« The Co-Opting Of Daily Kos? | Main | Lessons Learned By Huckabee's 30-Day Blogger »

Three Cheers For The Mountaineers!

After West Virginia University's stunning "choke of the century" against the Pitt Panthers last month and the sudden and selfish departure of head coach Rich (Gotta Get Richer) Rodriguez for Michigan days later, there were two possible outcomes to the Fiesta Bowl last night:

1) WVU would be so emotionally crushed by a devastating December that the Mountaineers would be humiliated on the field by the higher-ranked Oklahoma Sooners.

2) My alma mater would be so emotionally charged to prove that the Pitt loss was an anomaly and that WVU football and Mountaineer spirit are about more than a coach that they would stun the Sooners like they did the only other time they played them, in 1982.

I'm thrilled to report that Scenario 2 proved to be true. WVU rolled to an impressive 48-28 victory and proved to a nation of doubters who had bet against the 'Eers that we are still a gridiron force to be reckoned with. It was our second Bowl Championship Series victory in three years and third straight bowl win.

Even better news: WVU has a new head coach as of this morning. They chose a true Mountaineer, Bill Stewart, not a money-grubbing, spotlight-seeking pretender like Rodriguez. Stewart was the interim coach who stepped up to the plate when Rodriguez fled for Michigan after his embarrassment at the hands of Pitt.

Stewart earned the job, and when WVU star quarterback Pat White publicly lobbied for him to get it on the air after the game last night, I was convinced the university wouldn't deny Stewart the shot. I'm already a Stewart fan because he is a native of New Martinsville, W.Va., which is five miles from my hometown of Paden City. Plus he thinks like one of us country boys.

This quote cited in the Charleston Daily Mail speaks volumes about why I'm glad Stewart is WVU's new coach: "I don't have a lot of experience in negotiations and things, outside of my word and my handshake. That's my agent right here," he said, extending his right hand.

Oh, and if you're wondering about the political angle to justify another celebratory WVU sports entry on this political blog, here it is: West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin was at the Fiesta Bowl and joined WVU officials in announcing Stewart as the next head coach.

Posted by Danny | 12:35 PM

Comments

Congratulations to Bill Stewart, from my hometown of New Martinsville, WV . You did us PROUD , KEEP IT UP!!! MAY GOD BE WITH YOU!

Billie Adams Young | 01.03.08 03:54 PM

I live in Georgia and am a huge bulldog fan. I have watched every bowl game this year and by far the Fiesta Bowl was the best. Not just because they won but how they won, with character and integrity above all else. They were a team on that field, they played for their pride and for each other.

And to Bill Stewart, my sincere congratulations. What a class act and a gracious man. Best of luck to you all in the future.

Tammy Pyrdum | 01.03.08 10:54 PM

GO EERS

LISA | 01.04.08 11:10 AM

Post a Comment