That’s what it feels like right now. Just waiting for the Wednesday deadline so the mandated charade can be ended.
Oh, Paul Chryst was down in Fort Worth for a couple hours to plug the Armed Forces Bowl. Ostensibly to promote the game and try and sell tickets. The press conference, however, had no live stream (or recording for later) and no transcript was available. Man, even Birmingham was better prepared than this.
Still in a bowl game that will likely have two interim coaches running the show, perhaps no real record is for the best.
Chryst said he hasn’t heard anything concrete and doesn’t expect to before Wednesday, the earliest Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez can name a successor to Gary Andersen, who is leaving Wisconsin for a similar job at Oregon State.
“I was told nothing would happen before then, but I don’t know,” Chryst said. “I don’t know what they’re thinking specifically. A lot depends on the search.”
Asked if his return trip was to Pittsburgh or Madison, Wis., Chryst laughed.
“No, no. I’m going back,” he said. “We’ve got practice tomorrow.”
Wednesday, however…
The awkwardness has been going on since Anderson left Wisconsin for Oregon State. No where is that more obvious than in the area of recruiting.
Meanwhile, staff members continue to recruit. Special teams/linebackers coach Chris Haering spent time Sunday with Central Catholic safety John Petrishen, the top uncommitted WPIAL prospect.
“We just tried to figure things out,” Petrishen said. “What was going on. What are the plans going forward. What’s true, what’s not true.
“I have a good relationship with coach Chryst. I like him a lot. I would hope he stays, but if he doesn’t, that still doesn’t take Pitt out of the equation for me.
“You can change the head coach, but you can’t change that Pitt is my hometown team.”
Petrishen said he plans to visit Pitt, Penn State and Virginia on consecutive weekends, starting Jan. 16.
It should be noted that at this time the recruiting class seems relatively stable. Whatever bad feelings fans may have towards this mess, the recruits seem to view not just Chryst, but Pitt in a positive way overall.
Another member of the class, Apollo-Ridge’s Tre Tipton, called Chryst “an honorable man” and said he plans to sign with Pitt regardless of the coaching situation.
“I love the coaching staff and being called a Panther,” he said.
Yes, Darrin Hall has said his recruitment is reopened if Chryst leaves, and Jordan Whitehead is hedging a bit — no early enrollment, but still verbally committed to Pitt. And yes, all of it can change quickly. I can’t begrudge any recruit watching things closely and leaving the door open.
As for what Pitt is doing. My guess is they are looking at coaches and sending feelers out to gauge interest. Yes, Tom Herman the offensive coordinator for Ohio State appears headed for Houston. And if there was an assistant I would have liked Pitt to take a shot at, he would have been it. But, I really don’t think Pitt wants to hire another first time head coach.
If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that Pitt is leaning/looking at coaches with head coaching experience. Not just for the relative “safeness,” but to try and get some results. Pitt has been in the doldrums for what seems like an eternity. Not horrid, but not good. There needs to be actual wins, not simply the hope in the future.
Attendance took a significant drop from 2013 to 2014. A combination of many fans heading into the season thinking the team was a year away, and the results on the field that did more than confirm it.
There’s a lot of talent and experience on the offense coming back, and there could at least be hope on the defense. The growing pains of a first time head coach in his first year may be not be something the administration feels it can put the fans and the program through.
Here start the Slideshow and hear the OTHER SIDE of the Story.
Contacted anyone yet. This is beyond unbelievable even for Pitt. Let’s all close our eyes and pretend this isn’t happening
sOP
If he were available, don’t know there’s a BETTER choice or even one as good.
I saw this via twitter, its an NFL video of Jim Tomsula. link to nfl.com
A couple hours ago Sam Werner at PG tweeted sources told him Pitt has been in contact with Schiano and others.
Keyword is apparently “officially”, which probably means letting another school know that they intended to talk to someone. I would assume putting out “unofficial” feelers before putting someone on blast is pretty common. Wouldn’t freak out just yet that no “official” contact has been made.
Joe Rudolph HCC
Matt House asst HC
Steve Pederson makes the announcement
He’s a good coach, no doubt. But still a risk due to no HC experience
Tom Bradley is the man
They are so afraid of getting it wrong they’ll get it wrong again.
The mention of Schiano must make Steve P wet the bed at night. Schiano and Wanny are tight. Schiano very easily says I’ll take it, but Pederson must go first. I like that hire just to get rid of Pederson, but I don’t think it would be a great hire. Pitt goes 7-5 or 8-4 with the young talent next year no matter who coaches, so long as there are not many defections.
Narduzzi in the first you tube on here sounded exactly like Chryst. Actually his first sentence is repeated in a different order on his second sentence at the beginning. He handled himself better at the bowl presser. I think he would be fine.
Thanks isnore for your 1960’s recollection. You are absolutely correct that an on campus stadium is the way to go. Let’s go first class. Atmosphere contributes to wins!
So the next question is whether the criteria actually is previous HC experience or not. At first, weren’t we told that previous HC experience was required? Now maybe not so much.
Interesting if Haffley is available but again, under Pederson, no way. Thought he mined NJ pretty good for talent.
Blatherites – You all made many great runs at potentials. Personally, out of respect for all of you, I am not going to make my prognostication until after we hire someone.
Hey Pederson, most CEO’s don’t play nice. When an exec says they are leaving to go to a competitor, all access is done. And please, don’t say he didn’t tell you he received a job offer. He told you. Only when there was a State requirement discovered did everyone start backtracking to try and cover. What a bunch of bunk. Again, this wasn’t legal maneuvering by Pitt. Pitt was put on notice verbally. At that point, they have all right to begin their search without recourse from Chryst. Pederson, you are the weakest link.
Schiano is just one of those guys they you go…ehhh he could work out. He sounds like he’s good for 7 wins or so. Pitt could do worse, but it would hardly be swinging for the fences going for an out of work coach who’s last gig (Tampa Bay) was a disaster.
I’m wondering if they do hire Schiano if both he (Schiano) and Chryst both go after Bob Bostad. Schiano could offer OC…Chryst could not.
Can you imagine Steve Pederson, he thinks he’s great for following some sort of protocol?? LMAO
A protocol only he believes in.
When there are sharks in the water, you better be a shark too or you’re gonna get eaten.
The only hope, is Pitt is all on the same page, this is a front, and Pitt announces the new coach Thursday.
Or, hope 2, that Steve isn’t involved at all, and that is really all they are letting them know.
I was told they want a coach who keeps it a pro style FYI
Allthough, i’d be in the camp of if he comes, and Pederson goes, i’ll deal with it.
Pederson probably thinks that out of respect, no other coaches will come after the verbally committed. He is a dumb ass.
WV lost a 4 star today that flipped to OSU. And another 4 star de-committed but didn’t verbal elsewhere.
What do I know? Nothin’!
@Justinian and Dan72, not in my top 3, and no one hates Ped St more than I, but I wouldn’t be pissed if they got Bradley. Would be fun just to piss all the PSU people off.
Whether you like him or not, can’t see it happening.
In it’s own way, at least in our region, it would be a splash hire. Can you imagine the publicity? The radios and tv’s would be lit up for weeks.
So, no, Pitt won’t be doing that.
I say they plug in Schiano. Even has that same build, throw in the U of Miami coach while they’re at it and toss in Larry Coker too.
I bet they go Holliday.
Would love someone from a winning school that has been there a few years. Someone hot!
Make Dabo an offer he can’t say no to.
Gt’s coach. Georgia Southern Coach.
Houston Nutt.
Lloyd Carr haha
Heard a couple callers on the Fan. Don’t get me wrong, love Conners and Boyd as much as the next guy, but please tell me they aren’t going to hire a coach based solely that he runs the same offense Chryst did?? Talk about short-sighted.
You don’t take the #4 coach on your list just because he runs the same offense.
I mean, if it does, fine, but you hire the best football coach available. Period.
Goodnight all!
In other news Steve P thinks he MAY be staying. Because ……………
Others disagree Wardapalooza
Have Pitt fans completely forgot that Pitt was never afraid to play Rutgers when he was coach. Rutgers never impressed me.
I’m only 38, but for all of us on here, unless you are pushing 80 Mark Dantonio is the best coach we have seen at MSU. Prior to him, even though they were Nick Saban springboard, they have been very Pitt like. A program that has had it’s moments, but is the red headed step child in their respective state.
Enter Dantinio, a 7 year record of 64-29, including winning 10 or more games in 4 of the last 5. Guess who has been with him since his Cincy days. His right hand man, while they overtook Michigan as the best football program in that state? Yep, Pat Narduzzi. Connecticut born, recruits this area, well may I add.
Let me be on record, I think Pat Narduzzi would be the best hire Pitt can make at this time. Sure he is a coordinator, but he is a coordinator that Michigan St pays 900k a year. Michigan St is not a traditional powerhouse. They know this guy is destined for bigger and better things. He is Paul Chryst with charisma and can recruit.
Anyone agree? Disagree? This is Pitt’s chance to get it right. I personally think Narduzzi would take this job and run with it, and possibly stay awhile. His alma maters are Ysu and Rhode Island. He is 48 years old. as long as Pitt is willing to open the wallet a bit, you can get this guy and maybe keep him long enough to see his 1st recruiting class graduate..
Forget Pitt Stadium. Forget PC. Hire a guy with HC
experience. Give him Power 5 conference money to hire assistants. Must play PC style offense so that current roster
and talent is appropriate. Hold current recruiting class.
PC good guy…..still an unknown. UW taking a huge risk. Take
Matt House to UW. Pitt use this opportunity to improve!!!!!!!!!
Alright let’s get down to the business of this coaching search as soon as Pederson gets fired!
1) Give up the Pitt Stadium talk. Was it a dumb move? Yes. Can we get it back? NO. LET IT GO GUYS- that dog won’t hunt.
2) Any coach we could get that means no more Smiley would be a win in my book. That idiot could mess up a one-car funeral.
3) A few of the candidates mentioned need to be put to bed. You ain’t getting Austin- he’ll be an NFL HC soon. Enough of the Grimm/Bradley/Sunseri/Gattuso talk. None of them are worth the hire- Bradley especially. Too much stench from the Pedo St. debacle.
4) My list on candidates (in no particular order):
a) Wells
b) Narduzzi
c) Schiano
d) Fritz
d) Holliday
I like the idea of a younger coach that has a history of winning.
Let’s hope Pitt’s next head coach can elevate its football program and not start another rebuilding program.
Hail To Pitt!
Spare me the excuse he had to build the program. After 2006, which was the 11-2 seasons, he was 38-26 (59% win percentage) with a 16-19 conference record.
Schiano brings nothing exciting to the table except if you think 7.6 wins a season with a boring offense is exciting.
I’d much prefer that they just bring back Wanny over Schiano cause at least Wanny bleads blue and gold.
If were are hiring .500 coaches David Baliff at Rice is a guy who can do more with nothing than anyone.
Schiano would not be a bad hire. He has head coaching experience and hits the ground running. Wired into a network for solid assistants. No more Houses or Rice’s or whatever that idiot strength coach was.
I woke up and was just thinking, it’s Christmas. As bad as we feel, can you imagine being a Wisconsin fan. You just got annihilated 59-0 in what was supposed to be a title game, your AD is pompous ass who likes to come out of the box and play coach whenever he can, and hires a 19-19 coach to fix things and then you stare into the TV during the press conference and wonder WTF?
We may not like him, but let’s hope SP gets something right. He could Charlie Brown it and screw it up again, but I’d like to see Schiano be given the reins in Ft. Worth if he doesn’t land a proven winner like Fritz.
I won’t scrutinize Schiano’s record to the nth degree. The guy took over at shithole at Rutgers and arguably had some built in disadvantages with facilities, no tradition, and so on.
If you had rang my phone during the Akron game and said “hey, straight up, you willing to trade Opey for Schiano right now?” I’d have jumped on it. Later, after giving it away to Duke, I’d have taken Schiano or just about anybody to throw some ballast over board and start over.
