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Offensive line coach leaves West Virginia for Oklahoma
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West Virginia offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh is leaving to accept the same position at Oklahoma, leaving Dana Holgorsen with a fourth vacancy to fill on his staff this offseason.
The Charleston Gazette first reported Bedenbaugh accepted the job Thursday night, and a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette source confirmed it.
Bedenbaugh, a highly regarded coach and recruiter, will be a significant loss for the program.
He helped land several top rated prospects in the class of 2013, including touted Ohio receiver Shelton Gibson.
Bedenbaugh has been connected with Holgorsen since the two attended Iowa Wesleyan.
He worked for Mike Leach at Texas Tech from 2000-06 and with Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops at Arizona (2007-10) before joining Holgorsen's staff in 2011.
On Tuesday, SoonerScoop.com reported Bedenbaugh would be tabbed for the position, and Post-Gazette sources confirmed the report had validity.
The hire has not been announced by Oklahoma, nor has Bedenbaugh's departure been announced by West Virginia.
The Mountaineers rushed for 458 yards in a 50-49 loss in November to Oklahoma at Milan Puskar Stadium.
The vacancy occurred when James Patton announced his resignation Monday from the position for a job at Indiana University. He reportedly was fired by Sooners coach Bob Stoops, according to the Oklahoman.
In addition to Bedenbaugh, Holgorsen fired cornerbacks coach Daron Roberts in December, then let longtime assistant Steve Dunlap go after the 38-14 Pinstripe Bowl loss to Syracuse at Yankee Stadium.
Quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital was the third departure when he took a position with Texas A&M.
First Published February 15, 2013 12:00 am
