D-Backs come to defense of fired Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez, dispute allegation

The Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday came to the defense of fired University of Arizona football coach Rich Rodriguez, questioning part of the account of his former assistant who has accused him of sexually harassing her and creating a hostile work environment.

The university fired Rodriguez late Tuesday, following bombshell allegations in a nine-page legal claim from his former administrative assistant, Melissa Wilhelmsen. University of Arizona officials said the school had grown uncomfortable with the direction of the program on the field and fired him without cause.

Rodriguez has denied the allegations, except that he had an extramarital affair that Wilhelmsen said she was forced to help cover up. Rodriguez is likely to receive a $6.3 million buyout of the remainder of his contract.

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Wilhelmsen claimed, among other things, that Rodriguez fondled her, tried to kiss her, said he was in love with her and wouldn't let Wilhelmsen leave her job in February 2016, when her husband was being considered as head security officer for the Diamondbacks.

Diamondbacks officials responded to a portion of the claim in which Wilhelmsen describes telling her boss that she would quit and move to Phoenix if her husband got the job with the Diamondbacks.

Wilhelmsen's claim alleges Rodriguez protested, saying: "No, I can't lose you," and offered to set up an apartment for her to continue working for him. "Melissa told him she was unwilling to do that," the claim states.

Ken Kendrick, owner of the Diamondbacks, has been a close friend of Rodriguez's for at least 15 years. Both have ties to West Virginia University, where Rodriguez once coached.

Kendrick on Wednesday told The Arizona Republic he is a longtime supporter of Rodriguez and acknowledged that he is biased to defend his friend, though he did not condone the affair.

Still, Kendrick said Rodriguez clearly was looking out for the best interest of his assistant when he tried to help her husband get a job with the Diamondbacks.

Kendrick said Rodriguez strongly recommended Jason Wilhelmsen, Melissa's husband, for the team's security job.

Diamondbacks team President Derrick Hall said Melissa Wilhelmsen personally emailed her husband's resume to Kendrick's assistant on Jan. 27, 2016, because she knew Rodriguez and Kendrick were close friends. Hall said the resume arrived just as the team was closing its search for candidates.

Hall said Rodriguez called Kendrick the next day and Jason Wilhelmsen was interviewed the following month.

"Ken received a strong recommendation for her husband from Rich," Hall told The Republic. "Rich had called Ken and said, 'If you can help, we will vouch for him.' "

Hall said Wilhelmsen, a police officer, was less qualified than other candidates but received an interview because of Rodriguez's assistance.

Wilhelmsen’s attorney, Augustine Jimenez, in an email called the Diamondbacks' assertion “interesting.”

He added that there is no suggestion in the claim that Rodriguez was unhelpful to the couple when Jason Wilhelmsen was being considered as a head security officer for the Diamondbacks.

Reach the reporters at craig.harris@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8478 and anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8072.

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