The West Virginia Mountaineers are officially entering a new era under head coach Rich Rodriguez, who is beginning his second stint in Morgantown. Rodriguez, who was re-hired 17 years after he left, is taking over following the firing of former coach Neal Brown. The Mountaineers closed the season with a 42-37 loss to Memphis in a thrilling Frisco Bowl under interim head coach Chad Scott. Rodriguez returns after spending the last three seasons with Jacksonville State, leading the Gamecocks to back-to-back 9-4 records in their first FBS campaigns.
He will now build a West Virginia coaching staff and West Virginia football roster, so the college football transfer portal will play an important role this offseason. The Mountaineers open next season at home against FCS Robert Morris on Aug. 30. If you want the latest West Virginia football news now that Rodriguez is calling the shots for the Mountaineers, be sure be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at EerSports, the 247Sports affiliate that covers WVU.
The EerSports insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Rodriguez’ return and the future of the West Virginia football program, including insights from Chris Anderson and Mike Casazza, who have deep-rooted ties inside and around the West Virginia community. Get all the inside scoop on the football program, plus VIP intel on WVU football, basketball, recruiting and more. Plus get access to the Country Roads Confidential premium message board where you can connect with other West Virginia fans and insiders.
And right now, EerSports is offering 50% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at EerSports already has the latest on all of Rodriguez’s moves. Head to EerSports now to see them all.
West Virginia football roster news
West Virginia lost breakout linebacker Josiah Trotter earlier this week, as he committed to Missouri after entering the transfer portal. Trotter redshirted in 2023 after a season-ending knee injury, but he had 92 tackles, four tackles for a loss and an interception this year. Replacing Trotter will be one of many positions that Rodriguez is focused on this month.
The Mountaineers extended an offer to Western Carolina linebacker Antarron Turner, who told EerSports that he is also talking regularly with Kansas, UConn, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Turner has two years of eligibility remaining after recording 61 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks this season. West Virginia is also replacing T.J. Jackson, who led the Big 12 with 14 tackles for loss last year.
Rodriguez is trying to fix a defense that ranked 14th out of 16 teams in the conference in points allowed per game last season. The Mountaineers have 12 committed recruits on that side of the ball, but finding proven players from the transfer portal will still be a priority. Get more West Virginia football roster updates at EerSports.
How to get insider West Virginia football updates
The EerSports team is bringing up-to-the minute updates on the latest transfer portal targets, how Rodriguez’ hiring impacts recruiting and news on which coaches will join Rodriguez in Morgantown. You can only get it all at EerSports.
Who is West Virginia targeting in the transfer portal, and what will Rodriguez’s first staff at WVU look like? Go to EerSports to get all the latest West Virginia football news, all from a team of dialed-in Mountaineer insiders, and find out.
And reminder, EerSports is offering 50% off an annual VIP membership, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
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