Rich Rodriguez was born on May 24, 1963 in West Virginia. He grew up with a passion for football and began playing at a young age. Rodriguez attended the University of West Virginia, where he played as a defensive back for four seasons. It was during his time as a player that he discovered his love for the game and decided to pursue a career in coaching.
After graduating from college, Rodriguez began his coaching career in 1985. He started as an assistant coach at Salem College before moving on to Glenville State College. He then went on to coach at Tulane University, where he made a name for himself as a talented and innovative coach.
In 2000, Rodriguez became the head coach at West Virginia University. During his time there, he led the team to great success, earning the title of Big East Coach of the Year twice. His coaching style was known for its fast-paced and high-scoring offense, which brought great success to the team.
After his successful tenure at West Virginia, Rodriguez moved on to the University of Michigan in 2008. He spent three seasons there before taking on the role of head coach at the University of Arizona in 2012. During his time at Arizona, he has worked tirelessly to build a competitive team and has made significant strides in improving the program.
Rich Rodriguez is married to his wife Rita and together they have two children, Raquel and Rhett. Despite the demands of his coaching career, Rodriguez makes time for his family and is a devoted husband and father.
During his time at West Virginia University, Rodriguez coached speedy running back Steve Slaton, who went on to have a successful career in the NFL. Rodriguez's coaching had a significant impact on Slaton's development as a player, showcasing his talent for mentoring and developing young talent.