So by now you know that West Virginia’s Shane Lyons and his people are working with Dana Holgorsen and his people on an extension to a contract that currently runs through 2017. I think it needs to happen, which, right, deviates from how I (think I should) comment and opine on these matters. I’m the beat writer, not the columnist.

But …

… there’s an asterisk here: I think the extension needs happen because WVU has already decided to keep Holgorsen — and before what Lyons shared with me Monday. This isn’t about whether Holgorsen has earned it. This is about WVU having committed to it already. When Lyons announced Dec. 9 that Holgorsen would be back in 2016, that’s akin to a contract extension these days, because you can’t, or shouldn’t, let a coach go into a the final year or two of his contract.

It just doesn’t work that way. A coach and his program would be savaged during that period, and good luck recruiting and winning while clouds abound. (And consider why Lyons released his statement and when it happened, then fast forward and look at how other committed players are receiving and bragging about offers and consider why that’s happening.)

The industry has a theory that an athletic department stands to lose more money during a downward spiral than it does by either cutting a coach lose now or committing to an extension and then severing ties at the first sign/signs that it still isn’t working. There’s even a recent example to support that. (This is also where I say again WVU that can’t/won’t pinch pennies these days as income soars and the annual budget steps closer to $80 million.)

But it’s not as simple as sitting down and signing a paper that says, “We hereby agree to extend the contract for a period of two years.” There’s negotiating and giving and taking. Sides are going to have to concede ground to gain ground.

You know that, but neither you nor I know how it may look in the end.

Holgorsen needs two additional years. He could probably function with one, though with assurances they’ll revisit the topic after next season. He does not need a raise, if only because he wasn’t getting one before. His 2016-17 salaries are both $2.9 million.

WVU has needs, as well. Holgorsen’s buyout is one-sided, agreed to by Lyons’ predecessor. Holgorsen’s contract is guaranteed, so if WVU fires its head coach, it must pay him the salary he’s owed. If you add years, you add salary owed, and that’s something he might have to concede.

So for Holgorsen to get more time, he must be willing to accept a partially guaranteed contract or a traditional flat-fee buyout. But Holgorsen only owes WVU $2 million if he leaves for another job. Something more equitable might make more sense to WVU.