Rich Rodriguez institutes a new rule that he hopes to bring back a winning atmosphere to West Virginia University.
Rich Rodriguez Clamps Down on Players’ Social Media Usage
When he returned to his home state to coach, many embraced Rich Rodriguez’s return. The coach, considered the last link to WVU football relevance, wants to win. However, his approach may ruffle feathers.
West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez says he’s banning his players from dancing on TikTok.
“How about let’s win the football game and not worry about winning the TikTok?” pic.twitter.com/Q3DSulttZj
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 11, 2025
This week, the new/old Mountaineers head coach instituted a rule that forbids players from dancing on TikTok. While this feels like a modernized version of the movie “Footloose, Rodriguez explained his issue with his players dancing to USA Today, stating:
“They’re going to be on it, so I’m not banning them from it; I’m just banning them from dancing on it. It’s like, look, we try to have a hard edge or whatever, and you’re in there in your tights dancing on TikTok, ain’t quite the image of our program that I want. I’m allowed to do that. I can have rules,” he said. “Twenty years from now, if they want to be sitting in their pajamas in the basement eating Cheetos and watching TikTok or whatever the hell, they can go at it, smoking cannabis, whatever. Knock yourself out.”
With so much to unpack with that quote, Rodriguez gets his money’s worth using an economy of words. First, he clears up the parameters of use. By not banning the app outright, he leaves the door open to player self-expression. That matters, as modern coaches do not want a reputation for tyrannical behavior.
The portal remains the Sword of Damocles, hanging above a program’s head as an outlet for unhappy players. The head coach makes sense when he says that he doesn’t want his players giving the impression of lacking focus. However, the argument culminates in a discussion about eating snacks and smoking weed. That smacks of ” get off my lawn” vibes.
Rodriguez’s track record of success in Morgantown suggests that he may possess the resume to lay down the law. Of WVU’s seven double-digit-win seasons, he owns three. Additionally, those seasons occurred consecutively.
If not for two missed field goals by Pat McAfee, WVU probably plays for and wins a national championship. Bringing the team to the precipice of greatness grants Rodriguez the latitude to institute changes.
At the same time, he must be absolutely careful not to act heavy-handed. As mentioned, the portal exists right there. Moreover, no player wants to waste a year of eligibility. This delicate balance affects coaches who want to establish order without obedience. Remember, while the players are usually 18, 19, or 20 years old, they are still adults and want to be treated in like manner.
Rodiguez’s point stands, in a manner of speaking. For as entertaining and engaging as social media can be, athletes need to understand that they represent their universities by proxy.
Colleges will withdraw scholarship offers quickly if they feel their image of the school suffers. For example, quarterback Marcus Stokes was a four-star recruit who committed to Florida. Video surfaced of his rapping using racial slurs, and Florida pulled the scholarship. Stokes now plays for Division 2 North Florida.
KEEP READING: Everything Rich Rodriguez Had to Say After West Virginia’s First Spring Practice
In reality, did what Rich Rodriguez ordained as a rule as it pertains to social media use go too far? Yes and no. As he stated, as the leader of the football player, he can implement whatever rule he sees, within reason, as something to help his program. Under those circumstances, he remains fully in his rights. However, if players dancing on social media distract from your team, you recruit the wrong players.
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