Rich Rodriguez is set to make a comeback as the head coach at West Virginia University, marking his return to the program he previously led from 2001 to 2007. The announcement was made by Athletic Director Wren Baker on Thursday, nearly two decades after Rodriguez left for a challenging tenure at Michigan that lasted three seasons.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Rich Rodriguez and his family back to their roots,” Baker stated. “He understands what it takes to achieve success at West Virginia, and I am confident he will dedicate himself entirely to our program. His commitment to what is best for West Virginia football is clear, and I look forward to seeing the positive transformation he will bring.”
Rodriguez is currently the head coach at Jacksonville State, where he developed a reputation for his innovative spread offense. He replaces Neal Brown, who was let go after a six-season record of 37 wins against 35 losses, including a 6-6 performance this year.
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to once again lead the football team at West Virginia University,” Rodriguez expressed. “My family and I are deeply grateful to return and manage the Mountaineer football program. We anticipate engaging with our supporters, fans, and friends to establish the premier football program in the country! Take Me Home!”
At 61, Rodriguez faces the challenge of reviving a steady winning atmosphere at West Virginia. The team has struggled to maintain a winning record, not having consecutive winning seasons since 2018, and has not qualified for the Big 12 Championship game since joining the conference in 2012. The best finish the Mountaineers achieved was a tie for second place in 2016.
During his initial tenure, Rodriguez was instrumental in achieving success, leading West Virginia to a record of 60 wins and 26 losses. His impact was highlighted by guiding star players such as quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton, securing four Big East titles and a memorable Sugar Bowl victory against Georgia following the 2005 season.
However, many fans still harbor resentment over his departure in 2007. In a pivotal regular-season finale, needing a win against Pittsburgh to advance to the BCS national championship game, the Mountaineers were upset at home, losing 13-9. Rodriguez remarked post-game, “We picked an awful time to have our worst offensive game in years.”
Despite earning a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, Rodriguez left for Michigan shortly after, taking several assistant coaches and recruits with him. He has maintained that the loss to Pittsburgh was unrelated to his decision to leave, attributing it more to unfulfilled promises from the university’s administration and a deteriorating relationship with then-athletic director Ed Pastilong.
The West Virginia administration pursued legal action to recover Rodriguez’s $4 million buyout, and the matter eventually concluded with Michigan paying $2.5 million and Rodriguez covering $1.5 million of the settlement.
Rodriguez’s time in Ann Arbor was tumultuous, wrapping up with a 15-22 record and his dismissal after the 2010 season. His tenure was marred by unsatisfactory performances and NCAA violations regarding practice time regulations.
Following Michigan, he spent six years as the head coach at Arizona, where he accumulated a record of 43 wins and 35 losses before his firing in January 2018, triggered by allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. The university could not substantiate these claims, but concerns about the football program’s overall direction were significant. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.
Rodriguez then had short tenures as an offensive coordinator at Mississippi and Louisiana-Monroe before achieving a 27-10 record over three seasons with Jacksonville State, which transitioned from the Championship Subdivision to the FBS in 2023. With an overall head coaching record of 190 wins, 129 losses, and 2 ties across 27 seasons, including his time at Division II Glenville State, Rodriguez brings considerable experience back to West Virginia.
He is slated to be introduced officially on Friday at the university’s basketball arena, with ESPN’s Pat McAfee, a former West Virginia player and Indianapolis Colts kicker, hosting a live broadcast from the event.
Rodriguez will also have the opportunity to address West Virginia’s difficulties against ranked opposition, aiming to break a nine-game losing streak in that category, particularly with a crucial matchup against Pittsburgh scheduled for September 13, which intriguingly aligns with the score of their 2007 loss.
