Rich Rodriguez is back at West Virginia University, tasked with returning the Mountaineers football program to prominence after a nearly two-decade hiatus from national relevance. Since Rodriguez’s departure for Michigan in 2007, WVU football has had occasional flashes of competitiveness but has never managed a sustained run in the national conversation.
Now, with Rodriguez back at the helm, excitement is building around the program. Fans and analysts alike are hopeful, although they acknowledge that the full results of his return may take a year or two to materialize.
The general sentiment is that Rodriguez has the potential to turn the Mountaineers around and guide them back to success. However, not everyone shares this optimistic view.
CBS Sports analyst Shehan Jeyarajah recently sparked some controversy with his spring overreaction about Rodriguez and the Mountaineers. Jeyarajah made a bold statement about Rodriguez’s ability to succeed in today’s college football landscape, suggesting that the coach’s “old-school” methods might no longer work in the modern era.
Jeyarajah pointed to the Mountaineers’ high number of players lost to the transfer portal, with 51 departures, including players heading to programs like Alabama, Ohio State, and Ole Miss.
While West Virginia also brought in 51 new players, Jeyarajah criticized the quality of the recruits, noting that their average ratings were closer to those of a Purdue-level program rather than an elite Big 12 school.
He added that Rodriguez’s traditional, hard-nosed approach might not resonate with today’s players, many of whom, according to Jeyarajah, are more focused on social media trends, like TikTok dancing, than the old-school discipline that Rodriguez is known for.
While Jeyarajah’s opinion raises eyebrows, it’s important to consider that Rodriguez isn’t the only coach with a traditional coaching style. Other prominent coaches such as Nick Saban (now retired), Dabo Swinney, and Matt Campbell are known for their disciplined, old-school approaches.
These coaches have consistently adapted their methods to relate to modern players, and they have been successful because of it. Rodriguez, like these other coaches, understands the need to evolve while still adhering to the principles that made him successful in the past.
Rodriguez’s success at Jacksonville State is a testament to his coaching ability in today’s football environment. After losing a significant portion of his roster to the transfer portal, Rodriguez managed to rebuild the team and lead them to a conference championship. This achievement proves that his methods can still be effective, even in an era dominated by the transfer portal.
In addition to his proven track record at Jacksonville State, Rodriguez now has a significant advantage with the resources and facilities at his disposal at West Virginia.
Recruiting players to a program like WVU is much easier than recruiting to a smaller school, and Rodriguez can offer prospects more attractive resources, a bigger stage, and a more exciting opportunity to play for a Power Five school.
While it’s uncertain whether Rodriguez will lead the Mountaineers back to a national championship game, it’s clear that his potential for success is significant.
He knows what it takes to win at West Virginia, and with the right players and resources, he has the determination to bring the program back to prominence. The skepticism surrounding his old-school methods may be premature, and as history has shown, coaches who adapt and evolve can thrive, even in an era of rapid change.
Rich Rodriguez’s return to Morgantown may face challenges, but with his experience and the support of a passionate fanbase, there’s reason to believe he’ll be successful in revitalizing WVU football.
Only time will tell if his methods can still work in today’s college football world, but his track record suggests that he’s more than capable of overcoming the challenges ahead.
