We PITT fans have heard and read an awful lot about cultural changes going on inside the PITT football program and what types of motivational tactics Todd Graham may use to accomplish that. Let’s take a minute to look at this more closely and see if what we fans think is needed is going to actually happen.
PITT fans like to compare our team and football program to other BCS schools, but that only goes so far. We are not a football-factory university situated in the middle of a state and which dominates a small town by its presence. We are a huge part of the fabric of the city of Pittsburgh as one of its largest employers and land owners. As such PITT has a real responsibility to maintain both good local relations and a positive reputation. We didn’t do that on many fronts last year.
Everyone agrees 2010 was basically horrendous, from the Elijah Fields Twitter “Play for Pay” incident in February to the hiring and firing of Mike Haywood in January 2011. It was a hell of a year and left everyone who follows the program closely pretty drained. If we fans think it was tough, just imagine what the players and the administration must have gone through.
The four arrests for violent actions that the PITT players had showed that something was going wrong in the program, especially when three of them happened within a few week’s span – and after Wannstedt dropped the discipline hammer on the players, following the Jabaal Sheard incident.
Wannstedt was a “Player’s coach” in that it seemed that he really wanted the kids to like him. No one doubted that Dave Wannstedt’s players liked him… obviously they did. But Leadership demands respect, being liked should be a distant consideration and should follow only if everything else has been taken care of. There was a real question if he still exerted effective control of the players last season. This may not have been the case any longer.
In essence, this is where Wannstedt fell short. We can minimize the actual details of the Sheard situation if we care to, we can debate the wisdom of not suspending him for any meaningful practices or playing time until the cows come home, but we can’t deny that PITT had three more arrests soon after Sheard played in that opening game. Was this a result of not suspending Sheard due to ‘depth chart justice’ or an attempt at remaining a ‘player’s coach’?
Whichever it was, it didn’t work and it showed up rather dramatically throughout the rest of the season. I can’t remember anytime over Wannstedt’s first five years as head coach where the players seemed to give up on a game. Not even during that tough 2007 year when we were at one point 4-7. That team played every game to the last minute.
That wasn’t the case in 2010. There was a real impression that the kids weren’t 100% in it after we lost to Utah, Miami and Notre Dame. It showed a bit in the UCONN game but really came to the fore against WVU where it was brutally evident that the players didn’t think we could win and played like it. There were also some disturbing sideline incidents as well in the interactions between some players and the staff.
In addition to all the above, which transpired from the preseason up to the last game of season on Dec. 4, PITT’s athletic department was informed by the writers of a Sports Illustrated article that the magazine was researching the criminal records of the players on the rosters of all the 2010 preseason Top 25 teams… and that PITT held the #1 spot with 22. That article wasn’t made public until February of 2011 but it was another body blow when the school found out the contents earlier.
The bottom line was that PITT had things happen in 2010 that hadn’t happened previously and it impacted the program in a definite and negative way.
Wannstedt was fired as a result of a combination of the team’s poor play and the poor attitudes that surrounded the football program. That has become more evident as things unfolded after the season ended. When conducting their coaching search it was apparent that PITT concentrated on someone who could address these problems right off the bat. Mike Haywood showed that very dramatically with his demeanor and his “Sit down and shut up!” greeting to the players in their first meeting. Not the best approach at a sensitive time and his subsequent firing must have put the players even further behind the eight ball in thinking ‘what can go wrong next?’
Enter Todd Graham. He inherited a program that was buffeted by these problems yet holds an old and strong football tradition with a fan base and university administration whose pride in that tradition is firm, but who also were tired of what they had seen happen over the last year.
There was some concern though that between the firing of a popular Head Coach, the Haywood debacle and Graham’s different approach to offense and discipline we’d lose a lot of players to transfers. We did have some juniors who could have come back for their senior years decide to declare for the NFL draft instead. Whether or not the coaching turmoil pushed their decision or not isn’t actually known. In Baldwin and Lewis’ cases it probably didn’t as they were set for the NFL as soon as they were eligible. However, one has to wonder if in Hynoski’s case the new coach’s de-emphasis on the fullback position didn’t hasten things for him. Mike Cruz had been thinking of leaving the team also.
So, here in the last week of March we have already heard some noise about possible transfers ‘depending on what happens during the spring practices’. But one gets a feeling that whoever is contemplating that isn’t bothered so much by Wannstedt’s departure and Graham’s new approaches as they are with playing time given the new offensive system in place.
On the other hand, we are also hearing that there is across the board ‘buy-in’ by the players during these practices; that they tired as hell after the practices but are excited about the new direction of the football program. More than one player has been quoted as saying that he didn’t want to see Wannstedt go but is also glad that Graham is the new Head Coach.
The new HC, or his staff, don’t lack the energy or the imagination to implement motivation tools – we read and hear it every day with the phrases they use to describe their brand of football and in the sayings they use on the kids during practice. Progress toward a common goal hides a lot of ills and the more things come together for the players, both mentally and physically, the better they will feel about the state of the program today.
Of course, all this may be putting a ‘Happy Face’ on at this point from the staff and athletic department, but it doesn’t feel that way from here. It seems genuine enough, at least at this point in time.
But the real trial by fire will be during the summer training camp when competition for positions and the demand for execution on the field kicks into high gear. Then it will continue on into and through the regular season when we start to see definite results of these changes reflected in the way the games are played by our players, individually and as a team, and by the scores on the scoreboard. That’s when a check on the player’s attitudes will show truth. They have been told concrete changes have been made that will ensure discipline off the field and bring successes on it. They will know if they’ve been sold a bill of goods or not.
So what was Pitt to do ? Making a change at head coach was necessaryjust as in the Walt era. But if we were so damn close to dominating the Big East why tear down the entire program and start over as I view in Graham. It was too radical a change. I’m not saying Graham can’t succeed and am willing to wait and see I just question the severity of the change.
I like the offensive change Graham brings but I worry about the defensive changes. This week the PG article on all the depth at down linemen has the current staff smiling makes me question why go from from that depth to a 3 d line set up. It sounded like these Tulsa bred coaches never saw so many good d-linemen.
It makes me wonder if the future recruits will be 3 and 4 star quality or drop to 2 and 3 star.
I am cautious about what Graham brings to the table, I’m waiting to see results before I buy into the verbal assault put out by Pitt football today.
Things were not rosy when Graham arrived but they were far better than Walt or Dave found them when they arrived. With fingers crossed I hope Graham was the right choice.
Wbb – the more I learn about last season the more I think DW might have been gone anyway. I do know that the Administration felt that it wasn’t going to get any better without a real change, which they effected in a rather dramatic fashion by making a ‘clean sweep’ of Wannstedt complete staff.
Winning a BE championship may have saved his job I suppose. But we’ll never know.
That SI article had a lot more bark than bite when really scrutinized (research methods, various state’s privacy laws, etc…) and had we been #1 in any other year but last, it probably wouldn’t have had the impact it did. But on the heels of everything else? That made it a big deal.
Further, the thought that the discipline issue was a major issue in the firing is nonsense … and it should be noted that both Pittsburgh papers took Peterson to task when he made it an issue at the hiring press conference for Haywood (which of course blew up in his face just 2 1/2weeks later.)
As a matter of fact, a writer I consider tops covering PITT football, Kevin Gorman said this in his March 4th column…
“But the biggest joke brought about by a six-month investigation by Sports Illustrated and CBS News wasn’t that Pitt had the most players in trouble with the law among programs in SI’s 2010 preseason top 25. It’s the belief that winning more games could have saved Dave Wannstedt’s job and spared the school such embarrassment.”
What some PITT fans don’t realize is that for the PITT Administration embarrassments on the football field pale in comparison, by a long shot, to local and national embarrassment off of it. I know this to be true without a doubt in my mind.
And for thst matter, by late in the season, many on this site were calling for wanny’s firing but I don’t recall anyone citing off-the-field issues as the reason for it.
If you’re going to citeGorma of the Trib, I suggest that you also cite the Trib’s Starkey right after he Haywood hiring when Peterson brought the discipline issue. Note that Starkey was in favor of the firing, but he said that citing any reason other than wins and losses was a joke (as did Smizk and Cokk at the PG fortha matter.) They all knew that if Wanny had Pitt in the BCS game, he would still be around.
Again,this was a one year thing. Did it needed to be corrected ? … Absolutely … but big reason to fire … absolutely not.
Ontario, Wanny missed out from wining the BE one year on a botched extra point, and tied for the title the next year. Thus, your statement of ‘never going to happen’ was just silly. I’m not saying that he shouldn’t have been fired; in fact, I’m looking forward to see what a ‘college’ coach will do. But, quit with the hyperbole (just like Dixon will never make the Final 4, I’m a little above that.)
My 100% belief in this doesn’t stem from the media, it comes from more personal sources.
But, we’ll agree to disagree.
Pitt became aware of the article early on…the reason for the quick departure and attempt to save face by having Wanny stay on at Pitt in a different capacity.
Don’t be fooled. Had his players behaved, Wanny still would be coach regardless of on the field performance.
But it seems that Butler is the real deal. For them to win today Mack’s ankle has to be iced thoroughly.
You saved yourself some money by not responding. Florida has SO much talent. Hater.
The fact is that SI story was just too convenient of an excuse; tere eas no talk from the admin at the time of the dismissal or anywhere else that it was anything else but what had happened on the field.
ONE BAD OFF THE FIELD YEAR (OUT OF 6) DOES NOT FIRE A COACH … AND IF IT DID, LORD HAVE MERCY ON THIS PROGRAM
Mine is just one of them. But I base my opinion on not underestimating the impact that all of the issues surrounding the football program last year, from DW’s personnel decisions to the more highly visible incidents we are all familiar with, had on the PITT administration. It was a highly embarrassing year all around and I’ve taken the stance that the off the field stuff played a major role in their decision making. The Administration, including the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees will do whatever it takes to preserve PITT’s reputation.
Unless you think that it was pure coincidence that every other word out of both Haywood and Graham’s mouths has been “Discipline, accountability, responsibility, etc…” Believe me, that was a condition of hire from the top down.
To think otherwise is, again in my opinion, a mistake. It is true that DW’s inability to reach the stated football goals of the program in winning a BE championship outright was a big factor also. That much is obvious too.
I suppose the real issue of discussion here is whether either of these aspects – on the field & off the field, standing alone, would have been enough to effect the same change that PITT made on Dec 7th and that is a question that I’m not sure we fans know the real answer to.
I think getting to this level this year has a lot to do with go-to guys like Mack, Howard – though I really hate how he plays – Walker, and even Derrick Williams.
I do think the calls for Dixon’s head are pretty strange given that he’s such a good coach. Has a glass ceiling so far but I don’t doubt he’ll get the team into the Final Four before he leaves PITT. Until then he does a great job with the program all around and the team is exciting to watch.
I still hate our shot clock violation but you know what, sometimes crap happens and the play doesn’t work. Even for the best players and coaches.
Yes, no doubt that they lose big games but to say they never win them is silly. Again, in the past 3 years, the lost the BE title by a TD, an extra point and finished tied for the title .. so to think it could never happen makes little sense.
“Oh my! Four minutes to go in the game, we are ahead by a couple of points and DW runs a play with Lewis or Graham carrying the ball instead of throwing deep bombs. DW is playing not to lose instead of playing to win.
It’s a close game, 4th and 5 deep in our own territory, and what does DW do? He punts instead of trying a fake punt. Hs was playing not to lose instead of playing to win.
And another Oh My. As Ontario explained it: DW put pressure on the ball carriers to not fumble. Hs was playing not to lose instead of playing to win.
Fourth and one, DW runs it on 4th down. What is he trying to do? Lose the game.
Pitt did get a shot off. One tenth of a second late. Butler still rebounded the ball. The result would have been the same. You can say all you want that Gibbs rushed the shot, but go back and watch it. It was well within his range, he was stepping into the shot and he completed his normal motion. Yinz just need to move on.
Varga, can you explain what that means? Is that bad or good? Why? Also, please give some examples.
However, I couldn’t disagree more about the impact about not getting the shot off in time. By being one-tenth of a second late, the clock stopped, refs went to the table to ensure the correct time and in effect gave Butler a TO to outline the stratgey for advancing the the ball to their side of the court and then taking their last TO.
On the other hand, if Gibbs gets the ball off with at 9.3 instead of 9.1 left, there is a long rebound and scrap for the ball. If Pitt gets it, they are definitely in the driver’s seat. If not, there are approx 7 seconds eft and Butler has the ball on their side of the court with the clock moving and no outlined startegy.
Getting the shot off in time wold have had a significant impact.
Good point on the free timeout. However, it also gave Jamie time to organize the defense. Personnally, I would have put pressure on the ball but Jamie chose not to. So, did Butler gain an advantage that Pitt couldn’t counter? Don’t think so.
On the rebound, both Gary and Nas were clearly boxed out, and the ball bounced right toward Howard near the foul line. The only scrap would have been Nas going over Howard’s back.
So, let’s say that it takes an extra 2 seconds for Butler to get the rebound and across half court to call their timeout, which is generous. Pitt then loses on a last second layup, and we avoid all the pain of the foul sequences.
I guess the point I’m making is that we can “what if” that game all we want, but Pitt still loses it and there’s no changing that. Butler is having a charmed tourney. Just ask ODU fans and Florida fans. They’re probably thinking they should have won their games too. As I’ve said a number of times now, players have to make plays. Butler’s players have been making them and their opponents’ have not. Give them some credit.
Heck, there seems to be a lot with short memories on this very web site. As late as last summer when Wanny was outrecruiting the likes of PSU, Va Tech and even Florida for some high profile recruits, compliments of Wanny were plentiful. And these compliments were mostly about the program that he built including not only the recent on-the-field success as well as the off-the-field comportment and high graduation rates of his players.
Of course, this all came crashing down this past year and AD Peterson had sufficient reason for dismissing Wanny … and of course now Wanny to many on this site was never ever a good coach and even an adject failure.
Last week Myles Carregein was quoted as saying that there was a definite lack of senior leadership this past season …. something that I had felt all along and stated so on this very site a few times. Further, not only were the players behaving poorly off the field but for the first time in Wanny’s tenure, they were comitting far many penalties than their opponents, depicting a lack of focus.
I sense this past season was a great learning process for all of the players who return this year (save a few), and from everthing I read, they are willing to buy into the new environment entirely. I have little doubt that this team will begin this year with a healthy attitude and hopefully it will show on the field … as well as off (although whenyou have 80 youngsters on a college campus, there are bund to always be a few incidents.)