Holgorsen said Wednesday he holds a valid Texas driver's license, and hasn't applied for a West Virginia license because he doesn't have a permanent address.

Under state law, new residents who want to drive in West Virginia must apply for a driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency. 

Holgorsen, who will make about $1.4 million this year under a six-year contract, has been on WVU's payroll since January. He drives vehicles provided by WVU through the Mountaineer Athletic Club's "Wheels" program.

"It's under my impression you have to have a permanent address [to get a West Virginia license]," Holgorsen told the Gazette.

Holgorsen, who was busy studying game film Wednesday, said he lives at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown. His personal mail is delivered to WVU's football office, he said.

"It's not uncommon in the coaching profession," Holgorsen said. "In my profession, you're very busy."

Holgorsen said he recently purchased four acres of land in Morgantown where he plans to build a home. He said he would get a West Virginia driver's license after the new house is built, in about six months to a year.

"I bought a lot, I'm building a house, and I'm getting everything set up," Holgorsen said.

Asked whether he considers himself a West Virginia resident, Holgorsen said, "I like to think that I am."

West Virginia law defines a resident as "a person who resides or has continuously remained in this state for a period exceeding 30 days, except for infrequent or brief absences."

The law goes on to define a West Virginia resident as someone who "has accepted employment or engages in any trade, profession, or occupation within this state," not including "a person who is commuting from the person's residence in another state or whose employment is seasonal or temporary, not exceeding 90 days."

It would be difficult for Holgorsen to prove West Virginia residency while living at a hotel. The DMV office requires driver's license applicants to submit documents, such as utility bills, tax forms, rental agreements or voter registration cards, to show they're a West Virginia resident. 

Although Holgorsen has a Texas driver's license, he last lived and worked full-time in the Longhorn State in 2009 as the University of Houston's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

His three children live primarily with his ex-wife in Midland, Texas, and Holgorsen spent two months in Texas last summer, according to past media reports.   

In 2010, Holgorsen lived in Oklahoma where he worked as Oklahoma State University's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Oklahoma law also requires residents to obtain driver's licenses once they establish residency. Holgorsen never obtained a driver's license in that state, according to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. 

Holgorsen declined to say why he never obtained an Oklahoma license or whether he had a permanent address in that state.

Asked where he lived in Oklahoma, Holgorsen responded, "None of your business. What are you trying to dig up on me? It just gets irritating when people try to dig things up that don't have any merit to them."

Holgorsen was hired as WVU's offensive coordinator on Dec. 15. At the time, WVU athletic director Oliver Luck also announced that Holgorsen would replace Stewart as head coach in 2012.

In June, Holgorsen became WVU's head football coach, replacing Bill Stewart, who resigned under pressure after a former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter alleged Stewart had asked him to dig up negative information on Holgorsen.

At the time, Luck said he was unable to substantiate the claim, but acknowledged the allegations about Stewart had become a distraction.

Last May, Holgorsen was asked to leave the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Nitro. Nitro Police were called to the scene, but no report was filed. Several newspapers reported that Holgorsen left the casino in a taxicab. Holgorsen later apologized for his actions. 

Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4869.