Ex-WVU HC Dana Holgorsen on Dale Wolfley: ‘He Meant a Lot to Me’

Former WVU and current Houston HC Dana Holgorsen spoke about Dale Wolfley and his passing on Monday afternoon. Wolfley, a former West Virginia offensive lineman, died Saturday night in his sleep. The Orchard Park, N.Y. native was 56 years old.

“He worked there forever. He was very important to a lot of people, to Mountaineer Nation. He meant a lot to me,” Holgorsen told the Houston media.

Houston coach Dana Holgorsen ends press conference by offering condolences to family and friends of Dale Wolfley, a former West Virginia offensive lineman who passed away Saturday. Wolfley was on Holgorsen's staff at WV.

"He worked there forever. He was very important to a lot…

— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) October 9, 2023

Wolfley starred at West Virginia in the late 1980s, playing on the interior of the WVU offensive line from 1986-90, and he transitioned to the coaching ranks following the conclusion of his playing career. He coached at WVU on former head coach Bill Stewart’s staff in the late 2000s, serving as the WVU director of player personnel. He was a key member of WVU’s undefeated regular season squad in 1988 and worked his way into a prominent role throughout his half-decade in Morgantown.

Wolfley’s brother Ron also played at WVU, starring in Morgantown in the early 1980s before spending a decade in the NFL. His older brother Craig played at Syracuse before heading to the NFL himself.

Wolfley embodied what it meant to be a Mountaineer, with his high spirit of the old gold and blue. Wolfley worked as a broadcaster and podcast host during his post-playing career.

Holgorsen will coach against West Virginia on Thursday night for the first time since taking the Houston job in 2019.