Rodney Gallagher Offers Honest Thoughts About Rich Rodriguez’s ‘Hard Edge’ Style

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Rodney Gallagher was the top recruit of the Neal Brown era. He was as tied to Brown as any player for how close they were and how loyal he was to Brown. So once Brown was fired, few would’ve been able to blame Gallagher if he decided to leave as well. But Gallagher stayed and is now embracing being “hard edge” at WVU.

While talking to the media for the first time this spring, Gallagher cleared up any confusion about his personal decision after the 2024 season. Gallagher says he wanted to meet Rich Rodriguez before making any decision about his future. Once he did talk with Rodriguez, he then realized it was in his best interest to remain a Mountaineer.

He said he really liked Rodriguez’s plan for him when they had their first meeting. And from that moment on, Gallagher has loved Rodriguez’s “hard edge” way of coaching. Gallagher even went as far as to say he “loves” the new staff.

WVU WR Rodney Gallagher says he wanted to meet Rich Rodriguez before making any decision about his future after Neal Brown was fired. He said he really liked Rodriguez’s plan for him when they had their first meeting.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) March 27, 2025

Gallagher believes Rodriguez’s tough way of coaching will make him better and help him reach his true potential.

“He really cares about us being better to get us to the next level,” said the third year wide receiver out nearby Western Pennsylvania.

As a player who embraces being coached, Gallagher admits Rodriguez works his players harder than most coaches, but that’s exactly why he believes West Virginia will win. Gallagher even pointed to Rodriguez’s mentality as what could allow the Mountaineers to contend right away in the Big 12 and beyond.

To his credit, Gallagher took a big step during his sophomore year in 2024, making 26 receptions for 288 yards and scoring three touchdowns. He had only 10 catches for 74 yards in limited time as a freshman.

A product of nearby Western Pennsylvania based Laurel Highlands High School, Gallagher is now listed at 5-foot-10 and 178 pounds.

There was talk that Gallagher, who did return a couple punts in 2024, would be used as WVU’s main returner in 2025 by Brown in the past. It remains to be seen if that’s the case moving forward now with Rodriguez making the decisions, although it’s at least clear he won’t be taking any snaps on defense again.

West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III (24) pulls down a touchdown catch against the UCF Knights during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va. (WVSN photo by William Wotring)

WVU special teams coordinator Pat Kirkland did offer his thoughts about the possibility of Gallagher as a returner. Kirkland said Gallagher could be a “tremendous returner” and is great with the ball, but clarified that they are evaluating seven guys for the role and have nothing figured out yet.

“If Rodney is playing both ways, then we did a crappy job of filling our roster,” responded Rodriguez to a direct question about the possibility of Gallagher getting any reps on defense again. That said, Gallagher’s overall role is still unclear.

For a related story, WVU linebacker Reid Carrico talks about his increased role as a leader in 2025.