I had only a few interactions with Mike Barwis when he was at WVU and was left with the same impression as was just about everyone else who met him: He was an intense and committed coach who had to be both to be as good as he was — and as good as his pupils were — as the director of strength and conditioning. In fact, I rather liked the guy. There was something infectious I admired and frankly coveted about his personality, and he seemed like a pretty sharp guy.

That said, I can’t believe he rode shotgun with P-Rod the past year and didn’t think WVU would come calling for the buyout he apparently still owes the university. 

Shea Browning, the Associate General Counsel at WVU, could not comment specifically Tuesday “other than to say it is an issue that has been brought to our attention and that we are investigating all of our options.”

Moving on …

I realize I didn’t mask my initial and understandable admiration for Terence Kerns, either. I just liked his honesty and his enthusiasm when we first met. There were a lot of people rooting for him, but it looks as if it will never happen for him at WVU.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound freshman is focusing on academics. Coach Bill Stewart said he doesn’t know what Kerns will do next, but it’s believed he will head to Lackawanna College, a junior college in Scranton, Pa., or Shepherd University.  

He’d have to graduate from Lackawanna, a community college, before he could return to WVU, which would be an unusual move. If he heads to Shepherd, he’s probably there until he graduates. Of course, all of that assumes he can keep his academics in order and, sadly, academics have been a problem for a really likeable, really gifted kid.

Finally, the Product has a new defensive coordinator and, go figure, I’m kind of rooting for Greg Robinson, just a terribly nice guy who was, well, terrible whilst in charge of Syracuse. One thing I always noticed about the situation with the Orange was even as it neared the end, no one was ripping the coach or questioning him in the press and everyone seemed to try to keep him from slipping under the bus. I think that says something. People will laugh about the hiring, but people will also forget how valuable he was at Texas.

Before moving to Syracuse, Robinson was co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Texas in 2004. That Longhorn team edged Michigan in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, 2005.

During the 2004 regular season, Texas outscored its opponents 105-3 in the third quarter, reflective of good halftime adjustments.

“Greg’s a high energy, creative, hard-working guy who has had success at both the NFL and collegiate levels,” Texas coach Mack Brown said in a statement. “He’s a veteran coach with a wealth of knowledge who the players really respond to. His season here in 2004 produced one of the best defenses in Texas history and helped set the stage for our national championship season in 2005.”