BREAKING: West Virginia Mountaineers Head Coach Rich Rodriguez Rejects Historic $28M NIL Offer from Virginia Tech — “My Loyalty Lies with Mountaineers. This Is Home.”
In an era where loyalty in college football often takes a backseat to multi-million dollar Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, West Virginia Mountaineers Head Coach Rich Rodriguez has stunned the nation with a powerful statement of allegiance. The 62-year-old coaching veteran, who recently inked a groundbreaking $15 million NIL-endorsed partnership to support player development and recruitment within the WVU program, has reportedly rejected a record-setting $28 million NIL-coaching offer from ACC rival Virginia Tech.
The offer, which sources confirm would have made Rodriguez the highest-paid NIL-supported coach in NCAA football history, came with a promise: total control of the Hokies’ football program, state-of-the-art facility upgrades, and a multi-year NIL war chest aimed at rebuilding Virginia Tech into a perennial playoff contender.
But Rodriguez didn’t hesitate.
> “I’ve coached a lot of places, but this is different,” Rodriguez said Tuesday afternoon at a press conference held in Morgantown. “This isn’t just a job. This is where my blood runs gold and blue. My loyalty lies with the Mountaineers — this is home.”
The announcement drew cheers and chants of “Let’s go, Mountaineers!” from students, alumni, and boosters packed into the Puskar Center. Rodriguez, known for his passionate sideline energy and deep Appalachian roots, stood firm in his reasoning: no amount of money could match what West Virginia represents to him and his family.
Rodriguez’s Triumphant Return
After a controversial exit from WVU in 2007 to coach at Michigan — a move still discussed in Mountaineer lore — Rodriguez returned in 2024 under a wave of both nostalgia and scrutiny. But in just one season, he silenced doubters, leading the Mountaineers to a 10-2 record, a New Year’s Six bowl berth, and the program’s most aggressive NIL restructuring in school history.
The $15 million NIL deal, announced in June, was not a personal paycheck but a player-focused initiative tied to Rodriguez’s name and image. The deal funded scholarships, upgraded recovery facilities, and launched a West Virginia-branded athlete endorsement platform, Mountaineer Made, giving players access to national brand partnerships.
That deal was enough to elevate WVU’s recruiting class to a Top 15 national ranking — its highest in over a decade.
Virginia Tech’s Tempting Offer
According to insiders, Virginia Tech approached Rodriguez’s camp with a fully backed $28 million NIL-coaching hybrid contract. The offer included:
A guaranteed $12M personal salary over 5 years
$10M annually in player NIL fund allocations
$6M in facility enhancements named in Rodriguez’s honor
Virginia Tech Athletic Director Blake Corrigan confirmed the offer in a statement:
> “Coach Rodriguez was our top target. We respect his decision and admire his commitment to his current program. College football needs more leaders like him.”
The Fallout and the Message
By turning down the offer, Rodriguez has sent a message across college football: values still matter.
> “This isn’t just about money,” Rodriguez said. “It’s about building something that lasts. My heart’s here in Morgantown. My players, this staff, this state — they’ve believed in me. And I’m not walking away from that.”
Boosters and former players, including Pat White and Steve Slaton, expressed their support on social media, with White tweeting: “Coach Rod said no to $28M?! THAT’S West Virginia pride right there. Mountaineer forever.”
As the 2025 season approaches, West Virginia fans know two things for certain: their coach is all-in, and their program is on the rise.
Fictional Report by ChatGPT Sports Bureau | July 29, 2025
