Dana Holgorsen move made official

West Virginia finally just made official what had been rumored/reported all week: Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will take that same job for the Mountaineers in 2011 before succeeding Bill Stewart as head coach in 2012. HolgorsenThe school said in its official news release that all current coaches would remain in place until the Champs Sports Bowl. After that, Holgorsen will replace Jeff Mullen calling plays. Stewart will move into an administrative role after the '11 season.

"I think the transition year for coach Holgorsen will be very beneficial to the football program, and the opportunity to learn from coach Bill Stewart should not be underestimated,” athletic director Oliver Luck said in the statement. “Coach Holgorsen is one of the top coaches in college football. His success at Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma State speaks for itself. We know that coach Holgorsen will bring a high-powered offense that will be incredibly entertaining to watch at Milan Puskar Stadium.

“He will also provide a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our team as well as a wealth of experience. He has served under some fantastic mentors over the years, guys such as Hal Mumme, Mike Leach and Kevin Sumlin. I look forward to coach Holgorsen joining us. I cannot imagine a better combination of offensive and defensive coordinators in Dana Holgorsen and Jeff Casteel working for coach Stewart. Mountaineer football is in the best of hands."

Luck thanked Stewart for his work and said the Mountaineers "have enjoyed his steady leadership and infectious personality."

Holgorsen said his goal was to win a national championship at West Virginia. He will make $800,000 as offensive coordinator in 2011 and then $1.4 million as head coach.

Here is what Stewart had to say in the official release:

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in the last three years, culminating with a Big East championship this season. I took over as head coach in a very challenging time, and we have faced every obstacle with a passion to bring nothing but the best to West Virginia football.

“Our success on the field, in the classroom and in making our players better young men is very satisfying to me. I will continue to devote my entire energy to this program and my players next year. I look forward to having Coach Holgorsen join our staff and working with him to ensure a smooth transition in 2012."

I'll have some thoughts and reaction shortly ...

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Holgorsen officially headed to West Virginia

Dana Holgorsen's stay in Stillwater is officially a short one.

The former Cowboys offensive coordinator will be West Virginia's offensive coordinator in 2011 before taking over for Bill Stewart as head coach in 2012.

"I think the transition year for coach Holgorsen will be very beneficial to the football program, and the opportunity to learn from coach Bill Stewart should not be underestimated," West Virginia athletics director Oliver Luck said in a release. "Coach Holgorsen is one of the top coaches in college football. His success at Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma State speaks for itself. We know that coach Holgorsen will bring a high-powered offense that will be incredibly entertaining to watch at Milan Puskar Stadium."

Holgorsen, a finalist for the 2010 Broyles Award as college football's top assistant coach, helped Oklahoma State rank third nationally in scoring offense and first nationally in total offense in his first and only season with the Cowboys.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Kendall Hunter and receiver Justin Blackmon were only the second trio in NCAA history with at least 3,000 passing yards, 1,5000 rushing yards and 1,500 receiving yards in the same season.

"I look forward to the opportunity to join West Virginia University as offensive coordinator for the 2011 season,” Holgorsen said in a statement. "It will be a privilege to work alongside two great football coaches in Bill Stewart and Jeff Casteel. Naturally, I am excited about succeeding coach Stewart in 2012 and becoming the head coach of the Mountaineers and leading the West Virginia football program to even greater heights. My goal is to win a national championship at West Virginia University, and I firmly believe that coach Stewart has built a solid foundation, which will allow us to compete with the very best in the country."

After Holgorsen takes over as head coach in 2012, Stewart will remain at West Virginia in an administrative role.

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