Breaking News: Rich Rodriguez Transforms Morgantown Mansion into Shelter for Homeless Youth
Morgantown, WV — In a surprising and compassionate move that has stunned the college football world, Rich Rodriguez, former head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, has announced a $3.6 million personal investment to convert a historic estate into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth in Morgantown.
The 14-bedroom Victorian mansion, perched atop South High Street and once slated for demolition, will now serve as the new home for “Mountaineer Haven,” a transitional housing and support center offering shelter, mental health resources, education programs, and career training for at-risk youth aged 14–21.
Rodriguez, who led the Mountaineers through some of their most successful seasons in the early 2000s, addressed the media on Friday morning with emotion in his voice.
> “This community gave me everything—my start, my purpose, and my pride. Now it’s time I give back. These kids need more than just a roof—they need a future.”
The project, a collaboration with local nonprofit Hearts Forward Appalachia, will include private bedrooms, a communal dining hall, therapy rooms, a recreation center, and classrooms for tutoring and life skills workshops. The renovation, expected to be completed by late fall, is being overseen by Mountain Roots Construction, using primarily local labor and recycled materials from the original structure to preserve its historic charm.
Rodriguez’s inspiration reportedly stemmed from a conversation with a former player who had experienced homelessness as a teen. “That hit me in the gut,” he said. “I’ve coached kids who could’ve been lost to the streets. They just needed someone to believe in them.”
Community leaders have praised the coach’s initiative. Mayor Linda Sorenson called it “a landmark moment of generosity and vision,” while WVU President Marshall Gordon added, “This transcends football. This is leadership in action.”
Initial funding for the project came entirely from Rodriguez’s personal savings and coaching bonuses. He’s also committed to funding the shelter’s first five years of operations, covering staffing, food, and mental health services.
Local response has been overwhelming. Volunteers have already signed up to offer tutoring, mentoring, and donations. West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources has pledged logistical support, including case management services and placement opportunities for youth transitioning out of foster care.
Critics have asked whether the state should bear more responsibility for such services, but Rodriguez brushed aside the politics.
> “I’m not here to point fingers. I’m here to roll up my sleeves.”
Once complete, Mountaineer Haven is expected to serve over 80 youths annually and offer internship opportunities for WVU students studying social work, education, and counseling.
As bulldozers rolled into the property’s overgrown lot on Friday afternoon, one couldn’t help but see the symbolic nature of the moment: an old building reborn, just like the lives it’s about to shelter.
From coach to community champion, Rich Rodriguez is proving that the true legacy of a Mountaineer isn’t measured in wins—but in impact.
