MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Dana Holgorsen likes Gatorade in a can, infield shifts in baseball, and opening the season against a marquee opponent.
Highlights of the West Virginia coach’s news conference on Wednesday:
— Junior college offensive lineman signee Isaiah Hardy will “be here when school starts” on Aug. 16, and is slated to redshirt.
“We didn’t really rush him,” Holgorsen said. “For an on O-lineman that shows up now … it’s impossible (to get snaps). He’s got a redshirt and two years. We’re anticipating him to spend a year (developing), learning how things go and get in shape.”
Holgorsen said Lackawanna (Pa.) College coach Mark Duda compares the 6-foot-7, 330-pounder to former Mountaineers standout Mark Glowinsky.
— West Virginia won’t subscribe to an analytics service this season, opting to let three newly hired three staff analysts chart statistical tendencies: “As opposed to paying $50,000 for a service, we bought a human — three of ’em,” Holgorsen said.
— The coach provided a pithy status report on still-absent receiver Jovon Durante: “No update. No comment.”
— The staff plans to practice red-zone packages, 2-point tries and two-minute drills Wednesday afternoon, with a 100-play scrimmage set for Friday.
— Holgorsen doesn’t care to play it safe with openers, so he’s touting the benefits of starting this season with Virginia Tech and future ones against Tennessee, Florida State and Penn State.
“I like a big first game because that gives you your mentality through summer camp and through camp,” he said. “It keeps you motivated.”
— Red Bull’s stock may plummet after Holgorsen came to the podium with a 12-ounce can of Gatorade.
“If you guys have never had Gatorade in a can, you need to try it. It’s unbelievable,” he said. “It’s not just a little bit better (than bottles), it’s a lot better. If they don’t sell it in stores, they need to.”