The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

April 26, 2008

Big-time job doesn’t interest coach Bolen

By Dave Morrison

When Duquesne coach Ron Everhart, a Fairmont native, lost two assistants earlier this month, the wheels started turning.

I wondered if he would tab Mountain State coach Bob Bolen, one of his friends in the business, to take one of those jobs?

It made sense.

After all, Bolen has been ultra-successful at Mountain State, putting together a 15-year mark of 373-104, with an NAIA national title and three title game appearances.

At some point it seemed like Bolen would make the move to the next level.

Folks often wondered why he hadn’t left yet. Why a bigger program hadn’t cast bait and lured the coach to the next level.

So I called Everhart and asked him if he was interested in luring Bolen from Beckley to Pittsburgh.

“I would be thrilled to get coach Bolen on my coaching staff any time, anywhere, any day,” the Duquesne coach said. “There aren’t too many guys like coach Bolen, with how hard he works. The problem is, I haven’t been able to talk him into leaving Beckley. I will confirm that he is one of the first guys I always contact.”

Bolen is traditionally tight-lipped on the subject of other jobs, though it is generally known he has been approached about several other opportunities. He usually never lets it get as far as an offer.

Everhart is a little different, though.

He’s a friend.

So I called Bolen and asked him directly about his interest in an assistant’s job at Duquesne.

“Ron Everhart is one of my best friends in the business,” Bolen said. “I’d love to be on his coaching staff. I’ve always enjoyed working for our president (Dr. Charles Polk). He’s been tremendous to me for 15 years. And I really enjoy our coaching staff.

“I have young kids and both sets of grandparents live in Beckley. It’s just not the right time. Like I said, I’d love being on coach Everhart’s coaching staff. Basketball Times listed him as one of the top up-and-comers in the U.S., as far as mid-major coaches ready to move up. He’s listed in every publication as one of the top mid-major coaches ready to take over a huge job.”

Why Bolen hasn’t left Mountain State seems to be as simple as this: He likes his job.

“I don’t really have those aspirations of being a big-time, Division I coach,” he said. “Being at Mountain State and Beckley, that’s good enough for me. My family is comfortable here. I’ve lived here my whole life. I enjoy it here.

“I just don’t really worry about (moving onward and upward). Honestly, I think I could have had (a small Division I job) in the last month. There has been contact from other schools (in the past). I just don’t ever let it get as far as an offer. It’s not one of my goals. I’m happy here.”

Pretty simple, really.

“I don’t have a $4 million buyout in my contract. If I leave some day, I want to be able to come back and cheer on the Cougars,” Bolen said. “If I ever leave, it would be for a person like Ron Everhart or (WVU basketball coach) Bob Huggins. Right now, it’s not one of my goals.”

It just doesn’t happen, but in a profession where change — forced or otherwise — is inevitable, Bolen seems to have found job security at Mountain State. It’s rare. And it’s not a bad thing.

— E-mail:

demorrison@register-herald.com

Text Only
Sports
  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010

  • BNI will usher in mat season

    This time around, the Beckley Newspapers Invitational will have a decidedly more local flavor.

    December 1, 2010

  • Huggs likes looks of young Noreen

    Perhaps it was the season. Whatever it was, West Virginia coach Bob Huggins went straight to the pie.
    Well, the figurative pie.
    Huggins had just watched his team beat Virginia Military Institute 82-66 in front of 12,367 fans at the Charleston Civic Center Saturday.

    December 1, 2010

  • Oak Hill places 3 on AA

    Whether it was opposing defenses or illness, nothing stopped Charleston Catholic’s Tom Trupo for long.

    December 1, 2010

  • Spartans open with victory

    Turnovers produce points and the Greenbrier East girls basketball team collected plenty of each en route to an 81-43 season-opening victory against Bluefield on Tuesday night.

    December 1, 2010