Rich Rodriguez made it clear what he looked for when putting his coaching staff together and how they have been able to work together as they move through spring practices.
Rodriguez had to hire almost an entire new staff when he came over to WVU, covering almost every position and assistant, bringing a mix of former players and new names from around the country. “Good coaches can fit in anywhere, and they can fit with any scheme. I didn’t look at anyone with a certain scheme,” Rodriguez said.
He mentioned moving some coaches around to fit what he believes to be their strengths and form an even better, more experienced staff. He mentioned Blaine Stewart as an example because he was rehired as the inside receivers coach after spending the previous two years coaching the tight ends. He spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an assistant coach, and Rich Rod thought he could bring valuable experience to the inside receivers.
Rodriguez later mentioned Pat White and Noel Devine as they take a huge step forward in their coaching careers and how they have fit in so far in their new roles.
“Just because you were a great player doesn’t make you a great coach. Some coaches think the average players make really good coaches because they had to do all the extra stuff. I don’t really believe that,” Rodriguez said. “They’re fitting in great, they’re listening, when I get on them I get on them, they’re learning how to coach.”
WVU finalized their coaching staff with the recent hire of Larry Porter, former UNC running backs coach who brings over two decades of experience. Porter was highly regarded around the country as a great recruiter and developer of talent. He played crucial roles in developing potential first-round pick Omarion Hampton and other 1,000-yard rushers throughout his career.
