ESPN REPORT RICH RODRIGUEZ JOINING VIRGINIA AS HEAD COACH
Morgantown, WV – In a shocking move, West Virginia University has announced that Rich Rodriguez will return as the program’s head coach. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Rodriguez, who previously coached at WVU from 2001-2007, will return to the Mountaineers’ sidelines after a 15-year absence. During his initial stint at WVU, Rodriguez led the program to a 60-26 record, including three Big East championships and a Fiesta Bowl victory.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to West Virginia University,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “This is a special place with incredible fans, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the Mountaineers once again.”
After leaving WVU, Rodriguez went on to coach at Michigan from 2008-2010, compiling a 15-22 record. He also coached at Arizona from 2012-2016, leading the Wildcats to a 43-35 record.
_WVU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WREN BAKER ON THE HIRING:_
“We’re excited to welcome Rich back to the Mountaineer family,” Baker said. “His experience, passion, and commitment to excellence make him the perfect fit to lead our program.”
Rodriguez’s return to WVU is expected to bring a spark to the program, which has struggled in recent years. The Mountaineers have not had a winning season since 2018, and the program is looking for a fresh start.
_WVU FANS REACT:_
– “Welcome back, Coach Rod! We’ve missed you!” – @WVUMountaineers
– “This is a huge hire for WVU. Coach Rod knows how to win and will bring excitement back to the program.” – @MountaineerFan
The hiring of Rich Rodriguez is a major coup for West Virginia University, and the program is eager to see what the future holds under his leadership.