National Analyst: Rich Rodriguez Puts ‘Different Kind of Gas in Tank’ for WVU

West Virginia’s decision to bring back Rich Rodriguez for a second tenure at WVU is more than just a redemption story to one national analyst.

While some are criticizing the move and arguing the Mountaineers should’ve hired one of the many younger coaches they interviewed, CBS Sports’ Josh Pate is completely bought into the idea that Rodriguez can make West Virginia a national contender again.

Pate said as much on a recent edition of his show, the “Josh Pate College Football Show” on CBS Sports.

“I’m very happy that this is happening. It could fundamentally alert the landscape of the Big 12. Because with Rich Rodriguez coming in, you also, got your Ken Kendrick’s of the world, you got your Pat McAfee’s of the world who could in a snap of a finger make the West Virginia NIL package the most lucrative in the Big 12,” said Pate.

Massive green arrow for Rich Rod at WVU pic.twitter.com/kVHIa5Suq6

— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) December 13, 2024

“So we’re not just talking about getting a legendary name back, we’re talking about putting a different kind of gas in the tank at West Virginia.”

And Pate isn’t only sold on Rodriguez as the right fit at WVU due to what it can do NIL wise. Pate truly believes Rodriguez is just a winner.

“I obviously think this is a win cause it was already a win there the first go around, and he really hasn’t stopped winning, most recently at Jacksonville State.”

For a related story, Rich Rodriguez explained what it means to be “Hard Edge” to his new WVU players.