Just around 10:00 this morning, the Post-Gazette broke that Pitt will bring back Steve Pederson to fill the vacant athletic director position. He held the position at Pitt…ahem, excuse me…”Pittsburgh” from 1996 to 2002. One thing he’s remembered for is lobbying (rather successfully) for the change from “Pitt” to “Pittsburgh” — other things include getting rid of Pitt Stadium, building the Petersen Events Center, moving to Heinz Field, and hiring Jamie Dixon Ben Howland.
And then he left for Nebraska. He was gone in an instant. And that was it, until the Huskers football team fell apart under coach Bill Callahan, who was hired by Pedersen. He was fired back in October, and here he is now.
The hiring seems like it came out of nowhere, and it looks like Pitt didn’t even interview any other candidates, something that some people won’t be happy about.
Many more reactions to come over the next few days.
Update: First day and he’s already extended Wannstedt’s contract.
Never did understand the whinning about Pittsburgh. Sounds like you want your cake and eat it to.
BTW – The return of “The Script” is officially on hold.
I’d much rather see winning sports teams first and foremost, though — the logo and identity issues are of very small importance in comparison.
I think Pederson’s going to be on a shorter leash this time. We just changed the logo, which cost a ton, and the only way we change it now is if we go back to the script. We saw what happened when he brought in his own football coach for the sake of bringing his own coach – disaster. Basketball is in good shape, and we’re getting new facilities on upper campus. I wouldn’t worry about any horrible decisions on his part now other than scheduling patsies – and what AD hasn’t done that?
We’re still going to be Pitt, not Pittsburgh. Jamie Dixon and Agnus Berenato aren’t going anywhere, and Dave Wannstedt will get 2008 – the year he was pointing to in the first place – to prove his worth. So just relax.
This makes us look like a second rate outfit. Man leaves PITT for mighty Nebraska…Man falls on face, PITT hires him back. It also makes us look lazy, or did nobody want to be an AD at Pittsburgh?. In no way am I saying Pederson is a stupid man, if anything he’s the smartest man in Pennsylvania today. He did some good things like hooking up our basketball team, The Pete is gorgeous and so is our winning %. But there wasn’t other people with fresh ideas? I guess we will find out more later.
I think I’ll bring a sign saying FIRE WANNY and FIRE PEDERSON to the game tomorrow!
I think Wanny deserves atleast another year, so they extending of the contract is fine with me as long as he keeps bringing in Freshman ALl Americans like he did this season. Pitt had 2.
412-624-4200
mar6@pitt.edu
That is the contact info give to me by 4FACT for Nordenburg if you’d like to leave him your thoughts and feelings.
No contact info available for Pederson yet.
“No, I think we’ve had enough logo changes around here,” Pederson said Friday…
“I’m anxious to spend some more time with Dave (Wannstedt), because I’ve known him a long time and like him a great deal,” Pederson said. “And certainly, Dave’s a fine football coach. I know rebuilding these programs takes a lot longer than any of us would like.
“We’re talking about recruiting, and sometimes you have lost years in it after you make a coaching change that can catch up with you, and so I’m anxious to sit down to see how I can help us grow this program, because I’m very excited about where we can take it.”
Pederson noted that he wasn’t in a position to discuss Wannstedt’s contract status at this time, but would be in the near future. He also promised to look at Pitt’s future football schedules in an attempt to lure more attractive opponents for the Panthers and said he looked forward to re-opening talks with AD Tim Curley about renewing the Penn State series.
“I am 100 percent committed to helping Dave in any way that I can,” Pederson said. “We’ve got a good man here, a guy that cares a great deal about this football program and this university.
“He’s a good coach and a good recruiter, and what I feel like I can contribute right now is to give him every ounce of energy and support that I have. … I want to roll up my sleeves and see how Dave and I can do this together.”
Please don’t let him fuck everything up because he feels the need to “meddle.” Stick to the important things: OOC opponents, beating PSU…
Here’s a shot though: “Not that many years ago, this football program went to a BCS bowl game, and there’s a long and great tradition of football here.” How long before he brings back Wlat? 2011?
….to replace Cavanaugh as offensive coordinator.
And the school is the University of Pittsburgh, as in a university located in the city of Pittsburgh. It is not Pittsburgh, which of course is the name of a city.
Therefore, when referring to the school, there are two choices to properly convey what exactly you’re talking about….
Actually saying “The University of Pittsbugh” (too wordy, and kind of dorky)
OR
Pitt (ahhh much better).
Pittsburgh is a city. It is not an institution of higher learning.
Pitt is a university, not a mid-sized city located in Western Pennsylvania.
If you say “Pittsburgh lost a football game”, you’re talking about the Steelers.
If you say “Pitt lost a football game”, you’re talking about the Panthers.
People do get confused when if i ever say “Pittsburgh won/lost/scored….”
The circle of life! or is it one big circle jerk!
It’s one jack-off after another, be patient Wanny just needs 10 more years to break .500!
We are doomed!
You haven’t been that good recently-even under solich. And before him, osbourne was highly um hum, suspected of cheating and was forced to resign.
Pederson wasn’t a good fit at nebraska, but he does well here-thanks for oyur concern.
PITT also made sound judgement to extend Coach W’s contract. He has been building the foundation to have a competitive team every year. He said from the beginning that the success will come when his recruits are fifth year seniors and fourth year juniors. This team is loaded with young talent that has been redshirted. It appears that he may pull in another very good class. I feel very good about PITT’s future.
That was without question the most ignorant statement I have EVER read. You attempt to describe the lack of knowledge you have for the University of Nebraska and Tom Osborne would bankrupt the english language
I wasn’t THAT pissed about Pederson coming back…. but he extended Wanny after three consecutive non-winning seasons?
Posters in here are going to get mad in 3……2…..1…..