The 2024 college football season will feature two of the most intriguing coaching comebacks in recent memory, as Rich Rodriguez returns to West Virginia and Scott Frost resumes leadership at UCF – both now competing in a dramatically different Big 12 Conference than when they last coached these programs.
Rich Rodriguez’s Second Act in Morgantown
Eighteen years after his controversial departure from West Virginia, Rodriguez faces perhaps his greatest coaching challenge yet. The architect of West Virginia’s golden era (2005-2007) that produced three straight 11-win seasons in the Big East now inherits a Mountaineers squad in complete offensive rebuild mode.
The challenges are substantial:
• The entire offensive line and top three receivers from 2023 are gone
• Only four returning receivers combined for just 524 yards last season
• Must implement his signature spread offense in the NIL/transfer portal era
“We’re literally building from scratch,” Rodriguez admitted during spring practices. “We don’t have the personnel yet to run our system the way we want.” His immediate focus has been developing running back Jahiem White (845 yards, 6.5 YPC in 2023) while scrambling to add playmakers through the portal.
Scott Frost’s UCF Redemption Tour
Frost returns to Orlando where he authored college football’s most memorable 2017 season – an undefeated campaign that saw UCF claim a national championship in the American Athletic Conference. The contrast between then and now couldn’t be starker.
UCF’s transition to the Big 12 has been rocky:
• 10-15 record over first two seasons in the conference
• School-record six straight winning seasons snapped
• Facing upgraded competition week-to-week
“This isn’t 2016 when we started from absolute zero,” Frost noted, recalling his first UCF stint that began with an 0-12 team. “The foundation is better, but the margin for error is smaller in this league.”
Big 12 Backfield Revolution
The conference is undergoing a complete reset at running back:
• All five 100-YPG rushers were drafted to the NFL
• Only two of last season’s top 10 rushers return (Baylor’s Bryson Washington and BYU’s LJ Martin)
• Arizona State added Army transfer Kanye Udoh (1,117 yards) to replace Cam Skattebo
• Iowa State’s Carson Hansen (13 TDs) leads returning touchdown producers
Quarter Quandaries Across the Conference
Several Big 12 teams face major questions under center:
• Oklahoma State: Lost both experienced QBs (Smith, Rangel) to portal; now starting from scratch
• Colorado: High-profile battle between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and 5-star freshman Julian Lewis
• Arizona State: Sam Leavitt returns after stellar debut (2,885 yards, 24 TDs)
• Baylor/Texas Tech/TCU: Returning veteran starters but need improved consistency
Utah Schools Head Opposite Directions
The conference’s Utah-based programs present fascinating contrasts:
BYU
• Rose to No. 6 in CFP rankings during dream 2023 season
• Returns most key pieces from 11-2 Alamo Bowl champions
• Must replace entire starting defensive line
Utah
• Preseason favorites collapsed into 7-game losing streak
• Hired former New Mexico OC Jason Beck to overhaul offense
• Looking to rediscover physical identity in second Big 12 season
The Big 12’s New Reality
As Rodriguez and Frost begin their second acts, they face a conference that has evolved into one of college football’s most competitive and unpredictable leagues. With expanded playoff access but increased parity, their ability to adapt to modern roster construction (NIL, portal) while implementing their systems will determine whether these homecoming stories have happy endings.
The 2024 season will reveal whether these coaching prodigal sons can recapture past magic in a conference – and sport – that barely resembles what they left behind.
