MichiganRadio

U of M's Rich Rodriguez talking about football, for a change ANN ARBOR, MI (Associated Press) -

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez says he looked and sounded relaxed for a change with reporters because the focus was on football.

Rodriguez casually chatted with the media Monday and cracked jokes as he previewed the season-opening game this week against Connecticut. He has often been tense and defensive at his weekly news conferences the past two years because of problems on and off the field.

The Wolverines lost a school-record nine games in his first season leading college football's winningest team and flopped to a 5-7 finish last year.

The school acknowledged it violated four major NCAA rules under Rodriguez and defended its embattled coach last month against a fifth charge that he failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance.
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