WVU changes bring awkward feeling

Submitted by kentysiac on 12/27/2010 - 18:19

ORLANDO - The Champs Sports Bowl news conference of West Virginia coach Bill Stewart today had an awkward feeling to it, as if everybody was walking on eggshells.

Stewart has coached West Virginia to a 9-3 record this season heading into Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. bowl game against N.C. State. He is 28-11 after three full seasons with the Mountaineers, but his time with the team will end after the 2011 season.

Dana Holgorsen is leaving Oklahoma State to be Stewart’s offensive coordinator in 2011, and then will replace Stewart as head coach in 2012. Other staffing changes also are coming for 2011.

Stewart was asked if he had any thoughts about having some of his assistants at his side for the final time.

“That’s a personal matter,” Stewart said. “I appreciate you asking and I don’t want to dodge the question, but that’s in my heart.”

N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien was similarly mum when asked about Stewart’s situation. O’Brien and Stewart have a friendship that dates back more than 20 years.

Stewart and O’Brien got to know each other while coaching rival offensive lines at North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, in the 1980s. O’Brien was asked what he thought of the coaching changes at West Virginia.

“I think I’d better keep that to myself,” he said.

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Comments

Not very difficult

Mon, 12/27/2010 - 22:49 — gvillegatr

state will win this game by 10 +

HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT

Tue, 12/28/2010 - 13:44 — JPDOhio

My Bowl Pool took a beating over the holiday weekend and I can't help but bet my heart when it comes to the Pack. I do like the Pack in this one (even using my head for a change), but I expect it to be closer than 10+.

Bowl Pool

Tue, 12/28/2010 - 15:37 — YAR8pack

I started out 4-0 in my bowl pool, but FIU's comeback and Hawaii being destroyed have since beat up my bracket.

I took NCSU over WVU. Hopefully the Pack doesn't add to its season loss column as well as adding to my bowl bracket loss column.

GO WOLFPACK!!!

sounds like were in the same boat

Tue, 12/28/2010 - 20:37 — JPDOhio

Go Wolfpack!

Glad to hear it but why?

Tue, 12/28/2010 - 10:22 — mcdpack94

Because of the caoching changes or do they have some hurt players?

Better team

Tue, 12/28/2010 - 19:12 — gvillegatr

They're not that great on defense nor or they better atthe QB position. Furthermore, or reporting wise, the players aren't that happy with what is currenty happening with Stewart's coaching future.