Rich Rodriguez offers message to fans upset over 2007 departure from WVU: 'I made a mistake'

During the 2007 season, Rich Rodriguez signed a new contract at West Virginia and had the Mountaineers in contention for a national title run. But following a season-ending loss to Pitt, news broke of his plans to leave for Michigan – and lawsuits marred his departure from his alma mater.

Now, Rodriguez is back in Morgantown for a second stint as WVU, and fans still remember how things ended the first time. One was in attendance for his press conference on Friday, leading police to escort them out. Pat McAfee said he heard the fan yelling about Michigan.

Speaking with reporters after his opening statement at WVU Coliseum, Rodriguez acknowledged the way his departure went. But he had a message for those upset fans and promised to earn back their trust.

“I understand there’s fans that are upset,” Rodriguez said. “At least they care, right? But sometimes, not everything is as you think it is. But I made a mistake. And my promise to not just the folks that are upset, but to everybody here that’s been very, very supportive, I will earn your support – we will earn your support and your trust back. I’m committed to that.

“And I’ve thought about that even before this opportunity – this is my home, this is such a great state – that I wanted to be able to come back. I’ll prove to them that the man to my right [AD Wren Baker] made the right decision.”

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.

Now, Rodriguez is back in Morgantown. He also has qualities he’s looking for – or, rather, isn’t looking for – in players.

“From [a culture] standpoint, if they’re a talented guy and they work hard and they buy into the program, I want them around,” Rodriguez said on McAfee’s show. “If they’re soft or lazy, if they don’t want to give their best effort, then I don’t want them around.

“I mean, it’s pretty simple, right? It’s like the two words — four letter words, are soft and lazy. And that, to me, has nothing to do with talent, or what year they are in and this is and that. Coming from a state that I know very well, the people in the state of West Virginia work hard. They don’t want to be soft. They don’t want to be lazy. They don’t want the people playing, representing them, being soft and lazy.”