College Football
Anonymous Coaches Express Change in Tune About WVU Football in 2026
West Virginia fans have grown accustomed to national media and coaches predicting the worst for WVU football. The annual piece produced by Athlon Sports that reveals the thoughts of anonymous coaches usually includes jabs and criticism. However, this year’s shows a significant change in tone.
Below highlights some anonymous quotes from select coaches around the country about what they think of Rich Rodriguez’s 2026 Mountaineers.
Anonymous Coach 1: “It’s very similar to UCF. Once they get a triggerman, watch out for them.”
Anonymous Coach 2: “[Head coach] Rich Rodriguez wants to get the speed. Those offenses excel when he’s got legit speed at quarterback, at running back and at receiver. I think he’s solving that problem through the portal, with junior-college recruiting and with high school recruiting down in Florida.”
Anonymous Coach 3: “Once he gets the speed with the gun-run, and the quarterback plus-one in the run game, they’ll have a chance. They didn’t have that last year. We played them, and they didn’t have any team speed. At least not what [Rodriguez] is used to having.”
And despite the predictions to the contrary from analysts, projecting another losing season, it’s not too surprising other coaches are expecting more from WVU this season.
With Rodriguez now in year two of his return tenure and coming off an historically improved offseason, both in transfer and high school recruiting, and having enjoyed a much smoother spring, West Virginia should enter the season ahead of where they were one year earlier.
Barring serious injuries, which also compounded the issues in 2025, Rodriguez will have more talent at his disposal and arguably an easier schedule that provides an opportunity to gain early-season momentum.
As was said by the first anonymous coach, everything may come down to if Rodriguez finds his true next great quarterback in either Scotty Fox or Michael Hawkins Jr, who are currently in the midst of competing for the starting role.
Find more coverage of the WVU Football program at WV Sports Now.
For related content, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti and Luke Blain discuss what’s causing negativity about WVU from national media.
