ANNISTON, Ala. (WIAT) — People in the Jacksonville community are weighing in on news of Jacksonville State football coach Rich Rodriguez leaving the Gamecocks to accept the head coaching job at West Virginia University.
The announcement, which was first leaked by ESPN Wednesday, was confirmed Thursday by the university. Rodriguez, who went 27-10 in his three seasons with the Gamecocks and led the team to a Conference USA Championship this past season, started his coaching career at WVU in 1985 as a student assistant, had a second stint at the school as a volunteer linebacker coach in 1989 and was head coach at the school from 2001 to 2007.
Rodriguez posted a letter on Thursday addressing the move.
"Coach Rodriguez has been an outstanding leader for Jacksonville State Football, playing a pivotal role in our successful transition to the FBS and making a lasting impact on our program, our student-athletes, and our university as a whole," JSU Vice President for Athletics Greg Seitz said in a statement. "We understand this is an incredible opportunity for him and his family, and we wish him all the best at West Virginia."
Zach Harper, news director at the local radio, Real Country WCKA, is taking the news in stride.
“We understood,” Harper said. “You know, home is home for everybody and Coach Rich Rod his home is in West Virginia so we understood that.”
Harper said he’s confident in JSU's decision on who will be Rodriquez's successor.
“We’re also very happy for everything that Jacksonville State has done in their athletic department as well so like I said full confidence in the department, full confidence in Rich Rod, I think they’re going to do great, both of them,” he added.
Kyler Rogers, a senior at JSU, said he believes the success Rodriquez brought to the team will continue over to future success for the program.
“I feel like we’ve got more fans coming to the games since we’re on the winning track,” Rogers said. “Yeah but we’re bummed but I think we’ll find someone that can replace him and keep up what’s he’s done.”
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Rod Smith will serve as interim head coach for the Gamecocks during their matchup against Ohio in the Cure Bowl in Orlando Dec. 20. A national search for the next head coach is underway.