Amazing to think that he took the job when WVU football was still an independent....that was a long time ago

Jackson

Ed Pastilong, the longest serving athletic director in West Virginia University history, has agreed to a change in his current contract that will keep him at the university until 2012. But the just-signed agreement has Pastilong giving up the daily job responsibilities in 2010, then serving in a transitional role for 2011 and 2012.

That means WVU will have a new athletic director by July 1, 2010. University officials expect the search for a new AD to begin next year.

The revised deal is an amendment to Pastilong’s current contract that expires June 30, 2010. The amendment, signed by both Pastilong and WVU President Mike Garrison, raises Pastilong’s annual base salary from $196,000 to $225,000. He’s also eligible for incentive pay depending on the success of the various sports teams.

He also will receive a $100,000 incentive bonus if he remains on the job through June 30, 2010 as expected.

Between 2010 and 2012 Pastilong will serve as Athletic Director Emeritus. He’ll receive his base pay of $225,000 with no incentives. In that role, according to the agreement, Pastilong will assist with the transition of the new AD and other duties.

As athletic director Pastilong has operated a department with 17 varsity programs and approximately 500 student-athletes with an annual budget of over $41 million.

The period has been marked by significant success in several major sports. The football program has continued at a level of national prominence established under his predecessor Fred Schaus, while the men’s basketball team reached the Elite Eight, the Sweet Sixteen and last season won the NIT. Pastilong also presided over WVU’s admission to the Big East Conference.

Pastilong has also been subjected to criticism over the years. Most recently, supporters of departed football coach Rich Rodriguez blamed Pastilong for allowing the relationship between the coach and the athletic department to deteriorate.

He was also criticized for the ill-fated hiring of Dan Dakich in 2002 as the basketball coach. Dakich lasted just one week before quitting.

However, the disaster turned in WVU’s favor when John Beilein was hired, even though some athletic department backers were still upset with Pastilong for not hiring WVU alum Bob Huggins.

Then when Beilein left at the end of last season Pastilong quickly brought Huggins back to Morgantown.

Pastilong was hired as AD in July 1989. Before that he served as assistant athletic director for facilities and operations.

Prior to coming to WVU, Pastilong worked as a football coach at Scott High in Madison and Salem College.

Pastilong attended WVU where he played quarterback, lettering in 1964 and 1965. He graduated from WVU in 1966 with a degree in physical education. He later obtained a master’s degree from WVU.

He is a native of Moundsville.

I think he's just sick of the hybrid

wow, I didn't know he was there that long. Hopefully the transition period is not too painful.

A classy step in my opinion. I think he knows that he will be viewed as factor in RR's decision to leave with many. This move removes much of the pressure from that situation. By not stepping down immediately he is saying the fault does not fall primarily with him.

He has certainly lead a successful period in WVU sports history.

I think Pastilong was originally planning to retire in 2010. But WVU President Mike Garrison wants to ensure a smooth transition when the next AD is hired.

It's a smart move.

LaRue777 Wrote:A classy step in my opinion. I think he knows that he will be viewed as factor in RR's decision to leave with many. This move removes much of the pressure from that situation. By not stepping down immediately he is saying the fault does not fall primarily with him.

He has certainly lead a successful period in WVU sports history.

Alot of positives happened on his watch, but I wonder how many of those were in spite of Pastilong. He botched the basketball coaching hire in 2002 (only ending up with Beilein following Tranghese's advice), and Rodriguez and Huggins were no-brainers to be hired. His biggest accomplishment is probably keeping Mike Puskar happy.

Either way, things are on the uptick at the end of his watch.

I think Michigan will hire him as a consultant after he retires. He has already provided them with two great coaches