A little closer everyday. Rob Petitti’s comments about his dislike of West Virginia as a whole got reprinted in Charleston. At least ESPN has another story to talk about over the action. Right now, no one from WVU is saying anything back. Probably because WVU is still trying to work on its special teams. Hey, maybe Pitt could try that with the punt returns — you know, work on them some more.
Another puff piece on TE Eric Gill.
The toughest job for Pitt’s questionable secondary will be trying to cover WR Chris Henry. Henry is arguably the best receiver in the conference (him or Pitt’s Greg Lee). Coach Walt Harris compares him favorably with another notable hotheaded Big East WR, Antonio Bryant.
Speaking of Coach Harris, one writer in WV almost acts surprised that he is on the hot seat. That Harris’ job could depend on the outcome of the Backyard Brawl. He does a nice job, though, of noting that some media types will not give Harris an inch any longer.
Walt Harris knows all about this. Two years ago, he won nine games at Pitt. A year ago he won eight. Nice seasons, but not good enough. The Pitt unfaithful were clamoring for his scalp.
This year those cries have reached a crescendo and he may have done his best coaching job. With a young team, a new quarterback and a bad start, Harris has rallied his Panthers to a 6-3 record, including a thrilling 41-38 victory against Notre Dame, in South Bend.
Nothing’s changed. Not only is it said the administration wants to rid itself of Harris and the two years remaining on his contract, but also there are sources in Pittsburgh who say the feeling is mutual.
You can hear it in his voice during Big East coaches’ conference calls, where he’s as apt to answer a question with nothing more than a disinterested “yep” as he is to offer any information at all.
He sounds fed up with media criticism in a city that isn’t really as tough on its heroes as its media think it is. Win, as the Steelers are doing presently, and it’s pushing and shoving to get on the bandwagon.
Harris, however, has outlived his welcome. The administration cringed when he went public with his complaints about his camps and fans cringed when he publicly did everything but call some of his injured players pansies earlier this year.
That the team responded and became tougher because of it was lost in the shuffle, but by then the wedge had been driven so deeply between him and the media that he would get credit for nothing.
I noted that last week Harris was answering some questions about the calling out of players. Haven’t heard a peep from Smizik or Cook about that. The columnist notes that this is the first time since Coach Rich Rodriguez took over the Hoopie program that they have failed to even meet expectations, and naturally there is some grumblings. Not surprising. They were probably the same people who were complaining about him in his first year when he was teaching the spread offense. Nature of the job.
Finally, a little something to stick in the craw. A story of some of WVU’s heroes from past Backyard Brawls. We need some bile, and reading this brings up from my stomach.
