In His Second Run, Rich Rod is Getting the Backing WVU’s Administration Once Withheld

During his first stint as the head football coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Rich Rodriguez and the university's administration did not see eye to eye when it came to the future of the program and how to sustain the success they had conjured up from 2005-07.

The difference in opinion ultimately led to Rodriguez departing for Michigan before the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma.

Now, in his second tour of duty, things have changed. College football (and athletics for that matter) is completely different than what it was just a few years ago, much less eighteen years ago. It's no longer about recruiting high school kids and developing them. You have the transfer portal, NIL, high school recruiting, and retention.

Another aspect of what is different is the administration at WVU, and it's one that is clearly committed to giving WVU football and its other sports all of the resources needed to be able to compete at a high level.

Recently, the WVU Board of Governors approved an athletics resolution, which will take the Mountaineers to the top funding tier among Big 12 institutions. The vote was unanimous.

“WVU Athletics is at a pivotal moment as we enter a new era of college sports, and with the steadfast support of our Board of Governors through this resolution, we will be positioned to meet that moment from a place of strength,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “WVU Athletics serves as a source of pride to our state, it bolsters our brand, and it connects our 210,000-plus Mountaineers around the world to the University they know and love. We look forward to a trajectory of continued success for our student-athletes as our Board of Governors, University administration, committed alumni, and corporate partners rally together to build its future."

On Monday, Rodriguez was asked about the Board's commitment during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.