By far the best comment about what has happened in Morgantown over the past few weeks came from Matt Hinton (Dr. Saturday):
Dana Holgorsen is about to be the first man ever promoted as a result of a story about him being tossed from a casino at 3 am on a Wednesday
It all started with that ill-fated night at the Mardi Gras Casino. Embarrassing, but Bill Stewart thought he finally had an opening to get Holgorsen. He (or a family member) fed stories to a willing media lackey claiming Holgorsen had lots of incidents already hushed up in West Virginia. At least a couple of the stories turned out to be completely false. Amusingly, WVU in announcing their investigation results that revealed falsehoods were very specific about which ones were complete lies, never actually said if any of the other stories were true or false. Just sayin’.
When the rumors begat people publicly stating that Stewart was trying to get dirt on Holgorsen, it was all over but negotiating the buyout and confidentiality clause.
At 9 pm on a Friday night, it all came to an end for Bill Stewart. While West Virginia announced that Bill Stewart was resigning early, it was about as much of a resignation as Dave Wannstedt’s was from Pitt. (And if there is any greater indictment against Wannstedt’s coaching, it is that he was 1-2 vs. Stew’s Hoopies.)
If there is any question that WVU AD Ollie Luck might very well take the title of “Big East AD Most Unwilling to Admit to a Mistake” it would be his response to a question at the press conference.
On whether he regretted the coach in waiting situation: “At the time, I thought it made a lot of sense. I thought it was a good management practice. With hindsight, folks can certainly disagree. I’m sure I’ll take some time to think about it and decide myself if I made mistakes. If I did, I’d be the first to acknowledge that I did. … I had an agreement from both coaches that they liked the idea and were wiling to work with us on the concept, but hindsight is always 20-20 as we know.”
At this point Luck is the last to acknowledge that he made the mistake. Exactly what factors does he still need to consider in evaluating whether a mistake was made with this plan?
So now Dana Holgorsen is the Hoopie head man a year early. The disdain and dislike Coach Graham and Holgorsen have for each other is already known. Now that the coach-in-waiting sham is over, the Backyard Brawl gets a little more personal. Can’t wait.
2) Stewart’s offense at WVU was the reason for bringng in Holgerson. The offense averaged nearly 10 points less after Stewart took over. Maybe it was because he only had Pat White for one year, but hopefully it was that OC Calvin McGee followed RichRod to Michigan.
3) FWIW, Stewart was 1-1 against Brian Kelly and that loss on a Friday night in Cincy in 2009 was due in large part to two key questionable calls that favored Cincy.
4) like Pitt, Stewart lost a weeknight game at UConn this past season he should have won … only it was even more heatbreaking for WVU than for Pitt being that they outgained UConn by over 200 yards but was done in by 4 fumbles, the last one late in the game on UConn’s 2 yard line.
Botton line … like Wanny, Stewart’s teams weren’t a total bust but fell below expectations especially in not winning the BE outright.
Maybe the bottom line is that good head coaches win the close games.
It’s not easy being fired or replaced … and the concept that being forced to resign a position but having the option at staying in another capacity makes it easier is just plain silly
They were clearly two different issues. DW was going to be fired regardless of who was the next HC; that die was cast way before the end of December. The firing was a needed move. There was no cause and effect there.
To me, Heywood’s hire and need to be fired so quickly was the negative issue. Even then the negative ramifications and national embarrassment was relatively minor and short lived. It made for an interesting news story for a few days.
IMO the crux of the matter falls squarely on Heywood’s shoulders anyway. We still have no idea how well, or poorly, he would have done as a HC. He himself made the question moot when he raised his hand to a women. If anything, PITT came out looking pretty well by severing ties with him so quickly and then hiring Graham.
I believe the AD job description for both schools should be revised to include the following prerequisite: “must have the balls to outright fire a coach when deemed necessary”
Further, even though Pederson claimed a few months later that discipline was a primary reason for the firing, documented evidence shows that within only a few days of Wanny’s ‘resignation’, Pederson traveled to meet his primary candidate (at least in his own mind), Holgerson .. and then when he proved to be already taken and Pederson found out that the money available wasn’t going to attract the type of offensive coach he was looking (Graham, Sumlin) .. it then turned into one spin after another for settling on Heywood. Remember, in the original go-around, Pederson was so intent on an offensive coach with HC experience, he didn’t even give Tom Bradley an interview.
Ho hum.
Pitt is, indeed, a basketball school.
Ho hum.
Pitt is, indeed, a basketball school.”
There’s some truth to this, but it isn’t going to get any better unless the teams improve (better coaching and better players) or Pitt gets snapped up by the Big 10. Since the latter looks like it may happen only if monkeys fly out of my butt, we have to make do with what we’ve got.
Actually, the thing that pisses me off about the whole WVU debacle is that, as much as we LOVE to hate them, the Big East NEEDS them to NOT SUCK. If the day comes when WVU really starts to circle the drain, we’re all in a world of hurt.
13-9, 13-9, 13-9, 13-9, did I stutter, 13-9!!!!!
However, the fan base, is craving a winner, like someone on a diet, hasn’t eaten in two days, and is hoping a big pepperoni pizza is waiting for them when they get home. Then, they’re gonna dig into the Breyers’ vanilla, with a generous portion of Hersheys syrup all over it!!!
The unique thing, is that over the last 11 years, while the football staggered, the basketball team has become a consistent national power, Big East championships, constant tourneys etc. etc. Ya, ya, no final four, no kidding. Some teams and coaches it takes 20 years, some never get it, all of that aside, around the country, Pitt is known as a Top 10 team every year. Hopefully someday, the final four comes.
So, if the football with Graham comes on and becomes a consitent top 20 program, and hopefully in a few years is contending for the Big East title and going to the BCS, it will be both.
Pitt may be somewhat of a basketball school, but, believe me, there is room for both, and there are plenty of people rooted in football, that, it is not time to call Pitt a basketball school only.
As for a second tier football conference, agreed. That is if you’re saying the Sunbelt, Wac etc. etc. are third tier. I would put the Big East in with the Mountain West, and some years, unbelievably to me, with the ACC as the second tier.
Since we’re not going to the Big Ten, I am hoping the Big East will get to 12, to at least be a real conference, even if we have 20 for hoops, they can work it out. At this point, hoping it is Army, Navy and Villanova, or Houston, UCF and Villanove, or some combination of those teams. ECU, Memphis, whatever. Get to twelve to have a real conference, championship game and get settled for the next 30 years.
Now, my first choice last year being the Big Ten, I’ve come to realize that, that is not going to happen.
I’ve come full circle on that though. You can be a top 10 or top 5 team in the Big East, and for that matter, as South Florida and WVU have showed us, that if you win all your games, you will get upto a top ranking, and had they won their last games, would have been playing for a national championship.
Where I’ve come full circle, doesn’t matter about conference, got to win the games. Especially if WVU and TCU are at the top of their game. We usually play two, or sometimes three national games. ie this year. Notre Dame, Utah and Iowa, that is as many, and more than most, bcs conference teams that we are playing. With those three, or those type in the future, and playing against TCU and WVU, if Pitt wins, they will be a top team.
It all comes down to winning your games, no matter who you are. Ya, you might get snubbed one year like Auburn did a few years ago, but, believe me, if you go 12-0, no matter who you are, you will be ranked in the top 5, and more than likely with a good OOC schedule, and a couple teams playing in the Big East, Pitt is sitting fine, right where they are.
Bottom line, no matter where you are, is as simple as winning the games on your schedule.
I also submit, that if Pitt comes on strong, TCU continues and WVU continues, we will jump ahead of the MNT WEST and ACC, and sit alone as a second tier conferece. Will we ever be the Big 10, Pac 12, or SEC, no, of course not, but, right now, things are awesome in basketball, and with a the right decisions being made at Big East headquarters, football could be looking very good for the future also. That’s a big if with the idiots at the Big East headquarters I know. But, seems the writing is on the wall to expand with the new tv contract coming up next year, and if they play their cards right, the Big East could be rolling in money!!!
Ok, I admit, long post, haven’t posted in awhile though, so, give me a break. Hail to Pitt!!!
Coach may be too. You’ll notice Graham backing off on Gonzalez some in this article this AM:
Graham didn’t detail his ultimate punishment for Gonzalez, but he said he will consider the team first.
“A lot of times, our heart gets involved and (we say), ‘Golly, this is going to ruin this kid’s career if I kick him off the team,’ ” he said. “But I have to make sure I look at what is best for the program because that is what has to come first.”
Read more: Pitt’s Graham: Education key to preventing violations – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review link to pittsburghlive.com
I touched on this issue more than once in the past (right Wbb?) but I think this aspect of the football program is every bit as important as others are – we have seen very clearly what happens when there are mixed messages sent to the team by the HC. Nothing can screw up a season as fast as a break down in discipline.
So, even though we haven’t heard any concrete statements from Graham on this yet I have to think he’s going to take a hard line with offenders. This situation merits a formal suspension for a game or two I’d think and then from this point on he has to remain consistent in his approach.
gc – Mason is able to put weight on his knee and do some movements with it – jogging, half speed, etc. Graham had to keep him out of the spring practice though. Mason may be able to go in summer camp but, IMO, we fans need to be prepared for him to miss the season again… but I suppose that depends on how much Mason wants to play – instead of redshirt – in 2011 and how much Graham thinks he needs him in the lineup. I’d bet on 2012 at the earliest.
We’ll see a couple RBs and possibly a LB get PT as FR but I’d be surprised if we have any starters from this class.
Recruiting is slow but Graham is kicking ass on transfers, including some kids DW was very much wanting to get at PITT.
The latest word is that E. J. Banks (3*), who has left ND, is already enrolled at PITT and will be walking on – enabling him to play in 2011 if needed. He was a good HS QB and fits the bill with the prototype Graham is looking for (1000 passing & 1000 rushing almost every year in HS), although he was slated for DB at ND. I wouldn’t be shocked if Graham slots him at QB for depth in the future.
WR Brandon Felder (3*) from NC is another one; he fits Grahams need for 11 WRs on the roster. Throw in DB Ray Vinopal (3*) and DB Cullen Christian (4*), both from Michigan, and you can see Graham is making a good impression on these older kids. As stated earlier, Banks, Felder and Cullen were heavily recruited by the previous staff.
The gem, though not a transfer, maybe be walk-on Des Brown. Our current #2 RB who was very impressive in the spring practices. He may be a great surprise and give us solid play this year IMO.
So, even though recruiting is slow, Graham has been drawing talent to PITT and may have at least two new kids get PT right away.
And yes, I see a 2 game suspension for Gonzalez, that’s all. He’ll miss the crucial Buffalo and Maine contests.
Same old, same old.
History will always have them intertwined, Reed. Just the way it’s going to be. And like it or not, they ARE linked. Pitt fired Wannstedt because they thought they could do better. Then, the guy they “thought” could do better embarressed the school even MORE than a guy (Wannstedt) who simply didn’t win enough football games. The firing of Wannstedt led to the hiring of Haywood. And, on top of that, I would challenge anyone to spin the firing of Wannstedt as appropriately handled by Pitt.
Who are the four? I only see one listed on Rival and Scouts pages.
I believe Gonzalez, as a first time offender who comitted a misdemeanor, only merits a 1 or 2 game suspension … but who knows? The statement issued about considering the team first is ambiguous so it wiull be very interesting to see how it is handled.
Steve, winedogs, I believe the 4 recruits include the 3 transfers
Steve’s post was a comparison to LAST year’s pace. The date if for 2010. I think the point is that we weren’t getting a ton of verbals at this point last year either.
At the very least these transfers are as good as the recruits we will probably get this year IMO. experience at PITT.
I must calm down. It must be old age.
Today I turned 65 and am in the midst of a convoluted Benjamin Button thing: Quickly aging physically and as quickly regressing mentally.
With the no huddle on both sides of the ball, there are going to be a lot more players in the mix and a lot less opportunities to make plays.
I don’t think it has to have anything at all to do with success or winning, but I do think our idea of what makes a quality recruiting class and transfer is going to need to change with this new system or else we’ll be perennially disappointed.
