MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University football coach Dana Holgorsen has announced the hiring of veteran coach Joe Wickline as the Mountaineers’ new offensive coordinator.

 

“Joe brings a wealth of experience, and his resume speaks volumes of his ability to build top offensive lines, as well as being a prominent voice in developing offensive units,” Holgorsen said. “We were on staff together at Oklahoma State in 2010, and he brings an excellent familiarity of the Big 12 Conference. I am excited to add him to our staff and welcome him and his family to West Virginia University.”

 

Wickline, a 34-year veteran, comes to West Virginia after serving as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Texas for the past two years. Prior to that, his most recent stints have been as the offensive line coach at Oklahoma State (2005-13) and Florida (2002-04).

 

The 2015 Texas offensive line paved the way for the rushing attack to finish No. 18 nationally, after molding a unit in 2014 that had five first time starters.

In the final five years that Wickline served on Mike Gundy’s staff, the Cowboys posted four top two finishes in the Big 12, won the 2011 conference championship and in 2010 tied for first in the south division. Oklahoma State produced a 49-17 record and was ranked in the Top 25 final rankings in three of his last four years, including reaching as high as No. 3 in 2011.

 

Wickline was on the offensive coaching staffs that led the Cowboys to six Top 20 finishes in total offense, seven in scoring offense, eight in fewest sacks allowed, five in rushing offense and three times in passing offense. The Cowboys also finished in the Top 10 in total offense five times, scoring five times, fewest sacks allowed five times and rushing and passing offense three times.

 

Wickline coached the 2009 and 2011 recipients of the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Award, with tackle Russell Okung earning the honor in 2009 and center Grant Garner being recognized in 2011.

 

Prior to Oklahoma State, Wickline served three seasons (2002-04) as offensive line coach at Florida under Ron Zook, the last two of which he also was the running game coordinator.

 

At UF, Wickline coached five All-Americans, including first-teamers Lomas Brown (1984), Shannon Snell (2003) and Jeff Zimmerman (1985-86). Wickline also coached Max Starks, a former UF tackle, who helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to two NFL Super Bowl appearances.

 

Wickline went to Florida from Middle Tennessee State, where he coached the offensive line from 1999-2001, with the last of those seasons also as running game coordinator. In 2001, the Blue Raiders finished in the Top 10 nationally in total offense (No. 5), rushing (No. 7) and scoring offense (No. 9). In 2000, MTSU was ranked in the Top 25 in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense.

 

Before his time at Middle Tennessee State, Wickline spent two seasons in the Big 12 as the offensive line coach at Baylor from 1997-98, where he tutored NFL draft picks Derrick Fletcher (New England Patriots) and Kelvin Garmon (Dallas Cowboys). He also had coaching stints at SW Mississippi Community College (1996), Pearl River Community College (1995) and Ole Miss (1988-94), where he coached All-American Everett Lindsay.

 

Wickline's first full-time coaching position was at Delta State in Mississippi from 1984-87, after being a graduate assistant at Tennessee (1984) and his alma mater, Florida (1982-83). As a player, he was a three-year letterman with the Gators and was selected to play in the Blue-Gray Game following his senior season.

 

“I’ve always thought about what it would be like to come to West Virginia and be a part of West Virginia University,” Wickline said. “Growing up, I spent a lot of time in and out of the state in the Charleston and Huntington areas. My father’s from Fayetteville, and my mother’s from Kirk, and they met in West Virginia. A lot of family lineage and nostalgia was built from being in the state at such a young age for so long and talking about it. I have a lot of respect for the people in the state; they are the salt of the earth, and I am glad I am able to come here and be a part of it.

 

“Working with Dana will be a special thing. We have a lot in common as far as football, recruiting and the business. I have a great deal of respect for him from A-Z. I think he is an unbelievable football coach, as good as they come, and when I had the opportunity to work for him, I jumped at it. I had some other opportunities, but the combination of all the above was what attracted me to this opportunity, and I am excited to get started.”

 

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Wickline earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida in health, physical education and recreation in 1983. He is married to the former Nicki Sturdivant and has three children - Lacey, Kelby and Lauren.