Rich Rodriguez Wins First FBS Conference Title Since Last at WVU

In the midst of rumors swirling that he’s destined to return to WVU, Rich Rodriguez accomplished something he hasn’t achieved since leaving West Virginia. Rodriguez won his first FBS conference title since 2007, as Jacksonville State dominated Western Kentucky 52-12 to claim the Conference USA crown.

The win was never in doubt for Rodriguez’s team on Friday night, gashing the Hill Toppers on the ground all night long. The Gamecocks ran for a total of 386 yards as a team.

𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑵𝑬𝑫 𝑺𝑼𝑪𝑪𝑬𝑺𝑺#HardEdge | #EarnSuccess pic.twitter.com/FUP2f0S15i

— Jax State Football (@JaxStateFB) December 7, 2024

The win came just hours after WV Sports Now was able to confirm an earlier report that Rodriguez is going to officially interview for the open WVU job.

Rich Rodriguez Set to Officially Interview for WVU Football Job

Rodriguez, a West Virginia native, currently holds a 190-128-2 overall coaching record. He experienced most of his success while leading the Mountaineers from 2001-2007. At WVU, Rodriguez won four Big East titles and was named conference Coach of the Year twice. He added a third Coach of the Year honor in the Pac-12 in 2014 with Arizona.

In November 2022, WVSN’s Mike Asti asked WVU legend Rasheed Marshall if he would ever want Rodriguez to return as head coach of the Mountaineers during an episode of their past “All Three Phases” podcast.

For a related story, Asti detailed why it’s important to look at the total picture of Rich Rodriguez’s career.