MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Rich Rodriguez, the newly appointed head coach of West Virginia, acknowledged on Friday that it was a mistake to leave the program for Michigan 17 years ago.
During his introductory press conference, Rodriguez received a warm welcome from a large crowd of supporters, although one disapproving voice could be heard as he began his remarks. The crowd quickly reacted, drowning out the heckler and having him escorted from the arena.
Rodriguez took the interruption humorously, jokingly addressing the crowd about their biggest rival—Pittsburgh—by saying, “OK, any other Pitt fans can leave the building.” This elicited a loud cheer from the crowd, which also featured notable figures such as Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen and former players like Avon Cobourne and Owen Schmitt.
Reflecting on his return to West Virginia, Rodriguez stated, “This is really surreal,” and expressed remorse over his previous departure, pausing emotionally during parts of his announcement. He highlighted his successful tenure from 2001 to 2007, during which he achieved a record of 60-26. Fans were particularly disheartened when the team lost to Pittsburgh in a crucial game that jeopardized their chances of competing for the BCS national championship, followed by Rodriguez’s departure for Michigan shortly after.
At 61, Rodriguez, who was named coach on Thursday after serving three seasons at Jacksonville State, emphasized that he has matured as both a person and a coach during the years since leaving West Virginia, acknowledging it as a misstep.
Rodriguez comes with a history that raises some eyebrows. His time at Michigan was riddled with controversies, including NCAA violations concerning practice and training limits during his tenure at one of college football’s most storied programs. After a six-year run at Arizona, he was dismissed in January 2018 following allegations of sexual harassment from a former administrative assistant. Although the university could not substantiate the claims, it expressed concerns about the overall culture surrounding the football program. The lawsuit filed was later dismissed.
Athletic director Wren Baker noted that Rodriguez demonstrated sincerity in recognizing his past mistakes and the valuable lessons he gleaned from them.
West Virginia made a grand effort for Rodriguez’s welcome. Unlike his first introduction to coaching in a modest setting, this event featured concessions including alcoholic beverages, a lively marching band, and a full house of fans. ESPN’s Pat McAfee, a kicker and punter from the notable 2007 team, even aired his show live from the venue, interviewing Rodriguez before the main program commenced. McAfee declared, “We’re about to go get some championships, and that’s what today is all about.”
Coaches returning for a second stint at the same institution is not an uncommon occurrence. Recent examples include Scott Frost’s return to UCF, Mack Brown’s return to North Carolina, and others such as Greg Schiano at Rutgers, Brady Hoke at San Diego State, and Bobby Petrino at Louisville.