Last week on GameDay, sports analyst Pat McAfee revealed a shocking truth about how he saved WVU from a crisis on air. He told the GameDay crew that WVU almost went through a financial disaster after one of their major donors refused to invest money into the program. The timing of the pullout couldn’t be worse, as WVU had to pay out several players who were leaving. In a desperate attempt, HC Rich Rodriguez called the $60 million man, who agreed to help his former team. This revelation has now ignited a hunt on social media to identify the “traitor,” with some fans already pointing fingers at a familiar face.

Pat McAfee’s reveal of WVU’s behind-the-scenes fiscal mess sent fans on social media crazy. The manhunt began for the traitorous donor who decided to back out when the program needed them the most. However, in a wave of frenzy, fans started calling out the billionaire Ken Kendrick, who is the owner of the MLB team Arizona Diamondbacks. Ken is a known WVU donor who has made notable donations to them in the past. So naturally, fans started accusing him of being the culprit. However, it seems like the fans got it wrong on this one.

Mike J. Asti, the managing editor at WV Sports Now, went on X to prove that the WVU donor referenced by Pat McAfee was not Ken Kendrick. In a post on X, Mike gave a statement that Ken Kendrick was still very much part of WVU. “Any assumptions that it’s him are wrong. He is still very willing to help West Virginia athletics,” the post read. This doused the fiery accusations that had been coming in Ken Kendrick’s way ever since GameDay.

However, fans commented on Mike’s post, asking for proof of Ken Kendrick’s innocence. In reply, he shared an article by WV Sports Now, commenting, “I’ll add this for anyone who wants to question my donor sources: how often do you see donors going on the record with media members? They have with me”. In the article, he covered that donors were hesitant to support WVU Basketball HC Ross Hodge. That’s because Ross Hodge was not a big-name HC, prompting some donors to be reluctant to spend money on his transfer. However, Ken Kendrick voiced his public support for the HC, saying he hopes Ross brings “competence and character” to WVU.

Despite a lot of donors backing out on Ross Hodge, Ken Kendrick stood his ground on the matter. Ken has been a long-time donor to the Mountaineers. A WVU alumnus himself, Ken graduated from the university in 1965. He is also a long-serving member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors. Now add the fact that he took a $20 million pledge in 2022 to enhance economics education and create the Kendrick Center for an Ethical Economy, and it seems unlikely that he is the traitor that everyone is looking for.

This ‘catching the imposter’ scenario seems to have diverted the attention of the fans from the issues that WVU has at hand in their football venture.

With how the season has gone for WVU, it seems even Pat McAfee cannot save them

Sitting 15th in the Big 12, WVU is not in a comfortable stage this season. The Mountaineers have a 2-6 record, showing signs of turmoil within Rich Rodriguez‘s side. Five of those defeats were against conference opponents. Against TCU last Saturday, they lost 17-23. The stats might show that it was close, but the truth is they were outclassed through three quarters. They made it competitive in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late.

And that has been the case for WVU this season, which has not been able to put its feet on the ground. With all the management problems happening around the program, it gives an overview of how much they have been struggling this season.

While fans were happy about Pat McAfee’s heroic donations, it is still not a way back for them in the college football sphere. With only four games left, Rich Rodriguez will have to pull off a miracle to end the regular season in a respectable position.