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.