Published: July 31, 2008 11:21 pm         

‘Same ol’ Billy’ as WVU football camp opens

MORGANTOWN — With West Virginia’s greatest football victory and a spring practice behind him, Bill Stewart gets into the meat of his first season as the coach with today’s opening of the 2008 preseason football practice camp.

Asked whether he felt any different than he did a year ago as associate head coach, the New Martinsville native replied:

“First and foremost, I’m the same ol’ Billy Stewart as they called me when I was growing up. I’m not going to change. Just because your title changes, that should never change a person.

“My mom and dad raised me that way. My hometown raised me that way. My years at WVU and Fairmont State raised me that way. You’ve got to be who you are.

“My title in employment has changed. But I’m not going to change. I’m going to be the same guy. I’m in charge of my attitude. That’s my right. And, by golly, I’m going to stick to it.”

Since being named last Jan. 4 to succeed Rich Rodriguez, now at Michigan, Stewart has proved he can be a tough disciplinarian when necessary as well as the nice guy and leader for which he was noted his previous seven years as a WVU assistant coach.

Forty-five lettermen, including 17 holdover starters, will be among the nearly 100 players who will be checking into Puskar Center before 6:30 p.m. today.

Mike Montoro, director of communications for football, said that’s when the coaches will go over team rules and other information during a squad meeting.

While most of the players have been spending most of the week home with family and friends, Montoro said he has not heard whether any might be unable to report on time.

The first practice will be Saturday in shorts.

In all, the Mountaineers will be in camp 14 days. The first five will be in light gear. Six practice sessions will be closed completely to the media. A scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16.

Fan Day is slated for Sunday, Aug. 17. WVU starts its fall semester of classes Aug. 18.

West Virginia, which won 11 games each of the last three years, has been selected overwhelmingly to capture the 2008 Big East championship. The Mountaineers are picked to finish in the Top 10 again by most national publications.

They will open the season on Saturday, Aug. 30, against Villanova at home.

Stewart, who served as head coach at Virginia Military Institute three years in the mid-1990s, admittedly gets up every morning with the feeling that he’s the luckiest guy in the world.

“I know what it means because how could it get any better than this, job-wise,” he exclaimed.

“My job changed and that’s great. I’m very, very honored and very, very humbled and very, very proud. Whether I’m really deserving, I hope so. Time will tell.”