Rich Rodriguez Explains Why Rhett, Pat White Are ‘Right’ Hires for WVU

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – After returning to WVU and taking over the job of leading the Mountaineers in December, Rich Rodriguez spent most of his offseason recruiting. Rodriguez’s recruiting hasn’t just been about bringing in new players either, it’s also centered around building his coaching staff, one much larger than what Neal Brown had, granted more at the size of the top programs.

Rodriguez’s staff is full of coaches he knows and former players he trusts. That doesn’t mean that familiarity outweighs their qualifications, but it’s a clear commonality of everyone on the staff. And the assistant he’s known longer than any other is the one in charge of the most important position on the field.

Rhett Rodriguez is Rich’s son and he’s also his quarterbacks coach. While some may roll their eyes at this hire, Rich Rodriguez knows he made the “right” hire because he knows his son knows his system. Despite Rhett’s lack of coaching experience, he’s been around his father’s system longer anyone.

WVU HC Rich Rodriguez brings up how much they know his system as why he feels Rhett Rodriguez and Pat White were the right hires to help the quarterbacks. He also said their calmer personalities also help balance him for the players.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) February 27, 2025

The other coach helping to mold the quarterbacks is arguably the greatest to ever play the position at the school. From the moment Rodriguez’s was announced as making a comeback to West Virginia, fans instantly started hoping Pat White would join him. It may have taken a bit longer than most expected, but White was eventually revealed as the assistant quarterbacks coach and special assistant to the head coach, working under both his former coach and Rhett.

“First off, they know the system. And not only do they know it, they played in it. Rhett’s played in it and has known it forever. Pat’s obviously played in it,” explained Rich Rodriguez about why both Rhett and White are ready to serve on a Power Four staff.

“I told Pat when I hired him that ‘I’m not hiring you because of what you did back in the 2000s, I’m hiring you because I think you can help us win now.’ It’s a team game but the most important position that has to be coached well is the quarterback.”

Rodriguez even mentioned that their personalities balance out his perfectly when dealing with players. They are much calmer and counteract his tougher “hard edge” way of communicating with a cooler demeanor when necessary.

Of course, the two hires are vastly different as well. Rhett is being cast into a critical role as he starts his coaching career, although he did serve as an analyst at Jacksonville State. But fortunately for him, he does know the system he’s teaching extremely well and is working for a coach who wants him to succeed, just like any father, as much as he wants that for himself.

As for White, he’s not a typical “giving a former player a chance” type of hire by any means.

White’s coaching resume speaks to why he does make sense for a spot on Rodriguez’s staff. Most know White as one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in college football history, but White getting a job isn’t the same as any former player returning to be coach back at their alma mater.

Since wrapping up his playing days, White has spent many years coaching all over the country at several different levels of football. He’s coached in various different roles at places like Alcorn State, Alabama State, Campbell, USF and most recently as an offensive assistant with the Los Angeles Chargers.

White even coached in WVU’s 2024 Gold-Blue Spring Game (now Showcase).

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

“It’s really special to welcome Pat White back to Morgantown as a member of our football coaching staff,” Rodriguez said about bringing White home. “He has been involved in some of the biggest wins in program history, and he will be a great presence in our quarterback room. Pat and I have been through so much together, and I am really proud of the quality of coach and mentor to young players that he has become.”

But, of course, having White around also brings back a sense of nostalgia for fans, much the same way Rodriguez does now that he’s embarking on a second tenure as coach.

Courtesy of WVU Athletics

Courtesy of WVU Athletics

In keeping with the theme of this “blast from the past” era for the Mountaineers, Rodriguez knows every move he makes will be heavily scrutinized if he doesn’t win. And he also knows the only way he can ensure his coaching staff will be viewed in a positive light is West Virginia winning games. Winning will be the only way he can answer any critics and quiet any doubters.

For related content, Mike Asti and Cody Nespor reacted to the news about WVU hiring Pat White live with fans.