WVU Football Coaches, Players Discuss Spring Scrimmage

Head coach Rich Rodriguez, defensive coordinator Zac Alley, and wide receiver John Neider speak with media after Gold-Blue Spring Festival.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:11pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting overlapping planes of a college football practice or game, with the dominant colors being the official gold and blue of the West Virginia University team.WVU football coaches and players analyze the team's progress during the annual spring scrimmage, providing a glimpse into the program's development ahead of the upcoming season.Morgantown Today

West Virginia University football coaches and players, including head coach Rich Rodriguez, defensive coordinator Zac Alley, and wide receiver John Neider, spoke with the media following the scrimmage portion of the school's annual Gold-Blue Spring Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Why it matters

The spring scrimmage provides an opportunity for the WVU football program to showcase its progress and development ahead of the upcoming season, giving fans and media a glimpse of the team's potential and areas of focus.

The details

During the media session, the coaches and players discussed various aspects of the scrimmage, including player performances, team chemistry, and the overall state of the program as it prepares for the 2026 season.

  • The scrimmage took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, as part of the Gold-Blue Spring Festival.

The players

Rich Rodriguez

The head coach of the West Virginia University football team.

Zac Alley

The defensive coordinator for the West Virginia University football team.

John Neider

A wide receiver for the West Virginia University football team.

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What they’re saying

“We saw some good things out there today, but there's still a lot of work to be done. The team is coming together, and we're excited to keep building towards the season.”

— Rich Rodriguez, Head Coach

“The defense made some plays, but we need to be more consistent. We're going to keep pushing the guys to improve in all areas.”

— Zac Alley, Defensive Coordinator

“It was great to be back out on the field with the team. We're all working hard to get better and be ready for the season.”

— John Neider, Wide Receiver

What’s next

The WVU football team will continue its spring practice schedule, leading up to the annual Gold-Blue Spring Game on April 25, 2026.

The takeaway

The spring scrimmage provided a valuable opportunity for the WVU football program to assess its progress and identify areas for improvement as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The coaches and players expressed optimism about the team's development and their commitment to continued growth.