In a surprising twist to the search for a new head coach, West Virginia University is reportedly targeting former Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez after interviewing Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. The move comes as the university looks to fill the void left by Neal Brown, who was let go after the team’s underwhelming performance this season.
Rodriguez, who served as West Virginia’s head coach from 2001 to 2007, built a successful program, leading the Mountaineers to multiple top-10 finishes and a memorable 2007 Fiesta Bowl win. His innovative spread offense revolutionized college football at the time, making him a popular figure in Morgantown. Following his tenure at West Virginia, Rodriguez went on to coach at the University of Michigan and Arizona, where he continued to implement his offensive system with varying degrees of success.
The decision to target Rodriguez comes after West Virginia’s interview with Hartline, who has garnered significant attention for his work at Ohio State. Hartline, a former wide receiver in the NFL, has developed into one of the most respected offensive minds in the college ranks, especially known for his ability to develop wide receivers. However, the Mountaineers appear to be shifting their focus to Rodriguez, whose familiarity with the program and past success in Morgantown gives him an edge.
While Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia would be a homecoming of sorts, it could also inject new energy into the program, which has struggled to consistently compete in the Big 12 under Brown. Fans and alumni are eagerly awaiting an announcement, with many hopeful that Rodriguez can restore the glory days of Mountaineer football and lead the team back to prominence in college football.
