On that day, Rich Rodriguez broke West Virginia’s heart when he decided to take the head coaching job at the University of Michigan.  Today, the Michigan faithful are thinking Coach Rodriguez is nothing but a heartbreaker.  Huge settlements with his previous employer, the worst season in school history, ending a 33-year bowl streak, constant controversy and now this.

On Sunday, several current and former Wolverine players alleged that the current coaching staff violated NCAA rules by exceeding mandated limits on time that can be spent on football related activities – both during the season and off-season.

Let me be clear, none of the recent allegations of extended workout schedules have been proven – yet.  Michigan has already announced an investigation into the matter and has reached out to the Big Ten and the NCAA.  You can be certain this proud program does not like being associated with this type of behavior and will do everything possible to clear its name – or bring the violators to light.

Let’s presume, for a moment, that the allegations ARE accurate.  Here’s three thoughts I have:

1. Integrity. The winningest program in College Football history has never – I repeat – NEVER been guilty of major NCAA violations for its football program.  You can’t accomplish that without players and coaches who conduct themselves with integrity and a high degree of character.  Say this for the Wolverines; Even if the coaches have lost their way, Michigan still has a number of student-athletes who maintain this tradition of integrity.  Without them, this issue never would have come to light.

2. This is bad.  It’s one thing when you have a coach from another University, a member of the media or even a former player say something negative about you.  But when it’s players from your current team who are speaking out against your practices, it’s only a matter of time before everything else falls apart.  Based on where this report came from, you have to wonder: Has Rodriguez lost his team even before the season starts?

3. This could get worse.  In 1999, University of Alabama coach Mike DuBose admitted to having an affair with a secretary, then promptly went out and won the SEC Championship.  All was forgotten until a year later, when a slumping season cost him his job.  At this point, it’s unlikely that Coach Rodriguez would lose his job days before the season starts.  A quick glance at Michigan’s schedule suggests a worst-case record for this season would be 6-6, while turning in another season like what he had in 2008 (3-9) would certainly be the last straw.  If these allegations are true, would 6-6 (or even 10-2) be good enough to save his job?

What do you think?  Is Coach Rod living on borrowed time or will all be forgiven in Ann Arbor?