ZERO DISCIPLINE: West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez Suspends 3 Key Players After Explosive Training Ground Outburst
In a stunning turn of events that has rocked Morgantown and sent shockwaves throughout the Big 12, West Virginia head football coach Rich Rodriguez has suspended three key players indefinitely following a reported explosive outburst during a heated training ground session.
Multiple sources inside the Mountaineer program confirmed that the incident took place during a closed-door team workout on Tuesday morning. What began as routine drills escalated into a volatile confrontation involving star linebacker Trevon Mack, wide receiver DeShawn Riley, and junior defensive back Malik Graves. The players, all expected to play major roles this season, were reportedly involved in a heated verbal altercation with members of the coaching staff and one another—an outburst that quickly spiraled out of control.
“Things got loud, emotional, and frankly unacceptable,” a source close to the program told The Athletic. “There was yelling, slamming of helmets, and at least one player had to be restrained by teammates. Coach Rodriguez wasn’t having it.”
Rodriguez, who returned to West Virginia in a dramatic homecoming last year, wasted no time in taking disciplinary action. In a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, the fiery head coach laid out his decision.
> “We have high expectations for how our players conduct themselves on and off the field. What happened today crossed a line. Until further notice, Trevon, DeShawn, and Malik are suspended from all team activities. This isn’t just about football—it’s about accountability,” Rodriguez stated.
While the specific details of the outburst remain under wraps, insiders suggest the altercation stemmed from growing frustrations during summer workouts, with certain position groups struggling to meet performance benchmarks. Tensions boiled over when Riley, a vocal team leader, reportedly called out fellow players during a high-intensity scrimmage. That criticism led to shouting, insults, and eventually what coaches described as “a complete breakdown in team discipline.”
The suspensions couldn’t come at a worse time for the Mountaineers. All three players were expected to start in the 2025 season opener against Pitt in the Backyard Brawl, one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. Mack, in particular, is a preseason All-Big 12 selection and a defensive captain. His absence could leave a major void in the linebacker corps.
Still, Rodriguez appears to be sending a clear message early in his tenure: no one is above the standard.
“This isn’t the Rich Rod of the early 2000s,” one WVU staffer remarked. “He’s more intense, more demanding, and he’s not afraid to make an example if it means protecting the culture he’s trying to build.”
Fan reactions have been mixed. While some praise Rodriguez for taking swift action, others worry the incident signals deeper unrest within the locker room.
For now, the fate of the suspended trio remains uncertain. Rodriguez has left the door open for reinstatement, pending team conduct reviews and one-on-one evaluations.
“We’ll see who wants to grow from this,” he concluded.
One thing is certain: discipline—or the lack thereof—will be front and center as the Mountaineers continue their summer preparations.
