Rich Rodriguez on Taking Care of Football: ‘Would You Leave Program Lying Around?’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Rich Rodriguez is always good for a one-liner or a funny phrase that helps make his point. He’s already in full swing early in fall camp.

After a much better practice than the day prior, Rodriguez said he told his team that they need to think of the football as the program and that they’re carrying the whole program, not just a football.

“Would you just leave the program lying around? Would you want someone else to get their hands on the program?,” said Rodriguez while speaking with the media on Friday.

In one regard, Rodriguez is, of course, telling his offensive weapons, namely the running backs, to take care of the football. That’s something every coach harps on.

But on the other hand, he’s also emphasizing the importance of being smart and showing him you’re worthy of being a Mountaineer.

Rodriguez often emphasizes requiring players show him he can win with them. He even tells players to not worry about the depth chart right now, and to instead focus on proving their desire, both on and off the field.

And proving yourself to Rodriguez is respecting the program and football just the same. Rodriguez takes a player loafing and being “soft” as disrespectful, not only to him but also to the program itself.

Find more coverage of Rich Rodriguez and the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti explains an increased intensity towards the end of the first week of fall camp.