The Cliff Notes version of the 11am announcement.

WVU President Mike Garrison says he's been through a few things, so he thinks it's time to drop the "new" in his title as president of West Virginia University.

Garrison mentions that it's good to have someone who understands "loyalty" on staff. Many questioned Rich Rodriguez's loyalty with his abrupt departure to Michigan.

WVU Athletics Director Ed Pastilong says Bill Stewart earned the job "the old fashioned way. He earned it."

The room is packed with 'Eers fans and alumni who have stuck around after the win in the Fiesta Bowl. WSAZ's Paul Gessler and Adam Cunningham are among them.

"We've been away but never gone (from West Virginia)," Stewart announced.

Stewart says he wants to be a West Virginian for life.

Stewart says it was a joy to work with the team the past couple weeks. He calls them the finest group of student-athletes anywhere in America.

"The people of West Virginia -- this game was for you last night," Stewart said.

"That game for me was for every assistant coach that never had the opportunity to get Gatorade dumped on 'em," Stewart said. "I often wondered what that would be like in the 33 years I've done this." Stewart says he didn't shower last night because he enjoyed it! He says his wife didn't mind.

Stewart says thirty years ago he proposed to his wife at a goal post at Magnolia High School. Before his wife came along, he told her football was number one in her life. He says "am I a great recruiter or what?"

Stewart promises to treat his players right.

"I don't deserve all this attention. I mean that. We're holding up a bus and a plane. Can you imagine that?" Stewart said.

"I just happen to be the lucky guy," Stewart said.

"Ive been interviewing, can I say, for a couple weeks? Longest interview in America," Stewart said.

Stewart says he made the deal last night with Garrison and Pastilong.

Every member of the coaching staff that wants to stay will have the opportunity to stay, according to Stewart.

Stewart says he never thought he'd have a chance to be a head coach again. He says he didn't put a lot of emphasis on it. He thought if it was meant to be, it would be.

Stewart says he told Pastilong he'd like to be considered. He says he never went to any player and asked them to promote him.

"This is my final job. Bar none -- I will never leave West Virginia University. And if I'm not getting it done, they won't have to tell me. I will tell them," Stewart said.

Reporters asked Stewart his biggest weakness. "I'm probably getting soft in my old age. I used to be a lot tougher," Stewart said.

"I told the team that there's times in your life to stop and smell the roses. We don't do that. I'm going to go home and smell the roses," Stewart said. "I told them enjoy this win."

Stewart says if he can get a hold of Governor Manchin, he'll have him call school off to celebrate the WVU victory.

Recruiting begins tonight. Tomorrow, he'll meet with coaches and get it underway.

Original story

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Interim West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart has been named head coach.

Athletic department spokesman Mike Fragale says Stewart will be introduced as head coach at an 11 a.m. Eastern time news conference at the team's hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The announcement follows 11th-ranked West Virginia's 48-28 win over No. 3 Oklahoma in last night's Fiesta Bowl.

Mountaineer quarterback Pat White, who ran for 150 yards and threw for 176 and two touchdowns, began stumping for Stewart on the field after the game.

White called Stewart a great man and a great coach who has the love and respect of all the players.

Stewart came to WVU as quarterback coach in January 2000 after two season as offensive coordinator in the Canadian Football League. The New Martinsville native was promoted from associate head coach to interim coach after former Mountaineer head coach Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan last month.

Stewart was head coach at VMI for three seasons starting in 1994.

His resume also includes stints as an assistant at Fairmont State, where he was a three-year letterman, and at Salem College, North Carolina, Marshall, William & Mary, Navy, Arizona State and Air Force.

The development comes just hours after WVU’s stunning 48-28 victory over Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

After the Mountaineers win, Pat White announced during the post-game celebration on the field that, "I think I speak for all the players when I say he (Coach Stewart) needs to be our head coach at West Virginia."

The following is Stewart's bio on the official WVU Athletic website.

"Bill Stewart is working with the Mountaineer tight ends this year after spending the last seven coaching the quarterbacks. He added the duties of special teams coordinator and was also promoted to associate head coach under Rich Rodriguez.

Stewart, a native of New Martinsville, W.Va., came to WVU as quarterback coach in January, 2000, from the Canadian Football League, where he served as offensive coordinator of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1999, tutoring two all-conference receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher. As offensive line coach for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes in 1998, Stewart's line blocked for Mike Pringle, the first 2,000-yard rusher in CFL history (and one of only six in the history of pro football).

A 1975 education graduate of Fairmont State, where he was a three-year letterman and team captain for the WVIAC champions in 1974, Stewart earned a master's degree in health and physical education from WVU in 1977.

Stewart's lengthy coaching resume began at Fairmont, where he was a student assistant coach for a season, before becoming an assistant coach at Sistersville (W.Va.) High School in 1975. In 1977, he moved to Salem College, where he was assistant football and head track coach for two seasons. In 1979, he moved to the University of North Carolina; he was later an assistant at Marshall (1980), William & Mary (1981-83), Navy (1984), North Carolina (1985-87), Arizona State (1988-89) and Air Force (1990-93). In 1994, Stewart became head football coach at VMI, where he was 8-25 over three seasons. His 1995 team was the highest scoring (24.5 ppg) squad in VMI history, and Keydet running back Thomas Haskins set a I-AA rushing record with 5,349 yards.

He and his wife Karen, also a native of New Martinsville, have one son, Blaine. "

Stay tuned to NewsChannel 3 and WSAZ.com for more information.