WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez is officially back in Morgantown for his second stint as the head football coach after coaching for the university from 2001-2007 before leaving for the job at the University of Michigan.
Rodriguez is the third-winningest coach in WVU football history with a 60-26 record during his seven seasons leading the gold and blue. During that time the team accomplished multiple feats such as three shared Big East titles, one outright Big East Championship, and wins in the Sugar and Gator bowls.
On Friday afternoon, WVU held an introductory press conference that kicked off with The Pat Mcafee Show live from the coliseum. McAfee, a former player under Rodriguez, has been vocal in his support for his former head coach to return to Morgantown during WVU’s coaching search.
Rodriguez expressed a lot of gratitude and appreciation for both the university and the state of West Virginia throughout his opening statement and admitted that leaving the school in the first place was a mistake.
“I get to coach at the greatest university in the country. I get to live in the greatest state in the union, and most importantly I get to be around the best people you can be around,” Rodriguez said after visually being overcome by his emotions.
Earlier in the new head coach’s opening speech, Rodriguez spoke about bringing back the tough, gritty culture that he built in his first tenure with the team.
“(You fans) can sit in those stands, especially at West Virginia, and watch your team and tell if they are playing hard. Y’all can do that, I don’t make a lot of promises and all that stuff, when you turn it on and watch West Virginia play, they will play their asses off.”
When Rich Rodriguez left the Mountaineers in 2007, many West Virginia fans were left with a sour taste in their mouths. WVU seems to have given him another chance and gave him a warm welcome back to Morgantown.
It appeared very important to Rodriguez to send a message to the fans who might still have the doubts about his return. “I will earn your trust; we will earn your trust,”
After fighting back tears multiple times throughout his speech and thanking the countless former players in attendance for their support, it was evident Rodriquez is determined to make things right.
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