As the college football world takes a breather before the next season kicks into high gear, West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez is certainly not slowing down. This June, Rodriguez has been a whirlwind of activity, making appearances and showing his support for the Mountaineers across various events.
Rodriguez, alongside former West Virginia kicker and punter Pat McAfee, was spotted front and center at the WVU baseball super regional against Cal Poly. Their enthusiasm didn't stop there; the duo followed the team to Omaha for the College World Series.
McAfee, never one to shy away from the spotlight, hosted his ESPN show live from The Blatt, featuring Rodriguez and former WVU baseball coach Randy Mazey as guests. It was a display of camaraderie and support that only deepens their ties to the Mountaineer community.
The partnership between McAfee and Rodriguez took another entertaining turn at a Riley Green concert in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. The country music star invited them on stage during the show, where they shared a drink in front of a lively crowd. Despite being in the heart of Pitt territory, the reception was surprisingly warm, with applause and cheers greeting their stage appearance.
While these off-field antics might not directly influence a recruit's decision to join the WVU football program, they do showcase a different side of Rodriguez. It’s a reminder that while he demands excellence on the field, he also knows how to enjoy the moment and connect with fans and players alike.
The bond between McAfee and Rodriguez is significant. McAfee has always been a staunch supporter of the Mountaineers, even during Neal Brown's tenure as head coach.
But with Rodriguez back at the helm, there's an added layer of personal connection for McAfee. Rodriguez played a pivotal role in shaping McAfee's career and character, making this reunion all the more meaningful.
For McAfee, the Mountaineers are more than just a team; they're a symbol of West Virginia pride. Rodriguez, too, is driven by a desire to bring a national championship to the state, a goal that resonates deeply with McAfee and Mountaineer fans. It's a shared vision that fuels their commitment to the program and their hope for future success.
In Other News...
Mike Hawkins Jr. Just Put Two WVU Defenders On Notice
Quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr. already has a feel for which West Virginia defensive backs could shape the coming season, and two names he singled out stand out for different reasons. Chams Diagne brings the kind of length and coverage ability that can change how an offense attacks, while Geimere Latimer has the reputation of a disciplined piece who should be steady in the back end.
For WVU, the intrigue is in how much more each player can add beyond the basics. Diagne still has to prove he can finish plays better in space and hold up against the run, while Latimer is being counted on to bring more pressure and handle a bigger share of the dirty work near the line. With the defense still sorting out its identity for 2026, those two may end up mattering as much for what they can prevent as for what they can create. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Finally Landed The In-State Addition Fans Have Been Waiting For
West Virginia has added a familiar name with real upside in Alexis Bordas, the Wheeling native who is coming home after one season at Duquesne. Bordas made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 15.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while earning a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team, giving the Mountaineers a local player who already arrives with proven production.
For a fan base that has been waiting to see a West Virginia-born player in the womens basketball program again, Bordas checks a box that goes beyond the numbers. She brings four years of eligibility under the new rules, which gives WVU a chance to build around her for more than just the short term, and it adds another layer of intrigue to how the roster will take shape moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Still Has One Running Back Problem It Did Not Fix
West Virginia spent the summer trying to stir some movement in its running back recruiting board, hosting several official visitors and hoping to chip away at a depth chart that needed attention. The visits brought plenty of activity, but the end result was more mixed than transformational, with the Mountaineers cycling through the usual recruiting churn without truly changing the shape of the room.
One prospect ended up at Houston, another came to West Virginia but fit more as a receiver than a true back, and a third briefly pledged to the Mountaineers before moving on to Auburn. Tylek Lewis is still out there as an uncommitted option, but for now the bigger takeaway is simple enough for West Virginia: after all those visits, the running back situation looks the same as it did before the June official period began. [Read more 🡒]