Here’s something to think about as you get ready for today’s Eastern Michigan game and fans and media continue to debate the merits of Jonas Mouton’s one-game suspension for punching Notre Dame’s Eric Olsen: Maybe Rich Rodriguez wanted this to happen.
Not the punch per say, and surely not Mouton’s suspension. But by denying anything took place as he did earlier this week despite clear video evidence to the contrary, Rodriguez, at his own expense, told his players in no uncertain terms, “I’ve got your back.”
Since he came to town two years ago, Rodriguez has demanded Michigan get tougher as a football team. He’s never condoned punching an opponent and I can’t imagine he ever will, but by saying Mouton did nothing wrong he rubber-stamped the style of play he wants - tough, physical and take no guff from anyone.
That the incident came in a rivalry game, a game Rodriguez curiously insisted was no more chippy than any other, is no surprise. The biggest win of his signature second season at West Virginia was a feisty 21-18 victory over Virginia Tech that vaulted the Mountaineers into the rankings.
West Virginia won the Black Diamond Trophy again the next year to snap out of an early-season tailspin, and after Virginia Tech earned it back in 2004-05, the rivalry was postponed until further notice.
Already this year, Michigan has rallied around allegations of NCAA violations and probes into Rodriguez’s personal life. Don’t think, behind closed doors, Rodriguez isn’t using this to churn the emotions just the same.
Nothing justifies what Mouton did, though by playing the denial card Rodriguez didn't justify anything. What he did was act like the manager in baseball who argues balls and strikes or every NBA coach in the playoffs and publicly stand up for his guy no matter the circumstance.
Don't think that doesn't further endear him to everyone in the locker room.
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