So much for loyalty.

Rich Rodriguez has taken a job as head football coach at the University of Michigan.  He leaves West Virginia University (his alma mater) after seven seasons — and a big bale out last year at about this time from his fellow alumni.

Alabama really wanted Coach Rod — so much so that they announced his hire prematurely last year and wound up with a lot of egg on a lot of faces.  He made some demands for better facilities and other financial considerations, all of which were met.  His contract was extended through the 2013 season.  All was well — or so it seemed.

Now, he’s in Ann Arbor, and the best he can do is say he simply decided to change jobs!?  What’s up with that?  Don’t get me wrong; coaches are as free to change jobs as anyone else.  No, what bothers me about this is two little items:  The timing (while WVU is getting ready to face Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl), and the broken promises he made to so many people just a year ago.

Being the head coach at Michigan is undoubtedly a dream job.  Multi-million dollar contracts, the Big Ten Conference, and home games in front of 110,000 of your closest friends would appeal to anybody in this position.  But you know, loyalty has to count for something.

A few years ago, I was in a similar situation, albeit on a much smaller scale.  I was working as News Director for a well-respected radio station here in Wheeling when the Program Director from WLW in Cincinnati began to recruit me — hard.  While actual dollar amounts were never discussed, it was clear my salary would at least triple, maybe quadruple, and there would be a chance for even more money not too far down the road.  And after all, working at a radio station whose half-million watt transmitter actually dims the lights in an entire city can do a lot for one’s ego.

I told the guy that while I was very flattered, I wasn’t very tempted.  I stayed where I was because I felt a sense of loyalty to the people with whom I was working.  They were part of my family.  And I still don’t regret that decision, even to this very day.

I wish Coach Rod well.  I really do.  But he’s teaching his student athletes a lot more than the spread offense with this move.  I can only hope they also understand that some things are simply more important than money.  Your word needs to count for something.