The Smoking Musket

RichRod #10 On ESPN List Of All-Time Most Hated Coaches

2012-05-25T19:23:58Z

RichRod #10 On ESPN List Of All-Time Most Hated Coaches

West Virginia fans absolutely loved Rodriguez, a former WVU defensive back, when he guided the Mountaineers to 60 victories and two BCS bowl games from 2001 to 2007. But WVU fans literally drove Rodriguez and his family from his native state after he abruptly left the school to become Michigan’s coach in 2008. Wolverines fans don’t like him too much, either, after Rodriguez went 15-22 in three seasons.

I don't like to dwell on the past, but our favorite ~~ignorant slut~~ ESPN writer, Mark Schlabach, says it pretty well. This is the highest ranking RichRod has seen in anything since December 2007.

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Friday (5/25/12) Edition

2012-05-25T14:55:03Z

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Adirondack's Dirty Blonde Ale, because deep down...who doesn't like a dirty blonde?

Today we have more reflections on Coach Stew's passing, including reports from the public service in Morgantown yesterday. We also have several reports from some of the latest Coaches Caravan stops with some interviews. A couple of updates on the baseball program are here. There's also a good bit of coverage and reaction from WVU fans and officials regarding the whole re-alignment thing that's still ongoing...and WVU is safely on the right side of right now. Lot's of news regarding former WVU players as well. All of this and more...

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend everyone!!

What You May Have Missed:

West Virginia Is The Best Place In The World - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
We couldn't agree more

Sportsline: Conference Realignment - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Clemson and Texas Tech beat-writers were guests

Bridgeport Still Option for WVU Baseball, but Charleston, Others to See Team in 2013 - Connect Bridgeport
"Hawley Field just isn’t adequate to use as a Big 12 facility," Luck continued.

WVU baseball coaching candidates include 2 Div. I vets - Charleston Gazette
Rod Delmonico was the head coach at Tennessee for 18 years and is one win shy of 700 for his career. Pat Murphy coached at both Notre Dame and Arizona and won 947 game in 22 seasons at those schools.

Jones Tapped for Draft Combine - BGN
WVU alumnus Kevin Jones is one of 60 players set to participate in the NBA Draft Combine next month.

Brandon Hogan Looks To Start After "Redshirt" First Season With the Panthers - WVU Pros
After an irregular rookie season, Brandon Hogan could start for the Panthers in his sophomore season.

WVU Pros NFL OTA Updates: Thomas, Hogan, Sands - WVU Pros
We update you on three former Mountaineers looking to make splashes in their second NFL seasons.

HERTZEL COLUMN: White right there with Hall of Famers - Times West Virginian
The worrisome part of this snub is that Frazier was Patrick White before there was a Patrick White, a different kind of quarterback who came along out of nowhere and changed the fortunes of a school, Frazier being able to take it even further than White as he won two national championships.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Pat Beilein follows in father’s path - Times West Virginian
John Beilein realizes his son is following a path quite similar to his own.

Former WVU LB Skinner says limited sub rule hurt - Register-Herald
John Skinner, a semi-retired longtime attorney in his native Charles Town, was a standout linebacker on West Virginia University’s football team in 1960-61-62.

News of Note:

WVU Positioning Itself for College Football’s Future - WVillustrated
Oliver Luck discusses the path he intends to pave for the Mountaineers as the landscape continues to shift.

Excitement builds for West Virginia’s move to Big 12 - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Excitement isn’t a big enough word to describe what the avid supporters of West Virginia University athletics have felt since the decision was made to leave the Big East for the Big 12.

Comparing salaries of Luck and Big 12 ADs - Charleston Gazette
Of the 10 athletic directors set for the Big 12 next season, Luck's salary ranked next to last. Overall, his salary was 55th.

Video: Top Big 12 returning players - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
"College Football Live" breaks down the top returning Big 12 players, including Texas defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat. (Geno, Tavon and Stedman too)

Madsen Named To Rimington Watch List - WVMETRONEWS.COM
He is one of 50 players named to the list and one of four players from the Big 12 Conference.

VIDEO: Coaches Caravan Interviews - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Luck, Huggs, Carey and Spavital

WVU caravan has successful Princeton stop - Register-Herald
"The greatest thing that has ever happened to WVU was not being in the ACC."

Coach Stew:

Musings of a Mountain Man - WVillustrated
John Woolard takes a look at Bill Stewart's time at WVU and the way his legacy will be remembered.

Tim Lindsey, Travis Jones Reflect on the Passing of Former WVU Coach BIll Stewart - Connect Bridgeport News
former WVU long snapper Tim Lindsey and current MetroNews employee and WVU football public address announcer Travis Jones – recalled the impact Stewart made on their lives. More importantly, they recalled the substance of the man.

Huggins, Carey Talk about Stewart at Coaches Caravan as Well as Verifying 'Treadmill' Incident - Connect Bridgeport
While there were plenty of smiles on faces and jokes out of mouths among those who took part in the event at the Bridgeport Conference Center this evening, there was also a surreal feeling surrounding the gathering.

Jones, Holtz remember Bill Stewart - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Coaches Butch Jones and Skip Holtz had some kind words to share

Mourners Pay Respects To Stewart - BGN
Friends, family members, former players, fellow coaches -- and yes, fans -- made for a lengthy line Thursday afternoon as all in attendance hoped to pay tribute to the late Bill Stewart.

Fans, friends praise, mourn Bill Stewart in Morgantown - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mourners attended a seven-hour public viewing at the Morgantown Event Center as police and hotel security tried to keep journalists outside.

VIDEO: Former Players And Fans On Bill Stewart - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Former players Tom Contraguerro, Josh Contraguerro and Fan Gary Hershman

HERTZEL COLUMN: Stew fondly remembered by players - Times West Virginian
You want to know about Bill Stewart, you go to his people … the players.

Tears and memories: VIDEO - Times West Virginian
Thousands come to say goodbye to ‘Coach Stew’

Stewart was special - Martinsburg Journal
It is downright difficult trying to write about Bill Stewart.

Stewart one of a kind - Martinsburg Journal
Stewart was the last person actually in the stadium proper that day, though few would've known.

Thousands pay respects to ex-WVU coach Stewart - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
They arrived driving old pickups and new SUVs. They wore baseball caps and nicely tailored suits.

Recruiting:

WVU Extends Offer to "Next Honey Badger" - WVillustrated
Damian Nicholson gets his first offer from Mountaineers, calls West Virginia "dream school."

Around the League (and Beyond):

Notre Dame To The Big 12 And Other Best/Worst Case Scenarios For Conference Realignment - SBNation.com
While we wait for the late-summer conference realignment scramble, let's go ahead and prepare ourselves for the best and the worst.

Conference realignment? Blame someone else and pass the checks - Yahoo! Sports
A brief, semi-fictional history of hysteria in college athletics

Left for dead, Big 12 now holds all the cards - Sporting News

DeLoss Dodds: "I Don't Think We Need to Expand" - Barking Carnival
Of course YOU don't. You and your billion dollar war chest.

Chris Del Conte on ESPN Radio - Frogs O' War
I'm telling you, listen closely....it's Ric Flair

Stormin' Around the Big XII: 100 Days to Kickoff Edition - Wide Right & Natty Lite

WRNL PAC: Why Won't You Refudiate TARP, Baylor? - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Click on this for the gif alone...you won't be disappointed

Most Valuable Player In Big XII Heading Into Fall: Landry Jones? - Crimson And Cream Machine
Sorry, but NO

Most indispensable player: Kansas State - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

Weis not endorsing culture shock - Captial Journal

Texas Tech Football Offseason Theorems | Explosive Rushing Plays Relative to Field Position - Double-T Nation

NCAA recruiting rules exam shows need to redo Division I rulebook - Andy Staples - SI.com

College Football Mailbag- Stewart Mandel - SI.com

Mailberg: Notre Dame losing leverage, but it's still a player - Sporting News

Longtime refs Tim Higgins, Bob Donato to retire - Sporting News
I guess John will have to find others to make gifs of now

What's On Tap:

Memorial Day - Take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our liberties

Video of Interest:

In Friday's show, former WVU head coach Bill Stewart will be put to rest and Oliver Luck talks conference expansion.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is SI Swimsuit model Alyssa Miller (<++BONUS LINK). Enjoy the video below, but click on the picture for today's gallery and more videos.

via brosome.com

Adirondack Dirty Blonde Ale image via www.thebarleyblog.com

In 100 days, we play Marshall and we can stop talking about it and start being about it. According...

2012-05-24T15:23:18Z

In 100 days, we play Marshall and we can stop talking about it and start being about it. According to WVUStats.com, Chuck Kinder was the only Mountaineer to wear the #100 jersey. Today sir, we celebrate you and your triple digit chest.

Picture via :Helmethut.com

It's good to be the Mountaineer!!! From the ESPN Gameday Commercial Shoot. Picture courtesy of...

2012-05-23T02:23:08Z

It's good to be the Mountaineer!!!

From the ESPN Gameday Commercial Shoot. Picture courtesy of WVU Football

Stewart Arrangements Finalized

2012-05-22T20:03:40Z

Stewart Arrangements Finalized

The public will be able to pay their respects at the Waterfront Hotel Event Center in Morgantown, W. Va., from 2:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 24.

On Friday, May 25, a private service will be held in Morgantown at 10:00 a.m. at St. Franci deSales Catholic Church. The funeral procession will then proceed to Stewart's hometown of New Martinsville, where an honorary salute will occur at Magnolia High School's football field at 4:00 p.m. Following that, Stewart will be laid to rest at North View Cemetery in New Martinsville, where both of his parents are interred.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Bill Stewart Memorial Community Fund, C/O the Greater Morgantown Community Trust, P.O. Box 409, Morgantown, WV 26507. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McCulla.com.

From BlueGoldNews.com

The Shotgun/Throwdown: Coach Stew (5/22/12) Edition

2012-05-22T14:04:01Z

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and semi-daily (summer season) distractions.

Today, we cover a few bits from around the league and around WVU football, but mostly, we mourn the loss of a special man, so raise a glass high in a toast to Coach Stew.

"Let ’em know! Leave no doubt tonight! LEAVE NO DOUBT TONIGHT!! No doubt, they shouldn’t have played the Old Gold and Blue! Not this night!"

Coach Stew:

Gold And Blue Now: Tuesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
MetroNews remembers former WVU head coach Bill Stewart and gets reaction from former and current WVU coaches.

Final Chapter - BGN
Bill Stewart’s legacy wasn’t supposed to be written yet. Time is supposed to heal all wounds, after all. But time is a luxury Stewart wasn’t afforded.

Holgorsen Looks At His Time With Stewart - WVMETRONEWS.COM
"What Coach Stew would have wanted is for everyone to get back to work and try to win a championship next year, so that’s what we’re going to try and accomplish," Holgorsen said.

Stew’s loyalty was genuine - Charleston Gazette
But in this case it's undeniable. There was no one quite like Bill Stewart.

Stewart ‘a true Mountaineer’ - Charleston Gazette
"Billy was a good guy, a good person," Kirelawich said. "He was a good guy to work for. He had his ups and downs, but so does everybody."

Friends, colleagues admire Coach Stewart's dedication - Charleston Daily Mail
"It's a sad day for the state of West Virginia and a sad day for the Mountaineer football program," Rodriguez said from Arizona, where he is in his first season as the Wildcats' head coach. "It's especially sad for Bill's many friends, family and former players.

Stewart made days brighter for all around him - Times West Virginian
"He was a great Mountaineer," former Coach Don Nehlen said.

Bill Stewart remembered as ‘model for how it should be done’ - Times West Virginian
"I know there are a lot of people out there who recognize that. I’m very proud to say it loudly. I’ve always said it very loudly. Bill Stewart was an absolute gentleman and a great leader."

Coach a ‘Fairmont man’ until the end - Times West Virginian
"With Bill Stewart, you weren’t an acquaintance. You were either his friend or you hadn’t met him yet," Manchin said.

New Martinsville stunned by loss of 'true son' - Charleston Daily Mail
The outpouring of grief wasn't relegated to the boundaries of Stewart's hometown Monday. Wetzel County natives took to social media in full force throughout the day and evening with their expressions of emotion, as well as pride.

Stewart's legacy more than wins and losses - Big East Blog - ESPN
There was no head coach like Bill Stewart, and there weren't many people quite like him, either.

Lineman Jenkins: A Sad Day To Be a Mountaineer - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
"I learned a lot from him,'' Jenkins said. "I am really going to miss him.''

Stewart Was One of a Kind - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Bill Stewart always said life, on and off the field, was about people, about becoming successful, about helping others to feel that way each and every day.

Remembering Bill Stewart and the Lessons He Shared - WVillustrated
Outside the Press Box: Memories of the man who guided far more than just a football team.

Mountaineers React to Losing Bill Stewart - WVillustrated
A collection of tweets from some players and coaches who were connected to the former WVU head coach.

WV leaders reaction to death of former WVU head football coach B - WVillustrated
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and Senator Jay Rockefeller are among those who've issued statements upon hearing about the death of former WVU head football coach Bill Stewart.

Podcast: Reaction to Bill Stewart's death - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo react to the death of former West Virginia coach Bill Stewart. Van Pelt and Russillo describe their interactions with Stewart and remember him as a good man.

Larry Ford Dedicates Game To Bill Stewart - Dominates - WVU Pros
Following the passing of Bill Stewart, Larry Ford dedicated his game against Lakeland to the memory of Bill Stewart.

PHOTOS: Remembering Bill Stewart - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Stewart's Timeline At West Virginia - WVMETRONEWS.COM

News of Note:

College football's Way-Too-Early 2012 Top 25 - ESPN
Mark Schlabach offers a post-spring way-too-eaarly look at the top 25 teams for the 2012 season.

100 Days Countdown: Big 12 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
As part of "College Football Live’s" 100 Days Till Kickoff countdown, here’s a look at the top 10 players in the Big 12.

Football: Players Named to Preseason Teams - MSNsportsNET.com
West Virginia University football team has had 12 players named to Phil Steele’s 2012 Preseason All-Big 12 Team, and three players named to Phil Steele’s 2012 Preseason All-American Team, Phil Steel Publications announced

From the Bench: Death of SWC Key in Luck's Efforts to Keep WVU's Future Alive - Connect Bridgeport
Even before his son Andrew Luck was slinging footballs from his cradle, Oliver Luck was busy doing work in the state of Texas. And it was about that time that the fabled Southwest Conference not only ran into trouble, but began to fall apart.

Caridi touts WVU’s strength in Big 12 conference - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"WVU is in a position of strength, so far ahead of where we were a year ago."

Former Mountaineer Beilein Named WV Wesleyan Coach - WVillustrated
Beilein returns to West Virginia six years after graduating from the Mountaineer program.

Scooter Berry Has a Huge Game For Jacksonville - WVU Pros
The former Mountaineer DL has a monster game for the Jacksonville Sharks.

Recruiting:

Rawlins Adds Name To Commitment List - WVillustrated
The Mountaineer football staff has picked up their quarterback recruit for the 2013 class.

Monessen QB commits to West Virginia - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
More on the latest QB who's pledged to be a Mountaineer

WVU Exposure Helps Coaches Recruit in Texas - WVillustrated
Co-defensive coordinator Keith Patterson finds Mountaineer name to be well known halfway across the country.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Reports: The Big 12 Is About To Grow... A Lot - Frogs O' War

SEC-Big 12 Alliance Should Be A Rivalry Series, Not Just A Bowl Game - SBNation.com
The new bowl game partnership between the Big 12 and SEC is neat and all, but we could be just a couple moves away from something huge.

With Big 12-SEC Game Comes Uncertain Ripple Effect - NY Times
The ramifications will be significant, but the biggest question will be whether it will create another ripple of conference realignment.

Welcome To The Superconference Era Of College Football - Burnt Orange Nation

What's Your College Football Program Worth? Introducing Realignment Value Rankings - SBNation.com
If we're going to follow conference realignment as if it's a sport, we might as well come up with a scoring system. (WVU checks in at #43)

KU football player gets diversion for OUI case - KUsports.com

Sooners Land Another Transfer In DB Cortez Johnson - Crimson And Cream Machine

Offense As Team Defense And What It Means For 2012 - Barking Carnival

Red Raider Hardball | Head Coach Dan Spencer Fired - Double-T Nation
We're not the only one it seems

Suddenly, leaving ACC might not be such a bad idea - Augusta Chronicle
In a week when speculation about Florida State and Clemson possibly abandoning the ACC for the football-first Big 12 seemed far-fetched, suddenly it might make sense for Virginia Tech and Miami to join them in jumping ship.

Video of Interest:

R.I.P. Coach

Bill Stewart Remembered

2012-05-21T20:45:54Z

If there was ever anyone that was more unfair to Bill Stewart than me, I'd like to know about it. I said and did things as he was being ushered out the door that were neither classy nor intelligent. The news of his passing today leaves me sad, humbled, and filled with regret. He was a lot more than a football coach. He was loyal to his God and family first. He was a father and a husband and probably the only college football coach in America with the balls to tell you. As cliche as it may sound, he wore that on his sleeve. Although that part of the man was sometimes used as a punchline, the wisdom of his words have never been more true than today.

At what seemed like the lowest point in the Mountaineer Football program he refused pity or anything negative. At least from the outside looking in, he seemed to will the team through every day leading up to the Fiesta Bowl. And for one night, he took the weight of the entire state of West Virginia on his shoulders and gave us something no one could believe was possible. It was no small feat, and he exemplified what we all wish we were like, if just for one day. Remember him for that.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Stewart family and the players he led. He left no doubt.

Bill Stewart Dead From Apparent Heart Attack

2012-05-21T19:54:31Z

Bill Stewart Dead From Apparent Heart Attack

Condolences to his family.