The emperor who fiddled while Rome burned.

In case you missed the Nero reference.

The Rich Rodriguez experiment, the best thing to happen to the Big Ten outside of Ann Arbor is well on its way to a crashing halt. The horror! Who could possibly imagine that a coach who runs a gimmicky offense that excelled in the weak Big East would struggle against the Big Ten?

During his short 3 year tenure with the Maize and Blue, he managed to compile a 6-18 conference record including a dismal 2-7 mark against the Wolverines biggest rivals, Ohio State, Michigan State and Ohio State. Most notably 0-3 records against the Spartans, Buckeyes and Nittany Lions on top of losing records against Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin. Then there’s the 0-11 record against league foes who finished with a winning conference record.

All the while, committing NCAA violations concerning practice time and compliance staff on their way to a 15-22 record eventually landing the Wolverines on probation for the first time ever in their proud history. Let’s also not forget the pending litigation over botched real estate deals on developments in Tuscaloosa and Blacksburg throughout this entire debacle. Damage all done in a matter of 3 short seasons.

It seemed like just yesterday when Rich Rodriguez smuggled his family out of West Virginia in the middle of the night prior to the Fiesta Bowl to Ann Arbor. You gotta believe that somewhere out there, West Virginian governor Joe Manchin and WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong are laughing.

But like all good things that must come to an end, the Rich Rod / Michigan variety hour is as good as over. While Michigan attempts its futile exercise in containing the press, the writing is already on the wall and the question is no longer if, but when Dave Brandon will drop the axe. Even the support of his players may not save Rich Rodriguez it seems. On the bright side, he and his family will be entitled to a $2.5 million golden parachute. Not bad for single handedly torpedoing a once proud program into the depths of irrelevance.

Quick Hits

Bolden’s transfer request has been delayed following a meeting with Joe and Jay Paterno. Dad is vocally unhappy, but Mom also jumps into the debate hoping Bolden will remains at Penn State. … The Bolden saga is nothing new to Joe Paterno and Penn State has always managed to prevail. Remember, we have no names on our jerseys. … The Pitt debacle continues to give and give following the stunning dismissal of Haywood, and it doesn’t look to get better anytime soon. … Terrelle Pryor’s ignorance continues to baffle and expose NCAA rules. Not exactly the most eloquent of speakers, yet can’t manage to keep his mouth shut. Still remember his Mike Vick endorsement? … Archie Griffin spreads some wisdom concerning the selling of memorability by Ohio State athletes. … And Penn State basketball loses yet again, this time to the Michigan Wolverines.