With Chad Scott’s departure to Texas, West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez now has an important vacancy to fill on his coaching staff. The search for the next running backs coach will be crucial in maintaining the Mountaineers’ strong ground game, especially after the team led Power Five programs in rushing yards in 2023. Here are five potential candidates who could step in and continue the program’s success.
1. The Obvious Choice: Pat White (West Virginia)
A Mountaineer legend, Pat White seems like the natural fit for the job. The former West Virginia quarterback has already dabbled in coaching, spending a year coaching running backs at South Florida. With Rich Rodriguez, Rhett Rodriguez, and Travis Trickett already involved in quarterback development, shifting White to a running backs coaching role could provide balance to the staff. His knowledge of Rodriguez’s offensive system makes him a strong in-house option.
2. Best External Candidate: Rod McDowell (Marshall)
If Rodriguez looks outside the program, Rod McDowell should be at the top of the list. The current Marshall running backs coach has a strong reputation for talent development and recruiting, two areas where Scott excelled. Rodriguez has previously worked with McDowell at UL Monroe and Jacksonville State, and he reportedly made a strong push to bring him to West Virginia before McDowell committed to Tony Gibson’s staff at Marshall. If Rodriguez can lure him away, McDowell could be an excellent hire.
3. Absolute Long Shot: Tony Dews (New England Patriots)
Poaching an NFL position coach is always difficult, but if Rodriguez wants to aim high, Tony Dews could be an intriguing option. Currently with the New England Patriots, Dews has experience coaching running backs with the Tennessee Titans, where he helped Derrick Henry dominate the league. He has also worked under Rodriguez in the past, meaning there’s already a connection. However, having just accepted the Patriots job, it’s unlikely he’d leave for a college role.
4. The Wild Card: Noel Devine (West Virginia)
Few West Virginia players have electrified Morgantown quite like Noel Devine did during his playing days. However, great players don’t always make great coaches. While Devine knows the position well, coaching involves more than just playing experience. Recruiting, game-planning, and player development are areas where he would need time to grow. If Rodriguez sees long-term potential in him, Devine could start in an assistant role before eventually taking over full-time.
5. Bridge Option: Fred Jackson (Michigan)
At 74 years old, Fred Jackson might not be a long-term solution, but he could serve as a bridge coach while Rodriguez grooms a younger candidate like Devine for the role. Jackson is a veteran coach who has been with Michigan since 1992, outside of a brief stint at Ypsilanti High School. If West Virginia is looking for experience and stability in the short term, Jackson could be a solid option to mentor younger coaches and keep the ground game strong.
Final Thoughts
Rodriguez’s decision will shape West Virginia’s rushing attack for years to come. If he wants continuity and familiarity, Pat White or Noel Devine could be the answer. If he prioritizes recruiting and development, Rod McDowell makes the most sense. And if he aims for a splash hire, taking a shot at Tony Dews or Fred Jackson could pay off. Regardless of the choice, Mountaineers fans will be eagerly watching to see who takes over the running backs room in Morgantown.