ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Michigan athletic director Bill Martin was one of the happiest people at the Big House as coach Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines had an opening day win in hand by halftime.
It was a welcome relief after a miserable week for both Rodriguez and his boss. A newspaper report about possible NCAA rule violations was deemed serious enough that the school launched an investigation into the hours football players were training and practicing.
Adding to the “drama” as Rodriguez describes it, a pair of reports followed about his involvement in a troubled real estate investment that included a booster banned at Clemson.
Martin, meanwhile, was hoping as much as anyone on campus that Rodriguez has been following the rules and that his football team is ready to start winning.
With Rodriguez’s spread offense clicking and Michigan leading Western Michigan 31-0 at half on Saturday, Martin acknowledged to a couple reporters he felt a sense of relief.
“I’m smiling,” Martin said with a sly grin.
Les Miles would be the man to replace the retiring Lloyd Carr and the quest almost ended with Rutgers’ Greg Schiano.
Martin hired Rodriguez away from West Virginia in a messy divorce that cost the school $2.5 million plus legal fees and the coach $1.5 million.
Rodriguez lost a school-record nine games in his debut season on the sideline at the Big House with a depleted offense and a disinterested defense.
Martin, meanwhile, was overseeing the final stages of a $226 million stadium renovation that includes lots of luxury boxes and club seats only well-heeled fans and corporations can afford. Despite the Motor City’s economy, the school has commitments on 70-percent of those suites that cost as much as $85,000 per season.
Winning is good for everybody at Michigan: Martin, Rodriguez and university officials trying to fill about 20 more boxes and a slew of club seats before the 2010 opener.
A win over No. 23 Notre Dame on Saturday at Michigan Stadium would boost spirits even more.
“They’ve got a great ballclub,” Rodriguez said. “I know there’s some talk about BCS opportunities. They’ve got a veteran quarterback and a veteran group. It’s going to be a challenge.
“They may have as much talent as anybody on our schedule. And, it’s a big rivalry game. It won’t be hard for either team to get up for it.”
by two freshmen quarterbacks and the Greg Robinson-designed defense made plays all day during a 31-7 win.
Fans saw a winning product again and were entertained before the game and during breaks in it with piped in music such as AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells,” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”
“We need to liven this place up,” Martin said. “When the band is taking a break, I think the music helps the atmosphere. There were about 25 songs on the playlist, I listened to every one and cut about five.”
As ascetically impressive as Michigan Stadium is, the storied venue is not regarded as one of the loudest places to play in the country.
The towering structures that will house the new seats and suites along both sidelines have windows, unlike a year ago when steel, concrete and brick were in place. That seemed to create a louder environment just as many at the university were hoping would be an added benefit.
“I think we’re keeping the noise in a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “As long as we do our part and make plays, it will be the best atmosphere in the country.”
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