Rich Rodriguez fires jabs at Pitt, Marshall ahead of WVU introduction

It’s been 17 years since Rich Rodriguez last walked the sidelines at West Virginia. But the former WVU linebacker still doesn’t have any love lost for two storied rivals – and he fired a couple of jabs at them before his introduction.

Rodriguez called out both Pitt and Marshall during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show prior to his press conference. Fans packed WVU coliseum for the show, which set the table the 1:30 p.m. ET presser, and they reacted accordingly when Rodriguez called out two fierce rivals.

Earlier in his interview, Rodriguez pointed out two characteristics he doesn’t want in players. He’s not looking for “soft” or “lazy” – but he later remembered one more four-letter word he forgot.

"I misspoke when I said the two worst four letter words were soft and lazy..

I left out Pitt" ~ @RealCoachRod

🗣🗣EAT SHIT PITT #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/IdVKqkbJQE

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 13, 2024

“I probably misspoke a little bit earlier when I said the two worst four-letter words were soft and lazy,” Rodriguez said. “I left out Pitt.”

WVU and Pitt renewed the Backyard Brawl in 2022, and the Panthers have won two of the three matchups. But Rodriguez won four of those games during his previous stint at his alma mater, and the rivalry is living on.

Rodriguez also had a perfect 4-0 record against Marshall in the Friends of Coal Bowl, but the two teams last played in 2012. McAfee’s co-host Boston Connor asked if the game could return given the Thundering Herd’s recent hire of Tony Gibson, who worked for Rodriguez at WVU, Michigan and Arizona.

Although Rodriguez acknowledged his relationship with Gibson, he also summed up his thoughts on Marshall perfectly. It’s safe to say, he’s not worrying about the Thundering Herd.

“Gibby is a great friend of mine,” Rodriguez said. “Was a great staff member, and we’re still very dear friends. [If] you think I have spent one second thinking about Marshall, you’re wrong.”

Rodriguez went 60-26 during his previous stint at West Virginia from 2001-07 before he departed for Michigan. He most recently worked at Jacksonville State, where he totaled a 27-10 record over three years and helped the Gamecocks to a Conference USA title in their second season at the FBS level.