MORGANTOWN - Odds and ends and a few things I think I think as I wonder how much worse, if at all, things just got for Rich Rodriguez:

If Aschebrook's three-way conversation with Rodriguez and Calvin Magee - as related in the deposition - is to be believed, Rodriguez's primary objective was to try and convince Aschebrook to go on record as saying the WVU administration was at best incompetent and at worst racist, mean-spirited and vindictive. The point, obviously, was to give Rodriguez more ammunition in his fight against WVU's attempt to recover the $4 million buyout it claims he owes the school. Aschebrook steadfastly refused to do that and now WVU's lawyers will certainly try to use the conversation as further evidence that Rodriguez's vast number of complaints against the university are all just so much posturing on his part.

Again, though, that's at first glance. Face it, the Aschebrook deposition is just one piece of explosive evidence in a case that figures to have many. When Rodriguez and Magee spin the conversation their way it will come out dramatically different, which will make this another he-said, she-said. Maybe it will be significant, maybe not. There are still a lot of other pieces to the puzzle.

Still, on this day at least, chalk a big one up in the WVU column.

Larry Aschebrook? That's Deep Throat?

Aschebrook, of course, vehemently denies ever saying anything to Magee about the subject. But the larger point to me is, again, Larry Freaking Aschebrook?

If you're going to trust the word or even consider the validity of such an inference, might it be better to get the opinion of someone who has been at West Virginia for longer than what, 15 minutes? Aschebrook, who recently left for a job in Arizona, began his job at the MAC last Oct. 1, just 21/2 months before his alleged conversation with Magee. Prior to that he had apparently never worked or lived anywhere East of the Mississippi River, much less in West Virginia, and barely knew where the bathrooms were, much less the hiring practices of his colleagues.

If Aschebrook's three-way conversation with Rodriguez and Calvin Magee - as related in the deposition - is to be believed, Rodriguez's primary objective was to try and convince Aschebrook to go on record as saying the WVU administration was at best incompetent and at worst racist, mean-spirited and vindictive. The point, obviously, was to give Rodriguez more ammunition in his fight against WVU's attempt to recover the $4 million buyout it claims he owes the school. Aschebrook steadfastly refused to do that and now WVU's lawyers will certainly try to use the conversation as further evidence that Rodriguez's vast number of complaints against the university are all just so much posturing on his part.

Again, though, that's at first glance. Face it, the Aschebrook deposition is just one piece of explosive evidence in a case that figures to have many. When Rodriguez and Magee spin the conversation their way it will come out dramatically different, which will make this another he-said, she-said. Maybe it will be significant, maybe not. There are still a lot of other pieces to the puzzle.

Still, on this day at least, chalk a big one up in the WVU column.

Larry Aschebrook? That's Deep Throat?

Aschebrook, of course, vehemently denies ever saying anything to Magee about the subject. But the larger point to me is, again, Larry Freaking Aschebrook?

If you're going to trust the word or even consider the validity of such an inference, might it be better to get the opinion of someone who has been at West Virginia for longer than what, 15 minutes? Aschebrook, who recently left for a job in Arizona, began his job at the MAC last Oct. 1, just 21/2 months before his alleged conversation with Magee. Prior to that he had apparently never worked or lived anywhere East of the Mississippi River, much less in West Virginia, and barely knew where the bathrooms were, much less the hiring practices of his colleagues.

I think the guy is in a tough spot with no way out, which is unfortunate. Then again, it could be worse. At least he doesn't have $4 million riding on the outcome.

First and foremost, it's a reflection of the Mountaineers' success in recent years and, more significantly, their success in recruiting and developing megastars like Pat White and Steve Slaton. All of a sudden autograph sessions became what they have long been at Major League ballparks, which is an exercise in get-rich-quick schemes. For every deserving little kid or true fan with a pen and program in hand, there were 10 pushing their way through for no other reason than to get something to sell on e-Bay. Some even tried to cut out pieces of the turf.

Like losing coaches and having players leave early for the pros, it's part of the baggage that comes with the wildly successful upturns in both the football and basketball programs at WVU. Deal with it and get your autographs in the more controlled environment the school tries to establish during the annual fan day in late August.

Huggins could bring in that many every year or two.

To contact staff writer Dave Hickman, call 348-1734 or send e-mail to dphickm...@aol.com.