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WVU, Dana Holgorsen end extension talks

By Joshua Taylor

Dec 5, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen looks on from the sidelines against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen looks on from the sidelines against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /
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WVU football coach Dana Holgorsen, and West Virginia University have ended contract talks.

Holgorsen was under fire for much of last season after dropping four straight games, all to ranked teams. Although the schedule was brutal, it wasn’t that the Mountaineers lost, it was how they lost. In those four games, WVU was blown out in three of them. West Virginia recovered to win four out of their last five, but once against disappointed as they dropped their last game to an average Kansas State team.

“There will be no change in Dana’s contract at this time,” Athletic Director Shane Lyons Said. “We’ll now turn our attention to the 2016 season and hope to continue the momentum from the Cactus Bowl win and successful signing day.”

There were plenty of rumors throughout the season of Holgorsen being fired, and the athletic department searching for his replacement. Although those rumors turned out to be false, Holgorsen has one of the hottest seats in the country. Let’s face it, a contract extension was for WVU to gain leverage, and save recruiting classes. With only two years remaining, it will make it difficult for Holgorsen and his staff to bring in recruits because of his job security.

Currently, no assistant coaches have been granted extensions which led many to believe that is why cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell left for Virginia Tech. Mitchell and Holgorsen were very close, his departure may be writing on the wall.

When Holgorsen was hired, it seemed to separate the fan base. If you asked Mountaineers fans today, it would be a 50/50 split on those who want him to stay, and those who want him to leave. As head coach of the Mountaineers, Holgorsen is a whopping 36-28 with a fourth place finish being his highest since joining the Big 12 Conference. While Texas Christian who joined the conference at the same time as the Mountaineers have had tremendous success.

Once again, Mountaineer fans will go into another football season debating whether Holgorsen should be retained or not. West Virginia returns a ton of talent on offense, but will probably not be strong enough to carry a weakened defense. The schedule is another factor as well, the Mountaineers welcome non-conference opponent Missouri to Morgantown this year, and will play Brigham Young at a neutral facility.

Whether you like it or not, WVU is in trouble. The once prominent high flying WV is now struggling to stay afloat. The impact of not reaching an extension is unknown, but other universities will have a leg up in recruiting. Without stability, you won’t find success.

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