Rich Rodriguez Teases West Virginia Employing a Multi-QB System

When Rich Rodriguez continuously emphasizes something, it’s wise to believe him. And on Monday night, WVU’s head coach reiterated something he first brought up months ago concerning his quarterbacks.

During the first “Rich Rodriguez Show” of the season, Rodriguez teased possibly employing a two-quarterback system.

“We will definitely play multiple quarterbacks on Saturday, and that will probably be the case every week. I’m not opposed to playing multiple guys,” explained Rodriguez when asked if whoever doesn’t start will see the field.

Rodriguez has yet to name his starting quarterback, granted most expect Nicco Marchiol to be under center when West Virginia kicks off the 2025 season against Robert Morris on Saturday.

Opening with an FCS opponent should allow time to play backups, but Rodriguez’s comments make it seem like he’s planning to use multiple quarterbacks throughout the entire season.

“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,” said Rodriguez earlier in the offseason.

So instead of a typical QB1 and QB2 situation, it could be possible Marchiol and Jaylen Henderson, the two quarterbacks believed to be battling for the starting job, are more of 1A and 1B.

WVU quarterback Jaylen Henderson drops back to throw a pass during the 2025 Gold-Blue Showcase event. (WVSN photo by Kelsey LeRose)

Rodriguez has continuously emphasized that he will try to get any player who shows he’s good enough to help the team on the field as much as possible. Even though there can only be one starting quarterback, that mentality doesn’t exclude his quarterbacks, especially since he’s confident in his system and the group as a whole.

Rodriguez believes his system is “quarterback centric” and he’s intentionally made it “freshman proof” and easy to learn. He’s done this intentionally in case he loses a player to the transfer portal or an injury.

Rodriguez even hinted at finally unveiling a depth chart, granted it will be one that will still leave plenty to the imagination.

“But it’ll have a lot of ORs. We want to play the most guys in the country in week one. But they need to be good enough to win, I won’t play someone just to play him. But we do want to get a lot of guys in.”

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

For a related story, West Virginia’s offense may look different than most expect.