Rich Rodriguez, the head coach of West Virginia University (WVU) Mountaineers, is making significant changes to the team's roster, focusing on 'production, not potential' through the transfer portal. This strategy is a notable departure from the previous season, where the team struggled with a revolving door at quarterback and an abundance of injuries. The 2025 season ended with a 4-8 overall record and a 2-7 mark in the Big 12, with several one-possession losses and a 49-0 home defeat to conference champion Texas Tech. This season, Rodriguez aims to bring in players who have proven their worth, rather than relying on potential.
One key addition is quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., a redshirt sophomore transfer from Oklahoma. Hawkins played extensively for the Sooners as a true freshman in 2024 and sparingly in 2025, serving as a redshirt season. At WVU, he is expected to compete for the starting signal-caller job with sophomore Scotty Fox Jr., who started for the Mountaineers in their final six games last year. Rodriguez is impressed with Hawkins' decisiveness and believes he can take the team to the next level.
The coach also expressed his desire for a more regionalized schedule, suggesting a 'Texas regional' that would include Pitt, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Maryland, Cincinnati, and possibly Virginia and North Carolina. He believes this would bring fans together, create rivalries every year, and ensure everyone makes money. However, he acknowledges that this idea might not be popular among other coaches and athletic directors.
In terms of the team's future, Rodriguez is confident that the changes made will pay off. He is eager to see the team succeed before he leaves, and he is not afraid to share his opinions. The 2026 version of WVU football will feature different personnel, particularly on defense, with only linebacker Ben Cutter returning among the top 17 tacklers from last season. The team is set to face new challenges, but Rodriguez is determined to lead them to success.
