If I Were To Write An Open Letter On Mountaineer Football, This Is What It Would Sound Like

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 4:37 PM EST in Mountaineer Football Comment 46 comments

Dear Coach Stewart, Mr. Pastilong, President Clements, and Distinguished Members of the Board of Governors:

I am a West Virginia Mountaineer.

I say that first and foremost, simply because of the newest campaign by the university requesting that people, "Be A Mountaineer." I fit that description. I am a two-time graduate of this university. I attend home games. I attend road games. I come early. I stay late. I sing Country Roads until my voice is gone. Most weeks, I live and die by the outcomes of West Virginia University athletics.

I am also an optimist at heart. Since I became a Mountaineer fan at a very young age, I always tried to see the best in my Mountaineers. I saw victory when all others saw defeat. Often, they were right and I was wrong, but I would rather be optimistic about my state's team and be wrong then to lose hope entirely.

Unfortunately, that has lately become an increasingly burdensome task. The current state of our football team exists at a level below most fans' expectations. I understand that football is often cyclical, and it is very difficult to maintain a position at the pinnacle with schools of much larger enrollments, fan bases, and television contracts. But suddenly, the hope of a bright future for Mountaineer football has been dented, both by results on the field and a polluted sense of mediocrity from the football and athletic staff.

Across town, at the Coliseum, we find a coach who will settle for nothing less than perfection and national titles. He reassures us in losses, making the fan base know that he expects, nay demands, better. He often reassures us in wins, too, as not all wins are created equal. From the Puskar Center, however, we hear talk nearly devoid of the same ambition. Once one win away from a national championship game appearance, we are now forced to settle for middle-of-the-pack results. When questioned, there is defensive behavior and tired excuses, neither of which are doing anything to satisfy a growing group of disillusioned fans. Wins are good enough, and when those wins don't happen, we are simply left to deal with the losses by our lonesome.

All of us understand that there will be losses. What we as fans are looking for is a leader who assures us that everything is being done to avoid those losses. That happens at the Coliseum -- it does not happen at the Puskar Center. While I appreciate and applaud the congeniality of this staff, manners and a pleasant demeanor aren't enough. We need wins. And even if there aren't wins, we need to be convinced that wins are coming (through both improved play and improved coaching). That isn't happening, and doesn't look to happen in the near future.

In closing, I don't have a neat, packaged solution to this problem. If change was to be made, a large buyout clause makes said change very expensive. The existence of that buyout clause -- of which we have never heard an explanation -- contributes mightily to this problem. And although it would cost West Virginia University a lot of money to make a change, it might be money saved considering the plummeting future of its football program.

I don't wish that change today, but change may become necessary in the coming months. I only hope my university is willing to accept that fact.

Sincerely,

One Of Many Concerned Fans

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I sent a very similar letter, except my font was that of cut our letters from magazines pasted to the paper, and thinly veiled threats such as, “meet my demands OR ELSE.”

by The 25314 on Nov 16, 2009 5:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Another helpful trick

I find that including a lock of your own hair often helps get your point across.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

did EP sign on to stay until 2015??? If this is the case we're doomed for sure..

God Bless America
WVUD

by WVUD on Nov 16, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Co-sign

I will even send in a bucket of my tears.

by SirFloppyChode on Nov 16, 2009 5:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Premature Declaration

I would quibble with some of your phrasing, Doc: “We all know there will be losses…” especially, since I don’t believe that is true of some of the regular posters. But I do agree that the foundation is cracking…

IF…we don’t beat Pitt and Rutgers. I think the tone of this letter rings true if we go 1-1, and clangs loud and correct if we go 0-2.

In my opinion, we redeem the season if we ruin Pitt’s year. All of our losses have been on the road against teams that were playing well when we played them…(Auburn has fallen off since their hot start, and USF pissed me off by giving the ball away a bajillion times against Rutgers, which they begs the question: why do we always seem to get everyone’s best effort?).

Your letter reads like the season is over and was a failure. It’s not, and it’s not, yet. Let’s see what happens the day after Thanksgiving.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 16, 2009 5:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The season IS a failure...

up to this point. I would agree w/ you that the season wouldn’t be an absolute failure if we won out. However, the sad fact is that we must actually have to PLAY Rutgers and PITT. PITT has a Top 10 defense IMO and their offense is very underrated w/ a stud RB who will likely give WVU fits in the coming 4 years. Face it….We don’t have ONE impressive win on the resume…..it’s a failure to date…sorry

by WVUColumbus on Nov 16, 2009 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

UConn Was An Impressive Win...

…and again, season grades are given after the season! It ain’t over yet. To me, it all hinges on PItt now, and our continued dominance of Rutgers. Yeah, and we had way better talent when they beat us 13-9, right? This is why the games are actually played. Personally, I think ND is not good and they made it interesting for Pitt, who incidentally, lost to NC State. It isn’t like they are unbeatable. Add to that that they now have a rivalry game as a trap-date, with Cincy and a BCS trip to be decided the week after us. That spells LOOKAHEAD trouble.

And you aren’t sorry about the season. I think you love it! If we lose these next two, you’d be in heaven, only one game off of your prediciton! I on the other hand, am still alive for half of mine. 10-3 and the BE champs. The BE Champ thing is out the window, but 2-0 in these last two and a win over a Pac-10 team will still be an improvement over last season.

If we go 9-4, or worse, and end with a bowl loss, then that is an obvious regression and the season is a failure, in my opinion. 9-4 with a bowl win, and we are treading water. 10-3…the best we can hope for…I don’t think I can complain. I am sure some you can. Again…let’s wait and see.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 16, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

UConn is 4-5.

That’s what we’re considering an impressive win these days? Lowered expectations are a big part of the problem.

PS: I understand the circumstances with Jasper Howard were unique, but still…

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

5 Losses By A Total of 15 Points

…hard luck losses, but UConn is not bad. “Lowered expectations are a part of the problem…” What are you talking about? No one, and I mean no one, has lowered their expectations. We’re just not being realistic about what this team was capable of this year. That does not mean, much to the chagrin of the hysterical, that the sky is falling.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 16, 2009 8:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A win against a team with a losing record is either...

a) not impressive; or b) impressive because you’ve lowered your expectations. A realistic view of this team was a senior, experienced quarterback with a laundry list of weapons and a defense that returned 10 starters. Where am I running afoul here? That’s a team worthy of expectations.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

where?

an OL (with 4 new starters and a senior who acts like a revolving door) that’s as porous as the Maginot Line

by WVUIE97 on Nov 16, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's too easy.

Capers is a returning starter, Jenkins was a 5* recruit that saw a lot of meaningful time, Jobe started the last half of the season, and Barclay was heralded by Stewart himself. Sure, they were a little green, but they were not a bunch of nobodies.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 9:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll play along for the moment...never said they were nobodies

1. returning starter or not…..doesn’t mean he was awesome, just the best we have at the moment
2. 5 star guys always pan out……riiiiighhhhht
3. Jobe…you got me there….and he’s an IE too, so he must be at least smart
4. Barclay…..who doesn’t Stew herald?

ANNNNDDDDDD

Our experienced senior QB has suffered a concussion, the severity of which no one really knows, nor the full recovery time.

by WVUIE97 on Nov 16, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The last one kills me.

Stop using that excuse. If it was really an excuse, he shouldn’t have been allowed to play.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and Meyer shouldn't have played Tebow?

by WVUIE97 on Nov 16, 2009 9:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If he wasn't ready to play, NO.

The first time a coach looked at JB and thought to himself, “you know what, he doesn’t look 100%,” they should have taken him out of the game. One, it’s a head injury, and you don’t mess around with that; and two, I would rather have a backup QB that is 100% than a starter that is woozy, dizzy, or somehow affected by a concussion.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

woozy or dizzy is not necessarily the after effect I'm referring to.

woozy or dizzy….sit him the fuck down, hide his helmet. I think it was more gun shy

by WVUIE97 on Nov 16, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, I'll give you that.

That’s much more of a grey area.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 9:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it was the best chance to win

which is what everyone is bitching about. And I was referring to the games between Marshall and Cinci. All fog seems to have lifted as of Friday’s game. I won’t use that excuse anymore.

by WVUIE97 on Nov 16, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The best chance to win should never be a player with a head injury.

If there’s fog, sit him.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They were talking on Mike and Mike this morning...

…about Brian Westbook’s concussion. The discussion, on which all parties were in agreement, was that the doctors can clear him, the player can feel fine and say he’s fine, and yet, you never really know. So how, as a coach, are you supposed to tell what’s going on? All the information you have says he’s good to go. Brian Westbrook played on Sunday…and suffered another concussion. And I would venture that it happened despite everyone’s best efforts to prevent it. So…if JB was medically cleared, and he felt okay, and he practiced well (or at least, better than Geno)…why shouldn’t he have played? If he was gun shy in games, how is he going to get over that, other than to play?

I just don’t see how you can make these calls without all the information. The fact is, none of us know 1) the extent of the injury; 2) what was said between JB and the doctors; and 3) how JB (and, comparitavely, Geno) looked in practce. I trust that Stew took all these things into consideration in making his decision. You, however, assume that he did not.

by Country Roads on Nov 17, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You can agree with this point Country.

In baseball when you are hit with by a pitch, take a grounder to the face or chest or are hit by a hard comebackers as a pitcher, the best thing is to get back in the game so you are not scared to face that situation again. If JB was medically cleared the best way to get over his shyness was to play.

The more he sits on the sidelines and watches the collisions the more gun shy he could become.

If some people think HCBS put JB on the field when he was not healthy, then they are crazy.

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Nov 17, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're totally discounting UConn.

I think most people who have actually watched them play would agree that they are a pretty good team. I don’t know if I’d call it an “impressive” win (then again, how many “impressive” wins do we have in the last 5 years? Oklahoma, Georgia, and, uh…umm…nobody else we weren’t favored to beat), but I do think it’s a “solid” win. How many “impressive” wins does Pitt have? How about Texas? Or Florida, for that matter? Maybe one each?

As for expectations, I think most everyone here figured the defense would be better than it has been, and close to dominant. I can’t for the life of me figure out why they haven’t been better. Do the losses of Lankster and Ivy hurt that much? Did the guys get a big head? Do Reed and Scooter’s missed time have that big an impact? I think with a better defense, we win the Auburn (despite the turnovers) and USF games, and we are still sitting pretty. So yeah, the defense hasn’t played up to expectations, but I think the offense is about where most of us thought it would be.

by Country Roads on Nov 17, 2009 9:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

NOT an impressive win

Yes they are talented and we in the Big East know how well coached they are and how good they are but in terms of national respect, a prior poster said it all – we have ZERO impressive wins. Hell, even winning at AU would have been SOMETHING.

by WVU-Atlanta on Nov 16, 2009 9:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I totally agree Doc

I rarely post comments on here although I am a loyal reader. I visit everyday. I too am a Mountaineer through and through. I want HCBS to succeed badly. I keep asking myself two questions (honestly):

1. Out of the three phases in the game of football (off, def and spec. teams) have we improved in any of them since HCBS has taken over? Or even since the beginning of the season?

2. Can we win a NC with HCBS and the current staff?

Sadly I am struggling with the first question to find any area of improvement. In fact I would argue that we have regreessed since the beginning of the year in two of the three phases. I am witholding judgement on the second question but I think I know the answer.

by pucker huffman on Nov 16, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Too early to tell

1. Only one aspect of special teams has been bad- the KO team. I’ll admit- it has been rediculous, but the rest of our special teams has been solid. The offense has been struggling, but I would argue that it would have struggled even if richrod had stayed. Replacing the White-Slaton combo is tough. The defense was great last year, down this year.

2. Lloyd Carr, Phil Fulmer, and Bobby Ross all won National Championships. No coach in WVU history ever has… I don’t think anyone can predict such a thing

by WVUSouth on Nov 16, 2009 9:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The product

Now that ol’ rr doesn’t have time logs and might get fired (which actually would be the best thing for him, financially) what would be the reaction if stew hired him or Calvin as O coordinator. It would help our offense, and would be absolutely humiliating for them to have to work under stew.

by The 25314 on Nov 16, 2009 8:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

hardy har harrrr....

You are kidding right? Chances of RR coming back to WVU in ANY fashion are a biliion to one.

by WVU-Atlanta on Nov 16, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It would be pretty funny, though.

You have to admit.

by Dr. Charley West on Nov 16, 2009 9:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The only funny thing about that would be

Watching them duck shoes at the airport.

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Nov 17, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would accept Calvin back in a heartbeat.

I mean right this second. I’d volunteer for the airport greeting committee.

by jbseay on Nov 16, 2009 9:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

after what he accused WVU of?

and tried to get Chuck Finder to help them with it?

by WVUIE97 on Nov 16, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, if he gets a new agent.

I think he was stuck in a bad (RR created) spot in that situation.
He would be the one eating crow to return, not us.

by jbseay on Nov 17, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious?

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Nov 17, 2009 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great letter, Doc

I like your tone and agree with your sentiments. Upon reflecting further on our team this year, it seems some of our concerns prior to the season starting are starting to come true. Offensive line, JB, coaching. What I AM surprised about is our defense and our lack of effective coaching adjustments. I think we are all excited about recruiting, though. I’m willing to give the current guys one more year, and that’s it. Mullen might need to go though….despite no help by our O-Line and acknowledging a major change to our offense, is there really ONE thing that we like about Mullen? Have we ever been pleased with his performance, ever?

by WVU-Atlanta on Nov 16, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Stats From The First Four Games...

…are Mullen’s best testament. Were we not turning the ball over, we would have been dominant. And even with the turnovers, our numbers had us in the top 20 of every major category. Where that offense has gone, I don’t know, but I wish Mullen would unearth those gameplans and implement them again.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 17, 2009 1:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That offense...

…has wilted under the heat of higher caliber competition than we saw in the first four games.

by Pepperoni Roll on Nov 17, 2009 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not Really...

…the offense still produces, but it did not as it should have against Louisville. The Cards were not higher caliber competition. Something is different.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 17, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In general...

…the first half of the schedule was much lighter than the back half.

by Pepperoni Roll on Nov 17, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Charley, I Don't Agree...

….in your above post where you wrote: “a win against a team with a losing record is either a) not impressive; or b) impressive because you’ve lowered your expectations.” You are a guy I respect, and I don’t think you really believe this. Plenty of teams rise up, despite their records, and give teams they shouldn’t fits. You know that. Think back to the our ‘03 loss to Miami…would you have said, were you a Miami fan, what you said right here. Wins are wins in football, and each game is its own little world. You would agree with that, right? I don’t think just because of UConn’s hard-luck season that beating them doesn’t qualify as a quality win. Beyond that, Syracuse is improved…Marshall has actually surprised me this year (they may make a bowl!), and all of our losses…we all know that we could have won each.

Now, I am going sunshine here. If we lose to Pitt, I imagine these arguments get a lot harder. So, Stew, Mullen, Johnson, Casteel….I KNOW YOU READ THIS BLOG! BEAT PITT…

…or else, totally lose the fan base.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 17, 2009 1:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

...and when I said...

“I don’t agree IN your above post…”…I meant WITH your above post. Pardon.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 17, 2009 1:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You Can Tell...

…I am on the road and alone in a hotel room. I always post more. Sorry, or you’re welcome….whichever applies.

by JP Fanshawe on Nov 17, 2009 1:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If this were on facebook I would NOT click the like button.

It was only three weeks ago that you wanted to make HCBS t-shirts and now you want him fired in the coming months? I think you have good intentions at heart but are vastly overreacting to the current state of our program.

Our record is not what it should be, we can all agree with that point. I expected us to finish 12-0 every year but thought anything less than 10 wins would be disappointing. Why give up before the season is over?

I also do not like how you want to fire Smilin’ Bill over perception. Last year people wanted him fired because he looked like a buffoon on the sidelines. This year he is a fighter and involved on the sidelines and now people want him fired because he does not “reassure” them in press conferences. Really Charley West, Really?

What would it take for you too be reassured? What if he said,

We sucked today and have to improve. The team we played was terrible and everything that happened in this game was because we did not play well and not because the other team could be good. I am going to win next week I guarantee it.

Would that be better?

It irks me a little that some of your argument is based on perception rather than reality. What happens in the lockerroom and on the practice field is only known by a select group of people. What he says to the media is coach speak and he does not have to coddle you after a loss. Saying that we are “accepting” middle of the pack results and are alright with mediocrity is silly.

Bill Stewart is a second year head coach with a 17-7 record. That is reality. While that is not perfect, it is pretty damn good for a team that has seen a lot of change over the last two years.

Leave no doubt tonight! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Nov 17, 2009 9:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I give you props

and agree, especially with the last paragraph. People tend to forget, he’s still winning games and doesn’t have the players we grew way to accustomed to, i.e. White and Slaton.

To me, he’s trying to run a good program, seems to be bringing in recruits, he always ALWAYS puts a positive light towards the state, the school, the team, the players. He wants his players not to just play football, but be accountable for their actions, to be men. To me that’s just as important as winning. I’d rather our teams go 9-4 each year with a good character group than 11-2 or 12-1 and have a team like U used to throw out there with all the trouble and baggage and negativity they brought.

Honestly, I’m upset at the losses, but firing Bill Stewart is not the answer. Now if you said Mullen, that’s a different story. We never seem to know what we are getting for a game plan each week.

One thing I will say, HCBS should go out and get himself a special teams coach. That’s a position he can pass to someone else and one less “hat” to wear for this team.

by BurghMountaineer on Nov 18, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs