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While everyone has been well-informed of Bill Stewart's coaching resume, one stop has repeatedly been omitted.
The interim West Virginia University head football coach actually had a brief 2-year tour of duty at tiny Salem College back in the late 1970s under Joe Ault to start his collegiate coaching carousel, which has taken him to the University of North Carolina (1979), Marshall University (1980), William & Mary (1981-83), Navy (1984), North Carolina (1985-87), Arizona State (1988-89), Air Force (1990-93), VMI (1994-96) and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1997-1999) of the Canadian Football League.
In fact, the New Martinsville native was the first college professor that yours truly had during my days at the small, private institution located on W.Va. 50 between Clarksburg and Parkersburg.
I was a freshman majoring in physical education and Stewart, a 1975 graduate of Fairmont State College, was the teacher. In trying to remember back some 30 years, I can't really recall the name of the class he taught, but it had something to do with health and safety in physical education classes.
I do recall, however, Stewart being a boisterous type of coach back then. He really used his voice and body language in getting his points across. He was also a stickler for detail and a very tough disciplinarian as an offensive line and special teams coach.
I would like to wish him the best of luck in the Fiesta Bowl, but I also think he is in a tough situation against maybe the best team in college football this season -- Oklahoma.
By the way, according to St. Clairsville businessman John S. Marshall, a Salem College alumnus, Stewart almost didn't make it to Salem.
"After serving as an assistant coach at Sistersville High School in 1975, Bill was offered, and accepted, a position on the St. Clairsville staff of George Strager," Marshall offered.
"When Salem called him, he went to George to ask what he should do because he was in a quandary. George told him to take the opportunity and he did."
By the way, Stewart is just another on a long list of Salem College coaches who have ties to Morgantown.
In fact, recently-departed Rich Rodriguez toiled at Salem College (1986-88) for three years -- one as head coach -- before leaving for WVU as a graduate assistant in 1989. He then went to Glenville State.
Former Mountaineer Terry Bowden, whose name has surfaced for the vacant WVU position, also coached at the tiny Harrison County (W.Va.) school, which discontinued the gridiron sport in the mid 1980s.
Not to mention that current Athletic Director Ed Pastilong was recently presented with the Salem College Football and Cheerleader Alumni Association's Lifetime Achievement Award at its summer reunion held at Oglebay Park.
Another long-time WVU aide Donnie Young also coached at Salem College, while defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich was a standout lineman at Salem under Young.
Just one more connection, women's basketball coach Mike Carey was a multiple all-conference selection during his playing days at Salem.
SWITCHING gears, I've had the privilege of covering over a handful of boys' high school basketball games thus far this season, and I only have one question, "Where's the offense?"
It seems that the baskets have lids on them for the most part, but then again, I'm pretty sure there aren't any NCAA Division I prospects in Eastern Ohio -- if not the entire Ohio Valley.
I know coaches stress the importance of defense in any sport, but it seems the basketball players have taken it to heart.
Or, is it the fact that teams are committing way too many turnovers due to the lack of quality point guards, not the full-court, in-your-face pressure defense?
I remember seeing a score from the recent Cancer Research Classic at Wheeling Jesuit University in which Wheeling Park beat East Liverpool -- two teams that annually graced the top of the OVAC 4-A standings as well as being ranked among the top in their respective states not too long ago -- by a 40-25 count.
I know the playing time was cut down and it is early in the season, but I just hope this is not a sign of things to come or boys basketball fans in the coverage area are in for a long season.
Shadyside seems to be the small school power in Eastern Ohio, while all the Buckeye 8 teams are beating up on each other night after night.
IT was good to see the NFL come to its senses and decide to air Saturday night's game between unbeaten New England and he New York Giants. Originally scheduled for the exclusive NFL Network, officials have announced it will now air on CBS and NBC.
North can be reached at k’>knorth@timesleaderonline.com’>knorth@timesleaderonline.com