Published: March 16, 2008 11:58 pm            

WVU offense a work in progress

MORGANTOWN — You wouldn’t think that West Virginia quarterback Patrick White still has anything to learn after leading the Mountaineers to a record three back-to-back 11-victory seasons, including three consecutive major bowl wins.

But the 6-2, 185-pound senior from Daphne, Ala., said he, along with other veterans on that side of the ball, are trying to get down pat in spring practice changes made by Jeff Mullen, the new offensive coordinator.

“This is a new offense and a new coaching staff,” White said after the first day of spring drills. “So we’re trying to learn some new schemes.”

Mullen has said, “We’re going to keep the (spread) scheme the same, but we are going to change the playbook.” He’s in his 19th year of coaching, including the last seven on the offensive staff at Wake Forest.

“We’ve had two good days of practice,” said White, one of the most versatile and productive signal-callers in America. “We’ve adjusted to the new staff, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job of getting to know each other.”

Mullen isn’t the only new assistant coach on offense, for which 13 returning .players have starting experience. Doc Holliday, associate head coach who tutors the tight ends and fullbacks; Dave Johnson, offensive line; Chris Beatty, running backs; and Lonnie Galloway, wide receivers, also are newcomers.

They were brought in by Bill Stewart, who was promoted to head coach after having served seven years as an assistant to former head coach Rich Rodriguez.

“We are throwing the ball a lot more this spring,” White confirmed. ”Yes, Coach Rodriguez did say we’d pass more in the past and didn’t. But Coach Stewart is aiming at 60-run, 40–pass, and I think that would be a well-balanced offense.”

But the Mountaineers are putting more emphasis on the passing game now just to work more on new schemes and varying routes. White believes the run game will be pretty much what it has been previously — one of the nation’s most productive.

With backup quarterback Jarrett Brown still playing basketball, two redshirt freshmen are taking snaps with the second team. Those are Charlie Russell of Morgantown and Bradley Starks of Unionville, Va.

“Yes, those two guys have a lot to learn, but we all do,” White said. “It’s a new offense for everybody. The passing game is a lot different from what it used to be, with different schemes and difference routes.

Coach Stewart said he’s not doing basketball coach Bob Huggins a favor by permitting Brown to join his squad. “He’s getting Jarrett back in shape for us,” he reasoned. And he believes giving Russell and Starks more reps this spring will be beneficial to their development.

The Mountaineers will work out Monday and Wednesday, then suspend practice until spring break endz March 31.

        

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