The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Friday Feedback

Try as I might, I cannot escape this “Groundhog Day” feeling. It seems every day for the last month or so has been the same. Who’s coaching? Who’s coming? Who’s interviewing? Who’s reporting? Who’s right? It will end and hopefully soon, but it lives on another day here as the return of the Friday Feedback is dominated by coaching news.

As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, I’m no editer.

JP says:

Don’t forget Taaffe’s recruiting areas in the football hotbeds of various lightly populated counties in Maryland, Canada, upstate New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/taaffe_charlie00.html (scroll to bottom)

Mike, why wasn’t it reported that Tiger-Cats President Scott Mitchell said you West Virginia media-types are a bunch of hosers and the lot of you should take off, eh? Hacks!

This is the obvious, and I feel anticipated, starting point. You know by now everything that was said Thursday by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to refute reports their coach, Charlie Taaffe, would join WVU’s football staff. For a day, at least, it was correct. Friday arrived and Coach Bill Stewart announced David Lockwood would coach cornerbacks, Steve Dunlap safeties and Chris Beatty running backs. No Taaffe, but no Doc Holliday, either, and no one doubts Holliday is coming. In fact, Stewart has ANOTHER teleconference at 11 a.m. tomorrow, presumably for the same purpose as today’s. (EDIT: Stewart announced Holliday’s hiring Saturday morning.) The claim made by said president regarding an apology or retraction is … mysterious, to say the least. Taaffe did interview in Morgantown Tuesday and confirmed as much Thursday night, when he told Jim Laise of WVSports.com that a lot of what happens in the future depends on his contract with the Ticats. So to recap, there was an interview, there were discussions with the Ticats regarding the current contract and there is a decision to be made. Think of that as you read the denials from the team Thursday. Go ahead. I’ll be here when you get back…

 Sam Wilkinson says:

Are we getting a good offensive coordinator? Or a moron. Because if it’s back to Nehlen’s offensive strategy, I’m officially off the bandwagon.

All aboard, Sam. I’m not certain who’ll be the new OC — I have my suspicions — but I know WVU has limited its inteviews to people who know and prefer the spread offense. That’s been Stewart’s goal from the beginning. He’s not going to mess this thing up by hiring an OC that does something different. Funny how a coach stubbornly sticking to his plan is now a good thing.   

p.i. reed says:

so much of the nehlen gang back worries me. but it is amusing how they all flock back once fraudriguez left town

Well, they’re welcome to be here now, which is a difference.  Not sure it’s a bad thing, either. These guys have never had trouble getting work, even the ones who left WVU. 

Rob W. says:

Nehlen ball? Hmmm….

So, we are bringing back quality, highly regarded coaches who have had anywhere from seven to ten years away from Morgantown during which time they have had the opporunity to see, learn, and experience from other highly successful programs.

Yeah, boy, those are TERRIBLE hires.

People amaze me in their shortsightedness. If someone has concerns about a hire and makes legitimate, objective points, that is understandable. But if someone cannot also understand that that the hiring of Dunlap, Holliday, and Lockwood comes with tremendous positives, they know little or nothing about college football.

I just get tired of folks who just want to complain for the sake of complaining but can back it up with no data or facts.

It appears to me that these were the right guys to add to this staff. Now I am very interested to see who fills the additional positions. While there are many qualified candidates, I would like to see some younger, energetic coaches from other successful programs who can motivate and bring ideas and philosophies that mesh with what we do well offensively.

Really well put and I think the key here is that there are still a few spots to fill and an infusion of what you might call new blood would probably sway the opinion on what Stewart has done thus far. Personally, I don’t see a problem in aligning yourself with people you’re familiar with and people who have similar philosophies. Is that not what’s going on here? Continuity is a key in this situation and the fact these coaches know one another or know the job should be a positive because the learning curve isn’t as intimidating now. For some reason, it’s widely seen as a negative. People seem to like the Beatty hire. He’s nowhere near as proven as is Lockwood or Dunlap, but he’s new and people dig that.  

Erinn says:

I think you should do a follow up piece to your original parrot story. I want to know how it has grown and matured. I want to know what words Joe and his roommates have taught it. Does it officiate their steel cage matches? What kind of life does Joe Mazzulla’s parrot have?

Ah, the life and times of Joe Mazzulla. Believe me when I tell you that you’ve not heard the end of this story…

OB1 says:

^^^probably this.  cnn.com/video/#/video/offbeat/2008/01/05/mi.cat.poo.coffee.beans.wzzm | IP: 129.71.90.4

OK, some background. Earlier in the week there was a post about a New Martinsville restaurant naming a dish after Stewart, the gracious native son. Someone asked in a comment what they’re serving in Ann Arbor, Mich., as a reference to WVU’s former football coach. OB1’s CNN.com video was his reply. All I can say is oh, my gosh…

Wabi-Sabi says:

I think Beilein’s lack of success in Ann Arbor underscores what you wrote about the Bill Stewart hire in today’s column.

The first year of a new system can be difficult for any team and chances to compete for a national title don’t come along very often. That’s a very good reason to name Stewart as head coach.

As for Beilein’s lack of success at Michigan, the German’s have a great word, Schadenfreude (taking satisfaction in the misfortune of others) that describes my feelings perfectly. I have a feeling that we’ll be having those feelings again next January when WVU is playing in a BCS bowl and UM isn’t.

Wabi-Sabi refers to my column from earlier in the week which, in a roundabout way, made the point that WVU needed to shoot the moon this season and retaining Stewart was the best way to maximize potential. Across athletics, both college and professional, you see teams struggle with change. There is resistance, adjustment, frustration and a whole list of issues. The margin for error is smaller in basketball because the roster is so small. If two or three players leave or fail to catch on in football, it’s not as big of a deal. Beilein’s having a hard time now because his changes are obviously significant ones and he’s working with a young and limited roster. As for Schadenfreude,  wir werden sehen.

Mack says:

My favorite moment of the Michigan game on ESPN the other night:

“Coach Rodriguez, did you speak with John Beilein before you accepted the Michigan job?”

“Actually, I didn’t get a chance to.”

hahahahahahahahahaha

I saw that myself and after I noted the body language and realized what a silly question it was, I nonetheless began to wonder. Would Rodriguez know the number? Would he make the call? Would Beilein answer? Would he return a message? And what would the message be? ‘Hey, John, it’s Rich. You know, the guy who received the preferential treatment that contributed to your frustrations at and departure from WVU. Remember that? Well, have I got a story for you…’ And what type of damage would Beilein’s jaw have done to the floor?  

Homer says:

Arleen Rodriguez would appreciate it if Jay Bilas could just be happy for John Beilein and congratulate him for reaching the pinnacle of collegiate success by going 4-12 at Michigan.

Welcome back, Homer, and thanks for the transition to Arleen Rodriguez, who can’t understand why people aren’t tickled her son had a chance to coach Michigan. I will say this: There is a certain cosmic thing at work here. Remember when WVU kicker Pat McAfee was receiving death threats? Rodriguez was asked to comment and all he would do was give a no comment until he investigated the situation. I found that disappointing and stunning. In hindsight, perhaps we were asking the wrong Rodriguez.

Scotty J says:

Careful Homer, I think Arleen might construe your words as a death threat. ;0)

(Nodding my head…)

Boothe Davis says:

He didn’t feel wanted here anymore, Arleen?
Give this dude a $700,000 raise within the last year and I will manage to feel wanted, I promise.

(Still nodding…)

jmbwvu says:

I think we should give X-Rayted his own weekly, hell daily, show where he just gets on camera and talks about whatever has him pissed off to no end. Whether it’s wireless laptop connections, itunes, Bill Stewart, fantasy football, etc. I’m sure we could gather a following.

I’m not even sure what this means, but I’m delighted to know that one commenter is calling out another commenter for no apparent reason.