Arizona fires Rodriguez after probe

Arizona has fired football coach Rich Rodriguez after the school had launched an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct, the university announced Tuesday.

Arizona hired an outside law firm to investigate Rodriguez, 54, for allegedly sexually harassing a former department of athletics employee, USA Today reported prior to news of Rodriguez’s firing.

“After conducting a thorough evaluation of our football team and its leadership, both on and off the field, President Robbins and I feel it is in the best interest of the University of Arizona and our athletics department to go in a new direction,” Athletics Director Dave Heeke said in a statement.

While Arizona could potentially attempt to withhold Rodriguez’s $6.3 million buyout and argue they fired him with just cause due to allegations of sexual harassment, the university said they “will honor the separation terms of his contract.”

Rodriguez coached the Wildcats for six seasons, posting a 43-35 record. Arizona started the 2017 season with promise, going 6-2 with wins over then-No. 15 Washington State and UCLA behind dualthreat quarterback Khalil Tate. The Wildcats, however, would then lose four of their next five games, including a loss to Purdue in the Foster Farms Bowl. Rodriguez previously served as the head coach at both Michigan and Western Virginia.