The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

College Sports

March 8, 2013

WVU hires Seider as new running backs coach

By Cam Huffman Sports Editor

BECKLEY — West Virginia head football coach Dana Holgorsen moved quickly in filling the latest vacancy on the Mountaineer coaching staff, hiring a familiar face to replace running backs coach Robert Gillespie, who left last week to take the same position at Tennessee.

Former WVU graduate assistant JaJuan Seider, who spent the last three years at Marshall as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, was officially hired Friday night, returning to his alma mater.

“It’s great to welcome JaJuan back to Mountaineer football,” said Holgorsen in a release. “He is an energetic coach and recruiter, who knows our program and state very well. His coaching versatility and background will be an asset to our program, and I know he will bring a passion to succeed at his alma mater.”

Seider began his playing career at WVU and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2000 and his master’s degree in athletic coaching in 2010. He completed his career at Florida A&M, where he won the Jake Gaither Award (considered the Heisman Trophy of black colleges) after throwing for 2,512 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior quarterback. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

Seider began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach at Lake Worth High School, coached running backs at Glades Central High School and was then the offensive coordinator at Palm Beach Lakes High School. He established relationships at those stops that have been valuable in recruiting the state of Florida.

He was named Conference USA’s top recruiter in 2012.

“I am very thankful to Coach Holgorsen for having the vision, trust and confidence to take a chance on a young coach like me,” said Seider. “My family and I are excited to be coming back to Morgantown.”

WVU will begin spring practice on Sunday and play the annual Gold-Blue Spring Game on April 20 at 2 p.m. at Mountaineer Field.

Tickets for the game are available for $10 and can be purchased online at www.wvugame.com or by calling 1-800-WVU-GAME.

Text Only
College Sports
  • Huggins says WVU could be very good team

     Coach Bob Huggins admittedly feels much better about the West Virginia men’s basketball team as it prepares for the 2013-14 season.

    June 17, 2013

  • Bloop hits hurt Miners in first game of twin-bill with Paints

    Chicks may dig the long ball, but on some nights just a few well-placed bloop hits can spell more damage than home runs.

    June 15, 2013

  • Huggins says transfers not isolated case

    Coach Bob Huggins will tell you that losing four players to transfer mode from his West Virginia men’s basketball squad was not an unusual or isolated case.

    June 15, 2013

  • 012612 Bolen.jpg Bolen named assistant coach at East Tennessee State

    When Mountain State University lost its general accreditation last year, head basketball coach Bob Bolen was among many that were left without a job.
    However, as expected, he landed on his feet.
    The lifelong Beckley resident and former head coach at MSU has officially been named an assistant coach at East Tennessee State. The move, which had been rumored for weeks, was announced by the school Friday morning.

    June 14, 2013 5 Photos 1 Story

  • 061413 miners Just who are the 2013 Miners?

    A look at the Propsect League standings gives a clear picture of just how important today’s doubleheader between the Chillicothe Paints and the West Virginia Miners at Linda K. Epling Stadium will be for both teams.

    June 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • 061313 Miners.jpg Miscues cost Miners

    If only earned runs counted, the West Virginia Miners and the Slippery Rock Sliders may still be playing at Linda K. Epling Stadium.

    June 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • Geno in close battle with Sanchez for Jets’ QB spot

    If Geno Smith isn’t the starter this fall with the New York Jets, West Virginia University’s all-time leading passer won’t necessarily be holding a clipboard on the sidelines.

    June 13, 2013

  • 061213 Miners Miners win third straight

    Normally, Dale Davis would have batted left-handed in his seventh-inning at-bat against Slippery Rock reliever Kevin Becker-Mendito. But because of the right-hander’s sidearm motion, the switch-hitting Davis attacked from the right side.

    June 12, 2013 1 Photo

  • Prosecutor says handling of WVU FOIA requests OK

    It wasn’t until about a week ago that I found for certain who is responsible to make sure that the Freedom of Information of Act law is enforced in West Virginia.

    June 12, 2013

  • WVU grad makes donation to OKC tornado relief

    Arizona Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick has made a donation of $200,000 to the Mountaineer Athletic Club in the name of the WVU baseball program to the Oklahoma City tornado relief effort.

    June 12, 2013