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West Virginia's forward Pat Suemnick has made the decision to enter the transfer portal after spending the last two seasons in Morgantown. Under the mentorship of coaches Bob Huggins and Josh Eilert, Suemnick embraced his role on the team, particularly this season where he found himself playing a more significant role due to injuries. Despite the challenges, he showcased his skills, averaging 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game across 21 appearances. Throughout the season, Suemnick's contributions were notable, especially in key matchups like the upset victory against Kansas, where he delivered a stellar performance, scoring 20 points and securing six rebounds. Expressing gratitude for his time with the Mountaineers, Suemnick took to social media to reflect on his journey, stating, "It has been an honor to suit up in the blue and gold for the past two years. I will cherish the memories and relationships I’ve built forever." https://twitter.com/suemnickpatrick/status/1778130607492542573?s=46 As Suemnick embarks on the next chapter of his basketball career, he leaves behind a heartfelt message to the Mountaineer Nation, acknowledging the warm reception he received as a player from Green Bay, Wisconsin. His departure marks the fourth player from West Virginia to enter the transfer portal this offseason, joining Kerr Kriisa, Josiah Harris, and Seth Wilson. Despite the changes, Suemnick's contributions and appreciation for his time in Morgantown will undoubtedly be remembered by fans and teammates alike.

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- In an article with WTRF-7News in Wheeling, West Virginia, former West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins who he will support in the upcoming Republican primary election for Governor of West Virginia on May 14, 2024. Huggins, 70, who reportedly considered a run for Governor himself earlier in the year, said he is throwing his full support behind candidate Chris Miller. Miller, who runs car dealerships in the state, describes himself as a "Trump conservative and the most successful fundraiser for Trump in West Virginia." When Miller announced that he was running for governor, he said the following: "I’m running because I think we need a business minded person that knows how to run businesses, to run our government, grow our economy, add population to our state and move us into the economy of the 21st and the 22nd century. I think we need job creators running the state." Huggins believes that Miller is the right man for the job. "I know what it takes to win here in West Virginia, and Chris Miller is cut from the same cloth,” Huggins said. “Chris Miller’s drive to secure the future for West Virginia is like a fullcourt press – relentless and unstoppable. It’s time for a leader who knows how to take the punches and keep fighting for the West Virginians. I’m proud to endorse Chris Miller for Governor because I know he’s got the determination and the grit to lead West Virginia forward.” Milller was extremely grateful to receive Huggins' endorsement, saying, “I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of Coach Bob Huggins, a true West Virginia icon. Coach Huggins knows what it means to be a Mountaineer, and I am humbled to have his support as we fight to take on the good old boys club in Charleston and deliver victories for West Virginians.” Huggins will be in Wheeling today (Thursday) to make his endorsement of Miller official.

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Moments ago today on The Pat McAfee Show, former West Virginia University punter/kicker turned media superstar, Pat McAfee, announced that he is returning to Morgantown to perform a live show to benefit West Virginia's NIL Collective, Country Roads Trust, and WVU's Children's Hospital! McAfee made a bet with ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit prior to the start of the season about whether the Mountaineers would win more than 6 games, and of course West Virginia ended up winning 9 games last season. McAfee said that Herbstreit will accompany him at the live show to pay up for his bet. "I'm going to go ahead and announced it now even though I don't know if it's possible," McAfee said today. "Kirk Herbstreit and I are going to do a live show in Morgantown soon to benefit WVU's Children's Hospital and their NIL (Country Roads Trust)!" "Thank you, Kirk Herbstreit, for paying up on your bet," McAfee continued. "We're going to help kids in West Virginia and the football program! Let's Go!" See the full clip from The Pat McAfee Show below: https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1766183028076826998?s=20

MORGANTOWN, WV - During WVU’s 81-70 loss to Texas Tech this evening, the 70th Mountaineer mascot was officially named. Braden Adkins from Richwood, West Virginia will be the next to don the coonskin and musket. https://twitter.com/westvirginiau/status/1764096254743613520?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Adkins takes over for Mikel Hager who has served as WVU’s mascot since 2023. Here is what he had to say about the honor: “The experience I have gained as the alternate mascot has made me fully realize this is my passion. I've loved every minute of my current role, but being named the next Mountaineer will allow me to fully utilize my ability to give back to the people of West Virginia as the spokesperson for both the University and my state." -Article VIA West virginia university Adkins beat out Elijah Jones, Cade Kincaid, and Justin Wayright for the mascot position. He will take over sometime later this year, per WVU. (Photo via West Virginia University) 

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Yesterday, it was announced that Desiree Reed-Francois was leaving the University of Missouri to become the new director of athletics at Arizona. Missouri will now conduct a search for its new Athletic Director and current West Virginia AD Wren Baker is said to be a top candidate for the position. It's unclear whether Baker has any interest in the position, but many supporters of Missouri feel that Baker would be the best person for the job. Earlier today, the Columbia-Missourian released its "top eight candidates to take over Missouri athletics', and Baker was once again near the top of the list. Baker was mentioned second behind current Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch with the following said about him: "Baker has served as athletic director for the Mountaineers since 2022. Baker, an Oklahoma native, has taken jobs in Missouri in two different stints, first as athletic director at Northwest Missouri State from 2010-13 and most notably as deputy director of athletics at Mizzou from 2015-16, when he was the chief of staff under Mack Rhoades. Baker was appointed interim athletic director at Missouri in July 2016 after Rhoades left in the wake of the previous year’s racial equality protests. Baker left MU at the beginning of Jim Sterk’s tenure to become athletic director at North Texas, where he remained until taking the West Virginia job." Again, it's not clear whether Baker would have any interest in the position or not, but Missouri will certainly consider him to be one of the best, most qualified people for the position. Some sources have suggested that Baker is very happy in West Virginia and will likely stay, while others believe that he's had a very rough year at WVU with the forced resignation of legendary basketball head coach Bob Huggins and that he could be interested in looking at other jobs. It is very tough to turn down a job in the SEC that is closer to his home, so it will be interesting to see what he decides. https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1760071145162744148?s=20

MORGANTOWN, WV - WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker has had quite the experience in Morgantown. Arriving at West Virginia University in December of 2022, Baker inherited a mess that only became worse as the year went on. He has not only had to deal with a football program that was on the verge of tanking, but is now in the midst of a controversial coaching search with the men's basketball program. The University of Missouri is now on the trail looking for their next athletic director following the departure of Desiree Reed-Francois to Arizona. Many outlets have started to list candidates who may be closely connected to the job. To the surprise of nobody, Baker has found himself on the wishlist for many Missouri fans. According to Missouri's Rivals website PowerMizzou.com, Baker was listed as their number one candidate for the opening. https://twitter.com/PowerMizzoucom/status/1759639086112121052?s=20https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1759658686471877061?s=20 Baker previously spent time as the athletic director at North Texas prior to his arrival at West Virginia. He also spent time as the Athletic Director of Missouri State from 2010-2013, and the Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Missouri from 2015-2016. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for any updates that may arise regarding the situation. https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1759658686471877061?s=20 (Photo by WVU Athletics)

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Moments ago, West Virginia high school State champion Gunner Andrick committed to wrestle for the Mountaineers! Andrick, a senior at Point Pleasant High School, is a four star athlete who has gone 38-3 with 13 pins in the 132 pound weight division. Andrick, a Letart, West Virginia native, said the following on his Instagram account: “Excited to announce I’ll be calling Morgantown home after high school!”

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MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Moments ago, West Virginia's director of athletics, Wren Baker, took to social media to respond to a critic who claimed that West Virginia University has not done enough in terms of helping to get WVU guard RaeQuan Battle eligible this season. An account called "Get WVU Baseball Chartered Flights" intially said, "Wren Baker and Gordon Gee need to do more. WVU has been way too quiet!" Baker responding by saying the following: "I don't usually respond to social media experts this one I'm going to. The committee doesn't have Twitter comments in their packet so none of the public comments people actually make a difference. It does not get to the committee and it does not have an impact." Baker went on to say, "We have spent a lot of time and resources including using a law firm that specializes in waivers & NCAA related issues to assist. Saying that we haven’t 'done enough' is pretty uniformed and off base when you don’t have any experience on how the process works and what goes into it. Our compliance team, University general counsel and outside counsel have done everything possible on both the initial waiver and the appeal." See the full conversation below: https://twitter.com/wrenbaker/status/1726737465883390464?s=20

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- West Virginia's director of athletics, Wren Baker, is going to be busy next offseason with the likely hiring of head coaches in the school's top two programs, football and basketball. Baker was clear when Josh Eilert was hired as the team's interim head coach that he was only the interim and that he would conduct a national search following the season. With the Mountaineers losing two potential starters in Jose Perez and RaeQuan Battle, it's going to be extremely difficult for Eilert to do enough in one year to show that he's worthy of a being named the team's permanent head coach. As unfair as that is, that is the position that Eilert and his staff are currently in. In addition, Neal Brown is back squarely on the hot seat after losing two consecutive games - at Houston and at home against Oklahoma State - and with a 26-28 overall record and a 16-23 record in the Big 12 Conference. With that said, Baker will almost certainly hire brand new head coaches in football and basketball for the upcoming season. Here are the coaches that I predict that could lead the Mountaineers in 2024. (Remember, it's very early on in the process and a lot can change in six months): Basketball I believe Wren Baker will be okay with hiring an up-and-coming basketball head coach. In football, he'll want to focus on a proven winner to remove the stench of Neal Brown, but in basketball, I think he will be willing to take a risk on the right candidate. I believe that right candidate could be Pat Kelsey, the current head coach at the College  of Charleston. Kelsey, 48, has led Charleston to a 48-19 record (.716 winning percentage) over the last two seasons and was just as good at Winthrop in the previous 9 seasons, finishing 186-95 while finishing in first place in the Big South Conference four times. A former point guard at Xavier, he’s a Cincinnati native who coached and learned under Chris Mack, and he has a squeaky clean image, a strong work ethic and a job like West Virginia would be an ideal next step for him. Although he's not incredibly sexy pick, he would be an outstanding hire. Other possibilities: Andy Kennedy (flirted with West Virginia during the offseason but chose to remain at UAB), Ben McCollum (has won four of the last 6 Division II national championships and was previously hired by Wren Baker at Northwest Missouri State), Bob Huggins (he desperately wants his job back and will have tremendous support from boosters/donors, despite the school's displeasure with the way he left the program). Football Unlike in basketball, Baker will have to hire an absolute slam dunk to lead the football program and will take no risks here. He needs a proven winner and someone that the entire fanbase can get behind. While that is certainly a difficult task, there are a few head coaches that check all (or most) of the boxes. Choice 1A Jimbo Fisher checks nearly every box. Look, I realize that he's struggled to win consistently at Texas A&M over the last couple of years, but he's in the most difficult conference (SEC) in the nation and the expectations are through the roof in College Station. However, he has won a national championship, he's a West Virginia native and if he gets fired at Texas A&M, coming home to coach the Mountaineers would be an ideal scenario for him.  Fisher, 58, has an incredible 126-47 record as a head coach and is 8-2 in bowl games. He's likely to be fired at Texas A&M if they don't turn their season around drastically, and if West Virginia has an opening, it's hard to think that either party would not gladly make this happen. Choice 1B Curt Cignetti just might be the safest, easiest choice ever for Wren Baker. He's 48-8 overall at James Madison in 5 seasons, he's a former West Virginia quarterback, he's a West Virginia University graduate, his dad is the former head coach of the Mountaineers, and he's a former Nick Saban assistant. Cignetti, 62, has James Madison in the Top 25 this season with a 7-0 record and a top university is going to pursue him in the offseason and West Virginia will certainly be interested. Other possibilities: Tony Gibson (major support from boosters and could win big at West Virginia, but has no Division 1 head coaching experience), Jamey Chadwell (has won everywhere he's gone, but would he be willing to leave Liberty after only one successful season?), Rich Rodriguez (very divisive choice with the fanbase, but has done very well at Jacksonville State and would likely take a smaller salary to return home).