Pat McAfee and Bruce Irvin React to West Virginia’s Shocking Loss to Ohio, Urge Football Director to Replace Rich Rodriguez After His Firing

Pat McAfee and Bruce Irvin React to West Virginia’s Shocking Loss to Ohio, Urge Football Director to Replace Rich Rodriguez After His Firing

 

West Virginia’s hopes took a giant hit Saturday as the Mountaineers fell 17‑10 to Ohio University in a deeply disappointing performance that exposed glaring weaknesses across the board. Despite an early spark courtesy of Jahiem White’s touchdown, WVU’s offense sputtered, recording just 72 rushing yards—their lowest total since 2022—and averaging a paltry 2.6 yards per carry . The quarterback play was equally uninspired, punctuated by three consecutive interceptions that poisoned any chance at a comeback .

The fallout from this result has been swift—and scathing. On one side, longtime WVU supporter and media personality Pat McAfee didn’t mince words. While he remains a steadfast believer in the Mountaineers, his patience is wearing thin. Echoing sentiments he’s voiced before in tougher losses—like the Penn State blowout—McAfee’s unwavering yet candid take made clear this latest stumble is unacceptable . The urgency in his tone implied that mediocrity is no longer tolerable: West Virginia needs answers now.

Then there’s Bruce Irvin, the former Mountaineer pass rusher always willing to speak bluntly. Though his recent viral reactions have skewed more humorous—such as his humorous dismissal of Tony Gibson’s “owning the state” recruiting pledge —this loss struck a different chord. Irvin’s sense of disappointment was evident across social media circles, with fans quoting him echoing relief that WVU’s shortcomings aren’t limited to underwhelming TikTok dances, as once derided by Rich Rodriguez when he banned such distractions to instill a “hard edge” in the program .

The central figure in the postgame blame game, of course, is head coach Rich Rodriguez. Returning to Morgantown for his second stint, Rodriguez arrived amid hope and optimism—but also with old baggage. Fans and media alike have been divided. Some see him as the prodigal son, eager to finish the story he began—Rodriguez himself has admitted leaving WVU for Michigan in 2007 was a “mistake” . Others remain wary, pointing to distractions and growing pains that precede fresh disappointment.

Still, after a performance as limp as this one, frustration is mounting. McAfee and Irvin are no longer simply calling for better execution—they’re calling for accountability. Reports suggest they’re pressing not just for tactical adjustments, but for decisive leadership changes, urging the athletic director to consider replacing Rodriguez altogether.

In sum, this was more than a loss—it was an indictment. WVU’s offense failed to move the ball, its coaching looked uninspired, and fan confidence has reached a boiling point. Pat McAfee and Bruce Irvin stand ready to hold the program to its highest standards—and if that means the football director must replace the head coach, then so be it.