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January 9, 2011

Presuming A Two Horse Race

Filed under: Coaches,Football,Hire/Fire,Rumors — Chas @ 11:41 pm

[Editor note: I started drafting this post earlier today. Kept getting interrupted by the apparent movement on Graham, and offline business. This post may be stale by the time it is posted.]

I don’t know about anyone else, but yesterday was a very good day. Not simply because Pitt won both football and basketball games. It was because for the first time in over a week, it was all about the games. It was watching the play. Commenting restricted to what was going on, on the field and court. The only discussion of coaches I was having were the decisions and play calling.

No heaviness. No attempting to parse non-denials. No reading into tidbits of information. Just the games themselves. It was almost like taking a day off.

Ah, well, it was nice while it lasted.

At this point all news seems to suggest that it is going to be either Tom Bradley or Todd Graham. Yeah, Bud Foster appears to have been interviewed.  Teryl Austin and Greg Roman will or are interviewing. Mario Cristobal is out there lurking somewhere.

Figuratively speaking, the hell with the others. As far as rumors and educated guess go, it is either Graham or Bradley.

This is where it all gets more than a little subjective.

Let me say right away. I will be fine with either Bradley or Graham as Pitt’s next head coach. I have biases swinging both ways (or you can just call it being wishy-washy). I thought Graham would be a good choice the first go round of looking for a coach. I’ve been intrigued with Bradley and was happy when Pitt finally decided to give him a look. Graham was an early mention, but no one believed that was the coach Pitt was looking at in the state of Oklahoma.

Graham is more of a proven quantity, in so far as he has head coaching experience at Rice and Tulsa. He did spend a couple years in the Big East working for DickRod at WVU, including one year as co-defensive coordinator. He is a big proponent of aggressive, high scoring offenses.  He has ploughed through offensive coordinators at Tulsa because they are so prolific, the OCs move on quickly to higher profile positions. His present OC is now heading to Clemson.

Despite roots on the defensive side, his Tusla teams also give up a lot of points. There are also questions about how he would recruit at Pitt. He is a native to Oklahoma, and has spent most of his career down in Texas and Oklahoma. Then there is the question of whether he is just playing Pitt for more money from Tulsa. Something that he has done in the past, and is starting to grate in Tulsa.

Tulsa coach Todd Graham’s three-week flirtation with the Pittsburgh job has frustrated some Golden Hurricane supporters with deep pockets to the breaking point.

Graham’s actions aren’t unique. Hundreds of coaches over the years have used similar tactics to either get a raise or up the ante at the school pursuing them.

He’s still giving non-denials. Assuming he would come to Pitt, and it is all negotiating, there is the issue of how long-term he would be at Pitt. I know, the impulse is that if he wins and achieves what Brian Kelly did at Cinci, we’d take that trade. To some extent that is true, but the longer this gets drawn out, the more I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pitt’s decisionmakers shy away from a guy who could bolt in as early as 2-3 years.

And just to make things a little more confusing, his name is coming up as a possibility at Stanford. While there has been some rumored mention of him also being a name on LSU’s short-list if Les Miles bolts for Michigan, I haven’t seen any other references to that possibility yet, but I suppose it is possible. The longer Pitt’s search goes, the more likely the risk increases that Graham could be playing Pitt for more money or be negotiating with others. Honestly, if Graham and Pitt don’t have a contract by Monday, I don’t see it happening.

The only other intangible that seems to hurt Graham in many Pitt fans’ view. He is the guy that extremely embattled AD Steve Pederson seems to want — badly. Given the negatives attached to Pederson at the moment, there almost seems to be a Groucho Marx reaction of, “Whatever it is, I’m against it.”

On that note, Tom Bradley seems to be the guy that Pederson is actively opposing — which has buoyed his candidacy beyond what I would expect. He never got a whiff in the first go-round, and it came out that Dan Rooney among others attempted to contact Pederson in support of Bradley — only to get the blow-off.

Last week when the mainstream media jumped the gun on Bradley appearing to be the hire, there was a surprising amount of positive reaction by fans. Like I said, some of it is the perception that this is a guy that Pederson didn’t want, so that makes him a better choice. The other, being his recruiting reputation in Western PA and Pennsylvania/NJ in general. Whether you consider his recruiting rep overblown or not, no one denies he is relentless at it.

The belief is that he is the steadier guy. Unlikely to be ready to bolt for another job at first chance (kind of Charlie Strong-like with gratitude at the opportunity). Though, the way things have bounced this week, that may be debatable.

In an odd way, as much as Bradley is known for being a Western PA guy. A guy who has produced strong defenses, and is rumored to be running most of the day-to-day actions of the football team. Yet, no on is really that sure what kind of offense he will run. How things will operate.

In a way, Bradley is typical of a lot of assistant coach hires. He provides a blank slate that allows us to project what is hoped and/or feared. His perceived strengths and weaknesses accentuated by the biases of whoever views him.





“Then there is the question of whether he is just playing Pitt for more money from Tulsa. Something that he has done in the past, and is starting to grate in Tulsa.”

This is something Pitt is really going to have to be concerned about…it appears based on his meeting with the team that he is using this (I am still the coach…do what’s in the best interest of my family).

But also, if for some reason he comes here…he will do the same thing to Pitt that he has done with Tulsa. Can Pitt afford that type of wrangling?

Then on Scout there was a MB post that said Pompeani mentioned he has a 2.5 million buyout and a 1.8 million salary demand. I know it’s rumor but there is a buyout. Not sure Pitt is gonna pony up that much money.

Stay Tuned…

DaveD

Dave

Comment by DaveD 01.10.11 @ 12:19 am

Seems like if we were really ready to spend that kind of money we could do better than Todd Graham. The more I hear about him the more he reminds me of DickRod.

Comment by Scott 78 01.10.11 @ 12:23 am

Well- the plot thickens? It appears they are dying to get Graham for some reason, but if it falls through we may end up with Bradley, Austin, or … Alex Van Pelt. That’s right, THAT Alex Van Pelt. Interesting to say the least!

Honestly, I think Graham would be a huge mistake, but at this point I’m just emotionally exhausted. Pick him- or someone

link to post-gazette.com

Comment by Dan35 01.10.11 @ 12:50 am

so how embarrasing for Pitt will it be if Tulsa comes through with more money to keep Graham?

The whole cheap thing will come right back in their face.

Is it me or have they done yet another bad job with this whole search yet again?

They should’ve had a hard date for Graham to decide and if not then move on with another 2nd interview.

They could’ve said they are conducting their next interview and none would be wiser (plausible deniability).

I don’t know…maybe there was no way to look good. Maybe if things wouldn’t have gone so wrong every move by Pitt wouldn’t be scrutinized under a super microscope.

Dan35 I second all your points…this guy just feels wrong to me. Even if we decide not to go with Bradley I just don’t like the feel of this guy.

But I too am exhausted and just want to move on to things like salvaging our recruiting class and Pitt B-Ball.

While I am enjoying the Pitt season this thing is just way too huge of a distraction…I just want it to go away.

DaveD

Comment by DaveD 01.10.11 @ 1:41 am

WOW, my mind is spinning. Graham, Bradley,Austin…and now Van Pelt in the mix….make a decision, let the Panther fans feel good about it, and get on with recruiting and building a staff.

Hail to PITT!
-al-

Comment by Oregon_Panther 01.10.11 @ 2:10 am

Van Pelt, who tried to run the K-Gun with Trent Edwards and got fired in about thirty seconds? You have got to be kidding me.

Comment by The Rooster 01.10.11 @ 2:43 am

What kind of offense should we run? How about whatever wins games. The scheme only works if the right players are present. I personally think a good pro-set is the best overall, and would fit with our current players. Besides, the spread is so 2009. The trend is now moving back to pro style offenses.

Speaking of offense, am I the only one who thought that the O looked more confident and ran more smoothly with Bennett coaching? Who was calling the offense with Cigs gone? Kudos to Coach Bennett and to the players for the win on Saturday!

Comment by Chuck Morris 01.10.11 @ 3:34 am

Chuck – all PITT did was run the football on Saturday. We rushed 46 times and passed 19. They were forced to because Sunseri was unable to throw the ball to a receiver in stride.

How hard is it to call one of four rushing plays?

Comment by Reed 01.10.11 @ 4:25 am

Looks like the PG still defends Pederson – well at least Smizik.

I am now reading the Tribune Review more often. They dont seem to be afraid to speak out about Pederson and the coaching circus.

link to communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 7:19 am

Down to 2 candidates, that is a laugh to say the least! I don’t know about you guys, but I haven’t a clue at this point who is a viable candidate and who is a leading candidate contrary to reports by the media. I don’t even think the media has a clue what is going on at this point in time; they are putting stuff in print just to satisfy us all. I like the mention of AVP; can’t help it still want a Pitt guy. I think Graham is a reach and really playing Pitt; can’t see him leaving his 3 kids in college to put up with them potentially getting ridiculed to chants of your father abandoned this institution. In general, this process seems to be no where close to coming to a conclusion. Feel like we need a scorecard or cheat sheat to keep track of who is in and who is out. Would like to see more than one candidate get a second interview especially with Nordy if he is so involved in this whole process. Down to 2, that might be, and their names might even not be Graham or Bradley for all that we know.

Comment by PittRN1998 01.10.11 @ 7:34 am

“The belief is that he is the steadier guy. Unlikely to be ready to bolt for another job at first chance (kind of Charlie Strong-like with gratitude at the opportunity). Though, the way things have bounced this week, that may be debatable.

In an odd way, as much as Bradley is known for being a Western PA guy. A guy who has produced strong defenses, and is rumored to be running most of the day-to-day actions of the football team. Yet, no on is really that sure what kind of offense he will run. How things will operate.”

This statement describes Wannstadt – I hear he is available.

Comment by zakman 01.10.11 @ 7:43 am

2 horses check your sources Bradley , and SUNSERI NECK AND NCEK

Comment by paul hannon 01.10.11 @ 7:59 am

Oh, the DRAMA, the INTRIGUE…..Wake me up when somebady has signed on the dotted line….YAWN.

Comment by Dr. Tom 01.10.11 @ 8:11 am

I really wouldn’t put much weight on Graham not taking the job because he has children in college. Ben Howland’s daughter was in school when I was at Pitt and some people used the same logic that he wouldn’t leave Pitt with his daughter being at Pitt and a cheerleader. Luckily, no one at Pitt held it against her or ridiculed her. Graham’s decision is going to come down to money.

Reading Zeise’s latest, it looks like if no Graham then it’s down to:
1. Bradley
2. Cristobal
3. Van Pelt
4. Austin

I personally would go with Cristobal since he seems to have tons of upside. A young guy who has proven he can win as a head coach. He led FIU to a bowl game victory. Most importantly “he was also named the fittest coach currently in the FBS according to an ESPN blog.”

Comment by XBlackMagicX 01.10.11 @ 8:17 am

Think abought this Graham coached under dick rod Graham goes to highest bider just like dick rod Graham has great offense but bad defense just like dick rod. But we will hire graham but not dick rod they are the same man if they are going to do this hire the master not the student. at least with dick rod there is no buy out they are bouth slime balls.

Comment by FRANKCAN 01.10.11 @ 8:37 am

Is it too much to ask to have the following done today so I can move on with what’s left of my life?

1) Hire a head coach
2) Fill all staff positions, including but not limited to: Dan Marino as quarterbacks coach, Mark May as OL coach, Dorsett as RB coach, Austin as DC
3) Revert back to script logo
4) Hold press conference wherein coach warns all other big east teams, especially WVU, that there is a new sheriff in town

Comment by A 01.10.11 @ 8:38 am

Cristobal, isn’t that Chris Griffins’ artiste alter ego??

Comment by Dan 01.10.11 @ 8:42 am

Just discovered this blog and it has helped to ease my frustration.

Looks like there is no way Bradley is getting hired which I think is a great thing. I do not think he is going to make a good HC as he has been too happy to be “the guy behind the guy” for 32 years. 10-15 years I can understand. You just don’t pop out of that 32 year JoePa protection bubble and become a great head coach.

Look at the way he handled the interview with the Philly reporter – brief interview to blame the media for his position right now with Pitt. How about his players and former players tweeting congrats that he got the job? Is he blaming them? he could have done a much better job silencing rumors and move forward . How would this guy handle the spotlight day in and day out as a HC with the media? Could he stay focused?

Based on what we are reading now, we won’t have to worry about it as he won’t be hired.

Comment by mark cas 92 01.10.11 @ 9:05 am

With such popular fan and key individual support if anyone is hired before Bradely gets a 2nd interview I will be very, very upset.

The Chancelor and the AD are losing credibility daily with this nonsense.

Defense wins championships; Alabama returned a National Championship QB and Heisman TB BUT they could not repeat because of DEFENSE.

Just as many QBs and TBs followed them, I will gladly follow Fralic and Ditka. Hire Bradley now and build credibility

Comment by mill67 01.10.11 @ 9:10 am

Sounds like a plan A

I’m thinking the late arrival of AVP could be significant. Pitt did start one of AVP’s seasons 6-0 and ranked in the Top 15, then they went to ND.
Keith Hamilton anchored the D-Line that year, I think with Sean Gilbert the 3rd overall pick in the NFL Draft. I’m thinking it was 1990 or 1991.

The only negative with AVP is lack of recruiting in college environment. But I bet he could recruit QB’s and maybe convince Gary Nova to recommit.

It looks like Pittsburgh down here in NC, there’s snow all over the place.

Comment by carolinapanther 01.10.11 @ 9:14 am

I find it odd that Pitt is talking contract money with Graham when it apears that he is the ONLY candidate that Nordenberg has met with??? How can he make a decision or start talking money before he’s met or spoken with anyone else???

I hope he is smart enough not to trust Pederson on hiring Graham.

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 9:18 am

Been thinking about the story about Dan Rooney getting peeved that Pitt didn’t take their advise. Hey Mr. Rooney, how about taking a flier on a Pitt guy in the late rounds of the draft. You share the facility. I am sure that they wouldn’t mind having LSH (aka the Johnstown Jet)back there returning kicks.

Comment by Greg Lee 01.10.11 @ 9:20 am

My feeling is that Graham is not coming. He’s just playing us to increase his value. If there is even a remote chance LSU comes calling he’s going to wait.

Bradley doesn’t appear to have the support.

I really think it’s going to be Mario Cristobal on Wednesday afternoon.

Comment by FG 01.10.11 @ 9:25 am

At this point, I am just mentally exhausted. I see from the posts that I’m not alone. I would like to see some resolution soon. If not Bradley, my choice, hopefully it will be a well considered coach who do more than just a competent job. Hail to Pitt!

Comment by Justinian 01.10.11 @ 9:38 am

I heard if not Graham, they’re gonna give Haywood another shot!

Comment by Dan 01.10.11 @ 9:45 am

Dokish summed it up perfectly for all the Bradley lovers out there:

“There is no doubt that, other than ignorance, the reason most Pitt fans are down on him is because of the out of control love for Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, who as any college football observer will tell you is nowhere near the coaching candidate that Graham is. One is being coveted by Auburn, Stanford, and LSU and the other is being turned down by Temple.”

Comment by XBlackMagicX 01.10.11 @ 9:52 am

Its obvious that Bradley isnt getting much support from the inner circle. Otherwise I think he would be further along in the process right now and would have (at the very least) had his second interview already.

It sounds like a lot of the old guard wants a Pitt guy. I picked up on a little tidbit from Fralic that might be some indication, notice the “anti-Pitt” reference which screams of the old penn state hatred:

“I can’t lie. I care so much about the place, but I can’t keep my mouth shut,” Fralic said. “I’m sure right now the university would like me to dry up and blow away. I can understand that. But my honest sense of things is that they’re not right, and I don’t see them going right.”

Fralic is upset that Pederson not only forced out a proud Pitt alumnus in Wannstedt, but he also led a coaching search that failed to include any former Panthers as candidates and is part of a second search that has only one candidate with Pitt ties among the half-dozen or so likely to interview.

“It seems almost a prerequisite to get a guy who has no ties,” Fralic said. “It’s not necessarily important that it’s a Pitt guy. It’s just that it shouldn’t be an anti-Pitt guy.”

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 9:57 am

XBlack, when was the last time Dokish hired a football coach? His man crush on Graham is quite funny. He does cover himself though and says well Bradley might work out too. Also, the interest in Graham is all speculation. If Pederson wants him, that is reason enough for me to not want him.

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 10:02 am

FIU played as hard as it could even though it was overmatched against Pitt.
Cristobal would definitely see the Pitt job as a BIG step upward and would stay for a reasonable number of years. Another plus is that he knows Florida and let’s face it the talent in Pennsylvania seems to be thinning out rapidly. Forget about Pitt, look at PSU. We are the #2 program in Pa, however, the talent (mostly from Pa) at State College has not been up to par the last 3-4 years.
O.K. some are going to say PSU is not getting talent because of the Old Man, however, look at the number of **** star kids who have decided to play football in the middle of nowhere….and they are weak when compared to the *** star kids out of Florida, Texas, California, etc.
I live in central Pa and believe me most of the high school football is TERRIBLE!!!!
Really? Well, Bostic was rated as a can’t miss out of Central Pa. In Florida he would have been lucky to have been a *** recruit.
Cristobal might make a ton of sense when you step back and think of the candidates under consideration. I can accept all of them with one exception….I think Graham is using Pitt for $$$ and he will be a disaster (Haywood #2 for different reasons).

Comment by isnore 01.10.11 @ 10:03 am

Alex Van Pelt? OMG, what is this obsession with Pitt guys?

Comment by Scott 78 01.10.11 @ 10:11 am

David Jones rings in

link to blog.pennlive.com

Comment by Tony in Harrisburg 01.10.11 @ 10:15 am

Scott…you are right. Who cares if a Pitt guy is even interviewed? That is nonsense. Just like Fralic’s comments about pulling donations. In fact, the only thing that is wrong about the second search is that they are interviewing so many unqualified Pitt guys.

Comment by notrocketscience 01.10.11 @ 10:29 am

You know what would be nice. Picking the coach soon. So he could talk to Dion Lewis and Henry Hynoski and reasure them that he’s not going to abandon the offence, for which we have the personell to run. Also, having a coach in place so he can talk to recruits that are still hanging with us. There a nice article in Tribune Review about some of our recruits that are hanging around waiting to see what happens. It would be nice to have someone in place, to let them know who they will be playing for. Regardless of what Cook and others in media say about giving up on this year’s class, we can’t afford to do that! Wheather it’s 8 players or if we can pull back a few recruits and make it 10, 11, or 12, it will make a difference. Even the best coaches won’t win, if they don’t have the talent run the scemes they want. The next few weeks are really important.

Comment by Justinian 01.10.11 @ 10:30 am

I said this in an earlier post a few days ago. Peterson is to blame as if they would have given more thought to Bradley in the first place, we wouldn’t be having a discussion about coaching, recruiting, etc….Graham is a good choice, but you can bet 2-3 years if he wins 9 games gets him out of here and we are in the same position….. Please someone with knowledge on here please post why Pitt wouldn’t hire Bradley as H.C. and try with the money they save from Graham to get Austin on as D.C. ??? We would have 2 great recruiters, money wouldn’t be as much of a problem, and Pitt keeps a PA pipeline while picking up more ground from Florida which is a hotbed of talent. I really think most people on here are smart enough to know Bradley is in the drivers seat more than some realize as far as coaching goes at PSU. Make it happen to restore some faith in the program again, please…….

Comment by beanboy 01.10.11 @ 10:41 am

You guys kill me Sunseri will be in the mix

Comment by paul SHANNON 01.10.11 @ 10:47 am

Sunseri was a courtesy flush

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 10:53 am

Coach Ditka, it’s clear you want Bradley no matter what. And I think Bradley is not proven and an uninspiring pick. It’s not worth arguing over the merits of either of our positions as we clearly won’t be convinced.

But to say Pederson wanting a guy is reason enough to not want a guy makes zero sense. Lot’s of other people want Graham. If he is a candidate for Stanford and LSU then he certainly is a good coach, irregardless of Pederson’s like or dislike.

Comment by XBlackMagicX 01.10.11 @ 11:01 am

Yes, I favor Bradley. But I would be ok with some of the other names mentioned. I know for sure I dont want Graham. From everything I’ve read this guy is not what Pitt needs at this point in time.

If Pitt were in terrible shape, he might be a great choice. A guy that could turn things around, do some rebuilding and then bolt. What pitt needs now is someone that can build on some recent success, provide some more long term stability, and take Pitt to that elusive “next level”.

just my opinion.

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 11:06 am

I guess my point is that Graham seems like a hired gun. If Pitt was where it was in 1995 then he is our man. I think the stache, for all of his shortcomings, did build a good foundation for the program and I think Graham would only do more damage than good. His offensive philosophy would require a complete revamping of personnel and that could take at minimum two to three years. Just look at the way Dickrod struggled at Michigan. Pitt would be in for the same fate.

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 11:28 am

relevant or not, I recall AVP dated smoking hot chicks while at Pitt.

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