Reasoned, rational analysis probably won’t happen for at least a week or so. Maybe sometime after the Fiesta Bowl I’ll take some time to really look at what Wannstedt brings to Pitt in terms of coaching, recruiting, raising the school’s profile, and dumb moustache jokes. Right now, I’m just enjoying the giddyness.
Wanny and the school didn’t let me down. Dave showed up during the game — nearly halfway through the 1st half (about 11 minutes left) until about the 7 minute mark. Nearly 10 minutes of real time. During the interview, they cut to a shot of Elmore, Wannstedt and Picozzi, with Pitt students in the background. You could hear chants of “Wann-stedt! Wann-stedt!” He just had to be loving it. Wannstedt actually said that Coach Harris did do a great job at Pitt. Seemed a little conflicted about the Pete. He commented that it was his first time in it, but he did used to play here since it was built on what was Pitt Stadium.
His hiring made the sports pundit shows on ESPN. Overwhelming response was that he would do quite well in the job. We all hope so.
Here are some of the stories: the New York Times piece isn’t that good. Great quote from Wannstedt in this piece from Florida:
“I plan on this being my last coaching job,” Wannstedt said at his introductory news conference. “I’ve been removed from college football for 15 years, but I promise you there hasn’t been a Saturday where I was removed from the University of Pittsburgh when I did not check a score or watch on TV or call a friend to see who won the game.”
…
“The toughest thing is not going to be recruiting,” Wannstedt said. “With free agency in the NFL, you are recruiting. The challenge is going to be assembling a coaching staff.“That needs to be done at a relatively fast pace.”
Apparently some of the present Pitt coaching staff will be at least attempted to be kept. This includes defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads. Paul Rhoads will at least listen.
Wannstedt met with many people today, including Walt Harris, Bill Cowher and Dan Rooney
Wannstedt met with Harris for a half-hour and also had an extended session with Harris’ assistant coaches that delayed his introductory news conference by 40 minutes. He also had a surprise visit from Steelers owner Dan Rooney and coach Bill Cowher, and Wannstedt and Cowher agreed their staffs should occasionally get together and exchange ideas.
There was some irony there – Wannstedt and Cowher were the finalists for the Steelers’ job in 1992.
“Now, I’m in the same building,” Wannstedt said of the practice complex the Steelers and Pitt share.
Wannstedt plans to keep some of Harris’ staff and wants to retain Rhoads, though the two must talk to see if their defensive philosophies are alike. Wannstedt said his top priority will be hiring an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since his background is in defense.
Wannstedt also promised not to tinker with productive sophomore quarterback Tyler Palko’s game.
“I went through six quarterbacks in six years with the Bears,” Wannstedt said, looking at Palko sitting a few feet away. “I’ve had all the QB issues I need. I want to talk offensive line.”
Glad he is recognizing his limits.
Palko was already playing the good soldier. The kid comes off as so mature. I’m impressed. You know how much he wanted to have Harris stay, yet there he was putting on the positive face backing the new coach. Impressive.
Local columnists seemed to have been caught up in his energy, at least for today.
This is why, if you’re Pitt, you hire a Pitt guy.
A guy who speaks with passion, as well as with more than a hint of a western Pennsylvania accent.
A guy who speaks of running the ball, of playing defense, of winning the national championship.
Dave Wannstedt mentioned that about six times in his first five minutes at the podium as the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh.
Displayed to the left of the podium was a blown-up photo of Wannstedt as Pitt’s 1973 captain. It said “Pitt” on the wall of old Pitt Stadium in the background.
It still said “Pittsburgh” on the placard in front of the podium, but that’s another problem for another day.
The football problem is solved.
Wannstedt blew in like a breath of fresh air on Thursday afternoon. He started talking before he even entered the meeting room of the Panthers’ South Side lair, acknowledging photographers — “Hi, how ya doin’?” — that were clicking off pictures in the hallway as if a new pope had been anointed rather than a new coach.
I also appreciated the dig at “Pittsburgh” rather than “Pitt.”
Even the usually cynical and mostly sarcastic Gene Collier seemed to have been taken in by Wanny.
The fact is, Wannstedt remains a tremendously impressive presence, and that will be easily evident even to the most self-absorbed 18-year-old. He can flash the Super Bowl ring he won as a Dallas assistant, when his defense forced nine turnovers in a 52-17 blasting of the Buffalo Bills. Or maybe the national championship ring he won at the University of Miami, where the 1987 Hurricanes went 12-0.
If that fails, he can be himself, the regular Pittsburgh nice guy coach Majors so easily remembered yesterday.
“I remember when he’d get back to town, we’d meet with his buddies over at the firehouse in Baldwin,” Majors said. “He’s a very loyal guy. He’d have his high school coach there, former teammates, myself, Steve Petro, Alex Kramer. We’d have some snacks, you know?”
Yeah, I know. They’d talk Pitt football, and it was fun. Wannstedt said he was adamant about making it consistently fun again, and he was very believable.
More in the morning. I need some sleep. It’s been a long day.
