MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A late addition to Rich Rodriguez’s staff in his return to the West Virginia sidelines, running backs coach Larry Porter maintains he is continuing to comfortably adapt to the system being put in place by the Mountaineers’ head coach.
“We’re all learning, right? Coach is coming in and installing a new system offensively, defensively and special teams,” said Porter, hired March 6 for the position after Chad Scott became running backs coach at Texas. “We’re all immersed in that to try to learn it. It starts with protecting — being able to protect the football, being able to protect the quarterback. That’s an essential piece.
“The other piece is point of attack production and being able to get more than what the play gives you. There’s a big emphasis on that aspect of it as well in the room. It’s probably the most important piece, and I’ll say it over and over, establishing a hard edge and being in position to make whoever is on the other side feel that hard edge.”
Just shy of 30 years in the coaching profession, Porter most recently spent four seasons at North Carolina with various titles such as running backs coach and special teams coordinator. That was his second stint with the Tar Heels, and in between, Porter spent four seasons at Auburn. A former running back at Memphis, Porter has also been running backs coach at Texas and Arizona State, with a two-year stint as Memphis head coach preceding the aforementioned roles.
Working under Rodriguez, however, is something Porter had no experience with until recently.
“I’m pinning my ears back and following him. We meet as a staff and he points things out on film, and it’s our job as coaches to take it back to our meeting room and continue to emphasize that with our players,” Porter said. “On one hand, I am learning. Today was a little something different. Something as simple as after the play, having the urgency to get the ball back to the official and get lined up. That’s something he’s been teaching since Day 1, but there’s levels to it and we’re trying to continue to upgrade the levels until he’s satisfied.
“If you hear coach, then we’re not doing our job. When he doesn’t have to coach, we’re doing our job. I’m trying to make sure with my guys, he’s staying quiet.”
Tailback Jahiem White is perhaps the most notable returning player on West Virginia’s roster and remains in a green jersey this spring, designating him as a limited participate. Assuming he is still with the team come fall, White figures to heavily factor into the Mountaineers’ plan of attack.
“Jahiem’s a proven guy. We know what his ability is,” Rodriguez said.
White and Scott had a close relationship over his first two collegiate seasons. Now Porter is tasked with trying to get the most out of a rising junior that’s rushed for 1,687 yards and 11 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per carry over his first two seasons.
“He’s nursing an injury and pretty close to being ready to roll,” Porter said. “My whole approach to Jahiem is everything that we have to achieve and do is in front of us. Last year is exactly what it was — last year. He’s super excited about that mentality and mindset and just trying to build on the things he accomplished last year. That’s where his focus is. But he’s been a pleasure to get to know, to meet and be around.”
In the meantime, Porter is developing a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses present among the team’s tailbacks, a group that at this point, includes Tye Edwards, Diore Hubbard, Tra’evon Dunbar, Clay Ash, LJ Turner Jr., Judah Price.
“Every back regardless of who they are is unique to themselves,” Porter said. “I try to find out what their dominant trait is and build off of that. Even as you look at the room, every guy is different in that room. How do you build off that dominant trait and take their skillset and try to help them become the best version of themselves to give them an opportunity for success by them helping their team?”
In a Rodriguez-led attack, running backs are sure to be featured heavily.
With Rodriguez as head coach, Jacksonville State ranked No. 3 among FBS teams last season with 251 rushing yards on average.
“The one thing I really enjoy about this offense is we try to stretch the field vertically and horizontally with the run game and pass game for that matter,” Porter said. “Everything that we do will be built off the run. That will be an emphasis. I fully expect him to continue that trend of putting up elite numbers running the ball.”
