“Just saved Ohio State”: Fans see upside of Brian Hartline snub as Rich Rodriguez comes back to West Virginia
The West Virginia Mountaineers have picked Jacksonville State's coach Rich Rodriguez as their new coach. This means that Ohio State's co-offensive coordinator Brian Hartline will stay in Columbus for now. This will be Rodriguez's second stint in West Virginia, having been their coach between 2001 and 2007.
Hartline reportedly had been interviewed by the authorities at the University of West Virginia. Still, insiders expected Rodriguez to be the school's pick for their next head of the football program. Nonetheless, Buckeyes fans are relieved that Hartline will stay with them:
"Just saved Ohio State"
Fans found it interesting that the Mountaineers were going back to an old pick:
"It’s crazy to think they just spent however many years with the last guy when they could have just had Rich Rod"
"Again??"
Others thought Hartline's candidature was never serious:
"Good. Hartline was probably not serious anyway. Learning the process each year with interviewing and expectations of a CFB HC. Be patient and the perfect opportunity pops up 💯‼️"
Fans joked that Ryan Day's endorsement probably didn't mean much:
"Ryan Day gave a glowing reference for Brian Hartline so they went with Rodriguez"
West Virginia fans seemed ecstatic:
"This is an incredible hire for WVU! Rich Rod coming back home. Everything comes full circle. Mountaineers are immediately a player in the Big 12 once again."
Rich Rodriguez's record in his first stint with West Virginia
Rich Rodriguez's first stint with West Virginia was highly successful, leading them to an overall record of 60-24. Between 2001 and 2007, the Mountaineers attended to three bowl games with three wins and three defeats.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, they won the Sugar, Gator and the Fiesta bowls, respectively. They also won four Big East championship titles (2003-2005, 2007).
For his efforts, Rich Rodriguez was named the Big East Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2005. Since then, he has had stints as the coach of Michigan (2008-2010), Arizona (2012-2017) and Jacksonville State (2022-2024).
He also spent some time as offensive coordinator at Ole Miss, and Lousiana Monroe (2019 and 2020) and as an analyst in Hawaii (2021).