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February 8, 2013

DC Angst

Filed under: Assistants,Chryst,Coaches,Hire/Fire — Chas @ 4:19 pm

I have to be honest. I haven’t thought or worried too much about the vacant defensive coordinator position. It isn’t that I don’t want to get it resolved. And obviously I want Coach Chryst to hire someone who is very good at his job (not to mention above average as a recruiter).

It is just that I really didn’t expect a new DC to be hired until after signing day. Most rumors and reports suggested/hinted/implied that Coach Chryst was going to be waiting until after this week to really move on the hire. So it seemed silly to wonder, angst and provide calorie-free updates when there really was no information or expectations.

Well, now we are reaching the point where a hire is going to be made and must be made. Coach Chryst has acknowledged as much during his signing day presser.

Then FootballScoop tweeted out that Coach Chryst was planning on going in-house with co-defensive coordinators. Using Matt House and Chris Haering. With House being in charge of calling the defensive plays. That tweet was quickly refuted by PantherLair. And indeed, FootballScoop quickly walked the co-DC thing back.

The last tweet is probably a bit of ass-covering by FootballScoop and/or his source for the info over the goof. At least that is what I’m hoping.

Assuming this is mostly accurate, the issue is that the guy they thought they were going to get or that they targeted did not work out as expected. If so, then Coach Chryst did put himself in a bit of a corner by waiting this long.

They have to hire someone very, very soon with spring practices barely a month away.

He still hasn’t gotten anyone that knows and can really recruit in the mid-Atlantic states. Not to mention Florida and anywhere within the ACC footprint. You would hope that any DC he hires would at least have some ties in that area to help for the future.

This hire is now at a point where it takes on greater importance because it will reveal a lot about Chryst as the head football coach. I’ve found it disturbing how unwilling he has been on most of his hires to venture beyond a certain circle that tied the assistant and position coaches to direct relationships with him. The one exception has been Bobby Engram (who worked with Chryst’s brother) — and by coincidence Engram has been the brightest spot among the coaches with regards to recruiting.

He doesn’t have anyone from his immediate circle of connections that is qualified for the job. If somehow he chose to promote from within, that would be a huge mistake and speak a lot about Chryst. That he doesn’t trust to hire anyone he hasn’t worked with before. That he finds personal connections more important than the coach’s actual ability.

Chryst has said he has conducted interviews. Presumably he has evaluated the candidates. Now he has to make a decision.





I wanted to marinate on this topic overnight before responding. Just the mention of AD involvement is so Jerry Jones like. Get out of the way Pederson.

I too agree that Berenato is the right coach, but Pederson will not support her or the team. He makes Pitt not a coaching destination. Coaches need to be able to coach, and recruit, and recruit the best coaches that will make the team a success. Anything less in support equates to mediocrity. Mediocrity or less is where we have been in Steve Pederson’s reign over the department.

Case in point, look at the college challenge cup.Where does Pitt place? Are they even in the top 50 as an entire program? He is a joke in the industry. You never hear him mentioned for any other job. Why? He is Pitt’s major problem. At some point the Board will wake up and understand the importance of the “Brand” and how sports adds to the academic excellence of an institution in the form of higher visibility, higher applications, etc. I would task the blatherites to go to major universities board of trustee meetings when athletics is presenting and sit in on the meetings. The highest ranked athletic programs, also prioritize the brand and reputation of the athletic squads as they promote athletics.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 02.09.13 @ 11:15 am

@Ward, thanks!

@FRANKCAN, good stuff!! Hope you are well!

Comment by Dan 02.09.13 @ 11:15 am

Wardapalooza if he wanted to hire someone he didnt
know he would have tons of choices.
than that is what he should do they are out there

Pitt is in the ACC now and it is time to act like
it .
house is unqualifed.
mike archer or todd orlando are good choices.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.09.13 @ 11:22 am

watch for the name bob babich from bears

Comment by paul shannon 02.09.13 @ 12:14 pm

1 of my favorites – Zig ZIglar -A lot of people quit looking for work the moment they find a job. Let PC alone so he can find the right coach.

Comment by RayHpgh 02.09.13 @ 12:36 pm

Shannon – isn’t he the DC for Jacksonvile or Carolina? Can’t see him stepping down to the Pitt job.

Comment by marcus of schaumburg 02.09.13 @ 12:38 pm

@Why me:

Jim Harbaugh is a punk.

Comment by BATR 02.09.13 @ 12:48 pm

Rivercity rivalry day today without the trophy. Pitt=Cincy at 6, and Duquesne=Xavier at 7.

Comment by alcofan 02.09.13 @ 12:54 pm

Yes alcofan, huge game today @ Cincy. We NEED this win.

I’m still reeling from the 2009 football loss.

Comment by MikePITT 02.09.13 @ 1:31 pm

Yeti, I’m the one who mentioned Tom Bradley, and I live in Colorado. In fact, I haven’t stepped foot in Westmoreland County in more than 30 years….

Comment by Imma Man! Im 40! 02.09.13 @ 1:32 pm

Reply to EMel’s “PITT can ill afford to hire someone who was part of the Ped State football program, as who knows what revelations might come OUT OF that TRIAL.”

Billy Joel said it well, You may be wrong for all I know, but you may be right.

But here’s what I know: the best recruiter on Pitt’s staff was “Part of the Ped State program”, his name is Bobby Engram.

Comment by Imma Man! Im 40! 02.09.13 @ 1:41 pm

@alcofan. Damn shame what has happened to Duquesne basketball.

Always cheer for Duquesne and Robert Morris when they aren’t playing Pitt.

Bobby Mo always good, Duquesne…a cryin’ shame on that athletic dept..

Comment by Dan 02.09.13 @ 1:55 pm

Well we have a very important basketball game today.

#23 PITT @ #17 UC Bearcats (18-5, 6-4)

UC is coming off a road loss to Providence 50-54

Pitt is coming of a sluggish win over Seton Hall 56-46.

We can definitely knock the Bearcats out of the rankings with a win. As they can do likewise to us.

Battle to stay in the Top 25

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 2:05 pm

I have the North Carolina at Miami game on the radio.

Miami is undefeated in the ACC, who would have thunk it. Bodes well for PITT, Syracuse & Louisville in their entries into the ACC.

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 2:12 pm

No surprise with Miami,Jim Larrenaga coaching. I went to a game at the Pete against George Mason expecting a blowout, but it was a 6 to 10 lead and we couldn’t shake them. Give this guy some talent, Miami and we are seeing a new power.

Comment by alcofan 02.09.13 @ 2:20 pm

@Imma man

The difference between Engram and Bradley is this:

Engram never coached at Ped State, he ONLY played their and he played offense as well. So he never was around Sandusky, as the pedo was a Defensive coach.

Whereas Bradley did coach at Ped State and he worked quite closely with Sandusky as they were both defensive coaches. In fact Bradley’s boss was Sandusky as DC for 20 years, worked under him and took over for him as DC after Sandusky was outed. In 20 years under Sandusky, there remains lots of questions as to what Bradley knew or didn’t know. Unless he was absolutely clueless, he had to have known something.

That is the difference between Engram & Bradley.

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 2:33 pm

Both harbaughs are whining DBags. There actions should surprise nobody.

Comment by Coach Ditka 02.09.13 @ 2:40 pm

wowza

We’re going to have to deal with the new basketball power in the ACC then alcofan.

Miami leads UNC at halftime 44-27.

Though Miami’s arena only sits 7,000 and the announcers noted it wasn’t totally sold out.
That’s amazing.

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 2:54 pm

19 ranked teams in action today.

I’ll predict 30% of them will lose.

First one already has as #3 Michigan loses in OT to Wisconsin.

@ Coach Ditka, agree wholeheartedly. Tired of hearing about them. ^^

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 3:02 pm

Ditto on the Jim Harbaugh is a punk sentiment… (quickly I bet folks will come to love hating him).

Definitely seems to be the dude who put the stick in the spokes of PC’s search… bet these guys thought it was a done deal after the superbowl.

Then the prick factor kicked in and screwed the deal…

yeah with PC’s brother there everyone just has to grin and bear it…

Rookie move not having a backup ready but that is ok… let’s see how PC responds.

Comment by PittScript 02.09.13 @ 3:03 pm

I’m looking forward to reading Sue’s sob story tomorrow AM.

Pathetic, really.

Comment by steve1 02.09.13 @ 3:11 pm

@steve1

It’s up on Gretawire, she’s obviously demented, delusional…whatever. What’s she gonna come out and say,

“yes we are all evil pedophiles up here in Creepy Valley and Joe was the head ringmaster.”

You can tell this was written for her.

Here it is:

link to gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com

P.S. In actuality this is mis-titled as many news stories are, this is no opening up on Sandusky at all. This is just a letter defending the Pope of Creepy Valley’s reputation.

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 3:44 pm

Thanks EMel, but the kahuna will be published tomorrow at 9 AM. See link below:

link to espn.go.com

Comment by steve1 02.09.13 @ 3:51 pm

Today was a seminal day in ACC history.

I can not remember a season that one team (in this case Miami) absolutely destroyed both Duke & North Carolina on their home court. Previously Miami tore up Duke 90-63 in Coral Gables.

Today’s final:

Miami 87 North Carolina Tarheels 61

UNC was never in the game, falling behind 9-0 from the onset, NEVER had the lead and were behind by 17 at the half. This after Roy Boy Huckleberry Hound said on his radio show Thursday nite, that UNC had turned the corner.

With today’s beatdown and PITT and Syracuse and then Louisville entering the ACC, the balance of power in the ACC, might finally be shifting from Tobacco Road. Hard to believe !!

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 3:56 pm

@steve1

Interesting nobody authored (or at least took credit) the ESPN story you linked.

What is ESPN trying to do, exonerate Paterno, which would then lead to exonerating Ped State, with this supposed “exclusive panel” of authors of the new report. Of course this “new report”
was funded by the Paternos. lol

I can imagine what it’s conclusions will already be.

Do they actually think people are that stupid.

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 4:11 pm

The epic fail that was Ped State in letting a known child molester continue to come and go, very freely, letting him keep his keys to the various buildings, his parking spot and even keep his office, this all AFTER the 1998 revelations and subsequent investigation is ALL of them.

Trying to pass the blame onto Pennsylvania Child Services when in fact all of them were contributing money to the Pedo’s 2nd Mile front, is the ultimate in hypocrisy. Which is typical of people in higher learning today.

These people (or more correctly creatures) are vile and quite disgusting. If you can’t see right thru these creatures, you aren’t looking very closely.

I wish PITT would just back out of our planned 4 football games with this disgusting university.

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 4:25 pm

**typo

end of line 3

“and subsequent investigation is an indictment of ALL of them.

Comment by EMel 02.09.13 @ 4:31 pm

The passage of time is a great healer in our society….unfortunately. At some point, the masses say “so what” ,I can’t even remember what happened or who caused the issue. Puff pieces lighten the seriousness of the original sin over time. That university still employs outside public relations firms to handle the fiasco and until such time as they leave, we can never believe anything that comes out of the state pen camp.

@Emel – the picture you painted of bradley working”under” the ped master, was not pretty. I almost puked! Thanks for that visual…not!

Comment by dhuffdaddy 02.09.13 @ 4:34 pm

Miami is led by 5 or 6 seniors… Big drop off for Miami BB next year.

Comment by HbgFrank 02.09.13 @ 10:44 pm

I live in ACC territory and some of my Carolina friends have cautioned me…

“Pitt may be in for a transition period upon joining the ACC and you shouldn’t get your hopes up. The ACC is a whole different world and fan obsession is unlike anything you’ve seen before.”

Too funny…I think it’s the Research Triangle that’s in for a bit of transition.

Comment by Joe Lawrence 02.10.13 @ 10:55 am

Will somebody in the Pitt Athletic department please hire this guy and give him creative control of Pitt’s football uniforms.

Will some fantastically wealthy Pitt booster please donate seven figures to the athletic department in order to make this happen.

Dammit Steve get with the program.

link to twitter.com

Comment by Atlanta Panther 02.10.13 @ 4:29 pm

Best thing we can all do to help with the uni’s is to email SP and this link. Pitt script has also been askingfor help with getting his ideas to the press – let’s give him some help…as well as contactany aqlumni you know to help the cause.

Comment by markp 02.10.13 @ 6:20 pm

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