Post by mountaineer501 on Jan 5, 2008 8:42:48 GMT -5
Smith and Frey resign; Magee rumored out, too
By Mickey Furfari
For The Register-Herald
MORGANTOWN — Rod Smith and Greg Frey officially resigned Friday as members of West Virginia University’s football coaching staff.
Both are expected to rejoin former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez and former fellow assistant Tony Gibson at Michigan.
Rodriguez and Gibson officially resigned Dec. 19.
In confirming the departures of both Smith and Frey, WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong said, “We’re assuming that (offensive coordinator and assistant head coach) Calvin Magee will be leaving, too, but he has not yet officially resigned.”
An Associated Press report Friday night said that Magee had been hired at Michigan.
Bill Stewart, now the successor to Rodriguez, said at Thursday’s news conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., that every current Mountaineer assistant would be given an opportunity to remain at WVU.
“They’ve got chances to go elsewhere, and you know where,” Stewart said Thursday after he was hired as the coach. “So I’ve got to do some good recruiting to keep them here. We’ll find out what kind of recruiter ol’ Bill Stewart is. Quick.”
Stewart spent Friday in meetings with members of the staff and also calling verbally committed recruits. However, he was unavailable for comment.
Jeff Casteel, the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach, is thought to be leaning toward staying here. But he could not be reached for comment Friday.
Thursday morning he said he hadn’t decided what to do.
“I’ve been here seven years; it’s a dream job for me,” Casteel said. “I grew up a Mountaineer fan. If you had told me I’d be coaching in a Sugar Bowl or a Fiesta Bowl as a little guy or even eight or nine years ago, I don’t know that I would believe you. I’m thankful for the opportunity and proud to be a part of it.”
He has been at WVU seven years.
Bill Kirelawich has indicated he definitely will remain here after a total of 27 years’ service, the last five as defensive line coach under Rodriguez.
Neither Bruce Tall, who has coached the safeties for five years, nor Tony Dews, wide receivers coach in 2007, has indicated what each plans to do.
Both Smith and Frey have been at WVU just one year, Smith as quarterbacks coach and Frey as coach of the offensive line. They came together from South Florida in January 2007.
Stewart has been at WVU eight years. He said he intends to assemble his coaching staff as quickly as possible to maintain continuity within the program.
By Mickey Furfari
For The Register-Herald
MORGANTOWN — Rod Smith and Greg Frey officially resigned Friday as members of West Virginia University’s football coaching staff.
Both are expected to rejoin former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez and former fellow assistant Tony Gibson at Michigan.
Rodriguez and Gibson officially resigned Dec. 19.
In confirming the departures of both Smith and Frey, WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong said, “We’re assuming that (offensive coordinator and assistant head coach) Calvin Magee will be leaving, too, but he has not yet officially resigned.”
An Associated Press report Friday night said that Magee had been hired at Michigan.
Bill Stewart, now the successor to Rodriguez, said at Thursday’s news conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., that every current Mountaineer assistant would be given an opportunity to remain at WVU.
“They’ve got chances to go elsewhere, and you know where,” Stewart said Thursday after he was hired as the coach. “So I’ve got to do some good recruiting to keep them here. We’ll find out what kind of recruiter ol’ Bill Stewart is. Quick.”
Stewart spent Friday in meetings with members of the staff and also calling verbally committed recruits. However, he was unavailable for comment.
Jeff Casteel, the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach, is thought to be leaning toward staying here. But he could not be reached for comment Friday.
Thursday morning he said he hadn’t decided what to do.
“I’ve been here seven years; it’s a dream job for me,” Casteel said. “I grew up a Mountaineer fan. If you had told me I’d be coaching in a Sugar Bowl or a Fiesta Bowl as a little guy or even eight or nine years ago, I don’t know that I would believe you. I’m thankful for the opportunity and proud to be a part of it.”
He has been at WVU seven years.
Bill Kirelawich has indicated he definitely will remain here after a total of 27 years’ service, the last five as defensive line coach under Rodriguez.
Neither Bruce Tall, who has coached the safeties for five years, nor Tony Dews, wide receivers coach in 2007, has indicated what each plans to do.
Both Smith and Frey have been at WVU just one year, Smith as quarterbacks coach and Frey as coach of the offensive line. They came together from South Florida in January 2007.
Stewart has been at WVU eight years. He said he intends to assemble his coaching staff as quickly as possible to maintain continuity within the program.