WVU Wren Baker Coaching Search Press Conference 12/3/24

[@brendann6848]

Wren is a great AD, we're lucky to have him.

[@ChristopherWest-hc3nr]

I'm so glad we have Wren as the AD. He does it the right way, and he is the best we have had at WVU.

[@Gr8H8ful8]

Wren will be a WVU legend. I hope he stays for a long time.

[@jerryjustice8026]

They pay him he will

[@tutnod2449]

This type of thinking is the exact cause for disappointment in the world.

[@magicray5088]

I think Wren is a good guy and has a good head on his shoulders but WVU should never be looked at like you would look at other schools, or compare us to other texas programs... we don't have big oil money or a large state with a large population ... every coach that has won at WVU had to win with less... so sure we all would like to have the Ohio State / State Penn resources but we do not and most likely will never have that money... so , stop saying we are 10th to 12th in money so that is why we are 10th & 12th in our league ... it takes more to coach here and work here ... and we don't have time for people telling us we deserve what we pay for... anyone that says those things aren't special to me... you are average at best if you can't get more from what you have.

[@wvgolfnut1]

I really liked NB. Wren is right saying that he was a great ambassador for the university. Hated it that he didn't do better, but hopefully, he'll learn from his experiences here in WV and have success down the road.

[@BigE7375]

I feel we are in good hands with this guy running the ship

[@Earthether]

I really think wren is the best we could’ve gotten

[@ElJefe75]

What a class act. We landed a great AD!

[@toshmiller5571]

Wren has slimmed down!

[@michaelolenick4078]

Wren was a diet last year!

[@A_A_Ron78]

Ozempic for sure

[@voidofthought]

@@A_A_Ron78 was just saying that to myself. Quickly went from, "Wren lost weight and looks great" to 'Is Wren ok?"

[@BrianRussell-b4i]

@@A_A_Ron78 - Yup! I have several family members in the medical field (Internal Med doc., 2 Nurse Pract., Anesthesiologist.) and they all have said its abundantly clear when someone loses weight due to Semiglutides, (among others like Wegovy, Ryplesus, etc). A few have said Wren used them for sure. Seems like a "miracle"; but they ALL warn there are untested/unintended side effects that may prove very serious. But - to each his own.

[@Earthether]

Ozempic

[@dezcaughtit3103]

I think mountaineer fans who have listened to you talk about your process, we trust you 100%. Theirs 3-5 Different names im sure you hear from the Mountaineer faithful, but TRUST we will accept and embrace whoever it is you choose. I know this program is in a better spot now than before Wren got here and it’s only beginning. If he hits on this BIG hire, back the brinks truck up to Wren’s house immediately! 😂

[@magicray5088]

sure but lets hold on to that brinks truck just a little longer... just because our Basketball team has done well in November doesn't mean we will win more than 10 games this year ... We have a serious issue with lack of size down low and that will be exposed soon enough.

[@dezcaughtit3103]

You do realize we won’t know how good this coach is until couple years go by 😂 By that time we will have went through atleast 2 basketball seasons too so I think we’ll know by that time whether Darian is right or not also.

[@jaymzcormack7555]

Wren is a class act and a smart guy. We are blessed to have him.

[@rollme1kenobi768]

Wren is awesome!

[@WVKnifeEnthusiast]

as many others have said, we are very fortunate to have Wren as our AD. He is top notch!

[@dpwriston]

Wren is a class act and a great leader. I believe history will reveal what we already know.

[@drpiv]

Brown punched most every box. Sure wish it worked out. Best to him always. Sad that it did not work out.

[@Jbob37]

Soooo impressed with this man!

[@WestVirginiaRocker]

LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS...!!!! 💙💛💙💛💙

[@johnshaffer2922]

Wren, You now have my full respect. You are a straight up and forward honest man. I now have full confidence in your decision!!

[@daltonlowery7448]

Wvu is in great hands that’s all there is to it

[@wildflowrecordsandmedia6355]

in wren we trust....

[@Commentleaver-c6x]

Do you know him personally?

[@billhaynes400]

Wren is a gem. He is a little like Winston Churchill. He is adept at telling people where to go and making them look forward to the trip. Mountaineer nation is lucky to have this dude at the athletic helm.

[@brendanabel4728]

Love to hear that stadium renovations are on the table. WVU stadium was modeled after ISU’s stadium. ISU has since added the Sukup endzone club - indoor bar, bathrooms, concessions. I hope WVU adds something similar

[@bconawa2]

We’ve got a great AD. Glad he’s a Mountaineer. Go get us another good one Mr. Baker

[@haroldmellottjr1762]

So sorry that Neal had to go. Always hoped that he would succeed because having quality people has always been more important to me than winning. Having a good person as coach, and good people on the team to represent WV is most important to me. So sorry that Wren had to do that. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@jamiebarker9073]

Were so fortunate to have Wren as our AD he's truly a class act. And I believe he will hit this hire out of Milan Puskar stadium.

[@timothygreen7708]

I have 100% confidence in Mr Baker he is a true man that does a great job 💪👍 I think he will choose the best coach for West Virginia and we will do a lot better than we have been.

[@WVPixelGuy]

I won't be around the day, he does, but when Wren Baker writes his book(s), I'd want to be around to be first in line to read it!

[@brianmiller1977]

Hoping its Andy Kotelnicki as HC+OC and Jahmile Addae as DC... When we look at any period when WVU has competed at a high level, there are some shared commonalities. When I look across the candidates, Andy Kotelnicki is by far the closest fit to those commonalities. A modernized & updated version of them to get us back to that creative & unique Brand of ball.

[@Herestotheroc25]

This is a good take. I like it

[@georgeedwards5468]

Has he ever been a head coach in power 4 or 5 ? I don’t think so. Rich rod all day PROVEN TO DO MORE WITH LESS !!!!

[@tutnod2449]

Well.... hate to break it to you..... but it's not.

[@georgeedwards5468]

@@brianmiller1977 he’s only a OC didn’t we do that with a coach that left for Houston? Yes yes we did didn’t work! RICH IS THE RIGHT ANSWER TO GET US BACK ON TRACK A POTENT OFFENCE LED BY A DUDE WHO PLAYED AT WVU ON DEFENCE

[@bigdaddystumps7930]

@@georgeedwards5468yep let’s go get the guy that back stabbed us in our most important moment

[@jimmysneed1045]

Wren may be the only guy to move to WV & lose weight

[@jaredhoughton7630]

😂 this took me out.

[@jerryjustice8026]

For certain 😂

[@jimmysneed1045]

😂😂 no judgment, I only know from my own experience

[@Engineer1897]

Stay away from the pepperoni rolls!

[@DavidWvu]

He definitely hasn't been eating at my house. LOL😜

[@wv_myrtle_beach4391]

Sucks Wren will be plucked from here before long. Seems to be one of the highly intelligent and great AD.

[@RayEllaHoover-t9q]

Great interview.

[@RichardMcGuire-ik6fl]

We have a great AD, he did a great job with the basketball hires, he cares about WVU, the fans, so he will do well on this adventure.

[@justme8853]

I think we have a great AD, hope he stays for a long time

[@jerryjustice8026]

Im already freaking out 😂😂

[@epicsausage25]

He is saying everything a WVU fan wants to hear.

[@BillYearoutauthor]

LEAD ROLE, LEE PATTON MOVIE ~ If such a movie were ever made about WVU's legendary coach Lee Patton, the current AD at WVU (Wren Baker) would be PERFECT for the part! In writing my book (City of Champions: The Untold Legacy of Coach Lee Patton), I have come to know LP quite well over the last couple of years. I am completely blown away by how Lee and Wren look so much alike. Then there is the smile, the accent, the friendly/thoughtful manner, the adaptability, the overall philosophical approach. This excellent interview about the replacement of Coach Brown at WVU showcases those similarities. Both Lee Patton and Wren Baker are true champions, but I personally prefer Wren in the role of AD, rather than that of a film star. :)

[@schweber10]

I would like to work for Wren Baker

[@rudymcgraw2660]

Rich Rod !!!!! I think he learned his lesson

[@2ndDayRiffs]

Class!

[@VictorLupis-h8e]

Two Words…..Nick Saban Hopefully Pat Mcafee is in Coach Saban’s ear every Saturday morning pushing him to make a run in his home state. I know we won’t land Coach Saban but “Tis the Season” for miracles.

[@tutnod2449]

It's not Nick Saban but the new guy is Saban approved.

[@caseybicanich6385]

Keep drinking

[@ravengrady278]

Wren please hire Nick Saban, one season is all I’m asking for. 😂😩

[@johnshaffer2922]

Nick is helping behind the scenes. He doesn't want to be the coach though.

[@ravengrady278]

@ I saw where is said he would help, ok over here in fantasy land I know…one can dream though. 😂

[@ravengrady278]

@ I think the OC for Penn State could be a good option.

[@chrisrivera2]

Nick can coach one year and hand it off, just get things off in a positive direction

[@ravengrady278]

@@chrisrivera2 yes I agree, help a foundation so we can get off on the right foot.

[@YTUse601]

Wren's been hitting that ozemmie

[@billhaynes400]

Brennan Marion checks all the boxes he started off the press conference with.

[@epicsausage25]

Someone get this man a podcast!

[@BrianKessel-hx6vd]

He hired right for basketball so let's see

[@Commentleaver-c6x]

The football search doesn’t seem to be going well…

[@davidframe1613]

It's an easy choice it's Nick and if he doesn't want the job then it's Jimbo Fisher. That's also job security Baker. You can always blame the fans If it doesn't work out and you'll get another pick later down the road.

[@hughglass9618]

It’ll be neither of those two

[@JakeT304]

Wren Baker is clearly a very intelligent man, and I think he will find the right coach for the job. That being said, his comment around the 45 minute mark about being more concerned with winning than the quality of those wins is kind of concerning. From his position, it makes a lot of sense. Wins look good on paper and are good, but to be a truly great football program, the quality of those wins matters. It's more nuanced than just having wins.

[@matthewbeaver5026]

I'd guess that has to do with our scheduling outside the conference.

[@user-rv3ve3uo2w]

Str8 Class!

[@Utahtruckguy]

I thought that was Lloyd Christmas on the thumbnail

[@Jaydeekay-f7f]

Need to take time to make the right hire but not too long because we need to recruit

[@jwag2708]

Wren has a few "tells", I do think he's very organized and methodical but I don't think he would be great at poker! Glad we have him, though, you can definitely see that he cares.

[@BurdetteFam]

Wren is HIM! Andy kotelnicki PLEASE!!

[@loriray6711]

I trust wren. I have a feeling he’s going to have the new coach look for coordinators but it would have to be approved or vetoed by him. He’s not doing that again lol

[@braddeal3142]

I hope you see my comment wren.

[@eray27282]

Probably worry, concern

[@TreeDawg67]

I really hated to c Neil brown go he is a really nice guy and I wish him and his family the best I still think Tom hermen would be the go to guy

[@heypappy]

Marshall seems like they do not want Coach Huff, go get him.

[@tutnod2449]

Wren rhymes with Shumann. Coincidence?

[@brooks9184]

Done with the climb. We’ve been on this supposed climb for what feels like forever, but with NIL and the transfer portal I don’t see how we can build a good program anymore. It’s pay to win and we can’t pay to win 😅

[@rudymcgraw2660]

Rich Rod can do more with less !! I ain’t holding a grudge against him I believe in second chances, I got one in life and thank the Good Lord for it !!!!

[@davidwilliams4498]

I Truly wonder when he interview any candidate an ask him. What do you plan to do with our defense that got Brown fired... Brown clearly proved to me he is not a head coach.... You fire your defense coordinator an then 2 of last 3 games we run the same defense an give up 49 an 52 points. I swear with all I have why is WV scared to put 5 an 6 men on line stop run an get Max pressure on QB. Just blows my mind how Brown an Leslie thought you can lay back in a zone wear out your 3 lineman rushing the passer an get flat lit up. If I was Baker I would hire Georgia defense coordinator. Anyone realize WV biggest problem is defense an why we haven't been in top 25 or a major bowl in 13 long years.

[@therealBocaStudios]

NB was a joke from day 1. Never trust someone who tells you everything you wanna hear..everything NB had for results was the opposite of what he said. Wren gave him the extension. You have to talk to Byron Leftwitch and Jay Gruden..if we hire someone from a lower division then we’re screwed..run the football with a front office and remove the CEO responsibility from the HC. Rich Rod would be a huge mistake, he lost the Wv state recruits, lost Florida and barely had a Texas connection, we need a coach who will increase the B10 recruiting pool and Texas and Florida and get Wv state kids in-house..we haven’t filled the stadium with fans since Rich Rod left..Matt Campbell would also be a good candidate and Jimbo..lthe first phone call I’d make is to Nick Saban as a consultant to get a new coach/program restructuring…I’ve heard the Oc at Penn State and the Oc at GTech should also be front runners…

[@sunwheels]

Jimbo, Nick, and RR are being mentioned the most now. Jimbo imo makes the most sense and would be a massive improvement from Neal. Jimbo's a WV native, won a title, had historic recruiting classes, and coached in the most difficult conference in the country with a good record to back it up. Obviously his reputation has sunk due to the mediocrity of that season after recruiting the highest rated class ever, however considering how open the B12 is like Wren said I think he'd be the best fit out of those three and not as aged and forgotten as someone like RR.

[@hughglass9618]

Wren does not strike me as a guy to make any of those hires.

[@Commentleaver-c6x]

Jimbo is not in the running according to the creepy sounding Ross dellenger.

[@braddeal3142]

All I Want for Christmas Is Jimbo Fisher to be our head coach lol.

[@donjohnson6186]

I hope Rich Rod gets a fair chance because ge has won at p4 and he brings that nasty attitude that this team needs. But I do trust Wren, his track record proves that!

[@dannycook4522]

Why is Wren a great A.D. Is it because Brown left? He wrote his own story, so did Rich Rod.

[@georgeedwards5468]

BRING RICH ROD HOME AND WIN WITH ATTITUDE AGAIN AND STOMP PIT

[@jimhewitt5624]

He just said Ruch rod was a non starter

[@Goeers206]

I'd rather keep Neal than bring back Rich Rod

[@brendann6848]

As someone that was a student during the Rich Rod era.... no thanks. We're not going to be able to turn back the clock, and he's been very mediocre since he ABANDONED the program. He could have stayed and been the King... but his own ego led him to leave. No thanks, that would be an awful hire and set back the program another 5 years. Go find the next up and coming HC, we just saw what Kurt Cignetti did this year with Indiana... go find the next one.

[@jwdreamcatchersvide]

Rich Rod yes

[@Commentleaver-c6x]

@@jimhewitt5624no he didn’t.

[@RedBone-q2v]

Difficult day? It's been a difficult 4 years for the fans! Neal is a thief!

[@Goeers206]

Cry more

[@tball84]

Zoom interviews. Yeah they really "want to be there".

[@adamlewis3743]

Cheaper than hosting 20 guys who may or may not have other things going on. It's okay to not understand how this works, just keep quiet about it.

[@bradboo]

Now that Neal Clown is officially terminated, are you (BlueGoldNews) and the other clueless fans going to apologize to us pragmatic fans?

[@Matt-yz3iq]

Yea I heard they are putting together a list of all pragmatic fans , finding their cell phone numbers and calling each one individually to say they are sorry.

[@brendann6848]

I wanted Neal out as well, but what do you expect? From all accounts he was a super nice guy and did everything right off the field. I think it's ok to just move on now.

[@bradboo]

@@brendann6848 We are moving on but the idiotic fans who wouldn't listen should take accountability

[@hughglass9618]

Hell no they won't, completely silent now.