Looks like we are all still working through a fair amount of angst, frustration, disappointment, and plenty of other feelings. I really don’t have a good answer right now.

Anson of Cardiac Hill lists five reasons why Coach Wannstedt won’t be fired. Smizik plays the “are you really sure that the next guy would be better” fear. I really don’t think — even if in a worst case scenario Pitt loses all three remaining games — Wannstedt loses his job, so this is all just a bit speculative.

A couple responses. I understand, but reject the fear of the next guy issue. Yes, that is the risk. That is always the risk of changing coaches. But if that is paralyzing you from making the move, you probably should just admit that you don’t want to make the change because you do like the guy in place.

As for the stupid issue of a coach possibly leaving for a better job. Yes, that is a risk if the coach is successful. Pitt doesn’t have tremendous money to toss at coaches — just look at the pay scales for the assistants to see that. So what? You mean to say that because a coach might come in and do a great job, and then leave for a better paying one, it is better to stay mediocre with a guy who is loyal while being well-compensated? You think Cinci or Louisville regret their hires of Petrino and Kelly? There may be animosity towards them for leaving and/or the way they left, but do you really think they would have traded those seasons for less success with a more “loyal” guy?

If you want to add reasons why Wannstedt won’t get fired. How about another extension that he got last year? To pile on, that is two extensions under AD Pederson. This is the same AD who jumped the gun on an extension for Bill Callahan at Nebraska — where they had the money and boosters to fire the guy — and lost his job in no small part because he wouldn’t/couldn’t admit that mistake and fire Callahan. Why would he fire Wannstedt now?

Like it or not, Coach Wannstedt isn’t going anywhere for a while. Solely based the talent that Wannstedt has recruited, Pitt is going to be in contention in the Big East and “on the verge” of breaking through (or in Wannstedtian terms, “if we can just catch a break…”).

Obviously a complete implosion of the team in terms of performance and plummeting ticket sales would change the equation. Realistically, the performance seems unlikely to vary too wildly. Somewhere in the 6-9 win range, and attendance somewhere in the 40,000 on average.

The Al Groh and Chan Gailey comparisons are starting to fit disturbingly well.