West Virginia focused on goals, what's next during break
West Virginia is currently in the midst of a spring break with students leaving campus which opens up some windows for the coaching staff to focus on a number of items.
One of those is simply what needs to be accomplished on the field with around two weeks of practices remaining ahead of the April 5 Gold-Blue Showcase.
“That will be part of my time while the guys are gone on break to see what do we really need to get done in the last handful of practices,” head coach Rich Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez has been doing this for so long he knows that the first spring at every stop on his career has always looked ugly but there is certainly time to address that with the remainder of the practices then into the summer and of course fall camp leading into the season.
On top of getting the current players ready, there will be a focus on what needs to come next with the second transfer portal window set to open April 16.
Rodriguez believes that the Mountaineers didn’t get all of their needs addressed in that first window, so finding those missing pieces will be critical as well.
“In the second portal there’s less available but there’s still going to be a handful we have to try to get to get some competition and address where we’re a little bit lacking in depth,” he said.
And outside of the quarterback position, every spot on the roster remains wide open.
“Everywhere,” Rodriguez said.
The personality of a team is something that takes some time to form, and Rodriguez doesn’t believe that it necessarily occurs in the winter or spring due to the changes with how much the roster makeup will shift. That’s complicated even further by the fact that West Virginia is likely going to need to trim their numbers even more to meet the 105 total once the House Settlement is approved.
That means that likely isn’t going to occur until the first two weeks of fall camp.
“We’re still not sure who the whole roster is going to be until mid-summer. It’s starting to form now and be finalized in the summer,” he said.
On top of developing a personality, Rodriguez also wants to see certain players emerge as leaders who can teach on top of the coaches in each of the position rooms on the roster. That’s difficult now with it being new to basically all of the players but can and should form over time.
“In other words, they’ll tell them this is where you line up, this is what the play is, this is what your assignment is and you like to have one at every position that it helps the coaches,” he said.
----------
• Talk about it with West Virginia fans on The Blue Lot.
• SUBSCRIBE todayto stay up on the latest on Mountaineer sports and recruiting.
• Get all of our WVU videos on YouTube by subscribing to the WVSports.com Channel
• Follow us on Twitter: @WVSportsDotCom, @rivalskeenan, @wesleyshoe
Read more at Yahoo Sports
-
What qualities could Baker be looking for in next West Virginia head coach?
West Virginia has been thrust back into the search for a head basketball coach. Darian DeVries exited the program after just one 19-13 season, leaving Athletic Director Wren Baker with the task of ...Yahoo Sports - 3h -
West Virginia enters difficult stretch for evaluation, decisions
West Virginia will have six remaining practices after the break including the Gold-Blue Showcase with a magnifying glass during that time on evaluation of the current roster. The House Settlement ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Did West Virginia make March Madness? Mountaineers miss out on 2025 men's NCAA Tournament
Did West Virginia basketball get into March Madness on Sunday during the NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday bracket reveal show? Here's what to know:Yahoo Sports - 2d -
What's next for West Virginia as Darian DeVries is headed to Indiana?
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images 50% off the first year of an annual subscription CLICK HERE AND USE CODE WVUMBB TO RECEIVE 50% OFF THE FIRST YEAR OF AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Keenan Cummings ...Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Indiana hires Darian DeVries: What to know about Hoosiers' new basketball coach
Indiana hired West Virginia's Darian DeVries as its next men's basketball coach, replacing Mike Woodson.Yahoo Sports - 18h -
Comparing the West Virginia resume to the bubble
As of today West Virginia is still included in the NCAA Tournament field and perched around 10-12 depending on the bracket.We examine some of the other teams on the bubble to see how the resumes ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Hill a massive addition for West Virginia in the 2027 cycle
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez made it clear that Western Pennsylvania will be a priority area in recruiting.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
NCAA Snapshot for the West Virginia basketball team
Looking at where the West Virginia basketball program sits in regards to a trip to the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
West Virginia Men's Basketball Head Coaching Hotboard
Looking at a list of potential candidates to fill the West Virginia men's head basketball coaching vacancy.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
West Virginia will not play in any postseason tournaments
West Virginia will officially not be participating in any postseason tournaments. If that wasn't obvious by their omission from the brackets of the NIT and Crown, it became so when Athletic ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
West Virginia carrying a swagger with them into Big 12 play
Through 16 games, West Virginia has only fallen in just one of those games. West Virginia hits the road this weekend, and they do so as they're set to open Big 12 Conference play, facing Oklahoma ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
West Virginia claims overall team title at NCAA rifle championships
The West Virginia Mountaineers claimed the 2025 NCAA national rifle championships Saturday. The title is the first for West Virginia since its string of five straight national championships was ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
College basketball coaching changes: Darian DeVries leaves West Virginia for Indiana
Matt Norlander has the latest intel on what's happening in coaching searches nationwide as we ready for the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 13h -
Porter inherits talented West Virginia RB room
West Virginia has a new running backs coach, in the experienced Larry Porter. Porter, a 27-year coaching veteran, came to Morgantown after previously serving as the running backs coach and special ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Rich Rodriguez is back at West Virginia and taking stand against player entitlement
Rich Rodriguez is back for his second tenure at West Virginia and has thoughts on player entitlement, and the value of a demanding coach.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Looking at impact walk-ons for West Virginia football over the years
Looking back at some of the impact walk-ons that suited up for the West Virginia Mountaineers football program.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Big 12 Commissioner Yormark offers statement on West Virginia snub
Brett Yormark is the latest that has offered up a statement on West Virginia being snubbed for the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
West Virginia couple convicted of abusing adopted children is set for sentencing
A West Virginia couple convicted in the mistreatment of their adopted children, including locking some in a shed, is due in court Wednesday for sentencing.NBC News - 9h -
Focused and motivated, Kernels carry confidence into Class AA state opener against ESD rival Huron
Mar. 18—MITCHELL — Three games, three days. It's that simple in the eyes of the Mitchell High School boys basketball team, as the Kernels head west with the ultimate goal of defending their 2024 ...Yahoo Sports - 17h -
West Virginia governor says he'll take legal action against NCAA over tournament snub
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) on Monday said he will take legal action against the NCAA over West Virginia University’s (WVU) snub from the March Madness tournament. “I've asked Attorney ...The Hill - 1d -
West Virginia governor attacks NCAA ‘robbery’ after WVU excluded from March Madness
Patrick Morrisey orders state investigation into matter North Carolina selected over West Virginia West Virginia’s governor, Patrick Morrisey, said on Monday that the state will launch an ...The Guardian - 1d -
Rodriguez doesn't want soft in his West Virginia program
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez believes that one of the worst four-letter words is soft. The head man demands toughness out of his players and it’s something that is instructed from the ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
West Virginia guard Jonathan Powell entering the transfer portal
© Ben Queen-Imagn Images West Virginia guard Jonathan Powell is entering the transfer portal. Joe Tipton of On3Sports first reported the news of Powell entering the portal. Powell averaged 8.3 ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
2025 West Virginia hoops signees Odih, MacLean request releases
West Virginia is set to lose two-thirds of the 2025 recruiting class with SoCal Prep guard Kelvin Odih and forward Trent MacLean expected to request their releases.The decisions were announced ...Yahoo Sports - 16h -
West Virginia sets the tone early, cruising to win over James Madison
West Virginia set the tone early on Tuesday at Kendrick Family Ballpark in Morgantown. The Mountaineers scored eight runs in the first inning, which set the tone for the Mountaineers as they ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
West Virginia set to begin another search for men's basketball leadership
It’s been quite a week so far for the West Virginia basketball program. First, the Mountaineers were shockingly left out of the NCAA Tournament field despite having a resume that certainly ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Mind Your Banners: IU hires West Virginia's Darian DeVries
Zach Osterman and Mike Niziolek jump into the live podcast engine to discuss Indiana's decision to tap West Virginia coach Darian DeVries as the Hoosiers' 31st men's basketball coach. Zach and Mike ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Oklahoma State baseball vs West Virginia live score updates from Cowboys-Mountaineers
The Oklahoma State baseball team will play host to West Virginia at 1 p.m. Sunday at O'Brate StadiumYahoo Sports - 3d -
West Virginia governor calls for investigation over NCAA Tournament snub: 'Robbery at the highest levels'
West Virginia's political leadership says it wants answers and transparency after WVU missed the tourneyCBS Sports - 1d -
Indiana hires Darian DeVries: Will replace Mike Woodson after one season as West Virginia's coach
DeVries just wrapped up his first season with West Virginia after a six-year run at DrakeCBS Sports - 18h -
Indiana hires away West Virginia's Darian DeVries after his first season in Morgantown
After just one season with the Mountaineers, former Drake coach Darian DeVries has been hired as the next head coach at Indiana.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
West Virginia’s governor is latest politician to look deeply unserious after NCAA postseason snub
West Virginia governor Patrick Morrisey wants to root out corruption at the NCAA. But mostly he wants his constituents to cheer him on.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Five things to look out for during the international break
Five things to look out for in the international break, ahead of crucial clashes in the Nations League and 2026 World Cup qualification.Who will progress in the inaugural Nations League ...Yahoo Sports - 6h -
From busy airports to savings, here's what to know about spring break travel
Airlines and airports say they expect to be busier than ever during spring break, which covers much of March and April. AAA says on average domestic air fares are up 7% from last year, while hotels ...CBS News - 6d -
West Virginia blasts three home runs, win Big 12 opener over Oklahoma State
After fires and weather in the Stillwater area, the first two games of the series between West Virginia and Oklahoma State were canceled, the two teams were able to play game three on Sunday from ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Juventus Not Changing Their Gaffer During the Break
Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli quickly nipped the rumors about a coaching change following the second collapse in a row. He spoke to Sky after the three-nil loss to Fiorentina.“We all have to ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
As Rich Rodriguez bans TikTok dancing, what would Nick Saban say? | Toppmeyer
West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez went to a place where President Donald Trump refused to go: He cracked down on TikTok.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
West Virginia hangs on to beat UCF 72-65 after almost blowing 25-point second-half lead
Javon Small scored 25 points, freshman Jonathan Powell scored 12 of his 15 in the second half and West Virginia held off UCF 72-65 on Saturday after nearly blowing a 25-point lead in the final 20 ...ABC News - Mar. 8 -
How much will the UK be hit by tariffs and what happens next?
How much will the UK be hit by US tariffs and what happens next?BBC News - Mar. 12
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Two-sport stars Danzy, Gibson juggling time as football practice begins
Micahi Danzy and BJ Gibson have been juggling two sports for months, on and off the field. Now spring practice begins.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Two-sport stars Danzy, Gibson juggling time as football practice begins
Micahi Danzy and BJ Gibson have been juggling two sports for months, on and off the field. Now spring practice begins.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Auburn vs Alabama State prediction: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament first round?
It’s the Auburn Tigers vs Alabama State Hornets in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball gameYahoo Sports - 12m -
Auburn vs Alabama State prediction: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament first round?
It’s the Auburn Tigers vs Alabama State Hornets in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball gameYahoo Sports - 12m -
How Shaquille O'Neal, other LSU players, sparked Humboldt’s TSSAA basketball state tournament win
Several former LSU basketball players, including Shaquille O'Neal, reached out to Humboldt before its TSSAA state tournament win over North Greene.Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
Jalen Milroe NFL Draft 2025 profile: Full scouting report, 40-yard dash time, NFL comparison, landing spots
Milroe is a project with major upsideCBS Sports - 2m -
Jalen Milroe NFL Draft 2025 profile: Full scouting report, 40-yard dash time, NFL comparison, landing spots
Milroe is a project with major upsideCBS Sports - 2m -
Aaron Rodgers update: Vikings not pursuing 10-time Pro Bowler, sticking with J.J. McCarthy as QB, per report
Minnesota reportedly could still possibly explore the idea of adding Rodgers laterCBS Sports - 3m -
2025 Valspar Championship picks, odds, field: Surprising predictions from golf model that's nailed 13 majors
SportsLine's model simulated the 2025 Valspar Championship 10,000 times and revealed its surprising PGA Tour golf picksCBS Sports - 6m -
College softball rankings: The Top 25 teams after Week 6
Is Oklahoma still No. 1? Which team dropped out this week? Here's the updated college softball Top 25 poll for Week 6.ESPN - 6m