Last week Nebraska surprised everyone with the hire of Mike Riley from Oregon State to replace Bo Pelini. That was a stunner no one saw coming. That is until late this afternoon when Oregon State hired Dave Andersen from Wisconsin.
Now, Wisconsin has to hire a new coach and Paul Chryst sits right smack dab in the middle of the speculation.
Just as it made sense for speculating on him when Bielema left for Arkansas two years, ago it still holds true today. A native of Wisconsin. Lots of ties to the AD and the school itself. And in much the same way Ohio State fans held Walt Harris in higher esteem than many Pitt fans did after a time, Wisconsin fans still hold Paul Chryst in a semi-revered status for his work as an OC.
Unlike two years ago, Chryst is not just completing his first year and Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez is not in the same position of risking a lot of burning of bridges with longtime friends from Western PA. He needs to make a hire and it needs to be a stable choice. It also has to be a coach willing to deal with the academic and budgetary restrictions Wisconsin has in place. All factors that favor Paul Chryst — if he wants it.
I’d have a hard time begrudging him leaving for Wisconsin. If we believe that going back to a school and state you have deep ties is important for Pitt, then it is a hypocrisy to think Chryst shouldn’t be able to do the same.
As an aside, this completely destroys my previous post and part two which was partially drafted. So I’m a bit ticked from a micro-selfish POV at having wasted a good amount of time thinking and writing on the topic.
At this point, Paul Chryst suddenly has a lot more leverage with Pitt than he did. For good and evil. It means the things Pitt fans would want like say a bigger budget for assistants and recruiting. But it also means more control on the coaching staff — say good bye to the #firematthouse dreams.
It is hard to imagine a 19-19 coach having leverage like that, but this is where things stand. Chryst is in a position to demand a raise, extension and bigger budget. Possibly even getting a bidding war with Wisconsin.
Lose Chryst and that would leave Pitt looking at the idea of making yet another hire. And, yes, the involvement of Steve Pederson. It would also serve as a very early litmus test on new Chancellor Patrick Gallagher’s interest and handling of big time college sports (or at least the version practiced at Pitt). How involved would he be? How much would he be willing to help keep things stable or support the program if it moves back into flux?
There’s no way to know yet. He’s paid some lip service to their importance and how much they matter to the school and reputation, but what happens when it is time to back it up?
I’m going to have some more bourbon at this point.
My hope, is maybe Gallagher actually cares about athletics. This could be a blessing in disguise. I liked Chryst from a stability and offensive mind standpoint. But let’s be real. This guy was never going to anything than maybe win an occasional ACC Coastal division title every now and then. He isn’t going to take Wisconsin to any great heights either.
Pitt has a chance to get it right. I’m already hearing Bradley and Austin. NO! NO! NO!
Take a fucking chance. Someone who can fire up the masses. Scott Frost should be a guy Pitt should talk to.
I can’t wait to see how Pitt FUCKS this up.
Like I said earlier, at least at feels like the holiday season now. If Pitt isn’t conducting a coaching search, it just doesn’t quite feel like the holiday season…
Happy Holidays and head coach hunting blatherites…
UPMC should foot the bill for my impending liver transplant…
Brady Hoke went back home. Doesn’t always work out so well. Here is wishing Paul Chryst nothing but the worst professionally…
He knew this place was hurting. Todd Graham left us high and dry. What because he is going home I should wish him well? I don’t think so. Maybe if he went 29-9 in 3 years? This putz goes 19-19 and parlays it into his dream job and leaves Pitt holding the bag?
FUCK PAUL CHRYST!!!!
2) Pitt football is a joke! Chryst played a good part of that. Why would Pitt want him to stick around? Good riddance. Wisconsin is doing us a huge favor.
3) Anyone wanting to see how next year would’ve turned out?…*Spoiler Alert* 6-6
4) As for recent Pitt players has in the NFL besides Donald I would argue that the average career is incredibly short and ANYONE currently in the NFL is notable. And Pitt has done incredibly well with graduating studs into the league despite ATROCIOUS coaching. It’s hard to argue how Pitt could be in jeopardy of not being able to recruit.
Well…at least we got the script Pitt back
Hire Tony Levine, on condition he bring in David Gibbs with him as defensive coordinator.
If Coach Rudolph leaves, promote Coach Hueber or Settle to offensive coordinator, as they are familiar with the system and the players can relate to them.
When he took this job, he knew we were hurting. Graham stuck it to us good after coming off the Wanny/Haywood nightmare. We needed stability. We were willing to be patient while he built his program. Well, he went stinking 19-19 and probably would have lost to an interim coach in Armed Forces Bowl.
Thanks Paul! Glad you righted the ship. Thrilled you parlayed your 19-19 record into your dream job and left us with Steve Pederson to pick your successor. Really, thanks!
Speaking of your current/former boss, when you guys meet tomorrow to say your good byes, ask him how well going home worked out for him. Ask him how he is now received and viewed at his alma mater and in his home state?
Knowing Pitt will hire him back after he fails at Wisconsin, just like we did after Cornhole’s epic fail at Nebraska.
That would be neat…
Former HCPC meets with Gallagher today and informs him he will take the Wisconsin job. He will suggest to Gallagher that OC Rudolph be named interim HC for the bowl game AND that Rudolph then be on the short list for the HCing position.
That in and of itself could hold this current recruiting class together IF the details of that conversation are made public.
This would be my wish to add to the conversation – former HCPC strongly suggests to Gallagher that AD Pederson be fired immediately AND that DC House will join him in Wisconsin.
Neat!
This is unreal to have happening AGAIN
Somewhere Wanny is sick.
Although I would be satisfied with retaining Rudolph and making a splash next season with 10 wins.
Now that would be neat!
Is Dr. Tom awake yet? I need some advise.
What SP, Joe Starkey, Ron Cook, Chris Dokish, Chas Rich, Reed R, and numerous others didn’t realize is that even more important than firing a coach, is that replacing that coach is even more important … especially when the coach that is being replaced was successful to a certain degree.
To add to that … when you are not offering the market rate and are attendance-challenged, you may hard pressed to get viable candidates. But if you do and he is successful, chances are that you are going to lose him in a few years.
(This is not hindsight by the way … I wrote all of this on this very blog back in Dec 10/Jan 11.)
Pitt will not be the power it once was, but should be able to compete successfully in the ACC Coastal. I have no idea which direction this program goes but it needs stability badly.
Come on Gallagher, now is the time. Stevie P must go immediately. He put his job on the line the minute he fired Wanny. He just crapped out.
Gallagher can’t let Steve hire another football coach.
If it just wasn’t Wisconsin.
He was always Pederson’s choice… which would IMMEDIATELY tell you where this Program is headed.
That’s a straw man. NOBODY said that he would NEVER leave, let alone to go to home of Wisconsin. In fact, EVERYBODY knew that is EXACTLY where he would bolt to if the opportunity came up.
I wish him well and hope he has success at W.
Arguably the “community” of alums, donors, fans and possibly the sportswriters have lost confidence in Steve P. It is no argument that he is considered damaged goods and will have an impact on attracting coaching talent. The lack of stability, lack of high-level success, and “revolving door” is also damaging the Pitt brand (ask hiring managers around the country their impression of Pitt on a resume).
New Chancellor’s credibility is now on the line. This time will define the early tenure of Mr. Gallagher.
Just like any scandal in a public company, credibility and confidence must be restored. I would remove Steve P. immediately to begin the restoration process. Where Pitt sits perception wise I believe this is the first critical step.
I have been, and continue to be a Tom Bradley fan and I believe he would do a great job – but that is for another day.
Sad times…. again….
Thoughts?
