Former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez says he considered a $4-million damages clause in his contract excessive and unfair. But he signed the contract when he learned that a booster had insisted on the amount.

In a deposition released Tuesday, Rodriguez testified that Ken Kendrick's $2.5-million pledge to the WVU Foundation was contingent on Rodriguez remaining coach. Kendrick is managing general partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

According to the deposition, WVU attorney Thomas Flaherty told Rodriguez that Kendrick withdrew the pledge after Rodriguez resigned in December.

Rodriguez left WVU to take the head coaching at Michigan. His deposition is part of the evidence collection for WVU's lawsuit against the coach. The lawsuit seeks to recover the buyout.

Rodriguez also testified that he agreed to a $4-million damages clause at Michigan, even though it initially suggested $2 million.