Former WVU Coach Expected to Return to Work Under Rich Rodriguez Again

As a fitting development for Rich Rodriguez’s new staff at WVU, Jeff Casteel is reportedly returning to West Virginia.

Sources tell FootballScoop that Rodriguez plans to hire Casteel to be part of his defensive staff, granted his position is yet to be determined and may change depending on other hires.

Found this article from a few years back on West Virginia's website.

Time to bring it back out…

Jeff Casteel is back sources share #TheScoop https://t.co/GuBmFPqLUZ pic.twitter.com/MdqqTEQAkw

— FootballScoop (@FootballScoop) December 28, 2024

Casteel, of course, coached at WVU for over a decade once before, including time under Rodriguez. He then also served as defensive coordinator on Rodriguez’s staff at Arizona after leaving WVU in 2011 before working at Nevada and eventually returning to West Virginia early in Neal Brown’s tenure.

Rodriguez declined to legitimize the rumors about Casteel returning when asked directly by Hoppy Kercheval during an appearance on the West Virginia Talkline show on Dec. 20.

For a related story, here are a couple of the top candidates for the role of defensive coordinator under Rich Rodriguez.

WV Sports Now believes Oklahoma’s Zac Alley is the leading candidate to be WVU’s new defensive coordinator. Alley even commented on the rumors on Friday night after the Sooners’ bowl game.

Also, WVU legend Pat White openly discussed his desire to return to West Virginia and work for his former coach.