I read a poll the other day which showed that the Green Bay Packers were now “America’s Team” beating out the Steelers in popularity across the U.S. I bah humbug that. However, I can say without hesitation that the University of Wisconsin’s football team just picked up thousands of new fans prior to their bowl game. As our AD said “On Wisconsin, baby”
The reason for that is our hiring of Paul Chryst, ex- Wisconsin Offensive Coordinator.
Pitt fans seem to have feelings ranging from “like but will withhold judgment” to being ecstatic that PITT hired him as the Panther’s new head coach. I haven’t read or heard one negative thought about him since his initial press conference when he was introduced as the HC. On paper it looks like a good hire and Paul Chryst himself looks to be the type of guy we want leading the football program. He’s got some real work ahead of him though.
First off, he must reassure his returning players that he is both sincere about his wanting to be their coach and secondly he must allay their worries about the effects of what has hit them like a runaway freight train over the last 12 months.
Any change in a coaching staff is tough to deal with but these players are experiencing a string of events which may be unprecedented in college football. The current roster members, less true freshman, have had, in essence, six head coaches in the last 384 days. Unfreakinbelivable!
Wannstedt, Bennett, Haywood, Graham, Patterson and now Chryst. I’d call in a Murder’s Row but the first five couldn’t shoot straight and the jury is out on the sixth.
Chryst has to be able to convince the players that things are going to be different going forward. He has to be honest with them and with himself in acknowledging that it isn’t going to be either smooth or easy. We PITT fans need to acknowledge that also else we set ourselves up for a big disappointment.
