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December 4, 2012

So,  my daughter wasn’t feeling well. Hanging out in the doctor’s waiting room after school. Checking the twitter feed. Amused at all the rumors of Mike Gundy possibly going to Arkansas rumors. Making jokes about Todd Graham and the SEC open coaching positions.

All was well until it turned out that Arkansas had managed to snag Bret Bielema from Wisconsin. Suddenly the bleep got real.

If there was one job every Pitt fan knew Paul Chryst would be likely to leave Pitt, it would be Wisconsin. His alma mater. He grew up there. His family really is from there and still lives there. He still has a great relationship with the Wisconsin athletic director. Honestly it would be the one job I could understand him leaving Pitt to take that would be mostly without much rancor from myself and most Pitt fans.

I– I just didn’t think the possibility would be after only one year.

Is it the BBVA Bowl? I think it might be the BBVA Bowl. Three straight years of accepting the bid to play in Birmingham. Three straight years of madness that follow. The ACC damn well better not sign any deals with Birmingham when bowl affiliations come up for renewal in a few years. Just can’t take that chance.

Still no reason to panic. No reason at all:

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!

Big thanks to Souf_Oaklin for the much needed laugh. You really need to give them a follow on Twitter. Especially in times like this.

 





In times like these, I remind myself that it isn’t pancreatic cancer. Then pop open a cold one.
Chryst, I don’t want to go through this coaching song-n-dance again.

Comment by Gas 12.04.12 @ 6:25 pm

If it weren’t for bad luck, we’d have no luck at all. It’s the BBVA curse I tell you!!! Somebody please wake me up from this nightmare!!!

Comment by Panther Pride 12.04.12 @ 6:26 pm

This is a done deal. They will want Chryst and I can’t blame him for going back. It makes to much sense. Whether or not this one is directly Steve Pederson’s fault which it isn’t he still needs fired. There will have been 8 coaches in 3 seasons at Pitt. A laughing stock of the NCAA’s in football.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.04.12 @ 6:30 pm

Paul now has head coaching experience. I’d be surprised if Wisconsin does not hire him. Alvarez knew what he was doing recommending Chryst to Pitt.

I can’t blame Paul if he goes home. I do feel sorry for the returning players and recruits.

Comment by MariettaMike 12.04.12 @ 6:32 pm

Any truth that PC is calling his players together for a meeting?

Comment by DJS 12.04.12 @ 6:35 pm

Lot of rumors flying around Twitter. This is the one I choose to believe: Pittsburgh Nation ?@PITTnation1
@booky31 the staff has contacted the recruits and told them they are staying at #Pitt

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.04.12 @ 6:37 pm

All seriousness aside, if Chryst goes to Wisconsin perhaps Steve should interview Youngstown States head coach.

Comment by MariettaMike 12.04.12 @ 6:37 pm

This can’t be happening. I thought we were safe for 5 years at least, oh well, heading for the fridge.

Comment by Moe Greene 12.04.12 @ 6:37 pm

Nothing holding Chryst to Pitt except sympathy for the kids. He’s as good as gone.

Comment by Chris 12.04.12 @ 6:38 pm

it’s pretty pathetic that when news broke of bielema going to arkansas the first thing i thought of was who was going to be our next head coach for a year

Comment by usd121 12.04.12 @ 6:39 pm

Atlanta Panther 12. –I hope you have the right scoop.

Comment by MariettaMike 12.04.12 @ 6:40 pm

As WVU fan I can’t help but chuckle a bit. However, if this comes to pass, I will feel sorry for the returning players and the coaches. There were many ups and downs for the Panthers this year but I believe Chryst had this ship heading the in right direction.
The tough part is you really can’t blame him if the offer is there. Its not a Fraud Graham or Dick Rod situation. There is no doubt about his roots and if each of us were in the same situation we would probably take the job.
The other positive for Pitt is the job is more attractive heading into the ACC and having a solid place to land in continued conference chaos.
Good luck boys. (sorry we won’t get a chance to play in NYC!)

Comment by A-Wild 12.04.12 @ 6:42 pm

At this point who cares. I mean honestly. The Arkansas Job is 200% better than a Wisconsin job. The SEC vs. the Big 10. No even a comparison. As far as Chrsyt if he leaves he leaves. Hire Joker Phillips and Fire Peterson. Our program already is a joke whether or not he stays or leaves.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.04.12 @ 6:44 pm

I honestly think that is Wiscy wants him, he is gone. It makes too much sense and I wouldn’t blame him. That is 100% his REAL dream job.

Dave Wannstedt has to be pissing himself laughing right now.

Comment by BCPITT 12.04.12 @ 6:45 pm

I can hear his wife now calling all the friends and family saying we will be back home and moved in to our old house by Christmas.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.04.12 @ 6:46 pm

Now this……just as we may be returning to the Script. What next?…

Comment by DJS 12.04.12 @ 6:48 pm

More Twitter ActioN: Dejan Kovacevic ?@Dejan_Kovacevic
So absolutely nothing happened with #Pitt or with Paul Chryst to change his status, but he’s supposed to tell everyone he’s staying. Got it.

Lets see….

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.04.12 @ 6:50 pm

Thank goodness for this blog where we Pitt Panthers can vent. I will not feel comfortable until Wisconsin announces a new head coach and he’s not from Pitt.

Comment by MariettaMike 12.04.12 @ 6:51 pm

@Marietta Mike… I hear ya, but gotta stay positive. Gotta stay positive.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.04.12 @ 6:52 pm

I dont think he leaves pitt.
but if he does we need a ex pitt player to take
the job.

that is the only way we get a coach who stays
for at least 3 years.

but if chryst is staying he needs to say so now
we dont want to lose a shot at foster.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.04.12 @ 6:53 pm

Any chance Pitt actually considers going back to Wanny if this PC to WI happens?

Comment by BCPITT 12.04.12 @ 6:54 pm

Oh crap, I think I must have missed the sarcasm in Kovacevic’s voice. F&^%. We’re screwed.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.04.12 @ 6:54 pm

KDKA-TV Sports Jory Rand told me to calm down and that Chryst is staying. Should I believe him? I look at it this way. I think Chryst really feels a connection to these players on this Pitt team. I think he’s got a high degree of loyalty to these guys, plus it was Pitt that gave him his first shot at being a HC. The way things change in the college coaching world, the Wisky job will open up in another 4 or 5 years and he’ll jump then. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part, but I certainly can’t blame him if he leaves. I’m sure if he does go, he’ll leave with class as opposed to the snake oil salesman that preceded him.

Comment by Panther Pride 12.04.12 @ 6:56 pm

@ Atlanta Panther — yep, stay positive. As they say. It is what it is.

Comment by MariettaMike 12.04.12 @ 6:57 pm

To help those who are ready to jump into the three rivers like lemmings to the sea, Paul Chryst will be our head coach next year. Please remain calm:) Give him more credit than Fraud Graham!

Comment by John In South Carolina 12.04.12 @ 6:59 pm

@John…people aren’t doggin Chryst comparing him to Fraud…this would be a legit reason for Chryst to leave…There is not any other HC position in the country that would scare me the way this Wisky job does

Comment by BCPITT 12.04.12 @ 7:00 pm

Paul Chryst is going to be our head coach next year. Quit worrying about it already. Here all the reasons he will stay.

1. He only has one year of head coaching experience.
2. The AD of Wisconsin pushed him for the Pitt job. What kind of an So&So would he be if he took him away from Pitt after one year.
3. Coach Chryst actually care about his players if you haven’t noticed.
4. Most importantly, Chris Dokish only graded him out at a C+. That by itself would do it:)

Comment by John In South Carolina 12.04.12 @ 7:06 pm

I’m not expecting HCPC to leave but, if he does, Steve P ought to assemble a blue ribbon committee of former Pitt greats – Ditka, Marino, Dorsett, May, among others – to find our next head coach.

Comment by Pitt Dad 12.04.12 @ 7:07 pm

a lot of wispy fans seem to be happy that bielema’s leaving. now, that’s a tough bunch.

keep calm

hail to pitt

Comment by pittkeith 12.04.12 @ 7:14 pm

Rumour has it….
Sal Sunseri got a call from Pederson/Pitt admin.

Comment by Joe D 12.04.12 @ 7:14 pm

Be calm have a drink dont worry it will be ok.
in fact have 2 drinks no 3 be calm.
WTF WTF WTF.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.04.12 @ 7:14 pm

Joe D you are killing me.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.04.12 @ 7:15 pm

IM FREAKING OUT HERE!!!

Comment by toga toga toga 12.04.12 @ 7:18 pm

Taking a positive view, once Chryst stays, might we have a shot at grabbing a few Wiscy recruits? I seem to recall we were in contention for a few of the same. Frankcan – what say you?

Comment by marcus of schaumburg 12.04.12 @ 7:23 pm

Yep, wanny leaving was a great move-nice one Steve-o!!

Comment by John 12.04.12 @ 7:24 pm

If I was Chryst I’d leverage the piss out of this and actually get paid a decent amount of money at Pitt. I would pull a Les Miles and have no shame in it at all. Squeeze that douche Peterson for as much as I could.

Comment by Upittbaseball 12.04.12 @ 7:28 pm

Sal S had his one game as head coach at Pitt and LOST.

Comment by Pitt Dad 12.04.12 @ 7:28 pm

Chryst is staying.
Want to chuckle WVU fan? Look at the ranking of your university in academia.
Hey, someone has to be 166!
Chryst is staying.

Comment by SFPitt 12.04.12 @ 7:31 pm

Hey SFPitt. Saw your post. Like

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.04.12 @ 7:33 pm

Really don’t get the Wanny crowd wanting DW back. He was a terrible game day coach both in the pros and college. Hope PC stays but I’d understand if he left for Wisconsin. Maybe Paul Rhodes can be persuaded or Bud Foster is ready to pull the trigger on bein the boss and he’d hire Walt Harris as his OC to coach-up Savage! UPone

Comment by UPone 12.04.12 @ 7:34 pm

Just got a call from a member of the Pitt women’s cross country team thanking me for my support of Pitt athletics. I joked with her that she read her script very well. When she wished me happy holidays, I told her that it would be happier if our head football coach would stay. She responded by saying that his daughter rooms across the hall from her and she seems very happy at Pitt and hopefully that will help to convince him to stay. My response was to tell his daughter that the Pitt faithful are really hopeful that he will stay and lead Pitt football to bigger and better things!

Comment by Greg from State College 12.04.12 @ 7:35 pm

I don’t get it. Just because I coaching job opens up, we’re supposed to get worried that we’re losing our head coach? I just don’t understand, will somebody please explain this to me? Can you spell paranoia?

Comment by Dr. Tom 12.04.12 @ 7:35 pm

KDKA reported that they were confident Chryst is staying. For one, he has a large by-out. Also recruits were called by the staff and told not to worry, because they were they were all staying.

Comment by Justinian 12.04.12 @ 7:36 pm

Honestly after the last few years if Chrysy stays he’ll be a freaking hero.

Comment by Iron Duke 12.04.12 @ 7:40 pm

We’ve been through enough in the last three years. It’s time for something to finally break our way.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 12.04.12 @ 7:40 pm

I think Sal Sunseri is being sought after as Dline coach for Pitt…

Comment by Joe D 12.04.12 @ 7:41 pm

Anyone know what PC buyout actually is? I can’t seem to find anything.

Comment by BCPITT 12.04.12 @ 7:42 pm

@ Dr. Tom – this isn’t just any coach opening…

Comment by BCPITT 12.04.12 @ 7:43 pm

It also wouldn’t hurt to reach out to anybody you might know with any connection to Pitt athletics to try to convince Coach Chryst to stay. His email address is on the Pitt website as is that of the AD. Perhaps a barrage of emails to both of them would help. Even if it doesn’t make a difference, at least we could say we tried. It’s better than just sitting back and twiddling our thumbs while we wistfully say “woe is me.”

Comment by Greg from State College 12.04.12 @ 7:49 pm

Buyouts mean nothing. Arkansas will pay Bielema’s buyout to Wisky, which in turn will pay for the buyout of the coach they stole. Transfer the funds, that’s all.
But if he stays, fans should show their support with multiple sell-outs next year…after Wanny returns as AD

Comment by Gas 12.04.12 @ 7:55 pm

All seriousness aside, if Chryst goes to Wisconsin perhaps Steve should interview Youngstown States head coach.

Comment by MariettaMike 12.04.12 @ 6:37 pm
Marietta Mike 100% agree w/ u here what a beautiful game plan vs Pitt!

Comment by Punxy Panther 12.04.12 @ 7:57 pm

Marcus that could be may be we get are RB back.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.04.12 @ 7:58 pm

I think he stays but if he does go..Stevie p is gone. No way Pitt admin wont send him packing. Just to much negative attention on program.

I’m still concerned wisc will make a strong run at chryst. They pay a lot more and chryst is alum. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Barry Alvarez doesn’t take job himself.

Comment by why me 12.04.12 @ 8:05 pm

The one good point, if he leaves,, is the coming apocalypse means we won’t have to see an interim coach in the bowl game!

Comment by DCPinPGH 12.04.12 @ 8:13 pm

He said he’s staying. Thank god, I was just about to start smoking meth out of a light bulb.

Comment by Chris 12.04.12 @ 8:17 pm

chris were when did he say this that he is staying

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.04.12 @ 8:20 pm

Ive been doing that for the last hr and a half Chris.

Comment by toga toga toga 12.04.12 @ 8:21 pm

Dr Tom, think of it like this: I’m a Pitt alum, live and die. And I’m an assistant coach behind a guy who’s my age, and looks like he’ll be there for years.

So not wanting to become another Tom Bradley and wait too long, I finally get tired of waiting, and go become head coach at (say) Boston College or NC State or wherever.

And as luck or fate would have it, the Pitt job opens to everyone’s amazement on one year, the job I was born to have.

And now, I have a year’s HC experience on my resume! I took my team to a bowl despite a coach-killing nincompoop at QB.

And not only am I best buds with the Pitt AD, but my entire family lives there, it’s home! And it’s my alma mater!

All that’s a lot to overcome with the fledling at best (or more likely, no) REAL loyalty I have to BC or NC State, it was just the place I got my first opportunity.

THAT, my friend, is why the Wiscy job opening up might not be (hopefully not, but…) just any old job.

Comment by Imma Man! Im 40! 12.04.12 @ 8:21 pm

Sorry but I wont believe anything until Wisconsin hires their new coach. Every story ive read so far said chryst will be top candidate for job.

Comment by why me 12.04.12 @ 8:21 pm

Pc just released a statement, typical tripe about commitment and bowl/ recruiting focus. If he leaves they better send sp with him, that would make four failed football hires. Maybe then we could get the script back, cause we won’t have a respectable football program!

Comment by The big a 12.04.12 @ 8:21 pm

If he leaves he is a piece of sh@$&?!

Comment by notrocketscience 12.04.12 @ 8:29 pm

@Chris. LMAO!!

Comment by Dan 12.04.12 @ 8:34 pm

sal more of fsu d coor. coach ed various times with jimbo, careful joe d.

Comment by paul shannon 12.04.12 @ 8:34 pm

For the last two months I have been saying that Pitt needed to extend Coach Chryst to meet what PSU did for O’brien (9 years). Our Athletic Director didn’t do that and he just doesn’t get it. Commitment is a two way street. It was obvious during the year that the team improved. It was also obvious Coach Chryst can recruit. Pederson does not give the administrative support to Coach Chryst because Coach Chryst is not a Pederson guy. Pederson had to make the hire because of a booster that actually understood what Pitt needed more than the AD. The AD wants Coach Chryst to fail, but now is leveraged. hahahahaha @ Pederson!

Pederson needs to go and has needed to go ever since the cluster he created at our program through the Wanny/Haywood debacle. Pederson has got to go because, if for nothing else, we are talking about coaching stability yet again. Try for once to be pro-active pederson, you jackwagon!

Comment by dhuffdaddy 12.04.12 @ 8:52 pm

SFPitt,
I’m satisfied with my WVU education, especially when I look at my paycheck. I spent far less than the average Pitt grad but probably make a hell of a lot more cash. Plus I’m not nearly as arrogant as you!
As far as Chryst. I hope he stays. He is a good coach and a good guy and the players deserve some stability. Sad that it will actually MAKE news if he stays. I wish more of these coaches would honor their commitment.

Comment by A-Wild 12.04.12 @ 8:56 pm

i read chryst statement it no were says i am staying at pitt i take it with a grain of salt
there are holes in that statement.

Comment by FRANKCAN 12.04.12 @ 8:59 pm

f**k u a-wild. Get off the site. I grew up in WV, but I was smart enough to go to another state for my education.

Comment by panther94 12.04.12 @ 10:05 pm

Panther94,
If I were acting up and causing trouble, I could understand your language and behavior. I take an interest because I love college football and this is a good site for Pitt info. So if that bothers you sorry you will just have to learn to overcome.

Comment by A-Wild 12.04.12 @ 10:22 pm

Everybody, keep your pants on. Nobody has offered the Wisky job to Chryst….yet.

Should Chryst go there, and I would not blame him, then it is time for a massive blitz on Nordy to get rid of Smiling Steve and hire an AD who knows what he is doing.

Comment by Penguins Fan 12.04.12 @ 10:48 pm

Not my fault Walt!!

Comment by Conservative Panther 12.04.12 @ 10:51 pm

Hang on folks …….. !! We went thru this anguish when Dixon was offered a job at his home turf. Dixon stayed…. so there is no promise that PC will leave just because it’s home……..

Comment by Mtoolmn 12.04.12 @ 10:55 pm

Welcome a wild. Its always good to talk some trash in good natured fun and even better to have knowledgeable college football fans with opinions. I love the sport and my alma mater. This site is addictive but do keep the trolling to a minimum. But again, I welcome your comments. I hope others do as well. Yes we do have your school beat on academic arrogance…for good reason I might add, but the Nitters are the worst. I do hope the Cuse kicks your ass however in the Pinstripe. I did miss that Brawl this year. It was unfortunate that Luck was a chicken shit.

Comment by TX Panther 12.04.12 @ 10:55 pm

Nothing we can do here folks. If his heart is in Wisconsin then he is gone. No money will keep him. Nothing.
If he is who people say he is (a man of conviction of loyalty) then he stays.

If he stays he instantly shoots up as the most beloved PITT guy by all of us for passing on what appears to be his dream destination.

PITT should offer a longer contract with more money out of courtesy alone. Not because it will change his decision, one way or the other, but because it re-affirms PITT’s commitment to him

Damn BBVA Bowl jinx!!! Three visit and three coaching uncertainty. Damn I hate Birmingham.

HTP

Comment by PITT FAN in ATLANTA 12.04.12 @ 10:57 pm

Been browsing the Badgers Facebook and there’s little mention of Cryst. Many there want AD Barry Alvarez to take the reins for the Rose Bowl and beyond.

Comment by Mtoolmn 12.04.12 @ 11:29 pm

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