MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – New reporting Saturday morning suggests that Jacksonville State Head Coach Rich Rodriguez is indeed in the mix for the head coaching job at West Virginia University (WVU).
The newest report comes from college football analyst & insider Brett McMurphy who took to X/Twitter on Saturday morning to state that Rodriguez is among the candidates being considered for the job but is not the “clear cut favorite.”
Murphy reports that Rodriguez is among the leading candidates, though.
This comes following Jacksonville State’s overwhelming 52-12 victory over Western Kentucky in the Conference USA Championship Friday night.
In the post-game press conference, Rodriguez denied reports that he was being interviewed for the job.
“The reports, just rumors, right? Total rumors,” Rodriguez said. “My focus has been on these guys at Jax State, and they’ll continue to be. If any coach gets rumored for a job, it’s probably because his players and his coaches are doing pretty good,” Rodriguez said.
“So, if I’m rumored for any job, then it’s because these guys and their teammates are doing a good job.”
Rodriguez first rose to prominence at West Virginia University (2001–2007), where he led the Mountaineers to a 60-26 record, including three 10-win seasons, four Big East Conference championships, and a memorable Sugar Bowl victory in 2005.
Rodriguez took the head coaching position at Michigan in 2007, which resulted in many West Virginia fans having a disdain for him due to the way he left.
The reports have created mixed feelings among fans on social media with some saying people change and that he’s a proven winner and those who believe WVU should not give him another chance because of his actions.
Former WVU standout and media-start Pat McAfee has voiced support for his former coach as has McAfee’s former teammate Adam “Pacman” Jones.
