Former WVU linebacker John Holmes, who was kicked off the team in February after he and two other former players were arrested on drug charges, could very well return to the team.

Holmes’ case, according to Stewart, has been lowered to a misdemeanor, and he has been cleared to re-enter school.

Holmes met with Stewart Tuesday morning to work out details.

“It was a case of being with the wrong people at the wrong time,” Stewart said of Holmes’ involvement in the matter. “He’s paid a high price for it, an expensive price. It’s come as a high cost to him.”

Good news for Holmes, to be sure, and good news for the defense, which, it is forgotten, can thank Holmes for one of the biggest plays of the season.

This is not the first time we’ve heard this rhetoric from Stewart and he’s made similar redemption possible for Jason Gwaltney. Before we scramble to organize a canonization ceremony, let’s remember — and admit — the former coach would have done the same thing. He gave second chances to Travis Garvin (more than once), Matt Ameri, Mike Watson and many others and at least created an opening for Gwaltney. So it is possible he would have done the same for Holmes, but the reaction to and the explanation for his forgiveness would have been much different, yes?