Jacksonville State Gamecocks head coach Rich Rodriguez is leaving the program after an incredibly successful three seasons at JSU in order to return to lead the West Virginia Mountaineers, his alma mater and place where he previously spent seven years as head coach.
In three years with the Gamecocks, Rodriguez guided the program to three consecutive 9-win seasons and this year led them to the first Conference USA title in school history.
Rodriguez finishes his JSU tenure with a record of 27-10 and back-to-back bowl appearances including a win over Louisiana in last year’s New Orleans Bowl.
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He served as West Virginia’s head coach from 2001-2007 after playing there as a defensive back from 1981-1984. Rodriguez’s tenure in Morgantown is widely considered to be the most successful run of his coaching career. In that period, he led the Mountaineers to a record of 60-26 and brought the team to the brink of a national championship appearance in his final season.
Who could take over as JSU’s next head coach remains to be seen, but what goes without saying is that Rodriguez is going to be missed in Jacksonville.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
