[polaris58]

Any news or ideas from anyone regarding the recent departures from WVU and who Coach Rod may be hiring?

[Lefty Noob]

It's all been quiet, at least as far as I can tell. I'm a ways from Morgantown, but haven't heard anything.

[polaris58]

I am in the Eastern Panhandle of WV, so a couple of hours away myself. I keep looking for information but it all seems very quiet. Maybe with the BCS out of the way now some things will happen. It seems this board has been very quiet itself.

[mervinout]

ya i been getting into the swing of the semester been busy in morgantown trying to attend classes, there isnt much to say there still workign on languge with coach rods deal, that should be annouced after the hula bowl. They lost their o-line coach to fsu which was huge since he built all the zone blocking schemes that go with rods spread offense. The wr coach to western michigan isnt a big deal, he spent his entire career working up threw the ranks at that school. I have no idea what they will do but i gotta belive rod will hire from within , with how loyal he has been to his assitants

[polaris58]

thanks for the info, it seems the only thing I have heard is perhaps West from Clemson may replace Trickett- my guess is he would be a good choice - I heard he was in Morgantown today- hopefully will hear something soon- story is that he is Rich's best friend but he has family ties at Clemson- it would definitely be a good creer move for him not to mention better money

[polaris58]

West Virginia Metro News

01/17/2007
Ron West Joins WVU Football Staff
MetroNews Sports
Morgantown

Ron West has joined the West Virginia University football staff, head coach Rich Rodriguez announced today. West will serve as assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Mountaineers.

West comes to WVU from Clemson, where he served as offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the past three years. He spent eight seasons on the Clemson staff; West was the Tigers' offensive line coach from 1999-2003. In 2004, he coached the defensive line, where Clemson led the ACC in sacks; in 2005-06, his outside linebackers helped Clemson finish in the top 25 in the nation in six defensive categories.

“We’re very excited to hire Ron West as assistant head coach and offensive line coach,” says Rodriguez. “He’s coached in and knows our offensive system; we were together two years at Tulane and two years at Clemson. Ron is an excellent coach who brings an extensive amount of Division I experience to our staff.”

In 27 years as a Division I assistant coach, West has spent stints at East Carolina, North Texas, Texas Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Baylor, Tulane and Clemson.

A 1979 graduate of Clemson, he was a junior college All-American at Marion Institute before transferring to Clemson; he was a member of two Gator Bowl teams as an offensive lineman, as his teams went 19-4-1. West and his wife Becky have two grown children, Brad and Lo

[Lefty Noob]

Wow, great hire. Clemson's offense, especially early on last season, was fantastic. He'll be a tremendous assett.

[polaris58]

I agree that it is an excellent hire, now I can not wait to see who else the Coach has in mind for the other openings.

[mervinout]

is it me or is it time to switch the def philosphy. Look there defense style gets destroyed little dink and dunks over the middle kill them its a bend but dont break offense why can we go to a more traditional defense. I belive this year is the year to do it since white slaton schmdit and gwaltney are going to put up ridicolous numbers for the year i honeslty dont see wvu throwing the ball much next year, but i wish they will to lossen the run up, then again wen ur averging a crazy numbers of yards per game on the ground i guess you cant demand change .

[polaris58]

I would love to see some rework on the defense. No changes being made in the coaching there but I have heard that Rich was going to have a heart to heart talk with Casteel, so we will see what happens. It should also be noted that West also coached the defensive line in the past. Perhaps in the role of ass't head coach he will be able to influence the defense's strategy. I believe that the offense should go to the air more next year and that should help the running game. Balancing the attack more would also help quiet some of the critics. I get tired of hearing the talking heads always criticizing WVU saying that they only run. The offense that Coach Rod runs was designed for a passing attack and then adapted to the talent on hand, which was the run. The talent is there now to have a running and passing game, if another wide receiver or two is picked up. It is looking as though it may be an interesting year ahead. I do wish that 2 year Kennedy Award winner Brandon Barrett could work his way back on the team. He did an excellent job at last years Blue-Gold game and has so much promise as a receiver. I hear that he is trying very hard, maybe he will get a third chance.

[polaris58]

West returns to Clemson

Associated Press
College Football News Wire



MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Ron West, hired by West Virginia as
assistant head coach and offensive line coach, has decided to
return to Clemson.

"Ron West called today to inform me that he has changed his
mind and has decided to stay at Clemson," Mountaineers coach Rich
Rodriguez said Thursday. "Coach West cited family considerations
as his reason, and I understand his decision."

The move leaves the Mountaineers with three assistant coaching
vacancies.

West would have replaced Rick Trickett, who left for Florida
State. WVU also recently lost Herb Hand, the tight ends coach and
recruiting coordinator, to Tulsa; and wide receivers coach Butch
Jones became the head coach at Central Michigan.

West has spent the last eight seasons at Clemson, including the
past three on the defensive line. West and Rodriguez followed Tommy
Bowden to Clemson from Tulane after the 1998 season. West is a
Clemson graduate who played for the Tigers in 1977 and 1978.

[Lefty Noob]

Easy come, easy go, I guess. Shame... would've been nice to have him on the staff.

[polaris58]

It is a shame for sure, but Rich said in his speech at halftime during the South Florida hoops game that there are a lot of good coaches out there and he was going to take his time making a selection. At the time he was counting on West to be there, but I think he will not panic and probably has a plan B. It does make it a little tougher with the recruiting tasks at hand, I am sure that all of the remaining coaching staff is double pressed for time right now.

[mervinout]

i do not think this effects their recruiting what so ever. Its simple everyone knows who coach rod is, Wvu is still going to have a hard time recruiting defense because well they suck on def. On offense right now if your a linemen that loves to run block your going to goto wvu if your a qb that loves to run your going to wvu if your a rb your going to wvu, you know till they get a legit passing qb or till pat white turns into one they are still going to pile up on the run yards. Remember this year's back field is also getting jason gwaltney back. I just dont see how they're any plays left to have white throw it as much, 3-4 legit runners fresh why would rod pass that much next yr? id love to see them pass more and i think white can be that guy in the next two yrs, but i dont see them throwing it that much so i think their recruting stays the same even if they dont hire assitants till next yr

[polaris58]

I think where in impacts the recruiting is the number of folks they have working with recruits is diminished. I think Pat White can pass if given the chance and they do have some second and third string quarterbacks that are excellent passers. Nate Sowers was a superb passer in High School and won the Kennedy award as the best high school player in WV. He is not getting playing time other than as an occasional receiver. I think he should be moved to defense, he played defense in High School also. He is one of the fastest guys on the team and is smart. I agree they definitely need work on defense. They do have 6 three star and one four star recruits committed so far this year that are defenders.