As the spring practices reach their endpoint, the talk turns to the change in how the players themselves are from when Coach Paul Chryst came in with a whole new staff. A lot of that theme for the day comes courtesy of Offensive Line Coach Jim Hueber and his typical bluntness.
“When we came in here, there was a reason we got hired and it wasn’t because this was utopia,” Hueber said. “I think we fought through that. We had kids that didn’t want to buy in to our way. You look around now, there’s not much bitching and moaning, there’s not many guys missing. We don’t have the problems that we had before.
“How that pans out in wins and losses we’ll only know as these recruiting classes get older.”
Now in the stories from both papers that last quote was left out. That is the nut, though.
It’s one thing for the complete change in mindset. The adjustment to the different coaching staff. The attrition that happens. As noted, 66 of the scholarship players for Pitt were signed after Chryst was hired. So you would expect heading into a third year that the team be one that takes on a lot more of the coach’s identity and at least from a mental standpoint what he thinks the team should be.
That is great. Fantastic. And by all accounts the team is much more cohesive — as you would expect — than Chryst came in or after the first year.
Rising junior quarterback Trey Anderson, who joined the team in the summer of 2011, said he has discussed the change with Chryst.
“It’s a completely different atmosphere,” he said. “I feel like the team chemistry is not even comparable to when I first came in — in a good way. Everyone gets along. We fight and work hard together. I feel like that wasn’t the case when I first got in here. When you are trusting the guy next to you, it makes a difference on the field.”
Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Boyd said he believes players are easy to coach.
“Everything we are supposed to do, we do,” he said. “We don’t give no lip.”
At the end of the day, however, all the talk of mindset and culture change and what not falls by the side compared to the issue of wins and losses. This is still a team that is 13-13 after the first two years, and prior to the bowl win had plenty of questions. Both about the coach and the team.
Bill Fralic, a former Pitt star lineman who was critical of the program before Chryst arrived, said last week [late November, 2013], “I think a lot of Paul Chryst and I wish him well. He’s a quality man. But he has a lot of work to do.”
This isn’t to fire shots at Chryst. Nor is it to preemptively defend him from what happens this coming season.
I do expect this to be a better team than last year. Emphasis on the word, team. There has to be noticeable improvement, especially in consistency by the team from week-to-week. That’s on the coach. Not simply to have a game plan and coach well, but to make sure the players are prepared to play each week.
At the same time, there is a realism that this is still a perilously thin team. Obviously at QB, but all over. The O-line has more bodies than when he came in. And no question the talent overall is better. But the drop-off from a starter to second on the depth chart is still significant.
There’s no doubt that Jaryd Jones-Smith has the physical tools to be a successful offensive lineman, with an impressive frame and long arms. He was a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com, and chose the Panthers over schools such as Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Offensive line coach Jim Hueber, though, was quick to caution that he’s still only going through his first spring practice as a college football player.
“His problem is the demand on him to do it right every time, it’s not there,” Hueber said. “It’s not there for high school guys, it’s not there for scout team guys that are running off of cards. He has to be in tune with the guy playing next to him, so sometimes when he gets off-kilter it hurts us a little bit.”
Then there are the questions all over the D-line and depth concerns at linebacker. Injuries played a role in the O-line being so weak by the end of the year. The D-line had much masked by Aaron Donald’s amazing play but there needs to be more from the defensive ends — and that means players staying healthy.
With spring practices winding down, there doesn’t seem to be any overwhelming optimism surrounding the team. Nor is there a sense of impending doom for the coming season. There is much more of a feeling of waiting and seeing what this team does.
Perhaps that is a product of the team’s performance the first two years under Chryst. Maybe it is just the fact that there are so many new faces. No one wants to get too high or too down on the team at this point.
The real transition to Chryst’s team is this year. Devin Street and Aaron Donald led the old players that stayed into Chryst’s team. Now it really is Chryst’s team and his players that have to lead.
Pitt’s most decorated player almost sabatoged Pitt’s hopes early on with a never before seen temper tantrum that ultimately resulted in a key score by the opponent. Our resilent QB who had taken a beating all season long because his OL could only muster a less than adequate pass protect, finally succomed and could take no more unable to return for the second half of the game. Our newest Pitt player sensation, Tyler Boyd decided to show the world that night that he not only is going to be a genuine Biletnikoff Award Candidate in 2014 but also that he is a pretty darn good kick return man as well as a skilled wide receiver!
Then the second half starts and there stands a nervous Chad Voytik behind center charged with the task of bringing the Panthers home with a come from behind victory. And what does he do? He comes through with it, while adding a TD of his own to the mix with a nice QB scramble into pay dirt. And let’s not forget about the all star performance of “The Hammer” an appropriate nickname for a true freshman running back that was ordained on him by Brent Musburger during our nationally televised Notre Dame victory. What more can you say about James Conner in that game other than he “brought it” and was not to be denied in his record breaking performance during that night?
So now we’re seeing the mental makeover that a season ending win like that produces going forward. Guys starting to believe. Players really buying into the program, the younger guys taking on the responsibility of stepping it up into the needed thin spots on the roster and those other “still young” guys who have already gained a season of experince, tucking that asset under their belts,and accepting the a leadership role on a team that is in dire need of leaders.
“First,the mind leads and then the body follows”. The guys on the Panther roster now are forging the proper “can do” attitude right now that is essential in producing the winning program of tomorrow.
HCPC has put a high priority on recruiting guys that possess that kind of proper attitude and want to be here at Pitt. He might not have pulled in the cream of the crop in his first couple recruiting classes but the guys he has brought in are the ones who want to be here and will be utilized to build the foundation of a solid Pitt football program, and Coach Chryst was willing to take the time necessary to build that program from scratch starting from the ground up.
This will be a turning point for the program, if Chryst has gotten it right. The schedule is fairly soft and has no major hurdles that can’t be overcome early on. It’s a schedule that good things could happen with. Chryst now has the basic components in place to make it happen now also.
The mind leads and the body follows. With just a little luck early on, like beating BC at their place and staying healthy at the really thin positions, especially at QB, this team just might make some noise in the Coastal Division of the ACC this season. That sure would be nice to see at this juncture, because with Coach Chryst’s midwestern mild mannered style of letting the results speak for themselves, The Panthers HAVE to make an impact on the field of play to stir up enough excitemnt in the program going forward to attract the elite HS recruits so essential in taking this program into the land of seriously being competative in the national arena.
Hoping for the best, 8-4 in the regular season sounds about right to me. Hail to Pitt!
Feeling just a little Panther Pride welling up, as always, Hail to Pitt!
link to bleacherreport.com
That’s not a small thing. We could have had another coach come in, fool around for a couple years and still have a mess.
So, I think the so called “building” that most of us have spoken about after the Wanny/Haywood/Fraud situations, how shown promising signs that, that is in fact exactly what he’s doing.
That had to happen. And, it did. And it easily with someone else, not happened.
So, I think we are ahead of the game at this point.
This not to let him off the hook. This is his 3rd year. It’s on him, that we have another new quarterback starting the year I do think 10 years from now though, when we look back, I think we’ll being talking about Voytik as a “winner”.
No, not just from the bowl game. Have liked him, his attitude and knowledge since I followed him a bit in high school, through the Elite Eleven camps and his time at Pitt.
HCPC’s 4th year, with possibly a good QB in Chad Voytik starting his 2nd year, there is going to have to be a clear sign that the program is moving forward with wins and losses, and top 25 rankings.
This year, not giving a pass, hoping for 8 or 9 wins. Lot’s of variables, injuries etc, so I could actually deal with with only 7 wins, depending on things that happen.
Again, not a pass. I say 8 or 9 wins. Voytik or Boyd get hurt the first game, I have to give things like that consideration.
To say, a coach must have “X” amount of wins is kind of silly, we don’t know what’s going to happen, with a multitude of things.
Are a couple losses, to good teams on last second plays, the same thing as getting blown out a couple times. Of course not.
You can though, look at the bigger picture, and do an easy eye test. Is the team getting better, is the program progressively to the next level?
When this does happen, most times it translates to wins and winning.
I think we’re on the right track, but, we’ve gotta see them play.
Still have concerns about our defense being good enough to get to 8 wins.
Voytik looked good but he is starting his first season and the ACC teams are bigger and faster than what he faced.
Still a lot more questions than answers. But we do appear to be headed in the right direction, finally.
– Bennett needs surgery but hopes to be ready for fall
– Titus Howard looking good at DB
– Tyler Boyd belted by MILF
– and someone was asking about Winslow – apparently he punted a ball so high, it was lost in the rafters (great hang time)
I’m sure Grigsby is in the mix and Bradley when he gets healthy, wonder about the rest of the young guys.
Coach Douglas loves the camera and the camera loves him. Fun interview.
Too bad about Bennett, not sure what kind of shoulder surgery only requires 4 months of rehab.
Winslow getting good hang time, I hope he knows how to put the ball down inside the 20. Have not seen a coffin corner at Pitt in a long time.
Yes, if we faced only MAC competion, your eight wins would be about right.
Sorry, I still think loosing Shell put an end of hope for this coaching staff. Ninteen year olds do get emotional and good coachs know how to handle it. Loosing 22 odd players in a coaching change shows me a lack of peoples skills.
Now all we can sign is MAC level talent. Unfortunately we are not in the MAC.
I really don’t buy Jim Hueber’s vision of the whole football situation.
If you can’t get the job done blame it on the kids. There were 22 to 23 bad apples on the team! Really! And the coaching staff was perfect! Really! Wait and see what our new system will produce. Bull shit! Bull shit and more Bull Shit!
I’ve seen this crap over and over again.
My gandson’s lacrosse is undefeated so far. He play’s attack on the JV and suits up to plays some with the varsity. He is only a soph. Best team they beat so far is Don Bosco which is always a mega in all sports in North Jersey.
At least I have two grandsons to keep busy until Pitt football gets back on stream with a new coaching staff.
I too am glad to hear that the players are feeling more like a team and trusting and playing for each other and not only for themselves. However I couldn’t agree with the good Doc more. If HCPC’s approach is to use success on the field to attract the top talent then he better begin to deliver or his recruiting style will never cut it in the ACC or frankly in any conference.
Three recruiting clases should begin to develop some depth, that has clearly not been accomplished and that is on this coaching staff alone. Going into this season with Trey Anderson as the only “potential” QB replacement is inexcusable and will make me cringe with every sack or rollout Voytik takes. Chapman’s stupidity is really haunting the Panthers.
While I agree that many PC recruits don’t measure up to the upper tier of BCS teams, there have been many teams that have and continue to achieve really high standards with lower-rated talent. he best, recent example is Duke which made the ACC championship game and took a higher level SEC to the limit before losing. That Duke team was loaded with ‘MAC’ talent.
Barring key injuries, 9 wins this year obtainable. Yes, the depth in certain positions this year is troublesome, but you have to understand that the program is still recovering from all of the instability that began in Dec 2010.
Right now, Pitt cannot recruit with the higher level ACC teams … and to think they can is very unreasonable. However, a few years of sustained success will lead to better recruiting … being what the program has been through, it’s just about the only way to move forward
Thus, really good results are attainable with lesser rated talent, provided that talent fits into the program’s overall scheme.
Again, realistically, Pitt cannot currently compete with the big boys both on and off the field … but they can rebuild a successful program. (and a little stability will help)
I just recently mentioned that Pitt might be anywhere between 6–6 to 9–3 this regular season, depending on how lucky they are and if they can avoid key injuries, but in making any predictions, I can go no further than that. BTW, I’m sober this morning while I write this.
Not accepting Shell back was one of the best decisions Chryst made, even if RS goes on to stardom as a Hoopie. I am certain that decision was a catalyst to improved team culture. Chryst won a lot of hearts and minds in that locker room when Shell was told he could not return. Not only did it eliminate a distraction, it sent a message to other players who may have been wavering: either get on board or get on with your life’s work.
I think we have seen that Chryst is very supportive of his players and that he is generally liked and admired. I have seen nothing from HCPC to indicate a pattern of heavy handedness or rigidity in dealing with the players. Todd Thomas was allowed back, for example. Shell’s issues were caused by Shell. I can’t believe we’re rehashing this…
OPG, you are in the minority regarding Shell, I know Reverend George agrees but for different reasons.
If a new administration wants to succeed they can never let the inmates run the asylum. It is a case of one bad apple ruining the whole bunch.
Especially when you intend to change the culture of a group. Members of the group either have to get on board or get out.
This applies to any organisation. Except for the Oakland Raiders and their philosophy has not worked all that well.
I see Chryst as the Tortoise from the old fable.
His offensive recruiting has been very good with the exception of QB where there are extenuating circumstances. The guy this year recognized it will be hard to beat out Voytik for three years. Good guys want to play soon if not right now.
Defensive recruiting has been lackluster and the House hiring probably stunted the progression. But the new hires, especially Douglas should change that. Eight wins would help. If Chyrst is right about House and he is an up an comer things will get better sooner rather than later.
Watch the videos on the Pitt site. The marketing staff is smart to put Hueber and Douglas in front of the camera, We have to hope Chryst and House are much better coaches than they are spokesmen. If you have trouble sleeping, watch their interviews.
Like wbb says, 3 stars can get it done, as long as you find the right ones and coach them up. We have to hope that the staff has an eye for talent and they also need time to mature. My guess is that Duke had a lot of upperclassmen, which we have had few of for some time.
BC, Iowa, VT and Miami could all punch Pitt square in the nose and walk away with a win against us on a good day for them. A win against any of these teams would feel like we are competing well against the big boys, IMO. However, we could drop every one of these contests and still have a successful 2014 campaign if all of the other games on Pitt’s schedule drop into the win column.
But Pitt being Pitt, who would be surprised if we drop a game against, let’s say, a Virginia club that we should beat but don’t show for at their own place and therefore come home a loser?
That’s the kind of things that DON’T happen any more when Pitt’s players are prepared and show up to play EVERY game.
So that is why I would be happy with a non inspiring 8-4 regular season expectation, just win ALL the games you should, because in my mind, that shows me that Pitt is doing what they should be doing. Now if you surprise me with knocking off a team like VT, which Pitt has shown a knack at doing, then I’ll be tickled pink! But really, I’d be satisfied if we just take care of business each and every week and simply beat the teams that we should. No more games getting away from us at the end like Navy last year. Programs that are picking up momentum and are aspiring for greater things just don’t allow those things happen any more. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’d be satisfied with a 8-4 season as long as Pitt eliminates any performances in the process where the naysayers have the opportunity to once again expound on the fact that the Panthers played just like “The Same Old Pitt”!
I’ve seen progress with my own eyes.
Progress like we’re Alabama or Auburn, of course not, like Florida State or Clemson, no, but why you be expecting that in year three of a coaches term???
I’ve said before, HCPC gets no pass from me. But, for goodness sakes, a coach should a least get his own full recruiting class to show if the program has improved.
I’ve always said, to some Blatherites dismay, I don’t wear blue and gold color glasses. I love Pitt, but I call it like I see it, and it clearly looks like we’re making progress to me.
You may end up being correct. I guess I’m not that gifted to see things so clearly, so quickly.
If we regress this year, go say 4-8 or 5-7, I’ll be right there with you. If we’re not in the top 25 or barking at the door of the top 25 next year, with Chad Voytik in his second full season, I’ll be right there with you also.
Only 24 games, it’s bullshit?? Wow, I’m not that good to se through everything.
Black and white, eye test, looks to me like we are improving.
News that Bennett is getting his shoulder operated on is NOT GOOD.
Hope he’s recovers in time for Fall… but NOT COUNTING on it.
Even with minor tears recovery process can be a long process.
Anyone who’s experienced shoulder injuries know shoulders are a funny thing.
You’ve never a had a bad seed, infect others??
I’ve had a couple bad seeds infect whole departments, where the whole department becomes the bad seed of the departments.
A couple bad seeds couldn’t effect a group of 15 or 20 other kids, and their attitudes and work ethics and lifestyles at night after practice??
Hell, a couple bad seeds could take a whole team down.
I’m surprised it was only 22 or so!!
Not speaking of Shell directly, but I
never bought the “he’s young” stuff or “kids are kids”, or “you were a teenager once” crap.
Giving excuses because someone is 18??? What about the other 50 players who are 18, and are doing the right thing constantly??
Besides, HE’S the one that made the moves. He made the call. Coach Chryst was going to have him be the main man on the team in his sophomore year?? Everyone knew this too.
He knew he was going to be the BMOC, and he still had some sort of attitude and work ethic issues??
I would have assumed he would have been calling his offensive buddies, to do extra wind sprints, extra work outs, go over the playbook, getting everyone pumped up on the team for the coming season.
He wanted to take a month off and think about things???
I wish him no harm, but sorry, see ya later.
1) I think Engram feels a sense of obligation to encourage those who he recruited and to a guy who gave him his first big break in his 2nd career.
2) I think Shell gave PC no other choice; in fact, PC bent over backwards to accommodate him last spring.
From Tom Brady’s wikipedia page:
“Brady played college football for, and graduated from, the University of Michigan. He played for the Michigan Wolverines football team. He was a backup quarterback for his first two years, while teammate and future NFL quarterback Brian Griese led the 1997 Wolverines to an undefeated season capped by a victory in the Rose Bowl and a share of the national championship. When he enrolled at Michigan, Brady was seventh on the depth chart and had an intense struggle to get some playing time. At one point, Brady hired a sports psychologist to help him cope with frustration and anxiety and even considered transferring to Cal. Brady battled for the starting job with Drew Henson, ultimately starting every game in the 1998 and 1999 seasons under Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr.”
If a little competition is going to SCARE AWAY some kid… that’s a kid you probably don’t want anyway.
Brady probably tests out Pretty High on the COMPETITIVE SCALE.
Moral of the analogy, your physical looks, like pure talent, can only take you so far, sooner or later you have to “earn it” with honest hard effort. It’s just a matter of what level it takes for that truth to become self evident.
That was Shell’s problem, thought he was special, because in HS the kid REALLY WAS, broke all the PA state records for crying out loud! But he found out pretty quick under Coache’s tuleadge that coasting was no longer acceptable, and he didn’t like that reality.
My guess is that he’ll probably be doing just fine at WVU, but that will be as far as it goes. Unless he has a major attitude adjustment, his pro career will never happen.
The question is whether the lightbulb comes on. If it does, he learns a life lesson.
As for my expectations (i.e. what I think will happen versus what I demand) this year, I think we will see more consistent play that may or may not translate into more wins. We are heading in the right direction, but need a little more depth.
In short, I won’t be jumping off any bridges if we finish 6-6 again. Disappointed? Yes. Angry? No. Even with the alleged softer schedule.
I will be elated though with an 8 win season. That would be nice.
Hope that HCPC becomes an improved game day coach.
Hope that thomas or fields or someone else becomes a star. Remember donald was supposed to be good…but not that good! It can happen to someone else this year.
Hope that voytik is as good as savage passing, but can run too.
Those three things equal a very nice year.. Add in an actually decent OL, and we could really surprise.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m convinced Rushel Shell is his 3rd…
I am hopeful that the football team can get to 8 wins this coming year. Injuries will play a part in the teams success as it always does. That occurs when depth is an issue. Pitt needs to be ready to pounce on qb prospects if and when Savage gets drafted. Pitt needs to tell the story of Savage as a free agent pick out of Arizona last year, who came to Pitt and paid his own way to play for Paul Chryst, who develoed him into a 3rd round pick or better after just one year. Imagine what he could do with you over a 3-4 year stretch! Pile on the public rlations with russ Wilson story and Pitt should be pushing away all the qb talent that comes its way. Same with the D-line. Pitt needs to have a post card of AD ready to go to all Juniors and sophomres ready to go. As soon as they call his name in round one, those cards need to go out!
Get ahead of the recruiting bus men!! Preparation leads to performance.
Don’t need to wonder about Boyd…confident he will kick ass
Thomas is probably the most talented player in the Pitt defensive backfield this year and he has embraced his situation. The labeled “old guy” on the team, he mentioned that he’ll be 23 on the 27th of this month, naturally has to be looked up to by the younger guys. Now Thomas seems to understand how important his persona is to the rest of the team and has accepted that role as one of the leaders of this squad. Really nice to see that the light bulb has turned on in this young man’s head. I was distraught last fall when Todd made that huge mistake to take leave of the team since his loss would have been devestating to a linebacker group that was young and lacked depth.
This proverbial prodical Son is going to be a positive force for the Panthers this year. Plus he looks like he’s bulked up quite a bit since the fall too. Just maybe that under qualified “know nothing” S & C coach might know more than some realize after all?
Check out the interview and formulate you own opinion.
Justinian – amen. I don’t blame Chryst either…not one bit. I’ve learned more in life through my mistakes…would have loved to have leavened some things in an easier way – haha!
Upittbaseball – you must know my brother. He likes to call me is is when something isn’t going right for the Steelers, Pens or Pitt. Something good…crickets.
Dr. Tom – enjoying your posts – keep them coming.
Dan – re: your post Friday 314pm – post of the day IMO.
I was listening to The Fan via Internet this AM and I have to say it was disheartening to hear about both the WVU and PSU spring game results…and none for Pitt. A bit of a downer for me – it’s one of the things that gets me fired up for Labor Day weekend. I hope whatever his rationale is translates into progress come this fall.
Comment by Mailman 04.12.14 @ 10:45 pm
That would be a disaster, as the Herron kid’s dad is lifelong friends with Slice and he would be going to Kentucky as well. That being our 5 star recruit who has been mentioned so many times, as some sort of proof we’re ever going to recruit real big time players. Verbals mean nothing in college basketball today. Especially ones that aren’t relative till the year 2016.
That would be ironic since this UK opening was created when Antigua (a Pitt man) got his HC gig at USF.
More bad news;
“Committed to Pitt” is no longer in Detrick Mostella’s twitter bio. So I guess Pitt fans can move forward from that.
Oy Vey !
An even smaller crowd watched Stanford’s game.
While PSU drew a big crowd, a walk-on from Blackhawk whose mother died unexpectedly 5 weeks ago, was the star. While it is a great story, the final score was something like 37 to 0.
I have a feeling that while spring games may continue to be a big money maker for a handful of programs, more and more of them will deemphasize the event, knowing full well that it’s much more important that the best players don’t get hurt than play well
We need another assistant on the bench who can actually coach and is not just a ‘yes’ man.
Herrion’s stint at Pitt included our first Elite 8 since 1974, as well as first time EVER Pitt was ranked Number 1 in basketball and first ever Number 1 seed in the Dance.
Must have been some sort of chemistry between him and JD. Let’s bring him back !!!
2014 has a weak schedule, anything less than 8 – 4 is a disappointment.
The defense is the big question mark and I really think this is Houses make or break year.
The upside is with the Pitt program. We love slice because he can bring in an occasional 5 star but more 4 stars. Slice won’t be judged on landing 5 stars at a program where they only get 5 stars. He will be judged on championships. It’s a preferene of pressures. Just my three cents worth (inflation).
I may have mentioned that Pitt will not compete in lacrosse and baseball too well in the ACC. That is on the AD. He isn’t forward thinking and is just collecting a paycheck until retirement. What a legacy. Women’s bball wasn’t prepared for the bigE or the ACC. That said, I expect great things within two years from the girls.
Pitt football should have a students day in the spring where allpitt students are invited to attend a practice, take pictures with their colleagues, etc Need to rope in the students. Then, do it with high school and middle school teachers. Yes, middle schools!!! It is never to early to get into the good graces of middle school coaches and having those coaches getting into the ears of their players and parents early on about PITT! I am not on the Pitt payroll, but I should be! My plans work. If not, I would fire myself, which unfortunately, I have done once before.
Let’s hope Slice stays. He is one of the best at what he does, maybe not irreplaceable, but close.
Allthough, other posters said Slice made more at Pitt than Kentucky. If they’re jacking it up, pay up Pederson.
Hope to hell he stays. Recruiting is one area where we don’t have a lot of wiggle room…..
I’m afraid my optimism is every bit as much about this year’s schedule as it about the players. But I also think that the coaching staff is improved.