Waiting for the Fall: A Decade of Dreams, Drama and West Virginia University Football Paperback – March 13, 2012

If you're looking at this book, you're no doubt wondering, "Is there anything in there that I don't already know?" The answer to the question: There's enough to make it fun, as the pages will turn quickly for any fan of college football. Notice I said "college football" and not "Mountaineer fan." Casazza writes about an athletic department that is simply entertaining. In it, you have bona fide characters . . . Rich Rodriguez, who is the talented, successful character who decided he was worth so much more . . . Bill Stewart, the home grown but in-over-his-head fool . . . Oliver Luck, the decisionmaker who essentially rules with an iron fist . . . and Dana Holgorsen, who represents the hopes and dreams of the fans. One can't help but think that if this book has a sequel, Holgorsen's story will closely resemble that of Rodriguez.Most fans will probably be most interested in the Fiesta Bowl aftermath. Your suspicions of the hiring of Bill Stewart are probably true and very disappointing that adults are capable of such stupid decisions.One of the things that's frustrating with sports coverage these days is that ESPN will put out an opinion, everyone on the network will agree with it, and then your buddies will randomly bring up the same topic (and opinion) in conversation later. This book spits in the face of that notion, as it starts off with a foreward by Mike Patrick giving his strong opinion on a subject, and then spends almost 300 pages (and an editor's note) going against it. I love that. As with most Mountaineer fans, we all want the team to win, but hardly any of us agrees on anything else.Going beyond the Bill Stewart issues, there are many things in Waiting For the Fall that are enjoyable to read even though they are not bombshells. Specifically, revisiting the Sugar Bowl win (love it), "13-9" (it still hurts), RichRod's departure (it doesn't still hurt), the many ridiculous quotes from Bill Stewart, etc., are all interesting as Casazza weaves in quotes from the key participants, statistics that aren't as readily available to a newspaper when writing on a deadline, and - as he typically does in the Charleston Daily Mail - sticks with facts that allow the reader to form his or her own opinion but not shying away from the actual stories.The title, Waiting For the Fall, at first made me think it was only a reference to Bill Stewart. Casazza points out that it's actually the mindset of the entire West Virginia fanbase. Think that's not true? Try standing at Mountaineer Field of a game West Virginia is winning by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and shouting out, "This game is over."If I were to compare this book to others in the marketplace, I would compare it to a John Feinstein book but without all the "filler." For instance, in The Last Amateurs, Feinstein writes about very interesting stories within the Patriot League basketball conference, then regurgitates at least 50 pages of play-by-play of games that no one cares about and add nothing to the stories he's telling. Casazza eliminates the play-by-play in favor of the stories... which are perfectly segmented chapter-by-chapter such that each chapter is its own story.Truth is, this book took me back to the good times and the bad. It caused me to make an impulse purchase of a WVU football jersey - even though I read it in March. I can't think of a higher compliment, and hope that this isn't Casazza's last book but that the title of the next book has the words "National Championship" in it.

This book is fun and very readable; I finished it in a couple sittings. Lots of good information. My favorite parts were the sections about the end of the Rich Rodriguez era and the start of the Dana Holgorsen reign. Tons of tidbits I either had forgotten or never knew. It's not a perfect book. The narrative jumps around a lot and at times is confusing. There also is not a ton of ex post facto reaction; much of it is written as it was reported at the time, with almost no follow-up. But overall it's a very enjoyable read. And if the author writes another book about WVU football I almost certainly will buy it!!

I have enjoyed West Virginia University football for 40+ years. I saw Jim Carlen and Bobby Bowden coach. I am a devout Don Nehlen fan. I have remained a dedicated fan since Rich-Rod entered the scene in 2001. However my hesitation to whole-heartedly embrace the 2012 team can be explained in this book.Insightfully titled, the book chronicles the WVU football program beginning at the end of Coach Nehlen's career, and accurately describes how many fans feel about West Virginia football and the emotional roller-coaster it never lets us exit. The text reminds everyone that WVU is the winningest Division I football program (#15 all-time) without a national championship!The team's history, detailed in this book, explains why I sat nervously awaiting the second half of the Orange Bowl, worrying that the Mountaineers might find a way to lose despite a 49-20 halftime lead.The book documents the demise, deception and departure of Coach Rich Rodriguez, the elevation and eventual exit of Coach Bill Stewart, as well as the ascension and acceptance of Coach Dana Holgorsen.I encourage all West Virginia fans to read "Waiting for the Fall", and don't wait till the Fall to do so!Dr. Stanley E. Toompas, Optometristand Author of "I'm the One the Other Isn't"

Mike Casazza is a long time West Virginia Mountaineer football fan and a writer of that program. So this book was a passion project for him. And you could easily tell that Casazza eats, sleeps, and breathes Mountaineer football just by the way this book was written.Within Waiting for the Fall, Casazza mixed in good journalism as well as his personal feelings about Mountaineer football in the early 21st century.Reading this book just brought back memories of the years I use to be a loyal follower of the Helix High School football team, the San Diego State football program, and the San Diego Chargers franchise from 1993 to 2004.This is one of those type of books where if you're not a Mountaineer football fan, were not a follower of the old Big East football conference, or you're a casual football fan then you will have hard time finishing this book.Me personally, I followed the defunct Big East conference and Mountaineer football as a kid and adult way over in Southern California, so I knew what time it was when I received this book from Amazon.Want an education on Mountaineer football in the 21st Century? Well, Waiting for the Fall is a good place to start.

This is a good book for wvu fans to read. It was fun for me to look back on some of these games that I attended as a season ticket holder