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01 October 2010
Beginning with the post game press conference after Saturday‘s loss at LSU, and continuing through the Big East Monday media call Bill Stewart was agitated, at best, with reporters. Stewart was out of character in dealing with reporters questions.
Many in Mountaineer Nation drew the correlation that this demeanor was proof positive that Stewart was beginning to crack under the pressure that is the head coaching position of an FBS school.
To begin his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Stewart wished Colin Dunlap a speedy recovery from a minor surgery Dunlap had performed. Dunlap is the reporter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and covers WVU athletics for said paper.
Dunlap had been one of the reporters that Stewart had been less than his cordial self with during the aforementioned two pressers. An apology to Dunlap, of sorts, by WVU’s head mentor.
Apparently, Stewart found himself sometime between the teleconference on Monday and his weekly meeting with reporters on Tuesday, or did he?
It has long been held that Stewart is out of his element in the spotlight of media cameras and questions. Stewart’s on camera exploits are fuel for much of the angst Mountaineer fans direct toward him.
Mountaineer fans need not worry any longer; Bill Stewart has learned how to work the media. Stewart was nothing but himself from the end of the LSU game thru his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
For the better part of three days following the loss to LSU, reporters were walking on eggshells around Stewart. Many of the questions regarding mistakes by Mountaineer players not only went unanswered, some went unasked.
Stewart is often quoted referencing military leaders of yore. As with military leaders through the ages, Stewart’s best defense was to go on the offensive, as has often been the case it worked.
As of Tuesday’s press conference Mountaineer Nation has put to bed the painful loss to LSU in Death Valley, as it should. Through that process, Stewart protected his players from what he perceived to be the media onslaught.
To be fair, this is not a condemnation of either Stewart, who was simply doing his job as head coach, or members of the media, who likewise were simply doing their job. I am making the point that Stewart should be looked upon differently than before.
So, where does WVU go from hear, having lost possibly the biggest game of the 2010 season?
In exactly the same direction, they were headed prior to the loss at LSU.
Through the first four games, the Mountaineers have amassed solid offensive numbers.
Geno Smith’s stat line reads 85 completions on 130 attempts with nine touchdowns and two interceptions, which equates to a 65.4 completion percentage. Smith’s quarterback rating is a solid 144.53.
The Mountaineers ability to pass the ball in 2010 is real, keep in mind that Smith has only started four games in his career. As the season progresses, so too will Smith’s abilities.
The WVU offense has run the football 163 times for 596 yards, a 3.7 yard per carry average. While not as impressive as the passing numbers, the rushing numbers are respectable.
The rushing and passing numbers are skewed by that LSU loss. Facing one of the toughest defenses in the country, on their turf, will do that. WVU will not face a defense of the caliber LSU fielded for the remainder of the regular season.
Certainly, there is room for improvement; otherwise, WVU would be undefeated heading into their fifth game of the season.
With four games in the books, Mountaineer fans can expect to see improvement in all phases of the game.
Stewart slipped to 7-8 on the road as head coach of the Mountaineer football team. Mountaineer Nation must understand that Stewart is aware of his road record. By his awareness, so too is the Mountaineer football team.
The WVU football team generally follows its head coach in terms of demeanor. Look for the Mountaineers to start the game against the University of Nevada Las Vegas next Saturday with a chip on their shoulder.
For those fans that are concerned, rest assured Bill Stewart put that chip in place.
