DALLAS, Texas — Dana Holgorsen, explaining his midsummer appointment of Clint Trickett as West Virginia’s starting quarterback, said he was trying to combat the team’s leadership void.
“The leadership aspect of it is something that we were missing,” Holgorsen said Tuesday at Big 12 media days. “We had a bunch of guys coming back that played a lot of football but there wasn’t any leadership that was present at the quarterback spot, at the skill spot.
“(Trickett) will be able to take that to another level. People follow him. He understands what it takes to be successful.”
A fifth-year senior transfer coming off an underwhelming debut season at WVU, Trickett reportedly has recovered after missing spring practice with shoulder surgery.
“He’s healthy, 100 percent,” Holgorsen said. “Arm strength is awesome, body weight is good.”
Even before sustaining a labrum injury in the upset win over Oklahoma State, Trickett was hampered last season by communication obstacles with his coach. Holgorsen expects Trickett’s first full offseason with the team to create better on-field chemistry and timing.
“He’s been out there working with our guys all summer,” Holgorsen said. “There’s a rapport that needs to exist with him and the receivers in order to be successful. They need to understand each and every one of their little nuances when it comes to being able to get open and sign language and a nod here and a cut‑off there. And all that’s starting to exist with him right now with him and the rest of the guys.”