Cold sweats and all.
(Pittsburgh) -- Paul Rhoads was re-introduced today as the defensive coordinator of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers. Rhoads replaces defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, who left after one season to take the defensive coordinator position at Kansas State under Bill Snyder -- a position he previously held from 1999-2001. Rhoads had previously been the defensive coordinator at Pitt from 2001-2007 before taking the same position at Auburn for the 2008 season. Following the resignation of Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tuberville, Paul Rhoads was let go.At the press conference, Athletic Director Steve Pederson cited Rhoads' close relationship with himself, Head Coach Dave Wannstedt and Chancellor Mark Nordenberg as being a vital reason for the hiring. "I have known Paul for many years and have been impressed with him as a coach and a person. Pitt has had great success on defense under Paul's watch."When asked about the sudden hiring of Rhoads, with no other candidates interviewed, Pederson explained, "We knew early in the interview process that Paul was one of our top choices. We really didn't see a reason to look any further, and things just came together." Dave Wannstedt was not at the press conference because he was out on a recruiting trip.This past season, Auburn finished 26th nationally in total defense. The season before, Auburn was 6th. Rhoads expressed his gratitude to Athletic Director Pederson and Chancellor Nordenberg for the opportunity. In his opening remarks he spoke of the need to play with passion, and that he will coach that way. When asked about what kind of defense he wants from Pitt, Rhoads stated that he thinks that Pitt's defense just needs to hit more. "Really, I liked what Pitt was doing, so I don't see a lot of major changes on the defense. Perhaps, playing off a little more and giving the pass defense a little more support. The defense should show a little more flexibility to what the other team is doing on offense." ...
That couldn’t really happen. Could it?
We were .500 with Wannstedt/Rhoa_es. I don’t think the admin would risk it.
email to pittblather@gmail.com (Chas, please forward? thanks.)
let’s all hope this is nothing more than a nightmare
I honestly think either promote Gatusso or outside hire( anyone else rmember Jerry O. hanging around camp)
I think of Cavanaugh when I think of Rhoads; one week his offense will boggle your mind & you walk out of the stadium thinking it was the best game the guy’s ever called in his career, the next 3 weeks you want to scream in his ear for some of his bonehead decisions.
Rhoads’s situation at Pitt was similar…all you have to do is think back to the WV game last year. This is interesting; talking about the firing of Tuberville(from an trackemtigers.com, an Auburn blog): “What we should care about is the impact it has on defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads. Does he want to return next year to such a dysfunctional situation? Let’s face it, after this season every school in the country with an opening will be coming after him. What he’s accomplished is miraculous. He’ll be in demand. If you had no allegiance to Auburn would you stay?”
Auburn LOVES the guy…they’re praying that a new staff keeps him!
And i’m not sold that everyone loves him down there…to me it seemed that some weeks they loved him and others they didn’t know what the hell he was doing…sound familiar?
vote for pitt at http://www.sunbowl.org
There has been a surge of Rutgers votes and they are quickly catching up to us..Not that it matters a lot but it shows that Pitt fans are interested.
I saw that. I looked last night and saw we had over 50% when I tried to vote at work this morning it was almost dead even with Rutgers.
I never liked Rhoads. I like Bennett’s style much more. But keep in mind he has also been the beneficiary of more speed/athletes on that side of the ball (Wanny and this staff’s recruiting ability).
