Fiesta Bowl notebook: Coaching changes affect both squads

While Rich Rodriguez’s coaching move from West Virginia to Michigan made waves, this was more of a ripple.

January can't come fast enough for Mountaineers

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Like the Mountaineers, Oklahoma will play next year without one of its coaches after co-offensive coordinator Mike Sumlin accepted the head coaching job at the University of Houston on Dec. 14. Unlike Rodriguez, though, he will be coaching in Wednesday’s Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops didn’t seem at all surprised that his colleague joined the Sooners on this trip.

“What are you going to do now? You’re allowed one phone call per week to prospects, so it doesn’t take that much time,” Stoops said. “He doesn’t have that much going on right now.”

Stoops has downplayed the effect the coaching movement will have on the game, especially this late in the season.

Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly said that the bond felt between players is strong enough to withstand the change.

“Your coaches don’t go through summer workouts with you, the coaches aren’t out there running and conditioning,” Kelly said. “It’s like a brotherhood if you’re a player... If your brother is failing, you’re going to help him out. That’s all that game’s going to be about. (West Virginia is) going to be out there playing for each other. They’re going to come out there with all that intensity. All that stuff about they’re coach leaving, that’s not going to affect them come game time.”

THE LAST TIME

This year’s Fiesta Bowl matchup is sure to spark memories of disappointment and elation for longtime followers of the Mountaineers.

Nineteen years ago in its only other appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, West Virginia had its perfect season and chance at a national title spoiled when it lost to No. 1 Notre Dame. In that game, played at Sun Devil Stadium, the No. 3 Mountaineers’ chances took a severe hit when star quarterback Major Harris suffered a slight shoulder separation three plays into the game.

West Virginia ultimately couldn’t recover from the loss and trailed 23-6 at halftime before falling 34-21.

In 1982, though, Mountaineers fans were beaming with pride after their team produced one of the program’s benchmark victories, a 41-27 season opening win over No. 9 Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.

“That game pretty much put West Virginia on the map as a major college football team as far as I’m concerned,’’ former Mountaineers coach Don Nehlen told the Associated Press. “That was a big, big, big victory, especially when it was out there. Nobody gave us any kind of a chance.’’

Wednesday’s game will mark the first meeting between the schools since then.

WHO’S IN?

Stoops is staying mum on the replacement at cornerback for Lendy Holmes, who is academically ineligible. He was supposed to be taking over for Reggie Smith, who broke his toe in the Big 12 title game against Missouri. The starter will either be Brian Jackson or Dominique Franks, neither of whom have much experience.

“I’m very confident and pleased with the way the two of them are working so we’ll work it out through the week,”

Stoops said. “More than likely they’ll both play.”

EXTRA POINTS

West Virginia fifth-year senior Adam Bednarik, a backup quarterback and special teams performer, and sophomore Mike Bilokonsky, a backup defensive tackle, are academically ineligible and didn’t make the trip to Arizona. …

West Virginia interim coach Bill Stewart is no stranger to the Valley having been an assistant coach at Arizona State from 1988-89 under Larry Marmie. Stewart said he enjoyed his time here, but remembers it as being very hot, too hot for him. “I’m a seasonal guy,” he said. “I like the hills of West Virginia and all the foliage and all the fine things that go with our seasons back home.” Stewart moved on to Air Force in 1990.

Key matchups

West Virginia quarterback Pat White: White is the engine to one of the nation’s most potent ground games. The Mountaineers run a no-huddle, spread offense and White can beat you with his arm or legs. He has amassed 1,548 yards passing, 1,185 yards rushing and combined for 26 touchdowns.

Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton: Lofton patrols the middle of the Oklahoma defense, and not many ball-carriers get past him. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year had a team-high 142 tackles this season (56 more than any other Sooner), forced four fumbles and had three interceptions. Expect him and White to get quite familiar during the game.

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Tribune writer Matt Paulson contributed to this story.