Breaking News: Stewart Out At West Virginia

[wvjohn]

By Kevin Kinder
Publisher
Posted Jun 10, 2011

Around 2:30 p.m., the skies in Morgantown, W. Va., grew ominously dark. While they signaled the arrival of the latest in a series of spring storms that have pounded the Mountain State, they also heralded the end of the Bill Stewart era at West Virginia University.


The day began with the revelation that Stewart had retained a new attorney, J. Michael Benninger, to represent him in negotiations with WVU. Up until that point, no contact had taken place between another Stewart attorney, David Hendrickson, and the school, but Hendrickson stepped aside when it became apparent that litigation might take place as a result of the negotiations. Hendrickson is a longtime WVU supporter, a past president of the WVU Alumni Association, and the chairman of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

As negotiations progressed through the day, two camps emerged from those keeping tabs on their progress. One group indicated that Stewart planned to fight any attempts to dismiss him before the 2011 season, while another maintained that the talks were proceeding, and that a resolution was expected by the afternoon. The latter proved to be the case, as an agreement was reached in mid-afternoon that resulted in the departure of Stewart.

Two sources have indicated to BlueGoldNews.com that Stewart's tenure at West Virginia will come to an end with an official announcement coming soon. Details on the announcement, including possible additional payments to Stewart, are not yet available.

Link:

http://westvirginia.scout.com/

[billybud]

I have been watching this break on the B&G board (where you can always find Billy).

If you want drama...WVU has been the place to be for the past few years. The soap opera is entertaining. to say the least.

[GoBoilers]

I thought football was just a game?

[billybud]

Sir!

Not below the Mason Dixon line.

[Swamp Daddy]

How will this affect incoming recruits? Sounds like the perfect storm. His sucessor isn't much in my opinion. Rich Rod is needed back though as a CARD fan he's an awful good coach. Maybe I should cheer for more confusion.

Swamp Daddy

[donovan]

I am with Swamp Daddy...they are smoking something funny at WVU if they think they have improved their position. Does anyone believe the BCS is going to give WVU a shot even if they are undefeated...?

[billybud]

Holgorsen is a much better offensive mind than Stew has shown to be. I expect WVU to be a BCS bowl challenger every year in the BE and the Mountaineers to throw up huge numbers (that was true for Holgorsen at OK State, Texas Tech, and Houston).

Casteel, the DC, is terrific so the defense is in good hands. That 3-3-5 stack may have problems with stout running teams, but they were very highly ranked as a defense the last two years.

WVU needed desperately to dump Stew. He was a polarizer and had split the fan base way before Dana H. was brought in. A horrible game coach who many fans felt did not have the demeanor of a head coach.

I think that Dana Holgorsen is a upgrade, if Dana can keep his personal demons in check with the alcohol thing.

[billybud]

And...where is Eric?

Eric...I am throwing up the guru signal in the sky for your preseason thoughts.

[donovan]

Holgorsen is a much better offensive mind than Stew has shown to be. I expect WVU to be a BCS bowl challenger every year in the BE and the Mountaineers to throw up huge numbers (that was true for Holgorsen at OK State, Texas Tech, and Houston).

Casteel, the DC, is terrific so the defense is in good hands. That 3-3-5 stack may have problems with stout running teams, but they were very highly ranked as a defense the last two years.

WVU needed desperately to dump Stew. He was a polarizer and had split the fan base way before Dana H. was brought in. A horrible game coach who many fans felt did not have the demeanor of a head coach.

I think that Dana Holgorsen is a upgrade, if Dana can keep his personal demons in check with the alcohol thing.

"Luck had said he hired Holgorsen because he believed the Mountaineers couldn't win a national championship under Stewart's leadership. Stewart went 28-12 in three seasons but failed to earn a Bowl Championship Series berth." This is the AP quote used in a multitude of articles. There seems to be an assumption that the BCS berths have something to do with football. That there is a level playing field. How myopic can we get. If AD Luck thinks WVU from the BE with their schedule is going to get consideration under any circumstances without winning the conference, which his statement implies...he must believe "justice is blind."

[Derek]

I am with Swamp Daddy...they are smoking something funny at WVU if they think they have improved their position. Does anyone believe the BCS is going to give WVU a shot even if they are undefeated...?

3 years ago..Yes. Now? NOPE

[Derek]

Sir!

Not below the Mason Dixon line.

HEAR HEAR!!!