Rich Rodriguez Thanks Jacksonville State Administration, Players

It’s fair to say Rich Rodriguez would not have been named WVU football’s head coach today if it weren’t for Jacksonville State.

The Gamecocks gave Rodriguez his first head coach job in five years when they hired him in 2022 and he thanked his former institution on Thursday.

“It has truly been an honor and a privilege to be the head football coach at Jax State,” Rodriguez wrote on social media. “I am forever grateful for athletic director Greg Seitz, president Don Killingsworth and the board of trustees for the opportunity.”

Thank you Jax State !! pic.twitter.com/i9mAKFn5oj

— Rich Rodriguez (@RealCoachRod) December 12, 2024

Rodrigez led Jacksonville State to three straight nine-win seasons, helping the program transition from FCS to FBS in 2023. Rodriguez’s return to WVU comes on the heels of winning his first FBS conference title since his last one at WVU, as Jacksonville State dominated Western Kentucky 52-12 to claim the Conference USA crown.

“I want to give special thanks and overwhelming gratitude to the players and staff for their tremendous commitment to hard work and earned success,” Rodriguez wrote. “From transitioning into the FBS, to a bowl victory to winning the Conference UCS Championship, your legacy at Jax State will always be remembered.”

For a related story, Rich Rodriguez return sparks polarizing reaction for WVU fans.