MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The second chapter of Rich Rodriguez’s tenure at West Virginia officially began Tuesday morning as the Mountaineers kicked off their first spring practice under his leadership.
Rodriguez, returning to the program where he previously coached from 2001 to 2007, brought his usual energy and intensity to the field. However, it didn’t take long for the effects of his vocal coaching style to show. “My voice is only half there right now,” he joked. “My team chaplain was there, and he’s probably praying for me right now.”
Despite some early hiccups, Rodriguez was encouraged by the team’s effort. “The intent was good. They worked pretty hard, but we had some pre-snap penalties four or five,” he admitted. “We have to clean those up.”
Since his last stint in Morgantown, Rodriguez has coached at multiple programs, including Michigan, Arizona, and most recently Jacksonville State. He believes those experiences have made him a better coach. “I’ve learned a lot over the years, especially in handling different situations and adapting to new challenges,” he said. “I think I’m more patient, but I still have that same drive.”
Rodriguez’s signature up-tempo offense will once again be the foundation of WVU’s attack, though he has adapted it to fit modern trends. “The core concepts are still there, but we’ve made adjustments over time,” he explained. “Personnel-wise, we use tight ends a lot more now than we did back in the early 2000s.”
With the first practice in the books, Rodriguez is focused on shaping the team’s identity and preparing for the upcoming season. “It’s all about building discipline, chemistry, and execution,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I like where we’re headed.”
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