Report: Bill Stewart to retire as West Virginia coach
Although the given list of potential replacements is small, Casteel doesn't appear to be a target for the position.
Could this be what RR has been waiting for?
Edit: I'm not sure how credible SB Nation is. If this is completely unfounded, please excuse my ignorance.
November 28th, 2010 at 1:38 AM ^
Maybe there is a God...
November 28th, 2010 at 1:49 AM ^
You can say what you want about Casteel's track-record of good defenses. I'm currently hating the idea of Michigan continuing to try the 3-3-5. give me 4 down linemen, PLEASE.
Have to defer to a fucking buckeye... read Chengelis' recap of Spielman's quotes about the defense.
Yes, if they are going to continue with the stack, by all means, get Casteel, but I'd just as soon like to see someone else bring a more traditional D to michigan.
November 28th, 2010 at 1:59 AM ^
But if we are going to insist on running the unstable temperamental machine that is the stack, then at least get someone who knows how to operate the damn thing.
November 28th, 2010 at 2:02 AM ^
I think it's been discussed somewhat ad nauseam but scheme is really not the big issue here, it's the execution of the scheme that is important.
Our biggest problem right now is having a coach that has no idea what he's running and how to execute it. Getting a guy like Casteel in here, the mastermind behind this scheme much like Rodriguez is the mastermind behind the spread, would do wonders for the defense learning how to execute properly.
Sorry, but it just bothers me to no end when people try to purport that a specific scheme, offense or defense, won't work in the game of football. Obviously these people have never played or have no idea about the fundamentals of this sport.
November 28th, 2010 at 2:21 AM ^
I'd say both execution and scheme are issues. Yes, it hurts that neither RR nor GERG seems to understand how to run the 3-3-5 like Casteel does, but still, there are questions about whether it makes sense to run that defense against huge teams like Wisconsin. It's a defense designed more to stop the spread. It's possible that Casteel is fool's gold and is benefitting from going up against crappy Big East competition. (Though that is still better than GERG, whose defenses stunk against that same crappy competition.)
November 30th, 2010 at 11:20 PM ^
you totally missed the part where I said... read what Spielman said about the stack. he makes a very good technical argument against it, by pointing out that with three down linemen, it's infinitely easier to get your linemen to the second level, which is how teams like MSU and Wisconsin thrive on their running game. Spielman, despite being a buckeye, is a defensive-minded guy who knows what the fuck he's talking about.
I'm getting really tired of the "scheme doesn't matter" meme. yes, everyone knows execution is the key, but there's this little thing called strategy that also counts for a lot in football. if running the stack makes it easier for the opponent to hit the second level of defenders, thereby playing into the offense's strength, it's like a constant RPS (-).
Like I said, by all means bring in Casteel if you're set on the stack... I'm sure he could get more out of the players running the scheme, but I think, in general, I'd much rather see someone come in and throw more meat into the line of scrimmage battle.
December 1st, 2010 at 4:04 AM ^
I get what you and Speilman are saying, but it seems like too simple an argument to have passed by the coaches. Everbody knows football is a numbers game and having more guys on the line would be better in the LOS battle. But that means one less guy in the secondary, or one less linebacker. Considering where our strength and experience is, we might be better off sacrificing a bit in the LOS battle in order to have one more guy trying to prevent long passing attacks. Then again, I'm no defensive coach.
November 28th, 2010 at 8:31 AM ^
While I agree the 3-3-5 is not the best option, I would take that over whatever this is that they are doing now. Please. Just anything that is consistent and everyone can agree on.
November 28th, 2010 at 7:54 AM ^
weekend. This gentleman went to WVU and still knows people in the WVU athletic dept. He had some very interesting things to say about RR & Casteel. In summation:
- RR is an awesome coach and thinks he will eventually do well here.
- Casteel is waiting and working toward a HC job.
- Finally, he also said there is a reason Casteel has turned hown our DC job twice - he and RR didn't always get along at WVU.
I know it is hearsay, but I thought his comments were interesting nonetheless. The guy seemed credible and knowledgeable and had no malice toward RR. In fact, he said he wished RR never would have left, but the prior AD was a buffoon.
November 28th, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^
Pretty much correct. Guy I work with who used to play for them at WV has mirrored the same comments. Especially the part where they didn't get along. Said they used to get in shouting matches during practice pretty frequently.
November 28th, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
to Ann Arbor, and why Casteel initially accepted, only to later decide to stay, when he found out that WVU was going to keep Bill Stewart as HC and that his family apparently made the decision to stay for non-football reasons...
November 28th, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^
My head coach and his DC used to get in shouting matches at practice all the time. Together they won over a dozen leaague championships, and states twice. I gues it is a long shot but Casteel would be a welcome addition,
November 28th, 2010 at 9:58 AM ^
Looks like reports of Stewart retiring were greatly exaggerated.
http://hailwv.com/2010/11/28/official-retraction-of-the-bill-stewart-retirement-story/
November 28th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
Thanks for posting the link.
November 28th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
Casteel is a god?
November 28th, 2010 at 1:48 AM ^
Now I'm just waiting for the conspiracy theorists so I can hear how this connects to Rich Rodriguez somehow leaving us.
November 28th, 2010 at 1:53 AM ^
Stewart retires at WVU. WVU buries the hatchet and takes RR back. We make up with Harbaugh after the not-nice things he said about our cherished academics and hire Harbaugh. No buy-out money changes hands.
DB heads out to deal with North and South Korea next.
November 28th, 2010 at 4:13 AM ^
Hears the story of Lazarus and remembers that the M defense needs some serious help.
November 28th, 2010 at 1:54 AM ^
Can this all get *any* crazier?
November 28th, 2010 at 1:57 AM ^
November 28th, 2010 at 2:10 AM ^
I was watching Stanford a week or two ago, and they were using (what appeared to be) the 3-3-5.
November 28th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
So are you saying we can bring Harbaugh in as a defensive coordinator?
November 28th, 2010 at 2:05 AM ^
First off, good on Stewart for retiring if he is. He seems like a great guy who got in over his head a bit as a head coach.
If we bring in Casteel to run the stack (somehow), that would be good. I have to imagine he and RR would have to patch up their relationship but yeah.
I'm too drunk to formulate an adequate response to that scenario. Maybe it's time for bed.
November 28th, 2010 at 2:16 AM ^
there is anything to "patch up" between Casteel and RR?
The Mountaineer Message Boards* are hilarious. Talking about how their program has gone downhill under Bill Stewart, even as they praise him as a "true West Virginia man."
The Good Old Days = Rich Rodriguez.
Many are terrified of losing Casteel. Many think Casteel will be offered a HC job.
*[Best blog name ever: We Must Ignite This Couch.]
November 28th, 2010 at 2:07 AM ^
Please let this be true....
November 28th, 2010 at 7:32 AM ^
November 28th, 2010 at 2:19 AM ^
I was one of those dreading the potential hire of Casteel when RR was originally hired because I wanted some super-aggressive 4-3 scheme brought in by the next wonder boy D-coordinator.
After what I have seen for the last three years, I'll take Casteel now a thousand times over. If he can get this D to boring and mediocre, it will be a crowning achievement and we might have a shot at 10 wins next year.
November 28th, 2010 at 2:33 AM ^
how f'ing bad is the Big East that UConn might win the damn thing.
November 28th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
how bad of a coach is GERG, that he was arguable the worst coach in that conference's history?
November 28th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^
animal.
does anything else really need to be said?
November 28th, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^
Pink "My Little Ponies."
November 28th, 2010 at 2:56 AM ^
not in line for that job? Do they hate successful homebred coaches?
November 28th, 2010 at 4:03 AM ^
about this whole Michigan Man thing, and they were seriously giving it some thought. Then they looked up Yost and Schembechler and saw where they were from. Their heads exploded, and they are in a bit of quandry now. When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.
November 28th, 2010 at 7:01 AM ^
then Rich would have had the chance to do it on his terms. But we don't know what he or Brandon are thinking about the D. He might now be convinced he needs a different approach on D. It's fairly clear, however, that if you have the RIGHT 3 down linemen you can do well with the 3-4-5. Hell, WE were doing okay with it through several good stretches yesterday.
November 28th, 2010 at 7:12 AM ^
That's why we stopped the Buckeyes on 3 and out the first possession.
November 28th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
Worked didn't it?
November 28th, 2010 at 2:43 PM ^
got me. I knew there was some reason things were working better, and I hope it wasn't because Tressel just didn't bother to change anything on offense, knew he could blow through us eventually.
November 28th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
.......yesterday and I saw numerous defenses employing a 3-4, some of them that are considered very good defenses. I have said before on here that having just 3 DL can work well, if they are the right type of player. I think I actually prefer the 3-4 over the 4-3 due to the ability to deal with athletic, spread type offenses more consistently than a defense employing the 4-3. The difference between the 3-3-5 and the 3-4, personnel-wise, is that the 3-3-5 has a guy more sized for safety than at LB.
November 28th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
That would definitely be effective. The extra man would really help no matter what the scheme was.
November 28th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
Well if we can get away with that, i'm all for trying the 4-4-6.
Although, that just means more true freshman on the field...
November 28th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^
The Mad Hatter suckered Tennessee into using that defense, which resulted in the absolutely critical half-yard penalty which LSU needed to score on the last play.
November 28th, 2010 at 2:45 PM ^
crowd here on the day after the annual OSU Beatdown.
November 28th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
The fact that you refer to it as "the annual OSU Beatdown" kind of sums it up.
November 28th, 2010 at 8:27 AM ^
Cool! Maybe RR can go back to WVU....
November 28th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
Something tells me this situation is not quite the same as Lloyd Carr's retirement.
November 28th, 2010 at 8:43 AM ^
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November 28th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
...I think we give RRod the benefit of the doubt. Casteel has been successful. Now, why he is not the main candidate for the WVU job is beyond me. That said, he has a solid track record, is RRod real choice, and fits our system.
We will simply have to see how things play out.
November 28th, 2010 at 10:11 AM ^
They are still stinging from the nasty separation of three years ago and may want a complete break from everyone associated with RR.