Rich Rodriguez Eyes Quick Success for West Virginia in Big 12
In his return as head coach, Rich Rodriguez is determined to restore West Virginia’s prominence in the Big 12, aiming for competitive excellence from the get-go. During an appearance on the College GameDay Podcast, Rodriguez stated that not contending for the conference championship by November would mark a disappointing season.
Rodriguez, who previously led the Mountaineers to four Big East titles, underscored the high expectations he has set for the team. “I’ve gotten too old for coach-speak. If we’re not in contention for the conference championship in November, then I think it’s not a good year,” he remarked.
Since their last significant achievement in the Big 12 in 2018, when they placed third under former coach Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia has struggled, with Neal Brown failing to secure better than a fourth-place finish during his tenure. The Mountaineers have yet to win a Big 12 title, with their last conference championship dating back to 2012.
The Big 12 is known for its unpredictability, as demonstrated by Arizona State’s surprising championship victory last season. Rodriguez emphasized that the ultimate goal is to win the league, which would pave the way for a shot at the College Football Playoff. "If you win the league, you’re going to be in the Playoff," he said.
Like his first tenure where he turned around a struggling program, Rodriguez faces another rebuilding challenge. West Virginia is set to unveil a revamped roster when they open the season against Robert Morris on August 30, with their Big 12 campaign kicking off on September 20 against Kansas. Rodriguez aims to reclaim the glory days of Mountaineer football and expects to do so with an immediate impact.
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