This is for Lee, who is asking for more info on Sal Sunseri, a finalist(?) for the head coach job at Pitt.
A lot of this I’m lifting verbatim from the 1994 Pitt Football Media Guide:
Sal Sunseri, a four year letterman from nearby Central Catholic High School, became an All-American in 1981. He was an enthusiastic leader and the heart and soul of the Pitt Defense. He was like another coach on the field and was known for his bone- crushing tackles. In his (final) three years Pitt, the Panthers were 33-3 with three bowl victories while the defense allowed an average of only 11 points per game. In 1981, he played in the East-West Shrine game and the Senior Bowl. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1982 and suffered a training camp injury which ended his career. Sunseri returned to Pitt where he spent eight years as an assistant coach, including the 1992 season as assistant head coach.

He also was head coach in the final game of the season in 1992, as Hackett was fired with one game remaining (we lost to Hawaii).

Sunseri is from a Pittsburgh family – his relatives operate a popular Italian food wholesale/retail outfit on Penn Avenue in the Strip. His son, currently a senior at Central Catholic, is a division 1 prospect at TE and is considering Pitt.

Now a little history, also compiled with help from the old media guide, as well as my memory:
The 1980 Pitt team, with Sunseri at middle linebacker, boasted this lineup: Hugh Green and Ricky Jackson at DE, Jerry Boyarsky, Greg Meisner and Bill Neill interior line (all started in the NFL in the 1980’s), Caeser Aldisert at LB, Carlton Williamson (of 49er fame) at Safety, joined by Lynn Thomas.
The next season (of the 48-14 fame), Dave Puzzoli, JC Pelusi and future All-American Bill Maas started on the defensive line. Still in the pipeline: Corners Tim Lewis (remember him?) and Troy Hill, Safety Tom Flynn, DE Al Wenglikowski.

On the offensive side, of course Marino at QB (he had to beat out future pro Rick Trocano initially), Randy McMillan and Bryan Thomas at RB, Julius Dawkins and Dwight Collins at WR, Benjie Pryor and John Brown at TE (remember the 1982 Sugar Bowl?), the O-line included All-American Jimbo Covert, Outland Trophy winner Mark May, Emil Boures, Rob Fada, Ron Sams, Paul Dunn, center Russ Grimm – all went on to the NFL. Waiting for a shot: Jim Sweeney and Bill Fralic.

Now, that is what I call recruiting! And player development. Some may remember these names from their play on Sundays, but I was a Pitt fanatic as a kid back in those days, and followed the team closely.

Sunseri may be a sentimental favorite to return Pitt to the glory days – those are some of the fondest Pitt memories any of us have. In his four years, Pitt was 41-7, with his three years as a starter 33-3. He is a Pitt guy, and a Pittsburgh guy, with deep roots in this area.