West Virginia is making some notable moves on the coaching front, with a familiar face returning to Morgantown. Rick Trickett, a seasoned offensive line coach with deep ties to both the program and head coach Rich Rodriguez, is set to rejoin the Mountaineers as their new offensive line coach. That also means the team is expected to part ways with current OL coach Jack Bicknell, whose contract runs through the end of February.
Trickett brings a wealth of experience-and a strong history with Rodriguez. The two most recently worked together at Jacksonville State, where Trickett served as associate head coach and offensive line coach since 2022, the same year Rodriguez took over the program.
But their connection goes back even further. Trickett held the same titles at West Virginia from 2001 to 2006 during Rodriguez’s first stint in charge.
In between, Trickett spent a decade at Florida State, helping the Seminoles capture a national championship in 2013 under head coach Jimbo Fisher.
This hire isn’t just about familiarity-it’s about proven results. Trickett has a long track record of developing tough, fundamentally sound offensive lines.
His units have consistently been known for their physicality and discipline, traits that align closely with Rodriguez’s offensive philosophy. For a Mountaineers team looking to regain its edge in the trenches, Trickett’s return could be a major boost.
As for Bicknell, his coaching résumé is as extensive as it gets. He joined WVU from Wisconsin and has held offensive line jobs across the FBS, including stops at North Carolina, Louisville, Auburn, Boston College, and Louisiana Tech.
He also brings NFL experience, having coached with the Giants, Chiefs, Steelers, and Dolphins. A former starting center at Boston College-where his father, Jack Bicknell Sr., was head coach-he also served as Louisiana Tech’s head coach from 1999 to 2006.
Bicknell’s one-year deal at WVU was set to expire soon, and it appears the program is opting to go in a different direction with Trickett stepping in.
Meanwhile, the Mountaineers have also finalized another key addition to the staff. Jay Boulware has officially been named the new running backs coach, replacing Larry Porter, who recently departed for Auburn.
Boulware arrives from Kentucky, where he served as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator in 2023. In just one season, he helped guide Ray Davis to a first-team All-SEC selection-an impressive feat that speaks to Boulware’s ability to maximize talent in the backfield.
Boulware’s coaching journey has taken him through some of college football’s top programs. He was the associate head coach at Texas in 2020 under Tom Herman and spent seven seasons at Oklahoma (2013-19) as the special teams and running backs coach.
His résumé also includes stops at Arizona, Stanford, Utah, Iowa State, and Auburn. A Texas native, Boulware brings not only experience but also strong recruiting ties in key regions.
With Trickett and Boulware now in the fold, Rodriguez is surrounding himself with trusted, battle-tested assistants who know what it takes to win at the highest levels. These moves signal a clear intent: West Virginia is looking to build a staff that can develop talent, control the line of scrimmage, and bring a physical brand of football back to Morgantown.