Breaking news out of West Virginia right now, OK we’ve all known about but it’s finally official official. John Beilein is out at West Virginia and is on his way to the Big Ten to take over a struggling Michigan program that fired Tommy Amaker at the end of the season.
The move comes less than a week after Beilein led the Mountaineers to a NIT championship after losing four of five starters from a year ago. It is believed that Beilein’s contract will pay close to $1 million annually and that Michigan will pick up the tab on his $2.5 million buyout with West Virginia University.
First, as we have written about previously, let’s look at what Beilein has done for West Virginia University, something many fans will refuse to look at in light of recent events.
Beilein took over a program that no body wanted. Bobby Huggins didn’t want it (that is a very good thing). Stan Heath didn’t want it, which turns out now to be a good thing. Dan Dakich wanted it, but then left to go back to Bowling Green. Then a phone call was placed to Richmond where WVU hired some guy named John Beilein.
Let’s remember what Beilein had to work with when he came on board - nothing. The team was on the verge of possible NCAA recruiting violations from Gale Cattlet’s final years in Morgantown and the team was fairly bare with talent. In short order, Beilein convinced Kevin Pittsnogle to stay around and recruited some talent that led to the most dominant three-year period in Mountaineer basketball history since Jerry West was lacing it up at WVU.
He took over a mess and made it a contender. For that, West Virginia fans should be thankful.
Instead, some West Virginia fans - in their disappointment - are using the opportunity to say Beilein “never was a West Virginian,” that “his wife never wanted to be here,” and “good riddance.” Funny, these are the same fans who just a few days ago were celebrating with Beilein the NIT championship.
Beilein is an outstanding man and the only commitment he has, just as anyone else has, is to provide for their family. The era of coaches staying 20 years at one program are over, that is something West Virginia fans must realize. The pressure placed on college athletes and coaches by fans and media make it impossible for coaches to stay as long as a Cattlet (who overstayed his welcome by a few years, in my opinion) or Don Nehlen in football.
If anyone failed to make a commitment it was West Virginia University to Beilein. It is possible to have a strong football program and basketball program at the same school. Sadly, WVU officials don’t see this, nor do they care to see anything past football, which is fine. West Virginia has always been a football school, but don’t we wish for something greater in athletics than being also rans.
It’s time for a change in the athletics department at WVU and time for some resignations from key officials. We need a fresh set of ideas and a new way of doing business.
The current business model just isn’t working.
I wish Beilein all the best at Michigan. One thing is for certain, he won’t need many new ties.
