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December 15, 2011

For oh, so many reasons.

The obvious is that he will manage to be the 4th Pitt football head coach in just the last 12 months. Yeah, yeah, 62 years for 2 PSU coaches or whatever.

That’s not why the next coach has it so bad.

The fan base is at an all time low in terms of  just coping. Expectations are low, and I’m willing to bet so are the willingness to hear any excuses.

All that talk about how Pitt is now a basketball school and blaming it on the move to Heinz Field and no on-campus stadium. Bull.

It’s about the W-L.

There’s a belief. There’s hope. There’s an expectation with Pitt basketball of success. When was the last time you truly felt that about Pitt football? Not just for the season, but the next few years? I mean, you could look back on the previous couple and then look ahead and say, “yeah, it’s happening.” Instead, it’s been, “this year could be the breakthrough to start something… I hope.”

Coming into 2011, I thought Todd Graham was going to have a rough time if Pitt didn’t win right away. Partially because of the way he pushed and promoted high expectations. But because the media wasn’t going to play as nice as they did with Wannstedt at first.

Dave Wannstedt got a lot of rope to hang himself. He struggled to get this program to bowl eligibility in his first 3 years. He was given a lot of slack despite that. Changing styles. Not really good talent. Etc. Yet frustration did grow with the fans.

Despite the supposed increase in talent, Pitt had already plateaued after 2009. The media, however, still was playing really nice with Wannstedt. Despite fans frustrations. Wannstedt has always known how to get along with the media. More so, than with the fans. The fans see wins and losses. The media sees access and to some extent the people themselves.

When Wannstedt was finally fired, the media was surprised. And took abuse. They seemed too personally caught up with Wannstedt.  Biased.

The 2010 coaching change was initially met with much relief by the fans, however. Debacle-squared managed to make that a problem. So, the next coach wasn’t going to get the same kid gloves. More skepticism. More questions. Media and fans just were not sure.

Within a short period, though, they bought in. Because, the alternative is to be miserable and alone. Being the miserable hater. Seemingly rooting against the program. The majority of the fans, however, were relieved or plain happy. That caused a media adjustment to the market.

The  local guy. The Pitt guy has just failed. Now Graham has bolted. The good resume guy turned out to be a complete carpet-bagging piece of crap. Who do you believe? Who do you back?

Regardless of who gets hired, how much trust, faith, whatever are you willing to put forth? How does he get you to believe? To hope?

Or more to the point: how many tickets does he get you to commit?





@ Hollywood. Cristobal is Cuban. He grew up one one the hippest, most culturally latin places IN THE WORLD. Do you really think he’s going to be happy in Pittsburgh long term, with it’s 45 days of sunshine? Southside vs Southbeach…’cmon. Is there even a Cuban restaurant in Pittsburgh? Something tells me that Mad Mex just isn’t going to cut it…

Yeah.

(Don’t get me wrong I love the ‘Burgh, but it ain’t exactly a hotbed of latino activity…)

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.15.11 @ 12:23 pm

Atlanta – ok, so the natural place that Cristobal would bolt to is Miami, right? Well, Golden just took that job. If Cristobal coaches here for say 6 seasons, and has won enough to take over at Miami for a recently departed Golden, I think Pitt has come out ahead. 6 seasons is longer than the average Pitt coaching tenure of the last 30 years.
Bottom line – if Cristobal is the best candidate, hire him.

Comment by Hollywood 12.15.11 @ 12:28 pm

A restaurant in Pittsburgh can make a Cuban sandwiches and mojitos. Home sweet home Mr. Cristobal!

Comment by Pittastic 12.15.11 @ 12:31 pm

“Hollywood” The guy has spent a total of two years outside the state of Florida. That is why I don’t think he will stick around. Not only would he leave for Miami, how about South Florida or Central Florida for that matter.

Comment by Why me 12.15.11 @ 12:31 pm

Don’t forget Pitt is ACC bound, so there’s no way Cristobol would leave for USF or UCF. Basically, FSU or Miami, which both seem entrenched for at least a few seasons with their coaches, are possible destinations (or of course UF).

Comment by JW 12.15.11 @ 12:37 pm

You’re out of your mind if you think any coach would leave Pitt for USF or UCF.

Comment by Hollywood 12.15.11 @ 12:40 pm

I think cristobal is the best coach for us.
but i think they are past the coach that would bring flash.
they will play it safe this time they will go with rhoads or some old retread that wont run away
but who ever it needs to be fast there is no time we will lose this class for sure if they take mutch time there is no time.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.15.11 @ 12:43 pm

Not into conspiracy theories but I am buying a little of what Wally is saying. Maybe it was his wife, maybe something is going on in the AD…but something soured pretty quickly. But, aside from the way that he left, he took the job quickly (after haywood was fired) and brought in a decent class despite some serious drawbacks. Maybe kids like Issac Bennett transfer…who knows. Other than that…glad he’s gone.

Now, I agree that Cristobal could be a guy that moves on at some point. But I think that he would do well enough here.

Comment by George 12.15.11 @ 12:45 pm

George, he has 6 kids to 3 different women! I’m not a betting man but I would say Todd The Scam really doesn’t have the core family values he professes.

I think he was making $2 million a year at Pitt and that buys a little material happiness and have you ever been to Tulsa? It’s not the cultural mecca of the universe. I have lived in a lot of places in my life and I have to say Pittsburgh is a great town.

He really talked a good game but he really failed to deliver on the field and the way he resigned was just the mark of coward.

Comment by Jim from Dallas 12.15.11 @ 12:57 pm

If Todd left Pittsburgh because of his wife. Read the profile on Mario’ wife. I doubt she would leave Miami.

link to leadingladiesleague.org

Comment by Why me 12.15.11 @ 1:00 pm

You know in the long run this is win/win:
1) The world gets to see what an asshole this guy is!
2) We are rid of this guy. He’s a lousy coach. Remeber the Iowa game. He’ll do for ASU what Walt Harris did for Stanford.

Comment by BigDaddyLipsome 12.15.11 @ 1:01 pm

link to delawareonline.com|newswell|text|Sports|p

Comment by Tony in Harrisburg 12.15.11 @ 1:05 pm

How is Mario Cristobal a good coach for Pitt. Please someone explain it to me. He has no track record of winning, his win % is well below .500. He has finished once first in his Sun belt conf. the overall record that year was 7-6. He is not even close to the best option pitt has.

Comment by humza 12.15.11 @ 1:10 pm

@DRW, maybe it was someone else, but aren’t you the guy that defended Wanny quite a bit and incessently said Michael Myers should play??

That we should be 3 yards and a cloud of dust because that’s what the recruiting is in Pa, Oh, and NJ???

You may have also called it right on Graham.
You were correct.

Again, correct me if I’m wrong, I went back and forth with several people on some of these points, so, really, maybe it was not you.

1. If you think any of us (maybe a couple) want anything to do with Wanny, or are remembering the gool ol’ days of Wanny, you are sorely incorrect. (Please don’t make me go back and talk about him, his statistics and walking out in Miami again, please)

The correct decision was made to get rid of him, the next hire was poor, obviously, we can all see that now. These are two separate issues.

As for Michael Myers, putting a square plug into a round hole does not work anywhere, and that is exactly what that was.

As for the type of offense needs to be a certain way, to recruit Pa., Oh., and NJ is absolutely ridiculous. Number 1, the area you are speaking about is a shell of it’s former self. Recruiting, top recruits are coming from Fla., Tx., Cali., S. Carolina, Georgia, “the south” in general.

Yes, we will still have some 5 Star and top prospects in the 3 state area you mentioned, but, you don’t hire a coach or run an offense, at least not anymore, on the recruits of the Mid-Atlantic.

As for King Whore Graham. Again, you were right and correct.

However, don’t confuse people saying he is

“the answer, the savior, he is great, fantastic and will lead us to the promised land”, with people saying,

“well, he’s the coach, let’s get behind him and hope he can do good things here”

I really didn’t hear anyone say the first thing when he was hired. Let’s be honest, none of us ever heard of him before. Most of us didn’t know what to think.

Also, asshole that he turned out to be, still doesn’t negate the fact, that the QB’ing of Tino Sunsersi was absolutely abhorent and certainly cost us several games.

Good way to put that, would be, good for you Tino, it came out Coach Graham is a real A.H., however, Tino, you still stink, doesn’t change that.

Also doesn’t change what I said ad nauseum, any coach, any sport, pro, college, whatever, gets at least 2 years, if not 3, before you can tell if his offense and defense are any good, and until he can get his recruits in his system. That has not changed.

I gave Harris and Wanny, that, and was going to give Graham that, and will give the next coach that. (unless I bag this whole Pitt football thing).

I admit I was duped, some of you saw the ‘snake oil salesman’ right away, you were right.

Most of us didn’t claim “savior” though, we just got behind the Pitt coach and late in the year, got behind his excellent recruiting class.

**Public disclaimer. Apology in advance to DRW if a lot of these points weren’t yours also, I sincerely may be getting you confused with someone else with initials or a short moniker**

If all you ever stated was the guy was a snake oil salesman, DRW, you hit the nail on the head.

Comment by Dan 12.15.11 @ 1:14 pm

Dan, Most of us didn’t claim “savior” ??????

I was surprised you, Reed, Chas, Dokish and about 50 more here didn’t go down to SS complex and offer oral to this guy!

The fact is that there were plenty more than just DRW saying that Graham was a fast-talking fraud from the get-go … but were ridiculed away from this site by the masses.

Comment by kinkyfreidman 12.15.11 @ 1:22 pm

@ Why Me, Hollywood. Yep, that article about his wife says it all. Cross Mr. Cristobal off the list. Any there is NO WAY he’d spend six years in Pgh, even if he did want to make the trip.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.15.11 @ 1:25 pm

I’m hearing Mario Cristobal is the front runner. Not sure how i feel about that yet. However after reading hunza’s comment I have to say i’m not to thrilled!

Hangovers suck!!

Hail to Pitt!!

Comment by Steelfan 12.15.11 @ 1:26 pm

Long winded above. Short winded here. Is Steve Pederson really keeping his job?? I have a lot of soul searching to do, to see if I still want to be involved with Pitt football.

The investmeant of heart, money, changing family plans around games, taking a couple away trips every year, went to two of the bowl games the past 10 years or so.

I got some thinkin’ to do.

Comment by Dan 12.15.11 @ 1:28 pm

Jeff Jagodzinski should be on the top of the list.
link to en.wikipedia.org

Comment by humza 12.15.11 @ 1:36 pm

@kinkyfreidman, go back and show anywhere where I gave praise anything like you said, or any of us.

Go ahead, Chas keeps the posts up. They are there for your perusing.

Your ball, quote me brother. Do it!!

Other than to support the guy, support the team, support Pitt.

Many a time, questioned his pooch punting, his game decisions, and leaving Tino in at qb. Questioned that a lot.

Did say quite a bit, guy gets 2 or 3 years.

So, if you’re gonna make a claim, back it up. List any of the pages where I or anyone else ever said things, like, “Todd Graham is fantastic”, “Todd Graham is the best thing to ever happen to Pitt”, or anything like that.

Go ahead Friedman, the pages are all there!!!

Let me guess your answer, “I don’t have time to look up previous posts” !!!!

Go ahead FRIEDMAN, make a claim, back it up, would only take me about 10-15 minutes to go back and get quotes from people.

Go ahead, I’ll be waiting!!!

Comment by Dan 12.15.11 @ 1:38 pm

@Friedman, “you got ridiculed off this blog”???

What, you some kind of pu**y, that you can get ridiculed off a sports blog???

Comment by Dan 12.15.11 @ 1:40 pm

Chas, and any others, I apologize in advance for the above vulgarity.

Someones gone call me out, and put words in my mouth got me ramped up a bit.

I don’t apologize to you Friedman, still waiting.

Comment by Dan 12.15.11 @ 1:44 pm

I think many including myself have always said that the results on the field will speak for themselves but that Graham needs time. I never thought he’d quit after less than 1 year and in such a despicable way. Pitt needs stability right now and a coach with head coaching experience at the college level.

Comment by TX Panther 12.15.11 @ 1:49 pm

Also Friedman, don’t make stuff up.

Go get the quotes where I was so thrilled, “we would have given oral to the guy”,

Make sure you put the date, and posts’ titles so everyone can check them out.

Comment by Dan 12.15.11 @ 1:50 pm

Mario Cristobal has done wonders with the FIU program in a very short time. I live in Miami and have not only witnessed the accomplishments of the team, but have also heard him speak on several occasions. He’s impressive and a bundle of energy. The only problem as I see it is that he’s a local Miami guy who played for “the U” and would probably want that job if Golden fizzles or leaves.

Comment by miarunner 12.15.11 @ 2:04 pm

All that article tells me is that Cristobal has a smokin hot wife. If Cristobal wouldn’t be interested in an extended stay in Pittsburgh, then why did he interview for the job last year?

Comment by Hollywood 12.15.11 @ 2:08 pm

Info for you if we end up with a retread coach
i bet it is Ron Zook i read to day that he is a very close frend of steve pederson they have known each outher for years the only thing wrong with that is he is not a big winner just a so so coach a retread.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.15.11 @ 2:19 pm

What kind of wonders has he been please tell me based on stats not just how well he speak and how hot his wife is. What is the best team has be beatin since 2007 when he became a HC at FIU. Thats 5 years in same program and has never out right won the conf. are you guys kidding me.

Comment by humza 12.15.11 @ 2:23 pm

If we hire Paul Rhodes, as I’ve pledged many times, I will burn my diploma.

Comment by Greg in New Orleans 12.15.11 @ 2:24 pm

Hollywood – He interviewed for the job like most coaches do, to get more money out of his current employer.

I don’t see his wife leaving a very good job and executive director position for Pittsburgh. If she does, it will be short term. Sorry.

Comment by Why me 12.15.11 @ 2:26 pm

Our best options at this time are
1.)Teryl Austin
2.)K.C. Keeler
3.)Chad Morris
3.)Paul Chryst

Comment by humza 12.15.11 @ 2:28 pm

If we hired Cristobal, Ped State would go ahead and hire Golden, just so we would lose Cristobal to the U. Even if it cost them a bundle in buyout money to do it.

Anyway with a team that produces over $75 million a year and is the university cash cow, what’s a little buyout money. They get the coach they want, new staff and everything and get to screw with Pitt again.

Hiring a guy from C-USA was a gamble, hiring a guy from the Sunbelt, considering all that’s gone on here at Pitt here in the last year, would be insane.

Comment by Emel 12.15.11 @ 2:44 pm

Oh and buyout money is probably tax deductible anyway. It’s a business expense !

Comment by Emel 12.15.11 @ 2:46 pm

The Zooker, are you serious FRANKCAN.

That guy is worse than Wanny, he didn’t have anywhere close to a .500 record at Illinois, in fact I think it was close to 20 games under .500.

That would be a death knell for PITT football.
Of course Smiley is good with that sort of thing.
He by himself, almost killed a far heartier program at Nebraska. And then well, we don’t need to talk about the last couple hires at PITT anymore do we?

Comment by Emel 12.15.11 @ 2:53 pm

there are 2 good things abought zook he recruits well and he stays your coach untill you fire him for not winning any games

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.15.11 @ 2:57 pm

EMel read the post i did not say he would be a good coach i said he is steves p frend i called him a retread coach and the outher post abought him is what is called tounge in cheek do you get it now read both posts

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.15.11 @ 3:03 pm

I my self would like chad morris
cristobal
chryst in that order but i think it will be rhodes
but it needs to be QUICK who ever it is.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.15.11 @ 3:18 pm

As I’ve read in the past on this post, I have only one thing to say, STOOPS STOOPS STOOPS.

Comment by IH8PITT 12.15.11 @ 8:28 pm

Graham was a “good resume guy”? He was one and done at Rice after a 7-6 season and signing a contract extension. They were crushed in their bowl game that year. Don’t tell me he resurrected the program at Rice because they tied Tulsa for first place in the Western Division of C-USA two years after he bolted. He failed to win the Conference USA championship in four years at Tulsa. He beat Notre Dame once at South Bend (yes, in the same season that Pitt failed to do so). He floated his name for other jobs every year while at Tulsa. I fail to see a good resume in Todd Graham and somehow he’s now fooled ASU , Pitt, and a number of Pitt bloggers in less than a year. Just admit that you were wrong about Graham and that his skeptics didn’t have some misplaced allegiance to Wannstedt and you’ll start to feel better.

Fact, failed alum Dave Wannstedt was 7-5 last year and finished in a tie for first place in the Big East. Resume guy finished 6-6 and in fifth place in the Big East.

Graham will now be crushed annually by the likes of Oregon, USC and Stanford. It couldn’t happen to a worse human being.

Comment by barvo 12.15.11 @ 10:52 pm

barvo – I don’t see how Graham’s poor behavior makes Dave Wannstedt any better as a head coach. How do you get to that conclusion… except maybe by comparison I suppose?

Hell, there are people locked up behind bars that look good in comparison to Graham at this point IMO.

I think people need to separate Graham’s football actions from his personal issues when discussing things like this. A lot of us didn’t hold any real strong views one way or another on his personality or background any more than how it applied to what he was actually doing with the PITT team and program in 2011. At least that was what I was most concerned about – my focus is and always will be PITT football and the players.

I figured he had a shtick and was working it.

But I’ll say now that I wasn’t overly disappointed as some were in what he did while he was here and that I was optimistic that we’d be better each year he stayed. His recruiting was top notch IMO and his players all seemed to have really appreciated his being their HC… up until Wednesday.

That was why thier reactions to his deceit and duplicity were so strong, because they liked the guy very much, bought into what he was saying not only about football but about other areas of life and you could tell this by what they had said publicly and how they acted before Dec 15th. Of course, that all came crashing down around their shoulders on Wednesday and they were understandably shocked, hurt and angry as they well should be.

Of course now I am very concerned about what his lack of character and just plain decit has done to the kids and the program. They and PITT don’t deserve one iota of what he has visited on them. I hold a large amount of contempt for him now like every other PITT fan does.

And yes, those who held that same contempt for Graham earlier, regardless of thier reasons for doing so, have been proven correct in their emotions and statements.

Comment by Reed 12.16.11 @ 6:54 am

First, Todd Graham is a loser. I’ve rarely seen such a blatant display of poor morals in a man who professed the opposite on such a public stage with an impact on so many young men. Now, moving forward, Pitt has had several chances to hire the “right guy” and Steve Pederson, as so many have already mentioned across the country, has been at the helm of several that have ended in utter failure and embarassament. Number one WHY the loyalty to the AD?? Most other schools would have canned him years ago.. and oh btw, isn’t he the dirt bag that left for the dream NEbraska role only to crawl back and claim “I love Pitt”?? Don’t go cheap and move swiftly. You forked over $2M for a snake oil salesman. If $2.5-3 is what it takes to get the right guy – whoever that is – pay it, do it quickly, and shut-up. My fear is Pitt will try to hire some retread like Ron Zook or some total unknown, cause Steve P is so good at finding diamonds, and it will be another epic fail.

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Comment by High Yield Investments 12.21.11 @ 3:42 pm

Yes, Pitt, (Pittsburgh) was NOT a good fit for Graham…Graham is distinctly classless, unlike the solid citizens, students, and people of Western Pa…I just can’t wait to see who will want him after he sucks at AS, like he did at PITT…I would attribute the majority of loses he had at PITT NOT to our excellent committed players, but to him…In spite of this idiot, our players hung in there, and often took heat, when he was the one to be sun deviled…I beg the commits to hang with us, as we will with them…With our new coach; all will fall in place….Trust me guys, Graham was nothing but crackers and a total crumb or Bum

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