Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and semi-daily (summer season) distractions.
Today, we cover a few bits from around the league and around WVU football, but mostly, we mourn the loss of a special man, so raise a glass high in a toast to Coach Stew.
"Let ’em know! Leave no doubt tonight! LEAVE NO DOUBT TONIGHT!! No doubt, they shouldn’t have played the Old Gold and Blue! Not this night!"
Coach Stew:
Gold And Blue Now: Tuesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
MetroNews remembers former WVU head coach Bill Stewart and gets reaction from former and current WVU coaches.
Final Chapter - BGN
Bill Stewart’s legacy wasn’t supposed to be written yet. Time is supposed to heal all wounds, after all. But time is a luxury Stewart wasn’t afforded.
Holgorsen Looks At His Time With Stewart - WVMETRONEWS.COM
"What Coach Stew would have wanted is for everyone to get back to work and try to win a championship next year, so that’s what we’re going to try and accomplish," Holgorsen said.
Stew’s loyalty was genuine - Charleston Gazette
But in this case it's undeniable. There was no one quite like Bill Stewart.
Stewart ‘a true Mountaineer’ - Charleston Gazette
"Billy was a good guy, a good person," Kirelawich said. "He was a good guy to work for. He had his ups and downs, but so does everybody."
Friends, colleagues admire Coach Stewart's dedication - Charleston Daily Mail
"It's a sad day for the state of West Virginia and a sad day for the Mountaineer football program," Rodriguez said from Arizona, where he is in his first season as the Wildcats' head coach. "It's especially sad for Bill's many friends, family and former players.
Stewart made days brighter for all around him - Times West Virginian
"He was a great Mountaineer," former Coach Don Nehlen said.
Bill Stewart remembered as ‘model for how it should be done’ - Times West Virginian
"I know there are a lot of people out there who recognize that. I’m very proud to say it loudly. I’ve always said it very loudly. Bill Stewart was an absolute gentleman and a great leader."
Coach a ‘Fairmont man’ until the end - Times West Virginian
"With Bill Stewart, you weren’t an acquaintance. You were either his friend or you hadn’t met him yet," Manchin said.
New Martinsville stunned by loss of 'true son' - Charleston Daily Mail
The outpouring of grief wasn't relegated to the boundaries of Stewart's hometown Monday. Wetzel County natives took to social media in full force throughout the day and evening with their expressions of emotion, as well as pride.
Stewart's legacy more than wins and losses - Big East Blog - ESPN
There was no head coach like Bill Stewart, and there weren't many people quite like him, either.
Lineman Jenkins: A Sad Day To Be a Mountaineer - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
"I learned a lot from him,'' Jenkins said. "I am really going to miss him.''
Stewart Was One of a Kind - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Bill Stewart always said life, on and off the field, was about people, about becoming successful, about helping others to feel that way each and every day.
Remembering Bill Stewart and the Lessons He Shared - WVillustrated
Outside the Press Box: Memories of the man who guided far more than just a football team.
Mountaineers React to Losing Bill Stewart - WVillustrated
A collection of tweets from some players and coaches who were connected to the former WVU head coach.
WV leaders reaction to death of former WVU head football coach B - WVillustrated
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and Senator Jay Rockefeller are among those who've issued statements upon hearing about the death of former WVU head football coach Bill Stewart.
Podcast: Reaction to Bill Stewart's death - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo react to the death of former West Virginia coach Bill Stewart. Van Pelt and Russillo describe their interactions with Stewart and remember him as a good man.
Larry Ford Dedicates Game To Bill Stewart - Dominates - WVU Pros
Following the passing of Bill Stewart, Larry Ford dedicated his game against Lakeland to the memory of Bill Stewart.
PHOTOS: Remembering Bill Stewart - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Stewart's Timeline At West Virginia - WVMETRONEWS.COM
News of Note:
College football's Way-Too-Early 2012 Top 25 - ESPN
Mark Schlabach offers a post-spring way-too-eaarly look at the top 25 teams for the 2012 season.
100 Days Countdown: Big 12 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
As part of "College Football Live’s" 100 Days Till Kickoff countdown, here’s a look at the top 10 players in the Big 12.
Football: Players Named to Preseason Teams - MSNsportsNET.com
West Virginia University football team has had 12 players named to Phil Steele’s 2012 Preseason All-Big 12 Team, and three players named to Phil Steele’s 2012 Preseason All-American Team, Phil Steel Publications announced
From the Bench: Death of SWC Key in Luck's Efforts to Keep WVU's Future Alive - Connect Bridgeport
Even before his son Andrew Luck was slinging footballs from his cradle, Oliver Luck was busy doing work in the state of Texas. And it was about that time that the fabled Southwest Conference not only ran into trouble, but began to fall apart.
Caridi touts WVU’s strength in Big 12 conference - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"WVU is in a position of strength, so far ahead of where we were a year ago."
Former Mountaineer Beilein Named WV Wesleyan Coach - WVillustrated
Beilein returns to West Virginia six years after graduating from the Mountaineer program.
Scooter Berry Has a Huge Game For Jacksonville - WVU Pros
The former Mountaineer DL has a monster game for the Jacksonville Sharks.
Recruiting:
Rawlins Adds Name To Commitment List - WVillustrated
The Mountaineer football staff has picked up their quarterback recruit for the 2013 class.
Monessen QB commits to West Virginia - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
More on the latest QB who's pledged to be a Mountaineer
WVU Exposure Helps Coaches Recruit in Texas - WVillustrated
Co-defensive coordinator Keith Patterson finds Mountaineer name to be well known halfway across the country.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Reports: The Big 12 Is About To Grow... A Lot - Frogs O' War
SEC-Big 12 Alliance Should Be A Rivalry Series, Not Just A Bowl Game - SBNation.com
The new bowl game partnership between the Big 12 and SEC is neat and all, but we could be just a couple moves away from something huge.
With Big 12-SEC Game Comes Uncertain Ripple Effect - NY Times
The ramifications will be significant, but the biggest question will be whether it will create another ripple of conference realignment.
Welcome To The Superconference Era Of College Football - Burnt Orange Nation
What's Your College Football Program Worth? Introducing Realignment Value Rankings - SBNation.com
If we're going to follow conference realignment as if it's a sport, we might as well come up with a scoring system. (WVU checks in at #43)
KU football player gets diversion for OUI case - KUsports.com
Sooners Land Another Transfer In DB Cortez Johnson - Crimson And Cream Machine
Offense As Team Defense And What It Means For 2012 - Barking Carnival
Red Raider Hardball | Head Coach Dan Spencer Fired - Double-T Nation
We're not the only one it seems
Suddenly, leaving ACC might not be such a bad idea - Augusta Chronicle
In a week when speculation about Florida State and Clemson possibly abandoning the ACC for the football-first Big 12 seemed far-fetched, suddenly it might make sense for Virginia Tech and Miami to join them in jumping ship.
Video of Interest: