Don’t feel that the likely top-3 candidates for Pitt aren’t local enough? Worried that Teryl Austin lacks that real head coaching experience? Want that head coach with a fine, fine stache? Then apparently Pitt may be interviewing that guy.
A source said that 49ers defensive line coach Jim Tomsula either will interview or already has interviewed for the job as the University of Pittsburgh’s head coach.
…
Tomsula replaced the fired Mike Singletary last year for the season finale in St. Louis. Tomsula is also highly regarded by the 49ers and his players. 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said players and coaches try to get on bus three while going to the airport. That’s the bus Tomsula always sits on, and players and coaches feed off his energy and humor.
Jim Tomsula is from West Homestead and even coached the D-line at Woodland Hills for a year. Local ties, check.
He has a perfect record as a (interim) NFL head coach. Successful head coaching experience, check.
His wikipedia page describes him as “particularly self-deprecating and humble.” Anti-Graham factor, check.
And finally, after a one year absence. A fine plumage on the upper-lip.
Added bonus. Ron Jeremy look-alike jokes.
I’m sold.
UPDATE: It seems we have reached a certain level of Pitt fan derangement. Honestly, I thought we had at least 3 or 4 more days before that point.
Okay, let me spell this out. We have one, very unconfirmed report from a San Francisco beat writer that a career defensive line coach on the 49ers staff (originally from Western PA) has or will interview for the Pitt job. He has one season of actual coaching at the college level. At his alma mater. A D-II school. So absolutely zero history recruiting.
No other report. No confirmation from Pitt beat writers or recruiting sites. Something that on its face seems absolutely absurd.
What I thought was a rather tongue-in-cheek little post has people both flipping out at the very idea; and talking themselves into it. I guess I was too subtle.
I know, I know. “You wouldn’t put anything past Steve Pederson.” Stop. Stop it now.
Come on, time to step back. Just a little.
I hope I’m wrong, but I just got this sinking feeling that Pitt is going to blow it with the “top 3” (who all appear to be qualified, if not perfect) and end up with a Callahan-type compromise. I really hope I’m wrong.
I guess that’s two questions.
Recruiting in CFB is EVERYTHING.
He was a GREAT player at Steel Valley and played for George Novack…We were always ranked by USA Today back in the 80’s.
Did Dan Rooney interview him? maybe during the blackout?
How that translates to the college level who knows.
THE STACHE. what moore could you want.
Hire him to be the Athletic Director, now we are on to something!!!
Or possibly on the staff somewhere so that when Cristobal decides to leave he can possibly get the HC job then. Just not now!
I guess I’m just a yunzer at heart. Any half decent coach that comes to Pitt will be successful. Pennsylvania is fertile ground with lots of talent for Pitt football.
Whatever, it’s only Pitt, just put a dozen or some names on a dart board and have at it.
1)!guys from pgh – check
2) personality – check
3) passion – check
4) experience + / –
5) recruiting – + / –
I like him. Seems like angood guy who is in it for all the right reasons. As good a candidate as anyone else that has been mentioned but not a slam dunk. He seems like he will work his butt off though. Concern- another “Peter Principle” pick?
Why are we talking to guys were never even coordinators in college? Teryl Austin I get, a proven CFB recruiter and a Pitt guy. But his lack of HC experience gives me pause.
But this guy Tomsula makes zero sense, at least not today. Maybe to replace Christobal in 3 years.
I guess the advantage of hiring a coordinator is that he would be more likely than an established HC to bring in your “Pitt Guy” as a DC (Austin) or OC (Cignetti, et al), if thats what you seek.
Hire MC. $$$ cures many ills (wife, cultural concerns).I am not worried about a 3-4 yr stint as Pitt’s HC. As stated somewhere, the 2 best in my memory—Majors I & Jackie S. –were 3-4 yr guys who put Pitt back on the CFB map. HTP
Hire the next guy and let’s move on and put this hiring thing on the back burner for 48 months 😉
Ah, so by that rationale, if a Fraud Graham had a better personality, he would cease to be a filthy animal. Is that true?
Never heard of him but we never heard of Cower and Tomlin prior to becoming named
It was bad enough with the Top Three and Austin.
Chas, you really have to stop screaming “fire” in a crowded theater.
Oh that EJ Borghetti is quite the kidder.
I believe I’ve seen a pic of Mario in a goatee.
But only in another city after they fired him!
come into the light it must be the STACHE. He is calling to all loyal PITT brothers cant you hear him come to the STACHE come to the STACHE.
NO wait that was a sign from wanny no wait that was smiling stevie
oh hell hire some one will you.
Dominus Cimentarius
vertas et virtus
“Son of Wanny” ???
No liquor (only beer) and screaming kids abound the place. Need I explain farther. 🙂
But I will be watching tonight. Slow night in sports.
Need I explain further. One must always blog like a PITT grad.
Rivals.com football recruiting analysts weigh in on topics in a roundtable format.
Which school has hurt itself in recruiting the most by its coaching change this offseason?
Mike Farrell: Not that it was by choice, but Pittsburgh appears to be in trouble. The Panthers fired a good fit and recruiter in Dave Wannstedt, hired Mike Haywood, who was fired pretty much immediately after domestic violence charges were brought against him, and then hired Todd Graham as the man for the future – only to see him bolt for Arizona State after a year. While I don’t think it will hurt them this year because most of their top recruits are either out of other options or never wanted to leave the area in the first place, Pitt is now looked upon by many recruits and families as a stop-gap job and not a final destination. The Panthers had a guy who lived and breathed Pitt football, showed him the door and now they are looking for their fourth coach in a little over a year. Not good for the future. Athletic director Steve Pederson has made the head coaching job a mockery.
The last sentence says it all.Please quit Mr. Pederson.
At this point, I would take the 49er or Austin. I don’t want to keep posting the same thing each year as we search for a coach that wants to be here. It’s all about me fellers.
Answer: Not very well.
And that guy was even a CU alum!
Steve leaks some names, even interviews some guys, then waits. If the fan feedback is positive, leak a few more names more obscure than the first ones. Positive feedback? Repeat.
When the feedback is mostly negative and the fanbase is nearing apoplexy, that’s the guy.
As you can see we’re not even close to naming our next coach.
