So much of this backlash (not all, but it sure gets tossed out there a lot) against the possibility of Mario Cristobal being named head coach at Pitt seems driven by the fact that reports say he is legitimately weighing the options of moving up the coaching ladder and money versus moving his family, leaving his hometown, a job he is doing well and has solid relationships with his bosses. I’m not sure how this is considered a negative other than some of the usual provincialism that people in Pittsburgh display at time over anyone who doesn’t profess absolute love for the ‘Burgh and fully embraces it.
As has been pointed out in the comments, a lot of this seems to be driven by the fact that FraudGraham bolted. And part of the spin — the spin — was that he and his family never felt comfortable to not liking Pittsburgh. How dare they insult the ‘Burgh!
This is spin people. This is the absolute bullshit that a piece of excrement put out there to rationalize his actions. To hide behind “what’s best for his family” to chase the money. Stop buying into it. You are looking like idiots.
Now when FraudGraham has bolted all of his head coaching jobs, there were hard feelings in his wake. People trashing him.
Now with all the rumors of Cristobal, it is worth pointing out how media reaction in Miami is to the possibility. It seems to be, yeah, he’s earned the right and we hope he succeeds.
Judging strictly on what he has done in his five years at FIU and what opportunities are available for him at the moment, it’s time for Cristobal to move on.
It’s time for the former UM tackle to reap the benefits of a job well done here and take a more lucrative, more prestigious job with a major university. He simply deserves it.
If the reports are accurate and Cristobal is the leading candidate for the suddenly vacant Pittsburgh job, then not only should he make the move to the soon-to-be Atlantic Coast Conference school, but he also should be supported by the program and its fans, who were largely invisible when Cristobal first got to the school.
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It’s almost as if Pittsburgh and Cristobal was a marriage meant to be. He interviewed for the vacant job last year, when the school eventually hired Michael Haywood, who was arrested on felony domestic-violence charges two weeks later and was dismissed. The school then went with Todd Graham, who recently left after one season to take his “dream job” at Arizona State.That left Cristobal with another season at FIU to prove his team was no one-year wonder. It also left Pitt desperate for stability — the type of stability that an up-and-coming coach such as Cristobal can offer.
His AD admittedly hopes to keep him, but all but conceded there was little FIU could do to actually keep him.
Cristobal is pulling a Jamie Dixon when asked.
Asked in Spanish by a reporter about his future at FIU, head coach Mario Cristobal said in Spanish, “It’s not my policy to talk about anything that’s going on outside the program.”
We will see. At this point it is either Cristobal or Chryst. Personally, I lean a little more towards Cristobal, but I think either can succeed at Pitt.
o f f i c i a l !!!!!
Feel like this is dragging on.
I know and understand not to rush things but in a way it needs to be done right and kept moving forward. This no time to sit around waiting.
Hopefully this process can come to an end later today. I would be happy with Cristobal, but if they can’t reach a decision by the end of today, I would be fine with moving on to Chryst.
Anyone know when the blackout period for contacting recruits starts? Has it already started?
BTW, how are you so sure that he is “ambivalent, at best, about moving north?” Because Zeise said so? Is this supposed ambivalence rooted in the cold weather? The lack of good Cuban food? Something else? My point is that we don’t really know if he is ambivalent, let alone the possible reasons why, because nobody that knows the answers to these questions is talking. It sure looks like he is taking a serious look at this opportunity and trying to make an informed decision. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that if he decides to take the job it is because he really wants to be here. Nothing in this guy’s history indicates that he is a sociopath similar to FraudGraham.
Chryst was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon State in 2003-04. The Beavers ranked 10th in total offense (463.0 ypg) and No. 6 nationally in passing yardage per game (328.1) in 2003. The 2003 Beavers became the first team in NCAA Division I history with a 4,000-yard passer, 1,500-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers.
Not bad for a first year Offensive Coordinator.
With all due respect to the spousal and cultural concerns and speculation, I am more interested in the type of offense and defense the new guy will bring, and can/will he adjust to the talent or lack thereof on his Panther roster. Once the choice is made, we can all address that. Make the call Steve. HTP
p.s. Joe McCall? nice RB from the past. rarely mentioned. 3rd round pick Raiders.
If a coach wins, the coach may stay. If the coach doesn’t meet or exceed expectations, you get fired or are asked to resign. Yes, coaches like most people take a job for the money but they are also motivated by the challenge to build something, achieve success and create a name for themselves or legacy.
You can still be loyal to a school and not be an alum. You either have it in your character or not. I’m loyal to my new state now and have adapted to new surroundings. Likewise, good coaches adapt to their new surroundings and don’t quit when things become uncomfortable. Change is good. That’s how one grows.
I think either Chryst or Cristobal would be fine choices. But, let’s not delay and get the hire done quickly. H2P!
I totally disagree. The ACC is a small step up in class from the Big East in on-field football product. Duke, NC State, and Maryland are all very lousy programs right now, and UNC, UVA, Wake, and BC are not strong institutionally in football. And Syracuse will also be there as another middling team.
And of course, the ACC is horrid in BCS bowls (and usually in bowls generally).
Take a look at the coaches who have succeeded in the ACC recently: first-time head man Dabo Swinney, first-time head man Jimbo Fisher, et cetera. Other than Frank Beamer, very little coaching stability, but also, very few hires of formerly successful head coaches (Cutcliffe was a middling head coach before, Al Golden won at Temple, Tom O’Brien was solid at BC but has gone 32-30 at NC State).
The success has come from offensive innovation (Fisher, Paul Johnson) as much as anything. A strong, fast defense (think Va Tech) will also go a long way, but that’s true in every league.
I like the guys we’ve looked at, and would be fine with Chryst, Cristobal, or Fickell. Not in a “I’d settle for ________ ” way, but in a legitimate, get excited way. And each could win in the ACC.
We as fans can’t control whether they’ll like the city (assuming that even matters) or will get the support they need from the administration and boosters.
However, we can control what we say and how we support the new coach. I for one will be sending a hardy welcome letter to whomever that new coach turns out to be and will continue supporting my alma mater in any way I can.
Graham handled his jump poorly which is a reflection of his poor character and should have been vetted better prior to his hiring but I understand Pitt was desparate. I respect how Mario has gone about his potential move. Pitt doesn’t need to hurry this time, but they must act quickly in making a decision.
1. First, to FRANKCAN, I apologize if what I wrote in my rant on the whole “Pitt guy” thing seemed like it misconstrued what you said. That wasn’t my intention.
I was ranting on the whole notion that I’ve read at times here and heard on some radio shows that some sort of ties back to Pitt/Western PA must be a qualification for the next coach here. It’s just my opinion, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, and certainly not a necessary qualification to the job. I believe Pitt would be doing themselves a disservice by making Pitt/Western PA ties a necessity.
2. I completely agree with the sentiment expressed by Reed in last night’s thread; I would be thrilled with either Cristobal or Chryst.
3. Cristobal’s success at FIU goes beyond wins and losses. Please don’t forget that FIU is a lower-tier program that is often used to occupy a “Cupcake State” spot on a major program’s schedule. A couple of losses each year on his record will be attributed to that alone.
The general consensus I’ve seen from reading up on him is that he’s a guy who knows how to run a program the right way. He walked into a horrible situation both on and off the field at FIU. Within five years, he stabilized and improved the off-field situations, and then made them a player in their conference on the field. He seems to be perfectly capable of handling the numerous roles that are required of a head coach – coach, recruiter, ambassador of the program and university, etc. – and that’s something this program could really use right now.
4. My opinion of Chryst is based much more on what he’s done on the field because that’s all we really have to go on. His role hasn’t required him to be in front of microphones and cameras the same way MC’s has.
Suffice it to say, I’ve been very impressed with what he’s done at Wisconsin. He seems capable of tailoring an offense to suit his players. I love what he does with the ground game. While much credence for that is lent to the bigger o-linemen he had at Wisky, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he could do similar things here.
As excited as I initially was to see what Graham’s offense could have done, I’d be even more excited to see this offense under Chryst because I think he’s pushing a much more versatile, multi-dimensional scheme.
in making a decision this is true becuse the pool of asst coachs to pick from is growing smaller every day hope he brings a lot of them with him.
Is it me or have a lot of ex Steelers and Penguins settled in Pittsburgh after their playing careers ?
you are walking down one side of the street
i am walking on the outher side but we are going to the same place.
I thought cristobals offense looked a lot like TGs.
was i right or did i see it wrong.
that should make it easy on the team something all most the same.
my hope is that this moves fast who ever it is just pick one i will back who ever it is but get it done.
Chryst has an accomplished background with what I believe will be a lot of good contacts.
After Fraudie, we really can’t go too wrong with either MC or Cryst. As in Nike, Just Do It. Then we can move on to recruits, offensive styles, et al. Keep checking the Blather for the big announcement. Know it will be here first and foremost. HTP
That said, I like either Cristobal OR Chryst better than Toddy. I find myself leaning toward Cristobal.
+ His style of play will adapt easily to the current Pitt roster.
+ HC experience
+ FL ties
+ Intense, contagious personality
– Short term?
– Unknown commodity; does mediocrity with a BAD FIU program equate to greatness with a decent (if unstable) Pitt program?
That said, I could get behind Chryst as well.
+ OUTSTANDING OC @ both Wisky & Oregon State; has proven ability to adapt offense to talent available
+ Area ties
+ Experience w/ BCS-caliber teams
– Supposedly a poor recruiter
– Reported personality makes it sound like he might be better “behind the scenes” than as the front-man…
Honestly, I worry alot about his personality and this reported reluctance to recruit. I think they’d both be good choices. I think MC might be more of a risk, but def. has a higher upside. At this point, I think that we have very little to lose, & should take the risk…
MC runs the risk of being a 3-5 yr coach, and also of being a bust. BUT there’s also a fairly decent chance that he could bring Pitt back to being a great program.
Chryst, I think, will be a continuance of the 8-9 win seasons we’ve seen since Walt & DW. Respectable, but still only slightly above average.
At this point, I wanna take the chance to take that next step…and I think MC is more likely to take us there than Chryst is…even if he may also be more likely to bust….Take that chance.
Just something I noticed because it still amazes me that any assistant coach would follow Graham around and watch him continually screw recruits and players. Keith Patterson did not follow Graham to Baylor and back to Tulsa. He stuck with Tulsa. Wonder if he regrets following him to Pitt?
We are very close to the edge of the cliff regarding Pitt’s football future. If the next guy comes in and pooches this recruiting class by loosing guys like Shell and Voytik with some kind of coaching/PR misstep during this recruiting closing period before LOI signing day, then Pitt might just not recover from it longterm.
We’ve taken some heavy body punches over the last year but Pitt can recover from them IF the right guy, doing the right things, with the right attitude steps in strongly right from the getgo.
Even more importantly, the current players deserve a break after the debacle of Wanny’s last year and then all the rest of the shit that has gone down since his departure.
Whoever gets the nod, it will be the responsibility of the Pitt Faithful to pull for him and show support because he is going to need all of the help he can get to instill that confidence back into this program that has been sorely missing as of late. It’s going to be all uphill, lets help push!
Hail to Pitt!
but i am still have a hard time with what ZEISE wrote abought him wanting the job but not so sure he wants to live here may be i am makeing to mutch out of it as outhers on here have said but for me it is a red flag.
i mean after TG and his wife .
i think i have moved over to the chryst camp.
put it this way our AD smiling stevie wants cristobal to be our coach so that means chryst would be better.
HAHA, now THAT is a good point about Smiley Steve wanting Cristobal!!
Seriously, though…That Zeise piece is something to think about. And I can understand, especially given what just occurred w/ Graham, how it could be a Red Flag.
Personally, I’m OK w/ that. Pittsburgh is very different from Miami (not better, not worse, just different) and I have no problem w/ MC taking the time to really think through what such a move would mean. To me, it’s smart; and something anyone should do when uprooting from his community.
As Reed has said, we in the military move constantly, and it’s just something we learn to live with. And maybe coaching is the same way, BUT there is still much more choice involved w/ moving for a coach than for a member of the military. I’m OK w/ him really thinking it through NOW, as long as in the end he jumps all in; which I believe he would.
I’m OK w/ Chryst too; I just don’t think the upside is as high.
I really hope Zeise is wrong on this, because if his information is accurate, it really reflects poorly on the leadership of this University, and ultimately, may dissuade both of the top 2 candidates.
I haven’t posted one word good or bad about any of the prospects!!!!!!!
I’m just gonna bash all of you next year on here if the guy doesn’t get us to the Sugar or Fiesta Bowl his first year!!!!
Ha ha ha LOL!!!!!!!!
Got to say, I’m not really excited about either one.
I was expecting Cristobal to be more dynamic, as that is what the media, especially Zeise has been portraying him as. Didn’t see much dynamics in play on any of his Youtube videos.
I’m just thoroughly frustrated with this whole ordeal, both present and for 1 year now.
And I think my frustrations got the better of me last night. Didn’t mean to f-bomb the guy, since I don’t even know him or his wife. I just got a feeling whoever the worst pick is, Smiley and his cohorts will pick that person. Hope I am wrong !
I hope not but you never know with this 3 ring circus !
I guess it could be another red herring to throw him off the trail, as it is hard for me to fathom that the search committee hasn’t come to a decision 4 days after the last interview.
When like 20 FIU players and 145 Miami players were suspended for games and some were dismissed from the team.
Was that under Cristobal’s watch or wasn’t he coach yet?
That was before Cristobal. That was part of the 0-12 Don Strock debacle
i did not count them but i read most of them and there are a lot.
i would say 8 out of 10 want chryst.
they are turned off bye cristobals not sure if he wants to live here and dont want to risk it
and some of the powers that be at PITT are of the same mind they dont want to risk it.
so it would seam to be smiling stevie on cristobal side and outher powers on chryst side
and the job steve has done means i am on the outher side the chryst side.
I think it was like 15 thug Miami players.
Perhaps PITT is waiting to make a decision when it would make the biggest splash on ESPN. Especially their bottom screen scroll, when a lot of folks are watching a bowl game or something.
Looks who playing tomorrow night.
Poinsettia Bowl
San Diego, CA
$500,000 12/21/11
8:00pm
ESPN
MWC #2 vs.WAC TCU (10-2)Louisiana Tech (8-4)
Computer Pick: TCU by 10.20
MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
$1,100,000
12/22/11
8:00pm
ESPN
MWC #1 vs.PAC-12 #5 Boise State (11-1) vs.
Arizona State (6-6)
Computer Pick: Boise State by 16.03
all he had to do was say some thing like i have hard pittsburgh is a great place to live .
he had to know TGs spin on how he and his wife did not like it here.
but insted he or some one who works for him let the word get out that he wanted the job but wasent sure if he wanted to live hrere.
so he shot himself in the foot and now he is trying damage control
it may be to little to late and he can blame him self becuse doubt has ben raised and the red flags are flying. it is his own fult.
also the delay that he wanted till after the game in hind sight might not have been to smart.
you know the old saying strike while the iron is hot .
I heard Pittsburgh is a great city and he is very honored to be in consideration for the HC job at such a fine institution as PITT.
Bad PR and his fault.
That way all this will be rehashed again and Fraud Graham will be again in the spotlight as a sleazy unprofessional coach. It just depends on how much PITT wants to nail Fraud again. ESPN might even want to participate in the Fraud bashing and play the role of the good cop.
Understand your point on this, but from a Booster/administrative standpoint you do have to be a bit more caustious after being burned like this…especially after the Haywood debacle.
This hire isn’t being made in a hermetically sealed lab.
potentially 2 lost recruiting classes, a team that will be very cynical of a high-motor coach, a likelihood of msajor defections from season ticket renewals (have you seen next year’s home schedule), boosters who are probably fed up putting in decent money for crap.
All of this is likely causing a delay…and in truth it’s not a wrong question to ask at this point of “How long do we really think he will stay?”
I think right now they are doing the right thing, and if they back off because they are risk averse and just aren’t sure, then I think it’s still the right move.
DaveD
Let’s hope it is today.