MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University football coach Dana Holgorsen met with members of the media prior to today’s spring practice taking place at the newly renovated Steve Antoline Family Practice Facility.

 

In addition to the media, a couple hundred high school football coaches are here today observing practice, the sixth of the spring for the Mountaineers.

 

“There is a lot of space out there for us to be able to get some practice stuff done,” noted Holgorsen. “The practice fields are working out great, guys are excited about playing, guys are excited about their facility and we’re getting a lot of good work in.”

 

Holgorsen said he is pleased with the progress that his team has made so far, specifically mentioning the development the offensive line is making under veteran coaches Ron Crook and Joe Wickline.

 

Holgorsen said he is also handling the wide receivers right now on the field until he can hire a wide receivers coach to replace Lonnie Galloway, who left to become co-offensive coordinator at Louisville before the start of spring ball.

 

“I’ve got a pretty long history with coaching receivers and I’m really excited about this group. It’s been fun for me to be able to be in the room with these guys,” Holgorsen said. “Coaches have opportunities to move on and I’m never going think that’s a negative thing. Guys who leave here for promotions is very positive for our program. I’ve been pretty fired up about getting into the receiver room and doing stuff that I once did for 15 years.”

 

Holgorsen said he is not sure when he will have that position filled.

 

“There has been a lot of interest in this job and I’m pretty confident we’ll a guy in here that can help make us better,” he noted.

 

Other spring practice tidbits …

 

* Holgorsen touched on several personnel matters regarding this year's team …

 

Sophomore running back Jacky Marcellus has informed the coaching staff of his plans to transfer to another school to seek more playing time.

 

“Academically, he’s in good standing and I will always try and support a guy that just wants to try and go somewhere to play,” said Holgorsen.

 

Additionally, Holgorsen said senior place kicker Josh Lambert, senior defensive end Larry Jefferson and sophomore wide receiver Jovon Durante are not participating in practice this spring for a violation of team rules.

 

“We anticipate having all three of those guys back for summer,” he said.

 

Additionally, sophomore running back Donte Thomas-Williams is also suspended for the spring for what Holgorsen termed “conduct detrimental to the team.”

 

Holgorsen said his future status with the team is yet to be determined.

 

* Two early enrollees, quarterback Cody Saunders and wide receiver Marcus Simms, are back home this weekend dealing with personal matters, according to Holgorsen, although the coach said he expects them to be back in Morgantown next week.

 

* Sophomore wide receiver Gary Jennings is wearing a green jersey today because of a minor wrist injury but the sophomore is expected to be cleared for contact work next week. Also, senior bandit safety Jarrod Harper continues to be sidelined while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Harper should be cleared for work later this summer.

 

* Coming off an MVP performance in the Cactus Bowl in January, senior quarterback Skyler Howard continues to look comfortable operating West Virginia’s offense, says Holgorsen.

 

“The last time he played live football he threw for (532) yards, second all-time in the history of West Virginia football and it’s storied past,” said Holgorsen. “I’m really happy with what we’re doing up front with Coach (Ron) Crook and Coach (Joe) Wickline. Those guys are working well together and it’s really improving our pass protection, which, in turn, is making Skyler a little bit more comfortable.

 

“The better he is with the timing aspect of the receivers the better everything is. It’s not just him and his development but also everybody around him.”

 

* With Thomas-Williams suspended and Marcellus seeking another place to play, the running back position has just one experienced player returning - senior Rushell Shell. Holgorsen said Shell is performing well, plus, true freshman Kennedy McCoy from Lexington, North Carolina, appears to be better than advertised.

 

“Kennedy McCoy is way, way, way better than expected,” said Holgorsen. “He’s wearing number four out there (Wendell Smallwood’s old number) and he resembles the other number four. He’s on track and he’s a smart kid who is picking things up.”

 

Touted junior college transfer Justin Crawford and Detroit prep standout Markell Pettaway will join the running back room later this summer.

 

* Holgorsen said the placing kicking duties right now are being handled by Hurricane native Mike Molina and Morgantown resident Billy Kinney.

 

John Young, a freshman from Advance, North Carolina, will join the program later this summer.

 

* Holgorsen was asked about his defense, which has to replace eight starters from last year’s unit that experienced across-the-board improvement under defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.

 

“They look the same to me. We’re in year three of the same scheme,” said Holgorsen. “Those guys are flying around and doing a great job. You look at the first team defense right now and it’s loaded full of juniors and seniors. We’re at a point in this program where we’re not replacing graduated guys with new guys.”

 

* Today’s practice will feature mostly drill work with some two-minute offense mixed in. This is the second fully-padded practice of the spring.