Dec. 12 (UPI) — Rich Rodriguez will leave his job at Jacksonville State and return for a second tenure as head coach at West Virginia, the school announced Thursday.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be the head football coach at West Virginia University,” Rodriguez said in a news release.
“My family and I are filled with gratitude to lead the Mountaineer football program again and look forward to working with the many supporters, fans, and friends to build the best football program in America! Take Me Home!”
The Grant Town, W.Va., native and West Virginia alum led Jacksonville State to a 27-10 mark, with three-consecutive nine-win seasons. He posted a 43-35 record over six seasons at Arizona from 2012 to 2017. He also led Michigan to a 15-22 mark from 2008 through 2010.
Rodriguez, 61, led West Virginia to a 60-26 record from 2001 through 2007, including three consecutive 10-win seasons and a Sugar Bowl victory.
Rodriguez left West Virginia for the Michigan job in 2007. He was fired by the Wolverines in 2011. He worked briefly as an analyst for CBS before being hired by Arizona. He was fired from that role in 2018.
Rodriguez then served as an offensive coordinator at Ole Miss and Louisiana-Monroe and as an analyst at Hawaii before being hired by Jacksonville State in 2021.
“We are thrilled to welcome coach Rich Rodriguez and his family back home,” Mountaineers athletic director Wren Baker said. “Coach Rodriguez understands what it takes to win at West Virginia, and I believe he will pour his heart, soul and every ounce of his energy into our program.
“I am convinced coach Rodriguez wants what is best for West Virginia, WVU and West Virginia football, and I am excited about the future of our program.”
The Mountaineers fired former coach Neal Brown on Dec. 1. Brown led the Mountaineers to a 37-35 mark over the last six seasons, including 6-6 this year.
“West Virginians always find their way home again,” West Virginia president Gordon Gee said. “I have spoken to coach Rodriguez, and it is clear that his time away has provided reflection and renewed appreciation for West Virginia and West Virginia University.
“We look forward to having Rich, his family, and his winning record back in Morgantown. I extend my thanks to vice president and director of athletics Wren Baker for his leadership in running an efficient and thorough search.”
