SI says DH best bet to be gone ...

[spreadoption]

On Sports Illustrated's website, Pete Thamel wrote the following on Tuesday ...

West Virginia officials pondered firing Dana Holgorsen last year, but a buyout of more than $10 million made that move untenable. That thinking should change as West Virginia would only need to pay Holgorsen $3 million to fire him this season. In the industry, this job is viewed as the biggest certainty of any to open.

The juiciest speculation hovering over the season will be whether Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would consider returning. That move was once unthinkable after his rocky exit to Michigan in 2007, but time has healed wounds on both sides. One problem is that West Virginia is a much harder job in the Big 12 than it was in the Big East.

 

[eerdoc]

On Sports Illustrated's website, Pete Thamel wrote the following on Tuesday ...

West Virginia officials pondered firing Dana Holgorsen last year, but a buyout of more than $10 million made that move untenable. That thinking should change as West Virginia would only need to pay Holgorsen $3 million to fire him this season. In the industry, this job is viewed as the biggest certainty of any to open.

The juiciest speculation hovering over the season will be whether Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would consider returning. That move was once unthinkable after his rocky exit to Michigan in 2007, but time has healed wounds on both sides. One problem is that West Virginia is a much harder job in the Big 12 than it was in the Big East.

Another 'writer' fanning dead embers and wishing for a miracle ." ..time has healed wounds on both sides..." really? Mine have not healed. and I do not believe I am alone. Keep RR as far from wVU as possible. He is not wanted. NO WAY.

 

[old buzzard]

On Sports Illustrated's website, Pete Thamel wrote the following on Tuesday ...


The juiciest speculation hovering over the season will be whether Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would consider returning. That move was once unthinkable after his rocky exit to Michigan in 2007, but time has healed wounds on both sides.

Rita must have been his source...

 

[JIMEER86]

On Sports Illustrated's website, Pete Thamel wrote the following on Tuesday ...

West Virginia officials pondered firing Dana Holgorsen last year, but a buyout of more than $10 million made that move untenable. That thinking should change as West Virginia would only need to pay Holgorsen $3 million to fire him this season. In the industry, this job is viewed as the biggest certainty of any to open.

The juiciest speculation hovering over the season will be whether Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would consider returning. That move was once unthinkable after his rocky exit to Michigan in 2007, but time has healed wounds on both sides. One problem is that West Virginia is a much harder job in the Big 12 than it was in the Big East.

talk about not doing your homework - whew!

 

[TexasforevEER]

Yeah, let's throw hundred million to Rich Rod. Yeah, I like the way that rings. You with me on this one? Rod and Rita package deal for the next 10 years. Perfect!

 

[ooohthagrrrrrrendal]

as we West Virginians would say "if a frog had wings he wouldn't bump his ass."

 

[WVURobinHood]

On Sports Illustrated's website, Pete Thamel wrote the following on Tuesday ...

West Virginia officials pondered firing Dana Holgorsen last year, but a buyout of more than $10 million made that move untenable. That thinking should change as West Virginia would only need to pay Holgorsen $3 million to fire him this season. In the industry, this job is viewed as the biggest certainty of any to open.

The juiciest speculation hovering over the season will be whether Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would consider returning. That move was once unthinkable after his rocky exit to Michigan in 2007, but time has healed wounds on both sides. One problem is that West Virginia is a much harder job in the Big 12 than it was in the Big East.

on a side note.

did anyone see thamel's hair on the video that was accompanying this article on twitter??

 

[ooohthagrrrrrrendal]

I'm just gonna be straight with everybody and I played college ball so I know what it takes to play at this level I'm sick of the bashing of Dana Holgorson and even 10x sick of the bashing of Skyler Howard! Go read his profile this kid has waited and waited for this opportunity to get to this level and everybody thinks he wants to piss it away? I hope this dude and coach ball out this year cuz the recruiting classes and schedule are set and "sky's" the limit for this team now and in the future! Let's GOOOOOOOOOOO..................Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TexasforevEER]

I'm just gonna be straight with everybody and I played college ball so I know what it takes to play at this level I'm sick of the bashing of Dana Holgorson and even 10x sick of the bashing of Skyler Howard! Go read his profile this kid has waited and waited for this opportunity to get to this level and everybody thinks he wants to piss it away? I hope this dude and coach ball out this year cuz the recruiting classes and schedule are set and "sky's" the limit for this team now and in the future! Let's GOOOOOOOOOOO..................Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the way you talk..............my friend. I too played college and pro sports. I now meet with the 'shiny shoes' on a regular basis and like you..............I am sick of the DH bashing. SI doesn't run the sports program at WVU! Skyler Howard is not a good player. He's a great player! Now...........let's bring on the Mountaineers!

 

[The Bell Tolls for Thee]

I'm just gonna be straight with everybody and I played college ball so I know what it takes to play at this level I'm sick of the bashing of Dana Holgorson and even 10x sick of the bashing of Skyler Howard! Go read his profile this kid has waited and waited for this opportunity to get to this level and everybody thinks he wants to piss it away? I hope this dude and coach ball out this year cuz the recruiting classes and schedule are set and "sky's" the limit for this team now and in the future! Let's GOOOOOOOOOOO..................Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it "bashing" to say that Howard lacks the physical attributes and the accuracy/decision making to overcome the lack of physical attributes? You are right that it takes ALOT to play at this level, but it's not just character and hard work. Most people could never play at this level no matter how hard they work. He's a Mountaineer and therefore I'm pulling for him to be great, but last season he had difficulty hitting short middle routes due to his height, has had turnover problems, and doesn't get rid of the ball when he should (takes a sack or runs out of bounds for a loss). Hopefully he has grown after that season and this off season, but I have some doubts.

 

[ooohthagrrrrrrendal]

Is it "bashing" to say that Howard lacks the physical attributes and the accuracy/decision making to overcome the lack of physical attributes? You are right that it takes ALOT to play at this level, but it's not just character and hard work. Most people could never play at this level no matter how hard they work. He's a Mountaineer and therefore I'm pulling for him to be great, but last season he had difficulty hitting short middle routes due to his height, has had turnover problems, and doesn't get rid of the ball when he should (takes a sack or runs out of bounds for a loss). Hopefully he has grown after that season and this off season, but I have some doubts.

Did ya count the drops along with the turnovers? all of these plays combined together with turnovers are obvious heartbreakers. Drops are a drive nightmare and we had plenty of them to boot with skyler's troubles. But I see this offense moving past that this season in all spectrums in a HUGE way!

 

[Darth_VadEER]

On Sports Illustrated's website, Pete Thamel wrote the following on Tuesday ...

West Virginia officials pondered firing Dana Holgorsen last year, but a buyout of more than $10 million made that move untenable. That thinking should change as West Virginia would only need to pay Holgorsen $3 million to fire him this season. In the industry, this job is viewed as the biggest certainty of any to open.

The juiciest speculation hovering over the season will be whether Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would consider returning. That move was once unthinkable after his rocky exit to Michigan in 2007, but time has healed wounds on both sides. One problem is that West Virginia is a much harder job in the Big 12 than it was in the Big East.

I'd be fine with RR. Good coach.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

So who is our short list?

RR?
Gibby?

I'm sure Terry Bowden's name will get tossed into the ring.

 

[HurdyGurdyEer]

At this point I would kind of like to see Rod return just because it would be so entertaining to watch what would happen with a number of our fans.

But really .... I don't see Rod leaving Arizona. He has it made there.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

At this point I would kind of like to see Rod return just because it would be so entertaining to watch what would happen with a number of our fans.

But really .... I don't see Rod leaving Arizona. He has it made there.

IMO, Thamel knew what he was doing. He planted that for someone. Either for RR or WVU.

 

[TexasforevEER]

So who is our short list?

RR?
Gibby?

I'm sure Terry Bowden's name will get tossed into the ring.

I assure that Terry Bowden's name ain't gonna get tossed into no ring. Neither is RichRod getting tossed. They gone and ain't coming back!

 

[WVmtnBikEER]

If there was ever a chance that I entertained the thought of RR coming back, and I did, it completely left my mind with the making of his two videos. Last years (wild west whatever) was bad but that crap with him in the gladiator outfit...HOLY CRAP that's LAME! That said, there's no way I want to see that dude's face on tv on Saturday mornings. I want Dana to succeed but I get the impression that he doesn't seem to put the time in that he should (seemed completely unprepared for the KSU game last year). I love Gibby and would hate to lose him!

 

[dangerousdaneerfan]

So who is our short list?

RR?
Gibby?

I'm sure Terry Bowden's name will get tossed into the ring.

Jeff Brohm at WKU is rumored to be on the Lyons List.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

Jeff Brohm at WKU is rumored to be on the Lyons List.

He would be a candidate worth pursuing. My feeling is he might take the Kentucky job if Stoops is fired.

Not much coaching experience outside of Kentucky.

 

[WVex-pat in GA]

I bet Larry Fedora would like a better recruiting atmosphere than he has now.

 

[WVU80ate]

Another 'writer' fanning dead embers and wishing for a miracle ." ..time has healed wounds on both sides..." really? Mine have not healed. and I do not believe I am alone. Keep RR as far from wVU as possible. He is not wanted. NO WAY.

Maybe if you knew the entire story of Rod's exit at WVU, you might feel differently. Most people in his shoes would've acted similarly.

 

[concordmountaineer]

At this point I would kind of like to see Rod return just because it would be so entertaining to watch what would happen with a number of our fans.

But really .... I don't see Rod leaving Arizona. He has it made there.

That has never stopped him before.....

 

[WVU80ate]

That has never stopped him before.....

IMO, it would be a mistake for Rodriguez to return to WVU. The expectations would be ludicrous. Each loss would be the end all. There is a rather large base who would want his demise just in hopes WVU would fire him as payback for leaving the first time. The fanbase would be further divided. It would be a PR nightmare for both sides.

 

[TexasforevEER]

Maybe if you knew the entire story of Rod's exit at WVU, you might feel differently. Most people in his shoes would've acted similarly.

OK...................don't tease us like that. Tell us the story, the whole story and nothing but the story. Tell us the story with regard to his departure from Michigan while your at it.

In the meantime, Rich is mining gold in them thar Arizona hills. He making videos in the spare time. Life is good.

 

[mountaineerndixie]

At this point I would kind of like to see Rod return just because it would be so entertaining to watch what would happen with a number of our fans.

But really .... I don't see Rod leaving Arizona. He has it made there.

Ditto, It would get rid of the "fans" that root for coaches and not the program. I can do without them.

Fact is, Rod asked for things that should have been a gimme but they were denied. It started way before he left but the timing of the sPitt loss and Rod allowing his legal mouthpiece to handle his speech writing duties just made it impossible for most people to understand without bias. I don't think for a minute that he didn't want to stay and build WVU into a destination program. I don't know if Rod would do well here again. The spread was new then and we caught people offguard. I haven't paid any attention to Arizona so I don't know if Rod has learned over time or if he is as stubborn as ever. That's his biggest liability as a coach IMO.

DH is doing OK IMO. He's made adjustments each year to meet glaring needs so he isn't stubbornly trying to fit a square peg into a round hole like Rod. He refocused recruiting back to our traditional areas after it was obvious the Midwest pipeline would rust from infrequent use. He has made adjustments to better our defense each year and he adopted a running game, as he saw that WVU would not be successful as a pass only offense.

He's done everything he could to be accepted as a Mountaineer, on and off the field, and although I didn't care for him at first watching him adjust and learn and try has changed my mind considerably. I still say that when he does leave it won't be WVU's decision or the fans' wish.

 

[Krighton]

Some bad play calling so far in the MO game.....probably not helping Holgs stock.

 

[WVUALLEN]

1st game and a win. The haters looking for blood. Let the season play through before hanging the man.

 

[coalcountry52]

Maybe if you knew the entire story of Rod's exit at WVU, you might feel differently. Most people in his shoes would've acted similarly.

This has been gone over time and again. It doesn't matter if he and management didn't get along. It was well-known that we had a dumb ass crony of Manchin in Garrison. DickRod held WVU hostage only a year earlier when he forced boosters to pony up a raise or he'd go to Bama. He wanted things that would have put us in the grave with the NCAA. He not only jumped at Michigan with his freshly signed WVU contract, he dragged the school and state through the muck to get out of paying it. Didn't work, so the only reason he had to leave which was a better job, which if he'd conducted himself in such a way, we wouldn't be having this conversation, and I wouldn't be considering to withhold any donations to WVU if they mistakenly hired him again.

IMO, it would be a mistake for Rodriguez to return to WVU. The expectations would be ludicrous. Each loss would be the end all. There is a rather large base who would want his demise just in hopes WVU would fire him as payback for leaving the first time. The fanbase would be further divided. It would be a PR nightmare for both sides.

This fanbase will be divided until we win a national title. That is likely never going to happen. It was divided under DickRod until we won the Sugar Bowl. Hell, prior to 2005 I can remember the "ALL HE DOES IS THROW IT DEEP OR RUN DRAW PLAYS!" kind of complaints from people.

 

[dogeered_again]

OK...................don't tease us like that. Tell us the story, the whole story and nothing but the story. Tell us the story with regard to his departure from Michigan while your at it.

In the meantime, Rich is mining gold in them thar Arizona hills. He making videos in the spare time. Life is good.

Here is the story... RR is a shithead... he was an under the radar shithead while he was here and became a bigger and greater shithead while he danced with Alabama (possibly others) and ultimately Michigan. That turned out nice. He can rot in Arizona hell and maybe succeed there, but he has no place back here after how he left... and the circumstances on his leaving are still a little bit questionable. Good riddance and don't ever step foot on our doorstep again.

 

[WVU80ate]

This has been gone over time and again. It doesn't matter if he and management didn't get along. It was well-known that we had a dumb ass crony of Manchin in Garrison. DickRod held WVU hostage only a year earlier when he forced boosters to pony up a raise or he'd go to Bama. He wanted things that would have put us in the grave with the NCAA. He not only jumped at Michigan with his freshly signed WVU contract, he dragged the school and state through the muck to get out of paying it. Didn't work, so the only reason he had to leave which was a better job, which if he'd conducted himself in such a way, we wouldn't be having this conversation, and I wouldn't be considering to withhold any donations to WVU if they mistakenly hired him again.



This fanbase will be divided until we win a national title. That is likely never going to happen. It was divided under DickRod until we won the Sugar Bowl. Hell, prior to 2005 I can remember the "ALL HE DOES IS THROW IT DEEP OR RUN DRAW PLAYS!" kind of complaints from people.

My point was, neither side looked very good. People heard one side of the story. Pretty much the WVU side only. Could Rod have handled it better? Sure he could've.

 

[doctom4]

Look.. DH is out of here regardless of how WVU does this year. If they win big, he's not staying for sure; if they lose, the Board will not renew. This is, literally, DH's contract year. I don't buy that the Big 12 is any better than the Big East RR coached against in ANY way. Anybody who looks at the numbers on the field head-to-head has to admit that this is the total truth. And when they met in bowl games, the Big East trampled them. I think DH has gotten better as a head coach, though; more emphasis on defense and running the ball have improved things considerably here. But if he is really recruiting all of these 4- and 5-star kids - more than anybody here has ever allegedly - then he should be taking WVU to bigger games than the Cactus Bowl. People like to say Nehlen couldn't recruit, but when I look at the 1988 and 1998 teams on offense and the 1996 team on defense, I see more talent on either of those units than currently stands here today.

There are myriad stories out there about how DH is contemptuous of WV generally and the university in particular. I don't know if they're true or not, but based on where I have my information, I have no reason to doubt it. As such, I think it's a bad marriage that everyone's tried to make the best of, but will end very soon. Winning will be a wonderful salve to what could be an ugly ending.

 

[WVU80ate]

Look.. DH is out of here regardless of how WVU does this year. If they win big, he's not staying for sure; if they lose, the Board will not renew. This is, literally, DH's contract year. I don't buy that the Big 12 is any better than the Big East RR coached against in ANY way. Anybody who looks at the numbers on the field head-to-head has to admit that this is the total truth. And when they met in bowl games, the Big East trampled them. I think DH has gotten better as a head coach, though; more emphasis on defense and running the ball have improved things considerably here. But if he is really recruiting all of these 4- and 5-star kids - more than anybody here has ever allegedly - then he should be taking WVU to bigger games than the Cactus Bowl. People like to say Nehlen couldn't recruit, but when I look at the 1988 and 1998 teams on offense and the 1996 team on defense, I see more talent on either of those units than currently stands here today.

There are myriad stories out there about how DH is contemptuous of WV generally and the university in particular. I don't know if they're true or not, but based on where I have my information, I have no reason to doubt it. As such, I think it's a bad marriage that everyone's tried to make the best of, but will end very soon. Winning will be a wonderful salve to what could be an ugly ending.

That is your opinion. My opinion is different. Those Nehlen teams you mention; 1988, 1993, and 1996 would have worse records. The schedules were not as tough. The 1988 team played a super weak schedule consisting of only 2 teams with a winning record. The 1993 team won 5 games by 7 points or less. There is no comparison between the Big East and the Big 12. None.

 

[doctom4]

Ridiculous. The '96 defense could cover, could rush the passer with just four guys; had killer LBs...Big XII teams - especially that season - would have had a very hard time coping with them. People forget this, but the 1988 team had six or seven NFL players on its defense.

The 93 team gets undersold ... I'd put them out there any time, especially on offense. Until Kelchner blew his elbow up in the Rutgers game, there wasn't anything that team couldn't do, and Studstill (as he showed in the Louisville and VPI games) could do it just as well. To say their schedule wasn't as difficult, though ... may be true but not at the top end. Miami was 9-2. Virginia Tech was better than Texas in those days and showed it in the Sugar Bowl two years later. People forget that Boston College was a top 10 team at the end of that year, not because it lost to WVU, but because it defeated Notre Dame, who probably should have been awarded the national title. Louisville was a few bad bounces from being 10-1 or so themselves. The 93 team ran the table in the regular season and did it against more than enough good teams to prove their worth. It's really time for some revisionist history regarding that team.

 

[doctom4]

Ridiculous. The '96 defense could cover, could rush the passer with just four guys; had killer LBs...Big XII teams - especially that season - would have had a very hard time coping with them. People forget this, but the 1988 team had six or seven NFL players on its defense.

The 93 team gets undersold ... I'd put them out there any time, especially on offense. Until Kelchner blew his elbow up in the Rutgers game, there wasn't anything that team couldn't do, and Studstill (as he showed in the Louisville and VPI games) could do it just as well. To say their schedule wasn't as difficult, though ... may be true but not at the top end. Miami was 9-2. Virginia Tech was better than Texas in those days and showed it in the Sugar Bowl two years later. People forget that Boston College was a top 10 team at the end of that year, not because it lost to WVU, but because it defeated Notre Dame, who probably should have been awarded the national title. Louisville was a few bad bounces from being 10-1 or so themselves. The 93 team ran the table in the regular season and did it against more than enough good teams to prove their worth. It's really time for some revisionist history regarding that team.

 

[doctom4]

Bowl games: Big East 9, Big XII 7
-- Big East won six of the last eight, when they were supposed to be 'terrible" and unworthy of a slot. Proof that if ESPN says anything long enough, people will believe it. What they did to Eastern football was a tragedy, rendering it all but formless, save for the annual Lambert/Meadowlands voting.

 

[dangerousdaneerfan]

1st game and a win. The haters looking for blood. Let the season play through before hanging the man.

We all saw what happened when Howard went down and the controls were given to Chugz and Crest. If Howard gets hurt, we are in big trouble at quarterback.

 

[WESTBGVA]

yes

We all saw what happened when Howard went down and the controls were given to Chugz and Crest. If Howard gets hurt, we are in big trouble at quarterback.

yes, WVU has had too many "swings and misses" at that vital position..P Millard, F Childress, C Rawlins, D Sills..we've started nothing but transfers since Geno Smith left..

 

[WESTBGVA]

Ridiculous. The '96 defense could cover, could rush the passer with just four guys; had killer LBs...Big XII teams - especially that season - would have had a very hard time coping with them. People forget this, but the 1988 team had six or seven NFL players on its defense.

The 93 team gets undersold ... I'd put them out there any time, especially on offense. Until Kelchner blew his elbow up in the Rutgers game, there wasn't anything that team couldn't do, and Studstill (as he showed in the Louisville and VPI games) could do it just as well. To say their schedule wasn't as difficult, though ... may be true but not at the top end. Miami was 9-2. Virginia Tech was better than Texas in those days and showed it in the Sugar Bowl two years later. People forget that Boston College was a top 10 team at the end of that year, not because it lost to WVU, but because it defeated Notre Dame, who probably should have been awarded the national title. Louisville was a few bad bounces from being 10-1 or so themselves. The 93 team ran the table in the regular season and did it against more than enough good teams to prove their worth. It's really time for some revisionist history regarding that team.

in 2006 the BE was 5-0 in Bowl games.. an 8 team league..

 

[WVUALLEN]

yes

yes, WVU has had too many "swings and misses" at that vital position..P Millard, F Childress, C Rawlins, D Sills..we've started nothing but transfers since Geno Smith left..

Yeah 4 plays at home tell fans everything they need to know.