[Editor note: I started drafting this post earlier today. Kept getting interrupted by the apparent movement on Graham, and offline business. This post may be stale by the time it is posted.]

I don’t know about anyone else, but yesterday was a very good day. Not simply because Pitt won both football and basketball games. It was because for the first time in over a week, it was all about the games. It was watching the play. Commenting restricted to what was going on, on the field and court. The only discussion of coaches I was having were the decisions and play calling.

No heaviness. No attempting to parse non-denials. No reading into tidbits of information. Just the games themselves. It was almost like taking a day off.

Ah, well, it was nice while it lasted.

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Paul Zeise is in transit from Birmingham, but he offers a rather vague update.

There was quite a stir about an 8 p.m. (9 p.m. our time) team meeting tonight with Todd Graham and his players at Tulsa but I wouldn’t read too much into it as it is a meeting that has been scheduled for weeks and  Graham has this meeting every year on the eve of the first day of classes.

But I think the good news about the meeting is we’ll know something more about his future plans by that point in the night or shortly thereafter as I would assume he would not meet with his players without being able to answer questions about whether he is going or staying.

That assumes a coach tells his players the truth. Something I refuse to believe anymore. But yeah, after the meeting there will be leaks. There will be information. Unreliable and untrustworthy as it may be.

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We will call this the Bob Smizik edition.

I realize the guy is semi-sort of retired so doing things like paying attention for more than hour can be challenging.  Still, never let that get in the way of a good scolding.

There is a report going around, which appeared on this blog and other places, that states if Tom Bradley gets the Pitt head coaching job, Teryl Austin will be his defensive coordinator.

That is incorrect.

…

Not sure where this got started — and it wasn’t with Bradley — but it’s incorrect and makes little sense.

Where indeed what a good question? Let me offer a qualified “kudos” to Bob for admitting the claim showed up on his own blog post. That said if you are that eager to get to the bottom of it, Why don’t you ask your “good authority” from three days ago?

Already people are excited about the staff he’ll bring with him and I have on good authority his defensive coordinator will be Teryl Austin, a highly regarded coach who started at cornerback for Pitt in the 1980s. Austin was defensive coordinator at Florida last year. He has an excellent resume, both in college and the NFL, and is an outstanding recruiter. He has long wanted to get back to Pitt and was hoping for a job on Dave Wannstedt’s original staff.

[Emphasis added.]

That’s not claiming to have heard rumors or reports. That is claiming a rather direct source you trust. Don’t turn around and scold others for making the mistake of trusting you still had sources of some reliability.

Last night was crazy with the Bradley to Pitt reports, retractions, repeat sequences. If you follow me on twitter, you know it was even more absurd with Chris Gates, Bryan of Pitt Script, Chris Peak of PantherLair and assorted others.

Not sure if it will bet that bad tonight, but it sure is shaping up that way.

Hearing Todd Graham talks with Pitt are heating up dramatically. If he gets the job, Steve Kragthorpe could be candidate to return to Tulsa.

That’s from Austin American-Statesman sports columnist Kirk Bohls.

And as to why Tom Bradley seems to have fallen back to the pack.

Word is Pitt and Bradley fell off over money for assistants. Wouldn’t be surprised to see talks pick back up though.

Which seems somewhat odd since Graham’s price tag is supposedly higher, that there would be yet another instance of Pitt nickel-and-diming on assistants.

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Nate Stupar has claimed that he was relayed the information from Jason Aversano

Which really makes me wonder if he is just going off of what other people are saying. I mean come on, a telecom major at Penn State is not going to be getting this information any better than we are.

As for the removal of the post, I can’t really see any way he had no inside information on this. The original report from WTAE mentioned no text messages sent at all, meaning that he would have had to made those up completely out of the blue for the post to be just a follow up of WTAE. I don’t think somebody who has been covering Penn State sports for 20 years is going to go off on his own and make up text messages.

In other news, Pitt’s 79 points given up to Providence is the most Pitt has given up in Regulation since an 89-76 loss to Notre Dame on January 30th of 2002.

At least, that appears to be the the indications. Forget the jump-the-gun news report. Or Pitt’s denial.

The best indication is that modern communication medium of text message (hat tip to Pitt Script).

Two Penn State players said Wednesday night they have been text-messaged by Tom Bradley that he has been offered the Pittsburgh Panthers head coaching job and that he intends to accept it once details are worked out, according to a PSU team source.

To one player, Bradley texted: “Love you kids. Going to miss you. Wish I could take you with me. Anything I can do for you, let me know.”

So there you go.

What does it all mean? Well, for starters I can close a bunch of browser tabs and trash the post I had been working on with some of the other candidates.

After that, I’m not sure.

I think a lot depends on the assistants he hires. I am hoping that it isn’t too late to keep Greg Gattuso and David Walker from Wannstedt’s staff. Both are well worth keeping. After that, well the Teryl Austin as DC rumor sounds good. The OC, though, is the biggie.

Oh, and one other thing I am certain. AD Steve Pederson has been neutered.

UPDATE (10:20): Aw, hell. Now David Jones is retracting the whole texting story. Might be a long night.

UPDATE (11:36): Last update. This tweet from Penn State Linebacker Nate Stupar (at least until it is retracted) might be a clue.

Tom Bradley got Pitt job. Congrats!

Oh, and the Pitt News has more reasons why Pederson’s days are numbered. The donors are revolting.

Both alumni donors, Paul Helsel and football great Bill Fralic, have been in the John Bowman Society since at least 2005, meaning they have donated between $10,000 and $24,999 each year.

Both men also claimed to have heard similar sentiments from a number of other donors —  including one who has reportedly pledged six figures to the University — but declined to share those donors’ names.

“It’s between the other donors and the University,” said Fralic, who played on Pitt’s offensive line in the mid-80s and then for the Atlanta Falcons. “But I know a lot of big financial supporters, and there are a significant number of them that tell me they don’t want anything to do with the program or the athletic department anymore.”

You can be an arrogant ass in many things — as long as you don’t fail. Once you do, it becomes payback and you find out how few people will support you. Just ask DickRod.

Paul Zeise has a tidbit loaded post after landing in Birmingham.

Let’s hit the highlights for coaching carousel stuff only.

(1) The search is going to expand to include a larger group of candidates – and that includes some candidates who don’t have any head coaching experience. That brings up the obvious name – Penn State’s Tom Bradley – but as of this morning he had yet not been contacted by Pitt. I’m told, however, he will at least get a phone call this time. Incidentally in case you missed it – our own Steelers reporter Ed Bouchette reported that Dan Rooney called Steve Pederson last month to recommend he talk to Bradley and the fact that he didn’t even pick up the phone and give Bradley a call has strained the relationship with Pitt and the Steelers. That is bad news for Pitt as they share facilities with the Steelers and have prided themselves in having a great relationship with the city’s most important sports organization.

(2) Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and several other key members of the University administration will have a bigger hand in the search now and will be involved earlier in the process from helping to identify candidates to being more involved with the early interview process on some level. This isn’t a sign that they have lost total faith in Steve Pederson, it is a sign that they know they have to get it right this time and have no margin for error as this is a make or break decision for a lot of people.

I know there seems to be a big split on Bradley. I’m not against the possibility. Is he my first choice? Probably not. I suppose the one big question is what he would do with the offense? Still, he should at least get an interview this time. Find out what he is prepared to do. What he thinks the plan should be.

Again, more Pederson arrogance. No, Pitt and the Pitt AD shouldn’t be doing whatever the Steelers say. And at least he didn’t directly tell Rooney to ‘eff off. That said, any AD with any intelligence — and once upon a time Pederson had that — is wise to at least give token respect to figures of significant influence on the program, university and/or city. Dan Rooney fits that bill, and Pederson showed none.

Of the five coaches who were “extensively” interviewed the first time only one – Tulsa’s Todd Graham – is still in the mix for a variety of reasons … Graham would be a good choice for Pitt given his background and is said to be very interested in his job. He currently makes $804,000 in base salary and about another $300,000 in bonuses and other compensation so Pitt would likely have to start negotiating at about the same salary range Wannstedt made (he had a base salary of $1.01 million with about $325,000 in bonuses and other compensation) and will likely have to go to about $1.7 or $1.8 million to bring Graham in. It will be interesting to see how this plays out because Pitt is going to have to pay to get a great coach but the tab on coaches, search firms and buyouts is starting to get high.

Graham is my top choice at the moment. There is concern of the Kragthorpe factor since Tulsa is also where Krags was winning before his flame out in Louisville. There is also legitimate concern over how he would recruit in the East.

That said, he won at Rice before going to Tulsa. Think about that: Rice. That was impressive. My sister and brother-in-laws are Rice alums and everyone there was bummed when he left. Graham was also the guy to go get Gus Malzahn after the Arkansas mess, so you know he is willing to be adventurous on the offense.

Graham also strikes me as the best combination of relatively safe hire — that I’m sure Pitt wants right now — and enough “splash” to placate fans.

I know it would seem that Oklahoma State OC Dana Holgersen is one of, if not Pitt’s top target. But when Tom Dienhart is saying it, then I just don’t see it happening. The guy tends to throw stuff out there from any and every agent that contacts him.

Holgersen for his part is claiming not to have been contacted by Pitt, but also issued a non-denial when asked if he would be interested in the job.

“I have not been contacted,” Holgorsen said.

Rumors of discussion between Holgorsen and Pitt began swirling Thursday, but the Cowboys’ first-year coordinator maintains he’s pretty happy in Stillwater.

Asked if he would be interested in the Pitt job if contacted, Holgorsen said, “I’m pretty happy where I am at.”

A report surfaced that Holgorsen was in Pittsburgh interviewing for the job on Thursday. Holgorsen denied that report Thursday night via text message saying, “I’m in Houston, have been all day.”

Holgersen made $360K last year as OK St. OC. He has a new contract that he has not yet returned. And certainly does not seem in any rush to do so.

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This could be interesting. Got this forwarded to me this morning. Seems that Villanova is being up-front with alumni about the possibility of moving to 1-A in football.

Recently, the Big East officially informed us that its football schools were interested in adding Villanova as a football member of the Conference. We currently compete in the Big East in all other varsity sports; however, joining the Conference as a football member would require that the program move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly known as Division I-A. This would represent a significant change for the University and our Athletic Department.

As part of the University’s Strategic Planning process, we have been studying our athletic programs, including assessing possible options for the football program. Given the current situation, the Board of Trustees’ leadership and the President’s Cabinet have decided that the most prudent course of action is to expedite our timeframe and embark upon an in-depth and thorough evaluation of the opportunity presented by the Big East. This is a complicated issue with numerous, multi-dimensional factors that come into play, and it is important that we investigate scenarios related to making – or not making – such a move.

You can look at the actual letter/e-mail sent after the jump. Nova Blog also has the letter.

This means nothing, other than a school getting out in front of the rumors, with surprising openness. For the Big East this is actually attempting to do something.

That sound you hear is frustrated screams coming from Memphis and Orlando over Big East invitations being further delayed (or never happening).

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I’ve barely been home today and yet the tabs seem to have multiplied.

Okay, first off a hat tip to Corey for noting that ESPN.com updated their profile on Malcolm Gilbert. The ESPN.com profile (Insider subs) moved Gilbert up to the #12 center and increased his grade to “94.” Here’s some of the updated profile, and I repeat, that this is almost a blueprint for a Coach Dixon Center project.

Gilbert is a well built center and one of the best interior defenders in the country. He has a great build with a good height, a sturdy frame, wide shoulders, and a long and cut upper body. He is an excellent shot blocker both on and off the ball. …  Gilbert’s defense is far ahead of his offense. He is a bit robotic with his back to the basket as the game can move a little too fast for him at times and in need of a go-to move that he can quickly execute. With a motor that is less than consistent, Gilbert is a good, not great, finisher at the rim.

Gilbert has confidence in his offense, but also admits he needs to improve it.

“Most definitely,” he said. “I have a great touch on my jump shot. I can step out and hit that 10-footer and 15-footer. I’m getting progressively better on the offensive end as far as scoring around the basket. I do think I’ll get progressively better on the offensive end.”

So, it’s in progress.

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Michigan under Rich Rodriguez has struggled with depth and transfers. Especially on defense. It doesn’t look to be getting much better.

Today’s announcement that redshirt freshman cornerback Justin Turner is leaving the Michigan football program shines an intense spotlight on one of U-M’s biggest concerns for this season — secondary depth.

Turner, from Massillon, Ohio, asked for and was granted his scholarship release Tuesday, according to U-M spokesman Dave Ablauf.

The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Turner, the top-ranked recruit in the 2009 state of Ohio class, was expected to compete at either safety or cornerback, depending on his skills or the need.

Turner was a 5-star recruit and he’s looking at his options now that he is free.

…Turner is looking over more than a half dozen offers from Division I colleges since he announced he would leave Michigan. Turner fell out of Rich Rodriguez’s good graces this summer because, reportedly, he missed some summer workouts.

That probably isn’t the end of the story and there is likely a Justin Turner side to this, too. Turner has not spoken publicly about it.

People close to him say Pitt and Cincinnati are the two schools most likely to attract Turner.

Now few programs in their right mind would turn down this kid. There is one red flag, however, relating to Turner.

It sounds like the 11 pounds Turner put on in the offseason were not the good variety, and that he was never in a position where he was physically ready to play because of sheer lack of desire.

Turner ended up redshirting in 2009 because of some delays because of academics.

You hope it was just a clash with Rodriguez and the coaches there. If it is a conditioning issue and Turner isn’t willing to put in the time, then he wastes his own talent. I don’t see how Pitt wouldn’t at least take a shot at him.

It isn’t quite the minimal risk that Josh Marks was (and failed), but it’s worth a scholarship spot for the potential.

As promised, Part 2 of the Big East Expansion Roundtable is available at On the Banks. Go take a read.

Big 11 commish Delany sent e-mails to all of the Big 11 athletic directors to let them know that no offers were made to other schools at this time.

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Offline world today may delay extensive posting for most of the day.

The search for Pitt’s next new assistant to Coach Dixon is mostly quiet. Tony Battle is indeed staying on at Wake Forest, so cross him off the list.

Minor tidbit from the Boston Globe:

…Wake Forest firing Dino Gaudio following a 20-11 season. Gaudio could resurface as an assistant coach on Jamie Dixon’s staff at Pittsburgh, although Pat Duquette, who was on Skinner’s staff at BC, also could emerge as a candidate.

Not sure if that is based on anything other than speculation. Nice to know that  people understand how good a gig and potential career reboot serving on Coach Dixon’s staff can be.

I think it is rather clear that I am a big Coach Jamie Dixon fan and supporter. He is an excellent coach. He runs a clean program that does not even catch a whiff of impropriety. I like the way he handles the Pitt program. I love how it has developed, improved and gotten stronger under him. I love that what Dixon is building is not based and wrapped entirely around him. I also like that he has always been a coach that does not lie to the public.

He does not say things like, “I will never leave Pitt.” Or, “This is my home forever.” In other words, he does not lie about getting contacted and even listening to offers from other programs. Instead, he simply refuses to directly address them. Making it his long-standing approach to refuse to comment on coaching searches.

Would I prefer that Coach Dixon came out and said unequivocally that he would be the coach at Pitt and was not going to Oregon? Yes. Because I would believe him, because when he has said things in the past he has meant them.

The conflict for Coach Dixon is that such unequivocal statements also take diminishes his negotiating position — be it money or years for him, more money for assistants, better money for the program overall, or any other issues. Since Coach Dixon won’t lie about other schools being interested in him, he just won’t comment. From the absurd — DePaul — to the possible — USC — to the big money — Oregon.

Coach Dixon will instead use trusted media sources to pass things along. Andy Katz at ESPN, for example, has proven to be one of the more consistent media folk to get Dixon’s actual view out there. The fact that he has dismissed claims that Dixon would go to Oregon is a good sign.

As AD Pederson said about Dixon,

“For 11 years, I don’t know anybody who has been more loyal or has worked harder or put more of his heart and soul into the University of Pittsburgh than Jamie Dixon has,” Pederson said. “So, every time something like this comes up, I would let their actions speak for them.”

Pederson, of course, also benefits his negotiating position with the statement. While defending and protecting Coach Dixon from questions that he is dodging the question of the Oregon job, he is also reminding Coach Dixon that he has the school’s full support and they too are trusting in him.

This all re-started because Coach Dixon went on the radio — and the radio people did their job — and Coach Dixon did his usual tap dance and sidestep. He did not do it as well as he has or could.

Couple that with The Big Lead speculation that Coach Dixon would take the job. And make no mistake, TBL specifically said, “the guess here” renders that pure speculation. For the record, this morning TBL noted that other media folk have said that Coach Dixon has privately made it known that he turned down Oregon. Gary Parrish at CBS Sports and Jeff Goodman at FoxSports (previously noted here) both have said that.

Mark Madden then cribbed TBL right down to the claim that it would come after the Final Four. [Brief aside, does anyone really believe Mark Madden has “reliable sources” anywhere in college sports? Really? The Pens, sure. Maybe even the Steelers. But at Pitt? In basketball? He barely acknowledges the existence of the sport.] That confluence created the mini-issue

I spent most of the evening watching the NIT and hitting every site and news feed possible to see if there were any updates on the Dixon-Oregon stuff. Nothing. Not even additional baseless speculation.

I’ve decided to be bemused with the insane rumors from the weekend through today.

The funny thing to me is how this spread from some bad message board material and specious, unsourced internet writings. Kept getting picked up and enough people were hearing something to wonder if there was something to it.

Now it gets doused in a bath of logic and reason. Yet if you want to play the game, no one is actually on record of saying anything one way or another — which allows it to fester and keep going.

The biggest refutation on the Big 11 side came from the Chicago Tribune‘s Teddy Greenstein.

Bottom line, a source at the conference reiterated to the Tribune on Monday that the Big Ten will adhere to the timetable it laid out in December: a 12-to-18 month period of analysis. The league will then determine whether it wants to expand and, if so, how many schools it will invite to the party.

Unnamed source, but still no formal statement. But that refutation spread as truth (and for the record I believe it but not because of an unnamed source at the Big 11).

Another popular source was ZagsBlog actually getting a “Pitt spokesman” on the record — something local beat writers couldn’t do.

Internet reports that Pittsburgh is moving to the Big 10 from the Big East are “100 percent’ false, according to multiple sources within the Pittsburgh athletic department.

“There is no announcement to make because there is nothing happening,” said Pitt spokesman Mike Gladysz.

Well, that’s neat except that Mr. Gladysz is not an employee of Pitt’s athletic department. Oh, he works in the area. He is employed by ISP Sports Network as an editor of the Pitt monthly “Panther Eyes.” At least that is what his profile says.

Oh, and that KC Star blog post  that wrote:

Speculation is heating up all over the Internet that Pitt has accepted an offer to join the Big Ten Conference.

Here is what popped up on Bleacherreport.com, normally a pretty reliable outlet, just a few hours ago…

[Emphasis added]

Well, that bit has been scrubbed and now he, uh, updated it to say he was just posting the speculation on the internet. Nothing else. No. Of course not.

And the fun keeps coming.

[UPDATE, 5:30: Adam Zagoria has changed his post to delete the attribution to Mr. Gladysz, without indicating he ever wrote it that way. Good to see that responsible journalism hard at work.

UPDATE, 2/2/10, 9:00 AM: Interesting. Now it is back. to the original way written.]