There are a few newsworthy bits to talk about as we head into the Memorial Day weekend, so here we go.

First and foremost, there was a Pitt celebrity golf outing recently and some loyal POV fans were in attendance.

Here are some pics that were sent to me by reader John Fredland (Major Majors).  By all accounts a good time was had by all.  (Looks like Capel drinks only soda???)

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The foursome  (L-R Greg – Fran’s Nephew, Rich, “Celebrity” Chris Schneider, Fran and John.  Schneider was a Fullback under Majors II / Harris
IMG_6415
Look at that form!
IMG_1738
The guys with Dick Groat and Jeff Capel
Fralic
79 yards from the 6th and 7th greens.  Hail to Pitt.

 

Second, there has been some very good discussion around coaching, history, etc as a response to the “Paul Hackett” article I posted last week.  As a follow up, Reed sent me an interesting historical link that talks about how much Pitt spent in the 70’s and 80’s to buy out coaches.  Be careful what you wish for, those few of you who still think we should dump Narduzzi; those who forget history and doomed to repeat it.  (Now if he goes 5-7 this year let the games begin…)

Screen Shot 2019-05-23 at 10.27.43 PM
This was in 1992…

Link to full SI article

 

Also, you’ve probably heard by now that Pitt landed grad-transfer Linebacker Kylan Johnson.  At best, he’ll step into a starting role and make an impact.  At worst, he’ll add depth for a year before going on with his life’s work.  Here is an article from 2015, when he committed to the Gators.  Wildcat quarterback, eh?  I guess SEC coaches will tell three-stars anything.

Adding to its recent recruiting haul on Monday, the Florida Gators picked up a commitment from three-star athlete/safety Kylan Johnson (Dallas, TX).

Johnson (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), who committed to Kansas State just three days ago, received an offer from Florida on Friday morning and took an official visit to see the Gators over the weekend, according to 247Sports‘ Ryan Bartow, who first reported Johnson’s latest decision.

“I felt Florida was way better than Kansas State,” Johnson told Bartow. “They are giving me the opportunity to show I can play. I’m going to play safety for Florida but also may return kicks and play some wildcat quarterback.”

Listed as the 88th best safety nationally, Johnson was recruited by Gators linebackers coach Randy Shannon, who has already made an impact on the recruiting trail for Florida. Where Johnson will shine for UF is as a multi-purpose athlete who will eventually be placed in an appropriate role by head coach Jim McElwain and the staff.

Johnson also claimed offers from Arkansas, Wisconsin and UCLA.

For what it’s worth, there is one highlight clip of Johnson floating around on the Twitter.

Can Chase Pine do this?

Finally, Pittsburgh Sports Now posted a lengthy opinion piece on WPIAL kids not picking Pitt, because a WPIAL kid did not pick Pitt. Discuss.

Hail to Pitt

Michaelangelo Monteleone

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.

219 thoughts on “Bits and Pieces”

  1. Not sure I can really comment on this article other than to say that Rchman looks great in that PITT bucket hat. I am only 6 ft tall but Fran makes me look taller 😉
    . BTW ….major majors was carrying that team. Would be great if more of the POV’ers came out for this. It is a casual fun time. Heck, Caprara remembered us from last year and made it a point to ask how we were doing. Good time was had by all.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Despite all of the talk of Pine playing Outside, it’s INSIDE where he has the potential of being a FORCE.

    I posted so much in the fall and this is exactly what was witnessed at the Spring Game.

    Going to be interesting to see how things transpire with Reynolds.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I also make Richman look more handsome and smarter…
    That’s Bucco reliever Elroy Face in the white shirt in the photo with Dick Groat.
    Chris Schneider was a blast to play with.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. This will finally be the season that Narduzzi fields a defense up to the standards that earned him honors at Mich St.

    Now, if Whipple can just squeeze the maximum potential out of Pickett & our WR corps to complement them, we just might be able to defend our ACC Coastal Crown.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. I am happy with the grad transfer additions this year. We got more depth at our three most glaring problem areas. Two are from big time programs too.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Still say the O-line is the key. If they are good the team is good if they are bad…..

    The WPIAL is Catch 22. Pitt needs to win more to get more players from the WPIAL.
    Pitt needs the best players from the WPIAL to win more.

    Agree that the D-line looks to be the best in years, which means the defense should be too, but if the offense
    is below the line it won’t matter.

    Like

    1. Gordon – I’m a broken record but I think we are two competent offensive tackles from being a formidable team…

      Now that’s potentially a huge weakness – Sorry Coach Borbs but we’re counting on you…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I did not like hearing the JuCo O-lineman recruit from last season, Chase Brown, was starting at guard during the spring. I thought one of the redshirts would be better and starting ahead of him.

    Warren looking good at left tackle was terrific news though.

    Like

  9. My thoughts are too much is made of juco players earning playing time. Most of these players who went to football factories like Lackawana only did so because of grades and not a lack of skill or teams wanting them. BTW, I don’t think Lackawana is a juco school anymore??

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  11. We’d all like to see Pitt recruit better — but I do like the way Dooz explores and uses all options to try to make the team better.

    This incoming LB actually had some pretty good stats when he played as a redshirt freshman. Maybe now that he’s more mature and hopefully healthy, he can be an asset…

    We look solid on defense if the LBs can make some plays…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. I think the other overlooked piece is that here is a physically mature guy who can help on special teams.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Great post John

    I’m in the camp of the ghostly Dr Tom but will take it one step further. This is the year Narduzzi HAS to show us all what kind of coach he is over-all. Coaching, recruiting, hiring and preparing this PITT football team. It’s put up or shut up time. He can start by winning the Virginia game.

    Liked by 3 people

  13. Narduzzi wont be going anywhere unless there is major scandal or attendance drops by 10,000 per game (25% reduction in ticket sales)…the cost at that point outweighs his salary.

    The SI article points out questions like should the coach have been hired in the first place, should the coach have been extended and should the coach be terminated.

    The only remaining question is will Narduzzi survive his contract and like I said unless fans stop attending in droves or there is the discovery of infractions, fans will be stuck with him

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Ike, I guess you haven’t heard any further hoops rumors?

    I see we offered a Center, Nigel John, per pgh sports now; if Capel likes him that’s good to see, he’s a 3 star that originally had committed to Washington St. until their coach left per the article, so at this juncture that’s a pretty decent prospect to go after. However, I do wonder if this is a reaction to negative expectations regarding signing the French big? Anyway, let us know if you’re hearing anything…

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  16. stuck with a coach that might never win more than 8 games, might never win a bowl game, might never have Pitt ranked at seasons end, might never recruit another 4 star, and might never win the division again

    or in a dream state brought on by peyote, i could see him winning 11 games, winning bowl games in Florida, top 10 seasons, 5 star recruits and ACC championships

    Like

      1. Capel should be able to land top 150 talent without having to pay (too much) for it

        Like

  17. I’ve often wondered when contemplating Narduzzi’s tenure if there is a history of coaches getting better (translated- winning more games) during their second contract, meaning contract extension, or over a long career, with the same school.

    Beamer, for example, took a while to get VT going, but the program improved under him to the point where Fuente seems poised to continue the trend. Paul Johnson, on the other hand, had a pretty mediocre career at GT, with no real evidence that the football program significantly improved under his long tenure. Kyle Whittingham at Utah started out slow, built to a national championship in 2008, and has kept the program in pretty good shape over 15 years, although he has slipped a little the past couple of years.

    My question is, with the average HC lasting about 10 years or less, does a long term situation (with supposedly produces good high school recruiting and donor relationships, a constant style of play and brand, etc.) actually demonstrate that as a coach stays longer he will improve the program, or is it cynically just all about the money?

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    1. My opinion is that we basically have Walt-Harris level performance but in a tougher league. To wit, duzz has largely been doing it with chryt’s guys. But that means duzz has immediately elevated a 6-6 team to 8-4 (for the most part) with one hiccup season out of four. Harris elevated a 3-9 team to 7-5 (more or less) but it took him four years to get there.

      I for one believe that duzz’ (mostly) balanced approach to recruiting (high numbers at most positions – o line a little thinner than I like it) with a focus on developing and playing juniors and seniors will pay off. It’s basically the same strategy that put basketball team used to build itself up (back before he who shall not be named destroyed it). Much harder to do in football though! This is indeed the year where the rubber meets the road for pat narduzzi. He’s got the best all around staff so far (and that was trial and error for sure) and he’s had four years to develop his guys. There is no where for king pat to hide in 2019 (unless there are massive amounts of injuries – god forbid). Let’s see if he’s earned his title

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I know you know this Michael but the title of King Pat was never meant to be a compliment for those that don’t know this. It’s a slam on his personality.

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        1. Yep. And if his strategy works then he probably gets a pass on all that stuff

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    2. The SI article also mentioned that few coaches deserve extensions. And this was back in the early 90’s but it rings true today. The average tenure of a coach is 5 years.

      You ask a good question but in the end it comes down to expectations and results. In Pitt’s case, I’m pretty sure the administration is content with 7-8 win seasons, no scandals and graduating players. So Narduzzi appears to be a good fit at Pitt.

      If the fans have higher expectations, you’ll see a drop in attendance and donations. But, I think most fans are generally fine with today’s status quo. Fans may complain about mediocrity but they’ll still show up for a bobblehead or fireworks after the game.

      The Big time schools who do make changes do so because there is booster pressure or an AD who wants to win at the highest level…and the fans also expect more. Thats not Pitt and thats why Pitt is a historical 6.5 win program.

      Pitt is the poster child for mediocre because thats what the fans demand.

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    3. Seems to me there are about ten men in the entire universe who can consistently excel at coaching college football.
      Other coaches will flash now and then (mostly when they happen to get an exceptional QB coinciding with when the rest of the team is decent…).

      None of those ten super-genius coaches are coming to Pitt (and none of the up-and-coming super-genius coaches are staying at Pitt)…

      Any very generous Pitt offer will be matched or topped by one of the football factories.

      As much as we liked the results, Pitt will never be a football factory again because there are so many factors working against it, IMHO…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      1. Pitt doesnt have the revenues to be consistently elite and they dont have the appetite to cheat
        But Pitt can sure do better than 6-7 win seasons
        To be ranked only 3 times in the last 30 years is inexcusable
        The Hoopies have done it 10 times and Va Tech has done it 20 times

        Liked by 1 person

        1. The administration has no pride and probably feels if Pitt had those rankings that WVU and Tech posted it would jeopardize the Mission Statement. This is the same school that was going to preseason No. 1 in 1982 with a pro QB still in college and instead of doing a national search (Jimmy Johnson or George Welsh) decided to take the cheap way out and hire an assistant from within. Then did it again in 1989!

          That would have been the equivalent of Miami in the 1980s hiring Tom Olividatti instead of Jimmy Johnson and Gary Stevens instead of Dennis Erickson.

          Only Pitt’s administration could go 0-2.

          Liked by 1 person

      2. Yep John and those ten coaches all have boosters with a ready wallet at their disposal. Wouldn’t that be nice?

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  18. ^^1618, No, not much to report. I had heard there was a 2020 player and he is a good one that still may come to PITT but might not be this year. He will explode next year and PITT still might not get him. They are/was trying to get him eligible to reclassify. Still a possibility though.

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  19. Seems to me that this team’s depth at LB is potentially the best it has ever been, under WanStache, Graham, Chryst, or PN, considering the experience Reynolds, Bright, and Brightwell gained so far. A far cry from the Galambos/Gonzalez year.

    As always, the issue will be can Pitt stop teams from passing them to death, especially on 3rd and long?

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Nice pictures of the Outing and I’m jelly. Hope to go next year.

    I’ve played with Rich and he’s pretty good, so Major must be really good. Look forward to seeing that on display at Meadia Heights, John. I hope Erie did not recruit you for his foursome…that might be unfair.

    Looks like a lot of weight on the back foot, Fran.

    Capel is a southern guy….might be some bourbon in that Coke.

    Like

    1. JoeL – I was able to contribute some shots, but my playing partners exaggerate. I certainly didn’t carry any team.

      What was fun was that everyone contributed good shots. Richman had only played one previous round and was fresh off a flight from Europe, but still contributed big-time. I remember, for example, on No. 7, about a 150 yard par-3, Fran knocked it to about 8 feet and we got the birdie. Richman had only played one previous round and was fresh off a flight from Europe, but still contributed a bunch of shots.

      We did a lot of kidding with Chris Schneider about Mike Caprara because Mike, our “celeb” last year, was rusty and we only used one of his shots…

      Unfortunately I can’t make the POV outing this year. I know you guys are going to have a fun day.

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  21. Anyone wanting to sell Galambos short might just want to re-watch Clemson one more time.

    He was absolutely instrumental in the Win.

    Don’t think Reynolds has played an entire Game quite to that level… and I really like Reynolds.

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  22. Tex, if Pitt fans are content with 7-8 win seasons, then how can they ever fill those yellow seats? The solid Pitt fans can take the attendance level to 40,000, but to get another 10,000 in there requires a winning program and ticket sales from non-Pitt area folks who are simply football lovers. It requires someone to drive in from 50 miles to watch Pitt take on a good P5 team such as Michigan or maybe a good West Coast team.

    Maybe Pitt should take the approach of Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. Look at his record over the past 15 years. He clearly takes the JoePa approach of building for one good team every 4 years. And then he wins bowls with a 10-4 bowl record which keeps up the interest each year and sells tickets for the following year. There are different strategies to building a winning program within the institutional restrictions.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. and Pitt is still searching for a strategy after 30 years
      back in 2003, Pitt got on average 56k fans to attend games at Heinz
      they had a good home schedule
      and they had a player in running for the heisman
      if you can create some buzz around the program, Pitt should be able to draw 50k consistently
      i’d be tickled pink if once in every 4 years Pitt won 11 games…its been over 35 years now and counting

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    2. He also has T Boone Pickens as a wealthy backer

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      1. The Cowboys have one hell of a following. When they last played at Heinz I thought I was at a Kenny Chesney concert because there were so many cowboy boots and hats. Lots of nice looking women to boot. They really traveled well, being that far from home.

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    3. VoR, I’m gonna have to call you out on this one buddy. Where did this notion come about that PITT fans are content with 7-8 wins? That’s a misnomer in my book. Stomping feet and demanding change after change is not the answer, especially after PITT won the Coastal division………. Oh I didn’t say that again did I?

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      1. Pitt fans are used to seeing 6.5 wins every year, far more bowl losses than wins and a ranking once every decade. So 7-8 wins should please most Pitt fans.

        If fans were not content, attendance would be dropping like a rock. But it rests in a zone between 35k and 50k. Pitt fans have just gotten used to mediocrity.

        1/3 rd of all P-5 schools won fewer than 7 games. 22% (1 in 5) won 10 or more. So 45% won 7-9 games.

        Pitt is the definition of mediocre with the occasional bad year.

        Pitt fans would be yelling more like me if they truly wanted to be in that top 20% of schools.

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  23. One thing that fans of any school think that when they read an article about a really good player and he is considering their school, the assumption is that the school has real good shot of getting the player. And that may be true for the Alabamas and OSUs but when a kid has multiple offers, there is fans of only one school that aren’t going to be disappointed.

    That also goes for the pros ….. remember ‘The Decision’ back in 2010 when Lebron became Public Enemy #1 just about everywhere but Miami?

    In the past several months, we Pitt fans have been let down time and again when a big man said no to Capel. And we may well go thru it again in another week or so with the guy who reneged on Wash St.

    I have long contended that Pitt’s bread and butter, both in FB and BB, are the 3 stars who will stay 3, 4 or 5 years and develop into a productive player. And any 4 stars we get are just icing.

    This is the reality as I see it.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Pitt up 6-4 over Oregon in the National Ultimate Frisbee championship streaming on You Tube. Under 20 min to go.

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  29. So, apparently it wasn’t the championship, but it was a game in the championship tournament which goes on this weekend. Long story short, Pitt won 14-12.

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  30. Ike, I was quoting someone else as saying 7-8 wins were enough. I was wondering in my post if coaches actually ever get better with time. Were you ever a fan of the JoePa approach of playing for a championship or top bowl every 4 years? I think that this is a disservice to the players who are passed over.

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  31. VoR, I would never take you to task over trivial crap like that but I do have to add, some local players go to other schools and sit on the pine bench and are perfectly happy with that. Why??

    You’re a good buddy E-Man.

    Like

  32. By year, the % of the recruiting class from PA

    2005: 52
    2006: 59
    2007: 54
    2008: 74
    2009: 45
    2010: 42
    2011: 19
    2012: 38
    2013: 52
    2014: 39
    2015: 47
    2016: 29
    2017: 21
    2018: 30
    2019: 21

    Historically, its been around 50%. Under Narduzzi its at 25%

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Wanny definitely made an effort to stay in the state. But PA likely had more elites back then. What this doesnt show is the # of 4 and 5 stars in the state. But I do know that historically PA has produced 10-15 (similar to OH). Recently it has produced around 4 each year. So I’m sure Narduzzi’s shift out of state reflects the smaller talent pool in PA.

      What this also doesnt show is the % of WPIAL top recruits that select Pitt. Not only has WPIAL talent dried up but I’m sure that Pitt is landing a lower % of the elites. Just seems to be that the WPIAL studs are heading out of state at a higher rate than historically.

      Besides having a roster now comprised of a higher % of ‘mercenaries’ or ‘foreign’ players, the program costs increase since these out of state players’s tuition are double the in state rate.

      Like

      1. as a follow-up, PA had the same level of talent back in the Wanny days as it does today. Wanny just did a better job at attracting PA recruits. That was his focus. Build a wall around Pittsburgh. He still got half of his class out of state though.

        dont know if WPIAL talent is down but it feels like it and thats what I have seen regarding P-5 offers. and again it seems like the very best in WPIAL typically head out of state with the one exception and that exception usually shines at Pitt. All perception here.

        But my perception also told me that PA talent was down and out. That is not true.

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  33. Getting the best WPIAL players would be nice but it is not critical. Pitt has to get recruits from all over the ACC footprint and the tri state area.
    The WPIAL needs to allow spring ball for football to up their game.

    Like

    1. IMO the trend over the last 30 years reflect (1) the population decline, (2) the larger schools are now mostly in the affluent outer suburbs where FB is not as valued, and (3) lack of resources and coaches for the City and smaller, less affluent schools

      Pine Richland has been the dominant large school in WPa over the past decade whereas previously schools like Penn Hills, North Hills, Gateway and McKeesport were the better schools. Before that when I grew up, mill town schools like Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, New Castle, and Uniontown were all really good. While these schools still produce some good teams/players they all play in much lower classification now; back in the 60s and 70s, they were all in the top classfiication

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Don’t forget Woodland Hills, they put a remarkable number of kids in the pros.

        In any case, the decline in the number of potential P-5 players is another reason for the decline in Pitt’s recruiting. This is no small thing in that Narduzzi must recruit more kids from further away. This takes a greater effort and more money for travel. Texting helps but is not as effective as sitting on a kids front porch, attending his games etc. Also harder to do a deep dive into the kids normal behavior outside of football.

        Most successful programs have a recruiting base, where they get a majority of their players, Pitt barely has one anymore. Playing for the home town team is pretty much a thing of the past. I have been reading that the next two years of WPIAL players is better, but no guarantees for Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  34. of elite recruits in PA (Rivals 4 or 5 star)

    2003: 8
    2004: 10
    2005: 7
    2006: 8
    2007: 10
    2008: 14
    2009: 9
    2010: 11
    2011: 9
    2012: 11
    2013: 10
    2014: 9
    2015: 7
    2016: 9
    2017: 7
    2018: 15
    2019: 9

    PA has been pretty consistent around 9 elites each year over the past 15 years. So its not like the talent just dried up. This stat surprised me.

    For comparison, OH at 14, NJ at 8, MD at 8, VA at 9
    Florida has trended up over the last 15 years. They sit at 50 each year on average (15 year historical)
    Georgia sits at 30 each year and that number like Florida inches up every year

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    1. A more meaningful number would be the WPIAL, because PSU pretty much owns the rest of the state.

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      1. correct. but that would have required more onerous research. 🙂
        no easy way to filter on Rivals

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    2. one note is that the shift of elite blue chips through the years from Western to Eastern PA. I remember seeing a list of top 20 PA recruits a few years ago when about 15 of them were from the east. If memory serves, the population in WPa has declined more rapidly than the eastern part of the state.

      Thus the decline of quality recruits overall through the decades with WPa being the most affected. And it is certainly not coincidental that the decline of quality recruits over the last 3 decades plus has mirrored the decline of Pitt FB.

      I keep telling you that any kind of measure of today’s Pitt FB to that of the late 70s is not only unfair … it is futile

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      1. there are around 10 elites each year from PA. But I didnt look into the composition by West vs East. Your hypothesis makes sense. I’ll do a quick check based on 3 years in my 15 year sample.

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      1. I think only two as of now but that figure should go up. Historically, PA has been around 10 with half from WPA. Theres no excuse for Pitt not landing at least one or two elites from PA each year.

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    1. with Wanny, it appeared he had solid relationships with WPIAL coaches
      I dont think Narduzzi is as well liked
      so relationships probably has something to do with the shift
      to my surprise, the shift cant be explained by a drop in overall PA talent

      Like

      1. Again, most of Pitt’s PA players came from the WPIAL, which has been in decline.

        Some of the drop may be Narduzzi, but not all. A lot has to do with Pitt’s overall poor record

        since the eighties. Many of these kids never had any interest in Pitt like Jurkovec and others
        who went to ND.

        But the rest of PA has been owned by PSU for ever.

        Also as has been mentioned, Dorian Johnson, Tyler Boyd and possibly others would have gone to PSU if not for the sanctions, so the decline would have started earlier.

        The Dravon Henry situation that happened under Chryst did not help in the Beaver Valley area., so while some of this is on Narduzzi, hard to say how much.

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  36. Once again … just look at the decline in the last 10 years ….. (Mike White’s headline from October)

    30 years ago WPIAL-City had 27 Power 5 recruits and 47 FBS recruits. Ten years ago, there were 24 Power 5 and 38 FBS. So far this year 4 and 14.

    This says it all …..

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    1. this year is a bad year
      but in looking at the last 15 years, its pretty stable
      Overall PA elite talent is around 9 every year
      A slight shift of that talent coming from the eastern part of the state
      Narduzzi just has a totally different philosophy when it comes to PA…thats not good or bad…thats just the way it is

      Like

  37. 45% of the top recruits (top 40 lists) came from EPA in the early 2000’s
    That number is now closer to 55%
    So a slight increase up which amounts to an extra 4 recruits every year from State College and East.

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  38. I still don’t understand how we can lose a recruit to WVU.
    And that has happened quite often.
    No excuse for that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. because they have constant enthusiastic sell-outs …. whereas Pitt’s only sellouts usually are for ND, PSU and “WVU” … and guess why???

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      1. how about WVU bowl games??? They normally sell 20k tickets even for the lesser bowls. They travel very well. On the other hand, bowl officials treat Pitt like its the plague …. for good reason (an it has nothing to do with its bowl record)

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        1. from a non-alum …. this is typical Pitt alum cynicism. You blame everything and everyone except the real culprits. You don’t donate and you don’t attend

          I estimate that I have attended > 60 games in this millennium in which I lived about 2 hours away for half of it. If just 30% of your alums had my conviction, the program would be in much better shape

          Liked by 3 people

          1. but fewer than 3% have your conviction because thats the % of alumni that donate to Pitt sports. And that figure includes season ticket holders who are forced to donate. So practically zero % of Pitt alums donate to sports

            and frankly I dont blame them. I’ve attended and donated in the past. I’m done. I refuse to support mediocrity and incompetence.

            The university needs to work on ways at engaging alumni and they just flat out havent. They need to work on ways connecting with them. And more importantly building sports into the fabric of the college experience for students to instill school pride and spirit. To help nurture your future donors. Pitt has failed and continues to this day.

            Pitt fans are too content with the status quo. Fans enable Pitt to continue being mediocre. I understand how attending and donating shows love to ones school. But I think what is missed is how one can love by doing something that is perceived as harsh and cruel. I think it is time for Pitt fans to have an intervention with Pitt sports. Enough is enough.

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        3. Myself included. Been to exactly two bowls in 20 years

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          1. dont blame the fans. but fans like me dont support anymore and dont attend. Because why should i continue buying a bad product. Thats the message that I send. I just show my love for Pitt in different ways than most.

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    2. I guess you haven’t noticed that WVU’s football program has been much more successful than Pitt’s since the mid eighties. They have rabid fans and a much stronger desire to win. Also academics are somewhat less strenuous which appeals to a lot of players. The reputation as a party school doesn’t hurt either.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. And WVU has less of a recruiting base than Pitt. So they have been recruiting FL longer and harder than us.

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    3. Easier academics. Some people don’t want to try

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  39. there is no doubt that the emphasis in recruiting the past few years has been in the ACC footprint … FL, GA, VA, etc It takes a while to build relationships.

    There is also a renewed interested in WPa because numbers indicate for the first time in a wile, there is an increased number of quality local recruits … not necessarily blue chips, but a number of players with attractive offers and a lot of potential.

    Aaron Donald’s nephew is supposed to be a 2021 4-star and tweeted about a month ago, he received an offer from his dream school ….. LSU? He had to get this from watching TV and seeing a rabid, sold-out stadium on Sat night.

    Back in the day …. much of the local focus was on Pitt, PSU, ND and maybe OSU. Nowadays, it’s much less centralized

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    1. All good points, but easier to blame Narduzzi’s personality if it fits your narrative.

      No doubt that Wanny made a major effort regarding the WPIAL and was a local home town guy,
      but the challenges are different now so the focus has to change.

      Besides Wanny is long gone and his efforts are irrelevant to today’s challenges, as are Sherrill, Majors and Sutherland.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Saw this posted on the Lair…

    Basketball Psychology
    @BallisPsych

    “After 3 years, Coach K’s record at Duke was 38-47.

    He’s now the winningest coach in NCAA men’s basketball history.

    He didn’t change what he was doing, he just continued the process of building a solid foundation. Sometimes the best strategy is being patient and consistent.”

    Sounds like ike wrote that!

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. to play ‘Devils’ advocate, Pitt has promised us fans to trust the process for the past 40 years. And Pitt did build a solid foundation. A foundation that got Pitt into the ACC (thanks BC), but nonetheless Pitt is part of the P-5 family and a good conference. If anything, the foundation has enabled Pitt to be consistently mediocre. Excellence was never in the plans.

      Like

        1. They played their hand well. And will continue to depend on the kindness and loyalty of Pitt fans for attending games and buying merchandise so they can support their habit.

          Like

  41. I wonder if Narduzzi kicks the tires on the Michigan defensive end who is transferring? He is immediately eligible with two years to play but has not seen the field in his two seasons at Michigan. A former four-star recruit out of NJ.

    Like

  42. I was thinking about the BoT and wondering why there is so little interest in making Pitt a top football program again. I think many of them are still living in the 50s and 60s when Pitt prided itself on the number of players who went on to become doctors, dentists and lawyers. The NFL was smaller and weaker then, with fewer opportunities. They just haven’t come to grips with the fact that a different kind of student is pursuing college football these days. They want to play in today’s NFL and make the big money someday.

    BoT members don’t accept that kids go to college for different reasons, and that athletic skill is a unique talent that should be valued. There are scholarships available for kids who excel in science or maybe are top violin players. Why not more university scholarships for athletes? The band costs money and no one expects them to turn a profit. Why are athletics treated differently?

    Like

  43. Pretty good interview with Jeff Capel on PSN. He says a couple of encouraging words about Brown.

    Coach Capel comes across well in interviews, IMHO…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  44. I think it is overtly obvious to everyone on this blog that the really good players are not tripping over their cleats to come to Pitt.

    I’m not ready to say our staff can’t recruit. However, if I was a college recruiter, I’d love to be up against Pitt for a premier player. What an easy job: pics of thousands of empty yellow seats, horrible losses, hard weather, mediocre W/L for 30+ years, yadda, yadda, yada.

    The only solution to this generations old dilemma – can’t win without players; can’t play without winners – is to recruit “potential”, not stars. You’ve got a kid for 5 years, when he is at the max learning and developmental stage of life. And I think the Nard staff does a very good job of developing the 5.4+ kids.

    To get the cream-of-the-crop recruits, you gotta WIN, BABY. and, when you have our recent history – heck, even parents of current recruits weren’t alive to see Pitt’s glory years – it is not an instant gratification job – much to the oft-demonstrated chagrin of the fans.

    So, get the best potential we can get, and develop that potential into 4-5 talent, and we will start getting the wins we are so starved for. Then the recruiting becomes easier.

    That, ‘n’ doing the easiest OOC in the world!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Good post, Savannah. Makes sense to me.

      And I think when Pitt does get into some elite players final four, and he’s trying to trim his list to two, we provide reasons to be the next scratch because of the boxes we don’t check… ☹️

      Go Pitt.

      Like

    2. Savannah, what do you mean that parents of recruits now weren’t alive to see Pitt’s glory years?? I have a kid graduating college this year and I was a freshman when we won the NC. Just sayin’…..

      Like

  45. Let’s drill down into the “narrative” just a little bit.

    If you put any stake in the reports related here and elsewhere, it’s pretty apparent that Narduzzi’s EGO and other aspects of his overall personality simply turn people off.

    Personally, I’ve met him and talked with him. I found him to be FINE except for coming across a little unpolished.

    Fact is Narduzzi will never be confused with being a CHARMER… and that goes along way with “winning the day” when it comes to recruiting.

    Like

    1. I have to respectively disagree. Narduzzi is not recruiting media reporters and fans of PITT. He is recruiting parents and young players though yet everyone concurs that he and his staff are very sincere, passionate and courteous. Yeah I know that’s like a highlight reel and what do we really know? From what I understand is that there are only a few people that really don’t like the man and it’s not really the problem… it’s PITT! Problem for those who don’t like him. He won the Coastal division. (had to wedge that one in there again) and the administration loves the guy.

      Like

    2. And yet the kids that play for him love him. Or so I hear

      Like

  47. How is “winning” defined at Pitt? How would Heather define “winning” for Pitt football? If one cannot define the objective, then it is impossible to develop a plan to get there. POVers are somewhat inconsistent on this one. I say look at Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State and Kyle Whittingham at Utah over the past 15 years. Or even David Shaw at Stanford over the past 8 years. This is what winning football should look like for Pitt. Pitt will never be Alabama, LSU or Clemson, but these three programs are what Pitt should be aspiring to.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I totally agree Tx but we can’t forget that PITT kicked Stanford butts all over the field in the Bowl game last year. What does that mean? Different question all together but Stanford football program is not any further ahead than PITT’s. Getting beat down 14-13 does not show me that PITT isn’t on an an equal level. Watson lost that game, then he was promptly shown the door.

      Like

      1. Stanford is the better program
        Pitt might have been the better team that day but they lost and thats what matters
        How does Pitt become a better program?
        Pitt needs to begin listening and doing

        Like

  48. PoD, and Narduzzi’s predecessor had little ego and went 18-19 in 3 years …. yet he goes to UW and starts winning 10 games.

    It’s not the coach nor his ego …. IT’S THE FREAKIN PROGRAM ,,, and there is about 30 years of evidence to support that statement

    Liked by 2 people

    1. There is a Capital Alumni Network (CAN) in DC. One thing they do is organize sports leagues. My son plays for the Vanderbilt softball team. There are 60-some teams in the league and 7 divisions with mostly all major schools represented.

      The Pitt softball team is leading their Division with a 5-0 record. (They beat my son’s Vandy team handily – but my son was out of town and had to miss that game. )

      —Pitt won the league championship last year.

      —And Pitt won the league championship the year before that…

      They’re going for the three-peat. (But they had to squeak past Indiana 19-18 in the opener!)

      Alas, no Director’s Cup points. ☹️

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  49. Chryst was NOT the best Game Day Coach. You can find more than one critical post by me highlighting that fact.

    But let’s not forget that Chryst tried to win football games with a Tino and a Chad at Quarterback.

    He did a good job of getting what he could out of them. But his offense was handcuffed given what he had to work with at that position.

    Like

  50. Still he recruited BETTER than Narduzzi… especially locally.

    Say what you want about Chryst… people liked him. This was especially TRUE with WPIAL Coaches.

    Like

    1. As has been pointed out, HCPC had the advantage of the PSU exposure, which led to a few impact players coming to Pitt who very likely would have ended up in Crappy Valley.

      And HCPC, despite his rep as an offensive guru, seems to struggle finding a QB.

      All that said, I’m a PC fan.

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Chryst’s weakness at Pitt was being too loyal to Players. He showed a TOTAL unwillingness to pull his Starting Quarterback.

        Same thing at Wisconsin with Hornibrook who I was never crazy about… even when he looked to be coming to Pitt.

        But loyalty to his Quarterback is not going to be a problem for Chryst come fall.

        He’s got the nation’s No. 1 Dropback Passer coming in as a Freshman.

        Like

      2. We would have had wisky’s qb if Chryst had stayed. Can’t recall his name but he’s a game manager at best

        Like

    2. Recruited o line better. Running backs about the same (remember Conner was a DE recruit). Recruited defense much worse

      Like

        1. Did they? Check waaay back into the archives my friend. A running back decomitted. All of these sudden Conner was a RB option. Now that may Jen been before he signed…

          Like

          1. James Conner committed in August before his senior year .. as a DE. He really impressed the coaches at Pitt’s summer camp with his strength and athleticism

            https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2013/james-conner-26275

            But in his senior year in HS, he broke out as this star RB (he also still played DE). He wasn’t the primary RB (was 2nd in number of carries) but had big games vs Mentor and Ignatious, among others. And the coaches viewed his tapes after his senior season and told him that they would like to try him at RB. Then in the spring when PC criticized Rushell Snell for his malaise, causing his exit … then it became a no-brainer

            Like

          2. Looks Iike I’m wrong on the initial commit which was as D-End. But Rudolph has been quoted as saying he and Chryst decided Conner was their best Runningback Recruit and told him that was the position they were actually recruiting him for.

            The IMPORTANT thing is that somebody going by POD was pretty much alone in touting Conner as a Runningback at Pitt instead of D-End.

            And as they say, the rest is… searchable.

            Lol

            Liked by 1 person

            1. I think it was the Cory Clement de-commitment that got the Conner train rolling. I agree that after they evaluated everyone (and provably looked at Connors senior film ) they said he’s the best guy. The irony is that clement went pro after his junior season at whisky and went un drafted. Was a key piece to the eagles super bowl run though.

              Like

  51. As for the state of Pitt Football… sure Pitt is not exactly the MECCA.

    A lack of a Stadium certainly plays into that and will always stand in the way of Pitt becoming a dominant football program again.

    But bottom line… it’s Head Coaches who ultimately are responsible for how well a Program recruits and wins.

    Had Wanny been a better Game Day Coach and keeping players out of trouble… he undoubtedly would have REALLY won given the way he could recruit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So a few kids got into trouble in a short period of time. Welcome to Division 1 football.

      Was it worth pissing away a decade of football? Now the Pitt professor who poised his wife, now that was embarrassing to the university, not four kids getting into trouble in 2010.

      Wanny was far from perfect, but he was what Pitt needed but Steve Pederson did a terrific job duping Nordy into firing Dave.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. And if my aunt had a xxxx, she’d be my uncle.

      His game day failures weren’t going to change unless he changed. That wasn’t going to happen.
      He needed an AD with football coaching experience to push him.

      I disagree with your point on “ultimate”. Think it comes down to a school (BOT, Admin and Alum) having the collective mindset to succeed at football. That mindset was missing when Pitt Stadium was replaced with a basketball arena. Hard for a coach to succeed without success-minded people behind him.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. He’s out there but his agent knows better to have his client coach to a university that won’t bend the rules and also coach in front of yellow seats off campus. There are much better options out there for such an important step in one’s career.

      Liked by 2 people

  53. So there is the narrative, we need a new coach.

    While I have been critical of recruiting results for a number of years, which I was strongly criticized for at the time. I don’t place all the blame on Narduzzi. Plenty of obstacles as listed above. I don’t think the answer, at this time is to look for that mythical coach that will solve all of our problems, and start the process all over again.

    I think Narduzzi deserves 3 or 4 more years unless the bottom absolutely falls out. Pitt didn’t get to where it is overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight. Administration has made it nearly impossible to win 9 or 10 by adding WVU and Tennessee at the same time. The OOC is somewhat easier this year and much easier next year, so we will see what an easier schedule means to wins and losses.

    Odds are a new coach could more likely be a Freddy Kruger or Fraud than a future Dabo Sweeney or Nick Saban.

    Liked by 1 person

  55. Something worth mentioning about the rivals stars in pa.

    Before they committed, there was only one 4 star in pa last year, Keith Maguire. He signed with Clemson.

    At some point, between then and now, 8 more 4 stars appeared. Rivals changed at least 8 star rankings after the kids committed.

    Wish I would have saved a screen shot of their pre commitment stars.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I saw that as well
      Those who picked Pitt most likely dropped and those who picked the Nitters climbed
      But in seriousness, I saw what you say

      Like

  56. By the way… already on the record saying Narduzzi gets his first Bowl Win next year.

    Prediction has more to do with Whipple’s IMMEDIATE impact on the Offense than anything Narduzzi will manage in his 5th year as the “Guru” of the Defense.

    Coastal Championship is a different story mainly due to the expected improvements being made by other Coastal Members… starting with Virginia.

    Like

  57. A lot of you want to beat on Narduzzi’s O-Line recruitment and the players he’s recruited but in all seriousness, I’m willing to let the young men play and see what they can do. I have a feeling there is a lot of talent there. Last years O-Line was thought to be horrible. You guys go ahead but I will wait a second and see for myself. I do not put down my outside umbrella until I’m absolutely sure the storm is going to hit. BTW, I also LOVE thunder storms.

    Thinking Mr Whipple helping to improve KP and then thinking KP will indeed improve will make the O-Line look ok. Exciting times on the horizon!

    Like

  58. Whipple is 87 and coached at Umass. Wow, Pitt fans would get excited by this AARP hire. We need a AD and a New HC and if Capel doesn’t do something in the next 2 years a hoops coach. Hey but Heather paida Nike to design new uniforms a panhandler at the O could of designed four a pie and old english.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I never liked him from my days at UF but I’d take him over Pizza Calfs.

        Are you going to golf event? I have miles if you need them.

        Like

  59. Ike – Not aimed at you but most on this blog who think Pappy is going to excite, recruit and save this offense.

    Pickett meet the bench is the first thing that needs to happen. I think he has had 1 good game in 15 games. Stats don’t lie.

    Like

    1. UPitt – I’d like to see him play in a different scheme than Watson’s before benching. There are fundamental differences between Pappy vanWhipple and Watson’s and I prefer his scheme. As you acknowledged earlier, it’s an upgrade. Age isn’t an issue at 63. As a 59 yr old, I think your youth and inexperience is showing here -haha. See you in Lancaster.

      Liked by 3 people

  60. Glad everyone had fun at the Pitt golf tourny… see you all next week for the real important one.

    Here is a piece done by FL sportswriter before last season…

    “Though the Gators were thin at linebacker last season, Johnson did not see much action other than as a reserve. A former high school quarterback, he converted to safety when he initially joined Florida but added weight and moved down to linebacker. Johnson started six games (including the final five) as a redshirt freshman in 2016 due to injuries sustained by his teammates but missed the majority of the 2017 campaign due to ailments of his own.”

    From the Gators Roster:

    2018: Played in all 13 games and started two (Charleston Southern, Colorado State) at linebacker… Totaled 27 tackles and two pass breakups… Notched a season-best four tackles against UK and Col. State… “

    7 solos tackles (which was 20th on the Gators and would have been 24th out of the Pitt defenders) , no sacks and no TFLs. If this kid starts for us we are in a world of hurt.

    https://floridagators.com/cumestats.aspx?path=football#individual

    Liked by 1 person

  61. Pitt’s savior (young coach who will miraculously turn around the program) may have always been out there. But who is he? We haven’t found him yet …. and the odds are against ever finding him, or better yet, that he wants to come.

    In the last 30 years, Pitt has had 9 different HCs … 5 in the last 9 years (including Heyward.) But what heck! Why not keep trying …. and trying!. After all , it’s obvious that it’s a bunch of terrible hires, and not a number of pertinent factors and constraints that restrict their effofrts

    Like

  62. I’ll repeat my self here…………. If Narduzzi does not field an above 500 team this year, depending on circumstances or course, then his head should be on the chopping block. As has been said many times, he could get away with being a dickhead but he has to win to do so. But he has to win!

    Liked by 1 person

  63. Mike Gundy gets to a bowl game every year, and then wins them with a 10-4 record over 14 years. Clearly, his strategy is to do what must be done to win the bowl game. It probably helps him for recruiting purposes.

    Like

    1. Of course it does. Anyone who thinks not 1) getting to a bowl game and 2) not winning that bowl game is making excuses for poor performance.

      I’ve talked with many out-of-state recruit’s parents and they all want their kids to be in as many bowl games as possible…why? Because they are nationally televised and scouts watch them.

      Like

  64. Agree with UPitt.
    We had two 1,000 rushers And aside from Wake, Pickett couldn’t throw the ball.
    Oh right, that’s all on Watson.
    And Whipple is gonna change all that, with a lackluster line, no star receivers, questionable tight ends and a qb who ranked, I believe, 119th.
    “But the players say we now have a wide open passing attack!”
    And last year Tre Tipton said Kenny P was a future Heisman winner.

    Like

    1. Hate to say it because i hyped Pickett up like crazy back in spring of 2017, but what a disappointment he has been so far… however I also wrote last pre-season that we should have tempered expectations when in three final games of 2017 he threw exactly one TD pass in 66 attempts (on a trick shovel pass at that).

      A QB rating of 120 won’t cut in in P5 ball. Some history:

      Kenny Pickett – 120

      Max Brown – 124
      Nate Peterman – 163
      Chad Voytek – 140
      Tom Savage – 138
      Tino Sunseri – 151
      Bill Stull – 150

      Damn – when Max Brown, who was a joke in the first place, beats your starting QB’s rating then something’s very wrong.

      Personally I think the problem is above Pickett’s shoulders as he panicked a lot last season. Maybe if he gets any sort of pass protection he’ll be better.

      I do seem to remember that Pitt fans on here were singing Watson’s praises when he signed on. Goes to show past performance isn’t a guarantee of future results.I ain’t jumping up and down about Whipple either…another journeyman coach. We need another young up and comer like Canada…

      Like

      1. …Who will be gone in a year. Whipple still has it … heck he put up 27 on the road against Georgia last year with two star talent. And he doesn’t have happy feet

        Like

    1. I would not classify Canada as an up and comer. Certainly not an old timer like Whipple.

      Has Canada recovered from his LSU debacle?

      Like

      1. At this point he’s a Journeyman. If he’d been successful at LSU he’d be an up and comer. Quite frankly if he’d stayed at Pitt and had a couple more good seasons he’d be an up and comer. No whether or not he could have had a couple good seasons with Pitt’s last two years of qb at the helm is another question

        Liked by 2 people

  67. Reed, some of us are at the Doubletree right down from the course.
    March 27 POV article details the event.

    Like

    1. Not yet Ike…Rick’s working on it. Total number of players changed a few days ago.

      Like

  70. I have an excel spreadsheet on Rival’s recruiting rankings. While I do not have all recruits by sate, I do have 4 & 5 stars by state (WPA as a separate state) from 2002. So here is my data.

    PN – 5 seasons 12 total 4 & 5’s. 4 each from WPA & Ohio. 1 each from DC, SC, FL, & ILL.

    PC – 3 seasons 11 total. 7 from WPA, 1 each TN, ILL, OH, & NJ

    Fraud – 1 season 2 total, 1 Ohio, & 1 NJ.

    DW – 6 seasons 28 total. 11 from WPA, 6 PA, 4 NY, 3NJ, 1 each from OH, DC, KS & FL.

    WH – 3 seasons 5 total. 1 each from WPA, PA, CA, KS & FL.

    Now for my usual over explaining. Rival’s only goes back to 2002 (or at least Panther-liar). Rival’s “state” is based on where last year of High/Prep school played. For examples, Todd Thomas a 4* commit in 2009 is from WPA but the Todd Thomas 4* commit from 2010 is from NY. Same with Khaynin Mosley-Smith, in 2010 he was a low 3* from WPA. In 2011, he is a low 4* from NY.

    Slightly off-topic. I have read here & other Pitt sites that Larry Fitzgerald was from Minnesota. Always amazed that WH trekked to MN to recruit him, I found out from Rival’s that he is from PA. Spent his prep year at Valley Forge Prep (or it could be VF Military Academy). Now it makes sense, WH probably did spend time in MN but he & his staff probably spent a great deal more time in east PA.

    Before we go nuts about DW, he also had 33 2 stars.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. its no coincidence that Pitt was winning 8, 9 and 10 games under Wanny. He was able to land about 4 four stars each year. Thats what you need. Yes – the schedule was easier but Wanny’s coaching left much to be desired.

      Like

  71. Thanks Fran and you know who I’m rooting for to take home the FrankCan trophy. 😉 Here’s looking at you friend.

    Richard, your research is very much appreciated and your delivery, knowing you as I do, makes me chuckle every-time. I Love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do wish maybe someday we can all find out who Frankcan was. Beyond the guy who posted in Caps and misspelled words. He was so passionate and loved Pitt. And he did challenge someone (I forget) to a fight. I hope that didnt lead to his demise. He’s a guy I’d want in my corner any day.

      Like

  72. Pitt is in the Elite 8 of Ultimate Frisbee down in Austin after finishing 3-1 in qualifying play and winning their division (hey another Pitt team that won a division)
    Their game is at 8 am tomorrow against the winner of Colorado and Georgia I think (playing tonight)
    Pitt is the overall #3 seed
    I’d be there but its a freakin 2.5 hour trip by car. Sorry but I’m not waking up at 4 am to do it.
    Could a NC be coming Pitt’s way (have already won 2 and back to back at that)
    This actually could be a future sport by the NCAA
    that would be 100 points in the D Cup

    Like

  73. I think Whipple helps KP to become a better QB this year. A lot of our success hinges on this I think. Today Mike Guny is a fine head football coach. However, after 4 seasons at Okie St. his overall record was 27-23. In conference he was 13-19. Let’s give King Pat some room to breathe.

    Like

  75. Regarding pickett comments… he was a colossal disappointment last year. Sure some of it was Watson but Pickett was also not nearly as good as we had hoped he would be. Had he come close to our expectations going into last season we could’ve had a very special season. Could’ve been the difference in beating UNC, Notre Dame, Stanford, and maybe Miami. And we wouldn’t have had as bad of losses against Penn State, UCF, and Clemson.

    Liked by 1 person

  76. Pickett was disappointing but much of it was the porous O-line. Hopefully he learns how to throw better on the run this year and the line gives him more time to throw.

    Like

    2. Much of it was also the play calling. We did not see plays, like screen passes, used to help offset a flawed offensive line. And we did not see plays designed to get rid of the ball quickly.

      I’m hopeful that Coach Whipple does significantly better because he has shown that he designs his offense around the playmakers. And, unlike many, I think Pitt has some offensive playmakers at WR who wii step it up — mainly Ffrench, Mack, Mathews, Shocky and Tipton…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  78. It is not just the head coach that makes a winning program.

    In the time the Steelers have had 3 coaches, the Browns have had 20 including Belichek.

    Chryst was considered a bum by many here, but he has been above the line at Wisky.

    To win you have to have a solid organization from top to bottom. A coach can only do so much if the rest of the ingredients aren’t there. It also includes having great players who stay healthy.

    Like

    1. Its a culture thing
      and a coach can change the culture if empowered
      but at Pitt you have eggheads running the show and Nitters on the BoT

      Like

  79. I believe the Rooneys and Sports Authority would shat if Pitt did something like this at Heinz
    they cant even get the seating in some sections to say Heinz Field or Steelers or some paid advertising logo because some Yinzers think its sight pollution…I’m serious
    No way Yinzers who live in Mount Warshington will support tarps with logos or advertising
    The crap you have to deal with living in Pittsburgh

    Like

        1. He didn’t win the ACC. He was embarrassed by Clemson and his QB threw for 8 yards. He won a atrocious coastal. Keep it in perspective.

          Like

          1. Yep, he won the atrocious Coastal over every coach in that division that I believe you said was much superior to Narduzzi. Some of which are no longer with the current coastal teams.

            Liked by 2 people

        2. Again, for the (hopefully) last time.. Pitt did NOT win the ACC. Pitt won the Coastal Division of the ACC. There is a SIGNIFICANT difference.

          Like

          1. Well I respectfully disagree with you there Jay. You can’t win the ACC title unless you win the Coastal division first. PITT earned that trophy and it wasn’t just for participating but for winning 6 ACC games.

            Like

            1. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing to disagree with. Winning the AFC North is not winning the AFC Championship. Winning the NL Central is not winning the National League. Pitt won a DIVISION. They did NOT win a CONFERENCE.

              There is literally no opinion, perspective, etc.
              that changes the fact that the Coastal Division Championship is NOT the same as the ACC Conference Championship. What is so difficult to understand?

              Like

  81. Heres the funny thing. Although I dont give money to football anymore, I did stroke a small check to mens soccer last year and asked that the money be used for scholarships or facilities improvements. Pitt actually listened!

    Liked by 1 person

  83. One commonly used psychological test is to speak a word to someone and have them immediately respond back with the first word or two that come to mind. If Pitt tried this test with a random sample of football recruits, I wonder what the response would be? My guess is that it would probably be some form of mediocrity such as nice school or nice city, no opinion. Winner, class act, great school, fantastic program are all responses that we would like to see but are a long way from.

    Like

  85. Do we have a bunch of 4 and 5 star frisbee recruits or are we coaching up 2 stars?

    I bet I know some of their grandparents from frisbee contests on Walnut Street in Shadyside back in the day…haha.

    Like

  86. So if you go back to 1950 PSU 4+ 1 Interim head coach, WVU 10, Pitt 17 + 4 Interim + Freddy.

    Funny Pitt has had as many Interim coaches as PSU has had head coaches.

    Like

  87. Here is an interesting list

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pittsburgh_Panthers_head_football_coaches

    In the modern era Michelosen stayed longest 11 years.

    Jock Sutherland lasted 15 years.

    Check out the winning percentages. Majors was amazing considering what he started with and Sherrill’s record was incredible.

    Obviously today’s football is much different. Much more expensive with top programs entrenched at the top.

    Coaches salaries off the charts. I believe Jackie left Pitt to become the first million dollar coach.

    Like

  90. Those schools create a memmory and it largely revolves around a campus and being back on campus. They have the sights and sounds and smells of football.

    Pitt Alums have to go to a sterile and stale and cheaply built Heinz Field with none of that.

    When people compare Heinz to Pitt Stadium is is Apples to Oranges. The stadium needed a complete redo if they even kept the shell. Regardless, the reason money is bad is because not only did alum not have a experience but they didn’t even have it close to the campus which is what matters. If Pitt is serious you can’t keep the same route up. You have to make it a priority to create a bit of a campus. Buy up the entire South Oakland piece by piece and tear it down. Make a new stadium and the rest is parking and greenspace with some actual nice eateries and businesses. The place is
    a slum. Redo the roads in and fix the issues down by the hotel and that Italian grocery.

    Go to a game anywhere on that list and it feels like a game. Tons of money spent and alum back. Oakland gets zero money when Pitt plays at home.

    Liked by 4 people

  91. I mentioned this before and got no comments, maybe because it’s a crazy idea, but what about a stadium at the bottom of Bates to the left of the Hot Metal Bridge, with an incline to get the students down there…how would that image be for SportsCenter with the incline in the foreground and the Cathedral as a backdrop?

    Liked by 1 person

  92. Seriously, you think not having an OOC is the only thing wrong with Pitt Football? There was an OOC until 2000. Other than the Pop Warner/ Sutherland years, and the Majors/Sherrill years, Pitt was average to woeful, for over 100 years.

    Like

    1. its one of many reasons and is one that Pitt refuses to even talk about
      Pitt also doesnt talk about its attendance issues…what is Pittt doing to help fill Heinz
      Pitt doesnt talk about donation rates…what is Pitt doing to get more than 3% of alumni to donate voluntarily
      Pitt doesnt want to talk about not having the revenues and the monies to keep up in the arms race
      Pitt doesnt want to talk about many things
      They think not talking about things will make those things go away

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    2. No but the Alum support the experience. I have been to many schools when football was bad, SEC and other leagues and the crowd was full even though the team was bad. They came by Wednesday and left Sunday and spent lots of money in the college town.

      PittPT – Yes, I always loved that area and idea. Pitt could of stole that land years ago.

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  93. Its still technically off campus but it is closer than Heinz and the slums of south oakland where many of the students live. you have the parkway as that barrier though. i think the footprint of the site works for a 45k stadium. the good thing is there is active rail line nearby that runs through panther hollow and runs past frick. and students would probably still need to take a shuttle but the trip wouldnt take more than 10-15 minutes.

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  96. My point about PITT winning the Coastal is simple. You do not get invited to the championship game unless you win it. Also, it means that you finished up in the ACC, ahead of 11 other teams. That imo is significant. You’re right Jay, it’s not hard for me to understand.

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  97. Fact is we won a garbage coastal. Koolaid flowing like usual over here.

    Fact is Narduzzi is below .500 over the last 2 seasons. Cant smell a bowl win. Now his 3 star recruits are showing nothing.

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    1. Pointing out an accomplishment is not spewing kool-aid. Diminishing it is spewing negative BS. Strictly in my opinion with much respect.

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  98. This should be prime time for selling Pitt football tickets. Everyone is getting restless for football as the Pirates get ready for their June swoon. Yet not a word of publicity comes out of the Pitt AD. How many weeks of vacation do they need? I know this is academia, but someone should punch in once in a while. There is nothing in the Trib or the Post Gazette about Pitt athletics. Are they sending out any press releases? What does EJ think about this pathetic effort to sell tickets and create some fall excitement?

    Basketball team is going to Italy, right? So how about a story or two to generate some excitement and maybe get a Sr. transfer or two interested? Pitt’s marketing effort is putrid.

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  99. Since Pitt joined the ACC – the Coastal has been won by ; GT, NC, VT, Miami, and Pitt. All of these schools lost to the Altantic Champion (FSU and Clemson (4 times)) both of these schools made it the FBS playoffs and I think there was one or two National Champions out of the mix. Pitt won’t have a winning OOC record until 2020, then you can start complaining about Narduzzi’s overall record, until then the OOC schedule has has will continue to have an impact on Pitt’s record. In 2018 Pitt was 6-2 in the conference and 1-3 outside.

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