Hoppy's Commentary For Friday

Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval


Question: According to a Mountaineer fan, what is the lifetime record of retiring Marshall Football Coach Bob Pruett?

Answer: 0-1

Bob Pruett did not beat West Virginia in his one attempt, but he certainly got under the skin of Mountaineer fans. That’s why Mountaineer fans should mourn the surprise retirement of Pruett. He added color, passion and emotion what makes college sports fun: Rivalry.

Pruett loved to tweak West Virginia fans. Pruett’s comments were frequently sprinkled with references to the Mountaineers, their schedule, the possibility of a series.

Nothing made the Marshall fans happier than Pruett’s swipes at the Gold and Blue. Nothing irritated Mountaineer fans more than Pruett’s obsession with West Virginia.

There are two kids of Mountaineer fans: The ones who say they root for Marshall when they’re not playing WVU. They are the liars. And the ones who hope Marshall looses whether it’s football or water polo. They’re the honest ones.

Fans loved to join in the raucous debate. Marshall fans pointed to their increasingly difficult schedule as evidence of parity with WVU. Mountaineer fans loved to point out how Marshall opted out of an earlier contract that would have produced several more games.

WVU fans were incensed when Marshall put a billboard in Morgantown with a picture of Pruett that said Marshall played for championships. More gasoline on the fire.

In the middle was Pruett, using his best hang-dog, good-ol’-boy manner to stir the pot.

His jibes were not just jokes. I sat next to him once at a banquet where he couldn’t stop talking about the possibility of playing WVU again. I remember thinking that he was obsessed by the rivalry.

But it was all great fun. WVU and Marshall in a football rivalry even though—except for once—they never played each other. Still, many a WVU fan would sit with a smug smile as they watched Coach Pruett pace the sidelines nervously during a Herd loss.

Definition of a Mountaineer fan’s perfect Saturday: A WVU win and a Marshall loss.

Now, Pruett is gone, taking retirement, spending more time with his family. He told me yesterday that he might even come to Mountaineer Field to see a football game. You just know Pruett would wear green.

You’d be welcome, coach. Just do all us Mountaineer fans a favor. Break out some of your best stuff will you, some of the greatest hits of your insults, innuendo, not-so-subtle references, outright slaps at WVU. You know, just for old time sake.

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