Thursday morning brought exciting news as West Virginia's Director of Athletics, Wren Baker, made it official. Rich Rodriguez is set to return to Morgantown and take on the role of the head football coach for the Mountaineers. This move has sparked a lot of excitement among fans and the football community alike.

"Rich Rodriguez's Journey Back to West Virginia Football"

Rich Rodriguez's Previous Tenure at West Virginia

Rich Rodriguez, a native of Grant Town, West Virginia, previously served as the head coach for the Mountaineers from 2001 to 2007. During this time, he compiled an impressive 60-26 record, becoming the second-winningest coach in program history, trailing only Don Nehlen. His leadership and coaching skills during this period left a lasting impact on the team and the university.Even though Dana Holgorsen surpassed him in total wins, Rodriguez still holds a significant place in the history of West Virginia football. Based on win percentage, he remains the third-winningest coach, behind only Clarence Spears and Bill Stewart. His ability to lead the team to success and build a winning culture is widely recognized.

His Journey Beyond West Virginia

After leaving West Virginia, Rodriguez embarked on a new chapter in his coaching career. He spent three years as the head coach at Michigan, where he faced various challenges and opportunities. His time at Michigan allowed him to gain valuable experience and refine his coaching strategies.Following that, he served as the lead man for the Arizona Wildcats from 2012 to 2017. During his six years at Arizona, he won 43 games, becoming that program's third-winningest coach. His success at Arizona demonstrated his ability to adapt to different coaching environments and lead teams to victory.

His Latest Challenge at Jacksonville State

In his latest coaching assignment, Rodriguez was tasked with helping Jacksonville State make the transition from FCS to FBS. And he did it in style. The Gamecocks became the first team in college football history to reach a bowl game in each of their first two seasons after making the jump up a level. This achievement is a testament to Rodriguez's coaching abilities and his ability to guide a team through a significant transition.Not only did Jax State reach the bowl games, but they also won the Conference-USA championship over Western Kentucky in a convincing fashion, with a score of 52-12. This victory showcased Rodriguez's ability to lead his team to dominate performances and achieve great success.West Virginia fans are eagerly anticipating Rodriguez's return and the impact he will have on the program. His experience, leadership, and coaching prowess make him a valuable asset to the Mountaineers, and there is a sense of excitement and optimism surrounding his return.