Belfry Wins

Originally published December 23, 2007 Update: Jimbo Fisher staying at FSU By Steve Ellis DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER Jimbo Fisher is staying at Florida State. After a wild weekend that had Fisher rumored to be taking the head coaching job at West Virginia, FSU's offensive coordinator and "coach in waiting" released a statement Sunday night announcing his intention to remain a Seminole. "I know media reports are circulating regarding the possibility of West Virginia's head coaching position," Fisher said. "I am a native of West Virginia and love the state but I want to make clear that I am staying at Florida State. I am committed to this university, this program and these players. I am excited about where I am and where Seminole football is headed." ADVERTISEMENT Fisher's statement closed out what was a wild ride this weekend. As late as Sunday afternoon, Fisher was believed to be leaving Tallahassee to take the job at WVU. But that changed as the afternoon into the evening. Florida State President T.K. Wetherell and Fisher spoke on the telephone at least three times Sunday as speculation swirled that either Fisher or Terry Bowden would be announced as the Mountaineers head coach. Two people close to Fisher said that at least part of the discussion with Wetherell dealt with the direction of the program and the decision-making process between now and Bowden's retirement. Fisher, publicly, has made no mention of such concerns since signing a new three-year contract on Dec. 14 that included a $200,000 annual raise and an additional $2.5 million should he not replace Bobby Bowden. Instead he has spoken highly of his FSU experience and the opportunity to follow Bobby Bowden when he retires. "And this is the place I want to raise my kids, want to raise my family," Fisher said during a press conference two weeks ago announcing him as FSU's coach-in-waiting. "I think this is as good a head coaching job as there is in the United States of America." When told prior to Sunday of Fisher's concerns, Wetherell said that Fisher needed to talk with Bobby Bowden about them. And apparently Fisher and Bowden talked on Sunday. Meanwhile in Charleston, W.Va., support had been mounting for the Big East school to hire native son Fisher, whose mother and brother still live in Clarksburg ? about two hours up Interstate 79 from the WVU campus. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , citing unnamed sources, reported on Sunday: "With a prod from Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia officials made a push for Fisher and garnered the donor support necessary for a long-term deal and Fisher buyout cost." Since joining FSU in January, Fisher has been credited with making a positive impact on the recruiting trail, especially in the Tallahassee area. Although his offense has not shown significant statistical improvement, he has been praised by Bobby Bowden and others for moving the offense in the right direction.

That does sound like something fun.

Im staying at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel its on Commerce Street. how close is it to everything? I know nothing about Nashville. Wireman I got ppl crashing at my place already or Id open the door.

I just hope you was a man about it and didn't stare haha.

Yeah sure would, see I worked with Marshall a little bit so I was around Huntington all the time and he wouldn't care he is pretty laid back.

If anybody needs any more proof that he is a mothers boy, look at the school he chose.

His mom is a first class lady I sat last year for 20 minutes at WV state tournament and talked to her and Beline, last years coah at WVU. Then I went to Pikeville vs UK this year and she remembered me and spoke, I seen Huntington play several times last season and I will be first to tell you if anybody stays longer than expected it will be Patterson. I say three years.

Here is a email I got earlier today from Mike Montoro,Director of Football Communications at WVU. Stephen Goodwin, chairman of WVU's Board of Governors, expressed his support for WVU's administration in handling the coaching Tuesday. In addition, Goodwin issued the following statement through the University: "WVU appreciates donors to its academic and athletic programs. The University and the Board listen to their suggestions, as we listen to students, alumni, faculty and staff. People who are successful in other areas of life often have important insights into how we operate, how we are perceived, and how we can improve the University. At the end of the day, the University is governed by its Board and its President, and the people they appoint to positions of responsibility. Making donations to a public university does not entitle anyone to dictate policy or personnel. The Board has a lot of confidence in how Ed Pastilong and Mike Garrison are handling this coaching change. They've taken a responsible approach to this throughout - and really offered Coach Rodriguez and the team a lot of support in a very difficult time for the team. We're heard a lot of support from fans, from alumni, and from donors - large and small - about how the University is handling this. WVU went to the ends of the earth to keep the coach here - and clearly, some of our major donors assisted the school in that effort. * His salary was increased by 70% * His assistants salaries were increased * We built a $2 million academic center for the team * We have started construction on a $6 million locker room renovation There were some very minor issues that he raised with the administration - and people were working on them. I think you will agree that the things that are being talked about are pretty minor in comparison to what has been done already. But he clearly was looking for excuse to leave-he looked last year, and again this year. But when he went to visit another team, and then came back to campus with demands based on those minor issues - university officials simply told him they would continue to work the issues. He was asked to focus on the student athletes and the upcoming bowl game. There's a long off-season coming up to work out those sorts of minor issues. Whoever comes in as coach will know that they can count on support from WVU on big issues and small issues."

I have mixed feelings about all of this as a West Virginia fan, but wont the focus still be on this anyways? I think it will.

What are you hearing GT? I know you have some West Virginia connections as well, I have talked to some, but everything I am hearing is just basic info that everybody knows. I, as a WVU fan dont want Bowden, and agree for the Big East sake they need a good hire.

I'm a person who pulls hard for both WVU and Kentucky, as a WVU fan I have mixed emotions on this. First thought is these kids have worked hard to make it to this point and deserve the best, that is plain and simple. But when he left he was hackled big time by fans at air port, and for his safety it seriously is best, Im a realist and understand that. I know I wouldn't want to be in that situation, they are crazy up there. WVU fans are pretty radical and pretty passionate. So honestly I can understand both sides, as far as him not wanting it to be a distraction and that is the reason why, well I dont buy that because it will still be a distraction.

Ivan will be a stud and I have no doubt he will step up, I'm excited about Charlie Dotson to, that kid is such a work horse.

I'm not one to bash, I was excited as anybody tos ee Bradley and Crawford come to UK, but they have both been a big let down, Bradley has a low IQ with basketball and Crawford attitude stinks, he could be a player if he wanted to I honestly believe that.

He lost more than that actualy, because he gained a bunch of weight first. One of the coaches told me they had to tell him if he didn't loose wait they would have to put him on the line, early Summer Ivan got real big. He dropped his weight after the team started working out and practicing, he was put on a diet. Ivan will be the first to tell you he can get lazy. His speed is the most impressive thing to me as well. One thing he needs to do is work on hitting the hole harder and stay in shape, if he works hard all Summer he will drop even more weight and pick up more speed. Best thing about Ivan though is his personality, one of the funniest kids you will ever be around.

He is number 2 and was a junior. In my opinion Ivan could be as good as he wants to be. He was already a big part of the success, Im not for sure exactly what it was but his yard per carrry ratio was amazing. Ivan needs to really work hard this summer though, I felt he got lazy last summer, he needs to push him self ad if he does that then come fall he will be a force to be reckoned with.

07 might have won, but we all know the refs cheated and blew it for the 05 team in this game.

From what I was told by coaching staff, Bell said it was to far to travel. Belfry even offered to come to Belfry this past year and then them travel this season. But if you can come to Inez, why is Belfry to far? And Im not dogging Bell for not coming, just wondering why? I would love to see the match-up, it would be a very fun game. I would like to see Belfry add a good power team like Bell, and then a very atheletic team that spreads ball out, just to prepare them for everything that they may face.

Oh yeah I lnow that. Logan is wanting to get Belfry on their shcedule, because they jumped to 3A, but thatt still wouldn't be much of a step up from the schedule now IMO.

I am around Huntington a lot and been around him a lot over past few years. I can tell you guys this first hand, if anybody his talent will hang around longer than ppl expects it will be him. He is a classy guy. And as far as talent, I didnt expect him to do this good, he has really suprised me with the way he has developed as a big guy.

The one I was talking about was when Central fumbled in the first half and Belfry recovred at like the 10. I cant remember if that was on a punt or on third down. I know Belfry tackled the punter once on like the 30 or so, and then gave it back by fumble. Neither team was getting good snaps to the punter in this game, I new something bad would happen on a punt for somebody.

Here is the thing with us mountain teams. Belfry tried to get Bell County, they wouldn't work out a deal due to travel, but played SC. Tried to work out a dealw ith WV powers but they wouldn't. We pretty much played who we could. We are at a geographical disadvantage in getting a schedule like Central has, I know Haywood loves to play those kind of games.

They fumbled the ball deep once and Belfry scored, then the fumbled the kick off return on like the 40. Then Belfry got a field goal out of that. The one interception that Belfry intercepted deep if Im not mistaken Central was on about the 40 still yet but was a deep pass. Belfry two TO were so costly though as the one at the end of the half Central scored on the return which completely changed all of the momentum, and gave Central the lead. Which by the way that was a good call, he just got hit when he threw it. The second one Belfry was about to score and take the lead so that one was huge, Central drove ball back down and scored to seal the deal. I believe if Belfry would have not had but just one of those they would have one. Here is the thing though, neither team really had any unforced turnover, seven turnovers, and could have been more, all because of GREAT defenses. If you would have told any Belfry fan they would have won the TO battle, outgain them, and control Time of Possesion I would have put my house up we would have won.

Crazy, not that I disagreed with you I just wanted to call you crazy, would be kind of funny though, but talent wise I dont see it.

By the way this coming form a Belfry fan, we can gripe about calls and yeah it was a poorly officiated game, a lot not called both ways that should have been. But I just everybody to know that I am not trying in any way to inidcate that officiating costed Belfry a game, what costed Belfry a game was mistake after mistake, and I give Central credit because they forced some of those mistakes. A lot of off-sides was not called this game, Belfry backs were in motion a lot, and Central lined up alomost farther back that the O-line sometimes, I mean I seen some plays were they were back there bfore the QB, so a lot of missed calls all around, BOTH sides, but I would never take anything away from Central, you guys deserve this title, but we will be back!

I like Louisvilel Central, stepped up and led his team to a title, and played a brutal schedule, they were much more disciplined this year than last.