Pitt finally put out their press release on hiring Pat Skerry.

“We are excited about Pat becoming a member of the university community and I know he is ecstatic to be coming to Pittsburgh,” Dixon said. “Pat has worked with some outstanding coaches including 2008 National Coach of the Year Keno Davis and Rhode Island coach Jim Baron. He will help us in recruiting, scouting and player development. We are fortunate to have a coach with his well-rounded and vast background, along with an individual who has previous head coaching experience. He also has extensive recruiting contacts on the East Coast and in the Big East region.”

Skerry arrives at Pitt with 19 years of combined coaching experience at eight different schools: Providence (2008-10), Rhode Island (2005-08), College of Charleston (2003-05), William & Mary (2000-03), Northeastern (1998-00), Curry College, Mass. (1996-98), Stonehill College, Mass. (1995-96) and his alma mater Tufts (1992-95).

“I’m extremely excited to join the Pitt staff,” Skerry said. “We obviously want to continue the great tradition established at Pitt. The program’s championship success speaks for itself.”

Skerry spent the last two seasons at Providence under Keno Davis. In 2008-09, the Friars advanced to the NIT with a 19-14 overall record and 10-8 Big East slate. Skerry assisted with the Friars’ 2009 recruiting class which was ranked No. 35 in the nation by Hoop Scoop.

Prior to his appointment at Providence, Skerry spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island under head coach Jim Baron. While at URI, Skerry gained national recognition when he was named one of the top assistant coaches in the country in 2007 by Hoop Scoop. In 2008, Fox Sports.com named Skerry the top mid-major assistant in the nation. He also gained exposure through his recruiting as his 2006 class was rated No. 24 in the nation by Hoop Scoop along with a No. 61 ranking for the Rams’ 2007 group.

Skerry served as an assistant for two seasons at the College of Charleston under former Pitt assistant and current Marshall head coach Tom Herrion. While at Charleston, the Cougars posted a combined 38-19 two-year record.

He coached for three seasons at Colonial Athletic Association institution William & Mary and worked for two years as an assistant coach and chief recruiter at Northeastern University (1998-2000).

In 1996 at the age of 26, Skerry became the second-youngest head coach in the nation when he was selected to guide the Curry College (Mass.) basketball program. He coached at Curry for two seasons, leading the Colonels to the school’s first winning season in five years. He also spent one year as an assistant at Stonehill College (Mass.) and three seasons as an assistant at Tufts University where he helped guide the Jumbos to two ECAC Tournaments along with the school’s first NCAA Division III Tournament berth in 1995.

Now, immediate speculation turns to one of Providence’s verbals for 2011, Naadir Tharpe, who Skerry was the primary in getting the 5-11/6-0 point guard out of Brewster Academy.

“I have not had an opportunity to speak with Naadir about it,” Brewster coach Jason Smith wrote by text. “We are in final exams. The prom is tonight [Thursday] and graduation is Saturday morning.”

Tharpe was considered another big get for Providence. While Scout.com still lists him as a 3-star, Rivals.com says 4-star and ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. (Insider Subs) puts him as a 94 (on 100 point scale, 90-100 is classified as an “immediate high level prospect”) and lists him as the 51st best junior in the 2011 class.

Keep in mind, though, that when Tharpe gave his verbal, closeness to home — Worcester, Mass — was cited as a reason. At the time he chose Providence over BC. So, it may merely re-open him to BC. Plus, another PG would be a big of a luxury for Pitt and may be considered a glut at the spot.

Still no official word from Pitt on hiring Pat Skerry as the new assistant. Providence, though, has acknowledged it.

Providence College Head Coach Keno Davis will look to replace assistant coach Pat Skerry, who left to take the assistant position at the University of Pittsburgh. Davis believes that the Friars are in a good position to bring in a top assistant coach who can help move the program forward.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have had Pat work with us the last two seasons,” Davis said.

Early reports are that the Friars might replace Skerry with ex-Iowa player and present University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars (Div. II) head coach Kevin Gamble. Yet that same story contradicts with the fact that Davis is looking for a coach with East Coast ties. His only connection to the East was 6 years with the Celtics in the 90s.

Pitt released info on the highest paid individuals at the school. No shock that Coach Dixon is the highest paid employee.

The report says Mr. Dixon, head basketball coach, was the highest paid with $1,389,951 in total earnings, including $629,792 in base pay; $603,000 in bonus and incentive income as well as other compensation, some deferred.

This was for 2008. Not last year. So I imagine it’s a bit higher. Not sure if that includes the money he earns for basketball camps and Nike sponsorship money.

VegasWatch aggregates the various preseason polls and finds Pitt averaged out at about #7.

The Panthers were quite overrated for much of last year, but return everyone except Dixon, who didn’t have a very good season anyway. What his departure does mean though is that Gibbs is going to have to shoulder even more of the load offensively. It’s hard to get excited about this Pitt team one way or the other.

Uh, okay. I’ll quibble. Unranked to start. Picked to finish 9th in the Big East. Pitt didn’t enter the either of the polls until January. Did they rise a bit higher than warranted? Perhaps. Now it is hard to believe that they got as high as 9th, but for the most part they hung out in the second half of the top-25. Considering the number of games they won and who they beat, I hardly consider them “overrated.” Especially for “much of last year.”

I understand when you don’t look closely at this team it can be hard to understand how they did it and why pundits expect Pitt to do more next season — aside from the fact that Coach Dixon always has the team play well. There are still no big names on the team. At least not as far as the general public notices.

There really is no great rush for Pitt and Coach Jamie Dixon to hire a new assistant this moment. Other than just getting him settled in the area and integrating him into Pitt’s system and letting him get to know the players, athletic department folks and other coaches.

Recruiting wise, it makes no difference in the latest dead period.

So, apparently Providence assistant Pat Skerry is taking his time.

Skerry is credited with doing the heavy lifting on a host of current Friar players. That list would include star sophomore guard Vincent Council, redshirt freshman forward Kadeem Batts and several members of the incoming freshman class including Boston’s Gerard Coleman, who is regarded as a national top 100 recruit.

Skerry has also helped Davis carry out one of his most important goals in bringing talented, younger area players to campus and PC games. Davis has said that he wants to build strong relationships with elite local players and top New England juniors Ricky Ledo, Khem Birch, Andre Drummond and Nerlins Noel have all been on campus. One of the top rising seniors in New England, point guard Naadir Tharpe of Worcester, has verbally committed to sign with PC this fall. Skerry has been the point man with Tharpe’s recruitment.

About the only reason to really want a decision made is so there is something else to talk about besides expansion speculation (spoiler alert: new post on that coming soon).

UPDATE (4:05): According to a tweet by FoxSports.com’s Jeff Goodman, Skerry has taken the offer and is Pitt’s new assistant coach.

UPDATE (4:50): Both the Post-Gazette and Tribune-Review have short bits also saying Skerry has been hired. Pitt is expected to issue a press release later this evening.

Obviously nothing truly new to report. But as I monitor it all, share I must.

Paul Tagliabue continues to confound and say things that have to be clarified or nuanced out later. Amazing how not being the Commish of the NFL for a few years have ruined his speaking skills.

After the Big East Commissioner has made big talk about how the Big East, kind of maybe might look into the details of thinking about their own network. You know, in 2013 after the Big East media deal with ESPN ends.

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No embeddable video, but here’s a link to the story on Coach Jamie Dixon’s program with the Pitt basketball players to help middle-school kids. Mentoring and giving them a better understanding about the basics in just being a better person.

No snark this time. Cool program.

Well, I was going to pass the bit that Pat Skerry, a Providence assistant, may now be the front runner for Pitt’s assistant coach opening. Pitt Script blog, however, has it covered with all the relevant details. So just head there for the info.

Of course, there might be need for a new entry level coaching spot as “video coordinator” Rasheen Davis is getting interest.

Davis is overqualified as a video guy and has relationships throughout basketball with players and AAU program directors and coaches. He’s definitely a guy just waiting for a shot and has been hesitant to jump at just any opening, knowing that he’s in a good place at Pitt. But it seems as if others are starting to contact Davis and the latest inquiry has come from Western Kentucky. Davis, according to several sources, interviewed for the position on Ken McDonald’s staff late last week in Bowling Green.

Interesting, and I would hate to lose Davis. What I do find positive is that while Davis is overqualified in his position, he feels comfortable enough at Pitt to take his time about jumping for any job. That doesn’t just speak to liking the staff and players.

It also touches on how well he is being compensated in the position. That’s always reassuring to think that the Pitt athletic department is keeping compensation for the assistants competitive — and not trying to skimp.

ESPN.com has a “grade” for Big East recruiting. Pitt got a “B”

Coach Jamie Dixon locked up this excellent group early. Isaiah Epps (Plainfield, N.J./Hargrave Military Academy) is a speedy point guard, while wings J.J. Moore (Brentwood, N.Y./South Kent) and Cameron Wright (Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine) have good size. Moore is an ESPNU 100 prospect who can score and Wright, a former Ohio State commit, is a versatile athlete who can defend and excels in the open court. The Panthers filled their needs and added quality depth.

They put Providence just ahead of Pitt with a “B+”. Hmmm.

Then there was this good bit on DeJuan Blair being back in Pittsburgh over the past week.

Blair is back home for a while visiting with friends and family. He will play host to the DeJuan Blair Basketball Camp July 6-9 at Robert Morris University, where he hopes to pass on some of his expertise to boys and girls ages 9-18.

After his camp, Blair will turn his attention to the NBA summer league. He said his main goal during the summer league is to play power forward well enough to convince the Spurs that he can play that position full-time next season.

Hope that mid-range shot is coming along, then.

And I am backed up on some tabs. There are things going back to mid-April in some of my browser tabs. Time to empty at least a few at a time.

The unintentional side-effect is a little bit of distance and perspective on things.

Going back to the end of spring practice (yes, I really did mean some old tabs).  The depth at linebacker is there. The actual starting line-up might still be in flux by the summer camp.

The Panthers will probably begin the 2010 season with middle linebacker Dan Mason flanked by Max Gruder and Greg Williams. Unlike last season, Pitt appears to have plenty of depth — including Manny Williams, Shane Gordon, Carl Fleming and Tristan Roberts.

Roberts has been among the most improved players this spring. He has played well enough to challenge for a starting job, particularly with Greg Williams sitting out much of the past week with injuries.

Gruder has experience and seems likely. Dan Mason is a lock at MLB — even if he is still relying a little more on athleticism .

“You can tell Mason is still learning,” [Linebackers Coach Bernard] Clark said. “He played on pure talent last season. He was flying real fast to the ball. I talked with him, and he told me, ‘I just played.’ Now, he’s concentrating on what he has to do. He is the leader of the defense, so he needs to relax and be patient.”

Mason’s confidence grew with each practice and scrimmage. Wannstedt is confident he has found the right man to replace Gunn, an All-Big East first-team selection last season.

“There is some pressure, but I trust what the coaches have taught me,” Mason said. “It’s a big role I have, but I can handle it by staying focused. When you play linebacker, you can’t play tensed and nervous. You can’t worry about making mistakes. You have to take some risk, which is the natural.

“I learned a lot about keeping your composure and, if something bad happens, it’s not the end of the world, because you’re still got another play.”

While Mason is the aggressor, Gruder is patient and Williams possesses big-play potential. Gruder arguably was the team’s best defensive player during the second half of last season, and Williams’ sometimes-spotty play was punctuated with two defensive touchdowns.

“Dan has a passion for the game and great speed,” Clark said. “You have to slow him down, because he’s so intense. He has the skills, but the thing that drove me crazy is the fact that he was missing some tackles. Max wants to do everything perfect. He’s playing harder and faster, and that comes with maturity. Greg has all the tools, but he needs to become more disciplined.”

Williams, though, was really pushed by a resurgent and now healthy Tristan Roberts. Someone who I had completely forgotten — which is a credit to the depth and the overall level of play at linebackers the last couple of year. Surprising many.

4. Tristan Roberts, Pittsburgh: Roberts didn’t play last year because of an injury and was mostly a special-teams player the year before. Now healthy, he made a big push this spring at outside linebacker, giving two-year starter Greg Williams reason to worry about his job security in the fall.

Now Williams was battling some injuries in the spring, but he has been inconsistent. Flashing excellence and then disappearing when he plays. Being pushed by Roberts could be the best thing for him.

Quarterback questions were answered early by the Pitt coaching staff when Tino Sunseri took first team snaps from the beginning, and never left that group. He is saying the right things.

“I have a lot of work to do,” Sunseri said. “But I feel like I came a long way this spring. Just being able to play as much as I could play, it has been a great experience. We have a lot of potential on offense but we have to keep learning and keep working on the things we do well, and if we do those things I think we can be pretty explosive.”

He has the coaches confidence and that can’t hurt.

Spent the weekend computer free. Not really by choice. This was one of the first weekends home where there was nice weather. That meant trying to work on clearing out the garage and a lot of sanding and staining a couple dressers that we really need to put into service soon.

The P-G and Trib finally come in with bland, perfunctory — and quite late — pieces on expansion. No new ground broken there. It’s about money and it could have a far-reaching effect on college sports. Good work, guys.

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Here’s something to think about heading into the weekend.

When the ACC expanded, it was not a unified decision by the members. To the point that Virginia and the state politics became the swing vote to get expansion done.

As you may recall, the original plan by the ACC was for Miami, BC and Syracuse. This was because Miami wanted to have connections to Boston and NYC where they had strong alumni bases. The problem was that there was significant disagreement within the ACC over this. Miami was problematic enough, but those two schools to the north seemed too far out. There didn’t seem to be the votes for all three.

There was a lot of scrambling and the Virginia legislature was in turmoil and lots of VT pressure was brought on them and the Virginia Governor. The VA Gov. Warner in turn leaned on UVa to back VT or not support any ACC expansion.

The ACC commish found he needed Virginia’s support to get the plan through. So, VT became the school to come with Miami. There still was not enough support at that moment for BC or Syracuse, they waited another year before bringing in BC — after the NCAA rejected their request to change conference championship rules to allow the minimum be lowered to 11 teams.

Pitt is the only candidate (aside from ND) that is within a state that already has a Big 11 member.

Now obviously the Pennsylvania political structure is nowhere near the same and political influence over the major schools seems much more limited — as witnessed by the failure of several attempts to mandate Pitt-PSU play each other annually as states like Florida and Alabama have done.

Now we don’t know how Big Something expansion will work out. It is known that the Big 11 needs 8 of the 11 present members to back an applying school for membership.

(I’m sure everyone can see where this is going.)

So here’s the question: Do you think Pitt and its supporters in the legislature  should bring pressure to bear on PSU to back Pitt into the Big Something? Whether this is done publicly or privately is not relevant.

To the point of demanding they not support any other school unless Pitt is included? Would it make a difference? Is it already taking place quietly?

Or do you think that the Big 11 schools would be too unified for PSU to stop it (i.e., at least 8 votes among the other 10 for all other candidates for membership)?

As a fan of limited government and not wild about them interfering in higher education, my natural instincts are to recoil. Of course, the Pitt alum/fan in me is screaming, “By any and all means necessary!”

This may be a no-brainer. Still worth asking.

Good news of sorts. The Big Something expansion chatter has died down a bit. At least insofar as media coverage.

TNIAAM is cautiously concerned that the Big Something might still take two from the Big East and destroy the conference. At this point, I am a touch more optimistic that the conference can survive  because it really seems that only one team might be plucked — not thrive, but survive. The money is the problem, not the BCS bid for those left behind even if only one goes.

My comments on the new ACC TV deal has gotten some attention Brian Cook of Sporting(News)Blog and MGoBlog picks up on it. (Additional disclosure, Brian and I both wrote for FanHouse for a few year.)

That’s another pebble added to the pile of rocks hovering over one of the Big East’s most storied programs. The Panthers are widely regarded to be on the outside looking in despite making more sense academically, geographically, historically, and athletically than any team not named Notre Dame, the Panthers’ recent renaissance in both basketball and football may be a BCS farewell tour. If so, that would be thanks to the Big Ten Network already being on in Pittsburgh, a grinding irony that will not cheer up anyone grimly hanging on to the university of Tony Dorsett and Dan Marino as they prepare to meet new conference rivals East Carolina and Central Florida.

Even though it makes no sense from any other perspective, the Big Ten Network is the ruthless driver of expansion logic. That’s working to the detriment of Pitt and, frankly, everyone else. As always, this is Notre Dame’s fault.

This is not some hater on Pitt. He dislikes intensely the idea of Rutgers in the conference. Brian has been one of the bigger proponents of adding Pitt to the Big Something. He sees Pitt as a better fit to the conference in the broader sense, especially within the geography. The fact is, with the money continuing to spiral, the lack of football TV money in the Big East puts Pitt closer and closer to Mountain West and C-USA territory in the long-term.

Continuing that theme, in case you weren’t aware, Pitt has had one of the bigger declining populations in US markets this decade.

Moving to filler material. An annual offseason chestnut is the call for certain rivalry games to be played once more. Whether nationally — here and here — or in the Big East, Pitt-Penn State is always a popular one.

Brian Bennett at ESPN.com’s Big East blog breaks down the best units in RB and WR. Pitt is unsurprisingly #1 in RB.

1. Pittsburgh: The Panthers have the Big East’s offensive player of the year returning in Dion Lewis, who rushed for 1,799 yards and 17 scores a year ago. Backup Ray Graham, who averaged 5.7 yards per carry, could start for most teams. Henry Hynoski should be the best fullback in the league this year. That’s enough to merit the No. 1 spot here.

Edged out for #1 by Cinci for WRs.

2. Pittsburgh: It just doesn’t get any better than Jonathan Baldwin. Mike Shanahan came on late in the season a year ago and should provide a strong No. 2 target. Guys like Devin Street, Cam Saddler and Greg Cross could make this a corps that can give Cincinnati a run for its elite status.

So that’s two parts of the offense that looks hard to beat in the Big East. So, that puts some pressure on the QB. How does Tino Sunseri feel about that?

That’s a daunting responsibility, but he appears unfazed. “I’ve always had the motto: ‘Don’t feel pressure, apply pressure,’ ” he said.

Especially to an open cut. You have to keep the pressure firmly. Oh, sorry, wrong pressure.

“I don’t know if so much depends on me,” Tino said. “It’s about our team as a whole. The offensive line is a huge part. They have to open lanes for Dion and provide protection for me so Jonathan and our other receivers can run downfield. If it happens that we lose containment, I need to make plays on my feet to extend the play and make a throw downfield. We just have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best on every play.”

Obviously, complete success isn’t going to depend on one player, not even the quarterback. But erratic quarterback play was the primary reason Pittsburgh didn’t meet expectations in 2007 and ’08.

The Panthers didn’t challenge for the Big East title until Stull elevated his play. In ’08, he threw more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (nine). But last season, he threw 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions while improving his passing percentage and passing yardage.

Pitt can’t afford to take a step back at quarterback. If Sunseri is successful, the Panthers could be among the best teams in the country. If he isn’t, another Meineke Car Care Bowl appearance may be in store.

So, yeah. Pressure.

Gary Nova, the new Pitt verbal knows exactly what to say.

“Pitt is a great school and a great program,” Nova said. “We can compete with anybody, whether it is in the Big Ten or Big East or anywhere else so, really, Pitt will be fine no matter what happens. I’m not really worried about that at all.”

Nova chose the Panthers over scholarship offers from Rutgers, Boston College, Virginia, Colorado and Vanderbilt.

He said the two most important factors in his decision were trust and loyalty, and no other staff showed as much as Pitt’s during the process.

“When I went out and visited Pitt, I got a real good feel for the city and for the family atmosphere of the program,” said Nova, who threw for 1,668 yards, 23 touchdowns and only three interceptions last season. “The biggest thing, though, was coach Wannstedt and coach [Frank] Cignetti and coach [Jeff] Hafley — they were honest with me every step of the way. They didn’t lie to me about anything, they were up front about everything and they were loyal and true to their word.

“And I feel like if there is anyone who can get me ready for the NFL it is coach Cignetti, so I am really excited to go there and learn.”

For an arbitrary and unscientific confirmation of OC Cignetti being a top OC, Matt Hayes at the Sporting News ranked him amongst the best OC’s in the country.

6. Frank Cignetti Jr., Pitt. His reclamation of quarterback Bill Stull last season was remarkable, and his grooming of Tino Sunseri will pay off this fall. His offense is influenced by numerous stops, including his days as an NFL assistant, his time in the high-flying WAC at Fresno State and his season under Cal coach Jeff Tedford, one of the game’s best offensive minds.

New offensive lineman recruit Artie Howell answers the question of whether he is 6-3 or 6-2.

Rowell felt the same way. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound guard-center, who was recruited by tight ends coach Brian Angelichio, picked Pitt over offers from Northwestern and Temple. Rowell credited Panthers offensive line coach Tony Wise for believing in his ability despite his less-than-ideal height.

“His credentials are exceptional, with his NFL experience,” said Rowell, a three-year starter on both sides of the ball who has a 3.7 grade-point average. “A lot of schools turned me down because I’m 6-2, but he embraced that. He’s won with guys my size. He tells me it’s not how tall you are but how good you can block people.

“I have good feet, and I think I play exceptionally hard. I go to the whistle. I get after it. That’s what fits me with Pitt. That’s how their offensive line plays. They’re a bunch of hard-nosed football players, and that’s the way I am.”

Speaking of hard-nosed, there’s a story from Rivals.com on strength and conditioning coaches featuring Buddy Morris.

With spring practice over and the school year winding down, now is the time when Pitt’s players become Morris’ project. The players will start getting bigger, faster and better. And Morris will become even more wired — if that’s possible.

Actually, that scenario will play out all over the nation, highlighting the importance of strength and conditioning coaches — who might be the most vital members of a coaching staff. During the offseason, the strength and conditioning staff serves as the eyes and ears for the rest of the coaching staff. Even during the school year, players have more contact with the strength coach than they do with any other assistant.

If you have a good program, then you have a good strength coach. And he does his best — and perhaps most important — work in the offseason.

“After the spring game, our guys came in for recovery and restorative workouts three times a week,” Morris says. “After restorative work, we have finals. We then come in twice a week. We have a two-week break, and then the summer program starts.”

Interesting piece, featuring Coach Wannstedt pointing out that with all the other coaches out recruiting, the strength coach becomes that much more important over the summer in terms of talking to the kids and knowing what is happening.

Oh, happy days indeed. Pitt has a second commit in football today. Artie Rowell out of Central Dauphin (Harrisburg, for those of you from outside the state) has given his verbal.

Good news, he is an offensive lineman. He is listed as an offensive guard, with offers from Temple and Northwestern at this point (and interest from PSU, MSU, Rutgers and Iowa).

ESPN/Scouts, Inc. doesn’t have an evaluation (Insider subs) on him but does have him in their top-150 watchlist.

Measurables according to Rivals.com and ESPN put him at 6-2, 296. Scout.com says 6-3, 280

Scout.com lists him as a 3-star, but more importantly lists him as the #12 Center in the 2011 class.

I’ll be honest. I could care less about stars at this point. He can actually play center it would seem. It means Pitt actually has a recruit that doesn’t have to be converted to the position or brought in from JUCO to plug the spot. That’s what has me excited.

As expected the words of Big 11 Commish Delany set off a frenzy of parsing what he said and what it means for expansion. Specifically the bit about population shift and the Sun Belt (not the conference).

Delany said the expansion process has been driven primarily by two factors: the demographic shift of population toward the Sun Belt and expanding the reach of the Big Ten Network.

“As far as the shifting population is concerned, I think that is reason enough by itself to look at the concept of expansion,” Delany said. “The rates of growth in the Sun Belt are four times what they are in the East or Midwest.”

That statement seems to contradict widespread conjecture that the Big Ten is looking at schools from the Big East (Notre Dame, Rutgers, Syracuse and Pittsburgh) and Big 12 (Missouri and Nebraska). The only Southern school mentioned as a possibility is Texas, which is considered the biggest catch, but probably the most elusive one.

The issue of demographics was actually mentioned in advance by Iowa’s AD. Now as Black Heart, Gold Pants noted that still helps a school like Rutgers that is about the metro NY area and subscribers. To say nothing of a region that isn’t shrinking, but constantly replenishing itself. Metro areas that consistently reinvent and are reinvigorated by people coming there — NYC, DC, Boston those types of metro areas.

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There is a new verbal for Pitt football. The pipeline with Don Bosco Prep in NJ appears to be strong.

QB Gary Nova has given a verbal.

There’s not much to say about him right now. ESPN/Scouts, Inc. has no evaluation on him. Scout.com has him as a 3-star.

Rivals.com does not have a ranking on him yet. He did, however, have offers from BC, Rutgers, Virginia and Vandy.

Given he’s from Bosco, and their success, it is a good sign.

Jim Delany spoke to the media at the Big 11 meetings today. No real rush on things is his claim. Meanwhile another reporter, Dave Birkett of AnnArbor.com tweeted some potentially interesting tidbits:

This: Delany on #NotreDame: “It chooses to be an independent in football and be a member of the Big East. That’s it’s destiny.”

This: Delany: Biggest factors driving expansion are population shift south and Big Ten Network.

And This: “the competitive aspects … the educational fit … and also it would have to be fiscally sound.”

All of which when more of it is disseminated in a less disjointed manner will then be proceeded to be parsed and dissected to within an nanometer of its being.

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