West Virginia football head coach Rich Rodriguez joined Chris Vannini and David Ubben on their podcast “Until Saturday” to reflect on returning home to the Mountaineer dynasty. Rodriguez also brought up his previous opportunity to coach at Alabama.
After Rodriguez abruptly left West Virginia following an impressive seven-year stint, Mountaineer fans weren’t impressed. He now returns to make things right after leading Jacksonville State to a winning season securing a conference championship.
“Then when Wren (Baker) came down with a couple of other administrators to my house in Jacksonville for an interview after the championship game, we had a great conversation,” Rodriguez said. “Then I started thinking, well, this could be my last move and boy, what a neat last move it’s going to be.”
Rodriguez shared he is “thrilled” to be back in his home state. While there is always a chance for negativity, he plans to brush it aside and work towards the task he promised: bringing winning football back to Morgantown.
In 2006, Rodriguez was offered the head coaching position at Alabama. He turned down the offer to remain at West Virginia leading the Mountaineers to a No. 3 start at the beginning of the 2007 season. After a devastating loss in the Backyard Brawl and unfinished business, Rodriguez left to become the head coach at Michigan.
“Despite what the rumors were, I never did tell them I was going. I never did accept the job even though it’s Alabama,” Rodriguez said. “I told them I deserve a statue down in Tuscaloosa too.”
Rodriguez claimed he is part of the reason Alabama won six national championships. After he turned down the position, they hired Nick Saban, who led the Crimson Tide to success.
Rodriguez heads into the season with a positive mindset in hopes to bring a conference championship home to Morgantown, something the Mountaineers have not seen since being in the Big 12.
