Today, building up UConn.
An article talking about how far and how fast the football program there has come.
No article about a Pitt opponent would happen without the Pittsburgh papers making it seem special by pointing out the local connections. This time there are plenty. Starting with a head coach from Eastern PA. Then there is a WR from McKeesport who verballed to Pitt but had trouble getting his SATs high enough.
Josh Lay, the junior CB, who lost the starting job because of some academic issues as training camp started coupled with a minor injury and the strong play of Darrelle Revis is looking to get more playing time. Possibly by trying to play a little on the offense. Defensive coordinator and also the secondary coach, Paul Rhoads doesn’t see that happening. Right Guard, John Simonitis, actually practiced yesterday. Maybe he’ll play, maybe he won’t.
A rather scattershot piece from Joe Bendel on Harris, Edsall, UConn, Pitt and perceptions. I’m really confused by what he is saying
“They’re the only show in town — and that’s an advantage,” Harris said. “It’s different here.”
To say the least.
Harris has become the low man on the totem pole in the Pittsburgh sports scene, a coach who is scrutinized more than Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon (who has four losing seasons in four years), Penguins coach Ed Olczyk (the NHL’s worst record in 2003-04) and Steelers coach Bill Cowher (he’s missed the playoffs four times in six years).
So, let me get this straight. A college program that is “the only show in town,” gets less scrutiny than one where there are 3 pro sports? At least in football? Usually that means the program gets more scrutiny, more unhinged fans, and more reactionaries. At least that’s been my experience in Central PA with PSU fans and in Ohio regarding the Buckeyes. Maybe it’s a Storrs thing.
Pitt, however, has landed in the Top 25 just once during the Harris era and finished only 8-5 last season, despite having its best talent in 15 years.
Harris is all but a lame duck. His contract expires after the 2006 season and a new one is nowhere in the offing. Most coaches like to have four to five years remaining on their deals to assure recruits they’ll be there for the duration.
Not so in this case. Beano Cook thinks he knows why.
“What got him into trouble was his (complaining),” Cook said, referring to public comments Harris made about the lack of talent he gets at his football camps and his decision to discuss players who got away at letter-of-intent day earlier this year. “He does it all the time. If he’s unhappy, it’s time for an amicable divorce.”
Cook’s rants are becoming more audible. He said he speaks for a good portion of Panthers followers.
Sadly, in this case, Beano may actually be speaking, “for a good portion of Panthers followers.” I’m speaking as someone sitting in the stands and the parking lots. Harris is looked upon with a great deal of scorn. The mood toward Harris really soured last year. Even though this is a rebuilding year and most of the fans know this is not a particularly strong team, there is a lot of lingering frustration amongst the fans at the way the season went last year.
I think there was serious discussions about firing Harris in the beginning of January, but 2 factors mitigated against it:
(1) The complete upheaval in the athletic department over the last year with the loss of the AD, interim AD and head basketball coach. No one had the stomach, power, or desire to make one more big change and make the entire Pitt athleticprogram appear to be in complete shambles.
(2) The recruiting class appeared to be the best ever for Pitt. This was a top-20 recruiting class. Whatever Harris’ shortcomings as a coach, he was bringing in some big names and did have the program going in the right direction. Get the new recruits in, and give Harris a little more time.
Yes, we know what happened to the recruiting class, how Harris seemed to fiddle while it burned, and then whined afterwards. By that time, it was too late to fire him. It would have looked horrible and a reaction to what high school recruits did. With that, the school committed itself to Harris for at least this season.
The comparison with Edsall — the UConn head footbal coach — is a bit of a stretch. Edsall started at UConn 2 years after Harris came to Pitt. Edsall gets more time because, no matter how down Pitt was, it was already in Div. 1-A. UConn made a move up from 1-AA. Plus, to this point, Edsall has shown steady improvement each year. He hasn’t taken major steps backwards as Pitt did in both 2001 and 2003.
I’m guessing this was Bendel’s early epitaph for Harris. Not a good thing.
Rich Podolsky at ESPN.com picks the weekday games.
Connecticut – 7 over Pittsburgh: Nothing like playing the Black Knights of Army to get your momentum back. That’s what UConn did last week, thoroughly embarrassing Bobby Ross’ troops, 40-3. The victory came after a 27-7 defeat to rival Boston College. With Dan Orlovsky throwing the ball against two freshman corners, and Cornell Brockington running against a suspect Pitt defense, the Huskies should score plenty of points.
Pitt lost three great players from last year’s offense — QB Rod Rutherford, WR Larry Fitzgerald and TE Kris Wilson. The Panthers came close to losing to I-AA Furman (ranked #4) last week. Pittsburgh won in OT, after trailing 31-14. The victory probably gave them a jolt of confidence, and featured the talents of new quarterback Tyler Palko. Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to stop a fired up Connecticut bunch playing at home. This line opened with UConn favored by five and shot up to over a touchdown. It shouldn’t make a difference.
The pick: Connecticut in a high scoring affair. Also over 45.
The plus side, Podolsky is a very Lee-esque 19-20 overall this season. The defense will have to step up for this game.
