Mountaineer Report: Rich Rod on Neal Brown, WVU Football Spring Showcase, Ross Hodge
The West Virginia Mountaineers football program has had its share of ups and downs over the years, but the foundation for future success continues to evolve under head coach Neal Brown. As fans, players, and coaches gear up for the 2025 season, much attention has been focused on the team’s spring practices and how they will shape the Mountaineers’ roster and strategy for the upcoming year. With a season of change and progression ahead, one individual with a unique perspective on West Virginia football is former head coach Rich Rodriguez, known as “Rich Rod.”
Rodriguez, who helmed the Mountaineers’ program from 2001 to 2007, bringing them to new heights, has always been closely linked to the university’s football legacy. His perspective on the current state of the program under Brown and the ongoing preparations for the 2025 season provides invaluable insight. In this article, we’ll dive into Rodriguez’s thoughts on Neal Brown, the WVU football spring showcase, and the coaching changes — particularly the addition of Ross Hodge as the offensive coordinator — that will shape the team’s future.
Rich Rod’s Thoughts on Neal Brown
Neal Brown took over as the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers in 2019, succeeding Dana Holgorsen after his move to the University of Houston. Brown came to Morgantown with a reputation as a capable offensive mind, having previously served as the head coach at Troy University, where he developed an impressive record and reputation for offensive innovation. While his early years at WVU saw ups and downs, Brown’s leadership has been widely respected, particularly in fostering a positive culture and rebuilding a program that had suffered from inconsistency and underperformance in recent years.
Rich Rodriguez, a name synonymous with Mountaineer football success, has had his own chance to assess Neal Brown’s tenure from the outside looking in. In a recent interview, Rodriguez shared his thoughts on the progress Brown has made and the challenges he’s faced since taking over the helm in Morgantown.
“I think Neal is a good coach, and he’s done a solid job of steadying the ship after some difficult years,” said Rodriguez. “When you come into a program with the expectations that come with a place like West Virginia, it’s not always easy to rebuild, especially when you’re trying to mesh the traditions of the past with the demands of the future.”
Rodriguez made it clear that while Brown’s first few years have been a learning curve, he’s pleased with the direction the program is heading. “The thing I like about Neal is he’s focused on doing things the right way. It’s not just about wins and losses but about the players and their development,” Rodriguez said. “He’s building a program that can be successful year in and year out, and that’s something West Virginia needs.”
Rodriguez’s comments echo a sentiment shared by many who have watched the Mountaineers under Brown. West Virginia’s ability to compete in the Big 12 has been a challenge, but Brown has worked hard to recruit players, build relationships, and enhance the team’s infrastructure. While success on the field is still forthcoming, the program’s overall direction is positive under Brown’s leadership, with the potential for growth in future seasons.
The WVU Football Spring Showcase: A Preview of the 2025 Season
Spring football is an important time for college programs, as it provides an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and for coaching staffs to evaluate their team ahead of the regular season. West Virginia University’s Spring Showcase has become a key event for Mountaineer fans, allowing them to get a glimpse of the team’s progress and assess how they might perform in the upcoming season.
For the 2025 season, the Spring Showcase was especially critical as the Mountaineers entered spring practice with new players, new schemes, and some key changes on the coaching staff. Fans filled Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium to get a first look at the team, and head coach Neal Brown emphasized that this would be an important spring session for both individual development and team chemistry.
“We’re focused on development right now, both in terms of individual players and the team as a whole,” Brown said during a press conference leading up to the showcase. “This spring is a chance for us to continue to grow and work together as a unit. We’re making strides, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
The Spring Showcase not only offered a look at the team’s returning talent but also gave the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate new players who could have an impact in 2025. The Mountaineers have been busy in recruiting, securing key additions through the transfer portal and high school recruits. As such, there were a number of new faces on the field that fans had yet to see play.
One area where Mountaineer fans were particularly eager to see improvement was the offense. While the defense has been a strong point in recent seasons, the offense has had its struggles, particularly at quarterback. Under offensive coordinator Ross Hodge, who was hired earlier in the offseason, the Mountaineers were hoping for a more balanced and dynamic offensive attack. The spring showcase provided an opportunity to see how the offensive schemes were taking shape and which players would step up to lead the charge.
One of the most talked-about performances during the spring game came from quarterback Nicco Marchiol, a promising transfer from Arizona State. Marchiol impressed coaches with his accuracy and decision-making, and his ability to lead the offense was on full display during the showcase. The Mountaineers will need a consistent signal-caller to succeed in the Big 12, and Marchiol could be the one to help revitalize WVU’s offensive output.
While the offense was a focal point of the showcase, the defense also had some standout moments. Linebacker Lee Kpogba was a force in the middle, and defensive back Jacolby Spells showed his ability to make plays in the secondary. These players and others will be crucial in maintaining the balance between offense and defense that Brown and his staff strive for.
Overall, the Spring Showcase provided fans with an exciting preview of what could be a promising 2025 season. Though there are still many questions left to be answered, the event was a reminder of the immense talent on the roster and the continued potential for the program under Neal Brown.
Ross Hodge: The New Offensive Coordinator and the Future of WVU’s Offense
A major storyline for the Mountaineers in 2025 is the arrival of Ross Hodge as the offensive coordinator. Hodge comes to West Virginia after a successful stint as the offensive line coach at Mississippi State, where he helped the Bulldogs develop one of the most effective rushing offenses in the SEC. His experience, particularly in establishing a solid ground game, will be key for a Mountaineers program that has struggled to find consistency on offense.
Hodge’s hire was seen as a significant move for the Mountaineers, and many fans are hopeful that he will bring the necessary changes to revitalize the offense. West Virginia has a rich football history built on strong running games, and Hodge’s ability to establish a powerful rushing attack could be a game-changer for the program.
Rodriguez, who is known for his own success with a high-powered, run-first offense during his time at West Virginia, had high praise for Hodge’s hiring. “Ross is a great addition to the staff,” Rodriguez said. “He knows how to build an offense that can be physical, balanced, and explosive. His ability to coach up the offensive line will be critical, but I think we’ll also see the offensive scheme evolve and get more creative.”
Hodge’s system will rely on balance, with an emphasis on establishing the run while also opening up the passing game. Hodge’s ability to integrate players like Marchiol and utilize WVU’s deep pool of running backs will be key to finding success in the Big 12. The Mountaineers have several talented backs, including C.J. Donaldson, who is expected to be a focal point in the rushing attack this season. With Hodge’s tutelage, WVU hopes to develop a powerful offensive line and a run game that can take pressure off the quarterback.
On the other side of the ball, Neal Brown and his defensive coaching staff will continue to emphasize their strong, aggressive defense. The balance between a powerful offense and a stingy defense will be key to WVU’s success in 2025.
As West Virginia University prepares for the 2025 football season, the Mountaineers are focused on growth and development under the leadership of Neal Brown. Rich Rodriguez, the former head coach who brought WVU to national prominence in the early 2000s, has expressed his support for Brown’s direction while offering valuable insights into the program’s future. The spring showcase provided a glimpse into the team’s potential, with players like Nicco Marchiol and Lee Kpogba emerging as key figures for the upcoming season.
The addition of Ross Hodge as offensive coordinator is a major storyline, with his experience and offensive philosophy bringing hope for a more balanced and explosive Mountaineer attack. As the team continues to prepare for the fall, there is a renewed sense of optimism for the future of WVU football — one that blends tradition, new leadership, and a commitment to excellence.
With a solid foundation in place and an eye on the future, the Mountaineers look poised to build on the legacy of success at West Virginia University, and with the support of passionate fans and the right leadership, a return to the top of the Big 12 is certainly within reach.
