Rich Rodriguez Leaves Scrimmage ‘Unhappy’ with One Aspect of WVU’s Roster… read more

Morgantown, WV – Former West Virginia University (WVU) head coach Rich Rodriguez left Saturday’s spring football scrimmage feeling “unhappy” with one key aspect of the team’s roster. Rodriguez, who served as WVU’s head coach from 2001 to 2007 and has remained a prominent figure in Mountaineer football, shared his thoughts with reporters after the event, expressing disappointment in an area he believes could impact the team’s long-term success.

 

Although the scrimmage was largely viewed as an opportunity for players to showcase their talents, Rodriguez singled out the team’s depth on the offensive line, noting that it’s one area where the Mountaineers need to improve significantly. “I saw a lot of good things today, but there’s one thing that really stood out to me, and that’s the offensive line,” Rodriguez said post-scrimmage. “It’s a position that needs to get stronger, faster, and more consistent.”

 

Rodriguez, who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the spread offense, emphasized how crucial the offensive line is to the overall success of a football team. “You can have all the skill players in the world, but without a solid front, nothing works. The offensive line is where it all starts, and right now, I’m just not seeing the depth and consistency we need to make a serious run this season,” he added.

The former coach’s words echo a growing sentiment among WVU fans and analysts, who have questioned whether the offensive line has enough talent to compete in a tough Big 12 conference. WVU’s offensive line has been a point of concern for several seasons, with inconsistency and injuries playing a major role in the team’s struggles in the trenches.

 

WVU head coach Neal Brown, who is entering his fourth season at the helm, has been working to address these concerns by recruiting and developing new talent to bolster the offensive line. However, Rodriguez’s comments suggest that more work is needed if the Mountaineers are to reach their potential in 2025.

 

While Rodriguez was critical of the offensive line, he also acknowledged the progress being made in other areas of the team. “There were some flashes from the skill positions that I liked, and the defense looks like it’s starting to take shape,” Rodriguez noted. “But that offensive line, it’s going to be a challenge.”

 

The Mountaineers have a promising group of young players, but the challenge will be developing that talent quickly enough to make an immediate impact. “We’ve got some guys with potential, but they need to get stronger and more physical. The development needs to happen fast because we don’t have the luxury of time,” Rodriguez explained.

 

Despite the frustration over the offensive line, Rodriguez remains hopeful about the future of WVU football. “This team has a lot of heart, a lot of potential. But they’ve got to come together and understand that success starts in the trenches,” he said. “If they can improve that area, there’s no telling how far they can go.”

 

As spring practices continue, Coach Brown and his staff will be working tirelessly to address the issues highlighted by Rodriguez and ensure that the Mountaineers are prepared for the challenges ahead. For now, Rodriguez’s critical feedback serves as a reminder that, in football, the road to success begins with the fundamentals, and for WVU, that means making sure the offensive line is up to the task.

 

Fans will be eagerly watching to see if the Mountaineers can fix their offensive line woes as they approach the 2025 season, hoping that Rodriguez’s concerns are addressed before it’s too late.