Last night was a little weird. Leaks out the wazzou from Penn State players and recruits — swiftly retracted. Denials from Pitt.
At present, there is a sense that it will happen. Just a matter of when.
Sources, it seems are highly conflicted. At present everyone seems to be backing away from declaring it done, to making it Bradley versus the field.
Despite reports that Penn State’s longtime defensive coordinator had agreed to become the next head coach of the Panthers, sources told The Times-Tribune late Wednesday that the 54-year-old Bradley has not been offered the job. However, he is said to be the clear front-runner.
That seems to be the new mantra. No actual offer, just that Bradley is the top pick while there are more interviews rumored to occur.
And while a number of sources have told me that is the direction that Pitt is heading – offering Bradley the job — the best evidence I can offer you that Pitt isn’t lying when they say they haven’t offered the job to anyone is this – as of late Wednesday night Bradley hadn’t met with and interviewed with Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenberg.
That’s an important piece of information because until that happens, there hasn’t been a formal offer made to Bradley or anyone else. Bradley interviewed with Steve Pederson, Donna Sanft and Jerry Cochran on Tuesday, but he hasn’t met with the chancellor according to a very good Pitt source.
That is not to say that the report by WTAE-TV that Bradley has been hired won’t invariably turn out to be true, it is just very premature, especially since Steve Pederson was in Atlanta today interviewing at least two other candidates (one is rumored to have been Florida International coach Mario Cristobal but I have not yet confirmed that) and is expected to talk to at least one more tomorrow.
Cristobal should be a fairly hotter candidate. He’s got the Florida ties. He’s young. And he’s cheap.
As for terms of a potential deal, Cristobal declined to speculate. But because he already is the highest-paid coach in the Sun Belt, earning in excess of $400,000 last year, it’s unlikely that the new contract would bring him a huge raise. Rather, the deal’s appeal would be in its added years of job security.
Back to Zeise’s post. He almost says outright that Pitt went with Haywood initially because Pederson’s first choice was too pricey for the school.
…Todd Graham from Tulsa, who interviewed with Pitt the first time through this process and talked to Pederson on the phone earlier this week and then either did meet or will meet with Pederson again for a second time. Graham was apparently eliminated during the first round because his price tag (he asked in the $1.7 to $1.9 million range) but the school is willing to open up the checkbook a little bit more this time and are willing to see if they can work something out for the right guy. I know Pederson is high on Graham but business is business.
If this is true, and if Pitt had been willing to pay more the first time around, how would we be looking at Pederson’s handling of the coach search and his job performance right now? Assuming Pitt had hired Graham instead of Haywood. Or do you see this this after-the-fact spin from Pederson’s side to try and make him look a little less idiotic?
The other likely candidate, is Paul Chryst. Presently the OC at Wisconsin. The Pitt job has created some consternation in Texas where they want him to be the OC.
Any progress on Texas’ pursuit of Paul Chryst to be the Longhorns’ next offensive coordinator could be delayed until Chryst learns if he will be the next head football coach at Pitt. Sources close to the situation acknowledged tonight that Chryst is in the mix to be Panthers’ next coach, which probably puts his candidacy at Texas on the back burner — for now.
Chryst, the Wisconsin offensive coordinator, interviewed Monday in Austin and returned Tuesday to Madison, Wis. He arrived with a job offer in hand from Texas coach Mack Brown, according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, although Texas officials have not confirmed the offer.
So at least Pitt is still annoying Texas.
Back to those gushing over Tom Bradley, like Ivan Maisel.
Tom “Scrap” Bradley played at Penn State. He has coached defense for Joe Paterno since 1979. He has been designated as the obvious guy to replace Paterno for as long as anyone can remember. And now Bradley is in the running to become head coach at Pittsburgh, once the Nittany Lions’ fiercest rival. It reminds me of how Pat Dye coached for Bear Bryant for years before he became head coach at Auburn. I hope Bradley is as successful as Dye. He’s in the Hall of Fame.
And then there’s Smizik, not only gushing but putting together Bradley’s staff.
Bradley will be a popular hire because he has an outstanding reputation at Penn State, where he’s been on Joe Paterno’s staff for more than 30 years, and in Pittsburgh, where he’s built relationships with high school coaches, media and the general public both as a recruiter and part-time resident.
Already people are excited about the staff he’ll bring with him and I have on good authority his defensive coordinator will be Teryl Austin, a highly regarded coach who started at cornerback for Pitt in the 1980s. Austin was defensive coordinator at Florida last year. He has an excellent resume, both in college and the NFL, and is an outstanding recruiter. He has long wanted to get back to Pitt and was hoping for a job on Dave Wannstedt’s original staff.
Bradley also is expected to bring as many as four coaches with him from Penn State. Paterno hasn’t had that kind of a shakeup on his staff in decades, if ever.
Bradley also has let it be known he will employ some type of spread offense that features an athletic quarterback.
I can’t think of a coaching hire in Pittsburgh in the past 40 years that has generated the kind of enthusiasm.
Okay, then. As long as Jay Paterno is not one of those brought over from State College, I’m fine with it.
I think he could potentially put together a terrific staff.
Pederson then hires Sal Sunseri and we become the DePaul of the football conference.
As for as Teryl Austin… Everyone has said that he’s an outstanding recruiter thus far. But, I’ve looked at the 2011 Florida Recruits (which would have been Austin’s first “recruiting class” as Defensive Coordinator), and I don’t see many top-notch prospects at all. Granted, a lot of potential recruits could have decommitted after Urban Meyer’s retirement but it’s still something to think about- if he wasn’t recruiting top-notch defensive talent to Florida, how is he going to do it at Pitt?
With that being said, Austin did do a great job with the talent he was given at Florida this year.
Neinas, one of the most powerful people in college sports, will be heard. The former Big Eight Conference commissioner has been involved in some big-name searches, including those that landed jobs for Les Miles, Urban Meyer, Mack Brown, Bob Stoops, Randy Shannon, Butch Davis, Tom O’Brien and Mark Dantonio.
“We are constantly on the phone, turning over every rock,” Hathaway said. “We’re looking for best person to lead this program on a continued upward trajectory . . . I’m looking for the very best football coach who wants to lead the University of Connecticut football program.”
I think Bradley, even if offered the Uconn job today would wait for Pitts decision. It is clear this is the one job he really wants.
I dont know if thats the right way to go but these days you never know.
“And don’t be surprised if Pitt’s choice is announced at the BBVA Compass Bowl in an attempt to turn the story around as a Pitt plus.”
2. Chryst is a family man: wife and 3 kids
3. Ran record setting offense at WI
4. Develops QBs
5. Young-ish guy, fire in the belly for first HC spot
6. He isn’t out of pitt’s price range
from article yesterday on Madison WI paper’s website:
It is believed the Longhorns will pay up to $1 million for the right offensive coordinator. Chryst has a compensation package worth $361,094 for the current school year but Bielema and athletic director Barry Alvarez are working on a new deal.
The loss of Chryst would be a significant blow. The Badgers set numerous offensive school records this season, including 539 points scored, an average of 41.5 points per game and 48 rushing touchdowns.
Starting with his first year as co-offensive coordinator in 2005, Chryst’s tenure has produced an assault on the school’s offensive record books. That team set the previous school scoring record with 446 points and an average of 34.3 points per game that season.
Chryst is also the quarterbacks coach and some of his best work has been developing players at that position. The Badgers must replace senior quarterback Scott Tolzien and the top three going into next season — Jon Budmayr will be a sophomore, Curt Phillips will be a junior and Joe Brennan will be a redshirt freshman — are largely inexperienced.
Tolzien was a lightly regarded recruit who didn’t make much of an impact until his final two seasons. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation’s top senior quarterback and set school career records for completion percentage (.681) and pass efficiency rating (153.2).
Two of Chryst’s other quarterbacks, Tyler Donovan and John Stocco, rank third and fourth, respectively, in completion percentage in school history, while Stocco is second in career passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns.
Tom Bradley has not been offered the job yet despite reports that he has been hired. He is a leading candidate, a number of people say THE leading candidate, but as of about ten minutes ago he still has not been given an offer.
I would hope that the admin could just call some influential alum donors to test the waters, instead of risking a PR disaster (like if everyone screamed NONONO, but he was the only candidate that worked out) but, here is another scenario:
Bradley leaks it, hoping he gets it, to let Pitt’s, and his, PSU recruits know that this is a new option for them. None of the recruits that have bailed have gone anywhere ‘big time’, and could come back if this is perceived as a stable situation again. They are not exactly going to Auburn and Stanford.
just an fyi
End the pain for us all…. Pull the trigger.
Why in the hell were you in Atlanta trying to interview for a second time someone you didnt think was better than the guy that just got arrested.
Hey Nordy!!!
Get Pederson back in Pgh. Lock him in a equipment room with the lights out. Keep him there until after the Bowl game.
Recent Endorsements for Bradley are:
The Rooneys, Lavar Arrington, Joe Paterno and anyone who knows anything about recruiting.
Pull The Trigger.. Hire Bradley.
I’d imagine Pitt will get back a few of those recruits that were lost plus will get players that were going to end up at PSU since Bradley does a ton of recruiting and players Austin was recruiting if he is the D-coordinator, which means a solid recruiting class. Definitely not close to a disaster and actually might end up a more balanced class than Wanny’s which included some real head scratchers, like that undersized RB.
Most important question I have is, will Joe Pa now schedule Pitt? I’m sure Joe Pa will love the fact that there is one less man to stop Jay from being head coach once he retires.
Hire Teryl Austin as DC.
Keep your friend Gattuso.
Bring McQueery as OC.
And hey reward Bill Bennett for being loyal and sticking around and keep David Walker to add the Texas and Northeast for additional recruiting grounds.
This is what we need as the end game. This will put fans in the stadium and the only thing left to do is win…. which I think will certainly happen.
I have not heard anything like that kind of excitement in a long time.
Bring all of that Pennsylvania Power to Pitt…..
We might even steal a few local Penn State fans.
The only thing we have to do then is persuade the crybaby Pitt fans whenever anything goes wrong during a game from yelling… Fire Bradley.
How about a little Loyalty to show for our new found Penn State fans.
“Also, I’ve confirmed that Paul Chryst is definitely interviewing with Pitt and it may actually have happened yesterday (remember the mystery candidates). That would be an interesting hire and would fit the profile of the kind of coach Pederson would like to bring in – somewhat unknown but a name that intrigues people, an up-and-comer who is seen as a hot young assistant and someone who obviously has a large upside. “
All I want for Compass is my new head coach
my new head coach
my new head coach
I want them to be thorough, but this needs to be done before game time.
3 hours of a program in turmoil not what I want to hear.
I want to hear “In the booth we have the new Head Coach of the Pitt Panthers…Coach ”
DaveD
I am sick of Pederson being the center and not Pitt.
He wants an up and comer, no name to be the next superstar.
No knock on Chryst at all…I am furious that this clown Pederson never learns. It’s all about him.
STFU Pederson and resign…you a$$clown.
DaveD
bradley hire wouldn’t be awful (he has a better resume than haywood). i just think chryst or graham would be better, more of what pitt needs right now more than ever…to be taken seriously on a national level.
This is tearing apart Penn State right now. Recruits, Assistants, all up in the air….
I actually think that Joe Pa may have a problem with the fact that the Penn State Athletic Director and Alumni are so excited about a “Messiah” coach that they are not looking after the most loyal coach in their history other than him.
Joe Pa is a stubborn man.. for him to endorse Bradley as a good hire for Pitt tell me something. Especially knowing that he will not be there with him in the final year of his career.
I can see it now…. Joe Pa buys season tickets starting in 2012 to watch his old buddy Tom Bradley.
Smug Smile Steve!!! Never underestimate him!!!!
To hell with the season ticket holders, boosers, fans
I want my golden child no name up and comer to feather my cap.
Go away already…
DaveD
Chryst = ????????????????????/Uncertainty
Obama = Tea Party Revolution
Bradley= A Pennsylvania revolution
Pull the Trigger…..
“Paul Zeise: Here is an example of what I am dealing with – someone of some degree of credibility just sent me an e-mail saying he is hearing it is Graham, which is completely the opposite of what I’ve been told this morning by several others.
Again, here is why that is — this is a committee of people and the committee members have their own opinions and talk to different people. So one may walk out of an interview and say “this guy was great” while another walks out and says “this guy was not” and thus it funnels back to certain sources and bam, you have a situation where one person is reporting one thing and another is reporting something else.”
Petersen knows hes being fired sooner or later so he will probably try and throw one more kick at our nuts by doing his best to not hire TB.
Not to concerned with the D side of the ball with Bradly as he knows what he is doing there.
Pederson please don’t f this up.
Evidence – Okla St, Tulsa, Mich, Oklahoma, Houston, Cincy, WVU. All Programs with outstanding offenses and no defense over the last few years.
Your Defense is on the field too much…. Wake up….
Pull the trigger… Hire Bradley
Yes Oregon, Florida, and Utah, Nevada. Ok State all run the spread Offense Of course they win 10 games a year and have a couple national championships with Florida so we shouldn’t think about it right?
If so why is Tim Tebow considered a running QB.
If you consider the Pistol, Read Option Offense a spread Offense then I guess you are right.
Still yet…
Utah, Nevada, OK. State have not won national championships.
Oregon May.. but its only because they going against one of its own kind.
Alabama, LSU, USC, Florida, Ball Control. Time Clock managing capabilities.
Walt Harris ran a spread offense, he learned it from Northwestern.. remember. How did that work out, hook slide at the 3 at Uconn.
Pull the Trigger!!!!!
HIRE BRADLEY!!!!!!!
I am being told how HS coaches are unimportant
I am being told that we will get kids no matter who the coach is for Pitt
I guess Wanny didn’t have to repair any bridges with WPIAL coaches that had been destroyed by Walt.
I guess I never read about how that was a huge problem and how Dave W. really established a great relationship with local coaches
I guess having our own backyard in total chaos for not just this year but next year is ok.
I guess an unknown coach who has no ties will have to work doubly hard just to get his foot in the door won’t set us back for 2012 class which is arguably one of the more talented WPIAL classes to come out in years.
Yeah I guess I am wrong to think Bradley is the right choice.
DaveD
Yes I remember “the failed experiment” that Walt tired to run. That’s why I wondered who would be the OC.
Anyone can runs a good offensive system poorly. I think most of us would be happy to trade win lose records with Utah or Nevada over the last 5 years.
Florida does run a spread or a version of it.
Plenty of teams have a rushing attack out of the spread. The spread means that they spread out the field and you can have ball control and run a version of the spread.
Bradley said he wanted to run a version of the spread. (I like this) but I was wondering who would run it or what version he likes.
”
…Todd Graham from Tulsa, who interviewed with Pitt the first time through this process and talked to Pederson on the phone earlier this week and then either did meet or will meet with Pederson again for a second time. Graham was apparently eliminated during the first round because his price tag (he asked in the $1.7 to $1.9 million range) but the school is willing to open up the checkbook a little bit more this time and are willing to see if they can work something out for the right guy. I know Pederson is high on Graham but business is business.”