Looking Back on 2007

New Year’s Eve brings out the reflective side on most people. There is something about today that requires people to look back on the previous 364 days and think about the good, the bad, and the indifferent, while wondering what we’ve learned and how we can adjust.

It’s a time for bad new year’s resolutions, which I’ve already published (I’m drinking as much caffeine today as humanly possible), that will likely become a failed good effort by the Super Bowl.

Honestly, I think 2007 will go down as a year we won’t soon forget. It was a year of death and unthinkable tragedies. We will all remember the tragedy at Virginia Tech in April when Seung-Hui Cho, 23, killed some 30 of his fellow classmates and professors before turning the gun upon himself. We’ll remember the images of Seung-Hui Cho’s videos that were releasing where he embraced the image of an unmerciful assassin. There were the mall shooting in Omaha, the shooting at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, the killing of several professional athletes most notably Washington Redskins’ Sean Taylor and let’s not forget we’re still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then, more recently, was the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

We all paid more, and more, and more at the pumps with no end in sight. The housing market’s bubble burst. The presidential campaign went into high gear. Barry Bonds broke baseball’s most hallowed record and was then indicted for perjury. Roger Clemens was accused of being a cheat when the Mitchell Report was released.  The Patriots kept the Miami Dolphins’ champaign on ice … for now.

We saw new leadership in Washington with Democrats taking over Congress, but by the end of the year President Bush had higher approval ratings than Congress.

And let’s not forget the weather has been really dry for most of the people in the southeast causing some serious water concerns.

I Drove 4 Hours to Sit in a Panera Bread … Awesome!

One of the joys about having several weeks off is being able to visit with family and friends. For the past few days, I’ve been in West Virginia - where I grew up - visiting with my family and enjoying the Christmas time with them. It was a great time to relax and spend time with them, though it was a little quieter there without one of my cousins, who is in a special school in Tennessee, and others.

Part of the time, in West Virginia, was spent watching television and moving things. My family is still in the process of clearing out my great aunt’s house from when she passed away in November. When you have a truck that means making trips to the county dump to drop off unwanted trash. It also means making runs to other places to drop things off. But, the week was relaxing.

Now, I’m in North Carolina. Really, I am. I drove down today to spend some time in a place that really means a lot to me. (Hey, I have some time off and the next time I could be down here may be awhile, so why not?) I left early this morning around 8 a.m., and arrived at the Panera Bread parking lot in downtown Chapel Hill around 11:45. That’s the quickest I’ve made it to Chapel Hill in quite some time. And no there was no lead foot. I don’t think.

I’m really going to enjoy this time and relax some more. That means going to my “home” church tonight, dropping in on some places tomorrow, and spending time with friends on New Year’s Eve.

Though I’ll tell you, I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy for being anywhere in some time. Now, to find things to do before church tonight.

Jimbo choses winters in Florida over West Virginia

After media reports today seemed to indicated that Florida State offensive coordinator and head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher was close to a deal to take over at West Virginia University now comes word that Fisher will remain at FSU.

In a statement posted at Seminole.com, Fisher said:

“I know media reports are circulating regarding the possibility of West Virginia’s head coaching position. I am a native of West Virginia and love the state but I want to make clear that I am staying at Florida State. I am committed to this university, this program and these players. I am excited about where I am and where Seminole football is headed.”

Had Fisher agreed to come to West Virginia it would have come with a cost. Fisher’s new contract with FSU requires a $2.5 million buyout should he take another head coach position by 2010. Fisher is promised that same amount if he is not named the head coach at FSU by 2010.

It’s back to the drawing board for West Virginia. Fisher’s decision probably leads WVU officials to lean towards a number of potential candidates including former Auburn coach (from 10 years ago) and ABC commentator Terry Bowden, Central Michigan coach Butch Jones, and Florida assistant coach John “Doc” Holliday among others. It’s belived that Holliday is out of the running.

With tomorrow Christmas Eve and WVU expected to be in Tempe, Az., by Dec. 26 for the Fiesta Bowl it’s safe to assume that it will be sometime next week before movement on a new coach.

The Defense Calls Rich Rodriguez to the Stand

In the ever-turning, wacky West Virginia coaching search, leave it to the Detroit Free Press to offer another twist to the story. Writer Shawn Windsor offers a “special report” detailing the ins and outs of how and why Rich Rodriguez decided to leave West Virginia to head north to Michigan.

While the article is well written, it is clear that there is a purpose in the article as it serves as, perhaps, the official Rich Rodriguez explanation for his departure from Morgantown and arrival in Ann Arbor. Interviewed in the article are Rodriguez, family members, and supporters who seem to support Rodriguez’s explanation to the events that have taken place since West Virginia lost to Pitt, 13-9, and ended up in the Fiesta Bowl.

Thus, the article simply can be described as the Rich Rodriguez defense argument.

We contend that Rodriguez did take a better job when it comes to resources and tradition. The main contention with most West Virginia fans has been the way it took place occurring just days after West Virginia lost a shot at the national title and as the team began preparations for the Fiesta Bowl. It also came a year after he was heavily courted by Alabam and had already turned down requests from Arkansas for an interview.

Here is just a snip-it of the article:

But if the school lost, the theory went, Rodriguez would be free to pursue the Michigan job, because no coach would walk away from a championship game.

“Maybe I shouldn’t feel so bad about their anger, because that just shows their ignorance,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been” coaching “here seven years. If they don’t know me by now … ” And he stopped himself, stunned at the accusation.

Read the article. It is an interesting read especially if you want to be balanced and have both sides of the story in this ever-turning change of events.

Fisher Thinking of WVU, Not FSU, and WVU Keeps One from Michigan

In the ever turning world that is the West Virginia Coaching Situation, a new candidate has entered into the fray. This one may be a little bit of a shock.

Florida State Offensive Coordinator and Head Coach-Elect Jimbo Fisher. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Fisher and West Virginia University have been in discussions about the Clarksburg, W.Va., native taking over the program that is seeking a new field general after former coach Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan.

Now for West Virginia to contact Fisher could pose a problem. Fisher has a clause in his contract with FSU that prevents him from interviewing with other programs, including West Virginia. That would mean any interactions between Fisher and West Virginia would have to come through his agent, Jimmy Sexton, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Should Fisher agree to become the new head coach at West Virginia, the Mountaineers would owe a $2.5 million buyout to FSU. (West Virginia, if it wins legal disputes with Rodriguez, is scheduled to receive a $4 million buyout from Rodriguez.)

Fisher was the offensive coordinator at LSU when the Tigers won their last national championship and came to FSU this season to resurrect that program’s offense. Earlier this month, Fisher signed a new deal with FSU that made him the new head coach whenever Bobby Bowden retires. He has earlier denied interest in the WVU position.

This may have some legs, but there have been so many rumors out there it’s hard to keep track. One thing is for sure, though, if West Virginia does not announce a coach today (Saturday), don’t look for the Mountaineers to do so until after the team arrives in Tempe, Az., for the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 26. This would allow families to go home for Christmas and for the search to quiet down for a few days.

If that is the case, John “Doc” Holliday’s candidacy might be eliminated. It is believed, by some, that an offer was on the table for Holliday earlier this week, but was vetoed by “higher powers” in the state (i.e. political leaders) who were backing other candidates, presumably former Auburn head coach Terry Bowden.

Also, West Virginia, which has recently been the recruiting grounds for Michigan for head coaches, finally has secured at least one coach from moving to Ann Arbor. Women’s soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown is staying at West Virginia turning down offers to go to Michigan.

That’s Michigan 2, WVU 1, if you’re keeping score at home.

Life as a Youth Basketball Coach

I’ve never been happier with a tie before.

Wait, we are reading The View from the Sidelines whose author is an avid West Virginia sports fan and is ultra competitive even when it comes to PlayStation 2 NHL Hockey 08. How is he happy with a tie?!?!?

I’ll tell you, but first I need to give you some background.

I’m a youth basketball coach for the local YMCA where I coach 7 and 8 year olds the basics of basketball. Now, the comedy of this is that I never played basketball before in my life. Not for a competitive team. The one time I tried out, well I didn’t even make the cut on my elementary school team. That kind of ended the dream of me being Shady Spring, W.Va.’s version of Larry Bird and started my journey for a few years into amateur wrestling. I need to write a blog on some of my matches in youth and junior high/9th grade wrestling, but I digress.

The thing I love about coaching is its a chance to be involved with young students and attempt to make a difference in their lives while having some fun. Yes, I coach and get competitive on the sidelines, but it’s all in fun and I attempt to have some fun at it, especially with a team that is very competitive.

Today, with Christmas a few days away, I was wondering if we were going to have anyone show up. In fact, four of our six players showed up, which meant that we were playing 4-on-4 basketball without any substitutions on our side.

It was going to be a long 32 minutes for my team.

Something Other Than West Virginia Football … For a Change

We’ll return to your regularly-scheduled West Virginia Coaching Search in a moment. But first, some thoughts from the week that has been the Al Bundy Experience. I’m enjoying my first three-week vacation in more than five years and all but but a dent on a place in the sofa from my relaxation and television watching this week.

But here are some things that I’ve thought and experienced this week. Please be aware that some of these thoughts could cause laughter, interesting discussion, or plain out thoughts of what in the world.

I can’t get enough James Bond. One of the joys, for me, when it comes to Holidays is that Spike TV will normally run about five or six days straight of Bond movies. Now, there is nothing like waking up at 9:30 a.m., and turning it on to another adventure of Bond.

But, I’ve noticed one thing about the movies, at least when it comes to Roger Moore as Bond. Have you ever noticed that Bond always ends up in bed with the girl at the end of the movie and his bosses somehow are watching? Doesn’t matter if Bond is on an escape pod in the middle of an ocean or on a space ship returning to Earth, there is Bond having … fun we’ll say.

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I have a running joke amongst some of my friends. It revolves around the notion that I will not cook for myself for fear that I would kill myself or someone else with my cooking.

That just about came true this week. Tuesday I cooked hamburgers and fries and have been paying for it ever sense, as in trip to the doctor office paying for it. Turns out my cooking is good enough to cause food poisoning.

Note to self: must find potential wife who enjoys cooking. This is a requirement now.

A Scandal Brewing at WVU

It’s not as if West Virginia University hasn’t been in the news enough the past few days. First, there was Rich Rodriguez leaving for Michigan. Then the arguments over who was to blame - Rodriguez or the university administration - on why there is now a vacancy at West Virginia. Now comes word of a potential scandal that could severely rock the school and its new administration.

The Post Gazette, which has really been on top of things lately at WVU, is reporting that the school awarded a master’s degree to Heather Bresch, who was several credits short of a MBA. Twenty-two credits on the negative to be accurate.

Why is this a big deal? Bresch is the daughter of West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and the new president of WVU, Mike Garrison, is a close friend and political ally of the Manchin family. Bresch is also the Chief Operating Officer for Mylan, Inc., a large financial contributor to WVU. The newspaper’s report comes after a two month investigation into what appears to be a political back scratching.

If this is true, this could be the initial fireworks of what could be a damaging scandal for the new WVU administration and Gov. Manchin.

Bowden Gaining, and the Search Goes On

The mess that is the West Virginia coaching search continues with some believing now that a coach will not be in place until next week. (If so, someone is going to get a nice Christmas present.)

While West Virginia officials continue to interview candidates, some are making a push for Terry Bowden to take over. According to the Post-Gazette, WVU appeared ready to name John “Doc” Holliday as coach, but balked when supporters and others put out an effort to get Bowden installed as coach. The article goes to state that Administrators at WVU are attempting to distance their decision from boosters who are talking about pulling their donations.

We’ve made it clear we’re not in support of Terry Bowden being installed as the next head coach of the Mountaineers.  His 10 year absence from the game is a major issue for me. As is how he left, where he quit during the 1998 season when he believed he was about to be fired after being informed that the job was going to be given to someone on his staff for the following season.

Some are trying to make the comparison between Terry Bowden’s attempt to come back from coaching and Dick Vermeil, who returned to the NFL ranks after a 15 year hiatus to coach the St. Louis Rams in 1997, where he led them to a Super Bowl victory  in 1999. It may be a safe comparison, but what is lacking is the fact Bowden hasn’t been on a recruiting trail in years and that distance in time from coaching appearances is going to be an issue on the recruiting trail.

I honestly believe West Virginia can do better than Terry Bowden. Bud Foster, Jim Grobe, and Butch Jones would all appear to be more reliable candidates because they’ve been involved in the game as coaches and not as commentators in the past few years.

New Coach Could be Named Today

Reports are starting to trickle out of West Virginia today that the Mountaineers could be close to naming a replacement for former coach Rich Rodriguez. The leading candidate is John “Doc” Holliday, according to a report in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel.

If this is the case, Holliday beat out a list of potential candidates that include former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, Central Michigan coach Butch Jones, Penn State assistant coach Tom Bradley, and former West Virginia assistant coach Rick Trickett.

Holliday is a former assistant coach at West Virginia from 1979-1999 and has been on the staffs at North Carolina State and more recently Florida.

In other news from the wild world of the West Virginia Meltdown, a Charleston (W.Va.) radio station has suspended it’s morning show team for playing the Michigan fight song after Rodriguez left West Virginia for Michigan. The suspended host is from Michigan and is a Michigan fan.

Guess we can’t take a joke.