Former WVU Assistant Bill Kirelawich Trusted His Eyes With College Football Hall of Famer Steve Slaton
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Bill Kirelawich, a name synonymous with West Virginia University football and its tradition of outstanding coaching, remembers his first impression of Steve Slaton as if it happened yesterday. It was a moment that would prove pivotal not only for Kirelawich’s legacy but also for the future of WVU football.
Slaton, a record-breaking running back from Conyers, Georgia, was a prized recruit when he arrived on campus in 2004. Known for his electrifying speed, vision, and ability to change the course of a game with a single play, Slaton was the perfect fit for the high-powered Mountaineers offense that would soon become one of the most dynamic units in college football.
But it wasn’t just his numbers on paper that impressed Kirelawich, then an assistant coach under Rich Rodriguez at WVU. It was the way Slaton carried himself, his work ethic, and the way he moved on the field that made Kirelawich believe he was looking at a future star.
“I’ll be honest, when I first saw Steve on tape, I thought he had something special,” Kirelawich recalled in a recent interview. “But when I saw him in person, I knew we had something special. His combination of size, speed, and vision was unlike anything we had seen in years. And it wasn’t just his athleticism—this kid had a mindset that he was going to make something happen every time he touched the ball.”
Kirelawich’s trust in his own instincts would quickly prove to be the key to shaping one of the most explosive careers in WVU history.
Slaton’s journey to Morgantown began with a reputation as a raw talent who could run through defenses but lacked the technical polish expected of top-tier college running backs. However, under Kirelawich’s watch, Slaton developed into one of the most dangerous backs in the country.
During his time at WVU, Slaton would go on to accumulate over 4,000 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns. His performance was a key part of the Mountaineers’ success, which included a thrilling win in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma and a top-10 ranking in the national polls. Slaton’s contributions on the field were undeniable, but it was Kirelawich’s faith in his potential that helped mold him into a Hall of Famer.
“He had this incredible ability to make people miss in the open field, and what I loved most about him was his patience,” Kirelawich said. “He didn’t always take the first available hole; he had the vision to wait for the right opportunity to present itself. It’s a rare skill, and it made him such a dangerous player when the ball was in his hands.”
Kirelawich had a reputation for finding and developing running backs who could thrive in the fast-paced, spread offense that Rodriguez implemented at WVU. In fact, Kirelawich had been instrumental in the development of future NFL stars like Quincy Wilson and Avon Cobourne. But there was something different about Slaton, something that made Kirelawich trust his instincts even more deeply.
“With Steve, I knew that if he kept improving the way we thought he would, he could be a guy who played at the next level,” Kirelawich said. “But it wasn’t just about getting to the NFL—it was about taking full advantage of his time at WVU and putting the team in the best position to win.”
Slaton’s impact on the WVU program was immediate. He rushed for over 1,000 yards as a freshman in 2005 and followed that up with an even more dominant sophomore campaign, rushing for 1,744 yards and 17 touchdowns. He had a knack for breaking long runs and showed a toughness that belied his 5-10, 200-pound frame.
The most memorable moment of Slaton’s career came during the 2007 season when he helped lead the Mountaineers to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl. In the game, Slaton’s ability to read and react to defenses helped WVU earn a shocking 48-28 victory over the heavily favored Oklahoma Sooners. The win not only helped solidify Slaton’s place in WVU football history, but it also catapulted Kirelawich’s coaching career into the national spotlight.
The bond between Kirelawich and Slaton grew beyond that of coach and player. Kirelawich often called Slaton his “secret weapon,” a running back with the rare blend of power, agility, and football IQ. The trust Kirelawich placed in Slaton paid off time and again, and the two developed a close working relationship that would influence the program for years to come.
“He was a quiet guy off the field, but on it, he was all business,” Kirelawich said. “You knew when he was in the backfield, something was about to happen. It was a joy to coach him.”
Slaton’s contributions to the Mountaineers were not just statistical; he helped change the narrative about WVU football, making it a program known for its high-powered offense and a fertile ground for producing NFL-caliber talent. His success would pave the way for future players like Noel Devine and the current crop of Mountaineer standouts.
Bill Kirelawich’s legacy as a coach will forever be linked to his ability to trust his eyes and instincts in recognizing talent. His decision to invest in Steve Slaton’s potential not only helped the running back become a College Football Hall of Famer but also solidified Kirelawich’s place in the storied history of West Virginia University football. It was a partnership that would forever shape the program, and one that remains a proud chapter in both men’s careers.
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