As Rich Rodriguez prepares for his homecoming at WVU, his wife and children continue supporting him from the sidelines.
Highlights
- Recent reports indicate that Rich Rodriguez is set to return as the head coach of West Virginia University (WVU) football, with a deal being finalized after the firing of the previous head coach, Neal Brown.
- Rita Rodriguez, born Rita Christina Setliff, and Rich married on July 1, 1989, and have two children, Raquel and Rhett.
- Raquel graduated from the University of Arizona in 2018 with a degree in communication and journalism and is now a creative content coordinator at Jacksonville State University.
- Rhett graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2022 with a Master’s degree in psychology. He currently serves as a coach at Jacksonville State University.
- In 2007, Rich Rodriguez was involved in a legal dispute with WVU over his contract’s $4 million buyout clause. The case was settled in July 2008, with Rodriguez agreeing to pay $1.5 million and the University of Michigan covering the remaining $2.5 million.
Rich Rodriguez, the American college football coach and former player, has coached at Salem, Glenville State, Tulane, Clemson, West Virginia, Michigan, Arizona, Ole Miss, Hawai’i, Louisiana-Monroe, and Jacksonville State.
Recent reports indicate that Rich Rodriguez is set to return as the head coach of West Virginia University (WVU) football.
Multiple news outlets have reported that a deal between WVU and Rodriguez is being finalized.
This decision comes after WVU fired their previous head coach, Neal Brown, following a 6-6 regular season.
Sources: West Virginia is targeting Rich Rodriguez as the school’s next head coach. A deal is working toward completion, but yet to finalized. Rodriguez, 61, went 60-26 in his seven year there from 2001-07, including three-straight 10-win seasons. pic.twitter.com/GyjjnQPBwI
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 11, 2024
Rodriguez, who previously coached WVU from 2001 to 2007, has spent the last three seasons at Jacksonville State University, where he led the team to significant success.
While the deal is not yet officially confirmed, Rodriguez will likely return to WVU.
With this renewed interest in the 61-year-old, many football fans are curious to know more about the coach, including his personal life with his wife, Rita Rodriguez, and children, Raquel and Rhett.
Rich Rodriguez Has Two Kids With His Wife, Rita
Rita Rodriguez was born Rita Christina Setliff on March 31, 1963, in West Virginia.
She earned her degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University and worked for a telephone company, training university employees on how to use new phone systems until 1996.
Rita and Rich met in the 1980s and married on July 1, 1989, in a ceremony attended by family, friends, and many football players and managers.
The couple has two children: Raquel and Rhett.
Raquel was born on April 17, 1996, while Rhett was born on May 21, 1998.
Both siblings attended the University of Arizona, where Raquel was a cheerleader, and Rhett was a quarterback on the football team.
After multiple relocations due to Rich’s job, the family has finally settled in Tucson, Arizona.
Raquel Has A Communications And Journalism Degree
Raquel graduated from UA in 2018 with a degree in communication and journalism.
She has since worked for multiple agencies as a reporter and producer.
Currently, she is a creative content coordinator at Jacksonville State University.
Rhett Now Coaches At Jacksonville State
After finishing his undergraduate studies in business management at UA, Rhett graduated from ULM in 2022 with a Master’s degree in psychology.
He then went on to study at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, where he received another Master’s degree, this time in entrepreneurial studies.
He has since worked multiple jobs in football and business.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Rhett currently serves as a coach at Jacksonville State University.
In September 2021, Rhett was hospitalized and placed in ICU after a lung injury that occurred during a game against Troy, where Rhett suffered severe trauma to his upper chest.
Rich Faced Legal Trouble At WVU In 2007
The Rodriguez family has been extensively involved in the world of collegiate football, mostly in a positive light.
However, in 2007, Rich and his wife, Rita, were embroiled in a controversial legal battle.
The legal dispute was between Rich Rodriguez and West Virginia University (WVU), and it revolved around his departure from WVU in December 2007 to become the head coach at the University of Michigan.
Rodriguez’s contract with WVU included a $4 million buyout clause, which required him to pay this amount if he left the university before the end of his contract.
After Rodriguez announced his departure, WVU filed a motion for declaratory judgment in Monongalia County Circuit Court on December 27, 2007.
The university sought to confirm the validity of Rodriguez’s contract and the buyout clause, asserting they had not breached the contract.
RICH RODRIGUEZ IS BACK 👏
— Rivals (@Rivals) December 11, 2024
West Virginia is hiring Rich Rodriguez as its next head coach, who went 60-26 at WVU from 2001-07, per @WVSportsDotCom pic.twitter.com/TPA6ix9IKQ
Less than a month later, WVU added a count of breach of contract after Rodriguez allegedly failed to pay the first installment of the buyout clause.
The lawsuit was eventually settled in July 2008. Rodriguez agreed to pay $1.5 million of the buyout, while the University of Michigan covered the remaining $2.5 million.
Rita was actively involved in supporting her husband throughout the court proceedings.
Rita attended the court hearings and was vocal in her defense of Rich Rodriguez, often facing criticism from the public and media for her involvement.
Her presence and actions during the trial contributed to the perception that she was “money hungry,” as she was seen as heavily involved in the financial and legal aspects of the case.
However, as Rich prepares for his “homecoming” at WVU, it is clear that the university and the Rodriguez family have put this bitter memory behind them.
Additional Information
- Rich Rodriguez was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1981, he was named the West Virginia High School Football Player of the Year.
- Rodriguez is credited with popularizing the spread-option offense in college football. This offensive strategy has been widely adopted and has influenced many teams nationwide.
- Several of Rodriguez’s former assistants have gone on to become successful head coaches themselves. This includes coaches like Tony Gibson, who has had a successful career as a defensive coordinator and head coach.
- In 2017, Rich Rodriguez faced a scandal when his former assistant accused him of se*ual harassment. He admitted to an extramarital affair but denied other allegations. The University of Arizona fired him, and the lawsuit was dismissed in 2021.
