File photo WVU coach Rich Rodriguez announced the additions of Gabe Franklin and Andrew Warwick to his staff.

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez has announced that Gabe Franklin has been hired as the safeties coach on the Mountaineer coaching staff.

“Gabe is familiar with some of our defensive staff from their time at Boise State, and I am excited to get the chance to work with him,” Rodriguez said. “He brings great leadership and experience from all levels and was a well-decorated defensive back during his playing days.”

A four-year letterwinner and three-time all-league cornerback at Boise State, Franklin had a successful tenure at his alma mater where he served as the safeties coach in 2016 and oversaw the nickels starting in 2019. He was with the Broncos for five seasons and helped the defense improve immediately. In his debut season, the Bronco defense allowed just 23.3 points per game, a mark that ranked No. 29 nationally. That number dropped to 22.9 points allowed per game in 2017 and 22.1 points per game in 2018. During his time at Boise, four safeties earned All-Mountain West honors.

Prior to coming to West Virginia, Franklin served in various roles around the Mansfield, Texas, community, including founding F4 Sports Academy and teaching high school business while coaching football and soccer at Timberview High.

He also spent five seasons at UTEP, where he served as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He joined the UTEP staff as cornerbacks coach in 2011 before being elevated to defensive backs coach in 2013 and recruiting coordinator in 2014. In his final two seasons there, the Miners’ secondary combined for 72 pass breakups.

Rodriguez also announced that Andrew Warwick has been hired as the Senior Defensive Analyst/Assistant Linebackers Coach.

“Andrew is a great addition to our coaching staff, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of developing players at a high level,” Rodriguez said. “I’m confident that his work ethic and leadership will make a significant impact on our team’s success moving forward.”

Warwick joins the Mountaineer football staff after spending the last three years as the co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Wofford.

During the 2024 season, the Terrier defense ranked No. 4 in the Southern Conference, which included a pass defense that led the league. In 2023, the defense reached No. 3 in the conference and inside linebacker David Powers earned All-Southern Conference Second Team honors under Warwick.

He spent the previous three seasons as the linebackers coach at Troy. His tenure showed one of the best turnarounds in the nation as the Trojans improved 38 spots nationally in total defense from 2019 to 2020. They led the country with four defensive scores and by 2021, they rose to No. 24 nationally in total defense.