Rodriguez Excited About Second Stint at West Virginia…

Rodriguez Excited About Second Stint at West Virginia…

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Rich Rodriguez is officially back at West Virginia University, and he’s bringing with him the passion, energy, and vision that made his first tenure in Morgantown so memorable. The former Mountaineers head coach, who helped redefine the program in the early 2000s, returns to WVU with a deep sense of purpose and a desire to restore the program to national prominence.

“This place means the world to me,” Rodriguez said during his introductory press conference. “It’s not just a job — it’s home. I know what West Virginia football can be, and I’m here to help bring that vision back to life.”

Rodriguez coached the Mountaineers from 2001 to 2007, compiling a 60-26 record and leading the team to three Big East championships. His innovative spread offense revolutionized college football and produced electrifying talents like Pat White and Steve Slaton. Under Rodriguez, West Virginia became a perennial top-10 contender and a national brand.

His return comes at a time when the Mountaineers are looking for stability and a renewed identity. The program has struggled to find consistent success in recent years, and Rodriguez sees this as an opportunity to rebuild — not from scratch, but from a foundation still rich with potential.

“I’ve kept an eye on the program even when I was elsewhere,” Rodriguez said. “There’s talent here. There’s pride in this state. We’re going to work hard, recruit the right way, and play the kind of football people in West Virginia can be proud of.”

Since leaving WVU in 2007, Rodriguez has had coaching stints at Michigan, Arizona, and most recently at Jacksonville State. While his time at Michigan was turbulent, he found redemption in the Sun Belt and FCS, proving he can still build competitive programs. Now, he’s ready to take those lessons and apply them to a place he never stopped loving.

Rodriguez acknowledged that college football has changed significantly in the past decade, with the transfer portal and NIL deals now central to recruiting and roster management. But he’s not shying away from those challenges.

“I’ve adapted before, and I’ll adapt again,” Rodriguez said. “The core values don’t change — work ethic, toughness, discipline. If we can get those right, we’ll compete with anybody.”

Fan reaction to his return has been largely positive, especially among longtime supporters who remember the glory days of Mountaineer football under his leadership. The nostalgia is real, but so is the optimism for the future.

Rodriguez’s second act in Morgantown begins with spring workouts and assembling a staff that shares his passion and philosophy. While expectations are high, he’s focused on the fundamentals: building relationships, re-establishing a culture, and winning one game at a time.

“I know what it takes, and I know this place,” Rodriguez said. “Let’s get to work.”

As West Virginia turns the page to a new chapter, one thing is clear: Rich Rodriguez is back, and he’s more determined than ever to make it count.