MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As West Virginia University begins its search for a new head football coach following Neal Brown’s departure, speculation about the return of former coach Rich Rodriguez has sparked a heated debate.
Rodriguez, currently thriving as the head coach at Jacksonville State, has garnered attention after leading his team to a dominant 52-12 victory over Western Kentucky to claim the C-USA Championship. His success has made him a compelling candidate for a potential reunion in Morgantown, but WVU President E. Gordon Gee has tempered expectations.
Speaking with College Football Insider Brett McMurphy of Action Network, Gee acknowledged Rodriguez’s mixed legacy at West Virginia, noting the controversy surrounding his 2007 departure for Michigan. “I think he would be well received by a large set of our population,” Gee said. “He left in a very unruly manner. If he were to come back, it would have to be as a prodigal son. Can he come back? I don’t know. I’ve come back twice.”
Rodriguez’s tenure at WVU from 2001 to 2007 was marked by notable successes, including three Big East championships and a near shot at the BCS National Championship in 2007. However, his decision to leave the Mountaineers before their historic Fiesta Bowl victory against Oklahoma left a bitter taste for many fans. The fallout was compounded by a crushing loss to rival Pittsburgh in the infamous “Backyard Brawl,” which dashed the Mountaineers’ national title hopes.
Since leaving Morgantown, Rodriguez has had a roller-coaster coaching journey. His Michigan tenure ended after three underwhelming seasons, followed by a stint at Arizona, where he achieved moderate success but was dismissed amid allegations of misconduct. After a period as an assistant and analyst, Rodriguez rebuilt his reputation at Jacksonville State, solidifying his status as a respected coach.
While Gee’s comments leave the door slightly ajar for Rodriguez’s return, they also underscore the complexities of such a move. For now, WVU’s coaching search remains wide open, with fans and alumni closely watching as the program seeks to regain prominence in college football.
Would a “Rich Rod” return signal redemption or reopen old wounds? Only time will tell as the Mountaineers weigh their options for the future.
