WVU Announces Coaching Assignments

WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen announced the official coaching staff positions for the upcoming season. The announcement was held today, as the media finally had an opportunity to speak with some of the new staff members. The shifting included both the new and current coaches, as Holgorsen and company gets ready from Spring practices. Here is a look at the coaching staff, and their 2012 duties.

Dana Holgorsen: Head Coach

Shannon Dawson: Offensive Coordinator, Wide Receivers

Jake Spivital: Quarterbacks

Robert Gillespie: Running Backs

Bill Bedenbaugh: Offensive Line

Joe DeForest: Co-Defensive Coordinator, Safeties

Keith Patterson: Co-Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers

Daron Roberts: Cornerbacks

Erik Slaughter: Defensive Line

Steve Dunlap: Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams

Notes:

-Dawson now coaches all receivers.

-Holgorsen will still have final say on offensive calls.

-Roberts moves from receivers to cornerbacks. He coached corners in the NFL.

-Dunlap gets Asst HC title, and completely takes over Special Teams

-Ryan Dorchester becomes the new Recruiting Coordinator

Deep Thoughts, WVU Style

I wonder if Dana Holgorsen just watches last year's tape and laughs at how anemic the offense was. Hell, he even took a few swipes at the scheme in his weekly press conference (start at the 9:30 mark). He has good reason to. How bad was the Mountaineer offense? Well, lets just say Jeff Mullen made Steve Addiazo look like a fantastic play-caller. Holgorsen must look back, and take away nothing. Talk about having no legit game tape to work with.

Would joing the Big 12 help WVU keep Holgorsen? It would seem to be his true comfort zone. He has coached at Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Holgy also spent time at Houston, which is in the Big 12 region. I imagine Holgorsen would be much more likely to stay if the Mountaineers future opponents are Texas and Oklahoma, not Air Force and UCF. Texas and Oklahoma are also fertile recruiting grounds...grounds that Holgy knows very well. Of course, this all means nothing if WVU gets into the SEC, which would trump all.

The defense seems to be poised to kick some serious ass in the Big East. The line continues to bring more pressure. The linebacking unit is getting deeper. And the secondary is gaining in confidence. Plus, the highest ranked offense left is South Florida, a team that hasn't scored over 17 points since Sept 24th. Look for Jeff Casteel to fire up the aggression as WVU looks to build on the last few performances.

Is it possible that Stedman Bailey is still underrated? The kid has 634 receiving yards, which includes four straight 100+ yard games. He also leads the team with five touchdowns. Bailey also bested some of the best cornerbacks when he went off against LSU. So while we constantly talk about Tavon Austin (with good reason) Stedman Bailey just continues to truck on through the season.

Deep Thoughts, WVU-Style

Brad Starks may be on the outside looking in. Both Dana Holgorsen and Asst. Coach, Shannon Dawson have said very little about the speedy wideout. And what has been said isn't very appealing to the guy. It's really not surprising. In a pass-happy system, you would think you'd want receivers that have plenty of experience at the position. Starks, a converted quarterback, has put up some decent numbers over the last two seasons. However, he isn't known for his route-running and hands...not a good combination in this system. Starks might be better suited to go back to quarterback at this point.

The running back battle has been confusing. WVU may have 11 backs on the roster, but has one stepped up yet? Or two? Or three? Possibly. The names that keep getting thrown around the most are all actually all freshmen. Vernard Roberts was the preseason number one. But, both Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison continue to impress. Meanwhile, Shawn Alston will probably be heading over to practice with the big backs, considering he is now listed with the fullbacks...unofficially.

More praise for Goode. Holgorsen continues to praise Najee Goode for his play and maturity. The linebacker didn't get a ton of publicity heading the season, especially with three potential high round picks along side him in Keith Tandy, Julian Miller, and Bruce Irvin. However, Goode may be the most important part, as he anchors the linebacking core. He finished with 47 tackles last season, and is certainly poised to break out in 2011.

Wherever Virginia Tech Goes is where WVU should go. Who doesn't miss the Battle for the Black Diamond Trophy? Ideally, the Mountaineers would be in a conference with all the good rivals. Let's throw WVU, Pitt, V-Tech, Penn State, Notre Dame, Maryland, Syracuse, and a few others together and call it good.

Anyone else feel this is the year Marshall gets decimated? I sure as hell do. The Herd's chance was last season. Marshall now has to deal with a WVU football team looking to make a statement as soon as they possibly can. A head coach looking to show what he can do. A quarterback with a chip on his shoulder. A defense that continues to be told it's not deep enough. Good luck, Doc.

WVU is the Big East Favorite

So much for easing into the job. It will be a trial by fire for Dana Holgorsen after WVU was piked to win the conference. Honestly, it would be a trial by fire even if WVU wasn't. There's always pressure in Morgantown to win, especially with the way things went down for Holgorsen to be in the position he is in at this time. The drama-filled offseason ends with the start of camp this month, and there's no doubt the first-year head coach is looking to put the Summer behind him.

The enthusiasm surrounding this Mountaineer team is very high. The offense will be led by one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, Geno Smith. The junior is also a darkhorse pick for the Heisman. The defense is anchored by a strong line, but will have some questions in the linebacking unit. However, the trust in Defensive Coordinator, Jeff Casteel gives Mountaineer fans faith that it won't be an issue.

The schedule is interesting. LSU and Pittsburgh are at home, but road games at Maryland, Syracuse, and South Florida will make things difficult for WVU to run the table. This is a team that has been 9-4 for three straight years. That number should increase this season if the Holgorsen offense catches on quickly. However, there is no lock of winning the league, especially having to play in Tampa, possibly for the BCS bid. WVU doesn't exactly have the best track record at South Florida.

Regardless of the media prediction, WVU is a perennial favorite in the conference. Consistent play has given the school that reputation. However, the Mountaineers haven't been to a BCS game since 2008, and the natives are getting restless. Will this be the season? Or are there just too many questions surrounding the new head coach and system? One things for sure...WVU will beat Marshall.

2011 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL (first place votes in parentheses)

1. West Virginia 188(21)

2. Pittsburgh 162(2)

3. USF 151(1)

4. Syracuse 98

5. Cincinnati 96

6. Connecticut 76

7. Louisville 60

8. Rutgers 33

-courtesy of bigeast.org