Stewart out, Holgorsen in at WVU

Associated Press

morgantown, w.va.

West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart has resigned and a university spokesman said coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen will take over.

Holgorsen was hired as offensive coordinator and eventual successor in December.

West Virginia had prepared for possible friction between Holgorsen and Stewart. Holgorsen’s contract included a clause that gave him a raise if he became head coach before or during this season.

Athletic director Oliver Luck had said he hired Holgorsen because he believed the Mountaineers couldn’t win a national championship under Stewart’s leadership. Stewart went 28-12 in three seasons but failed to earn a Bowl Championship Series berth.

Under the transition arrangement, Stewart was supposed take an undetermined administrative position after the 2011 season.

Luck said he modeled the transition to ones conducted when Bret Bielema took over at Wisconsin and Chip Kelly assumed control at Oregon.