West Virginia University’s football program is preparing for the 2026 season with hopes of a significant improvement, according to a May 5 announcement from team officials. The Mountaineers are focusing on blending experienced transfer players with talented newcomers as they look to improve upon last year’s record.
The team’s approach comes amid changes in the Big 12 Conference, which has seen several programs achieve rapid success after major roster and coaching changes. Travis Trickett, senior offensive assistant coach, said that since Texas and Oklahoma left the conference, there are no longer dominant teams at the top. “Look at the different champions that we’ve had over the last four or five years,” Trickett said. He pointed to recent examples like Arizona State and Texas Tech making dramatic improvements within a single season.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez has prioritized bringing in experienced players through the transfer portal while also signing top high school and junior college recruits. This offseason, West Virginia added 37 transfers, 36 high school athletes, and 12 junior college players to its roster alongside 34 returning members. Trickett said Rodriguez wanted “guys who could come in here with experience” because many successful teams have relied on veteran players who have logged significant playing time elsewhere.
Rodriguez expressed optimism about his team following spring practices despite last year’s struggles. “I think it was a pretty good spring,” he said. He noted improved competition at most positions and greater depth across the roster but acknowledged there were still questions to answer before opening day.
Looking ahead to summer workouts and skill development sessions allowed by NCAA rules, Rodriguez emphasized teaching players not just what to do but why they do it: “That’s what so critical about the 42 workouts and the 18 skill developments or whatever we have over the summer – that it’s another leap for them like spring ball was.”
Rodriguez brings past experience turning around programs quickly; during his previous tenure at West Virginia, he led a three-win team in his first year to nine wins by his second season. Reflecting on building culture within a new group of players this year, Rodriguez concluded: “This is going to be a fun team to coach, and it’s going to be a fun team to watch this year.” West Virginia will open its season against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 5.
