By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
When Rich Rodriguez was being interviewed on his weekly radio show on Monday night, some questioned were raised about his team, the portal and much more.
In that, one quote stuck out in regard to his team that he’s tried to piece together this season. And frankly he did not hold back any punches.
“I do think we’re aligned as far as university support. We’re aligned with fan support, of course. And we’re aligned with the staff and the guys that we have. We don’t hold anything back. I told our players, if you’re not all in, you need to leave. And if I sense anybody not completely in — staff, player-wise, whatever — then you won’t be in. They understand that, so if they’re not in, they’re going to have to fake it real good. I don’t wake up every day trying to find somebody that ain’t in. I just want to make sure we’re all rowing the boat in the same direction, pulling the rope the same direction, and we will be.”
Rodriguez is making it known now and for the future guys coming to the football program.
Either buy-in now, or leave, or don’t become part of the program to just leave later on down the road.
Rodriguez is trying to build up a championship caliber team and also knows he needs to rely on the high school talent plus the transfer portal as well. On Monday he noted he wants guys who are big and can move fast. He was mainly talking about the offensive line. He also stated he wants guys who come off the ball quickly and bully the other guys around. Physical football, he mentioned. He also claims that WVU will be playing for a national championship within five years.
“I know what the hell I’m doing, so I take comfort in that. But I also understand the frustration, but there’s nobody more frustrated than our players and coaches. You just got to let the process go on. We’ll be better in a month than we are today. We’ll be better in a year than we are today. We’ll be a lot better in two years than we are today. And in five years, we’re going to be playing for a national championship.”
And quite frankly the offensive line just isn’t playing physical, tough nosed football that Rodriguez likes to see on Saturday’s. Especially if he’s planning on playing for a national championship in five seasons.
The challenge won’t be any easier this week as WVU travels out west to play BYU on Friday night. WVU is in a much needed position to win. And it has to happen sooner rather than later.
Photo: WVU Athletics
