OSU RB coach leaves day after Cass Tech's Weber signs

An ugly side of college football recruiting emerged today.

Ohio State made its intense pitch to retain Cass Tech tailback Mike Weber in its class Wednesday as Michigan made a final push and Weber said he felt comfortable staying, signing with the Buckeyes.

Then today, the Chicago Tribune reported Ohio State's running backs coach Stan Drayton is leaving for the same position with the Chicago Bears.

Now that Weber's name is on a signed letter-of-intent, he is bound to Ohio State for at least a year, unless the school willingly releases him.

Weber shared his frustration on Twitter after hearing the news, saying he was "hurt as hell."

Weber gave no indication about whether it would have changed his decision. But it may not matter now that he signed.

On the National Letter of Intent website, it describes the agreement as: "When you sign an NLI, you agree to attend the institution listed on the NLI for one academic year in exchange for that institution awarding athletics financial aid for one academic year."

As for if an NLI is binding if a coach leave the institution, the website says: "Yes. The NLI you signed with an institution remains binding if the coach who recruited you leaves the institution with which you signed. When you sign an NLI, you sign with an institution and not with a coach or a specific team."

Weber told reporters on Wednesday that Ohio State's stability and success was important to him.

"I don't know how long would it take for Michigan to be back on top," he said. "I really don't know. But I know Ohio State. They proved they can do it."

Sports writer George Sipple contributed to this report.

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder.