I’m kind of stealing that from Michael. It looks like it is all over but the official announcement.
Todd Graham appears to be the new head coach at Pitt. Reportedly a 5-year contract at about $2 million/year. It may have taken the AD’s neck on the chopping block, and an unbelievable catastrophe for the first hire; but Pitt pried open the checkbook to pay market rates.
At this point, I think most are just relieved to have the search done. There is going to be a lot of work ahead for Pitt’s athletic department and the new coach and coaching staff.
Graham has to get his staff assembled quickly, while trying to meet and make peace with the players that have to be completely confused at this point. Not sure if there is anyone left to salvage off of the old staff, but if at all possible he should try. At the very least keep Buddy Morris around for this year.
Then it is to see what is left of the recruiting class. It’s a bit of a lost cause, but you have to try.
The athletic department, and I’m not exactly sure what the best way to do this at the moment, really needs to do some major, major ass-kissing and making up to fans, boosters and alum. There was some severe alienation.
Steve Pederson’s status remains in question. People are pissed at him for reasons that at points conflict with the reasons others are pissed at him.
There are people pissed about Dave Wannstedt’s dismissal. People pissed about the first coaching search. About how Pitt appeared to go cheap and conservative in hiring Mike Haywood. About the humiliation stemming from Haywood being arrested. About learning how any and all advice — no matter how important or influential the person — was completely ignored. About all the bad feelings from what Pederson did in his first run as AD. How Tom Bradley didn’t get the job. And you can bet that people will be pissed about how much Pitt paid to get Graham.
Suddenly, the hiring of the coach seems like the easy part.
Re: Where this money came from…
Pitt is banking on increased attendance with expected success, a good home schedule next year with ND, Utah and 4 out of 7 Big East games with a probable minor increase in season ticket prices as well.
If this team ever starts winning championships Heinz Field will be a destination place on Thursday nights and noon on Saturday’s.
Maybe WTAE should ship him to their minor league affiliate in Johnstown or Clarksburg, WV.
Lets get to work! Hail to Pitt!
Those 2012 and 2013 schedules are tough when you add TCU. (I’m guessing they replace Villanova in 2013.)
On the other hand, I believe most people wanted Tom Bradley because Pederson did not. I hope people get behind Graham. When you talk about Tom Bradley, it sounds like your describing DW. When in the hell did Bradley become Vince Lombardi?
Youre exact words:
I’m embarrassed to be a Pitt fan. Graham was head-and-shoulders above Bradley. This is the sort of hire real fans have been wanting for a long time.
Not what you stated in your second post. If that is not what you meant fine.
But not everyone feels the same way you do and that’s ok. Doesn’t make them less of a fan.
DaveD
I mean, “Freddy Krueger”??? There had to be collective “uh oh” from Bigelow Blvd to Sutherland Drive.
Chas is right in that there have been a multitude of bridges burned. Pittsburgh is a forgiving town, but Pederson jumped the shark when he gave Dan Rooney the finger.
I hope Steve and Nordy got Jamie’s permission before they stroked that check.
Maybe next year at this time, we will all look back on this and say it was a good thing, but right now my gut is very uneasy.
I was very fortunate this year to get a nice raise and a good bonus – I will not be giving any funds to Pitt at this time – How could I ever trust them to do “good things” with any funds after the actions of the AD and the Chancelor over the past month.
Local radio show website poll shows 85% (of over 100,000 votes) show fans recommending Bradley over Graham.
The administration has a huge credibility problem. Unless we hear a detailed description of the search, and why Bradley did not receive a 2nd interview I don’t think the fan base will rally around Graham.
Pitt must win but must win the right way – or else we cast our lots with the Al Davis theory – “just win baby”.
My undergrad degree is from Pitt, my MBA from PSU – currently I am pround of one, seriously questioning the judgement of the other…
That was me, I told Nordy that I’d donate the extra 2 million a year, if I could get two seats for the basketball games at the Pete.
Thanks, Chas, for the terrific coverage.
And to all a good night.
1) Joe Paterno, and if he says hire Bradley, you know he’s toast
2) WVU, and how they tried to steal our recruits by trumping their new quasi-hire.
HAIL TO PITT!
I too want to extend my thanks…you have been an island of sanity in an insane universe.
thanks,
DaveD
I was at 48-14; helped bring down the uprights in 87 (Pitt 10 PSU 0). Lived through Foge, Hacket,Gottfried, etc…
BUT I have grown to respect Paterno and I’ve watched Bradley scheme well, call games well, make great changes and adjustments during a game (all while acting honorable, genuine, and forthright).
My true anger is focused on the administration – they appear totally arrogant, self-serving, out-of-touch with the fan base and they appear to truly despise the fans.
Unless the Administration comes totally clean on what happened I don’t think Graham will ever have credibility.
I do take my family to a PSU game every year to go along with my Nittany Lion Club donation. The last Pitt game my family went with me to watch was the “epic struggle” against the Bulls of Buffalo.
I love Pitt but when looking at the past 15 years there is no comparison to the product PSU has delivered vs. Pitt.
I really can’t stand the blue and white zombies that live in my area, but I have to agree with you about the way the administration has conducted themselves throughout is whole process.
I hope SP is fired within the week.
UNBELIEVABLE!
I totally agree with you.
Chet:
I hope we keep a clean program; I think that would be certain with Bradley, I’m not so sure with Pederson and Graham (just win baby)…
If I remember right Tulsa’s spread does not need a Pat White, sorta like Texas Tech, just somebody that can throw to one of four wideouts that get open. I think we got the wideouts for this! Maybe Mark Meyers can deliver here!
If we haven’t been paying players, we need to start.
This is a great move. Call him a mercenary, whore, pimp or whatever, if we can call him a winner it wont matter.
Feel bad for Hyno. Hopefully some team in NFL wants a very good FB. Probably no place for him in Graham offense.
I am guessing that most if the offensive recruits we lost would not have worked in Graham’s system anyway so they probably did the right thing in looking elsewhere.
Don’t worry brother I’ve kept the seat of apathy warm for you the last six years and you as a fan of defense are you may want/have to try it out. I hope not but like I like I said I understand exactly how you feel and I know it’s a big let down.
I think Graham is a much better hire than Haywood – hands down. So in that respect I feel better than I did three weeks ago. I am a Pitt alum and a fan – always will be. But I will need to vent for a few weeks before I let this sink in and throw my support behind Graham. My biggest concerns with Graham:
1.) He runs a system that Pitt is not equipped to run. I am afraid we could see a downturn like Michigan. Pitt has a good foundation and is a team that can win right now. I am just afraid that a major shake up will really set us back. And having said all that, I would be ok with a major shake up if I was convinced that Graham was here for the long haul to see it through. But I think he is here a max of 3 years successful or not.
2.) Second concern is as stated above. I dont see him staying at Pitt any longer than three years wether he is fired or leaves for more money. At which point we will have to do this all over again and endure another “system change” that could take years.
3.) Graham, despite a good resume, is a risky pick especially when we had a guy like Bradley in front of us for the taking. He seems to be a little bit of a maverick and judging by some of the comments from Rice and Tulsa fans he is not that well liked with the games he plays.
4.) It may be a dumb reason to not like a coach but if Steve Pederson wanted him, I am skeptical to say the very least.
5.) Over time Graham may be a great recruiter in this region of the country be he has to start from scratch. He has no ties, no relationships, no inroads – this is ground zero.
6.) Grahams strength is obviously his high powered offense and his OC isnt coming with him!!! This troubles me.
7.) Graham’s defenses have not exactly been the steel curtain. As much fun as it is to watch a high flying offense you still need a stout defense to win. As seen last night when Auburn held down the most potent offense in the country.
So, I have a lot of big concerns with this hire. I think it was a big gamble. This is the kind of gamble you take when you need to rebuild a program not when you have a solid foundation that is close to winning at a high level right now. Again, just my opinion. I will eventually come around but he has a lot to prove to me and many others.
Steve Pederson needs to begin his ass kissing tour right now. Ticket prices better be coming down, script logos should be coming back, and we better win!
