Now this is the kind of news you expect in a quiet offseason.
University of Pittsburgh head football coach Todd Graham announced a change regarding the coaching staff’s positional assignments for this year.
Tony Gibson, whose previous positional focus was on the cornerbacks, will now coach the entire secondary and serve as pass defense coordinator.
Randall McCray, who was initially assigned the safeties, will now coach the outside linebackers. McCray will continue to coordinate special teams.
Additionally, tight ends coach Tony Dews will add the role of recruiting coordinator.
“We always want to ensure our staff is operating at the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness,” Graham said. “Based on our experience this spring, we felt these changes would significantly enhance our teaching and coaching on the defensive side of the ball.”
I have to admit, the distaste that Michigan and WVU fans have expressed for Tony Gibson’s coaching acumen has me a touch nervous. It is along the lines of the way Pitt fans felt about Jeff Hafley’s ability to coach the secondary the previous couple of years. And now he goes from just handling the cornerbacks to the entire secondary and scheming the pass defense? Erp.
According to Paul Zeise at the P-G, this actually took place during spring practice, but no one bothered to make an official announcement.
Here’s the new updated assistant coach structure.
Paul Randolph: executive associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator, defensive line
Calvin Magee: assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator, running backs
Mike Norvell: co-offensive coordinator, wide receivers, director of recruiting
Keith Patterson: defensive coordinator, linebackers
Tony Gibson: pass defense coordinator, secondary
Tony Dews: tight ends, recruiting coordinator
Todd Dodge: quarterbacks
Spencer Leftwich: offensive line
Randall McCray, outside linebackers, special teams coordinator
Bo Graham, assistant wide receivers coach, head graduate assistant
Yes, that last name on the list is indeed one of Coach Graham’s sons.
The other thing that stands out on that list is that three of the coaches on the defensive side now have coordinator status attached to their title. Randolph, Patterson and Gibson. Have to assume that things have a hierarchy and organization to keep the coaches working together, but it seems potentially awkward.
You’d actually think Rutgers has some sort of pedigreed football program. Shows how articles can be spun by a writer who wants to show a program in the best light possible. This Fox character has done some hit pieces on Pitt.
Go Figure.
I mean does anyone really care about Rugters football, other than Greg Schiano and the people who he pays to coach. (3 former Pitt assistants this year) Cignetti seems to have a about a 2 year life span or less at some of his recent coaching gigs. I’d really love to see Pitt blow this team out like 52-10.
blog about last night’s activities .. plus that Graham has no interest in D Bell
Again, all that matters is what occurs on the field come Saturdays in September