http://sportstwo.com/NCAAF/Story/NCAAF/1454538 Bill Stewart helped West Virginia begin the healing process by guiding the team to an impressive 48-28 victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday. Now, Stewart, an assistant at the school since 2000, will get to coach West Virginia on a permanent basis. Stewart, 55, was officially introduced as Rich Rodriguez's successor Thursday morning during a hastily called news conference at the Mountaineers' hotel. Following the announcement, the team was scheduled to fly home to Morgantown. The school announced a five-year contract worth $4 million for Stewart, who took over the program on an interim basis when former coach Rich Rodriguez abruptly resigned on December 16 to take the Michigan job. "This was an easy decision for me," Stewart said. "They didn't have to twist my arm." West Virginia quarterback Pat White campaigned for Stewart after the Mountaineers' easy win over the Sooners. "Coach Stewart needs that job," White said. "He deserves it. He is a great man, great coach. All the players respect him and love him. You couldn't ask for a better man to lead us." The school wasted no time making the move, removing the interim tag from Stewart, who was hired at West Virginia by former Mountaineers coach Don Nehlen. "Bill attained this position the old-fashioned way - he earned it," West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong said. Following a bitter divorce with Rodriguez, the school promoted from within, hiring a native West Virginian. "We were away but we were never gone," said Stewart, who had one previous head-coaching stint, posting an 8-25 record from 1994-96 at Virginia Military Institute. "Our hearts were always in West Virginia." Stewart served as the Mountaineers' associate head coach this season under Rodriguez. He was the quarterbacks coach until this year, when he coached tight ends and fullbacks in addition to being the special teams coordinator. "When we began this search, we said we needed a head coach who understood the value of loyalty and knew what it meant to be a WVU Mountaineer," West Virginia president Mike Garrison said. "Coach Stewart is that man." Last week, West Virginia announced a suit against Rodriguez, claiming he owed the school $4 million as part of the buyout in his contract. In seven years at West Virginia, Rodriguez guided the Mountaineers to a 60-26 record and four Big East Conference championships. In August, he signed a seven-year contract extension. On Wednesday, an emotional Stewart recorded his first win at West Virginia. He responded by hugging players, assistant coaches and other well-wishers on the sideline. "This one, for me, is for every assistant coach who never had an opportunity to get Gatorade poured on their head," he said. "My bride won't like this, but I didn't shower last night. She didn't say anything last night. It was fun ... it was sticky." Before returning to West Virginia in 2000, Stewart had several stints as an assistant, making stops at Salem College, North Carolina, Marshall, William & Mary, Navy, Arizona and Air Force. With Wednesday's win, West Virginia completed an 11-2 season, rebounding from a 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh that cost the Mountaineers a spot in the national championship game. White and running back Steve Slatton are expected to return next season for their senior years. They each rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
