There have been some pretty negative columns recently about Coach Stewart. I disagree with the “blame” that these pundits are laddling on Coach Stewart. They are, of course, reacting to the fact that WVU was ranked #8 pre-season and is now not even in the Top 25. But that misses the point I think.
Of the four games we lost, ECU was the big stinker. Other than that the margin of defeat was three points, three points and four points. The job of a coach is to get the team in a position to win. Stewart obviously did that in those three narrow losses. We all know that one play, one fumble, one interception could have turned those three narrow losses into three victories. THAT MEANS COACH STEWART WAS JUST A FEW PLAYS AWAY FROM BEING 11 and 1.
In terms of a “downfall” from last year, look at LSU. Does the fact that LSU had a miserable year record-wise mean that Les Myles can’t coach? Hardly.
Finally, now folks are faulting Coach Stewart for being openly proud of West Virginia. He understands that the Mountaineers represent the state and he is right to be upbeat about his team, his school, his state and our people.
Sure, I would have liked the team to have had a better year. Everybody would …. including Coach Stewart. But when you look closely at the season, Coach Stewart did a fine job and should be recognized for that. We are lucky to have him. Don’t jump off the bandwagon too soon. I predict those who do will be scrambling to get back on before too long.