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Monday, December 8, 2008
Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette details the displeasure of West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bill Stewart (link above). After being the toast of the Big East Conference for the past four years or so, the 'Neers (8-4) will forgo a New Year's Day bowl and instead take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. I have to tell you; I'm happy that Bill Stewart is upset. It's a testament to the type of football program that WVU is trying to maintain after losing Rich Rodriguez in an unceremonious fashion last season (hey Michigan....how's that working out for you?).
Despite all the belly-aching, I don't think that Stewart has all that much to complain about. With the ascension of Cincinnati and Pitt, the Big East is experiencing more parity than in past years. Also, take into consideration the loss of Steve Slaton, an always suspect defense, and the overhaul in the coaching staff, and you have a recipe for a solid, but not overwhelmingly great season. Next season may be more interesting in that Pat White will no longer be around. If Bill Stewart can improve upon WVU's record with the loss of his star quarterback, then he is certainly worth his weight in salt as a college football coach.