Rich Rodriguez, Dan Mullen Add Names to Coaching Carousel

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Rich Rodriguez going back to West Virginia and Dan Mullen rejoining the college football coaching ranks probably was not on a lot of people's NCAA football bingo cards this season. Yet the unthinkable is actually happening, even if this takes a backseat to Bill Belichick calling Tobacco Road his new home.

Rodriguez, whose first tenure with the Mountaineers ended with him bolting to become head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, is returning to West Virginia. He confirmed it himself on Dec. 12 in a simple three-word post on X (formerly Twitter): "Take me home!"

As for Mullen, he'll get a chance to ply his college football coaching wares at UNLV. First, though, it's all about the man known as "Rich Rod," a West Virginia native, going back to a place where he's had massive success.

Rich Rodriguez Gets New Challenge

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be the head football coach at West Virginia University," Rodriguez said. in a school press release on Dec. 12. "My family and I are filled with gratitude to lead the Mountaineer football program again and look forward to working with the many supporters, fans, and friends to build the best football program in America! Take Me Home!"

He's worked hard to overcome his disastrous three-season, 15-22 time at Michigan, and has rebounded by putting together some stellar coaching work. In six head coaching tenures in the college football ranks, Rodriguez has a 190-129-2 career record. Three of his teams landed in Bowl Championship Series spots.

Rodriguez headed west from Ann Arbor, Mich., to Tucson, Ariz., to be head coach of the Wildcats, and just this season at Jacksonville State, he led the team to a Conference USA regular-season and conference championship. Rodriguez was named the 2024 C-USA Coach of the Year and compiled a 27-10 overall record in three seasons as Jacksonville State's head coach.

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Rich Rodriguez and his family back home," West Virginia Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. "Coach Rodriguez understands what it takes to win at West Virginia, and I believe he will pour his heart, soul and every ounce of his energy into our program. I am convinced Coach Rodriguez wants what is best for West Virginia, WVU and West Virginia football, and I am excited about the future of our program." 

Longtime West Virginia fans know that Rodriguez created a winning tradition there. In his first tenure in Morgantown, W.Va., spanning seven seasons, Rodriguez went 60-26 and led the team to four Big East Conference championships. He also led his teams to two major bowl victories—the 2006 Sugar Bowl and 2008 Fiesta Bowl.

With this news coming out now, it appears Rodriguez and West Virginia have decided to put the past behind them. Fans know there were tensions between Rodriguez and the school over the buyout at the end of his first stint, ESPN reported. No contract details regarding pay or the length of the deal between Rodriguez and West Virginia have been released.

Taking over for Neal Brown, who was fired, Rodriguez will be officially introduced at a Dec. 13 press conference on the West Virginia campus. The football program and its fans also will get a big boost as well-known former West Virginia kicker Pat McAfee will broadcast his show on Dec. 13 from The Coliseum at Morgantown.

Dan Mullen Heads to Las Vegas

As for Mullen, the former Florida Gators head coach will take the reins of the Rebels' football program. Mullen has kept a presence in the college football world for the past two seasons as an in-studio analyst for ESPN. He takes over for Barry Odom, who left after two seasons there to become head coach at Purdue.

College football fans know that whenever an opening has popped up in recent years Mullen's name was bandied about. At Florida, Mullen went 34-15 overall and 21-14 in Southeastern Conference play. Mullen went there from Mississippi State, where he was 69-46 in nine seasons. He takes over a UNLV program that went 9-3 this season.

Before joining UNLV, though, Mullen made it clear that he was quite happy being on TV in his on-air role. “I love doing the TV," he said during an appearance earlier in December on "The Paul Finebaum Show," On3 reported. "I love the situation I’m at. You never say never to go back to coaching. It would have to be the right head coaching opportunity for me and my family. When you coach, you’re all in. It’s life-consuming. It consumes your life, your whole family’s life. So, if the right opportunity ever presented itself, you never know, I might go back. But I’m really enjoying this kind of media, TV life. And, being on your side of things.”

Don't be surprised, though, if more interesting coaching moves take place ahead of next season.