and 2009 teams said the amount of time they spend on football during the season and in the offseason greatly exceeded NCAA limits. The players spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity because they feared repercussions from coaches.

Big Ten compliance officials arrived on campus Sunday to assist with the investigation, according to two people at the school. One person, who spends a lot of time with the team, said the school’s compliance office often makes unannounced visits to make sure the program is following the rules. Both people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the school will not publicly discuss the case until the probe is completed.

“Our office does not conduct investigations in situations such as this,” the Big Ten said in a statement. “As that task is undertaken by the institution and — depending the circumstances — the NCAA. To the extent we get involved, it is purely in an advisory capacity.”

Rodriguez suggested the complaints were an attempt to “tear up” the effort to rebuild a program that lost a school-record nine games last year. It was Michigan’s first losing season since 1967 and its first without a bowl in 34 years.

Michigan athletic director Bill Martin announced the school investigation, saying the allegations were taken seriously.