Multiple sources say Oklahoma has agreed to hire West Virginia offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh for the same position. The story was first reported Tuesday by SoonerScoop.com of the Rivals network.
MetroNews file photo
Bedenbaugh spent the past two seasons at West Virginia and would become the fourth member of Dana Holgorsen’s staff to exit during the past two months, following cornerbacks coach Daron Roberts and special teams coordinator Steve Dunlap — both of whom were fired — and quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital, who left for Texas A&M.
Oklahoma’s former offensive line coach, James Patton, left this week after seven seasons to become special teams coordinator at Indiana. SoonerScoop.com writer Carey Murdock, in a phone interview with MetroNews “Statewide Sportsline” on Tuesday night, said Patton was forced out, along with defensive line coach Jackie Shipp.
“Oklahoma has fallen down a little bit on the offensive and defensive lines” since the 2008 season when it lost the BCS national title game to Florida, Murdock said. Lauded as a top recruiter, Bedenbaugh is viewed as an assistant who can help upgrade the offensive line talent.
Bedenbaugh contributed hugely to WVU’s 2013 signing class that Rivals ranked 24th nationally. Tyler Tezeno, the three-star Houston center who signed with West Virginia last week, tweeted amid reports that Bedenbaugh was a candidate at OU: “I swear this better not be true about coach B leaving…”
Bedenbaugh’s has a couple connections to the current Sooners staff. From 2007-2010 he coached at Arizona under Mike Stoops, now the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma. Bedenbaugh also coached at Texas Tech from 2000-2006 under Mike Leach, who remains somewhat of a mentor to Sooners co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel.
Bedenbaugh spent his first season as a college coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State in 1995, and his wife Marydee grew up in Tahlequah, Okla, less than three hours from Norman.
Bedenbaugh’s offensive line made a good impression against Oklahoma on Nov. 17 when West Virginia piled up 778 yards in a 50-49 loss. That included 458 rushing yards on 47 carries (344 of those by Tavon Austin).
A college teammate of Holgorsen’s at Iowa Wesleyan, Bedenbaugh made $250,000 last season at WVU and was scheduled to earn $300,000 in 2013. According to published reports, Oklahoma paid Patton $265,000 last season.
“I would imagine $300,000 to $350,000 wouldn’t be a problem at Oklahoma,” Murdock said.
Murdock suggested there was sentiment among the staff to bring back former Kansas head coach Mark Mangino as the offensive line coach. But his messy departure at Kansas created too much baggage.
‘I think that was something that Bob Stoops really did want to pursue … because they go all the way back to their Kansas State days together,” Murdock said. “But I don’t think the administration at Oklahoma was ever going to allow a guy to come on staff who lost his job amidst a player abuse scandal.
“Recruiting would-be a nightmare if you brought him in. It would have a really been a tough road to put together good recruiting classes on the offensive line with someone like Mangino.”
Gold and Blue Now Thursday, May 23 
Gold and Blue Now 5-21-2013 
Sportsline: Randy Mazey and Kyle Wiggs 
Sportsline: Dana Holgerson 
Randy Mazey 5-20-2013 
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Comments
Nate
Two words: Rick Trickett
February 12, 2013 at 4:58 pm | Report comment
Shawn
He's basically on his way out in the next year or so. He really hasn't shown much at FSU so i hope they go out and find somebody else.
February 13, 2013 at 1:16 pm | Report comment
David
Tyler Tezeno sorry but coaches do not give a crap. It is all about the money and their egos. The last one at WV where character mattered was Don Nehlen.
Now let me say welcome to WV and you did make a good choice.
February 12, 2013 at 5:52 pm | Report comment
Jay
Oh, I'll correct this. Character mattered to Bill Stewart. Say what you want about the man as a head coach, but character mattered to him.
February 12, 2013 at 8:58 pm | Report comment
David
Really so that is why he called the radio station and demanded they smear the current coach?
I agree he loved WV but when it comes to character you do not do those sort of things. No doubt it was because of his love of being the Mountaineer coach that caused those problems.
February 13, 2013 at 7:31 am | Report comment
big tom
just ask colin dunlap what kind of a person stew was... LOL
February 13, 2013 at 2:39 pm | Report comment
Michael
I also believe character mattered to Coach Stew......up until he tried to dig up all the dirt he could find on Holgerson. He put his University in a bad spot.
February 13, 2013 at 8:05 am | Report comment
Andy
Would you rather have assitant coaches like Jerry Sandusky that never leave their team? Moving on to another job is not about character. It is about making a decision that is better for your family and the future.
February 13, 2013 at 7:04 am | Report comment
David
Seriously? What an idiot.
February 13, 2013 at 7:32 am | Report comment
Andy
Nice comeback, Davey,or should I say, JoePa.
February 13, 2013 at 3:35 pm | Report comment
John
Andy...are you sure you aren't getting the words "inbreeding" and "sexual battery" confused? They are both very big words but they are really different. And surely you ARE kidding that "it's all about making a decision better for your family"....right? Tell me you you are. LOL
February 15, 2013 at 9:00 am | Report comment
Andy
1st- Coach B and his wife both have family in Oklahoma. Good for him and God bless.
2nd- Just making a point that loyalty in coaching does not equal character.
3rd- Do you think Arizona fans ripped on Tony Gibson for coming back to WVU? Sure they did, just like everyone on this site did when he left WVU the first time.
February 15, 2013 at 2:34 pm | Report comment
Curt Lindner
I tend to Disagree with David. The last coach with character was Bill Stewart, and this LOYAL WEST VIRGINIAN GOT BOOTED BY OLLIE AND COMPANY! Before everyone talks too much about the current recruiting class, remember, there are 3 commitments who are NOT SIGNED and will probably NEVER SET FOOT IN MORGANTOWN! Marshall signed more 4 star players than WVU this year and one was Deontay McManus, a prized WVU recruit from last year who never made it here! Deon Long, just signed with Maryland, Sam Lebbie, just signed with Troy, both highly regarded recruits that never worked out. Looking at many other Major Colleges, they signed ALL OF THEIR RECRUITS! I TEND TO WONDER HOW MUCH HOMEWORK OUR COACHING STAFF DID ON THE COMPLETE PACKAGE, IE: KIDS GRADES OR OTHER PROBLEMS. BY THE WAY, OUR COLORS ARE OLD GOLD AND BLUE, NOT BLACK AND SILVER!Just some food for thought
February 14, 2013 at 3:50 pm | Report comment
Andy
Just because McManus, Lebbie, and Long signed with other teams does not mean they will play for them either. Stats show that less than 50% of any recruiting class will be major contributors. It doesn't matter if it is Alabama (who signed 38 kids for 26 available scholarships) or any other team in the country. Do your homework.
February 15, 2013 at 6:57 am | Report comment
Larry
And so it begins...
February 12, 2013 at 6:35 pm | Report comment
Chris
These coaches are something else all about money the man was sheduled to make 300,000 that's nothing to sneeze at.
February 12, 2013 at 6:36 pm | Report comment
JimJim
West Virginia Mountaineers Football Final Record: 7-6, 4-5 (Big 12) I don't think the coaches are leaving because of their outstanding performance. It looks like the rats are leaving a sinking ship. Now what do we do Lucky? Do you think the dude will make it to the end of his contract?
February 12, 2013 at 6:45 pm | Report comment
William
WVU sports football and basketball has sunk to an all time low. WVU doesn't belong in the BIG 12. Who cares about teams half way across the USA. OVERPAID COACHES IS A JOKE, THEY MAKE OVER TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY! WVU FANS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR A RIDE WITH THE HIGH TICKET PRICES AND OTHER COST. Many losing seasons to come.
February 12, 2013 at 7:00 pm | Report comment
Scotthighgrad2003
If we don't belong in the big 12 then where do we belong the big east, which is dying slow death! The ACC, Sec and Big 10 didn't want us! Yeah the schools may be accr
February 12, 2013 at 11:08 pm | Report comment
Scotthighgrad2003
Across the country, but when expansion begins again the big 12 will get some schools in our time zone!
February 12, 2013 at 11:09 pm | Report comment
Thom
AGREE!!
February 14, 2013 at 3:28 pm | Report comment
John
I couldn't have said it better William...the Olie and Halgi show has run off the rails...as it was doomed to do from the time it left the station. Another example of ego and bluster ruining a good thing. WVU is in SO over its head now. How can WVU EVER compete in the Big 12? Kids in that area of the country live and breath football...of course they can because they don't have to bother with the study of evolution so that gives them a lot more time! How can a Texas kid be convinced to go to school at WVU? Simple....he isn't good enough to go to Texas, TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, or Oklahoma. So how does WVU take second rate players and beat 1st rate players? It's a horrible disgrace that only one WV kid got a scholarship this class. An absolute disgrace. And so now we're too good to play Pitt? What a disaster Olie and Olgi have wrought on the Mountaineer fans! Finally, it is my belief that Stew's death is on their hands...they destroyed a good man...and for what.
February 15, 2013 at 9:11 am | Report comment
Dave
No great loss. This is the same position coach that didn't teach Spain to not cheat backward on pass plays and not to lean forward on the runs. The line was average at best last year. I'd guess he's not leaving for more money. Most likely to get his wife closer to home.
February 12, 2013 at 7:08 pm | Report comment
Alum
Wow, the negative crowd has increased to a quartette. FIrst it was tommy, billy (and I see you already posted on this story), and larry. Now we can add jimmy to the mix.
Just wow, I didn't know pitt trolls cared so much.
February 12, 2013 at 7:31 pm | Report comment
Doug
Larry is still upset over Bill Stewart. Coach Stew was a great man, but not a coach. I wish things had been different and he stayed on the staff in a position to recruit.
February 12, 2013 at 8:02 pm | Report comment
Billy
WVU fans - Wasn't if great when the football and basketball teams had GREAT and CLASSY men in John Belien and Bill Stewart? These two also had great CHARACTER!! LOOK AT WHAT WVU HAS NOW. I bet no one can say those things about these coaches NOW!
February 12, 2013 at 9:25 pm | Report comment
Tom
Billy how many party moron are you? 3/4?
February 14, 2013 at 5:08 pm | Report comment
wvcouch
Marshall fans all over
February 13, 2013 at 8:47 am | Report comment
Bernie
Yea Dave, your comment makes most sense,time may tell !!!!!
February 12, 2013 at 7:39 pm | Report comment
Greg
Somehow I don't think the OL coach leaving is going to sink the program. Did it when Tricket got tired of RR's nonsense and left for Trailerhassee? Of course not. What were the win totals afterwards? 9,9,9,10, and 7? Good grief folks. Welcome Tyler! It always a great day to be a Mountaineer! And good luck to Bedenbaugh too. Maybe it's time to give ol' Rick Trickett a call?
February 12, 2013 at 7:57 pm | Report comment
Doug
I agree with Dave. The O line wasn't very good. Geno was running most of the time and never really had time to throw the ball when we played good teams. No doubt he coach B wanted to go home.
February 12, 2013 at 8:05 pm | Report comment
Michael Walker
All the remaining coaches have to be upset that Joe Deforest is making $500,000 a year now to coach special teams. I wouldn't be surprised to see Patterson leave also.
February 12, 2013 at 11:21 pm | Report comment
jeremy
The way i see it is we need a good o line coach that can make it work. bring in either terry or tommy boadon as the o line coach
February 12, 2013 at 8:40 pm | Report comment
Danny
If the coaching staff had stayed
In place, 2013 would have and will be disastrous. No way around it.
February 12, 2013 at 9:03 pm | Report comment
Monroe Mountaineer
I would consider Garin Justice to be a candidate as a replacement O.L. coach. He's robably a better coach than Bedenbaugh but I'm not sure about recruiting aspect. Anyhow, that is the first name that comes to mind as a good solid replacement with WVU ties.
February 12, 2013 at 10:00 pm | Report comment
Charles
It's ou people. Not a program to sneeze at by no means. Coaches move now days. The days of assistants staying forever are over. They all think they are hc material. You have to move to show it. Leaving a sinking ship? Your an idiot. Please. What was we going to do. Stay in the big east? Idiot!!!!!!
February 12, 2013 at 10:20 pm | Report comment
Wemakerain
I completely agree Charles, your agrument is flawless. When Wisconsin lost their coach Brett Bielema to Arkansas he cited losing position coaches as his main reason. This was Wisconsin folks, they had gone to 3 straight Rose Bowls and they were losing position coaches, the era of coaches staying forever at one place is over. The coaches who do have no chance of improving their job prospects, and their teams are usually awful. If you aren't improving you're being left behind, and with Stew (God bless him nobody can legitimately say we were improving
February 13, 2013 at 9:27 am | Report comment
chad
Can you legitimately say we are improving now?
February 13, 2013 at 1:12 pm | Report comment
Wemakerain
Haha fair point, atleast after 3 years of a mediocre record I will say no, but we will have to see after 3 years in the big 12
February 13, 2013 at 7:53 pm | Report comment
John
Yea, Charles...Staying in the Big East was JUST where we should have stayed. Our departure hastened the collapse of the league. And now what big rivalry do we have, Baylor? Really? Who cares about Baylor? Give me Pitt any day. We use to say that if we beat Pitt it was a good season. Pretty soon we'll be saying if we go 5-5 it's a good season. The Big 12 is way out class for WVU...it's like going to another planet and fighting with six-shooters. Our recruiting looks more like that of a pro team....anybody from anywhere will do. Oh, they can't read...Oh...OK...well suit 'em up anyway. This is "college" football, for God's sake...what are we doing playing in the NFL (No For Long)!
February 15, 2013 at 9:23 am | Report comment