West Virginia Adds Key Position to Help Guide WVU Football Program

Slowly but surely, Rich Rodriguez is putting together his staff at West Virginia. And while some may not view it as high profile as the actual coaches, a key  to help guide the WVU football program has now been filled.

While there’s been no official announcement yet, WV Sports Now can confirm Cole Dial will serve as the assistant athletics director for football operations. Dial has even added his new position to his profile on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Dial, who previously served as the director of football operations at Jacksonville State, follows Rodriguez to West Virginia to help assemble the roster and assist in leading the direction of the football program. Dial’s job does not extend to working with the rest of WVU sports and will focus solely on football.

Dial has already been recruiting players and posted about why athletes should join Rodriguez at WVU earlier in the week.

“If you’re a dual threat QB or a stud RB why wouldn’t you want to come play in Rodriguez’s offense at WVU?,” said Dial.

If you’re a dual threat QB or a stud RB why wouldn’t you want to come play in @RealCoachRod offense @WVUfootball #HardEdge #EarnSuccess https://t.co/3CgLp5awyy

— Cole Dial (@dialcole13) December 24, 2024

Below is more information about Dial from the Jacksonville State staff directory.

“Cole Dial joined Rich Rodriguez’s staff at Jacksonville State in December of 2021 as the Gamecocks Director of Football Operations.

Dial came to JSU from ULM, where he spent five seasons. He was the Warhawks’ Director of Football Operations in 2021 after spending the previous four seasons as their Director of Recruiting and Player Personnel.

Dial played an integral role in helping ULM sign the Sun Belt Conference’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2017, according to Rivals.com.

Prior to joining ULM in 2016, Dial spent six years working with the Syracuse University football program (2010-15). From 2010-2012, he served as the quality control for administrative support/special teams before moving into the role of operations and recruiting administrator in the fall of 2013. His recruiting efforts helped the Orange sign their highest-rated recruiting class in 15 years.

The Marietta, Ga., native started his career in athletics as a community coach at Walton High School in Marietta from 2008-10.

Dial received a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Reinhardt University in 2010.”

For a related story, Rich Rodriguez shares his timeline to officially announce his New WVU football staff.

Find more coverage of Rich Rodriguez and his return to WVU at WV Sports Now.