West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez is making light of the recent sign-stealing investigation that has harmed his former employer, the University of Michigan. Michigan is facing millions in fines from the NCAA, as well as other penalties after the school was found to have violated college football rules.

Former Michigan football assistant, Connor Stalions, was found by the NCAA to be stealing signs from the school's opponents during games and practices. Former Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh was given a show-cause penalty by the NCAA for the infractions. Even Michigan's current coach Sherrone Moore couldn't escape punishment.

Rodriguez, who was the head coach at Michigan for three seasons, made note of the situation during his recent West Virginia team press conference.

“You can do both,” Rodriguez said, per On3, when asked if the Mountaineers still have to use hand signals or can use in-helmet communication when their offense is going fast. “We could huddle and go quick huddles and not have to do any signals. We change our signals up and we change the guy who’s signaling. And we’ve got a variety of different signals we can do for the same play. If it was a Michigan situation, we would be ready. That’s all I have to say about that.”

Rodriguez was fired in early 2011 at Michigan, after going 15-22 in his three seasons there. He left West Virginia in December 2007 to coach the Wolverines. Rodriguez is now back at West Virginia football, after the school fired Neal Brown following the 2024 campaign.

Rich Rodriguez hopes to resurrect West Virginia football

West Virginia Mountaineers head football coach Rich Rodriguez speaks to the crowd during a timeout during the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Rodriguez is now back at West Virginia, leading the Mountaineers for a second time. He hopes to replicate the success he had at the school, when he was first there from 2001-2007.

During his first tenure at the school, Rodriguez won 60 games. He led the squad to a Sugar Bowl win over Georgia in 2006. That was one of the program's biggest all-time wins. Rodriguez also had the team on the doorstep of the national championship game in 2007, before the Mountaineers fell to Pitt in perhaps the program's biggest loss in school history.

Rodriguez takes over a West Virginia program that went just 37-35 in six seasons under Neal Brown. The new West Virginia head coach also spent time coaching at Arizona and Jacksonville State, in his lengthy tenure.

West Virginia football opens their season against Robert Morris on August 30.

More NCAA Football News
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze talks with players during practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.
Auburn football predicted to land No. 1 safetyJackson Stone ·
Head coach Kalen Deboer gives directions during the second practice session of the preseason for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Alabama football HC Kalen DeBoer’s blunt reaction to Michigan punishmentJackson Stone ·
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Jim Harbaugh doubles down with 2-word response to NCAA’s Michigan punishmentTroy Finnegan ·
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) scores a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama football star RB will miss Florida State showdown with ‘upper-body injury’Jaren Kawada ·
Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables is pictured during football practice for the University of Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Okla., Wednesday, Aug., 6, 2025.
Top 3 Oklahoma football position battles to watch before Week 1Lorenzo J Reyna ·
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian leads warm ups prior to the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025.
Top 3 Texas football position battles to watch before Week 1Lorenzo J Reyna ·