Mountaineers Now

Pat McAfee Hints at a Big Turnaround for West Virginia on College GameDay

If Wren Baker hits on this hire, the Mountaineers could be a problem in the Big 12 for years to come.

Schuyler Callihan

Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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It's been several years since West Virginia football has been in the national conversation, but with a changing of the guard, the Mountaineers are hoping to return to their winning ways. That may happen sooner than later, believe it or not. Well, at least former WVU punter/kicker Pat McAfee is confident in a big turnaround.

During Saturday morning's ESPN College GameDay show, he sent a message to Arizona State and Iowa State who are playing in this year's Big 12 Conference championship game.

"I would like to say to both of these teams, enjoy it now because West Virginia is coming."

Dozens of names have been floated around as West Virginia looks for its new head coach, and McAfee has been pushing for his former coach, Rich Rodriguez, to land the job. Regardless of who gets the gig, McAfee has the utmost confidence in Wren Baker to make the right choice.

"For me, it’s been very hard because, like, I talk to Wren (Baker), and the last thing I want to do is put more pressure on Wren and who I think he should pick. He is the one who is tasked with making this decision. He is the one who has done a great job in figuring out who should lead a program and organization. When I talk to him, I just tell him, hey, this person reached out. Hey, this person reached out, this person reached out. Have you heard from this person? And then I’m just telling him, hey, you’re going to do a great job.”

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Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

Publisher of Mountaineers Now on FanNation/Sports Illustrated. Lead recruiting expert and co-host of Between the Eers, Walk Thru GameDay Show, Mountaineers Now Postgame Show, and In the Gun Podcast.

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