Rich Rodriguez Delivers Unfortunate Darius Wiley Update

WVU football head coach Rich Rodriguez delivered some expected, yet unfortunate news, during his weekly radio show on Monday night.

Rodriguez said defensive lineman Darius Wiley, who had to be carted off in the third quarter of West Virginia’s 31-24 win over Coastal Carolina, will miss the rest of the 2026 season.

WVU HC Rich Rodriguez standing on the field as Darius Wiley is carted off during the 2026 opening game against Coastal Carolina. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

“It was a severe ligament. He had a great camp. Not a good camp, but a great camp,” revealed Rodriguez.

He then offered more information and words of encouragement for Wiley’s future.

“He’s a young guy with three years and was really going to get going with it. He’ll obviously be out all year, but guys that have those kinds of injuries, that tear every ligament, it takes at least a year, maybe more. We’ve got some really good doctors lined up, got a great medical staff, and they’re going to hopefully this week, maybe Friday, get the first surgery, and hopefully that’ll be the only one he needs. He’ll rehab like crazy. He’s a tough kid, so hopefully he’ll be back and ready to go next year.”

Wiley picked WVU over several other Power Four offers in December, 2025. He was named the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Defensive Player of the Year, totaling 49 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks.