WVU Athletic Director Shane Lyons knows what he’s doing, yet the fans doubt him.
When Lyons made the statement this past weekend that football coach Dana Holgorsen and WVU have ended extension talks people lost their mind. You hear a lot of people saying Lyons has no clue what he’s doing or he is in over his head. This is simply not the truth, do you really think he didn’t learn anything while at Alabama? Working in an athletic program like that you learn a thing or two.
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When Mountaineer fans wanted Holgorsen fired in the middle of the season it took Lyons a long time to make a statement and fans were mad. When he finally made a comment on the situation saying they will evaluate Holgorsen at the end of the season, it once again was unsettling with fans who wanted answers now. The end of the season came and Lyons released a statement saying that continuity is the best option for the program right now. Holgorsen and WVU began extension talks which fell apart this past weekend.
This time around fans are mad because Lyons made a statement yet would be mad if he didn’t update them on what is going on. While many complain that Lyons has no clue what he is doing, he knows exactly what he’s doing but doesn’t have many cards to play at the moment. When former AD Oliver Luck gave Holgorsen his contract he essentially handcuffed WVU. While Luck might have thought it was the right decision at the time it has seriously impacted the way Lyons can operate. With Holgorsen having no buyout why would he accept a new one where he can be fired for less money? Right now Holgorsen would receive the money from the rest of his contract regardless. It’s very hard for Lyons to operate because of that which leads you to believe that was the main reason the two couldn’t agree on terms.
The contract needs to be based off performance and in line with what the industry suggest. Holgorsen hasn’t performed well since his first season with the old gold and blue. Lyons should not give him more money to help ease the pain of being hit with a buyout. The Mountaineers are 26-25 since joining the Big 12 Conference, you can’t exactly demand more money for being average. Lyons knows this and should stick to his guns.
While WVU may see a downward slide in recruiting because Holgorsen only has two more years, Lyons can’t let that get in the way. Lyons called Holgorsen’s bluff. If Holgorsen sees himself in Morgantown long-term then he must work an extension with a buyout in it or he will be fired at the end of this year. Don’t give the line what if WVU wins the national title or anything like that, it’s not going to happen this year.
Related Story: Has WVU given up on Dana Holgorsen?
In the end, Holgorsen is more than likely not willing to accept a buyout being placed in his contract. In return, Lyons will let him walk because a buyout is how things work these day unless you’re Nick Saban. Fans need to stop complaining about a man doing his job, especially when the program is average and the fans want a national title. The fans should not settle for mediocrity which is exactly what Holgorsen has made WVU football.