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January 10, 2011

I’m kind of stealing that from Michael. It looks like it is all over but the official announcement.

Todd Graham appears to be the new head coach at Pitt. Reportedly a 5-year contract at about $2 million/year.  It may have taken the AD’s neck on the chopping block, and an unbelievable catastrophe for the first hire; but Pitt pried open the checkbook to pay market rates.

At this point, I think most are just relieved to have the search done. There is going to be a lot of work ahead for Pitt’s athletic department and the new coach and coaching staff.

Graham has to get his staff assembled quickly, while trying to meet and make peace with the players that have to be completely confused at this point. Not sure if there is anyone left to salvage off of the old staff, but if at all possible he should try. At the very least keep Buddy Morris around for this year.

Then it is to see what is left of the recruiting class. It’s a bit of a lost cause, but you have to try.

The athletic department, and I’m not exactly sure what the best way to do this at the moment, really needs to do some major, major ass-kissing and making up to fans, boosters and alum. There was some severe alienation.

Steve Pederson’s status remains in question. People are pissed at him for reasons that at points conflict with the reasons others are pissed at him.

There are people pissed about Dave Wannstedt’s dismissal. People pissed about the first coaching search. About how Pitt appeared to go cheap and conservative in hiring Mike Haywood. About the humiliation stemming from Haywood being arrested. About learning how any and all advice — no matter how important or influential the person — was completely ignored. About all the bad feelings from what Pederson did in his first run as AD. How Tom Bradley didn’t get the job. And you can bet that people will be pissed about how much Pitt paid to get Graham.

Suddenly, the hiring of the coach seems like the easy part.





Hey ATlanta, Don’t forget TCU!

Comment by Dynamiks 01.10.11 @ 8:20 pm

PF in ATL … you’re forgetting TCU gets added to those schedules in 2012.

Re: Where this money came from…

Pitt is banking on increased attendance with expected success, a good home schedule next year with ND, Utah and 4 out of 7 Big East games with a probable minor increase in season ticket prices as well.

If this team ever starts winning championships Heinz Field will be a destination place on Thursday nights and noon on Saturday’s.

Comment by Emissions 01.10.11 @ 8:24 pm

Kudos to John Meyer for the professionalism in journalism by falsely reporting last Wednesday that Tom Bradley was Pitt’s new head coach.

Maybe WTAE should ship him to their minor league affiliate in Johnstown or Clarksburg, WV.

Comment by FlipToScript 01.10.11 @ 8:24 pm

DaveD: Please read again. I said I was embarrassed about the negativity being spewed out towards Graham. If you’re a fan who didn’t get your choice of coach but still support the new coach, then you’re to be commended.That is not gloating!

Comment by auggie from latrobe 01.10.11 @ 8:25 pm

Just a side note, I think Oregon shocks Auburn tonight… Not sure of a score but Oregon will go up early as the spread and option type offense will shock them early. Newton also will have a bad game. Should be a good game.

Comment by Upittbaseball 01.10.11 @ 8:30 pm

Better than Mike “Haymaker” Haywood!

Lets get to work! Hail to Pitt!

Comment by POLE 01.10.11 @ 8:32 pm

Not my first choice, but it’s still exciting to think of what he can do with our skill players on offense.

Those 2012 and 2013 schedules are tough when you add TCU. (I’m guessing they replace Villanova in 2013.)

Comment by Navy Panther 01.10.11 @ 8:35 pm

Love the hire! I think the people that are upset are so because it was Pederson who picked him. I think its a great hire. Im glad he has recruiting ties elsewhere. Western PA is not what it used to be. Cant get to where we want to go with just PA recruits.
On the other hand, I believe most people wanted Tom Bradley because Pederson did not. I hope people get behind Graham. When you talk about Tom Bradley, it sounds like your describing DW. When in the hell did Bradley become Vince Lombardi?

Comment by Z-Boy 01.10.11 @ 8:36 pm

Im glad we will have a coach that wont get offended when the Pitt fight song comes on and I yell out P-E-N-N-S-T- SUCKS!

Comment by Z-Boy 01.10.11 @ 8:38 pm

Z-boy: I agree with you. Graham is the type of coach everyone seemed to be calling for at the beginning.I understand that possibly as many as five people were on the search committee. So if SP did not like Bradley, he was apparently not the only one. I think it is “Bradley as the anti-Pederson candidate” that explains his popularity. Let’s face it, Bradley is like a blank canvas. He has no record (positive or negative) so people project onto him whatever they want in a coach.

Comment by auggie from latrobe 01.10.11 @ 8:44 pm

These two guys might just run the offense for Graham

link to tulsahurricane.com

link to tulsahurricane.com

Comment by why me 01.10.11 @ 8:45 pm

Comment by why me 01.10.11 @ 8:46 pm

Auggie,

Youre exact words:

I’m embarrassed to be a Pitt fan. Graham was head-and-shoulders above Bradley. This is the sort of hire real fans have been wanting for a long time.

Not what you stated in your second post. If that is not what you meant fine.

But not everyone feels the same way you do and that’s ok. Doesn’t make them less of a fan.

DaveD

Comment by DaveD 01.10.11 @ 8:47 pm

This is definitely better than the Haywood hire … even before he turned into Ike Turner.

I mean, “Freddy Krueger”??? There had to be collective “uh oh” from Bigelow Blvd to Sutherland Drive.

Comment by Emissions 01.10.11 @ 8:51 pm

Steve Pederson got his man…that should scare the sh!t out of any Pitt fan.

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.10.11 @ 8:52 pm

It’s official, Graham told local Tulsa media he has taken Pitt job.

Comment by why me 01.10.11 @ 8:55 pm

It is now official folks

link to postgazette.com

Comment by Pitt fan in Atlanta 01.10.11 @ 8:55 pm

It’s official. Tulsa World says he had a press conference on campus and announced he’s leaving.

link to tulsaworld.com

Comment by Scott 78 01.10.11 @ 8:55 pm

Comment by why me 01.10.11 @ 8:56 pm

I like his statement, no BS

Comment by Krayz 01.10.11 @ 8:57 pm

My guess is that some “donor” assured Nordy that the money would be there.

Chas is right in that there have been a multitude of bridges burned. Pittsburgh is a forgiving town, but Pederson jumped the shark when he gave Dan Rooney the finger.

I hope Steve and Nordy got Jamie’s permission before they stroked that check.

Maybe next year at this time, we will all look back on this and say it was a good thing, but right now my gut is very uneasy.

Comment by wally 01.10.11 @ 8:59 pm

AZPanther, That’s the most intelligent thing anyone has said on this blog. You’re absolutely right!!! For 2 million a year, we could possibly have gotten Boise State’s Peterson! That would be bargain shopping. Too bad none us were asked to be on th search committee.

Comment by Justinian 01.10.11 @ 9:02 pm

Hail to Pitt!!

Comment by isnore 01.10.11 @ 9:03 pm

Jamie justbgot a raise so you should double that 2 million. Jamie deserves it!!!!

Comment by Pitt fan in Atlanta 01.10.11 @ 9:03 pm

No way Chris Peterson was leaving Boise State for Pitt … The BS “program” is light years ahead of Pitt’s and the Mountain West is poised to earn AQ status in the near future.

Comment by Emissions 01.10.11 @ 9:09 pm

dumb! we should have got bradley, he wouldve brought austin, this recruiting class wouldnt have been a total loss.

Comment by Dylan 01.10.11 @ 9:14 pm

That we me. I told Nordy I’d donate an extra 2 million a year if I could two seats for the basketball games at the Pete.

Comment by Justinian 01.10.11 @ 9:15 pm

Pitt has lost a tremendous amount of credibility and has shown their judgement and decision making are very poor.

I was very fortunate this year to get a nice raise and a good bonus – I will not be giving any funds to Pitt at this time – How could I ever trust them to do “good things” with any funds after the actions of the AD and the Chancelor over the past month.

Local radio show website poll shows 85% (of over 100,000 votes) show fans recommending Bradley over Graham.

The administration has a huge credibility problem. Unless we hear a detailed description of the search, and why Bradley did not receive a 2nd interview I don’t think the fan base will rally around Graham.

Pitt must win but must win the right way – or else we cast our lots with the Al Davis theory – “just win baby”.

My undergrad degree is from Pitt, my MBA from PSU – currently I am pround of one, seriously questioning the judgement of the other…

Comment by mill67 01.10.11 @ 9:21 pm

I’m trying to type and watch the game at the same time, not a good idea. What I was trying to say was:

That was me, I told Nordy that I’d donate the extra 2 million a year, if I could get two seats for the basketball games at the Pete.

Comment by Justinian 01.10.11 @ 9:21 pm

Chas, can we have a pool on how long Pedey lasts?

Comment by Scott 78 01.10.11 @ 9:23 pm

I’ll donate some prizes for that one.

Comment by Pwmcdupitt 01.10.11 @ 9:26 pm

I had no clue Graham was WVU co DC in 2002

Comment by why me 01.10.11 @ 9:27 pm

Hire an antidote to Holgorsen, or whatever his name is.

Thanks, Chas, for the terrific coverage.

And to all a good night.

Comment by steve 01.10.11 @ 9:32 pm

The propganda machine at the athletic department has this release up already:

link to pittsburghpanthers.com

Comment by Scott 78 01.10.11 @ 9:32 pm

I wouldn’t be surprised if he hires Major Applewhite as OC. He isn’t needed on Texas staff since they just hired Boise State OC. Graham gave him his first job.

Comment by why me 01.10.11 @ 9:39 pm

mill67, respectfully, we abhor two Anti-Christs:

1) Joe Paterno, and if he says hire Bradley, you know he’s toast

2) WVU, and how they tried to steal our recruits by trumping their new quasi-hire.

HAIL TO PITT!

Comment by steve 01.10.11 @ 9:39 pm

Chas,

I too want to extend my thanks…you have been an island of sanity in an insane universe.

thanks,
DaveD

Comment by DaveD 01.10.11 @ 9:40 pm

Whatever you do Tod, no floresecent green!

Comment by Justinian 01.10.11 @ 9:44 pm

Word out their is LSU will contact Graham if LSU position opens…regardless of Pitt hire! Can you say WTF? Bradley might yet get hired!

Comment by Marco 01.10.11 @ 9:44 pm

Mill67: Do you really think all those voters were Pitt fans? And I do think you should continue to go to PSU games.

Comment by auggie from latrobe 01.10.11 @ 9:50 pm

to Steve,
I was at 48-14; helped bring down the uprights in 87 (Pitt 10 PSU 0). Lived through Foge, Hacket,Gottfried, etc…

BUT I have grown to respect Paterno and I’ve watched Bradley scheme well, call games well, make great changes and adjustments during a game (all while acting honorable, genuine, and forthright).

My true anger is focused on the administration – they appear totally arrogant, self-serving, out-of-touch with the fan base and they appear to truly despise the fans.

Unless the Administration comes totally clean on what happened I don’t think Graham will ever have credibility.

Comment by mill67 01.10.11 @ 9:51 pm

Dave D: What you say makes no sense. You conveniently cut off my post when it gets to the only part I could be talking about as being an embarrassment…the negativity. I don’t think that it makes sense to say I’m embarrassed by Graham being “head-and-shoulders” above Bradley. Don’t be so cranky.

Comment by auggie from latrobe 01.10.11 @ 9:54 pm

Augie:
I do take my family to a PSU game every year to go along with my Nittany Lion Club donation. The last Pitt game my family went with me to watch was the “epic struggle” against the Bulls of Buffalo.

I love Pitt but when looking at the past 15 years there is no comparison to the product PSU has delivered vs. Pitt.

Comment by mill67 01.10.11 @ 9:55 pm

Mill67: Was that similar to PSU’s epic struggle against Temple this year?

Comment by auggie from latrobe 01.10.11 @ 9:57 pm

You are right, the 100,000 fans watching the Temple game felt about the same as the 15,000 that watched the Buffalo U. game.

Comment by mill67 01.10.11 @ 9:59 pm

Mill67,

I really can’t stand the blue and white zombies that live in my area, but I have to agree with you about the way the administration has conducted themselves throughout is whole process.

Comment by Pwmcdupitt 01.10.11 @ 10:05 pm

mill67 – “Pitt must win but must win the right way”. Are you suggesting that Graham and Pitt are going to start paying for players?

Comment by Chet Masterson 01.10.11 @ 10:07 pm

Unless Graham adapts his offense to his present talent, Myers should be transferring any day. Sunseri transferring would be a blessing. I don’t know much about Graham, but I’m more than willing to give him a chance after the boredom of the past six years. Also, not seeing Sunseri get the job is a breath of fresh air.

Comment by ltl 01.10.11 @ 10:16 pm

I have never been more ashamed to be a Pitt grad. They hired a mercenary, when they could have had Bradley, a known quantity.
I hope SP is fired within the week.
UNBELIEVABLE!

Comment by Gas 01.10.11 @ 10:17 pm

I’m just thrilled that Pederson didn’t mention ‘discipline’ in his hiring announcement

Comment by wbb 01.10.11 @ 10:21 pm

I beat your tone will change if Graham wins.

Comment by ltl 01.10.11 @ 10:23 pm

Gas:
I totally agree with you.

Chet:
I hope we keep a clean program; I think that would be certain with Bradley, I’m not so sure with Pederson and Graham (just win baby)…

Comment by mill67 01.10.11 @ 10:25 pm

It’s sad when you have to make a choice between winning and integrity. I don’t know enough about Graham to make a call on his character, but I have a queasy feeling in my gut. How long before he holds us up for more money? How long before he invokes the buyout in his contract? I feel like Pederson made a deal with the devil. I just hope we don’t have a DickRod Junior on our hands, regardless of his record.

Comment by Scott 78 01.10.11 @ 10:27 pm

I’m much more excited about Graham than I was for Haywood. Way to open up the goddamn wallet Pitt.

Comment by Chris 01.10.11 @ 10:31 pm

How quickly we forget what boring football looked under Wanny.

Comment by ltl 01.10.11 @ 10:33 pm

Ok seriously now, screw Bradley!! Perhaps hes dumb as a stump, kinda like Russ Grimm in interviews!!! Bradley would have given us the same style Wanny had, lets check out what his guy has to offer.
If I remember right Tulsa’s spread does not need a Pat White, sorta like Texas Tech, just somebody that can throw to one of four wideouts that get open. I think we got the wideouts for this! Maybe Mark Meyers can deliver here!

Comment by QuipPitt 01.10.11 @ 10:34 pm

Ok time to speculate on who will be the OC and DC.

Comment by FRANKCAN 01.10.11 @ 10:34 pm

Todd Graham is our coach; let’s give him our support. He comes to Pitt with a fine resume. It will be interesting to see who he selects for his coaching staff. And our 2011 class can still be salvaged. Hail to Pitt!

Comment by MariettaMike 01.10.11 @ 10:37 pm

I hope Pitt starts paying players. Maybe then we’ll be able to hang with the Big Boys in the Big 10!!!

If we haven’t been paying players, we need to start.

Comment by BnG 01.10.11 @ 10:42 pm

Cocaine Dan, I remember 12-0!!! LMAO!!!

Comment by Dan 01.10.11 @ 10:43 pm

Who freakin cares if we ultimately have to pay Graham more money because he’s a winner and is the target for other opportunities. We’ve been through it with dixon many times…its a great problem to have.

This is a great move. Call him a mercenary, whore, pimp or whatever, if we can call him a winner it wont matter.

Comment by THEdirtyO 01.10.11 @ 10:55 pm

What kind of reaction would there be if Graham brought in RichRod to run the O!! Would be interesting though for sure! I hear his Def-CoO at Tulsa ran the dreaded 3-3-5 defense. Gee, I hope they dont bring that crap here!

Comment by QuipPitt 01.10.11 @ 11:01 pm

Hate to see Dion go. Right move for him though as he is best in a pro style offense. Don’t think he would have near as much success in a spread and it would drop him lower in draft.
Feel bad for Hyno. Hopefully some team in NFL wants a very good FB. Probably no place for him in Graham offense.

I am guessing that most if the offensive recruits we lost would not have worked in Graham’s system anyway so they probably did the right thing in looking elsewhere.

Comment by AZPANTHER 01.10.11 @ 11:45 pm

Mill67: Who are you kidding? You are a PSU troll, not a Pitt fan. That’s fine, but be honest about it.You know Bradley would have kept a clean program, but you don’t know about Graham and Pederson.On what basis do you say that? You have a lot of nerve questioning the character of people you don’t even know.

Comment by auggie from latrobe 01.10.11 @ 11:54 pm

Ditka I understand trust me I do. I didn’t want Walt fired and I sure as hell didn’t want Wanny to be hired but I sucked it up bought my tickets and watched the team. I really did disconnect from the blog for a few years because I became apathetic to what the team was doing. I fell asleep in my seat during the U Conn blow out of a few years ago and again during this years Miami game. (I was pretty hammered entering the stadium)

Don’t worry brother I’ve kept the seat of apathy warm for you the last six years and you as a fan of defense are you may want/have to try it out. I hope not but like I like I said I understand exactly how you feel and I know it’s a big let down.

Comment by Tony In Harrisburg 01.11.11 @ 12:27 am

Tony,

I think Graham is a much better hire than Haywood – hands down. So in that respect I feel better than I did three weeks ago. I am a Pitt alum and a fan – always will be. But I will need to vent for a few weeks before I let this sink in and throw my support behind Graham. My biggest concerns with Graham:

1.) He runs a system that Pitt is not equipped to run. I am afraid we could see a downturn like Michigan. Pitt has a good foundation and is a team that can win right now. I am just afraid that a major shake up will really set us back. And having said all that, I would be ok with a major shake up if I was convinced that Graham was here for the long haul to see it through. But I think he is here a max of 3 years successful or not.

2.) Second concern is as stated above. I dont see him staying at Pitt any longer than three years wether he is fired or leaves for more money. At which point we will have to do this all over again and endure another “system change” that could take years.

3.) Graham, despite a good resume, is a risky pick especially when we had a guy like Bradley in front of us for the taking. He seems to be a little bit of a maverick and judging by some of the comments from Rice and Tulsa fans he is not that well liked with the games he plays.

4.) It may be a dumb reason to not like a coach but if Steve Pederson wanted him, I am skeptical to say the very least.

5.) Over time Graham may be a great recruiter in this region of the country be he has to start from scratch. He has no ties, no relationships, no inroads – this is ground zero.

6.) Grahams strength is obviously his high powered offense and his OC isnt coming with him!!! This troubles me.

7.) Graham’s defenses have not exactly been the steel curtain. As much fun as it is to watch a high flying offense you still need a stout defense to win. As seen last night when Auburn held down the most potent offense in the country.

So, I have a lot of big concerns with this hire. I think it was a big gamble. This is the kind of gamble you take when you need to rebuild a program not when you have a solid foundation that is close to winning at a high level right now. Again, just my opinion. I will eventually come around but he has a lot to prove to me and many others.

Steve Pederson needs to begin his ass kissing tour right now. Ticket prices better be coming down, script logos should be coming back, and we better win!

Comment by Coach Ditka 01.11.11 @ 7:24 am

[…] I said when the hire happened, the hiring process may seem like the easy part compared to all that has to follow. I’m sure Graham is going to make a public appearance at Pitt’s basketball game soon. […]


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