West Virginia University President Gordon Gee was a guest speaker Tuesday at the Sports Business Forum Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, and he was prodded at the event about the potential of Rich Rodriguez being selected as the next head coach for WVU football amidst rumors circulating he's a finalist for the job.
In his response, firstreportedby college football insider Brett McMurphy of The Athletic, Gee gave a non-definitive answer but seemed as if he'd be open to Rodriguez as the coach. He also believes the fanbase would welcome the return.
"I think he would be well received by a large set of our population. He left in a very unruling matter. If he were to come back it would have to be as a prodigial son. Can he come back? I don't know. I've come back twice," Gee reportedly said.
West Virginia president Gordon Gee on possibility of Rich Rodriguez returning to WVU: "I think he would be well received by a large set of our population. He left in a very unruling matter. If he were to come back it would have to be as a prodigial son. Can he come back? I don't…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy)December 11, 2024
Rodriguez hasreportedlybeen in the mix for the job -- he is a West Virginia native and alum who served a stint as the program's head coach from 2001-2007 before taking the same job at Michigan. He finished 60-26 with five bowl appearances -- including two BCS bowls and two bowl victories -- during his tenure. He's currently the head coach at Jacksonville State University, where the program just captured their first-ever Conference USA championship.
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