Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Pike Brewing Company's Auld Acquaintance Happy Holiday Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Buchanan Named Canadian U-20 Player of the Year - WVU Athletics
for the second straight season.
FURFARI: Baker was a Mountaineer great in scoring and rebounding - Times West Virginian
Warren Baker, one of the most dominant men’s basketball players West Virginia University ever had, excelled in the 1970s.
News of Note:
Oliver Luck Letter to Mountaineer Nation - WVU Athletics
Oliver Luck personal note to Mountaineer fans everywhere.
Oliver Luck leaves WVU for position with NCAA - Charleston Daily Mail
Luck, 54, will start Jan. 15 at the organization’s office in Indianapolis.
Names to watch for WVU’s vacant athletic director job - Charleston Daily Mail
Here is a look at some possibilities, listed in alphabetical order:
WVU AD Luck stepping down, taking NCAA post - Charleston Gazette
Oliver Luck never seemed like a lifer in his job as West Virginia’s athletic director.
Luck’s legacy is secure - Charleston Daily Mail
t was 1,651 days ago when Oliver Luck was hired by his alma mater, West Virginia University, to guide the school’s athletic programs through uncertain waters.
Gee says process will be ‘swift’; expect wide open as well - Charleston Gazette
"It’s a wise move on [the NCAA’s] part," WVU president E. Gordon Gee told me Wednesday.
In seeking Oliver Luck’s replacement, Gee not pigeonholed to current ADs - WV MetroNews
In searching for Oliver Luck’s replacement, West Virginia University president Gordon Gee said he seeks "an extraordinary leader" and will consider candidates who don’t have experience as an AD.
Gee: WVU is "very attractive to the best in this country" - WVillustrated
University president says the search for Oliver Luck's replacement is well underway with an attractive position opening at WVU.
Gee wants to move fast in hiring Luck's replacement - Exponent Telegram
Luck has input in finding his replacement
Gee: WVU AD Job "No Place For Learning Curve" - BGN
West Virginia expects to move "quickly" and "expeditiously" to hire a new Athletic Director hire, according to WVU President E. Gordon Gee. The university is also looking for "the very best person, however you find them," Gee said.
Luck legacy forever tied to Holgorsen - Exponent Telegram
In the end, the stage that Oliver Luck stepped onto four years ago when he was named athletic director at West Virginia University just wasn’t big enough to satisfy him. This is not a criticism.
Friends wish Oliver Luck well in new NCAA role - Charleston Daily Mail
Praise from his WVU colleagues was effusive:
Luck's move to the NCAA may bring changes to U.S. soccer - Register Herald: College Sports
When news broke Tuesday morning that Oliver Luck was leaving West Virginia University to take a position with the NCAA, I initially had three thoughts.
Answering the questions about Luck's departure - Register Herald: College Sports
You’ve got questions. I’ve got answers.
Football
Dawson departs for job as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator - Charleston Daily Mail
Dawson was the only remaining assistant from coach Dana Holgorsen’s first staff in 2011.
Dawson leaving WVU for UK job - Charleston Gazette
Reports are that Dawson will work through the Dec. 29 bowl game before devoting all of his time to his new job at Kentucky.
Dawson bound for Kentucky as offensive coordinator after four seasons at WVU - WV MetroNews
West Virginia offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s "Air Raid" connections reportedly will lead him to become the new offensive coordinator at Kentucky under Mark Stoops.
White Earns Sporting News All-America Honors - WVU Athletics
White set a school record with seven straight games of 100 or more receiving yards to start the season and has 1,318 receiving yards this year, the second most in a single season in school history.
Alford, White Named to FWAA All-America Teams - WVU Athletics
FWAA Names 2014 All-America Team
McShay: 2015 NFL mock draft 1.0 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
West Virginia WR Kevin White and Texas DT Malcom Brown -- are looking good for the first round.
Recruiting:
Football Announces Mid-Year Signee - WVU Athletics
Larry Jefferson has signed with West Virginia.
Juco defensive end Jefferson becomes WVU’s first signee for 2015 - WV MetroNews
Rangy 6-foot-5 defensive end held offers from Missouri, K-State, Maryland, Miami and Cal.
Defensive end first WVU Class of 2015 signee - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia has its first two official members of its 2015 football recruiting class, 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive end Larry Jefferson and 6-3, 200-pound cornerback Rasul Douglas.
Douglas is a Mountaineer - WVSports.com
"WVU here I come," he tweeted.
WVU Lands 4-star CB Douglas - Scout
Garden City (N.Y.) Nassau four-star cornerback Rasul Douglas announced he is heading to West Virginia.
Four-Star CB Rasul Douglas Picks WVU - EerSports
On the first day of the early signing period for December graduates in the junior college ranks, Nassau (NY) C.C. cornerback Rasul Douglas has committed to West Virginia.
Mountaineers add 6-foot-3 cornerback Rasul Douglas as early enrollee - WV MetroNews
Tall, physical juco cornerback chose WVU over Louisville, Rutgers, FSU and Georgia.
QB Commit Comments on Dawson Departure - EerSports
QB commit Chris Chugunov talks about the departure of Shannon Dawson.
Pro News:
RIP Slim: Looking back at Chris Henry's legacy - WVUPros
On this day five years ago, Chris Henry died tragically in a traffic incident in Charlotte, NC.
WVUPros on the Hardwood Report: Ruoff dishes out - WVUPros
In this edition of WVUPros on the Hardwood, we take a look at how some of your favorite Mountaineers of the past performed in basketball action around the globe this past weekend and make one new addition to the list of players we cover.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 Mailbag: Expansion, Stidham, will title game return? - FOX Sports
Desmine Hilliard and Devin Chafin Both Cleared for Cotton Bowl - Our Daily Bears
Mid-Week Hoops Notes and Thoughts - Wide Right & Natty Lite
KU's Beaty hits the recruiting ground running -- but it's a marathon, not a sprint - FOX Sports
Oklahoma Sooners Football Injury Report | 12.17.14 Bowl Edition - Crimson And Cream Machine
Mike Gundy Talks Bowl Game & Tyreek Hill Situation - Cowboys Ride For Free
A Fool's Errand: Texas' Path to the Final Four Check-In - Barking Carnival
Five Thoughts on Texas Tech Red Raiders 101, South Carolina State Bulldogs 39 - Viva The Matadors
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Humperdink is a Mountaineer! Who knew?
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a lovely Brit. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Tamara Ecclestone.