Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he put his arm around Rodriguez as they walked to the embattled coach’s news conference.

“I said, ‘You had a good week, coach,’ and he did,” Brandon recalled. “It’s been a month since we had a win and the (NCAA) situation is over, and I think Rich was to a degree was vindicated. Now, we’re going to a bowl and if we can find ways to win it’ll improve the picture.”