The West Virginia offensive coordinator was asked if he would assume all play-calling duties in the Fiesta Bowl, with head coach Rich Rodriguez off to Michigan.
"I've been doing that for four years,” Magee said. "Nothing's going to change. That's what you guys assumed happened.”
Well, yes. Rodriguez created West Virginia's spread option offense and is considered an offensive guru. But Magee said West Virginia won't miss his past and future boss in terms of process. He said the Mountaineers will miss Rodriguez's input and suggestions.
"I'm going to miss him not being on the field,” Magee said. "The last four years, we've had a great partnership calling plays.”
West Virginia often runs a no-huddle offense, which means plays can be called both before and after the teams square off at the line of scrimmage. Magee said those have been his responsibility and will remain so.
And Magee said Rodriguez rarely was involved in putting together the game plan.
"He's got a lot of other jobs he's gotta do,” Magee said. "That's what we're for.”
Interim head coach Bill Stewart, who coaches tight ends, said: "It won't change a bit. Like we've done all year, Calvin Magee, (quarterbacks coach) Rod Smith and myself will be doing most of that.
"This football staff is a team.”
A fractured team. Rodriguez is gone and took defensive backs coach Tony Gibson with him. After the bowl game, Magee will join them in Michigan.
Magee went to Ann Arbor, Mich., for Rodriguez's introductory press conference but decided to return temporarily to the Mountaineers.
"I'm close to those guys,” he said of his offensive players. "I just felt I needed to stay and put closure on it.
"I said, ‘Rich, I want to coach the bowl.' He gave me his blessing.”
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