Time to get through some browser tabs and media reactions and stories relating to Head Coach Todd Graham, the hire by Pitt and anything else that I decide fits in this post.
As I said when the hire happened, the hiring process may seem like the easy part compared to all that has to follow. I’m sure Graham is going to make a public appearance at Pitt’s basketball game soon. I’m hoping it will not be until Monday. Bigger impact on a nationally televised game, and a much bigger crowd since there won’t be the conflict/overlap of Saturday night with the Ravens-Steelers at 4:30. (For those wondering why Pitt can’t/won’t change it. The time is locked in with Fox Sports Pittsburgh to televise, and the Big East since the women’s team is playing ND at 2 pm at the Pete.)
I don’t know the last time Pitt actually had a designated QB Coach (ever?). Walt Harris didn’t want/need one since that was sort of his thing. The OCs under Dave Wannstedt also served as a QB coach, and well, the results were mixed.
Coach Todd Graham appears to want a guy specifically teaching the QBs according to rumors/reports. The guy to do it is reportedly another Todd. In this case, Todd Dodge.
Dodge, for those unfamiliar with him, was considered one of the best high school coaches in the state of Texas. He ran an open offense (are we allowed to say “spread” with Graham — because that was what Dodge ran) called the “Air-Raid Offense.” Among Dodge’s QBs were Chase Daniel (Mizzou) and Greg McElroy (Alabama). In his last five years as a HS coach, his teams went 79-1.
Coming into last night’s game I expected a few scenarios. I thought Georgetown would come out desperate and energized. Knowing that their season was hanging in a precarious balance. They couldn’t afford a second straight home loss and start the season 1-4 in the Big East. They would be playing a lot better and with purpose against Pitt.
My expectations were honestly that Georgetown might overwhelm Pitt right away and put Pitt in the uncomfortable and unfamiliar role of having to come from behind for most of the game. Or that it would be a back-and-forth tight game throughout with it coming down to the final minute or two to decide it. I never expected to see Pitt just take it to Georgetown like that and see the Hoyas fold.
