BREAKING: West Virginia Head Coach Rich Rodriguez Boycotts NCAA Pride Night, Declares “The Field Should Be About Football, Not Politics or Agendas”
Morgantown, WV — June 26, 2025
In a move that has sparked both outrage and applause across the country, West Virginia University head football coach Rich Rodriguez announced his decision to boycott the NCAA’s upcoming “Pride Night” initiative, citing a growing frustration with what he perceives as the politicization of collegiate athletics.
Rodriguez, in a surprise press conference Wednesday morning, said,
“I support the right of every American to live freely and proudly. But the football field is a sacred space. It’s where young men battle, grow, and bond—not where social or political agendas should be pushed. On my watch, football comes first.”
The NCAA’s Pride Night campaign, scheduled for this fall across various athletic programs, aims to promote inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Participating teams are encouraged to wear Pride-themed warmups, incorporate rainbow decals into gear, and feature halftime PSAs about equality and representation.
Rodriguez’s decision to opt out, however, comes as the first outright public defiance of the program by a major college coach.
A Nation Divided
Almost instantly, Rodriguez’s comments lit up social media, with hashtags like #BoycottRodriguez, #LetFootballBeFootball, and #StandWithRich trending nationwide. Advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports labeled his stance as “regressive” and “dangerously exclusionary,” while others—especially in more conservative circles—hailed Rodriguez as a “man of principle” standing against what they call “forced virtue signaling.”
Sources inside the WVU athletic department say the university is “reviewing the situation,” but no disciplinary action is currently expected. Athletic Director Matt Wells released a short statement affirming WVU’s support for diversity while also recognizing Rodriguez’s right to personal and professional discretion.
With the NCAA expected to release a formal response in the coming days, one thing is certain—Rich Rodriguez has reignited a fiery debate over the role of personal beliefs, institutional values, and political movements in the world of college football.
And as the 2025 season inches closer, all eyes will be on Morgantown.
