Morgantown, West Virginia – Dan Dakich, former college basketball head coach turned analyst for ESPN, commented on Duke’s Jalen Johnson opting out for the remainder of the season, saying, “In what other industry would we praise someone for walking out on their partner, teammates and co workers at the most important time of the year in their industry?”
Ironically, Dakich was once the Head Coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers…for 8 days.
When West Virginia fans pointed this out, Dakich replied by saying, “19 years later and ya’ll are still whining. Sorry if I hurt you but give it up it’s been 19 years. I’ve moved on to a great life and hope you can do the same.”
19 years later y’all still whining… sorry if I hurt you but give it up it’s been 19 years..I’ve moved on to a great life hope you can do the same
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) February 16, 2021
Dakich seemingly went on to claim that he would have won two national championships at West Virginia University if he decided to stay and called WVU a “nice lil program”: “Cost ya 2 NCAA Titles…nice lil program though.”
Cost ya 2 NCAA Titles.. nice lil program tho
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) February 16, 2021
When Dakich took the position in 2012, former 5 star recruit Jonathan Hargett allegedly approached his new coach and said he was owed $20,000 from West Virginia University. Dakich took this information to West Virginia University’s President at the time David Hardesty.
Hardesty, according to Dakich, claimed that Hardesty said, “If you go any farther with this, we’ll destroy you.” Dakich claimed during today’s West Virginia VCU game that the WVU President “came for him, which Hardesty vehemently denies.
Dakich decided to leave the team after 8 days on the job and go back to his old team, Bowling Green. This, of course, led to the hiring of John Beilein.
Dakich leaving was one of the best things that ever happened to West Virginia University sports. Now, as an analyst and commentator for ESPN, Dakich takes every opportunity that he has to bash and take shots at West Virginia.
