Spring Game Tailgate

Let’s do a roll call to see who will be attending the Pitt Spring Game on Saturday, April 14th…  I’ll make the drive up and Fran will, I understand, do his great and wondrous tailgate again.

I’ll pin this when the date gets closer but for advance purposes please give us a quick answer and ID yourself if you would in the “Other” choice comments.

POV Golf Outing

Here is some preliminary info: I discussed this with Erie Express (Rick) last week and there is going to be another POV Golf Outing.  However we are not going to hold it in conjunction with the Spring Game this year – we decided we lucked out on the weather last year (and it was perfect for golf) and we don’t want to chance it again.

So we are thinking late May or early June for 2018’s version. With this I am going to call E.J. Borghetti and see if we can’t get a guided tour of Pitt’s Southside Football and Weight Room Facilities in the afternoon of Golf Day.  I can’t promise this will happen – but if I let Pitt know there will be donors in our group it may smooth the path.

We’ll see on that but I think we can make it happen as long as it is organized.

We have not hashed out the details of the Golf Outing as yet so here is another poll asking about your interest in doing this again. Last year we had 24 golfers and it was a truly wonderful day of fun and fellowship.

So – let us know for planning purposes.  If you think you may do it then comment your thoughts in the “Other” box provided.

Spring Drills so Far

Here are some links to wet your Pitt football whistle:

From Zeise of the P-G:

The Panthers really have no other legitimate options — at least experienced ones. Max Browne graduated, and Ben DiNucci transferred, so if Pickett isn’t the real deal, the Panthers could be in for another long season saddled with quarterback woes.

That seems to be a lot of pressure to put on a sophomore, but Pickett has the right demeanor to handle it all. He is confident in his abilities. Coaches seem to be extremely confident in him, and he showed last season some glimpses of just how good he can be.

BTW – I agree 100% with him about the “no other legitimate options” – we are in dire straits if Pickett falters or goes down with an injury.

Brian Batko (who’s becoming a good Pitt beat writer) has this about Pickett also:

“He really grew — fast,” Watson said of Pickett’s ascent from third-stringer to season-finale starter. “It goes back to when I first knew him, just as a guy who football comes easy. He loves it, he loves to study it, he wants to be a really good player, and that’s where it really begins. He‘s willing to work at it. A lot of guys aren’t. A lot of guys say they are, but they don’t. He says he does, and then he does it.”

…and here are Pickett’s offensive teammates so far in camp:

Working with Pickett on the first unit Pitt put out there Monday was Darrin Hall at running back, Chris Clark at tight end and Rafael Araujo-Lopes, Maurice Ffrench and Aaron Mathews at receiver. From left to right, the offensive line consisted of Jerry Drake, Bryce Hargrove, Jimmy Morrissey, Mike Herndon and Alex Bookser.

Over at the Trib Chris Adamski has some bits on Alex bookser – the Old Man of the OL.

But as soon as the topic turned to whether he would embrace a leadership role as a fifth-year senior, Bookser’s face quickly turned serious. The tone of his voice did, too.

“I will be the first one to tell you, I haven’t always done as much as I can for the younger guys,” the fifth-year senior from Mt. Lebanon said. “And maybe haven’t been as mature as I needed to be, but I am really trying to embrace that and transform into a leader.”

Pitt would welcome that. It needs a veteran leader on an offensive line that lost three starters and could potentially start two sophomores, a freshman and a senior who was a defensive lineman 15 months ago.  In the absence of future pros Brian O’Neill and Jaryd Jones-Smith and four-year starter Alex Officer, can Bookser be that guy?

Gee, I don’t know…can he? He sure hasn’t been much of a role model in his first four years on the roster – but people mature. Let’s see what happens out on the field.  But I have to say – any OL with Bookser as the sole returning scholarship starter (Morrissey was a walk-on) is a scary proposition.  It isn’t like he has played lights out so far as a starter although he’s by far the best we have.

Bookser was All-ACC Honorable Mention last season so good for him but this part is nervous making – aside from him the only other Pitt OL player to be ALL-ACC anything was First Teamer Brian O’Neill… so no proven returning starters or two-deep but Bookser and Morrissey who was average at Center last season.

That and the fact that the 16 prospective roster players for the OL two-deep for this year is populated by recruits who average 2.6* (less Bookser) and one do has to wonder…

I know at least one POV reader is high on 3* Jerry Drake out of Florida to be a OL starter this season – here’s some reading for you my friend. He does have an impressive offer list for a 5.5 rated kid.

Seaking of scary – here is another Adamski piece but this time talking about the other side of the ball.

A day prior, Collins talked about his aggressive approach to defense, one that matches his personality. Head coach Pat Narduzzi was asked if that was what he was looking for when he hired Collins to take over the reins of a defensive backfield that ranked near the bottom of the list of Power 5 conference teams each of the past two seasons.

“I think it’s personality and it’s also coaching; you have to have the whole package,” Narduzzi said. “I think Archie can recruit, I think he can relate to the kids and he can teach. So it’s got to be everything. It can’t just be one thing. But he’s got the whole package. I’ve known him before and I’m excited about what I see already.”

Well, hell – if he’s that good why wasn’t he hired three years ago so we fans wouldn’t have had to watch Pitt’s version of the Keystone Cops in our defensive backfield over that time period?

To me this is another FOP (Friend of Pat’s) hire who has yet to prove himself capable of successfully coaching a D1 Power Five defensive unit.  Collins did OK in the MAC conference for the Central Michigan Chippewas but that isn’t much of a yardstick to measure success by is it?

Maybe his resume’ is better than the failure we had with Renaldo Hill who came to Pitt after being a Grad assistant and then the Cornerbacks coach at Wyoming.  Get that – two years experience at Wyoming and Narduzzi hires him to be our Defensive Secondary coach… and then keeps him in place for three years while we field some of the worst Pass Defenses in the NCAA.

Talk about FOP – Hill actually played for Narduzzi at MSU for three years. Job patronage is alive and well on the Southside.  Who says Pitt doesn’t go cheap in all they do?

Back to the OL.  Here is a Trib piece about Dave “Ming” Borbely.

Borbely said he was happy to be back in the proverbial trenches.

“I didn’t really feel like I was gonna let one man define who I was,” Borbely said. “I have been a pretty good line coach for 35 years, and I probably have a lot left. I don’t know if I have 35 more left, but I got a lot of juice left in the tank, so I am ready to roll.”

Borbely takes over a unit that is replacing three starters and one in which he said had eight of its 17 members as freshmen and sophomores.

“I didn’t know that until after I met with them when I got hired,” Borbely said with a smile. “…(Narduzzi) said, ‘We might have forgot to tell you that.’  “But it doesn’t matter. We’ll get them cranking and ready to roll.”

Hey! It’s a new day and a new year and soon a new football season so things are looking up!  Right!

Please tell me things are looking up…right?

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

365 thoughts on “POV Spring Game Tailgate and Bits & Pieces”

    1. Depends on which arm Dan. But I’m afraid your Dr. is blowin smoke you know where.

      Whatever you do, take therapy seriously and don’t rush it.

      Like

    2. No way Dan.
      Had mine 10/25 I can probably golf now but not sure.
      Can not play tennis or anything like that for at least 2 more months.
      Btw my surgery went well and was out is sling in first week.
      Good luck

      Like

    3. I had right shoulder rotator cuff surgery (I’m right handed) 16 months ago, and my current range of motion is about 95%, with no side issues during the 16 months. I was extremely fortunate: the doc who did the surgery is the Penguin’s surgeon. The recovery and rehabilitation progress is done in baby steps, beginning with several physical therapy sessions weekly, and rehab exercises every day you are not going to PT. Repeating for emphasis: every day. You cannot rush the process; if you do, you’ll end up in the OR again. The slow, slow recovery/rehab is frustrating, to be sure, but it is what it is; there is no alternative. Best wishes going forward.

      Like

    4. When I had mine done, I allowed a good 6 months afterwards until I really started stressing it completely. A guy in rehab with me was on his 2nd rehab. After being released from PT he re-tore his shoulder while changing a tire and needed a 2nd surgery to fix. That scared the crap out of me. Be conservative and take it slow!

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    5. I say no way you push it Dan, the type of surgery that needs time and dedicated PT.

      Hey Pete, was it Dr Burke? or maybe Dr Buterbaugh?

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    1. Reed – for both Spring Game and golf outing, I tired to vote twice to reflect a buddy or two that would join me. So, please add an extra head to the figures for each.

      Like

  3. Here is a nice article on historical City League sports from The Pittsburgh City Paper:

    https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pittsburgh-city-schools-have-churned-out-a-lot-of-big-name-talent-in-sports-and-other-endeavors/Content?oid=6765669

    “Taylor Allderdice and Curtis Martin.

    It seems impossible that an NFL Hall of Fame running back who finished in the top five in rushing yards and played in New England and New York goes virtually unrecognized, but that’s Curtis Martin. He may well be the lowest-profile football Hall of Famer in recent history. The former Pitt standout somehow spent his whole career flying under the radar, yet he is one of the best of all time.

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    1. wow, Brown, Turrentine, Benson and Harper from Schenley and Eckstine from Peabody. All the above except Harper would be listed in most Top 15 rankings at their particular instruments .. and Brown would be in the top 3 or 4.

      Not listed is Roy Eldridge who grew up on the North Side but left school in 9th grade, Art Blakey (can’t find his high school) and Billy Strayhorn, a Westinghouse high alum.

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      1. Also, both Erroll Garner and Ahmad Jamal were Westinghouse alums, Mary Lou Williams (grew up in East Liberty), and Fatha Hines (Duquesne)

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  4. Also for the spring game on the 14th some readers and I are talking about getting rooms in the Residence Inn near where we’ll be tailgating so that we can continue partying into the evening and have a little bit more time to visit with each other I’ll keep you guys up to date on that too.

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  6. I’ll be shocked if JJS makes an NFL roster. That guy nearly got Browne killed. As a tackle he was really bad, but maybe the NFL is desperate for OL bodies. Not sure I like the idea of Ford moving to corner. If he is a standout safety, but is only above average at corner, I’m not sure the secondary has gained much. And what does that say about the depth at corner among players already on the roster?

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  7. Going to be golfing at Myrtle Beach during the Spring game, keeping my record of never attending one intact.

    Sad to miss a potential golf outing though.

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    1. The golf outing is late May or early June – not the weekend of the Spring Game.

      Reconsider?

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  8. Smith looked pretty strong as a freshman. Maybe he has recovered from his injury.

    In this defense you need to have shutdown corners. No problem with seeing if Ford is one.

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  9. FYI Reed, looks like I’m the only vote that hit “other” function so far. I did leave a short comment so I don’t know if it registered or you were just making a blanket statement. but I did comment.

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  11. Reed

    Unfortunately, we Pitt fans have to give coached like Collins and Hill a chance. Obviously Narduzzi does not have the budget to go hire the top position coaches and coordinators in the country or he would do so. Yes…he would still hire coaches he was familiar with but they would be higher profile guys.

    If we are going to question any hire it should be Bates.

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  12. —I’m a definite for the spring game – with my son.

    —And I’m a yes for the POV golf outing. Last year’s event was a ton of fun as I got to golf with some big-time POVers in Erie Express, Dan72, and Jay91 (who hits it a long way!).

    Go Pitt.

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  15. Breaking, The Fan is reporting that Thad Matta has apparently turned down Georgia …. (unless he is playing hard to get)

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      1. Not sure but maybe health related — maybe the rumor from Pitt athletics is true

        from ESPN: “It was the most difficult decision because Georgia is a tremendous opportunity for a coach to build a great program,” Matta told ESPN. “Unfortunately, I just don’t feel that I am completely ready at this point to give (Georgia athletics director) Greg McGarity and the University of Georgia what they deserve. It’s truly a special place and he is a tremendous leader I would have loved to work for.”

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  16. Reed – some kind of a tour of Pitt’s facilities for the POVers is a great idea. Would look forward to that if it can be arranged…

    And how about a group sit-down with Heather and Richman sometime??? 🙂

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Heather would probably be game for it Major but Richman would have to agree to it as well. << He may be the tough one to convince since his new found fame. ike

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  17. That comment from Matta seems a bit strange. Any school would want a complete commitment, and it sounds like Matta was hedging a bit. Maybe they want the family to move there and Matta was reluctant. I think it still comes down to his health issues.

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  18. Interesting development regarding Matta. Even though it appears that Georgia didn’t properly vet him, Georgia may have had a greater appetite for risk, they have no basketball history and a guy like Matta may have been able to get them on the map. I never liked Matta for Pitt due to the health concerns, and others were in my boat as well. This puts another competitor into the fray though unfortunately.

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    1. John Feinstein said on the Fan today that his daughter is a senior and he wants to wait a year before coaching.

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  19. Reed – thanks for the Spring FB update – doesn’t feel lyke Spring weather outside in Central PA (snow flurries & cold winds).

    The beat writers are confirming that the QB position is weak except for La Pickett – exactly what Reed has projected.

    I hope all are wrong, but most of all, I hope La Pickett stays healthy and wins lots of games in 2018.

    H2P!

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    1. note that Ziese’s words were …..The Panthers really have no other legitimate options — at least experienced ones.

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  20. We have Patti coming in this summer and he may very well end up being the 2nd best option. But we all know that even if Town stinks it up in the Spring and Summer camps Narduzzi and Watson will utilize him as their back up QB.

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  21. RE: Matta. This from Dokish a couple of days ago. Might also be why Matta spurned GA.

    “Talked to a coach last night that said Matta probably isn’t ideal for Pitt because he’s not sure he’s “the grinder they need right now”. He may have a point.”

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  22. Crap, yes, that brings Grant back into play. Just probably a better fit, though from what ?I hear they want to make a bigger splash hire. Can only hope.

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  23. My point is that just because a coach doesn’t command a big salary doesn’t mean he’s not good.

    I think that if you’re looking at coaches that are going to be able to fit inside a budget you should broaden your views instead of just looking at people that you already know which I think Pat Narduzzi does.

    I’m not sure he’s doing due diligence in all things to get the best bang for the buck.

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  25. Ok wwb, I read back and saw you had the scoop, should have known. You are always on top of breaking news.

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  26. I agree. However, we don’t know who he interviewed besides the guys that got the job.

    One thing about Collins and Bates…they have good experience defending the spread. That may be a reach for a positive, LOL.

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  27. Hey, for the golf outing maybe POVers can invit their favorite Pitt athletic personality to join their foursome. Now just think about the matchups that could occur!

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  28. Reed, I think I’m agreeing with your sentiment above. I’m a Narduzzi fan, time will tell if he was the right hire or not, but as of right now I’d say he was a really good hire, and I believe he will be successful here long term if he continuously improves his ship (tweaking coaching staff, schemes, administration, etc. as he goes), however, one gripe I have is that he is too loyal: favoritism toward certain players due to veteran status, or toward personnel moves based on who he is comfortable/familiar with, rather than being strictly performance oriented (i.e., all business). This may be unfair, and more importantly it may be something (if I’m right) he grows out of, but that’s a chink in his armor in my observation. This doesn’t change my overall opinion of him, but it’s something that could hold him back (pride?).

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    1. I’m a big Coach Duzz fan, but I hope he learned his lesson last season when his stubbornness with Max and Ben cost us a game or two or three…

      I remember Wanny going thru a transition from being so conservative to being somewhat bolder.

      Duzz already has the boldness gene – look at the fake kicks we’ve done – but he needs to be more willing to take a risk with young players…at least young QBs…and with defensive schemes….

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Crean rebuilt Indiana from the ground up. Similar to the situation we are in now. He is arrogant but he is one hell of a coach. This would be a big time hire IMO……

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  31. Crean, Hurley, oh boy. We can do better from a human being standpoint. They can coach, but would they be worth it? Interesting times.

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  32. A head coach hiring a familiar asst coach that he has knowledge and faith in is better than hiring pig in a poke coach. I don’t get the question concerning hiring a known associated face for a job.

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  33. Ike, it’s a concern of mine, that’s all, some guys are risk takers and aim high, other’s are more conservative and are afraid to branch out. It’s a limiting thing.

    Well, Crean wouldn’t be my guy, that’s for sure, but we could do a lot worse. Certainly, he is a guy that we should talk to. I would’ve picked him over Matta from day one, and I said as much, due to the health though. I’d still take a risk on a hot younger coach like Grant, but nobody seems to be mentioning his name in connection with Pitt…

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  34. Pitt can’t do better than Crean.

    He doesn’t have the Final Four monkey on his back like Sean Miller and Dixon.

    I don’t care if he is a giant tool. He knows how to win. I would take him over Matta and Hurley. He has good health and experience at a high level.

    If Pitt actually hires a coach of his pedigree I will be doing back flips.

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      1. I’m with you guys on Crean; he’d be a 4 star hire. He’s the best coach available IMO. Is he gruff…yes, but I think he’s the tonic we need right now.

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  35. It would send a message that Pitt was back and serious about winning. Mostly because they would have to pay him lots of money. LOL

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  37. I also comes down to how long are you willing to wait for success. There are some really good assistant coaches out there that can and will be successful in the ACC, but it might take 6-8 years to grow into the job and start to bring in top notch talent. Someone like Crean could turn things around quickly with one or two special players brought in. If the money is available, I don’t want to wait very long, but also don’t want to cheat to get there.

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  38. ^^ 1618, I was talking about football and Narduzzi hiring familiar faces and I didn’t make that clear enough, so sorry about that. …. but…

    I do have a scoop from someone I really trust as his tips always pan out for me. << He really is in the know. Seems like a coach named Grant may be in the picture and seriously so. Doesn’t mean he will be hired but I believe he is a good possibility as of now.

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  40. also feel compelled to post the following tweet from last week:

    Andrew Fillipponi@ThePoniExpress

    Sources: Tom Crean is NOT a candidate for the Pitt job. Intermediary reached out to Crean and Pitt. Neither side is interested.

    7:02 AM – 8 Mar 2018

    Like

  42. Even with Papa employed at Pitt I think Pitt’s chances of landing Johnson are less than 10%. Hope I’m wrong with that prediction.

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  43. Just returned from a conference in Charleston – maybe irony in that but I did get the flu there.

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  44. Ike, if Grant is in the picture, then that’s a really good scoop, because its the first I’ve heard it anywhere (not that I doubt you). So… Thanks for that, that’s pretty cool!

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    1. Looks like JoeKnew May have gotten his message thru to Heather…

      Hoping, hoping, and hoping some more…

      Or it could be an early April Fools from that prankster ike!!

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  47. It’s not a promise just what you say, a scoop. Getting the name on the contract is the real trick. This same gentleman also wanted me to pass on that the consultant firm (Folger) came frugal and just a precautionary deal. No recommendations for hire.

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  48. I like what I am reading on the POV “ there is a buzz in the air” regarding the BB coach search… totally opposite the last go’ round….

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  51. I like Cream Pitt’s next HC. And…I like that Heather is doing this discretely. As far as him being a tool….try being fired a few times. It will remove all “tool” from your personality. KS was a huge tool.

    Crean has accomplished a bottom up redo of a basketball program. That’s invaluable to me.

    Filliponi is a dick and I don’t ever believe a word he says.

    Liked by 1 person

  52. I think getting Hurley is a home run, but Crean s definitely a double … and not sure I see any triples out there.

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  53. Pretty sure that right before the Stallings hire that we all heard and read some very interesting names being bandied about. Then poof, like smoke gets in your eyes. I get a strong feeling that won’t be the case this time around.

    Imagine learning from your mistakes. << This is a concept I strongly endorse.

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  54. Hurley – Homerun (385 feet)
    Matta – 3rd base but pulls up lame
    Crean – 2nd but he steals third
    Grant – 2nd base standing up
    Oats – 2nd base sliding
    Miller – Grand Slam

    Like

    1. Buffalo guy
      assistant under Bobby Hurley
      plays up tempo
      Buffalo won the MAC
      Young and energetic
      I like him better than Grant actually because he plays tougher competition and has proven he can win in a tougher league and his style is fun. Plus he learned from Bobby.
      And of course UB is one of my alma maters

      Like

  57. Crean is my last choice. Hurley will use us to get UConn to overpay. I’d take two good years from Matta over Crean. Within 2yrs fans will hate Crean as much as Stallings, he’s that big of a smack.

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  58. I think Hurley will use Pitt to get a better gig in the ACC. I’m fine with that. 4-5 years of Hurley at Pitt will stabilize the program. He’s a good mentor of assistants.

    UConn is a destination for death

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  59. Pulled this from PSN

    When he (Crean) was hired at Indiana in 2008, the search firm used by Indiana was Fogler Consulting, which is the same search firm that is currently assisting Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke. (Uh oh)

    Crean’s contract with Indiana runs through the 2019-20 season and he is still being paid parts of a $4 million buyout.

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  60. All these search firms have someone they’ve placed that needs a job. That is a problem, but even putting that aside I don’t like the guy, or his style. Think he’d be happy placing 5th in the Pittsburgh coaching heiracy? Egos way too big for that.

    Like

    3. Heather can make his job easy
      But what new coach comes into a situation where he can win right away?
      Doesnt exist unless the former coach used the school as stepping stone or retired on top
      Those opportunities are rare

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  63. If they want to talk to Grant they may have to wait awhile. I really like them vs Auburn and if they win I love them vs Clemson. I hope I’m wrong and they get creamed! lol.

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    1. Fram – thanks for sharing that cool fact – Crean’s wife is a Pitt grad.

      I’m changing my tune towards Tommy. But you can’t deny his 71-91 record in the B1G Joke conference. Took four years to have a winning record at Indiana, although he inherited a messed up program. 1-17 in his 1st B1G season and 6-25 overall.

      Be careful Heather…

      H2P!

      Like

    1. Yeah ridiculous. The guy rushes for 1270 yards in his last year and isnt ever even invited to heisman ceremony. No playoff appearances for pedu either in his tenure. James Conner is 1000 times better of a candidate for a day named after him.

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  68. Fram and Iek… they have trouble spelling their own names at times but what a couple of fun guys to hang out with

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  69. Looks like there may be a major mutiny about to happen on the basketball team tomorrow. Oh well, most of you didn’t like any of the players anyways. ike

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  70. Big meeting today, maybe lawyers involved the team disappointed that a certain administrator didn’t attend. Again but this time from a different source.

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  72. Well Carr & Stewart gone more to come but in the end they were nice role players but not what we need to win in ACC. The next guy was going to need a tostado rebuild but this is what we ask for

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  73. I see PSN reporting Stewart gone. Don’t see anything about Carr, but that, of course, wouldn’t surprise me.

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  75. It’s pretty much the whole team asking to be released and that doesn’t necessarily they are gone from the team just yet. again, legal advice being called in.

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  76. Georgia is a much easier situation, no basketball tradition or history, so you can make your own mark there, pretty well league too, yet still p5. To step into the Pitt job, yeah far better tradition, but total rebuild and you have to play in the best conference. Not to mention geographic preferences. It depends what the coaches are looking for.

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    1. Dominique Wilkins played at UGA. 1983 Final 4 with Terry Fair and Vern Fleming. Yea it’s been awhile, but they have been to a Final 4.

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  77. Stewart will transfer for sure. Hopefully the next coach can keep Carr, Davis, Brown to go with JW-F, Ellison and Luther. Peace stays another year and Golden stays with the program. Brandon Stone is added along with some grad transfers.

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    1. Agree Dan71, having all of them would severely restrict what a new coach could do in bringing in new and better talent. As there are only 2 scholies available atm. Well 3 now, since Warriors kid realizes he needs to play at someplace like Tennessee-Martin.

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  81. Hmmm, the day after POV has a big article on the Footer search forgetting candidates, this comes out…

    http://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2018/03/14/saunders-why-does-pitt-need-a-search-firm/

    “They also provide some ancillary services like additional background checks and further vetting of candidates, but when it comes to the big services being provided, it doesn’t seem like Pitt should really need them.”

    Interesting. At only $25K you can bet that firm has a narrow focus mandate from Pitt re: vetting.

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  82. Heather… continue to be professional and play your cards close to your best! Talk to all the candidates… even Matta. I don’t care if he has to coach from a wheelchair!

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  84. Which of them wouldn’t want to leave? Stallings probably had a lot of fun with them, next coach might expect them to actually win a game or two, play some defense or actually rebound, that takes real effort. Any that leave, good riddance.

    I know, they got good grades and that is great. I would have liked to see some D mixed in with their A’s and B’s.

    Liked by 1 person

  85. So Fogler, hired in 2008 by Indiana, delivers Crean to Indiana.

    Fast forward 10 years. Pitt hires Fogler. First coach put in front of our AD, Tom Crean. Why is our AD engaging a search firm? It is her job to have a list of candidates. That is what happens when you are a seasoned AD. Ours is not. Sorry.

    Crean now in buyout status after a Stallings like record of 166-135 in total, but a 71-91 BigJoke P5 Conference record whilst at Indiana. He has recruited some superstars, which would be something new for Pitt. He also had a lot of player arrests, something we could handle. I wonder if Fogler gets anything from Crean and his agent if he gets placed with Pitt? That is something we will never know because Pitt is not in privity of contract between Fogler and Crean.

    We will get a narrative from Pitt at some point about how great the AD is and how the new coach would never have come to Pitt, but for the AD and the Chancellors commitment to winning, blah, blah, blah.

    I really want to be wrong about this entire situation. PSN repeating what Upitt and I ranted about yesterday. Why a search firm??

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    1. Perhaps you have to engage Fogler’s services to get Crean. Don’t like it, but if it’s only way to get Crean, who you have to say is the 2nd best bigtime coach who is available. He also did a total rebuild at IU, so
      that is something. And I would guess Fogler gets a commission/bonus/whatever if he delivers at candidate Pitt hires.

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  86. I’d rather have Mouse coach than Crean. He is pychotic and weak and his wife is crazy. If Heather hires him she needs therapy. He sucks. Matta is weak and needs a rascal. Get Grant or the assistant from UNC or Nova. Give Buzz 3M.

    Like

    1. I’d be happy with Grant or Crean or Matta or even Oats and to a lesser extent Hurley.
      Crean was 5-3 against Dixon, and those were against some pretty good Pitt teams. Don’t know anything
      about his psyche or his wife’s.

      Point of note: Crean & Matta had done it before in bigtime conferences. The others have not. So if
      experience and been there, done that before is important, that would come into play.

      Oats, Hurley and Grant would probably bring youthful energy to the program so that is of some importance as well.

      Like

  87. Novel Idea – Get a coach not on the market. You know recruit and pay a lot. Yeah Pitt a new idea for you guys. Buzz Wiliams. Or a great coach and pay them more.

    Like

  88. Hey Bernie, Fram is not me. When I mistype my name it usually comes out Farn. Haha.
    Welcome to the party Fram. Hope you can make the spring tailgate.

    Like

  89. Cuse beats Arizona State to move into the field of 64 last night.

    More importantly, Bobby Hurley of the defeated ASU is free to interview.

    I get the feeling Pitt and HL are locked into Crean.

    Like

    1. I don’t think Hurley would last long a Pitt anyway with his sometimes volatile personality. Not that it would be bother me so much. Crean is a better x’s and o’s coach imo. One of the few coaches who could get his team to play as hard as Pitt under Dixon. Pitt won a lot of games not on talent, but getting players to buy in and play hard the whole game.

      Like

  90. Back to FB with a quote from Alex Bookser on Pantherlair.com –

    “Because we play for Pitt,” Bookser said. “It’s odd having a question mark on the offensive line because that’s been the one thing since I’ve been here that we’ve been able to hang our hat on. But I have confidence that we’ve got the right guys, we’ve got the coaching and we’ve got the legacy; all we have to do is try to live up to it. So I’m not worried about the question marks; I’m confident that we’ll be coached to where we need to be.”

    There is a lot said there, but what about how this group has prepared for 2018. Strength and conditioning, film study, bonding as a group, working on technique, discipline, starting counts, etc.

    I guess I want more – lol. Lyke knowing the plan for our next BB coaching hire. For me, firing KS should have been enough. I need to be patient and content with the next hire. (Did I just say that?)

    H2P!

    Like

    1. BTW, this article states that Padgett will not be hired at Louisville … and despite his inexperience, I woulld hope Pitt gives him a good look

      Like

  92. Hoping every player leaves from last years team is idiotic. So Pitt has another under 10 win season.

    You can’t start with all new players again. The new coach has to retain some of them.

    Like

  93. One thing I would add about Crean is that the article in Sports Illustrated described some one who had some insight about his faults and has used the past year as a vehicle for reflection and education. Of course it may or may not evoke change, though he expresses an intention to deal differently with players and others.

    Like

  94. Buzz Williams is a good coach, but he is happy in VT. He isn’t leaving. By the way, VT used a search firm to get him.

    Like

  95. I still have doubts Pitt hires a coach like Crean, Matta, etc.

    It would mean they put out close to 3 mil a year, plus 1 mil for assistants, plus perks, bonuses, huge recruiting budget, etc.

    Like

  96. How about something crazy like hiring a local guy,…as in the guy for say Robert Morris (I think) that gets his team into the ncaa tourney every year. I think it is Robert Morris.

    Like

  97. Reports are that Crean will be interviewing at Georgia in the next day or so. The dilemma for all of these schools is whether to try to grad somebody ASAP or to wait until more candidates become available.

    Like

  98. There is an article in the Trib today from Kevin Gorman, and the following excerpt contains two quotes which are pertinent to us:

    “Nothing surprises you in our world, or should, because things can turn over so quickly,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “You know, the programs that have been able to keep it going year after year probably have great support … probably have continuity in ADs and presidents.”

    At Pitt, chancellor Patrick Gallagher is in his fourth year and athletic director Heather Lyke in her first. This is their first major coaching change working in concert, and Pitt can’t afford another disastrous hire.

    Not after the cronyism involved in the last search, when AD Scott Barnes used mentor Todd Turner’s Collegiate Sports Associates to save Stallings from being fired at Vanderbilt with a sweetheart, six-year deal.

    “Todd Turner should have to pay his money back,” ESPN’s Jeff Goodman said while sitting courtside. “Same thing with Scott Barnes.”

    Liked by 2 people

  99. Richman, I think you’re talking about Andy O’Toole from RMU. He still is a young guy and he has done a good job there but recently not as well. I’m really not sure how they did this year. His team has had a few departures that have hurt them. I can only imagine the reaction from this group if PITT were to hire him. It could be of epic proportions. You know the group, the ones that said they would be ecstatic if PITT fired Stallings and didn’t care who PITT would replace him with…. I do think PITT’s aim is higher though… ike

    Like

    1. I think he’s referring to Mark Schmidt, current coach at St Bonaventure which just knocked off UCLA

      Like

  100. We need some players to stay from this year’s team to have a chance at winning a few games next year regardless of the coach. Stewart, Carr, Stevenson and Brown have to stay.

    Like

    1. No they don’t. The impact players from this years group, that would/could be back, would be Luther and the bearded Juco kid, if he learns something about shot selection, although Stallings had him on the court a lot, was because he needed someone, anyone who could score occasionally. Then you add in the St John’s transfer and you pick up a couple more JUCO players and maybe a Graduate Transfer or two and I guarantee that group would win more games than with just the Otis D3 players.

      With that kind of a group you can then have some talented freshmen play 20 minutes or so a game, unless they were superstars immediately like a DeJuan Blair type.

      Like

    1. Stewart signed in June, 2017. Davis signed in May, 2017. Recruiting of underclassmen is hardly done for next year. Grad transfer season is upon us….

      Like

  102. Crean…unlikely
    Hurley….unlikely

    Don’t want to work for this Admin. Plus, the Admin wants to get a “deal” on the salary. Plus we have a AD with little experience leading the search. Just hope Eddie Fogler doesn’t give Lyke another Stallings….

    Will most likely be a HC coach from a lower level or even worse a assistant with no HC experience.

    Like

    1. Fogler was used for Crean at IU in 08, but also Berlein at UM, Drew at Vandy and the new coach at Ohio St last year .. which has been deemed as an overwhelming success so far .. and these are only a few. Plus, Heather has no ties to Fogler like Barnes did with Turner (search firm).

      Now, I wouldn’t doubt that Pitt doesn’t end up with Hurley, Crean, Matta or Grant … but PittPOVers must realize that these are just public wish lists and you really don’t know if any of them were really interested in the first place.

      Like

  103. With what’s needed to turn this program around it’s hard for me to believe and highly sought after named coach will take any Pitt offer. Too much to do and too little money to pay for all that’s needed to do.

    Like

  104. I say again and to reiterate Reeds last article, Fogler was brought in to vet candidates not so much to recommend one. That’s not hard to understand while looking at the current climate of the NCAA and the FBI investigation.

    Like

    1. I don’t doubt that vetting is Fogler’s primary focus. However it’s plausible that Fogler did engage Crean given the timeline where Crean and Pitt reportedly express no mutual interest, Fogler is reportedly engaged, and then Crean reportedly interviews.

      Like

    1. Sounds like an awfully low number. Who is reporting that ?

      Maybe it’s $25K per each candidate he vets.

      Like

  106. That could be true Barvo as Crean had already been on PITT’s list. I also agree with jrn’s above post. So maybe it’s possible that Fogler did more work for Crean indirectly than PITT? << as far as connections go. either way right?

    Like

  107. My guess is that Fogler gets the $25K for vetting, and if he leads directly to the new BBHC, $xx more.

    Like

  109. I don’t care for Creans lack of personality and demeanor.
    However, every time we played him, he out coached us and clearly showed he was a gifted B.B. coach, which is what The Hoosiers saw also.

    Like

  111. Lastrow..I saw that after I typed it..now we have a Fram and a Farn….need to get Fram to a tailgate…

    Like

  112. That’s an interesting link on Ricky Town. It explains to me why he never made it to Alabama, a coaching change is a legitimate reason to transfer in my book. Also throwing for almost 1200 yards at Ventura highway college and 12 TD’s while being a backup kind of squashes some of the negativity surrounding RT for me.

    Reed’s article on Town should be very interesting… ike

    Like

  113. I like Crean. Someone said his wife is batshit crazy. Don’t know how to share this but all woman are batshit crazy! They spend most of their lives covering it up.

    Anyone else been thru a divorce?

    Like

  114. I don’t know why you might think the Town article might shed any “positive” light on the PITT QB situation this year. Reed has more than hinted at his fear of what a poor position Pitt might in if Pickett wad lost for the season. It sounds as if he may no have little faith in Town as our backup QB.

    Like

  115. The Baltimore Orioles has a promotion where if an adult buys an upper deck ticket, he can get 2 freebies for kids 9 and under. Shouldn’t Heather consider something like this; getting the area youth interested in Pitt FB?

    Like

  116. The Idiot & Idiot on the Fan(Cook & Poni) had John Feinstein on this morning and talked about the PITT job compared to UCONN and was a pretty good listen also talked about Miller.

    I will be attempting to attend spring just can’t commit yet

    Like

  117. The Pitt AD is getting played already for a potential bidding war if it is Crean. This is why you have a replacement in your pocket before you pull the plug on a current coach. AD 101. Our AD has known since January. If Crean and Matta were your go to coaches, they were unemployed at that time. You seal the deal before all of the other firings happen. Makes me hope it is neither of the two, because if it is, Pitt got played for more cash by waiting!!

    I hope Town is a winner and beats out Pickett for the job. That means we are in a way better position than we thought at qb. Will read the Pitt article on him, but was just thinin out loud that it really wouldn’t be a bad thing if he is more talented than our talented qb already. Does that make sense?

    Like

    1. Yes, but hard to imagine that he starts this year, even if better. One would think that unless Pickett plays poorly, HCPN will stick with him for this yr.

      Like

    2. And fully agree with your thoughts on the speed of the hiring if either of those guys are the target – even if she hadn’t made up her mind until late Feb.

      Like

    3. Heather could have had a conversation with Matta and knows he isn’t interested based on what Pitt would pay. Crean was probably a courtesy visit for the search firm. Again, Pitt isn’t paying the money for him.

      Expect a coach that never made the big bucks before.

      Pitt fans will be lucky if it is even someone as accomplished as Hurley. I see this going south quickly.

      Like

  118. jrn, kind of squashing some of the negativity and shedding positive light aren’t even distant cousins. All I keep hearing is that RT was a backup at his jr college, well throwing for 1200 yards is dam good for a backup QB imo. PITT is a tough act to sale Reed these days as I gather info and think for myself most of the time… .

    I also have a good grasp concerning Reed’s upcoming article. So I guess my previous comment could be considered a preemptive rebuttal in a way. ike

    Like

  120. URI shot rolls off the basket at the buzzer … and we’re headed for OT. If URI loses, then Heather may be able to interview Hurley as early as tonight to tomorrow (if he is interested)

    Like

    1. looks like URI is going to win …. still doesn’t mean that they can’t sneak in an interview tonight

      Like

  122. Huff, a coach who will interview for a job before it is open has no scruples, and will stab you in the back at the first better opportunity. Fraud would do something like this, and we know how that came out. You would normally expect to receive some two way loyalty from a coach, but as I said it should be TWO-WAY. Pitt showed this kind of loyalty by extending Narsuzzi’s contract after a 5-7 season.

    Liked by 1 person

  123. Not all things are in control of a particular AD. The interviewee has something to say about the timing.. jus saying.

    Like

  124. @Voice – If she knew she was cutting ties ( which she did), she should have canned Stallings in January then. Either way, if Matta and or Crean were your guys, the best bargaining occurred a month or two ago.

    Like

  125. Right, Huff. The honorable thing to do would have been to fire Stallings then and have an acting coach finish out the season. Then the job is officially open and they could have interviewed Matta and Crean long ago. I don’t get why they didn’t do this if canning KS was a slam dunk as we all agree. I’m becoming less confident that this is going to turn out well.

    Like

  126. ^That is very true Huff. I know it’s redundant but PITT is already a bit looked down upon for firing Stalling as soon as they did. College head coaches very rarely get canned mid season. Yes I know it’s a stupid unwritten rule. ike

    Like

  127. Big names are off the board at Pitt IMO. Lyke will have to settle for an up and comer from small conference happy to be coaching in the ACC at double his past salary with incentives going forward.

    Like

  128. You are right, ike, that college coaches don’t normally get canned in mid-season unless there are extreme circumstances. Perhaps scoring only 7 points in the first half of the Virginia game would be one such event. When does becoming a national embarrassment become such an extreme circumstance? If Pitt ends up going the up and comer route as jrnpitt suggests, we are in for a long haul before Pitt is competitive again.

    Like

    1. that was the next to the last week of the season. Heather would have crucified if she did it then. Face it, there will be some who complained it didn’t happen in January and others who said that they may as well play out the year.

      What some of you are not realizing is that Matta played Georgia (and Ole Miss). Terms of his buyout is that he has to seek HC jobs in order for him to collect from OSU. The reason he didn’t do the same here is that he knows Heather.

      And once again … aside from Crean, we will have to wait a whie longer since all of the viable candidates are tied up in post-season tourneys.

      Like

    2. Yes VOR and that goes hand in hand. You want to fire a coach before the season ends? Yes and you can take that chance but it May backfire when going after the next coach that says no way to a school that doesn’t give their coach half a chance…. I’m not making this stuff up. Like Upitt said. Just fire him mid season and give him 4 million to get out of Oakland. You know how that worked out. That’s not reality at all…

      Like

      2. I take a job and can care less how the previous person performed. I know my abilities and control my own destiny. Firing TurdMan would of given Pitt time to.already have a coach on board and not let UCONN and GA and Whoever Else compete for that talent.

        Like

  129. Does anyone think that Heather will leak the choice to the boosters, POVers, etc. to get public reaction before making the choice official? This would be an attempt to avoid what happened with the Stallings hire.

    Like

  132. I get your point, ike. But the nature of college BB is that most of the good coaches are tied up through NCAA/NIT tournament time. So it is impossible to get ahead of other programs who are searching for a coach, especially if they will cheat and have no scruples. Maybe Huff is right that the negotiations should start before the firing, but that is still risky and word will leak to the coach about to be fired.

    Like

  135. What a pleasure watching well coached teams with great athletes. I can only hope for the day! Amazing these guys are finding talent at that level, yes, freshmen, and we go 0-11. How is that even possible.

    Like

  136. Well, jrn and Wbb,

    You may want to wait to read the article before you think you know what’s in it. I do formulate my opinions based on research you know…that is what ‘informed opinions’ are.

    That’s what I did with Voytik after he was recruited (remember I wrote that he wasn’t going to meet fan’s high expectations).

    I watched DiNucci in practice then discussed his play with others who saw him play both in HS then in practice. I had a detailed conversation with a HS coach whose team played against DiNucci a few times so I wrote “DiNucci will never start a game at Pitt unless it’s by injury” (that’s verbatim) and that is exactly what happened.

    Then when Peterman transferred in I spoke with some people who had chances to watch his full practices and then I had a longer conversation with Pat Bostick about Peterman…so I felt sure he was going to first grab the starting job and then play very well afterward, which he did.

    Right after Narduzzi got Browne to come to Pitt I called two sportswriters and exchanged emails with a local USC blogger and after all three told me that, in essence, Brown was not D1 starting talent I wrote that also.

    I wrote back in March of last year that Pickett was ‘head and holder’s above any other Pitt QB on roster…before anyone else in the media said anything at all about him…and we saw what he did last season.

    So I’m pretty much spot on so far with the kids at the QB position lately…

    Now I’ve been doing the same outreach work to get background of, and knowledgeable opinions on, our new backup QB from people who have watched Town in every season he played both while he was in HS then when he played at Ventura CC. And that will be worked into my informed opinions and my writing the article.

    So, give me some credit with having pretty good ideas about how the past QBs have played and how the new ones might.

    Like

    2. You deserve credit. No doubt. I think you are wrong about QO but the QBs. You have been impressive.

      Like

    3. Reed I give you all there credit in the world on your previous Pitt QB assessments. My comment was simply reflecting what you have already posted on the Pitt QB situation going into the coming season. Did you not previously posted that you thought Pitt would be in trouble(paraphrasing) if Pickett went down this year? If so my conclusion was simply you didn’t hold Town’s talents in very high regard if that’s the case. Certainly not an unreasonable assumption based on your previous posts in this matter to this point in time. Now if you have changed your opinion on Town and the QB back up situation at Pitt after further research then so be it and I and I’m sure many others posting to this board are anxious to hear your thoughts.

      Like

  137. In football, you are only as good as your QB and lines
    In basketball, you are only as good as your point guard and center

    Football seems to have some players
    Basketball has nobody at these positions

    But its far easier to find those two for basketball
    With the right coach, Pitt is back to the tourney in 2 years

    Like

  139. VOR…commenting at 3:11 reference to “stabbing in the back” on the Ides of March…brilliant.

    Like

  141. Good. Crean not a good fit at Pitt.
    I still wonder if Matta is in the discussion
    Matta, Hurley, Oats and Grant are my top 4
    Buffalo plays Arizona. You’ll see how good Oats is.

    Like

  143. Forget Hurley. I don’t want him. Not to mention he would take UCONN 99 out of 100 times. That is his home area.

    Like

    1. Bobby Hurley, not Dan.

      Bobby’s ASU Team lost to cuse last night – available to interview and gets a free trip to Pittsburgh to watch Danny’s RI team play in round 2.

      Like

  146. UCONN is going on probation he will make same money here and be given a ton of time to right this sunk ship and can still recruit the Northeast and mix some kids in from down south

    Like

  148. meanwhile, Narduzzi has fellow Youngstowner Maurice Clarrett speak at practice today … not making this up

    Like

    1. from Pantherlair: One major thing he talked about was, that the kids could take, was trust the people around you. When he was at Ohio State and won a national championship, he really didn’t embrace the people that were trying to help him and point him in the right direction. So that was really the biggest message was trust the people around you. They’re there to help you.

      Like

  149. As much as I prefer Grant and feel he’s the better man, at this point ?I think they will hire ?Hurley, but remember, it’s Pitt, so who knows?

    Like

  150. I like Grant also and is more in the ACC footprint for recruiting but how long does he stay till something in the south opens up. If he is here 2 years and jumps ship regardless of how he does is it worth it. I feel like Hurley might stick around longer with his Northeast ties

    Like

  151. I’m with you guys, and my views haven’tn changed yet, still Grant #1, Hurley #2, Grant-like guys #3. Unlike many others, I would’ve been fine with Crean, but frankly I’m relieved Georgia took him and themselves out of the picture apparently. Then again, I am clueless when it comes to what the Pitt decision-makers want, I’m just saying my preferences. It would be kind of cool if it wound up Hurley, just to see what Upitt’s nickname would be, and I gotta believe “serial killer” is just too many syllables…

    Like

    1. No 1618, serial killer is a too grown up name. It would be more like baldie, janitor or 4 eyes. You know the kind of name that insults and associates with good regular good people.

      Like

      1. People enjoy my humor Ike. Deal with it. Rockports is an “Instant Classic” I do like Ming and King Pat as close seconds. Reed has a lot of talent. I have one for you but will save it for Pioneer days in Ligoneer.

        Like

        1. Go for it Mark, I’m not easily offended. Here’s the way it is, you say what you want and I’ll say what I want. I don’t see the difference. Offend away.. ike

          Like

  152. I mean, it’s actually setting up that we might have our shot at either Hurley or Grant. I could live with either, but have a definite preference. The guys that the talking heads liked are out, now they will nit pick and say we had to settle. Their lack of knowledge is appalling. After this search is done I’d love to squeeze the Fans ownership and put some real pressure on those smacks.
    This all should be wrapped up by Wednesday at the latest. I have no problem at this time waiting, the guys Iwanted will all be available now. I do not think they will now screw it up. (kiss of death). lol

    Like

  154. Trib fat slob pedo grad Gorman with a hatchet job article about the Pitt hire…..

    http://triblive.com/sports/columnists/kevingorman/13417572-74/kevin-gorman-pitt-not-a-plum-job-for-college-hoops

    Comments are good though. Here too:

    Like

    1. What a pos, headlining that while you got Duke and Villanova and the NCAA’s in Pittsburgh.

      He’s a pedo grad isn’t the pos ?

      Like

  155. Lastrowofsection4, you’re right, the Ides of March is upon us! 🙂 Don’t want any back stabbers here. From past experience, we should also look at the remaining candidates’ alma maters. They would probably want an out from their contract if their alma mater coaching position comes open.

    Like

  156. Someone explain to me why Crean, or Matta for that matter, would have signed with Pitt a month ago? Why would the more desirable coaches give up their leverage like that.

    And why would one of those guys jump at the chance to take over the mess that is Pitt???

    I’ll be shocked if Hurley comes here. It’s got to be a guy for whom 2 million if a big raise, and they don’t have other big time option yet.

    Saying Lyke should have had a new coach signed and sealed, while it sounds simple and good, is just real world unrealistic, IMHO.

    Grant us Grant!

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. She also has to wait for the good coaches to lose their last game. Tampering is no good either…

      Like

    2. If they were that desirable, they would have been employed already. They weren’t desirable but became desirable because of all the crap coaches out there.

      Like

  158. Jack, Gorman can be a real jerk at times, maybe even most of the time but we as readers can be guilty of “reading between the lines” too much while inserting our own words through our own interpretation and not necessarily the writers. I am not saying there isn’t any suggestive writing going on between the lines but I get by just believing that it’s one man’s opinion that I may or may not be married to. I read the paper and then throw it in the trash where it belongs. Yes, I do recycle. ike

    Like

  159. Fran — So we’re making this crucial, most important decision of Heather’s life, between the Ides of March and April Fool’s Day…

    What could go wrong????,

    Go Pitt!

    Like

  162. You got some teams that haven’t won in decades, winning tonight, kinda neat.

    Houston Cougars won for the first time since Phi Slamma Jamma days.

    And the Ramblers of Loyola won in the Dance for the first time since 1985 when they lost
    to Patrick Ewing’s Georgetown team in the Sweet 16. I remember watching that game, the
    Rambers had AlFrederick (the Great) Hughes.

    The Ramblers won the National Championship in 1963, still the only team from the state of Illinois
    to win a National Championship.

    Like

    1. There’s going to be a ton of upsets in this tournament. Very few really good teams this year. Would love to see 2 sleepers in the Final 4. Buffalo beating Zona 25-23

      Like

  164. Interesting note of that 1963 National Championship game, Loyola somehow managed to win even though they only shot 27% fg to #1 Cincinnati’s 49% fg. Both teams made 14 FT’s so that wasn’t the difference
    either. Cincy outrebounded Loyola 45 to 34 as well. Must have been some real magic going on
    that night.

    Like

    1. One of the twin towers of Jacksonville U. The other being Artis Gilmore who was an ABA All star, Pembrook…not so much. Guy was a 7 foot stiff. JU almost beat UCLA that year.

      Like

  167. Sean Miller may be available in the morning. I have Buffalo knocking them out and so far they are easily handling Zonas height. Zone fans are sick of getting KOd out of the NCAAs early. Hated losing Crean but admit he was not a good fit at Pitt.

    Like

  168. Post Gazette announces with glee and joy that Crean will not be going to Pitt. Never have I seen such bias against Pitt from the local rag and sponsoring radio station. Once we are on our feet again at Pitt, these things need handled!

    Like

    1. Not sure what you saw for a headline, but the online headline currently states “No, Tom Crean won’t be Pitt’s next coach”. No exclamation points. No capital letters. No clown or kitty cat emojis. It’s an AP wire story.

      Probably should save the media outrage for something more deserving.

      Like

  171. Been watching this Buffalo team play. Starkey thought their coach might be on our list. I’d take him right now.

    Like

  176. Yea I estimated it would cost Pitt $2.5 to $3 mil to buy out Oates’s contract. Had a hunch this #13 might pull the upset as I mentioned the other night when the brackets came out. Puts Oates on the big board if
    they can hold on. AZ shooting 13% from 3, while Buf has 13 3’s.

    Like

    1. Rumor is that Zona may fire Miller if he’s one & done. He’s like Dixon at the Tournament only with way better players. I’m with Dan, I’d rather have Oates..

      Like

  181. Where did Oates find these players? How did he coach them up like this? Next game will be against Kentucky. If they beat them too, Oates may be a really commodity….fast!

    Like

  182. AZ is 2 of 18 from 3….11% lol Buf is 13 of 27 an almost unheard of 48% from 3 for a large number of shots

    Like

  183. How much is Oates new contract extension worth? It’s just a piece of paper not worth anything but just curious

    Like

  184. Oats is 250000% better than that turd Stallings. Imagine what a good AD who knows the game and does homework can do.

    Like

  185. Oates is supposed to have a heralded freshman class. Perhaps they can all transfer to Pitt.

    We could be relevant again in 2 years, maybe better if another couple of studs get added.

    Like

  186. Oates just signed an extension like a week ago.

    A UB source confirmed that the extension is in the range of $550,000-$600,000 per season, which puts him near the top of the MAC men’s salary structure. Oats was the sixth-highest paid coach in the league this season at $350,000. Kathy Twist, interim athletic director, said last month that UB intended to elevate Oats to one of the three top-paid coaches in the league. The extension should achieve that.

    http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/09/sullys-hot-read-ub-acts-fast-to-keep-oats/

    Like

  187. Next up for Buffalo is another Wildcats….Kentucky.

    And the Villanova Wildcats are playing in Pittsburgh.

    Cats are wild…how about Panthers ?

    Like

  188. Pay Oates 2 million give him a million for Staff and make him say no it’s really not that hard. I would take him over Miller who is an absolute Hot Mess right now and if he can’t recruit the way he used to what’s the point he is obviously not much of a game day coach

    Like

  189. Great coaches out there and we are saddled with Grandpa’s 9M. What a crock. Every Pitt Lawyer that approved that should be working as Fry Cooks at O

    Like

  191. Just landed back in Texas Dan. I worked this week while she had one of the kids visiting her Mom before Mom heads back to Estonia. She is still in West Palm Beach. Just me and the dog tonight. Haha. Thanks for kind words.

    Like

  192. Believe it or not…..Nate Oats is from Wisconsin and has a Masters from U of Wisconsin-Madison.

    We might have that Pitt-Wisconsin vibe working again here folks. While he was an asst he was credited
    with recruiting the MAC player of the year in 2014-2015.

    His wife just beat Cancer so who know’s how that might factor in him moving. I was impressed with
    his post-game interview, he has some presence about him.

    Like

  194. RedditCFB@RedditCFB
    UCLA lost to St. Bonaventure
    Arizona State lost to Syracuse
    Arizona lost to Buffalo

    The Pac-12 was eliminated by upstate NY alone.
    (H/t @redditCBB)

    I’m going out on a limb and say that Pitt would have won at least 1 game in the PAC 12 this year … seriously!

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    1. Well Cal actually finished lower than Pitt according to KenPom rankings so I’m thinking that would have been a strong probability.

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  195. Pitt won’t touch Miller even if he becomes available. How times have changed.
    Pitt will get out bid and out played for Hurley.
    Oats isn’t leaving his current school.
    Look for some scrub that is not proven.

    Why exactly did Pitt get rid of Dixon when they weren’t willing to pay for a better coach? They had us all fooled thinking they had the desire to raise the bar.

    The people running Pitt are clueless. How do you have these wild expectations for success when the leadership does not back it up with money.

    Don’t blame the next hire on Lyke. They are asking her to buy a Ferrari but giving her the budget as if she was shopping for a 1973 Pinto.

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  196. Agree they won’t touch Miller. However we apparently interviewed Tom Crean, And Pitt had to have known how much they were going to have to fork out for him. Yes he did end up at Georgia, but Pitt must have been willing to go at least as much or more than they were paying WASTE (ie Otis).

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    1. Fogler and Crean’s agent played it perfectly. If Georgia thought they may lose out on Crean, they would throw more money his way. Pitt didn’t’ have a chance.

      Let’s see who grabs Hurley with more money.

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      1. I’d actually prefer Nate Oats to Hurley. There’s that Wisconsin-Pittsburgh thing going on there. The Pittsburgh end needs some payback, since they got Barry Alvarez, Mike McCarthy, Alex Van Pelt, etc.

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    2. I think that was a image interview to show people they are serious with big bucks. I’m not sure they are though.

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  198. Two weeks ago many on here wouldn’t have known Oats if he was trying to run you off the road. Now he is the next great coach and must be signed to a contract by Lyke.

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    1. Yep NRS…..we can only hope.

      As neither of us are T. Boone Picken’s types. If it’s in the cards it will happen and if it’s not…it won’t.
      🙂

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    2. We may not hire a good coach … but you seem to think it is because there isn’t any news yet. That is NOT the case. The only candidate that could have been hired by now is Crean … obviously Matta is off the market.

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      1. There is news. Crean got hired for more money than Pitt will ever pay. Now, maybe Pitt didn’t want him, but I doubt that was the case. I think the interview lasted one question. What are you willing to pay? Less than three million? See ya!

        The hire will tell us if Pitt is pretending or not.

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        1. Crean made it known that he was not interested in a total rebuild, and that Georgia was also a much better recruiting area

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    2. Last time I checked Villanova was in Pa….unless Philly seceded to NJ. (might not be a bad idea)

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  201. Morning, there are a lot of very good coaches a available, there is no need to panic. People get all caught up in the retread flavor of the month. Crean, Matta, Miller. These guys were at the top of their game once, move over boys, there are a ton of guys who can really coach. Our job, as I see it, is not to get sucked up into what the national “ old boys network” says, or the local talking heads who are clueless shills. Don’t fell pressured, but interview and get it right.
    I do have a word of advice, look past the current team the guy coaches, and look at the WAY he coaches. Anyone can catch lightning in a bottle. Did he build the team? Did he inherit it? Does he coach a system, or to the talent? Then check the man himself.
    By the way, besides Miller, the next worst coaching job I saw was Curley. What’s up with that!! He grows hair and suddenly forgets how to coach?? What a terrible job!

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  202. Dixon inherited a team and then made it better. So is that good ? Sure. So many factors, and then some
    most don’t even know about that goes into this stuff.

    Only thing I know is..I would like the Basketball Gods to look on Pitt favorably.

    For they surely didn’t the last go round !

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  203. OK, I have no problem jumping on board the Oats band wagon, he fits the Grant-esq description, either of those 2 would be great for me. And either one, along with Hurley, now obviously way ahead of nobody-does-less-with-more Sean Miller. Patience can pay off. Glad we didn’t get stuck with Crean (not that it would’ve been a bad hire, just meh).

    This is the most excited I’ve been for Pitt basketball, post season, in at least 4 years, and we don’t even have a coach. Let’s not ruin it by hiring the wrong guy.

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  204. Guys – If you could ever get a Miller (Not happening they like it out west) you get him in a second. His recruiting alone wins 8 games in ACC next year. But not happening. Someone will pay him more than Stallings and Narduzzi make combined.

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  205. Please, no Miller. When you go asking and someone smugly thumbs their nose at you, then when they come around when they need a soft place to land, only a desperate fool takes them back. If he couldn’t win with all the talent he had, what makes anyone think he’d do better here??
    Again, the number of major conference landing spots are small this year. The number of really good coaches is large. I remain glad those “big names” are off the board, we really don’t need those big egos and big salaries.
    The problem is, do the big money boosters really know bb or are they fan-boys? And how much influence do they have. For once, a low cost Pitt-type hire may be the very best move. How ironic, we luckily dodge the high rent, overhyped, and over the hill guys, and get the better low cost alternative. Waaaayyyyyy too much to hope for? If they pick some old retread this time they are dead to me!

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    1. He made 4 x’s what we were paying and it doesn’t get really cold there. You can’t blame him. You think that A hole Barnes would of paid him. no commission for Barnes that way only Rockports.

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    2. We’re not going to get Miller anyway. But he isn’t that old, he’s only 49 years old.

      I do think Matta and Crean are on the backside of their careers. Matta isn’t that old either but he looks much older.

      The NBA could come in and rescue Miller if AZ. gives him the boot. As with a pending FBi investigation and his top aid already involved……what college is going to hire him. Maybe UNLV 🙂

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  206. Just a reminder how bad we truly were this just recently ended season. We lost by 23 to BC.

    Round 1 of the NiT

    No. 4 Western Kentucky 79, No. 5 Boston College 62

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  207. BTW, do you know which recent Pitt coaches were hired right away?

    1) Mike Haywood — Wanny was fired on a Tuesday and Haywood was hired 9 days later and announced the following day.

    2) Otis Stallings — He was interviewed and hired within a week of Dixon leaving.

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    2. Means Pitt is idiots… Lots of Programs hire quickly and they are good coaches. Not the We don’t do homework proactively let’s lean on search firm Watermelon Heads.

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  208. I will say this. I feel the talent pool is much,much deeper this time around than when we hired 3 mile Otis. Now, sometimes when you’re at the Buffet you get overwelmed by too many choices and do not choose wisely. Target who you really want, pay the man, and realize, you truly can’t do,worse than the last hire.

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  209. These Coaches were there Joe. It would take an intimate basketball knowledge to know them and what potential they have. Something none of our AD’s ever had.

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    1. I agree. Barnes said at the hiring press conference that Otis was the only interview conducted. In fact,m he was hired so darn fast, he didn’t even give Vandy a chance to fire him.

      Just another factor in the collusion charge. Barnes is Pitt Enemy No. 1

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  210. Ya, our” basketball guy” ad sure did us right! lol. The coaches that are out there now have had a couple more years seasoning. And remember, no one wants to follow the successful guy. Last time around you had guys that we wanted but couldn’t get, for a variety of reasons, prime amount the in my opinion, is that the fix was in.
    You know, maybe in a very perverse way, KS was precisely the guy we needed. The guy to rip it down completely. To destroy it all, so the rebuild could now be done the right way.

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  211. Also, the quick hires aren’t always that quick,really. They are quick because someone was looking at talent for awhile, someone with an eye for spotting it, and when it became available they jumped on it. Now, does that sound like Pitt?

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  212. C’mon … if Pitt hired Miller and the FBI evidence is proven … then Pitt becomes even more of a laughingstock. Maybe we should consider Pitino – I’m sure he would be interested.

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    1. Right wwb…..notice one of the clowns over a PSN….want Heather AND Gallagher to go fly out and meet with Miller.

      This clown actually gets paid for his opinions. He should be writing on a bad short-lived sit com.

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  214. Remember, this hire has to be better than Dixon. That was the ultimate goal that started this roller coaster.

    Experience, proven winner, success in the tournament.

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  216. Upitt, you can have Miller. He stinks as a coach. Yeah, you’re right, he’s one of the best recruiters in the game, and yes that alone would net us a respectable amount of wins, but if he had to cheat to do it (see: FBI Investigation), then even if he does get off free, he’s going to have to go about his business very differently in the future, because he will be under the microscope. So his only asset is recruiting prowess, and that is now in jeopardy.

    JoeKnew – Agreed. There is a nice pool out there, and it’s a buyer’s market. Thankfully, Georgia hired Crean, so it takes a coach we didn’t want anyway off the market and removes another buyer as well. So this is a good position for Heather, still not an easy decision though.

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  217. Pitt NEVER rushes on any coaches hires. They need “time” to beat the guy down on salary.

    I keep reading on Rivals all this Miller talk of him being hired. This is quite possibly the most stupid thing i’ve read on a Pitt message board. Pitt would not hire a coach who got a parking ticket and these knuckleheads think Pitt is going to hire a guy who is the center of a FBI investigation. ZERO chance.

    It will be interesting to see if Hurley has any interest in coming here. Over the next 3-5 years, Oats will win more games than Hurley.

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    1. Pitt is like the Pirates…they wait until all the high priced free agents are hired then they grab a bum.

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  218. Back to FB…. those of you who don’t follow Twitter…here is an interview with DePauw’s very own, Ming the Merciless…

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  219. another gem … just now, Cuse alum Filliponi said that he likes Syracuse vs TCU … because Jamie Dixon would be matched up against a Hall of Fame coach.

    If memory serves, JD did quite well vs that HOF coach in the past

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  220. BB factors for us.
    We are very thrifty, hire badly at times, must rebuild very poor young team, below average recruiting area, losing money and attendance at Pete, pro team market, bottom of best BB league, etc.
    I am still trying to find good points. Am I too negative?

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  223. NRS made a really good point… Pitt let Dixon leave after he had recent pay increases through extended contract. They had to know that getting a good coach would cost at least what Dixon was paid. Miller is making $2.5 Million, so the going rate for a good coach should be $2.5 – 3 million. Of the available D1 positions open, UConn and Memphis have a history of NCAA violations. Pitt is the only one with a clean program. This is a good argument to go slow and take the necessary time to select the best coach and then pay him the money.

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