WVU struggled last year. With a rotating QB situation, and arguably the worst defense in the NCAA, the Mountaineers were routed to a 4 -8 record and no bowl appearance. Needless to say, it was an embarrassment for all WVU alumni and fans. However, 2015 looks to be different. And actually, needs to be different, or heads will roll.
Mountaineer Head Coach Dana Holgorsen is in a do or die situation.
He replaced the late Bill Stewart, WVU Head coach from 2007 to 2010. Bill led
the Mountaineers to a Fiesta Bowl victory over Big 12 Champion Oklahoma in
his first game as coach in 2007. Bill then went 9-4 in each of his 3 full
seasons as head coach. But 9-4 was no longer acceptable, and Bill was let go.
WVU has grown over the decades to be a force within the NCAA. The expectations
have drastically changed over the years. The Mountaineers are without a
National Championship. The fans and alumni are aching for one, this blog writer
included. So the message was sent, 9-4 would no longer do. WVU AD Oliver Luck
went with an up and coming new coach from the very conference they were
joining, the Big 12. Dana Holgorsen was the talk of the town when WVU signed
him. He was going to led us down the road to glory. But so far that road has
been a rough one. Dana is 21-17 in his first three seasons, Bill was 28-12.
With the Mountaineer's abysmal record last year, 4-8, Dana should realize that he is in
the hot seat. And I am sure he does. So where are his mountaineers? And what
needs to happen for him to stay as head coach?
The Mountaineers look a lot better than they did last year. Coach Holgorsen has a vibrant, young team. That fact combined with QB Clint Trickett having a year under his belt with this
offense, puts the Mountaineers in a much better position than they were a year
ago. Even with a surgically repaired shoulder, Trickett should have a good
year. He also has a strong back up in Paul Millard. Highly touted freshman QB
William Crest Jr. will be a return man this year. The Mountaineers are also
deep at the running back position and the receiving corps looks good, The
O-Line is young, but should be healthy and much improved. The Offense is not
the big question this year, the Defense is the enigma of this team. Tony Gibson
comes in as their 4th Defensive Coordinator in as many years. His Defense is
healthier than last year, and many of his younger players have experience due
to last years injuries. After being dead last in 3rd downs in the NCAA last
year, the defense can go no where but up. And Gibson looks to be able to take
them there. He needs to get more heat on the QB, and is focusing the defense in
that direction. With edge rushers Shaquille Riddick and Noble Nwachukwu on the
D-Line, third downs should be very different this year.
As for Holgorsen's job, this blogger sees four things that need to
happen:
1. WVU must have a winning record.
2. WVU must go to a bowl.
3. WVU must win their Bowl game.
4. WVU must have one major upset this year. And their schedule
offers plenty of opportunity to do so. Starting with Alabama in the first game.
(I doubt very seriously that it will happen, but wouldn't it be nice?)
In all honesty, if Coach Holgorsen does the first two, he should
retain his job. Although numbers 3 and 4 would lock him into the job. I think
AD Oliver Luck needs to give him ample opportunity to build a team. The
transition from Stewart to Holgorsen was handled poorly. And I think it has had
some long term effects. I'm not blaming the horrible 2013 season on it, but I
believe the entire situation at WVU right now is still affected by it, If
there is ample progress in the program this year, Coach Holgosen should keep
his job.
So my prediction? WVU goes 7-5, 8-4 if they're lucky. They
will go to a minor bowl, and win it. As for the first game against Alabama?
Alabama is also an enigma this year. But they should be a Top 10 team. WVU will
begin it's season with a loss, hopefully not a bad one. As for Coach Holgosen:
He'll keep his job and hopefully lead us to great seasons in the future.
