At least, that appears to be the the indications. Forget the jump-the-gun news report. Or Pitt’s denial.
The best indication is that modern communication medium of text message (hat tip to Pitt Script).
Two Penn State players said Wednesday night they have been text-messaged by Tom Bradley that he has been offered the Pittsburgh Panthers head coaching job and that he intends to accept it once details are worked out, according to a PSU team source.
To one player, Bradley texted: “Love you kids. Going to miss you. Wish I could take you with me. Anything I can do for you, let me know.”
So there you go.
What does it all mean? Well, for starters I can close a bunch of browser tabs and trash the post I had been working on with some of the other candidates.
After that, I’m not sure.
I think a lot depends on the assistants he hires. I am hoping that it isn’t too late to keep Greg Gattuso and David Walker from Wannstedt’s staff. Both are well worth keeping. After that, well the Teryl Austin as DC rumor sounds good. The OC, though, is the biggie.
Oh, and one other thing I am certain. AD Steve Pederson has been neutered.
UPDATE (10:20): Aw, hell. Now David Jones is retracting the whole texting story. Might be a long night.
UPDATE (11:36): Last update. This tweet from Penn State Linebacker Nate Stupar (at least until it is retracted) might be a clue.
Tom Bradley got Pitt job. Congrats!
Oh, and the Pitt News has more reasons why Pederson’s days are numbered. The donors are revolting.
Both alumni donors, Paul Helsel and football great Bill Fralic, have been in the John Bowman Society since at least 2005, meaning they have donated between $10,000 and $24,999 each year.
Both men also claimed to have heard similar sentiments from a number of other donors — including one who has reportedly pledged six figures to the University — but declined to share those donors’ names.
“It’s between the other donors and the University,” said Fralic, who played on Pitt’s offensive line in the mid-80s and then for the Atlanta Falcons. “But I know a lot of big financial supporters, and there are a significant number of them that tell me they don’t want anything to do with the program or the athletic department anymore.”
You can be an arrogant ass in many things — as long as you don’t fail. Once you do, it becomes payback and you find out how few people will support you. Just ask DickRod.
JayPa4psu!
And thanks, Michael Haywood. The last few days wouldn’t have been so much fun if you hadn’t gone to South Bend.
When the same guy you wouldn’t even call on the phone last month is being hired as head ball coach, you’re not really the athletic director anymore.
I’m squinting really hard to see the upgrade
i think this points to the imminrnt departure of steve pederson…
He won’t want to show PSU what they passed up, because people who play Div 1 football and then play to win for 30 years aren’t competitive.
His leaving PSU doesn’t leave any kind of hole in their staff, esp. if he brings their secondary or linebacker coach, and a few recruits?
He might be a good HC, he might not, but where he came from really does not matter.
Especially considering the situation we have been in- this is an excellent hire. Retain Gattuso and Walker? Bring in a couple great coordinators???
HAIL TO PITT!!!
the most pertinent is who the OC will be if Bradley is hired
1. Defensive minded
2. connected in WPa
3. Presence in recruits’ living room
4. A stabilizing factor
5. Offensive innovator
6. Coached many places w/ many coaches – broad experience
7. Can sell recruits on knowing the NFL – flashing superbowl rings
8. Can tell an great story about their love for the school they coach at ie. credibility with selling Pitt
9. Good at schmoozing donors, alumni, etc
10. head coaching experience
Someone pls help me here. What am I missing? BRADLEY IS WANNY LITE !! Why is everyone so infatuated with him? I’m sure he’s a great guy, but we had a great guy.
About the only positive I see out of hiring him is that when he gets fired in 4 years he won’t be able to make everyone feel as guilty as Wanny did with the whole “I’m a loyal Pitt guy” thing.
Bradley, well, I don’t know. Safe hire. Makes the Golden Pumas happy, I guess.
Maybe an OC who likes the A-10.
And Zakman – have you been reading all along? The flashy exciting choices are not interested. If we get Bradley, we get a well respected experienced man who just might be able to get things going in the right direction again. Yes, that sentence I just typed does describe DW, but he did not deliver the wins when it mattered. Someone else is coming in and Bradley is probably the best of the ones who would take it.
cool fact I didn’t know, thanks for the info, now i feel a little better….seriously
Hail to Pitt!
But the report of “texting” was wrong? What is this “texting”?
And is it any coincidence that PSUcks experienced a few resurgences after the dismal, early 2000s when Paturdo was still 100% in charge?
This is the turning of the tide. Pitt WILL take over Penn State’s spot as the premier college football program in the state.
