The wait is finally over.

Bill Stewart was named head coach of the Mountaineers less than 24-hours after the team’s amazing 48-28 win over the number 4 nationally ranked Oklahoma Sooners.

The four person committee, which included Ed Pastilong and Mike Garrison, decided last night after talking to Stewart to offer him the head coaching job. Stewart gladly accepted, saying it was the easiest decision of his life to make.

A press conference was held today at the Scottsdale resort where the players have been staying, to announce officially that Stewart will be taking over as the head coach of WVU. Ed Pastilong, Athletic Director at WVU, started the conference, saying that it was his personal honor and privilege to extend the job to Stewart.

Governor Joe Manchin was on hand to congratulate Stewart. ?I couldn?t be more happy (for him). I?ve watched Billy Stewart bring this team together over the past few weeks.?

WVU president Mike Garrison said a few remarks about Stewart’s new position. ?We said that we need a leader who understands the importance of loyalty and who values what it means to be a head coach of the Mountaineers.? Garrison ended his short remarks saying that Stewart was a good pick. ?They (the team) love this guy, and we love him, too.?

Stewart came to the podium, and gave a heart warming speech that had every person in the room on their feet clapping and cheering. He is a honest, real man who is humble, and wants to do the best he can with the team to win games, not to make a lot of money or be famous.

?We had the best team in the country last night. There is a love in West Virginia that I am so proud of,? Stewart said.

Stewart answered a lot of questions about the supporting coaching staff, a lot of whom had job offers with Rich Rodriguez at Michigan. He was adamant about wanting to provide an option for all of the people who currently coaching. ?Every member of this staff who wants to stay will have the opportunity to do so,? he said.

The crowd loved every word that came out of Stewart’s mouth. He ended the conference saying that he planned on this being his last job. ?I?ll never leave, and if I?m not getting it done, they won?t need to tell me, I?ll tell them.?

The room was filled with reporters, WVU administrators, fans, parents, players and players’ families. Every person in that room was moved by what Stewart said. It was a great feeling, watching a crowd of people who have been waiting, watching and worrying about who will take over their team now that Rich Rod is gone, breathe a collective sigh of relief when Stewart was chosen. I think that he was the best choice and the University made an excellent decision in bringing him on as the new head coach of the WVU football team.

I am leaving Arizona this afternoon, and am sad to go. This week has been so amazing and such a great opportunity to meet new people, and experience new things. I know that I will be at the bowl game next year, because it?s a great experience that I know I want to be a part of again. Let?s go ?Eers!