Rich Rod Gives Surprisingly Positive Evaluation of WVU's Roster

Mountaineers head coach sees no major weaknesses heading into 2026 season

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a West Virginia football game or practice, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of gold and blue, capturing the energy and intensity of the sport.Rodriguez's optimistic outlook on the Mountaineers' roster suggests a team poised to rebound from last season's struggles.Morgantown Today

West Virginia head football coach Rich Rodriguez expressed optimism about his team's roster heading into the 2026 season, stating that he doesn't see any 'glaring weaknesses or major concerns' despite essentially flipping the entire roster in the offseason. Rodriguez noted that some positions may be thinner than others, but overall he is pleased with the team's effort and progress in adapting to his program.

Why it matters

After a disappointing 2025 campaign, Rodriguez's positive outlook on the Mountaineers' roster represents a significant turnaround from last year, when he was unsure of the team's identity and struggled to find reliable starters. This shift in mentality could signal a potential bounce-back season for WVU football.

The details

Rodriguez credited the team's full year of recruiting in the high school ranks and time to work with transfers as key factors in building a more cohesive roster. He noted that last year's transition was more difficult, as the coaching staff had to recruit players out of the transfer portal without a defensive coordinator in place. This year's portal class is 'much better' as a result.

  • Rodriguez made these comments earlier this week.

The players

Rich Rodriguez

The head football coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Dusty Rutledge

Rodriguez's Chief of Staff at West Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“There's not a position here we're like, oh my gosh...there's not another portal period to find somebody, and we're in trouble, right? I don't catch that at all.”

— Rich Rodriguez, Head Coach

What’s next

The Mountaineers will have to prove Rodriguez's optimism on the field when they open their 2026 season.

The takeaway

Rodriguez's surprisingly positive assessment of West Virginia's roster represents a dramatic turnaround from last year, suggesting the Mountaineers could be poised for a bounce-back campaign after a disappointing 2025 season. The coach's confidence in his team's depth and adaptability is a promising sign for WVU fans.