While expectations might not be too high for WVU football's upcoming 2025 season, it seems at least a few people think the program's hire of Rich Rodriguez is a step in the right direction.
The Mountaineers aren't getting a ton of love looking ahead to this fall -- the Kelley Ford Ratings project West Virginia to finish last in the Big 12 standings and Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports recently listed WVU at14th in his 2025 Big 12 football predictions. But while Lassan, among others, isn't optimistic about the Mountaineers immediate prospects, he seems to be on board with the idea of Rodriguez returning to lead the program once more.
In Athlon's 2025 college football preview magazine, Lassan issued a report card style grade to each new coaching hire at the FBS level -- and he shared some high praise for the Rodriguez hire, grading the move an A+.
“The West Virginia native went 60-26 from 2001- 07 with the Mountaineers before making the big jump to Michigan. After a disastrous 21-27 stint and acrimonious departure for Michigan, Rodriguez went 43-35 at Arizona (2012-17) and finished 27-10 at Jacksonville State (2022-24),” Lassan wrote.
“Rodriguez has won at nearly every stop in his coaching career. He’ll be eager to get redemption after a messy breakup from his alma mater in ’07.”
Rodriguez would himself likely agree with both Athlon's grade of his hiring and Lassan's assessment on the Grant Town, W.Va native's desire for redemption. According to Rodriguez's interview during WVU's appearance in the Frisco Bowl last December, he has lofty goals for his return to Morgantown.
We’re committed to winning a national championship at West Virginia," Rodriguez said.