Arizona weighs whether to fire football coach Rich Rodriguez

Dan Wolken | USA TODAY

The University of Arizona is weighing whether to fire football coach Rich Rodriguez, two people with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday. Those people spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The firing likely would be attributed to the Wildcats’ poor finish to the season, losing four of their last five games, and be done without cause, giving Rodriguez his full $6.3 million buyout. A decision on Rodriguez’s future at the university could come soon.

Beyond the on-field performance, however, the school also has been dealing with a troubling allegation behind the scenes that led school officials last fall to hire an outside law firm to investigate Rodriguez for potential workplace misconduct, according to the people with knowledge of the probe. Though no misconduct was determined by the probe, which Rodriguez cooperated with fully, a former administrative assistant subsequently has threatened to file a lawsuit against him.

MORE: How Arizona's Rich Rodriguez joined elite company, at least with his salary

If that lawsuit is filed this week as Arizona officials expect, it could bring significant negative publicity, particularly in the current national environment. A call to the woman's attorney was not returned Tuesday.

Rodriguez’s contract runs through May 31, 2020.

Using Jan. 1, 2018, as the termination date, under the terms of the agreement, being fired for cause would cost Rodriguez at least $10.2 million. That includes more than $3 million that would be owed, or vested, to Rodriguez if he is Arizona’s head football coach on March 15.

Rodriguez, 54, just completed his sixth year at the school. He was considered to be on the hot seat following a 3-9 record in 2016 but seemed to have stopped any talk of losing his job until the late-season slide.

An Arizona spokesperson did not immediately have a comment when reached by USA TODAY Sports. Rodriguez's attorney, Bennett Speyer, declined comment.

Contributng: Steve Berkowitz