Hell to the Victors: Michigan cited for 5 major violations

The NCAA has put the whip to the Wolverines, citing the football program for five major violations -- stemming from allegations that Coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff broke NCAA rules concerning summer workouts, then lied about it.

If it weren't embarrassing enough for players of one of the country's most storied programs complaining that they had been worked too hard by their new coach, the NCAA has now plowed in and sided against the coaches. Off-season workouts are supposedly voluntary, but UM players complained to the Detroit Free Press that Rodriguez and his staff turned them into de facto practices. Read more here.

Rich-Rod, a former Clemson assistant, turned a successful stint at West Virginia into a job offer from Alabama (he accepted and them changed his mind after talking to his wife) and then the top spot at the country's winningest program. He now finds himself on a seat better suited for making grilled cheese than turning around his team. Michigan has had two straight losing records since Rodriguez took over. School officials say the embattled coach still has a job, but most believe the Wolverines need to show dramatic improvement for Michigan's unemployment rate not to grow by one.

Meanwhile, Alabama alums would like to thank Mrs. Rodriguez for her refusal to move to Tuscaloosa. We had to settle for Nick Saban and another national championship. Wonder how the state of Alabama looks to the Rodriguez family now.

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