No lack of stories following WVU for coaches on caravan

HUNTINGTON -- College coaching caravans, at times, can settle into the mundane.

Particularly when the same coaches speak to the same supporters offseason after offseason, the event sometimes takes on a stale flavor.

West Virginia University's visit to Huntington this week couldn't be more different. Storylines, positive or not so much, hardly are lacking surrounding WVU athletics.

Top Mountaineer athletic officials will mingle with fans Friday at Boston Beanery in Heritage Station for WVU's annual coaches caravan stop in Huntington. The event begins at 7 p.m. Friday and admission is $50 (food and beverages are included).

"There is a rebirth up in Morgantown," event coordinator Kerry Nessel said.

Indeed. Former assistant Bill Stewart has taken over as head football coach following Rich Rodriguez' well-chronicled exit to Michigan. Bob Huggins enters his second season as men's basketball coach and athletic director Ed Pastilong has detailed a two-year plan for his retirement.

A lawsuit concerning a $4 million buyout of Rodriguez' contract continues, while his former program is steered toward a third straight lofty preseason ranking. Men's basketball, meanwhile, is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in Huggins' first season back at his alma mater.

Pastilong, Huggins and several other WVU officials and coaches (possibly including Stewart) are scheduled to attend the fundraiser. Huggins sparked headlines earlier this week when he briefly was hospitalized while traveling to another coaches caravan stop. The veteran coach reportedly tripped over an airport tarmac cone while checking cell phone messages.

"He's fine. I told him he needs to stop texting and walking at the same time," Nessel joked.

Nessel said he expects 150-225 supporters for the event, which annually has drawn capacity crowds.

"Fans can get one-on-one time with the coaches," Nessel said.

Photo opportunities will be available throughout and prints will be developed within minutes for autographs. Bottom line, Friday will provide an opportunity for Tri-State-based fans to take in the new, evolving look of West Virginia athletics.

"All of these guys are folksy guys," said Nessel, a Huntington-based lawyer and long-time WVU booster. "They love the fans and they love the fans in Huntington.

"Huntington is Marshall territory no doubt, but Huntington is part of West Virginia and WVU is the state's flagship university."

For information on Friday's event, call 697-6377.