Holgorsen apologizes after reported incident

Published November 20, 2014

West Virginia offensive coordinator and head coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen issued an apology after it was reported he was asked by police officers last week to leave a casino.

Neither Holgorsen nor athletic director Oliver Luck specifically addressed what happened last week at Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Cross Lanes, W.Va., but both issued statements Wednesday.

"As a football coach, I am always in the public eye and I have to hold myself to a higher standard, which is what I ask our players to do," Holgorsen said. "I'm sorry that this incident has put the university and the football program in a difficult position. I will not put myself in that situation again."

The Charleston Gazette and the Charleston Daily Mail each reported the Nitro Police Department responded in the early morning hours of May 18 to a call from the casino.

Nitro Police spokesman Patrolman Raymond Blake told the newspapers Holgorsen cooperated with law enforcement and no one was arrested or charged.

"After looking into the details and thoroughly investigating what took place last week, I believe inappropriate behavior did occur," Luck said. "Coach (Bill) Stewart and I have made it clear, and will reiterate, that our coaches and staff are representing the university and the state at all times. We expect them to always display appropriate behavior.

"I take this matter very seriously, but I do not plan on commenting on it further."

Luck hired Holgorsen away from Oklahoma State after last season and immediately said he would replace Stewart as head coach in 2012.

Holgorsen will make $750,000 as offensive coordinator — $200,000 less than Stewart's base salary. Holgorsen will start at $1.4 million, plus incentives and bonuses, as head coach. His deal runs through 2016.

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