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You are here: Home / Sports / The Local Soap Opera

The Local Soap Opera

by John Cole|  June 6, 20115:41 pm| 37 Comments

This post is in: Sports

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If you are a Pitt Panther fan, you must think today is Christmas:

West Virginia’s coaching situation is, to put it as mildly as we can, a total clusterfuck. Whoever in the athletics office thought it would be a good idea to hire Dana Holgorsen as head-coach-in-waiting, while still keeping current coach Bill Stewart around for another year, ought to find themselves out of a job soon — possibly along with both the current and future coaches. With Holgorsen’s highly-publicized belligerence at a casino, and a slew of not-so-publicized alleged incidents with alcohol, and Stewart (or his wife) possibly feeding the local media the dirt, the Mountaineers have created a mess on the Monongahela.

***

In the early morning hours of May 18, Holgorsen was involved in an incident at the Mardi Gras Casino near Charleston, W.Va. Reportedly drinking and confrontational, Holgorsen was detained by casino security, who called 911. Holgorsen was escorted from the premises, and no charges were filed.

It was not, we would soon be told, an isolated incident. In an explosive piece in the Herald Dispatch on May 28, columnist Chuck Landon recounted six separate alcohol-related incidents that Holgorsen has been involved in over the last six months.

There was the Mardi Gras Casino situation. There was Holgorsen allegedly being asked to leave a Wheeling hotel, and later that same day a nearby casino. There was Holgorsen allegedly being asked to leave a Bridgeport, W.Va., golf club. And there were reports of three separate incidents at the Morgantown hotel where he lives — he’s supposedly banned from the hotel bar.

The column was a hit piece, and it dug deep, also highlighting a 2008 incident in which Holgorsen, then a Houston assistant in town to play Marshall, was kicked out of a Huntington, W.Va. bar.

Landon’s column was not sourced, but from the scope and detail of the incidents reported, it is clear that whoever is feeding Landon his information has a vendetta against Holgorsen. Suspicions naturally fell on the Bill Stewart camp.

Rewind to December, just after Holgorsen was hired. “Karen in Morgantown” called in to local talk radio, an older woman near tears about the lack of loyalty shown to Bill Stewart. Immediately, fans identified “Karen in Morgantown” with Karen Stewart, wife of the outgoing coach.

Yesterday, shit hit the fan. HailWV.com, a fan site, is reporting rumors that Karen Stewart was also the one behind the Herald-Dispatch hit piece, feeding Chuck Landon the stories of Holgorsen’s drinking.

Awesome.

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Reader Interactions

37Comments

  1. 1.

    Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal

    June 6, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    we bought and never closed on a glass house by the name of michael haywood. arrested on domestic assault on new years. personally i was a wannstadt supporter, and i didn’t like letting him go.

    i’ll refrain from the mockery.

  2. 2.

    Berial

    June 6, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    As a member of [insert sports team] I sometimes get jealous of [insert sports rival] because of all the spare time they have during post season play.

  3. 3.

    JPL

    June 6, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    Any sexting involved?

  4. 4.

    Eric k

    June 6, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    I can’t think off hand of any case where the headd coach in waiting thing worked, you either end up with HCIW getting impatient and taking another job (like Texas) or an awkward transition where the old coach is forced out before he wanted to leave.

    I suppose Oregon would say it worked with Chip Kelly but I’d say if you consider the situation where Belotti was hugely overpaid to be athletic director and clearly was unqualified to be one thus he abruptly left less than a year into it for an ESPN gig and a mess of lawsuits success then I want to see failure:-)

    The Seahawks situation seems the standard, lousy last year under lame duck Holmgren, failed year under Mora where the new guy tries to be the new guy but not too much different from the old guy, then starting over with a real new guy and complete rebuilding.

  5. 5.

    The Snarxist Formerly Known As Kryptik

    June 6, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    Jesus Christ.

    There probably goes any chance of contending this year.

  6. 6.

    KG

    June 6, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    @Eric k: the big problem with the HCIW is that every time something goes bad the analysis goes like this:

    1. does this mean the current coach is gone?
    2. would the HCIW have done something different?
    3. wait, what if this was actually the HCIW’s fault? should he be on the way out too?
    4. we won the next game, nevermind.

  7. 7.

    twisted martini

    June 6, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    As a Mich fan, I have some sympathy for coaching dramas. The one I won’t refrain from mocking are the Bucktards. Those cooler poopers are getting what they deserve.

  8. 8.

    Poopyman

    June 6, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    As a PSU alum I’m anxiously awaiting the release of tweeted pix of JoPa’s junk.

    Yeah, think about that just before dinner time ….

  9. 9.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 6, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    How dysfunctional is the West Virginia Athletic Department to let this shit go on? They’ve got a walking, talking embarrassment “in waiting” to take over as head coach?

    Does the guy have pictures of some orgy with farm animals featuring members of athletic department brain trust or something?

  10. 10.

    Yevgraf (fka Michael)

    June 6, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    Rich Rodriguez may be available…

    As a Louisville Cards fan, I’m just looking forward to seeing Strong’s squad chew some dirt against the ‘eers.

  11. 11.

    arguingwithsignposts

    June 6, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    How dysfunctional is the West Virginia Athletic Department to let this shit go on? They’ve got a walking, talking embarrassment “in waiting” to take over as head coach?
    __
    Does the guy have pictures of some orgy with farm animals featuring members of athletic department brain trust or something?

    The obvious joke is obvious. I will refrain.

  12. 12.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 6, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    @Eric k:

    The problem with the Oregon situation was that the entire thing was done on a handshake basis, totally divorced from any existing personnel policy, without regard to any existing personnel policy, more than likely all with a wink and nod from Knight, who more and more often seems to be the one calling the shots on everything. Money talks, etc.

  13. 13.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 6, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    @Eric k:

    The problem with the Oregon situation was that the entire thing was done on a handshake basis, totally divorced from any existing personnel policy, without regard to any existing personnel policy, more than likely all with a wink and nod from Knight, who more and more often seems to be the one calling the shots on everything. Money talks, etc.

  14. 14.

    Yevgraf (fka Michael)

    June 6, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    @Berial:

    As a member of [insert sports team] I sometimes get jealous of [insert sports rival] because of all the spare time they have during post season play.

    [insert sports rival] sucks! The only reason they beat [insert sports team] in the [insert name of league championship or bowl] was because [insert excuse that involves cheating, illegal recruiting or poor officiating].

  15. 15.

    BGinCHI

    June 6, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    I ask myself: “Is our WVU children learning?”

  16. 16.

    The Snarxist Formerly Known As Kryptik

    June 6, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    Mind, the initial casino deal that lead to this whole dust up is undeniably true, but the other incidents, at least according to the school investigators, are bunk. So if that’s to be believed, the reports of Holgorsen idiocy are highly exaggerated by someone looking to sabotage him.

    And if Karen Stewart really is involved, I’m embarrassed, simply because it reflects well on NO one at this point. Not Holgorsen, not the Stewarts, not the School, and if they’re willing to sabotage all that just to nick at Holgorsen for (eventually) taking Coach Stew’s job, then…well, fuck all.

  17. 17.

    Yevgraf (fka Michael)

    June 6, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    @arguingwithsignposts:

    The obvious joke is obvious. I will refrain.

    Not funny. Your implied jest assumes that the animals involved would be domesticated.

    Humor requires an element of truth.

  18. 18.

    The Snarxist Formerly Known As Kryptik

    June 6, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    Mind, the initial incident that lead to this whole dust up is undeniably true, but the other incidents, at least according to the school investigators, are bunk. So if that’s to be believed, the reports of Holgorsen idiocy are highly exaggerated by someone looking to sabotage him.

    And if Karen Stewart really is involved, I’m embarrassed, simply because it reflects well on NO one at this point. Not Holgorsen, not the Stewarts, not the School, and if they’re willing to sabotage all that just to nick at Holgorsen for (eventually) taking Coach Stew’s job, then…well, fuck all.

  19. 19.

    PaulW

    June 6, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    You Neers could always hire Jim Levitt. He’s available now.

    Go Bulls. :-)

  20. 20.

    Ken

    June 6, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Yawn. Speaking as a Buckeye fan, this WVU stuff is pretty tame.

  21. 21.

    Yevgraf (fka Michael)

    June 6, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    @PaulW:

    You Neers could always hire Jim Levitt. He’s available now.

    And on the plus side, he never actually hit the kid he locked away.

    Of course, Jim Tressel is looking for a home now, and is familiar with recruiting in the area…

  22. 22.

    patroclus

    June 6, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    TCU, which just won the Rose Bowl and finished #2 in the country, and has finished in the Top 10 each of the last 3 years (the only team in the country to do this), has had the same coach for 11 years – Gary Patterson, who has led the Frogs to the #1 ranked defense 4 of the last 7 years, is joining this conference soon.

  23. 23.

    BGinCHI

    June 6, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    @patroclus: Run-on.

    TCU alum?

  24. 24.

    Comrade Kevin

    June 6, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    It could be worse, John, look at Ohio State.

  25. 25.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    June 6, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    Ohhh FUCCCCK!!!!! With my Ohio State Buckeyes facing a season in HELL, the Mountaineers were my default second team, where can I go? It can’t be the Washington Huskies, they suck, the WSU Coogs?? ——- Please! Oregon Ducks? Cincinnati Bearcats? Marshall Thundering Herd?

  26. 26.

    burnspbesq

    June 6, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    @Mr Stagger Lee:

    Duke might be halfway decent this year.

  27. 27.

    Geoduck

    June 6, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    25: The Huskies no longer suck, they’ve finally clawed their way back up to “mediocre”.

  28. 28.

    M. Bouffant

    June 6, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Excuse me, but the real college football story is the BCS’s stealing the 2004 Nat’l. Championship from my Trojans of the University of Spoiled Children.

  29. 29.

    Yutsano

    June 6, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    @Geoduck: Yeah…get back to me when that is supposed to be a positive outcome.

    (ALLEZ LE COUGS!!)

  30. 30.

    MikeBoyScout

    June 6, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    And this follows Friday’s news

    The WVU Board of Governors passed a policy on Friday that’ll allow you to buy beer at Mountaineer football games next season.
    The policy passed at the BOG meeting by a 10 to 5 vote.

  31. 31.

    honus

    June 6, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    @burnspbesq: in what? that lax juggernaut kind folded up like new orleans suitcase. Gotta go, and see who UVA is playing in the baseball super regonal.

  32. 32.

    Ed in NJ

    June 6, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    @MikeBoyScout:

    Well, the selling beer issue was coupled with WV doing away with their “pass out” policy, which allowed fans to return to their tailgates at halftime, binge drink for 20 minutes, and then return to the stadium to puke and fight for the second half.

    Apparently they needed to change the policy in order to keep Holgerson in the stadium for the second half.

    As a Rutgers season ticket holder who’s watched his team lose to WV for almost 2 decades, I hope they run both coaches out of town.

  33. 33.

    4jkb4ia

    June 6, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Awww. And Shavuot wasn’t for another two days, and all.

    Unfortunately due to our last escapade with head coach character issues there is limited laughing and pointing of fingers available. Dave Wannstedt should not have even left. He was doing fine.

    (Jeebus, I just wrote Fuckin Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal’s comment.)

  34. 34.

    MikeBoyScout

    June 6, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    @32 Ed in NJ: too funny.

  35. 35.

    geg6

    June 6, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    Heh. Indeedy.

    Can I just say that as a Pitt Panther alumnus and PSU alumnus and employee, this has been a most entertaning week in sports? And happily, neither of my Alma maters are the source of that entertainment, thank FSM.

  36. 36.

    geg6

    June 6, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Damn, grammatical error. Oh well, geg6 +5.

  37. 37.

    PigInZen

    June 7, 2011 at 11:19 am

    voice=”nelson muntz”

    Ha ha!

    /voice

    Dad went to Pitt. I’m a loyalist.

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