Charleston Daily Mail

ChiTownBull · May 24, 2005

http://dailymail.com/news/Andrew+Beckner-20050524

A LOT has been shaking around the Big East over the past few weeks, and there are more than a few things worth mentioning.

Here's a sample:

South Florida offensive coordinator Mike Hobbie resigned in April ... reportedly to pursue ventures in real estate. I'm sure USF's 11th-worse offense in Division I last season had nothing to do with it. Former WVU assistant Rod Smith is rumored to be in the running for that job. He's been USF's quarterbacks coach since 2001. His competition is another USF assistant, Carl Franks. Franks is a former head coach at Duke and assistant under Steve Spurrier at Florida.

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CONVENTIONAL wisdom says that University of Pittsburgh Coach Dave Wannstedt, late of the Miami Dolphins, is going to be a quality recruiter. What kid wouldn't want to learn from a former pro coach who undoubtedly still has ties in the big leagues?

But his biggest impact on the WVU program might not be on the football field -- at least not initially. According to published reports out of Pennsylvania, Wannstedt is hitting the state's high schools hard in attempts to keep quality recruits home.

If he's successful, a deep pool of talent might be a little shallower for the Mountaineers. A list of past standouts -- former linebackers Grant Wiley and Adam Lehnortt come immediately to mind -- is evidence of how important recruiting in Pennsylvania has been for WVU over the years. If Wannstedt is able to keep just two or three players home, it could have an effect on West Virginia football going forward.

Stay tuned.

* * *

CINCINNATI associate director of athletics Bruce Ivory resigned Friday following his arrest on charges of driving drunk. He's the third person associated with the athletic program there to be charged with driving under the influence in the past year.

He joins assistant basketball coach Keith LeGree -- arrested in March and currently serving a suspension -- and WVU alumnus Bob Huggins, who is on thin ice at Cincinnati for downing a few too many and then hopping in his car.

Think back a few years ago. How many Mountaineer faithful were saying "Come home, Bob?"

How many were saying "John who?"

Now, how many are saying "Whew?"

I'm guessing quite a few would tell you they'll take John -- his last name is Beilein, in case you still don't know -- and his pre-game Bible readings over Bob Huggins and his "character issues" any day.

Contact sportswriter Andrew J. Beckner at andrew@dailymail.com or 348-5170.