Virginia HC Tony Elliott Describes Playing for Rich Rodriguez Ahead of Matchup

Saturday night’s premiere matchup between West Virginia and Virginia will be more than a border war. The game will also be put a coach vs. his former player, as Rich Rodriguez will try to make a statement against Tony Elliot.

Early in Rodriguez’s career, years before he took over the Mountaineers the first time, he served as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Clemson. And ironically enough based on where they are today, Elliot was a wide receiver under Rodriguez on those same Clemson teams.

Now leading up to going head-to-head, both as head coaches, Elliott talked about what it was like playing for Rodriguez and how much who the now 63-year-old head coach became was evident back then.

“What I remember about coach Rich Rod is…intense, very intense, very demanding, fast pace. He coached you hard, loved you just as hard,” said Elliot. He then added that he’s excited for the opportunity, meaning the chance to lead his No. 25 ranked Cavaliers team into battle against Rodriguez’s West Virginia squad, one that some feel is on the rise again.

WVU defensive coordinator Zac Alley also has a connection to Elliot, having worked together at Clemson, including two national championship teams (2016, 2018). Alley just getting his coaching career started was a grad assistant while Elliot transitioned from running backs coach to one of the top offensive coordinators in college football during the Tigers’ dynasty years.

When asked what it was working with Elliot, Alley praised his old colleague as always being “consistent” no matter what. “Tony’s the same guy every day. He comes to work. And he’s an amazing dad and an amazing coach, an aiming leader. All those things are very true about his character and who he is,” said Alley.

West Virginia is slated to battle Virginia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday at 7:30 pm ET.

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