Central West Virginian

   Former WVU football Coach Bill Stewart died, Monday, May 21, after having an apparent heart attack while playing golf at Stonewall Resort, in Lewis County, with former AD Ed Pastilong, as part of an annual golfing event.
   Stewart, a New Martinsville native, lead the Mountaineers to a team to a 48-28 upset win over the #3 Oklahoma Sooners in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl after the abrupt departure of Rich Rodriguez to take the helm at the University of Michigan.
   After three successful seasons he was forced out of the program and replaced with Dana Holgorsen.
    "Coach Stewart brought a new found pride to the Mountaineer faithful as he led the football team in both competition and character," Gov. Tomblin said. "Joanne and I are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Coach Stewart and offer our sympathies to his family. Together, we ask that Mountaineers everywhere keep the Stewart family in your thoughts and prayers during this sad time."
    “West Virginia truly lost one of its best citizens today, but my friend Bill Stewart leaves behind a lifetime of memories and love for our state,” Senator Joe Manchin said. “It has been my privilege to be able to call Bill my friend ever since his days playing ball at Fairmont State. From the moment I met him, I knew that you never had to worry about Bill’s enthusiasm; he had enough for all of us."
   “Bill was a proud West Virginian in every sense of the word, and he was the best cheerleader this state ever had. For me and Gayle, our hearts go out to Bill’s wife, Karen, and his son, Blaine. I hope that they know just how much Bill meant to the people of this state and how much we all will miss him.” 
   “From New Martinsville to the world stage of the Fiesta Bowl, Bill Stewart was a winner," Rep. Nick Rahall said.  "As importantly, he was equally if not more proud of being a native of the Mountain State. Leave no doubt.  No doubt. Coach Stewart was a mentor, a man of character.  He will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
    “This is a sad day for our entire state,” said Rep. David B. McKinley. “Bill was an outstanding person who touched thousands of lives. I am personally saddened because Bill and I knew each other for years. Bill represented the University in the best possible way. He was a solid individual and a man of true character. My wife and I were so proud when this New Martinsville native was named head coach of the Mountaineers. Please join me in praying for his wife, Karen; son, Blaine and their entire family.”
    Stewart is remembered as a folksy coach who loved his players and loved talking with fans.
   At the time of his passing he was working as an analyst for ESPN.

By Terry Mathews  
  (Weston)---Former West Virginia University Football Coach Bill Stewart dropped dead of an apparent heart attack  Monday (May 21st) while playing in a charity golf event at Stonewall Jackson resort in Lewis County .   Stewart who was partnered with former WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong was reportedly on the 16th hole  of the  annual  tournament to benefit West Virginia Univesity Hospital when he suddenly collapsed.   He was taken to Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Weston, where he was prounced dead. upon arrival.  
  In 2007, the 59-year-old , quiet, deeply religious Stewart was named  to replace 'Rich' Rodriquez who walked away from the school to take the head coaching job at Michigan. Stewart who had been an assistant to both Rodriquez and Don Nehlen, ... came in, and led the Mountaineers to an  'gloriously unexpected'  48-28 upset over Oklahoma during the ensuing Fiesta Bowl....winning the hearts of Mountaineer fans everywhere. 
  During his tenure at WVU, Stewart went 28-12 in  the next three seasons, THEN he was unceremoniously fired by new WVU Athletic Director Oliver Luck,...who said that despite Stewarts'  winnning record of  four 10-3 seasons, four bowl games.....that he (Luck) and the Alumni  Association wanted a coach and a team that was more "exciting"...and would sell more tickets.....so he hired Dana Holgerson, out of Oklahoma State to replace Stewart.  "At the time I thought it made a lot of sense, I thought it was good management practice," Luck said last June. "With hindsight, folks could certainly disagree."  
   A West Virginia native, and  Fairmont State and WVU graduate, Stewart coached WV High School teams to state Championships, then served as an assistant at seven universities before becoming head coach at VMI (where one of his players was Mike Tomlin now head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers) and also at Wake Forest.   He also coached for a time in the Canadian Football League. He was an assistant at WVU under Don Nehlen and Rodriquez for more than 10 years, before being named interim head coach after Rodriquez' abrupt departure. 
   Bill Stewart  was an all around 'good guy';  a great human being, a great motivator, and a coach who actually 'cared' for his players other than as pieces of meat  to that would sell tickets and  fill the stadium on game days.  In my opinion he was given a dirty deal by Luck, who seems motivated more by 'money' than ethics or loyalty (he has engineered the move of the team from the Big East to the Big 12, raised ticket prices and promoted the sale of beer in the stadium)  or principle. 
   Stewart leaves behind his wife and a son, who will graduate from High School in a few weeks.  Sadly West Virginia has lost a 'true Mountaineer'.