Let’s face it, this goes on all season anyways, but this past weekend with Ron Zook actually being declared a lame duck by his AD and Penn State’s baseball game with Iowa, speculation about coaching changes is the topic. So there are a couple of articles discussing where coaching changes might take place. From SI.com:
It may seem strange that the Panthers, at 5-2, would appear so high on this list. But the Pittsburgh media, still stuck in the Dan Marino/Tony Dorsett era, have been calling for coach Walt Harris‘ head since last year’s disappointing 7-5 finish and shifted into high gear when the Panthers struggled to open this season. Harris’ agent, Bob LaMonte, even called out the school for its handling of his client, never the sign of a happy future together. Ironically, Harris’ team could still win the Big East and secure a BCS berth. Anything much less, though, and he could be a goner. The first name on everyone’s tongue will be Pitt alumn Dave Wannstedt, whose days with the Miami Dolphins appear numbered, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be interested. The program has tradition and wonderful new facilities but faces an uphill climb returning to national respectability while playing in the depleted Big East.
This meme that Walt is being driven out by the media is starting to get silly. That may seem strange coming from me since I have been commenting about certain columnists who have been going after him since the start of training camp (Smizik and Cook). The fact is that the Pitt fans turned on Walt after UConn and “slide right.” That was it. Even some of the staunchest supporters had to say, “Okay. Fine, time to go, Walt.” Follow that up with being forced to come from behind to beat Temple. It wasn’t the media that caused Harris to be forced to stop taking calls on his radio show because they couldn’t take the chance even with a screener. Even after last season, no sports writer actually called for Harris’ head. I think one or two “asked questions” about Harris and the team’s direction, but no one was calling for his firing.
Then this standard from Sportsline:
Walt Harris’ agent Bob LaMonte called out the administration a couple of weeks ago saying his client was being hung out to dry.
“If they’re going to fire him,” LaMonte was quoted as saying. “They should have fired him before the season.”
The problem, if it is one, is Harris is teetering between a Big East title and the BCS bowl that goes with it and another Insight Bowl. An Insight might get Harris fired. If Pittsburgh wins the Big East, Harris ought to demand a raise and extension. He makes $600,000 per year through 2006.
Swing game date: Nov. 13 at Notre Dame. Harris has to win this one to set up the Nov. 25 clash with West Virginia.
Of course, Pitt actually needs to beat Syracuse on Nov. 6 first. Something I find silly to take for granted considering Pitt under Harris has only won once at the Carrier Dome. Actually, what makes this article curious is the rumor it gives when discussing the pending opening at Illinois, “Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long, Pittsburgh coach Walt Harris and Boise State’s Dan Hawkins have been mentioned.” I don’t know what to say to that.
