Rich Rodriguez Offers Surprising Revelation About WVU Offense

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU fans have a certain expectation for a Rich Rodriguez offense, both from what they saw during his first tenure two decades ago and even what they know he ran in recent years at Jacksonville State. But with the regular season just a few weeks away, Rodriguez revealed something about the offense’s preparation that left fans a bit confused.

Even going back to the spring, Rodriguez has openly admitted fans may be surprised by some differences in what the offense will look like in 2025 than what it did in 2007, or even 2024 in Conference USA. He then offered a bit more after practice on Monday.

Rodriguez responded “probably” when asked if the offense may pass more than people are expecting. He then added that he’s installed more passing plays than run plays to this point. Rodriguez didn’t elaborate much further, which does leave room for speculation on why that might be the case.

For one, Rodriguez knows West Virginia will need to have a balanced offense, especially in a Big 12 that’s home to so many veteran quarterbacks. Another factor is pass plays require more work to perfect.

It’s also possible the offensive line is more comfortable at pass blocking than run blocking and Rodriguez is catering to them in this way. In all likelihood, it’s a combination of all of the above.

Rodriguez explained that Pat White-like speed is not a requirement for a quarterback to have success in his offense. He pointed to his last Jacksonville State quarterback, Tyler Huff, rushing for 1,344 yards last season. Huff compares a lot more to WVU’s Nicco Marchiol or Jaylen Henderson than he would White or Rasheed Marshall from Rodriguez’s West Virginia past.

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

Huff threw for 2,543 yards on 294 pass attempts for the Gamecocks as well. Being a willing runner is key for Rodriguez in his quarterback, something he’s continually said he sees in Marchiol, Henderson and the rest of the quarterback room.

Rodriguez knows whoever he has under center will need to be able to make plays through the air and on the ground.

Rodriguez has been very secretive when it comes to naming a starter for 2025, even joking he will wait until just before kickoff of the season opener before making the announcement. However, he is open to playing more than one quarterback.

“Some coaches say if you have two, you have none; if you have three, you have none. I don’t believe that I say if you’re good enough to win, just play with them, that’s for any position including quarterback,” Rodriguez said at the Big 12 Media Days.

For a related story, WVU quarterback Nicco Marchiol discussed why he fits well in Rich Rodriguez’s offense.