MAILBAG: Next Coach Prediction, Latest on Wren Baker, Portal Watch + More

Answering this week's questions from the fans.

From @EERSBeers:

Q: What is your reaction to the new position coaches being added? What do they bring?

A: I like Tyler Allen a lot. Although he didn't directly work with Garrett Greene in the past, he is a familiar face and knows what he needs his quarterback to do for this offense to be successful. When he was at Jacksonville State, he helped Zion Webb earn all-conference first-team honors. I think he'll be a good one.

As for Victor Cabral, I don't have much of an opinion on him merely because I don't know much about him. From everything I've been told, he's a good developer of talent and is someone players love to play for.

From @mpscxh752g:

Q: Right now, who do you think will be the next bball coach?

A: Gee, this is a toughie. I had a feeling this would be asked and rightfully so. Until we start getting word on interviews and how those went with prospective candidates, it's hard to really gauge. My way-too-early guess? Mark Byington from James Madison. The guy I'd go with Pat Kelsey of Charleston.

From @wvufan2023:

Q: Since we’re still over the scholarship limit, who do you think leaves to get us to 85?

A: Ah, yes the flight risk list. I'd say RB Jaylen Anderson, WR Jarel Williams, TE Victor Wikstrom, OL Maurice Hamilton, DL Taurus Simmons, and LB Brayden Dudley would be ones to watch. This isn't a list I've been handed, just some guys I wouldn't be surprised by if they did leave.

From @JeffAStump1:

Q: If this is what it appears to be, a Magic Eight Ball question, here goes. I’m not going to be able to attend the men’s senior night. Should I watch it on TV?

A: Jeff, I would suggest you kick back, put your feet up and throw on a movie and enjoy some family time. You're not going to be missing much. 

From @amayadeakins:

Q: How many yards and TDs is Jahiem White gonna get this year? 

A: Is 1,000 and 10 crazy? I really don't think so. I'm still a big believe in CJ Donaldson, but I think it's very possible that at some point, White earns the majority of carries. With his home run ability, 1,000 yards should be attainable. I mean, he did have 842 this past season and most of that came in the final month of the year.

From @Jackson48645777:

Q: Any other football transfers that we are going after?

A: Yes, but it's pretty quiet on that front right now. Once the portal re-opens on April 15th, things will start to pickup again. They would like to add at least 2-3 more transfers.

From @wvuremfan:

Q: Is WVU not going to go after a P5 coach, or are we destined for a mid-major coach? Just feels like we should go after a “name” coach. Back up the money truck to Jay Wright?

A: Jay Wright is out of reach. Yeah there was some rumors that WVU flirted with the idea last year, but I don't know how much truth there was to it. It was never going to happen. Early sense is it will be a mid-major coach. I don't see any other Power Five coaches leaving their current jobs to come here.

From @wi_thompson:

Q: Haven’t heard much lately about Wren Baker and the Missouri job. What is the status?

A: Glad you asked. I actually spoke with a Missouri source this morning about this and was told it's unlikely Baker would accept the job even with his prior connection and close-ish proximity to his home of Oklahoma. The Board of Curators recently implemented an oversight committee that will essentially have final say in decisions moving forward, sitting above the AD. It's expected to be a major turn-off for AD candidates and is believed to be one of the reasons why Desireé Reed-Francois left for Arizona. A local source told Mountaineers Now that Baker has no plans to leave WVU and is excited about what the athletic department is building. Baker makes sense for Missouri from a familiarity standpoint, but it doesn't feel like there's truly anything there.

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