Rich Rodriguez returns for his second season, and West Virginia enters 2026 after finishing 4-8 overall and 2-7 in Big 12 play in 2025. The Mountaineers face major offensive turnover, but they do have a few key building blocks. Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. won the starting quarterback job over Scotty Fox Jr. Update (Oct. 14): Hawkins has established himself as a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, rushing for 350 yards over his last three games against Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and Arizona. The backfield features several new contributors, including Jacksonville State transfer Cam Cook and freshman Amari Latimer. Update (Oct. 14): Cook has emerged as the primary running back, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries against Arizona on October 10. Latimer added 55 rushing yards and a touchdown in the same game. At receiver, West Virginia has seen considerable turnover, with Jaden Bray as the only returning player who caught a pass for the Mountaineers last season. Bray returns after catching seven passes in just three games during an injury-shortened 2025 season, while transfer D.J. Epps joins the receiving corps after catching 46 passes last season. Update (Oct. 14): Prince Strachan has emerged as another important receiving option, leading West Virginia with five receptions for 121 yards against Arizona. Up front, the offensive line returns full-time starters Nick Krahe and Landen Livingston, who combined for 23 starts last season. Alongside them, Kansas State transfer Devin Vass brings significant Power Conference experience after starting seven games in 2025. West Virginia features several new starters elsewhere in the group. Update (Oct. 14): The current starting offensive line features Kevin Brown at left tackle, Krahe at left guard, Wes King at center, Amare Grayson at right guard, and Carsten Casady at right tackle. Livingston remains part of the center rotation.
Zac Alley returns for his second season as defensive coordinator. Even so, West Virginia must rebuild much of the unit after losing 10 of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including its top five. The defense’s main challenge is replacing that production. Linebacker Ben Cutter is the lone returnee from that group after making one start in 2025, while Illinois transfer Malachi Hood joins the linebacker corps after making eight starts last season. The defensive line and secondary feature several new starters as the Mountaineers replace most of their 2025 defensive production. Update (Oct. 14): The defensive rebuilding process has been difficult, with West Virginia allowing 41 points against Oklahoma State, 45 against Iowa State, and 52 against Arizona. The Mountaineers have surrendered an average of 46 points per game during their three-game losing streak.
Pat Kirkland returns as special teams coordinator. Meanwhile, West Virginia entered the season with several new options at placekicker and punter. Update (Oct. 14): Jack Cassidy handled extra-point duties against Arizona, converting all four attempts. D.J. Epps, Andre Devine, Armoni Weaver-Bomar, and freshman Matt Sieg provide options in a rebuilt return game.
Overall, West Virginia entered 2026 with major turnover across the roster, and the offensive line stood out as the clearest source of stability with two returning full-time starters and an experienced Power Conference transfer. Update (Oct. 14): West Virginia is 3-3 overall and 0-3 in Big 12 play following a 52-31 loss to Arizona on October 10. The Mountaineers have lost three consecutive games after opening the season 3-0. Hawkins and Cook have provided a productive rushing attack, but turnovers and defensive struggles have contributed to the team’s difficult start in conference play. West Virginia hosts Cincinnati on October 17.