Rich Rodriguez Set to Return to WVU

Rich Rodriguez is reportedly set to return to West Virginia University as the head football coach, succeeding Neal Brown who was fired after a 6-6 season. Rodriguez, a West Virginia native, previously coached the Mountaineers from 2001 to 2007, achieving three consecutive 11-win seasons and winning multiple Big East Conference titles. He most recently led Jacksonville State to two consecutive 9-4 seasons and a Conference USA championship. Despite a turbulent tenure at Michigan from 2008 to 2010, Rodriguez has rebuilt his coaching career with successful stints at Arizona and Jacksonville State. The move back to West Virginia marks a return to his alma mater and a chance to restore the program to national prominence, which it has struggled to achieve since his departure. The deal, while not yet finalized, is reportedly close to completion according to multiple sources.