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MORGANTOWN -- First, they lost to Pitt. Then, they lost their coach. The Mountaineers insist they won't lose their bearings between now and Jan. 2 when they oppose Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Talk about tumultuous times in the Mountain State! December came in like a lion, all right. It started with the most embarrassing loss in school history, a mind-numbing 13-9 meltdown to a highly inferior Pitt outfit which had little more to do than step off the bus.
The fallout is ongoing and even rated a visit from Gov. James Manchin during Thursday afternoon's practice here. Players later marched into an interview area fully schooled on the merits of speaking in politically correct tones.
"It's the nature of the business," reflected Weir High product and WVU sophomore Zac Cooper regarding Rich Rodriguez' recent run of good fortune. "Coaches change jobs every day. Yeah, we were kind of surprised, but you move on. We have an opponent to prepare for and that's where all our focus is right now."
Make no mistake, the players are resilient. Though admittedly caught off-guard by events earlier in the week, Cooper and his teammates stress they won't permit Rodriguez' departure to wreak havoc with their psyche.
Not necessarily the case among the Mountaineers' remaining coaches who'll see the team through next month's BCS Fiesta matchup.
Paden City's Jeff Casteel, WVU's defensive coordinator, was more than accommodating speaking of the Sooners and the numerous problems they present.
However, when we changed the subject and asked Casteel to comment on Rodriguez, he hesitated. "A little bit of a bump in the road," Casteel explained. "I really don't want to say much more at this point."
It seems quite evident Casteel, among a handful of other Mountaineer aides, will eventually be joining Rodriguez at Ann Arbor.
Whether that list includes New Martinsville's Bill Stewart remains to be seen. Depending on whom succeeds Rodriguez, Stewart may remain here.
Named interim head coach for the time being, Stewart made it clear he isn't "politicking" for the job. "But they know where to find me," he informed reporters.
Stewart has found himself attempting to pick up the pieces this week and at the same time, prepare his players for their most difficult challenge. "Our young men have been up against a lot of odds. Who knows? That may pull you together," he offered.
Studying the Sooners on film has convinced Stewart the Mountaineers must be at peak proficiency. "I really believe we're playing the No. 1 team in the country. Oklahoma's that good," he related.
The Mountaineers will soon break camp and head home to spend Christmas with family and friends before returning here ahead of their departure for Arizona.
It seems reasonably accurate to suggest the Eers will perform noticeably better than the team which failed to show earlier this month. Still, that may not nearly be good enough against a ball club the caliber of Oklahoma.
REALITY CHECKING
ACCORDING to Stewart, Manchin spoke to the Mountaineers about "staying the course and bonding together" during an uncertain time within the program…"Right now, we're just trying to hold this ship afloat," Stewart remarked…
COOPER is listed as a backup at weakside linebacker behind junior Morty Ivy. Cooper appeared in all 12 games this season. Of his charted five tackles, two resulted in quarterback sacks.
"They've got me at defensive end (in pass rush situations)," said the 6-3, 225-pound sophomore. "This was a learning season for me. Hopefully, it leads to more minutes next year…."
RUNNING back Steve Slaton opted to downplay Rodriguez' departure. "As players, we have to concentrate on playing the game," he stated. "Our practices have been very good despite the distractions. We'll have to be at the top of our game against Oklahoma…"
Slaton intends to explore the possibility of entering the NFL draft. "No decision will be made until after the bowl game," he indicated…
RODRIGUEZ has been widely criticized for his methods and execution in accepting the Michigan post. Much of this, however, is of the typical knee-jerk variety by disgruntled alumni and statewide backers.
The major players involved have also come under intense scrutiny. But Rodriguez was gone under virtually any circumstance. Mountaineer fans are endeared to him for taking the program to what once was perceived unattainable heights.
Had WVU simply taken proper care of business against Pitt, Rodriguez would be preparing his team for a date vs. Ohio State in the BCS title game. And the Gold and Blue would have been considered a frontrunner to make a return trip in 2008……
IT SHOULD be noted Kansas State fans were all but assured Bob Huggins was in for the long haul there before the Morgantown native received an offer he could not refuse….
Gibson can be reached at rgibson@timesleaderonline.com