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Bill Stewart Remembered In Morgantown

Bill Stewart, former West Virginia head coach, has died after suffering what's being called a heart attack, West Virginia announced Monday afternoon.

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7 Total Updates since May 21, 2012
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Bill Stewart's Funeral, Memorial Schedules Set

Memorial arrangements are now in place for former West Virginia Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart, who passed away Monday after suffering an apparent heart attack while playing golf.

On Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m ET., a public memorial will be held at Morgantown's Waterfront Events Center, followed by a private Mass on Friday morning at St. Francis DeSales Church, also in Morgantown. Stewart's body will be buried in New Martinsville, his hometown.

Since his passing, Stewart has been remembered by state dignitaries and by WVU fans, along with dozens of former players and coaches and media members, as a kind coach and devoted family man. He took over a Mountaineers program that had just been left by its homegrown star and led it to a Fiesta Bowl upset victory, eventually putting up a 28-12 record in Morgantown.

For more on WVU football, visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.

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Remembering Bill Stewart: Peers And Friends Share Thoughts On Late WVU Coach

The world of college football was stunned on Monday with the news that former West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bill Stewart had passed away from a heart attack at the age of 59.

There has been a big outpouring of support and condolences, with many mourning the loss of Stewart on Twitter and elsewhere online.

The State Journal has a collection of comments from Stewart's peers, including this from former WVU coach Don Nehlen:

"I hired Bill in my last year when I was close to retiring. Bill was such a great Mountaineer and a great addition to our staff. It was a terrific hire -- he did a great job not only for me, but for Rich and as a head coach. Bill was such a great husband and a great father. Bill Stewart was a great Mountaineer. My heart goes out to Karen and Blaine."

The Pittsburgh Steelers released the following statement regarding Stewart:

We are saddened by the passing of Coach Stew. He was a great coach and a tremendous person. We not only lost a good football person, we lost an even better family man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Karen and his son Blaine.

Here is just a sampling of sentiment from Twitter:

Brett McMurphy at CBS Sports has also written a lovely piece about Stewart, so please go read that if you haven't already. Hoppy Kercheval of the Metro News also has written a great look back at the coach.

And finally, via Rivals.com, is this pre-game speech by Stewart prior to WVU's upset win in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl.

For more on West VIrginia Mountaineers football, please visit The Smoking Musket, or check out SB Nation Pittsburgh.

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West Virginia Fans React To Death Of Former Coach Bill Stewart

Despite leading West Virginia to a stirring win over Oklahoma in a Fiesta Bowl that still counts among the Mountaineers' finest moments, Bill Stewart was not exactly a beloved figure during his tenure on the sidelines in Morgantown. His death on Monday has given the West Virginia fans at The Smoking Musket, SB Nation's Mountaineers blog, a chance to reflect on his legacy.

The news of his passing today leaves me sad, humbled, and filled with regret. He was a lot more than a football coach. He was loyal to his God and family first. He was a father and a husband and probably the only college football coach in America with the balls to tell you. As cliche as it may sound, he wore that on his sleeve. Although that part of the man was sometimes used as a punchline, the wisdom of his words have never been more true than today.

For more on WVU football, visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.

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Bill Stewart Dies After Being Hospitalized For Heart Attack

Former West Virginia Mountaineers football coach Bill Stewart has died, West Virginia University announced in a brief release Monday afternoon that read simply, "Former West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart has died this afternoon from an apparent heart attack. No further details are available at this time."

Stewart reportedly suffered a heart attack while playing golf, after which he was reportedly rushed to Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment. He was 59 years old.

Stewart had lost his job at WVU last year during a complicated incident involving offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen. He had a 28-12 record at West Virginia, including a 2008 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma upon taking over for Rich Rodriguez, who'd left for Michigan.

Previously, Stewart had coached at WVU since 2000 as an assistant, with stints in the CFL, North Carolina and Air Force among his stops along the way.

Here was Stewart in one of his greatest and most treasured moments, preparing his team for that Fiesta Bowl victory, perhaps the biggest win in school history:

For more on WVU football, visit West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket, plus SB Nation Pittsburgh.

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