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. Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. won the starting quarterback job over Scotty Fox Jr. The backfield features several new contributors, including Jacksonville State transfer Cam Cook and freshman Amari Latimer. At receiver, West Virginia features considerable turnover, with Jaden Bray the only returning player who caught a pass for the Mountaineers last season. Bray returns after recording seven receptions in just three games during an injury-shortened 2025 season, while Troy transfer D.J. Epps joins the receiving corps after making 46 catches last season. 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 adds significant Power Conference experience after making seven starts in 2025. West Virginia features several new starters elsewhere in the group.

Zac Alley returns for his second season as defensive coordinator, but West Virginia must rebuild much of the unit after losing 10 of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including its top five. 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.

Pat Kirkland returns as special teams coordinator. West Virginia entered the season with several new options at placekicker and punter, while D.J. Epps, Andre Devine, Armoni Weaver-Bomar, and freshman Matt Sieg provide options in a rebuilt return game. Overall, West Virginia enters 2026 with major turnover across the roster, though the offensive line offers some stability with two returning full-time starters and an experienced Power Conference transfer.