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December 29, 2011

Spitballing a bit here, so bear with the incoherence.

As posted by Reed, SF 49ers defensive line coach and Ron Jeremy non-stunt double, Jim Tomsula appears to be poised to join Paul Chryst’s new staff at Pitt. The initial thought was that he would be the defensive coordinator. He is loved by 49er fans. I am not sure, though, about him becoming the defensive coordinator. Why?

There are reports that Wisconsin Linebacker coach Dave Huxtable will be coming to Pitt.

Pitt: We have learned that Wisconsin linebackers coach Dave Huxtable (2011 Linebackers Coach of the Year) will be joining Paul Chryst’s staff at Pitt. Huxtable coached the linebackers at Wisconsin this season and served as the defensive coordinator at Central Florida prior to that.

Huxtable coming to the Badgers last year, was something of a coup for Wisconsin. Obviously it paid off for both, but if he’s coming to Pitt it would not be to remain the linebacker coach. The guy has been a DC at UCF, UNC and GT. The extra plus side, is in recruiting since he has spent the last 20 years in North Carolina, Georgia and Flordia berfore last year in Madison. Considering the desire to recruit in Florida, plus Pitt heading to the ACC, a coach like Huxtable would be a very good hire. Whether it is real or not, remains to be seen.

 

The other side of this, assuming these hires come to fruition. It appears Keith Patterson, the defensive coordinator last year and presently Pitt’s interim head coach, is going to be out.

I admit to some mixed feelings about this one. I realize the impulse is that anyone associated with Fraud Graham should be swept out, but that impulse was part of what happened post-Wannstedt and is not the smartest plan for continuity and trying to get beyond perpetually rebuilding.

From a coaching standpoint and continuity, it is always good to try and keep at least one or two coaches on the staff. Whether it is for recruiting reasons or to simply bridge the transition it is a common practice. Also, the defense noticeably improved throughout the season, so from a plain coaching standpoint it wouldn’t be a negative.

As it stands, Patterson was only one of maybe a couple coaches that could have been retained without redundancy. Todd Dodge is unlikely to be retained as QB coach. Not when the head coach can handle that position and does not adhere strictly to the same style. I feel bad for Dodge. He got lured here out of his comfort zone, and just got screwed by Fraud Graham like others.

O-Line coach Spencer Leftwich did a great job when you look at the talent and injuries suffered on the line — and an extra bonus for making Turley into an effective center in such short time, but the new OC is an O-line coach, so it seems unlikely. D-line coach Paul Randolph reportedly has told Pitt that he will be leaving after the BBVA Bowl to join Fraud Graham.

Randall McCray, OLB Coach and special teams coordinator, may actually remain. He has worked with Chryst at Wisconsin. Albeit, McCray worked as a position coach and recruiting coordinator there from 2006-09.

The other thing is that Patterson didn’t flee with Fraud Graham at the get go. This despite their very close ties. Patterson looked very shaken after Graham left and spoke that day. Maybe I’m just reading too much into it, but I don’t think he saw Graham’s actions coming and I doubt he was in agreement with them. If Patterson isn’t retained, I hope he gets an opportunity somewhere else away from Graham.

Patterson abruptly lost his father in November. His father was a longtime high school coach — who actually demonstrated the loyalty and devotion to family Fraud Graham preached. Those are events that have a big impact on your outlook on things.





Chas, do there’s a possibility that both huxtable AND tomsula could both Benin Pitts staff? either one of them is a great hire, but BOTH? that’d be insane!

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 4:12 pm

so

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 4:13 pm

be on. god I wish I could type

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 4:13 pm

Wonder if they could hir the “Mutually Beneficial” girl as recruiting coordinator?!?!?!

Comment by Big Bill 12.29.11 @ 4:26 pm

hire

pk I caught the ‘can’t type’ bug

Comment by Big Bill 12.29.11 @ 4:27 pm

I think that hiring her would be “mutually beneficial” for our recruits 🙂

Comment by jw in Raleigh 12.29.11 @ 4:31 pm

Chas, I actually agree with you about Patterson. Ironically, he was the assistant that I was the most skeptical about (Graham’s college roommate and Tulsa’s 111th ranked defense), yet is the coach I would hate the most to lose. In fact, if he is not being hired at ASU and needs a job, I wouldn’t mind at all if he was hired as a position coach (the same goes for Leftwich.)

Comment by wbb 12.29.11 @ 4:33 pm

Big Bill, I second your nomination of the mutually beneficial girl as the recruiting coordinator.

Comment by Justinian 12.29.11 @ 4:44 pm

Tomsula: Asst Head Coach / D-line coach
Huxtable: Def Run Coordinator / Inside LB Coach
Paterson: Def Pass Coordinator / Outside LB Coach

No problemo!!

Comment by wbb 12.29.11 @ 4:46 pm

On another topic, Patterson did a good job and is apparently a stand up guy. I think it worth it to give him a legitimate shot at keeping his job. I thought Graham really blew it by getting rid of everyone on Wanny’s staff. For the transition, recruiting, and understanding the landscape it’s good to retain at least one or two coaches from the previous regime.

Comment by Justinian 12.29.11 @ 4:51 pm

Someone has to post a link to this enigma that is the mutually beneficial girl.

Comment by Reed 12.29.11 @ 4:52 pm

Justinian, you have to remember that Heywood wanted nothing to do with Wanny’s staff except for Hafley (who had already decided to go to RU).

Further, I think Wanny’s staff was about as good a fit for Graham as was Tino

Comment by wbb 12.29.11 @ 4:54 pm

I’d have no problem if Chryst could find a place for Patterson but I agree that he’s probably odd man out.

I try not to paint all Graham’s assistants with a wide brush just because of Graham. It’s one thing for an assistant coach to leave for greener pastures early, that happens all the time even after a year or so, but Graham ‘cut and run’ act was too much.

Comment by Reed 12.29.11 @ 4:55 pm

Reed, the mutually beneficial girl is in the ads on the right side of this page.

Comment by SpiritOf76 12.29.11 @ 4:59 pm

Huxtable is not coming. Why do people keep mentioning him?

Comment by Mike 12.29.11 @ 5:01 pm

Apparently Bielema told reporters at the Rose Bowl earlier today that Huxtable is staying at Wisconsin.

Comment by SpiritOf76 12.29.11 @ 5:02 pm

I posted this hours ago but with out my sorces
but here they are scout. com football scoop.
huxtable per them is comeing to PITT.
and they were both right on when they said bostad was comeing.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.29.11 @ 6:16 pm

Now i dont know the HC at wisconsin my have blocked it my be came up with more money
ithink we will have to wait and see but huxtable was comeing.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.29.11 @ 6:30 pm

WWB, Yes, Haywood another terrific hire. You know, when you look back at it Steve Pederson was on quite a roll, Callahan at Nebraska, then Haywood and Graham at Pitt. I think we really got lucky this time around. Even a blind squirril finds an accorn now and then.

Comment by Justinian 12.29.11 @ 6:31 pm

well, I read somewhere, maybe on this site, that Pedersen’s choice was Christobal but he was trumped by others on the search committee

Comment by wbb 12.29.11 @ 7:02 pm

Chas –

Nice job with the behind the scenes personal touch. Helpful to see the personal side of these things and how so many have been impacted by the money grab move that Fraud Graham exercised. I agree that Patterson seems to have been blindsided by Fraud Graham. Hope that he is retained.

Comment by PITT fan in Atlanta 12.29.11 @ 7:14 pm

Recent Penn State head football coach rumor — Nick Saban. Ouch! I guess it’s all about $$. Saban will be the highest paid college football coach. Think Nick is seeking a raise from Bama?

Comment by MariettaMike 12.29.11 @ 7:18 pm

Chas it is to bad ZEISE isent around i think he got run over bye a raindeer insted of granmaw on christmas when you need to know something he seams to be MIA.
he does a good job most days but when you really want to know something he is gone MIA.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.29.11 @ 7:24 pm

You guys must all have a collarbone fetish.

Huxtable would be a great addition with his Carolina, Georgia & Florida ties. Having been at UNC, UCF & GT, he has to know quite a few HS coaches in all those very fertile recruiting states.

That might be a better get than Cristobal himself.
Since Huxtable did it at legit D1 and bigtime programs. And if the guy from San Fran comes, wow this staff is really shaping up. We must being ponying up some mula $$$.

Got to be ready to enter the ACC in style!

Comment by Emel 12.29.11 @ 7:24 pm

Think that’s more like a Ped State wish…as in wishlist MariettaMike.

Saban is not going to go to Creepy Valley unless he’s into self abuse. Napoleon complex, yes….self abuse….dunno.

Ped State also had Suburban Urban on their wish list and Bill Cowher, etc, etc. They’re into delusions these days in Creepy Valley.

Comment by Emel 12.29.11 @ 7:29 pm

I believe the only coaches that would entertain coaching at Ped State, are ex-Ped State players.

They are the only ones that still believe in all that crap that Ped State was peddling for 40 years.
And the only ones who still think Diaper Joe should be Sainted.

So look for Munchak perhaps.

Comment by Emel 12.29.11 @ 7:33 pm

Plus ex-Ped State players would be more willing to continue the coverup, should the new coach come across any more details….shall we say…of all the sordid stuff going on in……(play the Creepy Scary horror music) CREEPY VALLEY !

Comment by Emel 12.29.11 @ 7:37 pm

I think we really got lucky this time around. Even a blind squirril finds an accorn now and then.

Comment by Justinian 12.29.11 @ 6:31 pm

Word up, SP wanted Cristobal. Large donors said no Smiley, you’ve f*cked up quite enough. We suggest you hire Chryst.

Comment by Emel 12.29.11 @ 7:42 pm

Apparently Bielema told reporters at the Rose Bowl earlier today that Huxtable is staying at Wisconsin.

Comment by SpiritOf76 12.29.11 @ 5:02 pm

If you’re the HC of a team that’s got the Rose Bowl to play vs. Oregon in a few days. What would you tell them, knowing you’re players are going to hear the answer? (that’s right…what he said)

Doesn’t mean squat.

Comment by Emel 12.29.11 @ 7:45 pm

Scratch another one who wants no part of Creepy Valley. And this is one of their own. haha

I have a great deal of respect for Penn State and I hope they find a great coach there, but I am happy where I’m at,” Munchak told The Tennessean of Nashville.

“I love my alma mater, but I have no interest in being the head coach at Penn State. I never want to leave Tennessee.”

Munchak, 51, is a former Penn State offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer who has spent his entire professional career, as a player and coach, with the Titans/Houston Oilers franchise since leaving Penn State after the 1981 season.

Read more: link to post-gazette.com

Comment by Emel 12.29.11 @ 7:56 pm

EMel munchak told them no thanks.
do you thnk Zeise was run over bye a rain deer.
Zeise is good dont get me wrong but when you really want to know something he seams to be MIA

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.29.11 @ 8:06 pm

Hilarious…Saban at Unhappy Valley…NO, NEVER, NADA, NAY!!
Saban lives to play golf…..repeat Saban lives to play golf. Tuscaloosa temperature today near 60…..Unhappy Valley, well you know the story.
Golf exists for 11 months a year in Alabama and with luck all 12. Saban is NOT GOING TO Unhappy Valley no matter how much money they offer…and make no mistake about it he is very well paid by
The Crimson Tide…………FORE!!!

Comment by isnore 12.29.11 @ 8:06 pm

I think the Mutually Beneficial Girl used to be the recruiting coordinator at Tennessee. Not sure if she followed Kiffin to USC.

Comment by Pantherman13 12.29.11 @ 8:26 pm

I told you guys that I saw a few cars that slid off the the road near the airport yesterday morning. Zeise is probably down in a ravine after having spun out of control on the black ice.

Emel, I had heard about the alumni intervention, but I couldn’t resist the blind squirril comment. I guess that was giving way too much credit to our athletic director.

Comment by Justinian 12.29.11 @ 9:11 pm

now, reed seems to be positive that tomsula will be joint Pitts staff, many reports say that huxtable will also be coming. so, to make sure that I’m not dreaming, I need to get this strait. Pitt, I repeat Pitt, could have a staff consisting of arguably college footballs best offensive coordinator as hc, cfb’s best o line coach as oc, one of the best linebackers coaches, and one of the nfl’s most respected d line coaches? PITT?!! what is going on?

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 9:26 pm

Dream on, Pk, it could happen.

And, you guys might not be having such problems typing if you would peel your eyes off of the ads, and actually look at the keyboard while you type. Just sayin…

Comment by Stfan 12.29.11 @ 9:48 pm

Anyone who thought Rutgers would be an easy game or at least a team we could play with should think again. They just beat a very good Florida team in 2OTs

Comment by Dan 72 12.29.11 @ 9:56 pm

pk, don’t get your hopes up yet … this is Pitt we’re talking about. Don’t get me wrong – would love to see it; just will believe it when I see it

Comment by wbb 12.29.11 @ 9:57 pm

haha @ stfan. its very hard to not get my hopes up. ive never seen a really good Pitt team and this staff looks so promising. maybe I’m naive but already expecting good things from these coaches.

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 10:06 pm

Just remember until a staff is announced there are no coaches.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 12.29.11 @ 10:15 pm

The Ped State HC search process is entertaining to watch. Their program is in the midst of an earth-shaking scandal, legal and ethical, with sanctions likely coming from the NCAA and they think they can pull a successful HC from a winning and clean Boise State program? Or an active NFL HC?

WHy not go for Urban Meyer if you want to be totally delusional.

By the way, I hear that Todd Graham is available. I think he has family in Creepy Valley.

Comment by dinosaur 71 12.29.11 @ 10:24 pm

Nice win for Rutgers tonight over No 10 Florida.

Comment by alcofan 12.29.11 @ 10:25 pm

That’s right dinosaur. Graham said that Ped State is his dream job also. Hmmmmm

Comment by jw in Raleigh 12.29.11 @ 10:40 pm

well, the psu might not be so funny. the next name that popped up is buck saban. supposed to have made a 6 year 48 million dollar deal which would have him making 60% more than any other coach. if that’s true, Pitts not gonna get any pa talent

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 11:11 pm

nick I can’t spell! profanity!

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 11:12 pm

Why would any Nitter, even the half-brained ones, think that Saban would leave being in the national title picture every year at Alabama for fighting for 3rd place every year in the Big Ten at The Ped State University.

Comment by deepelemblues 12.29.11 @ 11:18 pm

saban has never stayed anywhere for more than five years. 5 at msu, 5 at lsu, 5 at the Miami dolphins and this is his fifth year at Nama. Also, money has made him do odd things

Comment by pk 12.29.11 @ 11:35 pm

5 years at Miami?? Try one year!

Comment by QuipScript 12.29.11 @ 11:36 pm

We’re are due for some good luck guys (and the mutually beneficial girl).

A new era in college football is on the horizon.
PITT, yes I said PITT is about to rejoin our rightful place among college football’s elite.

There is no university with the litany of great players and great teams that PITT has had thru college football history.

PITT is going to be great again in football !

Veritas et virtus

Hail to PITT !

Comment by Emel 12.30.11 @ 12:02 am

I apologize I misread the article

Comment by pk 12.30.11 @ 12:03 am

emel, I hope you’re right. I feel the same way.

Comment by pk 12.30.11 @ 12:04 am

Oh…… you heard it here first !

Comment by Emel 12.30.11 @ 12:04 am

indeed I have

Comment by pk 12.30.11 @ 12:15 am

indeed I have

Comment by pk 12.30.11 @ 12:15 am

I’m watching the Baylor Washington game. Baylor has scored 60 points midway through the 4th. I wish Pitts basketball team could score 60 points

Comment by pk 12.30.11 @ 12:21 am

Wbb – you commented with this:

Tomsula: Asst Head Coach / D-line coach
Huxtable: Def Run Coordinator / Inside LB Coach
Paterson: Def Pass Coordinator / Outside LB Coach

But that looks funny to me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard having two DC’s splitting responsibilities into DC-Run & DC-Pass.

It sounds very awkward to me.

At least on offense you have the luxury to be in control of the next pay by virtue of playcalling so I can see co-OCs. But defense is so reactive what would the coordinators do during the games.

Unless you mean strictly during camps and practices?

Comment by Reed 12.30.11 @ 7:23 am

Why would Tomsula come over? He’s a fast rising star in the pro ranks and could probably get a DC position within a year. The Cowboys will be needing one. Also, the Huxtable guy supposedly is not coming over but it would be a coup for Pitt if he did. I’m more interested in the recruiters coming in. Need a good one from Ohio and Florida. I also get concerned when I hear that Chryst will call his own plays. Jason Garrett tries to do that down here and it takes away from his game management and ability to focus on other aspects of the game. Tough job to do.

Comment by TX Panther 12.30.11 @ 7:44 am

Lets get real even if Tomsula came to PITT what good is it to us this year?
He could not come soon enough the 49ers are in the pro play offs. recruting will be over when he gets hear.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.30.11 @ 8:57 am

Reed, you omitted from my post … “No problemo”

My post was every as bit as tongue-in-cheek as Chas’ endorsement of Tomsula for HC

Comment by wbb 12.30.11 @ 9:13 am

Let’s see how Wisky does in the bowl. Being a head coach also means less time in the film room, more time with PR, etc…
I am guessing that Chryst has other people lined up but because he and they are presently occupied and totally unlike Fraud Graham, they are putting horses before carts.
One last thing on ole “God Bless” Graham….when talking about players leaving one school for another after they have completed 4 years like Z. Brown did, he was totally opposed. His reasoning? He felt that once you started at a school, you should stay there! LMAO. He will get crushed at recruiting in the PAC 12.

Comment by SFPitt 12.30.11 @ 9:30 am

Nice post Emel == new year == new attitude == pray PC brings back the NASTY to PITT FOOTBALL!!! Truth & Virtue == nice.

Comment by DC33 12.30.11 @ 9:35 am

[…] to provide a brief counterpoint to the story I posted yesterday about Wisconsin Linebackers Coach Dave Huxtable coming to Pitt when Paul Chryst takes the reigns. […]


Could someone comment as to why Gilbert has so few minutes? Adams comes in next year & has been projected as a lottery pick in 2013. would think JD would want Gilbert to gain experience so he is not in the same quandary in the future. would like to see a combination of jj & patterson in the backcourt w/zanna & gilbert up front & rotate naz & moore @ the 3 spot. maybe more uptempo & run ==

Comment by DC33 12.30.11 @ 11:02 am

Gilbert needs to get stronger. He gets pushed out of position too much.

Comment by jw in Raleigh 12.30.11 @ 11:42 am

frankcan, sf doesn’t need their d line coach for the playoffs.

Comment by pk 12.30.11 @ 1:29 pm

How can you evaluate Gilbert until he gets significant playing time? I too have seen him get pushed out of position a couple times, but no more than Dante and Zanna.

I have also seen him disrupt on D. He alters shots and will block shots way more than Dante. He is bigger than both, and will get stronger. He’s 6’11”. He needs to play more. If we were getting production at the 5 it would be different. we are not. Let Sleepy come off the bench. He seems to play with more fire when challenged.

still like Emel’s idea of a zone with Gilbert in the middle. ND killed us underneath.

Comment by Bossdaws 12.30.11 @ 1:34 pm

Wbb – I did miss that “no problemo”. Maybe I took it seriously because I’d love for PITT to have those three guys on staff – and because Graham split to coordinator duties on offense this year.

Comment by Reed 12.31.11 @ 7:20 am

Bossdaws,

“still like Emel’s idea of a zone with Gilbert in the middle. ND killed us underneath.”…

So Gilbert can play middle linebacker?

Comment by Reed 12.31.11 @ 7:21 am

[…] be the next defensive coordinator. And as good a resume, and a positive that it is to get Huxtable, I liked the job Patterson did. The defense improved noticeably from the start of the season to the […]


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