- ABC News
- December 14, 2024
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- New West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez admitted Friday he made a mistake by leaving West Virginia for Michigan 17 years ago. Based on the welcome he got from the thousands of fans who attended his introductory news conference Friday, much seemed to be forgiven -- except for one man who yelled at Rodriguez just as he started speaking. The crowd quickly drowned out the heckler, who was escorted from the campus arena. Rodriguez took the jeers in stride, responding with a joke aimed at West Virginia's biggest rival: "OK, any other Pitt fans can leave the building." The crowd, which included Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen and former players such as Avon Cobourne and Owen Schmitt, roared in response. And that's how the second tour of Rodriguez at his alma mater got started. "This is really surreal," said Rodriguez, who got emotional and paused a few times during his speech. "I never should have left." Rodriguez rejoined the Mountaineers on...