Backup quarterback Jarrett Brown, who joined Bob Huggins' West Virginia basketball team this week to begin vying for a backup role, isn't the only Mountaineers football player welcome to try his hand at another sport.

New coach Bill Stewart was just telling his players in a team meeting Sunday that they all had his blessing to dabble -- or dribble -- elsewhere.

"As long as you keep your grades up, they can do it all," Stewart said. "I'm encouraging Pat White to go out and see if he can hit the curveball at the major-league level" by practicing and/or playing with the Mountaineers baseball team.

Such dual duties may help to lure recruits who are two-sport stars, such as Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor. Previous coach Rich Rodriguez, now at Michigan, was pitching that possibility to Pryor even though few of Rodriguez's Mountaineers competed in a sport other than football.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats coach Charlie Taafe met the media in Ontario yesterday and explained his dalliance:

"Here's what happened ... [Stewart] coached them in the bowl game and obviously did a great job, soundly beating Oklahoma. They had a press conference the next morning where they took the interim tag off Bill and named him the permanent coach, awarded him a five-year contract. ... On Monday [Jan. 7], Bill called me ... and asked if I would consider coming to West Virginia on his staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. With a good friend and relationship over 30 years and someone I actually worked with in [CFL] Montreal, I told him that I would entertain the possibility."

Taafe drove to Morgantown from the family's Maryland home and visited the campus, though he said he didn't officially "interview" or receive a contract offer from Stewart. Taafe felt the job was his if he wanted it, then on Thursday talked with Hamilton team officials -- who began the process of courting and convincing him to stay.

Stewart is expected to focus on recruiting this week and take a hiatus from naming more assistants, still needing coaches for offensive coordinator/quarterbacks, offensive line, and strength and conditioning.

Stewart wants to keep private his Sunday discussion with tailback Steve Slaton, who announced he was skipping his senior season and entering the NFL draft. Stewart did say he prefers all college students to earn their degrees and exhaust their eligibility, but pointed to exception cases such as Adam "Pac-Man" Jones leaving early to strike first-round riches. Added Stewart, "The memories this guy left for these [fans]? I wish he could stay 10 years. Whatever he decides, I will honor and respect his decision." ... Associate head coach Doc Holliday, even though only five years younger than Stewart, wasn't offered a coach-in-waiting deal like Jimbo Fisher has to replace Bobby Bowden at Florida State.