Was this the Heisman pose from Tavon, while playing?? Obviously, not intentionally, but looks like it!
Brent Venables
I meant to mention Brent Venables yesterday in the post as possible defensive staff additions at WVU and just forgot so here's his name mentioned now. Apparently Venables has been offered the defensive coordinator job at WVU (although that could be a co-defensive coordinator job) The move makes some sense as Venables is currently the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma but is having head coach Bob Stoops' brother, Mike, forced upon him in a new co-defensive coordinator situation. So now it appears Venables is looking elsewhere and according to reports on Thursday he was offered the defensive coordinator position at WVU. Which was followed by reports that Oklahoma was going all out to try to keep him. The angle that may be more entertaining in all of this is the obvious message Dana Holgorsen (and WVU) is sending to the Big 12 that not only are they coming into the league, but that they're all-in and doing everything they can to win, at all costs. And going and taking two of the better assistants in the league from the two Oklahoma schools says to the rest of the league that WVU isn't messing around. Not only would having guys like this be beneficial because they know the league, but they also know two of the bigger/better schools in the league and maybe most importantly they can flat out recruit (at least DeForest anyway). Add all of that up and if you're a fan of a Big 12 team you have to see this as WVU firing a preemptive strike.
It also appears if Venables does come on board he will bring along Willie Martinez the defensive backs coach for the Sooners. Word around the internet says that WVU and Venables both will release statements (or some sort of communication) on their coaching situations on Friday (which makes sense as they can't officially announce new guys until the old ones sign on at Arizona - which is the same day the Arizona staff is officially announced as well) but at this time it isn't known if Venables is indeed headed to Morgantown, or not. Ironically, Clemson fired their defensive coordinator in the past 24 hours as well (even though the university said he left to 'pursue other opportunities' he said he was fired - gee, wonder why he was fired) and they are among a few other places (Tennessee, etc) that are apparently considering Venables, too. So it could come down to Clemson vs WVU once again...we'll see.
As pointed out in this article on Venables' career opportunities it's obvious the mere attempt to add these guys at WVU is making people take notice. Good. There's your warning shot, Big 12 fans. We're coming for ya.
All of this does raise the question of where does Brian Stewart fit into all of this? The answer is (at 3am Friday) that no one knows. You also have to wonder what Steve Dunlap does. In the case of Dunlap it was obvious he wouldn't go out to Arizona seeing as how Rodriguez fired him when he took over at WVU, originally. It is thought that Dunlap may be THE guy Holgorsen tries to make room for in order to try and keep what defensive recruits are leftover from the previous coaching staff, but who knows how that would work out. Dunlap was Don Nehlen's defensive coordinator and did a pretty good job then went on to Syracuse when Rodriguez took over, followed by NC State and Marshall before returning to Bill Stewart's staff in 2008. We shall see what he decides to do but I'd expect that if he does part ways with WVU he'll end up back at Marshall again.
Brian Stewart was THE hot name there for several days and very well could still end up on staff at WVU but it appears Dana Holgorsen is exhausting all his resources to try to add as much quality to the defensive staff as he can. A good sign for WVU fans as it shows he realizes how important a solid defensive staff is for a pass-happy fast paced offense that will often put the defense back on the field quickly after fast drives.
So if you're around or have access to the internet while at work make sure you keep an eye out for WVU coaching news today as many feel there will be some sort of announcement. As I keep saying WVU will obviously try to move as quickly as possible with Signing Day approaching quickly.
If anything official breaks I'll post it on my Twitter feed so that's the fastest way to get information. I'll post it here, as well, as soon as possible.
WVU news:
WVU defender Raymon Gaddis was drafted Tuesday afternoon by the Philadelphia Union in the MLS SuperDraft in the second round (35th overall).
Not sports related but WVU received it's largest ever donation to the university of $34 million from Mon. County residents. Must be nice to have $34 million to throw around.
No comments:
Post a Comment