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January 26, 2012

The Raid of Rutgers Starts… NOW!

Filed under: Football,Recruiting — Chas @ 1:59 pm

Well, this got interesting. Which I’ll get to in a minute. First, a quick message to Marzett Geter: Shhh.

[Ryan] Lewis, 6-foot, 185 pounds, is the fourth cornerback among 17 seniors who have committed to Pitt. Among them is Sto-Rox’s Marzett Geter, who suggested on Twitter that Pitt is “wasting” scholarships and should offer one to teammate Josh Beverly.

“Another corner commits,” Geter tweeted. “I’m not liking this at all.”

Because in Geter’s mind, there’s only room for one 2-3 star CB, and that would be him.

But let’s get to the bombshell of Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano leaving Rutgers less than a week before signing day for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Obviously Schiano is simply seeking to further emulate the paths taken by his mentors Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis.

The main issue, is the fallout for what was shaping up to be a lock for a top-20 recruiting class. Gee, this seems familiar.

There is no doubt that Pitt has been bombarding numerous Rutgers verbals and leans this morning and afternoon. As has Syracuse, BC, UConn, PSU, WVU, Maryland and anyone else in the area.

Rutgers is going to have to scramble and make hard choices in a hurry. Do they try to keep the class together, by hastily hiring from within like with OC Frank Cignetti?

Can they risk doing a search outside of Piscataway?

CBSSports.com’s Bruce Feldman suggested Miami Dolphins special teams’ coach Darren Rizzi as one possible candidate to step in for the Scarlet Knights. Rizzi served on Schiano’s staff from 2002-2007 before a one-year stint as the Rhode Island head coach, where Rizzi played played tight end from 1988-1991. Delaware head coach KC Keeler has led the Blue Hens to four I-AA/FCS Championship Games and could be ready for his first opportunity at the FBS level if the Scarlet Knights want more head coaching experience.

Other possible replacements could include Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bobby Diaco – New Jersey native – or Miami defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, Rutgers’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator 2001-2003.

One popular name, for any job really, is Florida International head coach Mario Cristobal. Cristobal was a tight ends and offensive line coach under Schiano, and likely will be at the top of Rutgers’ wish list.

Please not Cristobal. I really don’t want to have that storyline running next year.

The thing is, that hiring any of these guys will take at least a couple days. Plus, Rutgers’ Athletic Department really doesn’t have the money to throw around for a hire. Especially since they would have to pay a premium to get someone else to bolt at this late date. Everyone knows they are desperate and can’t afford the time to haggle too hard.

In the abstract, I have some sympathy for Rutgers fans at seeing hopes dashed hard like that. The reality, I want Pitt to attack. There’s a little sense of payback after the number of recruits the Scarlet Knights swooped in to nab after the coaching fire/hire/fire/hire fiasco of last year.

Top targets from the Rutgers class by Pitt should include J.J. Denman (OL), Brandon Arcidiacono (OL), Chris Muller (OL) [yes, there is a trend], Ryan Brodie (OL), Quanzell Lambert (LB) and Leonte Caroo (WR).

The final week before Signing Day just got a whole lot more interesting.





info that is weird CB Anthony Standifer has
a vist on 2/10/2012 that is after LOI day is it
not at pitt.

Comment by FRANKCAN 01.26.12 @ 10:03 pm

We havent fallen bc we want to raid Rutgers.

They might not be the best, but a lot of talent comes out of Don Bosco prep, and in the last few years Schiano was able to finally get some of it. Remember, we lost a few of those kids to Buttgers last year when ‘stache “resigned”.

Now we can grab a few back. We have a good track record with Jersey kids.

Comment by Jimbo Covert's My Dad 01.26.12 @ 10:11 pm

pk think abought what jj denman said he wont leave unless the staff leaves
A he wont know who new coach is till after LOI day
Beven if one of old staff gets the job he will bring some his frends in even if he keeps some
of old staff
Cif it is a new coach he will bring a whole new staff

JJ DENMAN is not thinking very stright he needs to wake up if he likes the school that is one thing but if he staying for the staff he is nuts
becuse it will change.

Comment by FRANKCAN 01.26.12 @ 10:13 pm

Haffley recruited Don Bosco!! The school is a powerhouse like the glory days of Central Catholic.

Comment by isnore 01.26.12 @ 10:15 pm

Don’t be surprised if Fraud Graham shows up in NJ on Monday at a press conference saying the Rutgers job has been his “dream job”. He may even have family in the greater NJ area that his wife may want to reconnect with…….

Comment by Panther Fan in Hoopieland 01.26.12 @ 10:18 pm

nothing says they have to sign on 2/1 – some may wait until the HC is hired or decide not to wait at all. Either way being a RU recruit at this time isn’t without a lot of stress.

Comment by markp 01.26.12 @ 10:41 pm

While raiding Rutgers for their OL lets hire Hafley back to Pitt. His wife is from Charleroi and I bet she would like to come home.

Comment by spindler's spirit 01.26.12 @ 10:43 pm

markp this is true but jj denman must know the
staff will change if not he is fooling him self.

Comment by FRANKCAN 01.26.12 @ 10:46 pm

pk you out there

Comment by FRANKCAN 01.26.12 @ 10:49 pm

In this recruiting endeavor we should also count the 3 or 4 transfers from last season. Those 2 kids from michigan, the OL from PSU, and the UNC corner. What happened to them? They can provide depth in the secondary and on the line.

Comment by Chitown Panther 01.27.12 @ 2:28 am

To sound more intelligent Ray Vinopal S, Cullen Christian CB(from Mich). Tom Ricketts OL(PSU)and Brandon Felder WR (UNC) They all had higher end recruiting credentials, 3 of them are from the WPIAL, and all show promise to help immediately. These guys should remain in the back of your head during this recruiting bonanza because were basically getting 4 guys plus the new class.

Comment by Chitown Panther 01.27.12 @ 2:42 am

Agreed frank. I doubt much if any of the current ru staff is kept especially if an nfl guy or someone who runs different systems like mario crystobal.

Comment by Pk 01.27.12 @ 6:36 am

Somebody over on Zeisse’s blog wrote that both Rippy and Geter are going to have eligibility issues.

Also,Conwell’s dad and RichRod were teammates at WVU.

Comment by Pitt Is It 01.27.12 @ 8:03 am

I’ve taught Josh Beverly when he was in tenth ninth grade. Nothing nice to say him. Nuff said.

Comment by AJ 01.27.12 @ 8:10 am

link to espn.go.com

Can’t look good for Rutger’s coach to stand up Don Bosco Prep kids…wonder if that will put a sting on the relationship

Comment by BCPITT 01.27.12 @ 9:37 am

the temp Rutgers head coach is their OL coach — wonder if that was a strategic move to hold onto their OL recruits

Comment by wbb 01.27.12 @ 9:49 am

wbb – It could be especially knowing that Bostad is a well renowned OL coach who will be putting calls into all of those kids.

Comment by BCPITT 01.27.12 @ 9:51 am

Wbb i read that is why it was done you are right
read that on a Rutgers site.

Comment by FRANKCAN 01.27.12 @ 11:04 am

Its officially Engram link to pittsburghlive.com

Comment by giveitarest 01.27.12 @ 11:12 am

AJ. I hope you didn’t teach English since your comments look like a 1st grader wrote them. Can you elaborate in complete sentences?

Comment by Dish 01.27.12 @ 11:16 am

What are the RU commits thinking? If the candidates are for new HC are the ones that are reported, it is almost certain that most of the current staff will be gone. I read that Denman will sit down with his dad today to discuss options. Also read that Muller (close friend to Denman) and another OL commit are considering visits to Pitt this weekend.
JJ and Mr. Denman-Do you really think it is in your best interest to stay with RU commit. You want stabilty-PITT IS IT!!!!

Addazio from Temple under consideration for RU job.

Comment by jw in Raleigh 01.27.12 @ 12:46 pm

@ Dish, regarding AJ comment, LOL. I thought it,,, but decided not to type it, then scrolled down and realized it wasn’t necessary to type it anyhow due to your post.

Comment by Dr. Tom 01.27.12 @ 1:24 pm

Sorry Dr. Tom and Dish for the grammatical disaster that made up my previous post. The mention of Mr. Beverley’s name made me cringe. Also I was reading the Blather while yelling at young hooligans which caused me to type an ugly sentence. You know what they say…if you can’t do, then teach.

Comment by AJ 01.27.12 @ 1:34 pm

AJ – so what’s the deal with Beverly? attitude?

Comment by dish 01.27.12 @ 7:35 pm

Steve…I can do Thomas Sweet as well. But my heart goes with the Pub. As for our Panthers, isn’t the sound of silence deafening? After Sir Fraud, PC looks like a monk but thus far is truly letting actions do the talking.

Refreshing.

Comment by SFPitt 01.27.12 @ 9:51 pm

just get the taste of bile outta my mouth…thanks PC & crew “Welcome BE!”

Comment by Gordo 01.28.12 @ 1:36 am

[…] be treated as a cautionary example. He said something stupid, and emotional on twitter — and was called out on it. It wasn’t profane. It wasn’t misogynistic. It wasn’t much more than a selfish […]


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