The papers have little stories about the coaching moves. The moves make sense as far as talent goes:

Gattuso had been in charge of tight ends and recruiting after joining Wannstedt’s staff last year. His new assignment meshes well with his background — Gattuso was a standout defensive lineman at Penn State in the early 1980s.

“That (move) was a natural,” Wannstedt said. “Greg knows our defense as well as anybody.”

Partridge will maintain his role as defensive ends coach. Last season, some special teams work was added to his responsibilities.

Partridge, 32, is entering his fourth season at Pitt. In the offseason, he was contacted by Wisconsin first-year head coach Bret Bielema about a coaching vacancy. However, Partridge opted not interview with the Badgers.

“They called and wanted me to be part of the new staff,” said Partridge, who has known Bielema for several years. “I didn’t feel like I needed to do that, with the great job that I have here.”

Bob Junko, the article notes, will likely be out of commission recovering from his heart surgery through Spring Drills, and after a year of rebuilding ties with Coaches in Western PA with Gattuso’s help, having Junko handle more of the behind the scenes and X-O stuff rather than working directly with the players on the field and overseeing practices makes a lot of sense health wise.

As for Partridge, staying with Pitt and the move means he also gets a nice little raise by being named a coordinator.

Here’s a story on one of the new offensive graduate assistant/Tight Ends Coach.

Like anyone with aspirations of coaching at his sport’s highest level, Ithaca College’s Brian Angelichio is taking the next step.

Angelichio, a two-sport assistant at IC for the past 10 years — and the well-respected offensive coordinator for coach Mike Welch for the past five — confirmed Monday that he has accepted an offer to become the offensive graduate assistant/tight ends coach under former NFL coach Dave Wannstedt at the University of Pittsburgh.

After spending the last decade in Ithaca, the 1994 St. Lawrence graduate said he will complete his move to Western Pennsylvania by this weekend.

“I’ve always wanted to coach Division I football,” said Angelichio, who also spent nine years assisting IC baseball coach George Valesente. “The opportunity’s there, to try and get as high as I can get — to be a coordinator in Division I football.”

After interviewing with Wannstedt and Pitt’s offensive coordinator, Matt Cavanaugh, last Monday, Angelichio said he was offered the job on the spot.
…
Last fall, Angelichio’s offensive unit averaged close to 40 points per game and ranked as one of the best in all of Division III football. The affable assistant played the part of mentor to senior quarterback Josh Felicetti, who broke nearly every passing record in program history and led the Bombers to two NCAA tournament appearances.

He also played a major part in the development of offensive guard Joe Scalice, who became the first Bomber in 20 years this season to be named to the Associated Press’ Little All-America first team.

Most impressive for his new position, however, was that Angelichio coached 2004 American Football Coaches Association first-team All-American Vince Dargush — one of the more prolific offensive players in school history.

And a tight end to boot.

An interesting move. I like the hiring of ambitious coaches. Strategically, with RB Coach David Walker and new graduate assistant Jeff Hafley from Albany as well, I can’t help but wonder what that will mean for recruiting in New York. It almost seems like part of a plan to secure the state.

Final note, this story about a former top-ranked QB recruit who just transferred to Middle Tennessee State University.

That splash comes in the form of 6-foot-5, 230-pound stud quarterback Gene Delle Donne.

Delle Donne, who signed with Duke after a sterling career at Salesianum High in Delaware, is transferring to Middle Tennessee after redshirting last season with the Blue Devils.

Delle Donne, who has to sit out one season because of the NCAA’s transfer rules, will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2007 season.

Coming out of Salesianium, where he was rated the 22nd best high school quarterback in the nation by rivals.com, Delle Donne considered Notre Dame, Michigan, Boston College and Maryland before selecting Duke.

However, a switch in Duke’s offensive philosophy, the Blue Devils wanted a more mobile, athletic quarterback, led Delle Donne to look for another school.

After a visit to MTSU last month, he headed to Pittsburgh to talk with head coach Dave Wannstedt about playing for the Panthers before deciding to go with the Blue Raiders.

Apparently the kid is longer on potential than anything else. The article indicates he was only a 3-star recruit (it also says that MTSU has no player on its team with a ranking of greater than 2-stars).

It would appear Delle Donne was looking for stronger assurances of playing time. He definitely wouldn’t get those assurances at Pitt. Heck, it’s not even clear if Pitt offered a scholarship if he transferred.