Scott McKillop is done with professional football. Now it is time to give coaching a go.
After he was released this year by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, he decided to pursue a career in coaching. He said his familiarity with the Pitt program led him there.
“It’s definitely something I am looking forward to doing,” said McKillop, a graduate of Kiski Area. “I have to get my feet wet and prove I can do it and work my way up.”
McKillop was an All-America linebacker and Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
Due to NCAA restrictions, he won’t be permitted to instruct players on the field, but he will help in other areas.
“He can be a life coach,” Chryst said. “Here’s a guy who walked it and did a good job doing it.”
McKillop is taking a volunteer coaching position. He can help with breaking down film and work off-the-field with players. As McKillop says, it is the starting point.
For Pitt and Coach Chryst, this is very good. Having one of Pitt’s best players from the last decade around the players and program is the sort of thing they should want. Between the coaching chaos that had happened and trying to change a lot of things around the program, bringing in a former player it arguably should have been a priority sooner.
McKillop was part of the 2004 recruiting class under Walt Harris. A class known as much for who didn’t sign that year, as for having McKillop and Darrelle Revis among those who did.
The same story also gives an update on injured players
Chryst said senior running back Isaac Bennett is recovering so well from shoulder surgery that trainers must ensure against his premature return to practice.
“Isaac has been pretty good,” Chryst said. “I think (head athletic trainer) Rob (Blanc) was getting nervous because he’s ahead (of the rehabilitation schedule). You don’t want a guy to do too much too soon.”
Bennett, who rushed for 1,175 yards in his first three seasons, sprained his left shoulder during spring drills and had surgery in April.
“He shouldn’t be (ready for the start of training camp), but I think he will be,” Chryst said. “So that means don’t do anything stupid with him. He shouldn’t really be doing much in camp. We’ll see.”
I’ve parsed that last quote a few times. I alternate between annoyance and open laughter at what he did and didn’t say.
James Connor seems to be fine at this point. Adam Bisnowaty may actually be ready for camp. It was a back injury, though, so predicting what will happens right now is not a great idea.
Speaking of James Conner. As the off-season has everyone trying to make or find some content. Even NFL.com needs something. So, a list of the “14 toughest players in college.” Conner is number 9.
Conner was a star running back and defensive end in high school in Erie, Pa., and most schools recruited him as a defensive end. Pitt liked him as a running back, though, and while sharing time at tailback as a true freshman last season, he rushed for a team-high 799 yards and eight TDs. He doesn’t have much burst, but he is a punishing inside runner (five of his TD runs covered three or fewer yards), a throwback of sorts to the 1970s-style back. But Conner didn’t abandon his defensive roots. He saw some time as a pass-rushing defensive end and drew a holding call late in the game to help Pitt subdue Bowling Green in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
To which, Conner found motivation.
No burst? Gotta prove em wrong I guess
— James Conner (@JamesConner_) June 3, 2014
Agree that it’s great to have McKillop involved. I’m noticing that Chryst seems to be bringing in younger Pitt guys – Poteat, McKillop. Something that other coaches maybe didn’t do. Or maybe it just didn’t get publicized. Anyway, I like hearing about it. Good for the program.
This is interesting too – link to espn.go.com
Says a Loy about HCPC that he would make it happen .
Welcome home Scott!
Agree, Dr. Tom – I too wait patiently, for now, based on what happened last June with the deluge of recruits. I am trying to not be distressed that Franklin appears to be doing what he said he would do, beating out Pitt among others for the top PA recruits. PSU has signed 6 of the top 12 in the state. Of course its not like all of those kids would have chosen Pitt, but maybe one or two would have.
Bad enough losing recruiting battles to Ped St. before; losing them to Franklin just makes it more aggravating.
Best of wishes to him and welcome home!
Hail!
Aside from an offer from Pitt, he had offers from Arkansas and Indiana, amongst some lesser-named schools.
247: 3 stars
Rivals: 2 stars
ESPN: No grade
Dr. Tom and Iron Duke, I too sit patiently/nervously waiting for the verbals to start coming in. Last year the flood of recruits started on June 14th when safety Jalen Williams committed. So it’s not time to panic…yet. I will say if the number of verbals by the end of July does not increase from 3 to at least 12-15, it may be time to panic.
Also on the sitting waiting patiently front, any news on a replacement for Slice?
Hail to Pitt!!
Chris Peak Twitter:
Just confirmed with Florida CB Malik Henderson that he committed to #Pitt. Plans to visit Pitt on June 20.
Thanks for the info on Henderson. While not a stud recruit as far as rankings go, awesome to see us land a kid from Florida.
This class needs defensive help and a stud QB, so aside from being from Florida, also good it is on the defensive side of the ball.
Anyone know who his primary recruiter was? I think almost all of us agree that we desperately need to make recruiting inroads in the south and Florida especially….
It was Inoke.
I think Douglas can be our man in Florida. His familiarity with that area was one of the reasons I loved the hire.
Inoke Brecterfeld has helped land us a few nice recruits and when you coach a position that boasted one of the best players in the counry, you must be doing something right.
Here’s hoping this signing gets the ball rolling on the verbals. This is a very important year for this program on the field and in recruiting. If they don’t extend coach Chryst before the season starts, they have to make a decision on him after this year. I just don’t know if this program can absorb another coaching change.
I am cautiously optimistic things are heading in the right direction. A few nice verbals and an 8 win season would go a long way in validating that good times are on the horizon.
Hail to Pitt!!
Bubba went to Ole Miss on a football scholarship. He was a terrific player, home grown, but a poor student.
With graduation day approaching, Bubba didn’t have enough credits. But he was a great football star and the students held a rally, demanding the dean give him a diploma anyway. They were so insistent that the dean agreed, on one condition. If Bubba could answer a single question correctly, he would get his diploma.
The one-question test was held in the auditorium, and students packed the place until there was standing room only. The dean was on the stage and told Bubba to come up. The dean held a diploma in his hand and said, “Bubba, if you can answer this question correctly, I’ll give you your diploma.”
Bubba said he was ready and the dean asked him the question. “Bubba,” he said, “How much is three times seven?”
Bubba looked up at the ceiling and then down at his shoes, pondering the question. He fidgeted, shifted from foot to foot, and started to sweat.
The students began chanting, “Graduate him anyway! Graduate him anyway!”
Then Bubba held up his hand and the crowd went silent. Bubba cleared his throat and said, “I think I know the answer. Three times seven is twenty-one.”
A hush fell over the auditorium.
Then the students began another chant. “Give him another chance!”
“Give him another Chance!”
Go Rangers!
H2P!!!
@Jeff, you’re kidding, right?
Rangers in five.
I do suspect, howevere, that the program will be a bit better with stability …. like 7 to 9 win seasons
Ummmm…maybe you mean “to the entire student body” Mr proud PedState alum!! Ha ha ha…joke’s on you…priceless.
Nice pub for Conner, if he stays healthy he is going to have a big year. Rotherham and Clemmings going to open some nice holes for him.