Rich Rodriguez Evaluates His WVU Roster as Presently Constructed

The first two months for Rich Rodriguez back at WVU has been all about building his staff and roster for the upcoming 2025 season. And now that there’s a bit of a calming period, Rodriguez shared his thoughts what he thinks of his team as it’s presently contracted.

“You’re constantly looking at your roster. We look at it every day and are prepared to bring the next guy in to win games and coach them up,” said Rodriguez to Adam Gorney, the national recruiting director for Rivals and Yahoo Sports.

Since his return to West Virginia was made official, Rodriguez has simultaneously put together a staff and also rebuilt the roster. Rodriguez’s staff includes retaining Blaine Stewart and Chad Scott in new roles, bringing in other coaches he knows and even plucking Zac Alley away from Oklahoma.

WVU has also added 30 transfer players, some to make up for key departures from the 2024 team, from all different levels of football and went out and recruited the 2025 and 2026 classes.

And in the midst of everything going on, Rodriguez knows the pressure is mounting on him to restore the Mountaineers to glory and right the wrongs from his 2007 departure.

Asti: Winning Only Option for Rich Rodriguez in Second WVU Tenure

Rodriguez, a West Virginia native, currently holds a 190-128-2 overall coaching record. He experienced most of his success while leading the Mountaineers from 2001-2007. At WVU, Rodriguez won four Big East titles and was named conference Coach of the Year twice. He added a third Coach of the Year honor in the Pac-12 in 2014 with Arizona.

No matter how many games he won and trophies he lifted, Rodriguez’s first WVU tenure was tainted by the way he left – bolting for Michigan following the infamous 13-9 loss to Pitt, a defeat that cost the Mountaineers a trip the BCS National Championship Game.

After his departure from WVU, Rodriguez spent three lackluster years at Michigan and six seasons with Arizona, highlighted by winning 10 games and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl in 2014. Most recently, he led Jacksonville State through a successful transition from FCS to FBS and won the 2024 Conference USA title before leaving to return to West Virginia.

For related stories, Mike Asti explains what he believes to be Rich Rodriguez’s strategy with the quarterback position going into spring ball.

Find more coverage of Rich Rodriguez at WV Sports Now.