WVU Football
Rich Rodriguez Reveals Most Frustrating Part of WVU’s 2025 Season
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Rich Rodriguez isn’t one to hide frustration. It’s just not in his DNA to hold back, something that’s been evident throughout the 2025 season.
A list of what frustrates Rodriguez about how the season has unfolded knows no limit. West Virginia’s 2-6 record and 0-4 mark in Big 12 play is frustrating. The fact his team has been blown out by several conference opponents is beyond frustrating. The injuries he’s had to endure is, of course, frustrating, even though Rodriguez won’t let the injuries be an excuse for poor play. Watching his team make fundamental mistakes during games after more buttoned up all week in practice is crazy frustrating.
However, there’s something else that’s brought his frustration to another level at times. A lack of effort. Loafing. These are the things that are the most frustrating part of the season for Rodriguez.
“That’s probably the most frustrating part because that’s supposed to be a given from day one. If there’s one time a guy is not playing as hard as he possibly could, that’s one time way too many,” said a clearly frustrated Rodriguez during his weekly press conference ahead of his team’s trip to Houston.
The “Hard Edge” mentality demands bringing a max effort every day, every week, and obviously every single game. Rodriguez’s Mountaineers just haven’t done that.
WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez looks on after winning the 2025 season opener – his first win as West Virginia’s head coach since 2007. (WVSN photo by William Wotring)
Just from recent weeks, Rodriguez praised his team’s effort in a tough environment at BYU despite the loss. He then blasted his players for failing to bring the necessary effort after a 45-13 defeat to UCF, especially since they only trailed 14-7 at halftime and enjoyed an extra week off leading up to the game thanks to the bye.
And while he saw a better effort in a closer game – WVU only lost 23-17 to TCU, Rodriguez isn’t willing to say he’s confident that will be the case every week yet.
“Uh, but, you know, played harder, that was good. Guys didn’t quit. You know, probably is going to be mad after we watch the film. We left a lot of stuff out there. They had chances to win the game, but, you know, we gotta… Yeah, a lot of things to clean up,” said a still frustrated Rodriguez on Saturday after the game before eventually acknowledging the improved play.
Find more coverage of Rich Rodriguez and the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.
For a related story, Rich Rodriguez has no time for any talk of a “moral win” in the loss to TCU.
Fed up
October 30, 2025 at 2:27 pm
He has the right to be frustrated. It simply is not fair that his telling everyone how hard edged he is and how he is the master at instilling toughness in his teams is not enough for the team not to be outclassed in effort and ability.
If he says his magic words, he should get magic results. That’s how it works, isn’t it?
For all his ranting and raving and bragging on himself to have no real world impact as if he is merely a buffoonish gas bag full of hot air just does not make sense.
jackson five
October 30, 2025 at 6:11 pm
RR KEEPS TELLING EVERYONE THAT HE KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT,, WELL, AS THE SEASON HAS PROGRESSED , THE TEAM HAS GOT WORSE, EACH GAME IS A NEW FAILURE,,,
NOW WE REALLY CAN’T BLAME RR TO MUCH, BUT THE DONORS WHO INSISTED THAT HE BE HIRED, THOSE ARE THE BLAME FOR THE WORST SEASON IN HISTORY,,
BUT WHATEVER, I LIVE IN OHIO, I ALWAYS HAVE OHIO STATE, PEOPLE IN WESTERN PA, HAS PITT,,,AND THE VERY DONORS THAT DEMANDED HE BE HIRED, JUST DROPPED THEIR DONATION TO THE PROBGRAM,,, AND WHO COULD BLAME HIM,THEM.. THIS IS A TERRIBLE RECRUITING JOB, TERRIBLE COACHING JOB, AND TOLERATING THE DEAD BEATS ON THE FOOTBALL TEAM THAT HAVE GIVEN UP ON THE SEASON, AND THE SCREAMING RR DOES AND THINKS THAT’S THE BEST TEACHER,,,WHAT A REALLY SCREWED UP SEASON… PITIFUL, SAD,AND WHO SAYS NEXT YR WILL BE ANY BETTER,,
SO, THE HOUSTON GAME, THIS IS THE GAME WE CAN SHOW THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE MADE ATURNAROUND,,, LET’S WAIT AND SEE , SAT. AT 12 PM. LET’S GO MOUNTAINEERS.