Conference Big East Conference AP No. 17 Head coach Dana Holgorsen | Coaches No. 18 2011 record 10–3 (5–2 Big East) Offensive scheme Air raid | |
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The 2011 West Virginia Mountaineer football team represented West Virginia University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season as members of the Big East Conference. The Mountaineers were led by Dana Holgorsen, who was his first season as head coach. West Virginia played their home games on Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. They finished the season 10–3, 5–2 in Big East play to earn a share of the Big East Conference championship with Cincinnati and Louisville. The Mountaineers earned the league's automatic berth in the BCS due to being the highest ranked of the Big East champions in the final BCS rankings. They were invited to the Orange Bowl for the first time ever where they defeated Clemson 70–33. West Virginia is now 3–0 in BCS games and the 70 points in the Orange Bowl is the most points ever scored by one team in a bowl game.
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Previous season
The 2010 West Virginia Mountaineers finished the season at 9–4 with a 5–2 record in Big East play. They shared the 2010 Big East Football Championship with Pittsburgh and Connecticut, with Connecticut earning the Big East BCS bid by way of tie-breaker. The Mountaineers were invited to the Champs Sports Bowl where they were defeated by North Carolina State 23–7.
Coaching changes
On December 16, 2010 West Virginia University announced the hiring of former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Holgorsen replaces Jeff Mullen as offensive coordinator and will take over as the Mountaineers head coach in 2012.
On January 5, 2011 the Mountaineers announced the hiring of three offensive coaches; Robert Gillespie (Running Backs), Bill Bedenbaugh (Offensive Line), and Shannon Dawson (Inside-Receivers).
On March 10, 2011 it was announced that lone offensive staff holdover Lonnie Galloway (Outside-Receivers) has left West Virginia to take a coaching job at Wake Forest.
On March 28, 2011 West Virginia University announced the hiring of Daron Roberts as an assistant coach. Roberts will be working with wide receivers and special teams.
On June 10, 2011 West Virginia University announced that Bill Stewart had resigned as head coach and that Dana Holgorsen would assume the position effective immediately. Holgorsen has stated he will serve as his own offensive coordinator but that he was unsure who would fill the extra spot on the coaching staff.
On July 8, 2011 Head Coach Dana Holgorsen hired Alex Hammond as recruiting coordinator.
The Mountaineers have retained the entire 2010 defensive coaching staff for the 2011 season.
Key losses
Spring Game
The 2011 Gold-Blue Spring Game took place on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 7 PM at Mountaineer Field. Over 22,000 fans attended to see the Gold team defeat the Blue team 83–17. The game was televised statewide on West Virginia Media stations.
Polls
The Mountaineers were picked to win the Big East Conference by the media at conference media day, picking up 21 out of 24 first place votes.