Rich Rodriguez Returns Home: A Mountaineer’s Heartfelt Reunion with WVU and “Country Roads”
Morgantown, WV — For Rich Rodriguez, the echoes of the past still resonate through the hills of West Virginia. Now back at West Virginia University, where his coaching legacy first truly took shape, Rodriguez is embracing a homecoming that runs far deeper than football.
“This place made me who I am,” Rodriguez said, visibly emotional during a recent sit-down with WVU media. “It’s not just about coming back to coach. It’s about coming home.”
Rodriguez, who served as WVU’s head football coach from 2001 to 2007, helped usher in a golden era of Mountaineer football, leading the team to multiple Big East titles and three straight 11-win seasons. But beyond the wins and accolades, it’s the people, the culture, and the unmistakable pride of the Mountain State that have always stuck with him.
He describes walking through the WVU campus now as “surreal” — a blend of nostalgia and renewed purpose. “You see the Blue and Gold, you hear the chants, and you just know… there’s nothing like it,” he said.
But perhaps nothing captures the emotion of his return quite like the familiar strains of “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
“It still hits different,” Rodriguez admitted with a smile. “You can be anywhere in the world, but when that song plays—especially in front of 60,000 strong at Milan Puskar Stadium—it gives you chills. It’s not just a song here. It’s a connection. A reminder of who we are.”
Fans across the state and the country have welcomed Rodriguez back with open arms, flooding social media with messages of support and excitement. Many believe his return signals not only a reconnection with the program’s proud past, but also a promising new chapter ahead.
As Rodriguez settles back into life in Morgantown, one thing is clear: the bond between him and WVU remains unshakable. Whether it’s in the locker room, on the field, or simply hearing the crowd sing the final verse of “Country Roads,” Rich Rodriguez is right where he belongs.
“I’ve coached in a lot of places,” he said. “But nothing feels like this. This is home.”
#HailWV #OnceAMountaineerAlwaysAMountaineer #CountryRoads
