Seventeen years after his controversial departure from West Virginia University, Rich Rodriguez is back as the Mountaineers’ head football coach this time, with no plans to leave.
Rodriguez’s exit in 2007, just weeks after WVU’s devastating loss in one of the most disappointing moments in program history, left a bitter taste for many fans. His move to Michigan led to an ugly and seemingly irreparable split between him and the Mountaineer faithful.
Now, Rodriguez has made it clear that his return is permanent. “If I was going to make one more move in my career, this was going to be it—at home, at West Virginia,” he told Joe Starkey of *93.7 The Fan.* “I love this place and the people here. Coaches often look for the next job instead of focusing on where they are. I’ve always tried to do my best where I’m at, and now the timing was right. I’m thrilled to be back home and to finish my career at my alma mater.”
During his introductory press conference, Rodriguez admitted that leaving WVU for Michigan was the biggest mistake of his career, saying, “I made the mistake of leaving.”
During his first tenure, Rodriguez turned West Virginia into a national powerhouse, leading the team to a 32-5 record from 2005-07 and consistently ranking in the top five. Whether he can replicate that success remains to be seen, but he’s determined to finish his career on a high note and justify athletic director Wren Baker’s decision to bring him back.
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