But, the aggressive approach that PN is taking with everything does seem to be a pleasant departure from the start of the PC regime. They literally took forever to even begin recruiting some of the best players in the area. Now, Pitt has coaches being named and a few days later they are pounding the pavement hard looking to shore up the class. I believe a lot of the enthusiasm here for the overall direction of the program stems from that.

I know it didn’t show in the win column (and believe me I know Chryst is probably upset about that too, especially after this season; to be honest I think we should have been 9-4 at least), but he provided a great foundation for Narduzzi. Also, although Chryst left for UW, the meeting he had with Gallagher before he left may have been the greatest thing a coach has done for this university in the past 30 years from a program standpoint. Gallagher finally got a first hand account of how poorly the program has been supported for years. It not only shed light on how underfunded the program was, but also how difficult it was to work with ADSP. I heard Pederson wasn’t even at that meeting, it was Chryst and Gallagher in a room together talking shop. He did leave, but not only did that get Steve Pederson fired, but it also proved that the administration can’t give half-assed support to the university and expect them to win and coaches to stay.

Chryst’s tenure is going to pay dividends for the program down the road. If Chryst’s tenure didn’t happen/Nordenberg was still here, Narduzzi would be facing the same problems that has plagued the last however many Pitt coaches. Narduzzi is in a position to capitalize on a young team with talent, and add to it. Also, for the record I get the sense that Narduzzi is a good guy too, just like Chryst. It’s time we become that program again which has been dormant for 3 decades. There is a reason Penn State hates us. There is a reason WVU hates us. It’s time to remind people of that reason.

Now that’s not saying that on his departure that if Chryst had an exit interview with Chancellor Gallagher explaining to him some of the issues apparent with the AD that he felt was negatively impacting the football program, that might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back related to the dismissal of Pederson, FINALLY! That eventuality however had been picking up momentum for quite awhile however, IMO. I first saw the hand writing on the wall when the Pitt Script came back, out of nowhere, on the helmets without any support or fanfare from the AD offices, wierd?! That followed up with the survey to season tickets holders that resonated with the chant of “Fire Pederson” provided the rational to consider that action by our new chancellor.

In any case, the fantastic reality for Pitt football now is that the “Pederson Plague” has been lifted from the program, for whatever reason, which is a very, very good thing going forward. Now Reed chimes in that us Pitt Faithful should curb our enthusiasm, with this under construction Narduzzi staff until they “show us” some actual substance.

Sorry to disagree with you Reed but this “Coordinator” hire is so much different from that of OC Chryst three years ago, that valid comparisons can’t even be discussed here. There is a new Chancellor in place that is now pushing for athletic excellence, Pederson is just a bad memory, the Pitt football roster is currently filled with solid “student athletes” that really want to be here playing as Panthers and they seem to be a motivated unified bunch. Pitt is solidly entrenched in the power 5 conference of the ACC (read more $$$$) and to top it all off that conference has crowned our star RB as their player of the year for the conference.

What a huge difference presently over the scrambling for a last minute HC after our one year slimy car salesman of a HC bailed on us and took the midnight express to the greener pastures of AZ St. This debacle occurring only a season after Pederson totally blew up the program with his mishandling of the Wanny issue, etc.!?!?

It’s OK, very OK, to have unbridled exuberance now when all of the above is considered. And why not? Nard Dog has done nothing other than come into his interview enthusiastically petitioning for the job that he really wanted here at Pitt. Once hired, he then stated that he would assemble nothing less than an experienced staff that held recruiting as a high priority, which he is backing up with the results of his present hires, that span a wide geographic region encompassing the entire areas of the ACC and the B1G. What’s NOT to be excited about?

Now, I’m no Chryst Hater, he did some cleaning house when here and he did establish a better player roster and team mindset than was here prior but he proved unable to vanquish the SOP curse from the program. That spelled continued mediocrity!

THAT is going to be the challenge for the Nard Dog and Co. Exorcise the Panthers from that intrinsic SOP Curse. Can he create the genesis of a meaner, leaner, take no prisoners winning culture in this Pitt football program so that we never have to experience the inexplicable meltdowns of defeats, AKA the “Houston Debacle” and establish the Panthers as a relevant football program nationally while we actually compete for ACC divisional crowns and conference championships.

So when does that endeavor begin, it already has. What is the proof that this staff is going get it right? In three weeks when the LOIs are all fresh off the fax machine, THAT will be the proof. To accept that this class will be less than acceptable is the SOP attitude prevailing, yet again. If This recruiting class, ends up with less than 16 recruits, it should be considered a failure! If this recruiting class does not result in at least two previously “off the radar” defensive recruits, rated 3* or better, then it’s a black eye on this coaching staff. There should be “no excuses” accepted,if this above “bare minimum” of a successful final recruiting campaign push for this new staff isn’t obtained, it spells S O P! But until then drink the Kollaid and be happy. But don’t ignore the coaches current challenge,Now is the time to take that first really important step in building this program, NOW!