RETIREMENT PLAN: West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez Buys $39M Georgia Ranch for Ultimate Outdoor Playground
In a stunning off-field development that has captivated both sports and luxury real estate circles, West Virginia Head Football Coach Rich Rodriguez has reportedly purchased a sprawling $39 million ranch estate in North Georgia. The massive property, totaling over 5,000 acres, is being hailed as a “sportsman’s paradise” and a bold retirement vision for one of college football’s most colorful figures.
Dubbed “The Ridge,” the estate features a private lake for wakesurfing, five fully furnished lodges, a state-of-the-art hunting preserve, and a blueprint for a custom-designed racetrack already in development. The announcement comes amid growing speculation about Rodriguez’s long-term plans, though he insists the purchase is not a signal of an imminent retirement.
“I’m not slowing down anytime soon,” Rodriguez said with a grin. “But I wanted a place where my family could come together—whether it’s wakesurfing at dawn, bowhunting in the fall, or taking laps on a racetrack built just for us. This is about legacy.”
The centerpiece of the property is a crystal-clear, spring-fed lake where Rodriguez reportedly plans to install a cable wakeboarding system and a pro-level surfing boat dock. He’s also importing red stag and exotic game for a private, regulated hunting experience tailored for family and former players.
Sources close to Rodriguez say he personally oversaw the design of the main lodge, which includes a 12,000-square-foot great hall, indoor archery range, and a memorabilia vault housing decades of coaching mementos. “This isn’t just a ranch—it’s a retreat, a classroom, and a playground all in one,” said a family friend.
Perhaps most intriguing is the racetrack—reportedly a 2.4-mile paved loop with elevation changes, pit garages, and grandstand seating for 500. “It’s going to be like Top Gear meets Duck Dynasty,” joked Rodriguez.
While Mountaineer Nation hopes RichRod stays in Morgantown for years to come, his Georgia getaway proves one thing: when the time comes, Coach plans to retire in style.
