Strength and conditioning coach Todd Rice has resigned from his position, a Pitt spokesman confirmed tonight. Rice spent the last two years as Pitt’s head strength and conditioning coach, and previously held the same title at N.C. State, Boston College and Cal.
Pitt did not provide a reason for the resignation, and said that it will hire a full-time replacement some time after Jan. 1.
Most of the reviews I heard from current and former players about Rice were not necessarily glowing, and Pitt dealt with a spate of back injuries (usually, though not always, indicative of a conditioning issue) along the offensive line. Left guard Cory King and left tackle Adam Bisnowaty both missed multiple games with back injuries this season.
Not glowing reviews. That may be putting it mildly considering the first source that put out word that Rice was out.
Even before the recruiting miss yesterday there was going to be pressure on Matt House and the defense. There was the Miami game to end the season.
The defense allowed the same amount of points it surrendered in the opener against Florida State, a team that advanced to the national championship game.
Miami is good, but far from the Seminoles’ caliber, and the poor performance could be seen as an indication of a lack of progress on Pitt’s defense this season.
“I feel like we got embarrassed out there,” Donald said of an effort in which Pitt (6-6) allowed five touchdowns and 476 yards of total offense in its 12th game.
“Could be seen as an indication of a lack of progress?” Could be?
