“It’s Great to Be Home”: Rich Rodriguez Embraces West Virginia’s Country Roads
MORGANTOWN, WV – The familiar strains of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” echoed through the West Virginia University practice facility, a fitting soundtrack to the emotional return of Rich Rodriguez. As spring football practice concluded, a visibly moved Rodriguez, surrounded by his players, soaked in the anthem that is synonymous with the Mountain State and its beloved Mountaineers. For the Grant Town native, this second stint as head football coach isn’t just a job; it’s a homecoming, a full-circle moment he clearly cherishes.
“I told the players afterwards,” Rodriguez recounted, his voice tinged with genuine emotion, “playing ‘Country Roads,’ you know when that started, right?” He was referring to the tradition he himself helped establish back in 2002 during his first tenure in Morgantown, a tradition that has become an integral part of the gameday experience and a symbol of Mountaineer pride.
Rodriguez’s connection to West Virginia runs deep. He grew up here, played defensive back for the Mountaineers under legendary coach Don Nehlen, and then embarked on his coaching journey, which eventually led him to the head coaching position at his alma mater from 2001-2007. His departure for Michigan in 2007 was tumultuous, leaving many fans with lingering resentment. But time, and a shared love for the “Country Roads,” seems to have healed old wounds.
His time away saw him lead programs at Michigan, Arizona, and most recently, Jacksonville State, where he achieved significant success, including transitioning the Gamecocks from FCS to FBS. Yet, the pull of West Virginia remained strong. “I’d have been perfectly happy just finishing my career out there,” Rodriguez admitted in a recent podcast, “But the allure of home was simply too much to pass up in the end.”
The facilities at WVU have undergone significant upgrades since his last departure, a factor Rodriguez highlighted as he looked to the future. “I hadn’t seen the facility since I left and they did a fantastic job with our facility,” he noted. “And so all the pieces are in place for us to have a chance to win it all. And ultimately, that’s it.”
His return has been met with a mixture of excitement and cautious optimism from the Mountaineer faithful. Rodriguez has wasted no time in establishing his vision, emphasizing a fast-paced, high-tempo offense that was a hallmark of his previous success. He’s also expressed a desire to bring former players back into the fold, fostering a stronger connection between past and present.
For Rich Rodriguez, being back in Morgantown, under the shadow of the mountains, with “Country Roads” playing in the background, is more than just a job; it’s a redemption, a chance to finish his storied career where it all began. And by all accounts, he’s happy to be home.
