West Virginia is making a notable addition to its coaching staff, bringing in veteran assistant Jay Boulware as the new running backs coach-a move that signals Rich Rodriguez is wasting no time putting his stamp on the program.
Boulware arrives in Morgantown with a résumé that’s as deep as it is diverse. Most recently, he was at Kentucky, where he served as both the running backs coach and special teams coordinator.
In just one season with the Wildcats, he helped guide Ray Davis to a first-team All-SEC selection-a testament to Boulware’s ability to develop talent quickly and effectively. Davis' breakout year wasn’t just about numbers; it was about consistency, vision, and the kind of physicality that reflects well on a coach who knows how to maximize a back’s potential.
Before his stint in Lexington, Boulware held the title of associate head coach at Texas in 2020 under Tom Herman. That role gave him broader responsibilities, but his roots have always been in coaching running backs and special teams-areas where he’s built a strong reputation over the years.
His longest and perhaps most defining run came at Oklahoma, where he spent seven seasons (2013-2019) overseeing the Sooners’ running backs and special teams units. That stretch coincided with some of OU’s most explosive offenses, and Boulware’s fingerprints were all over the backfield production during that time. He’s worked with multiple future pros and has shown a knack for helping players elevate their game in high-pressure environments.
Boulware’s coaching journey has also taken him through stops at Arizona, Stanford, Utah, Iowa State, and Auburn-each adding a layer to his experience and versatility. That kind of background matters, especially in today’s college football landscape where adaptability and recruiting reach are just as important as Xs and Os.
He steps in to replace Larry Porter, who left for Auburn earlier this offseason. Porter’s departure left a hole in the Mountaineers’ staff, but Boulware brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record that should ease the transition.
For Rich Rodriguez, this hire checks a lot of boxes. Boulware brings SEC experience, Big 12 familiarity, and a strong reputation as both a recruiter and developer of talent. As Rodriguez continues to shape the identity of this WVU team, bringing in a coach like Boulware-who’s coached in big games, developed elite backs, and understands how to build winning units-feels like a strategic step forward.