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March 27, 2013

Sudden Attrition

Filed under: Football,Recruiting,Transfer — Chas @ 9:44 pm

You know, a day ago when I said this: “One thing to watch after the spring practices — and the semester ends. Some more attrition. In Chryst’s first year there were some transfers slowly trickling out. But, it should not be a huge surprise to see a few more after the spring…

I didn’t think that it would start immediately.

Defensive tackle Terrell Jackson of Columbus, Ohio, who was redshirted last year during his freshman season, intends to transfer and has been granted his release by the university.

Ugh.

Look, the sky isn’t falling. This is not the deathblow for Pitt football. Paul Chryst is neither purging the roster of malcontents, nor is he imperiously and foolishly driving off good players.

This is normal when coaching changes take place. It’s a little odd since so much attrition seems to be coming from the 2012 recruiting class. The same class that held together after Fraud Graham fled. But this is what happens. Players decide the system, the coaches, the personalities. They just don’t match with them.

At the same time, this is not nothing. Pitt is losing three very good players who were expected to help this team this year and for at least a couple more years.

Rushel Shell is a stud running back. A lot of the offense was being planned with him in the backfield. It isn’t simply plugging in the next guy, no matter what Chryst’s track record at Wisconsin may want you to believe. Shell was a tailback who everyone wanted, and plenty will try to woo him now.

Deaysean Rippy should have been in the mix at linebacker and expected to make an impact. The talent level at linebacker is a big question mark now.

Now Terrell Jackson. Expected to be a solid contributor at nose tackle. Not necessarily a starter, but in the rotation.

Depth is a concern at each of those spots. It’s more pressure on the players still there, and the coaches to find recruits that can take the spot in the future.

And as a reminder to those who can’t control your emotions online. Stay off twitter. No one thinks much of the alleged grown-up person that blasts crap at a college kid because he is transferring. It’s a bad look and other recruits notice the behavior.





this does not look good these are not just some players these are high rated players that we need
i dont like it.
if there are any more like this you must wonder
what the hell is really going on.

Comment by FRANKCAN 03.27.13 @ 10:02 pm

Your blog post suggests that Shell is gone … is that true? I thought they were still talking.

Comment by Imma Man! Im 40! 03.27.13 @ 10:32 pm

What happend to rippy? I missed that. If chryst thinks he can win without elites by running them off, he is delusional. Now there are both sides but this does look bad when very good players transfer. Elite recruits take notice. I really don’t think he knows how to land a 5 star unless it was gift wrapped like Dorian.

Comment by TX Panther 03.28.13 @ 6:20 am

And to think Pitt missed out on some good running back recruits because they didn’t want to play behind Shell…one of several reasons but still a reason. I still expect at least 7 wins this season if chryst is such a great teacher. Anything less, Pitt swung and missed on coach selection again. Yes stability is a good thing, but I want to win and sooner rather than later. Pitt has lost the ‘it.’. It needs to find IT!

Comment by TX Panther 03.28.13 @ 6:25 am

Rippy is allegedly going to WVU, although like Shell, nothing is positive as yet (to my understanding.)

As Chas indicated, there is no need to rip on these guys, we were lucky to get Johnson, Holtz and boud …. but why do these pending transfers it have to be in positions in need?

Comment by wbb 03.28.13 @ 6:27 am

correction — we were lucky to get Johnson, Holtz and ‘Boyd’

Comment by wbb 03.28.13 @ 6:28 am

Things don’t work out. Then I ask why. Some may be on the coach. If so, that may not be good. I would like to know both sides. Just red flags to me when 4 stars all together say see ya. Not rippin players. Not surprised by Shell since he has a track record. There were red flags with him during recruiting. Best of luck to what he decides to do. Pitt will survive and thrive. Other players will need to step up. Opens door to a stud recruit like Shai.

Comment by TX Panther 03.28.13 @ 6:53 am

TX Panther, 7 wins is going to be pretty tough seeing as they only got to 6 wins last year with a much worse schedule last year and better RBs.

Is it more than just a coincidence that the same guy who hired one of his guys as DC even though he was unqualified appears to be now running off guys he didn’t choose to recruit?

Also, regardless of what you think of Shell he was a top talent, Chryst’s job was to sell Shell on the program and have him buy into it. If Shell leave, Chryst failed at that. Chryst is going to have to learn to do that because there are plenty of top talents that can be difficult to deal with.

Finally, I think Shell leaving will certainly have some impact on the 2014 class because I’m sure these guys talk to each other.

Comment by Wardapalooza 03.28.13 @ 7:03 am

I read yesterday that 3 or 4 players are leaving Notre Dame. This stuff happens everywhere. Just move forward.

Comment by JLE 03.28.13 @ 7:09 am

Easy to blame the coach. Shell is 18, has children, going
to college, and playing big time football. That is alot
to manage. It is his right to transfer. Imagine being told by
numerous coaches that you are a super star then get to
school and realize you have much to learn and work harder than you ever have.
The demands
from any college coach wil be similar to the demands Shell is facing at Pitt. Pitt and Shell will move on no matter his decision.

Comment by JR 03.28.13 @ 7:21 am

The transition from high school to college is very difficult to many. When you add football, which is tantamount to a full time job, it can overwhelming.

Superstars are idolized in high school and in their communities, they are a source of great pride in many. They are catered to and are given many breaks by the system. Their missteps are forgiven. They become used to getting their own way.

Even though universities give their student-athletes many advantages, special housing, special meals, tutoring, knowing which professors are easy A’s, there still is a great deal of work and discipline is required, it is not easy for most, overwhelming for many and impossible for a few.

Coaches sell kids on how great it will be, paint the best picture. Most kids adjust to the reality that faces them. A lot of hard work and pain for a few moments of glory on Saturday.

It must be different for the high school superstar who sees college as a stepping stone to the big money. Really does not care about education, college is a means to an end. Concerned about injury and just looking for a good time.

I’m not pointing fingers at any individual, everyone has their own reason for thinking the grass is greener or stewing over their own personal grievances.

As Pitt fans, it seems that, the hits just keep coming, the drama never ends. It’s kind of our thing.

Comment by gc 03.28.13 @ 7:25 am

Last comment. WVU has hired the Tony Gibson (a cheat). So recruiting in Western, Pa. Will be more difficult for Pitt. Particularly with borderline academic types.

Comment by JR 03.28.13 @ 7:25 am

@ Chas, Your last thought about others taking notice of behavior, I’ve had a night to sleep on this and Shell’s transfer issue continues to MAKE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE to me. This decision falls 100% on Rushel Shell, IMO.

It is apparent to me that Coach Chryst is an uncomplicated individual. He has demonstrated already that he is committed to his current Pitt contract when the Wisky HC job opened up, (even though he was never considered for the position seriously). He has very clearly layed out for all to see what his expectations are for his players. He doesn’t have an ego or other various agenda’s that could conflict with the program’s main goal of getting competitive in the ACC and I feel that he has the best interests of his players and the University as primary priorities.

Now on to Mr. Shell. So here we have a player with huge upside potential in the position to knock it out of the park this season. His team is depending on him, big time, while they move to a new conference that produced a primo schedule to highlight his talents for the coming season. Exciting right? So in response to all of these advantages and obligations that are squarely in Mr. Shell’s lap, his response to that is “I want out?!?!?! I don’t understand that in the least and no matter of explaining to me that he has issues that warrants such a desire to tranfer, it just does not past mustard.

So back to your last comment. People DO TAKE NOTICE OF BEHAVIOR and I can pretty much imagine that the behavior of Rushel Shell has been noticed by other team members and has been found to unacceptable to Coach Paul Chryst. If so, then what has resulted is a stand off between the HC and the team’s star player. In such a case there is only one logical result that can produce any good for the organization in the long run. Either Mr. Shell needs to wake up and get with the program or else he needs to leave. That option is HIS DECISION. No one is forcing his hand, in fact I’m sure the Coach Chryst is pissed off that he has been put in such a situation in the first place, BY SHELL’S ACTIONS (or inactions).

Others WILL take notice. Chryst will not let the inmates run the asylum. Change your attitude Shell or here are your transfer papers. In the long run it is the best thing for this team. And that is the most important thing, what is best for the team. And believe me that the other players will take notice, and that is a good thing!!!

Comment by Dr. Tom 03.28.13 @ 7:36 am

Here here Dr Tom!

Comment by Atlanta Panther 03.28.13 @ 7:46 am

Many transfer cases seem to be due to perceived lack of PT (Getsy, Flacco, Savage, etc not to mention a couple of recent ex-Pitt basketballers) .. but that is not the case here. Shell is the designated No. 1 RB in an offense that is run-first playing for a coach who is known to produce quality RBs.

While it would appear that Shell’s alleged diva attitude comes into play here, there is not much we can do by bellyaching .. and just wish him well on his new venture (even if we really don’t mean it.)

Comment by wbb 03.28.13 @ 7:55 am

Right on fellas, probably the case with the other two as well. The one truth is the bad apple will spoil the whole bushel.

Comment by gc 03.28.13 @ 8:01 am

“Chryst’s job was to sell Shell on the program and have him buy into it. If Shell leave, Chryst failed at that.”

I do not buy this. How many times have you been sold on something that you don’t believe in? Yes, Chryst should make the effort to sell his program. But he can’t force Shell to buy into it. That is an unrealistic expectation. It’s like expecting Chryst to land every recruit he talks to.

The thing I don’t get in all this is does Shell really believe that coaches at other schools are not going to expect hard work too? Because it seems like that s what ths is really about. Chryst is hardly unique on that score. In fact, I would call it the norm.

Comment by JCE 03.28.13 @ 8:11 am

Crockett & Bennett look good to me 🙂

Comment by Tony In Harrisburg 03.28.13 @ 8:32 am

We had Russell Shell last year and no one was all that excited by that seasons result.

Comment by Tony In Harrisburg 03.28.13 @ 8:35 am

This sounds like a forgone conclusion to me that Shell is leaving. Although I did read that Tony Dorsett talked with his mother on the phone so who knows…

Comment by Coach Ditka 03.28.13 @ 8:49 am

well stated Dr. Tom. what gives me heart is that Chryst is not ‘selling’ anything to kids. As he said… they either want to be at Pitt or they don’t. Otherwise the type of player he is recruiting and that he knows is a winner will be disgusted and disheartened to be on a team where star players dog it in practice they are spoiled and pampered.

And Rippy going to WVU… well I guess Gibson is that type of ‘slick’ sales guy… if someone chooses to go to a team with an HC that loses it all the time, coaches that tell you what you want to hear, and traveling 900+ miles to dust bowls to play teams that will rack up 40+ points on you every game… gee, you better enjoy coach burning…

… my point is these kids are showing who they are by their choices, and we should wish them the best and they are kids. They are just not Pitt Football players. An that is OK.

Finally, wow, really seeing how poisoned that locker room must have been for 2+ years… Chryst really is doing a lot of ‘hard’ work to get the foundation set for this team… not fun stuff to do but essential to having a hardnosed team.

Comment by Pittscript 03.28.13 @ 8:49 am

We had the best running back in the country (McCoy) and still failed to win 9 games. One player does not make a team, especially a football team. Stings personally as we all feel like we have been built up and let down, but HCPC will fill in the puzzle pieces.

Comment by Quvenzhané Wallis 03.28.13 @ 8:53 am

actually, in McCoy’s last year (2008) we did win 9 games

Comment by wbb 03.28.13 @ 9:05 am

Dr. Tom is right. Shell has everything lined up for stardom if he really is as good as he thinks. Why not work hard to play a showcase game against FSU and show you’re one of the best backs in the country?

Comment by Pittastic 03.28.13 @ 9:24 am

There is a distinct possibilty that one or all of these kids are facing academic or other suspensions come the fall.
Jackson and Rippy are depth, nothing else. If they were that spectacular they would have seen significant playing time as freshman like Shell did.
In Shell’s case, he is obviously not buying into expectations, which will not be any different at another school, he needs to man up.

Comment by notrocketscience 03.28.13 @ 9:40 am

I’d believe the whole Chryst making a statement idea, if he kicked Shell off the team. But Chryst isn’t. Shell, if he leaves, is doing it because he wants to and not because he isn’t welcome at Pitt.

By the way, I think it is wrong to assume that Shell transfering is a bad thing for him. Think about it, Shell transfers, sits out a year and then has a good year at say USC. His stock will definitely be hire with only say about 300 some career carriers as opposed to his stock if he has two 1,000 yard seasons at Pitt with a total of 600 some carries.

Comment by Wardapalooza 03.28.13 @ 9:42 am

*er higher not hire

Comment by Wardapalooza 03.28.13 @ 9:44 am

“it’s a tough thing, managing school, football and a girlfriend and kids”.

Hmmm, well, where ever he transfers……he’ll still be managing school, football and a girlfriend and kids.

Unless I’m missing something.

Comment by Dan 03.28.13 @ 9:49 am

Elite recruits transfer all the time. Google what’s going on at ND. It becomes far more dramatic at Pitt,because of the few elite recruits we have.None of us know what is actually going on and I think its unfair to indict PC at this point.

Comment by shaef 03.28.13 @ 9:49 am

@ JCE, I don’t think that we have waste time discussing what Coach Chryst’s job is, in my mind, the more important question to answer is, “what is Rushel Shell’s job? And furthermore, figure out why he apparently has decided to shirk that responsibility.

Comment by Dr. Tom 03.28.13 @ 10:06 am

Dr. Tom, once again, great post. From Shell’s perspective, I can’t see any advantages to transferring, I really can’t.

Whether this is a long term positive or negative depends who’s side the rest of the team is on. If the players see Shell as a truculent, lazy, prima donna, Shell’s departure could be a positive; the team pulls together and the groundwork is laid for this to be Paul Chryst’s program. If they see Chryst as being unreasonable and not trustworthy, the team falls apart and recruits stay away.

I have questioned Chryst’s decision making but I don’t question his motives or agenda. He seems like a pretty straight shooter. IMO, if Shell can’t abide at Pitt, the odds of him finding a better situation and achieving greater success elsewhere seem low.

I think the biggest issue for the team if he leaves is not talent but depth. Only two legit tailbacks? That’s just awful, and a recipe for disaster for 2013.

Comment by Iron Duke 03.28.13 @ 10:16 am

That was more or less what I was driving at. One shouldn’t blame Chryst for Shell leaving. Shell is the one making the decision — whatever his reasons may be.

Comment by JCE 03.28.13 @ 10:16 am

It’s a reach to say this benefits Shell in anyway and it puts off by 1 year when he could have gone pro and been a high round pick (ain’t happening playing 1 more yr college ball and he has to sit out a year).

norocketscience, good point. other things are going on and these kids don’t want to study or something else. I don’t recollect seeing these other two kids in discussions about the 2 deep chart etc., but I may have missed it.

I read somewhere linking this back to Street’s recent statements a few days ago about people on the team not being intense and caring…

… this is about the team overall and Chryst getting everyone to realize no special privileges for anyone… otherwise he loses the other kids on the team busting their butts and watch stars slack off…

… hey, now I understand why this team lost games it should not have and played so ‘off’ at times… this locker room was a real mess and it has to be cleaned up.

Comment by Pittscript 03.28.13 @ 10:32 am

seems like rushel is having a pat bostick moment:

Statement from Pitt Head Football Coach Paul Chryst on Rushel Shell:

“Like many college freshmen, Rushel is working through some challenges right now. As it is for all members of our team, my most important concern is his personal well-being. Rushel and his family have our full support. We are giving him time away from football to work through this situation but he very much remains a part of our family on a daily basis. We want to be sensitive and respectful of Rushel, and I would ask others to do the same.”

—PITT—

Comment by scott 03.28.13 @ 10:56 am

Look likes he bending over backwards to accomodate Shell …. just hope Shell responds in kind

Comment by wbb 03.28.13 @ 11:06 am

Dr. Tom, Pittscript and scott have got it right. It is not about Chryst, coaches, other players or the program. The whole scenario is about RS. He was pampered in HS, thinks to highly of himself and does not want to put in the work to make himself and the TEAM better.

The team/program comes first before individual players. This is the crux of the situation. This situation started with RS and can only be resolved with him making a choice. He either humbles himself and gets with the program or he sits out a year, goes to another school and has to work hard anyways.

No hate towards him irrespective of his age. He is the captain of his ship and said ship will sink accordingly with his decisions and not vice versa…

Comment by Kenny 03.28.13 @ 11:33 am

More like – I gave him a rope.. let’s see what he does with it!

Comment by CompLit 03.28.13 @ 11:38 am

I don’t agree that its a coach’s job to “sell” his current players on the program. I agree PC may need to improve in this area on the recruiting front, however once the player is on the team, its the coach’s job as the leader to establish the system, set the ground rules, teach and help each player maximize the talent and potential he has, and determine the consequences for failure to give 100% in following all of the above.
If the HC has to sell his players, its almost inevitable that the message to the team will be scattered and incomprehensible to the team leading to mixed messages, problems in the locker room and a coach who gives his leadership responsibility over to 18 to 22 year old kids. A formula for failure.
The greatest players will be those which derive their motivation from the organs in their own body, their brains and heart. We need more Bisnowatneys and Streets and fewer players who wish to operate on their terms and not the terms laid down by the HC and followed by the rest of the team.
This doesn’t mean that the HC can be callous or ingnorant of the individual needs of each player and pat those on the back that need it and kick those players in the ass who need that. Understanding the personalities and providing the counsel, compassion and leadership to each player based on their personalities is just as important as the rest of the above.
Based on public statements, I think that HCPC is trying to be helpful and supportive to Shell, however he can’t abandon his priimary job and be inconsistent in his message just to satisfy one player, no matter how good the player is.
Hope Shell stays and lives up to his 5-star potential, but not at the cost of losing the respect of the rest of the team.

Comment by Taxing Matters 03.28.13 @ 11:40 am

@ Taxing Matters, what you said!

Comment by Dr. Tom 03.28.13 @ 11:55 am

I guess my question is, why now? he made it through his freshman year which is the toughest.

I think he is getting bad advice from somewhere.

Others have said, everything is set up for him to have a great season, a great college and potential pro career. Let’s hope he makes the right choice and has great success. I hope it’s at Pitt.

Comment by gc 03.28.13 @ 12:06 pm

I’m a sucker for happy endings, and I’m not referring to my routinely necessary deep tissue massages.

I my dreams, I envision Shell coming to his senses, thanking Coach Chryst for laying down the law for him and implimenting the structure in his routine to maximze his football potential. Rushel gets welcomed back into the Pitt football family as the prodical Son. He then goes forward into fall camp with a new found intensity and conviction that serves as an example for the rest of the team to emulate.

The energy in fall camp results in such team synergy that we go out on Labor day night and lay the lumber on the unsuspecting Seminoles as Rushel Shell runs for 200+ yds and a Pitt victory.

Pitt deserves a break like this after the last few years that we’ve had to endure, don’t you think? I believe!

But then again, I’m also going to be up before dawn this Easter morning in my attempt to see where the Easter Bunny hides my basket this year too.

Comment by Dr. Tom 03.28.13 @ 12:06 pm

@ Taxing, not to steal from Rev. George, but Amen, Brother!

I hope young Mr. Shell uses “the rope” that HCPC gave him to pull himself out of the ditch he has created.

Comment by CompLit 03.28.13 @ 12:07 pm

I take that back, he still is a freshman.

Comment by gc 03.28.13 @ 12:07 pm

interesting interviews here at this link (video of the spring practices pretty cool).

link to pittsburghpanthers.com

at 11 minutes Chryst is talking about Shell so you see he is supportive and last comment interesting…

next in that tape is an interview with Poteat shows how Chryst is putting together a unique coaching staff.

and to this RS story here…

finally, overview of Aron Donalds…. all about how hard working he is and how focused to be the best he is… and this is the main point on this RS story…

Chryst has a responsibility to kids like this who are all in to make sure everyone on the team puts in 100% up to their ability. Otherwise he is letting these guys down (and us because our team will disappoint on the field).

Comment by Pittscript 03.28.13 @ 12:52 pm

Anyone know when they will release more info on the spring game? I’m trying to find out if the players clinic is going to happen along with staff Q & A.

Comment by Why me 03.28.13 @ 1:12 pm

Doc, you’ve been a Pitt fan long enough to know that those things don’t happen around here! Nice thought though.

Comment by JJ 03.28.13 @ 1:26 pm

If Shell wants to continue to be lazy and doesn’t want to put the effort in, let him leave. If he can’t handle a coach getting on him about being lazy, there are some real emotional and personality issues there. He might not be right for Pitt. Not our loss.

Comment by Get the Glory 03.28.13 @ 1:48 pm

I would caution all of us not to draw false conclusions on either side. There is a lot we do not know. I trust in Chryst and hope this works out best for all sides.

Can we all think back to our freshman and sophmore years and the burdens each of us carried (many unwarrented)?

Comment by Dan 72 03.28.13 @ 2:20 pm

Thanks for the sanity Dr. Tom and others–I’m back to thinking that the sun will come up tomorrow and the sky won’t fall………..at least not right now.

Comment by OPFIM 03.28.13 @ 9:33 pm

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