RETIREMENT PLAN: West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez Buys $39M Georgia Ranch for Ultimate Outdoor Playground: “I Wanted a Place to Wakesurf, Hunt and Build a Racetrack with My Family
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez has stunned the college football world—not with a bold play call or a new offensive scheme—but with a jaw-dropping $39 million purchase of a sprawling Georgia ranch. The longtime coaching veteran, who has never shied away from high energy on the sidelines, now appears to be setting the stage for a future filled with adrenaline-fueled recreation, family bonding, and perhaps even a slower pace of life… eventually.
The luxurious property, located on the shores of Lake Oconee, spans thousands of acres and boasts a private lakefront perfect for wakesurfing, dense woodlands ideal for hunting, and enough flat terrain for Rodriguez’s latest passion project: a personal racetrack.
“I’ve always said that football is what I do, but family is who I am,” Rodriguez told reporters during a casual media tour of the ranch. “I wanted a place where I could combine the thrill of the outdoors with time well spent with my kids and grandkids. This is that place.”
The estate, nicknamed “RR Ranch” by locals already buzzing with curiosity, includes a 15,000-square-foot main lodge with panoramic lake views, multiple guest cabins, a private boat dock, and a hangar-ready airstrip. According to property insiders, the ranch also features a custom-designed workshop and garage, which will soon house a collection of vintage muscle cars and off-road ATVs—another of Rodriguez’s long-time interests.
Though Rodriguez has not announced any formal plans to retire, this purchase has ignited speculation about his long-term coaching future. After years spent leading programs like Michigan, Arizona, and now West Virginia, the 61-year-old coach appears to be planting the seeds for life beyond the gridiron.
“I’m not going anywhere yet,” Rodriguez clarified with a grin. “But when the day comes to hang up the headset, I want to do it on my terms—and somewhere I can have just as much fun.”
Sources close to Rodriguez say the ranch will serve as an offseason escape for now, where he can unwind from the intensity of college football. “He’s earned it,” said one West Virginia staff member. “Rich is one of the hardest-working guys in the game. If he wants to wakesurf in the morning and go wild boar hunting in the afternoon, he deserves it.”
The racetrack, still in the early stages of design, will reportedly be engineered to accommodate high-performance vehicles and family go-karts alike. “We’re going to build something unique—not just for me, but for future generations of my family,” Rodriguez said. “This ranch isn’t just a retirement toy—it’s a legacy.”
Rodriguez’s move echoes a broader trend among high-profile college coaches investing in extravagant rural properties. From leisure to legacy, these properties serve as retreats, business ventures, and symbols of a life’s work well-rewarded.
For now, Rodriguez remains focused on West Virginia’s upcoming season—but make no mistake: the roar of engines and the calm of the lake are waiting, just over the Georgia horizon.