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Why Slaton left WVU for NFL

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West Virginia's Steve Slaton began last season as a Heisman Trophy candidate, but his dream season never unfolded. Most observers thought he would need to return to school for his senior season to re-establish himself as an elite running back. Slaton was leaning toward coming back until mid-December, when Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia to coach at Michigan, taking with him a number of his assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Calvin Magee, who also worked with running backs. In Slaton's eyes, that meant he would have to start over with new coaches, and he just wasn't interested in that. He decided to roll the dice and enter the NFL draft early.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steve Slaton , Andy Lyons/Getty Images Steve Slaton , Andy Lyons/Getty Images
February 27, 2008  06:58 AM ET

He left because he realized he was in the most dysfunctional program in the nation at that point. Or possibly, he wasn't happy with the course offerings at WVU...

February 27, 2008  08:02 AM ET

Dont matter he wont even go in the 2 round prpbably stupid move i think he left because Noel Devine showed his ass up at the bowl game

February 27, 2008  08:23 AM ET

This is the part of the RR arrival I hate as a Michigan fan, when it plays with the future of student athletes. (all the other crap with administration isn't as important as students).

Best of Luck to Slaton, he has tons of talent, and could be nice second option for a team while he develops.

February 27, 2008  09:35 AM ET

Yes, he has lots of talent...good player..

February 27, 2008  09:36 AM ET

could end up like Bradshaw for the Giants....

February 27, 2008  10:19 AM ET

If I were him, that decision would be a toss up. New coach + Noel Devine vs. Year of experience + Pat White.

February 27, 2008  10:25 AM ET

He left because his coach left.

February 27, 2008  10:49 AM ET

i agree with seanwhitt10... Slaton knows noel devine is better so he is jumpin into the draft b4 his stock completely drops

February 27, 2008  11:15 AM ET

let's see....go to school, new coaching staff, risk injury, or make 6 or 7 figures playing a game. gosh, tough decision.

February 27, 2008  11:25 AM ET

Elvis got it right, he has a child and after being broke for years, could use the money. Another year in college with the risk of injury is just too big of a gamble. He broke the touchdown records at WVU, so he doesn't need to prove anything, and the "fear of Devine" talk is silly.
Good luck to you Steve, you were a pleasure to watch.
WVU FAN

February 27, 2008  11:56 AM ET

J Hova makes a good point, "his coach left". After that, why not go for the money?

February 27, 2008  12:17 PM ET

Thanks Jabril. It made sense to me. Coach Rodriguez left. He might as well go pro, instead of spending his senior season with a new coach.

February 27, 2008  12:26 PM ET

I wish him all the luck in the world, he'll need it. Think he should've came back for final year, his biggest problem(richfrauld)is gone. RR is a lousy coach, play caller.

February 27, 2008  12:50 PM ET

Finishing your degree is important, but get paid while you can. School will still be there long after your football career is over.

February 27, 2008  01:17 PM ET

His stock will drop if he stays.

WVU is going back to the toilet bowl and he'd have to split time with Devine so he wouldn't be the feature anymore.

February 27, 2008  02:54 PM ET

I personally think he is an idiot for leaving... WVU has the easiest route to the national title out of all the teams in college football.

I think he left for multiple reasons. One being that his carries had droped off dramatically. I think he got 7 carries in the PITT game, even while pat white was out... the backup QB had around 16 carries...he was plagued with injuries and didn't want to hurt his future, He knew next season he would carry even less of a role with the emergence of Noel Devine...andddd he just wanted the money.

All of the players have said coach STEW is better then RR. They all say they can focus 100% on playing and not on RR losing his temper and forgetting that it is his job to coach the team.

I think if Slaton would of came back WVU would of made it to national championship game.

February 27, 2008  03:26 PM ET

"I personally think he is an idiot for leaving... WVU has the easiest route to the national title out of all the teams in college football.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats hysterical!

February 27, 2008  04:10 PM ET

If it was so easy, then why wasn't there last year.

LMAO, for real.

February 27, 2008  04:11 PM ET

Oh my gosh. I must have a headache. What I meant to say is that if WVU road to the title was so easy, then why did they lose last year?

 
February 27, 2008  04:15 PM ET

ZY you must be an oklahoma fan with such an objective opinion on the matter. My god dude.

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