MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Mountaineer Nation, the prodigal son is back! After 17 years, Rich Rodriguez has returned to lead West Virginia University’s football program as its 36th head coach, igniting a wave of nostalgia and sky-high expectations for the 2025 season. From 2001 to 2007, Rodriguez transformed WVU into a national powerhouse, posting a 60-26 record, winning four Big East titles, and nearly clinching a national championship berth in 2007. Now, with a new era dawning in Morgantown, can “Rich Rod” recapture the magic and guide the Mountaineers back to glory in the wide-open Big 12? Let’s break down what his return means and what fans can expect in 2025.
A Homecoming Fueled by Redemption
Rodriguez’s return is more than a coaching hire—it’s a homecoming for a West Virginia native who played under Don Nehlen and understands the Mountaineer spirit. His first stint at WVU was legendary, with three top-10 AP poll finishes and a high-octane spread-option offense that dazzled fans. However, his departure to Michigan in 2007, after a heartbreaking 13-9 loss to Pitt, left scars. Rodriguez has owned that mistake, saying, “I never should have left,” during his emotional re-introduction at the WVU Coliseum. With boosters like Pat McAfee and Ken Kendrick backing him, Rodriguez is poised to mend fences and write a redemption story.
The 2025 season offers a perfect stage. The Big 12 is unpredictable, and the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff means a conference title could secure a national championship shot. Rodriguez is focused on building a fast, passionate team, emphasizing disciplined practices and a “hard edge” culture. His ban on TikTok dances for players underscores his team-first mentality, a nod to the gritty Mountaineer ethos.
The 2025 Schedule: Opportunities and Challenges
The 2025 schedule is a mix of winnable games and high-stakes rivalries, setting the stage for Rodriguez’s comeback. The season kicks off at home against Robert Morris on August 31, followed by a road trip to Ohio and the highly anticipated Backyard Brawl against Pitt on September 13. The date—9/13—evokes memories of the 2007 upset (13-9), making this game a must-watch for fans craving revenge. Big 12 play starts with a road game at Kansas on September 20, followed by home games against Utah, TCU, Colorado, and Texas Tech.
With only five home games against FBS opponents, establishing a home-field advantage at Milan Puskar Stadium is crucial. Last season, WVU went 2-4 at home against FBS teams, losing by an average of 18.5 points. Rodriguez aims to make Morgantown a fortress again, leveraging fan energy and his spread offense to compete in winnable games. The bye weeks, though awkwardly timed, offer strategic breaks before tough matchups like Arizona State on November 15.
Roster Rebuild and Recruiting Buzz
Rodriguez inherited a roster in flux, with 43 scholarship players exiting via the transfer portal and 19 seniors graduating. To counter this, he’s aggressively rebuilt through the portal, adding 40 transfers and 11 high school or JUCO recruits, including standouts like JUCO defensive back Kaleb Gray and UNLV linebacker John Lewis. His goal is to finalize the roster by July, ensuring chemistry before fall camp. Rodriguez’s spread offense, tailored for dual-threat quarterbacks, will rely on new faces to gel quickly, while his staff—including former stars Pat White (quarterbacks coach) and Noel Devine (running backs coach)—instills his vision.
The Country Roads Trust is expected to see increased NIL donations, giving Rodriguez resources to attract top talent. Fans are buzzing about prospects who could become the next Pat White or Steve Slaton, with Rodriguez’s recruiting prowess already drawing comparisons to his 2005-07 dynasty.
What to Expect in 2025
Realistic expectations balance optimism with patience. Aiming for a bowl game is the baseline, but fans hope for more. A 3-2 record or better in home FBS games is essential, with winnable matchups against Pitt, Utah, and Colorado. Upsetting a Big 12 contender like Texas Tech or BYU could signal a return to prominence. While a top-four Big 12 finish may be ambitious with so many new players, Rodriguez’s track record—most recently leading Jacksonville State to a Conference USA title—suggests he can exceed expectations.
The key will be competitiveness. Rodriguez’s teams are known for speed and physicality, and his ability to adapt his spread offense to modern college football’s transfer portal and NIL landscape will be tested. If he can harness the passion of Mountaineer Nation and deliver a signature win, like the Backyard Brawl, 2025 could mark the start of a new golden era.
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